iWant a fireplace mantle so bad….even a faux one…

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I am moving next month into a bigger place. Off to the side of my new living room is a den. It’s kind of like a formal dining room which has an opening that looks out into the living room. I want to make it an office but I really can envision having a fireplace there. Not an electric one but a faux fireplace. I think that would make for a very romantic slash cozy intimate space. I adore the one above and all the styling that went along with it. The tiled mirrored backsplash is a nice alternative to pictures, mirrors or tvs.

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This above is perfect styling. A cluster of candles to bring a nice glow and heat. The gold accents against a classic black & white palette is another reason I love it.

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I forgot the blogger who this belongs to but painting the inside black chalkboard is genius. And decorating withshoes is so fun.

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A cluster of vases, candleholders and jars make for great centerpieces & mantle styling…

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You know why I really like this look? Because one can easily go to a rummage sale, thrift store or the Goodwill and purchase random ones in any style or color. All you have to do is buy spraypaint & viola!

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{Via Style Files, BHG, & Somewhere Splendid}

Color Schemes: Black, White & Gold

It’s been a while since I’ve done a color scheme post & figured this was a great one. It’s actually the colors of my elementary school (yeah Sherman Multi-Cultural Arts in Milwaukee!!). It’s a very powerful palette. When you see these colors you think of Egyptians & Kings & Queens & Gold…

{Pinterest}

Dreary Exteriors = Gray Interiors…

{Dream Home 2011 Merchandise Mart Chicago}

It’s SATURDAY but its dreary and rainy. Which is unfortunate because I only like rain if I’m sleep or when it’s thundering. Plus I have to finish accessory shopping for the kitchen reno I’m 97% done with, and the bathroom reno I just started. Shopping sucks when its raining. The only positive is stores tend to be less crowded. So since it’s so gray outside I figured I’ll highlight some fab gray interiors from the Merchandise Mart in Chicago where Chicago’s top interior designers had the freedom to dream big and create 9 rooms for you to indulge in. This foyer (below) designed by Buckingham Interiors & Design is so stylish. I love how they used an AGED MIRROR inside the limestone fireplace mantle. And those chairs!! *cues rapper Juvenile* I need it in my life! I want it in my life! So fab. Click HERE to see video footage of the details.

If you are unfamiliar with the mart, it’s the only building in Chicago that’s covers so much space area wise, that it has its own zip code. Google it if you don’t believe me. It’s a designers candy store. When I was a design student, my classes were at night because I worked full-time during the day & was unable to do a lot of the field trips. Unfortunately I never got to go to the mart but on one of my many trips to Chicago I did a boat tour where we sailed by it. It IS a very very large building.

You know I love the rustic element of chopped FIREWOOD. I even like driving by houses that have a stack in their yard. So I love how it’s displayed here. The whole room is very glamorous yet very simplistic at the same time. Click HERE to see more details. Read on to see the kitchen…

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My Obsession w/Black Continues: Charcoal Walls…

{Delight by Design}

Once dubbed as depressing and gothic is now becoming all the rage in interior design. So KNOW that I’m thrilled to see my favorite color played up on wall space. One may think it’s too dark and heavy but indulge in the pics of this post for a minute and see if you change your mind. You may not be ready for it but someone else is & fabulous rooms have been created because of it. Take the first example. That room is all sorts of sexy. Creating a border with mirrors? Genius…

{The Glam Lamb}

The gold art really picks up the grains of the wood floors & pops with the black walls. I love how streamlined the look is when art is paired up in rows of 3s. See more in my Pictures Done in Multiples post. Painting the backs of the bookshelves in gray prevents the black accessories from disappearing. I also like the selection of pillows and incorporating a camel color for the chairs…

I had a visualgasm at the sight of this tufted zebra gorgeous chair. Yall know I like my zebra stuff as much as black. I need it in my life. I can completely imagine how comfortable this must be. If you look in the mirrored reflection, you’ll see another standout piece that is the lucite desk table. And the porky pine spiked details brings a little bit of whimsy to the space…

Airy window treatments and multiple light sources (wall sconces, ceiling fixture and lamp) will  keep this room from being too dark. A few splashes of color from the pillows, books & orchid brings in some spunk. Though I’d love to see a few more accessories on the desk in fuchsia…

{Made by Girl}

Granted, this is a dark space but I still like it and I especially LOVE the way the photos line the mantel. This is the way you can display family photos without looking dated. Simply use same frame colors and same mat & sepia toned or black and white pics and viola. Other modern ideas on family portraits found in my Wall Art Inspiration Dos and Donts post…

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Wall Art Inspirations and the Do’s and Don’ts…

designwali.blogspot.com

I live in an apartment that doesn’t allow painting (dreadful) and coming from an apartment that DID allow it, it’s rather depressing. In my last place I had a mulberry wall in my bedroom which has Moroccan elements and then a chocolate wall in my living room which has African Safari & animal print pieces. So to help all the other people out who have my dilemma or who simply want to spruce up their wall space without anything too permanent, here are some relatively inexpensive ideas to hopefully inspire you.

Depending on how it’s done, I love a collage of photos. The key is to have some consistency otherwise it will look dated and cluttered. You want to either A) use the same color frames. They can be different frames (actually I think the more styles the better) but when painted the same it works. B) The same color pictures. Whether you use pics with the same colors in it or all black & white or sepia toned, that allows for a cohesive look. C) same colored frame AND mat. When you use the same mat it really frames out the pictures quite nicely.  

La Dolce Vita

Placement of photos on walls are also important. Rule of thumb, unless you’re doing some sort of collage, never hang pix higher than the other. Make sure they’re at eye level (not too high or too low) Never put pictures over door frames. Maybe it’s a pet peeve of mine but I cannot stand it especially in a room where the ceilings are the normal 8 ft height. It just looks silly. I love when mirrors or art are aligned in 3s. It makes such a statement. Try putting them over a bed for a “headboard” feel.

 

Size of pictures is something one must consider when putting them over pieces of furniture. As with anything in your space, you want to make sure everything is to scale. There IS such thing as having too small of pictures for the space. Imagine bite size pictures over an oversized couch with really high ceilings. Yeah, it’s not a good look.


When doing family photos, try to think of different ways to display them. One big trend right now is frameless portraits and enlarged images. It’s still highlighting your loved ones but in more of a modern non stale way. By stale I mean…….well…..you’ve been to homes, particularly the elder generation where there’s family photos on the walls EVERYWHERE….in different frame styles, different color frames, different eras of photos, different colors, hung at different heights….just doing entirely way too much. Unless you’re displaying a collection of art as in an art wall and confining it to one wall or space, then I don’t cosign the above.

Click for more pics & inspirations…

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