5 Spring Decor Idea's

Spring is coming,  and it is time to start dusting off the glue gun and get your spring decor on. Here is a collection of some of my favorite spring interiors with links to products and D-I-Y's for obtaining the same looks in your own home. One of the things I love most about Spring, is how easy it is to decorate for.  

ComfyDwelling.com

I am in love with these soft blue vases with pink tulips. Tulips are a spring essential, and I love how they look.  They add color, and brighten up a space.  Tulips are also available in a wide variety of colors, so you have quite a few options to coordinate with your space.  Yellow, white, pink, even orange, purple, or red.  You can mix and match colors or go with all the same colors.  

Now to create this look.  I found similar vases here, here,  and here. You can purchase tulips at your local grocery store.  I don't recommend buying flowers online, but if you must, you can find them here.  This is a quick and simple arrangement that can be done on a mantle, hearth, entry table, or anywhere else in the house.  This is a low skill project that doesn't require any special equipment (like that glue gun!)  Just a few simple notes: I typically like doing these arrangements in odd numbers, three or five vases, etc. Also, you don't have to fill all the vases with flowers. Note how this arrangement has two of the four vases filled with flowers.

ComfyDweling.com

This next image, much like the first one, is easy and obtainable in many areas of your home.  From the mantle to the entry table, even the front porch.  This vignette features a few items: 

• Old window frame, or this message board
• Chalkboard
• Tulips and greenery
• Tin Planter
• Burlap Table Runner
• And don't forget the cute bunny. 

This vignette is easy to make look great. Notice again, there are three vases, (I love them in odd numbers!).  Two one one side, and one on the other.  The bunny helps even out the vignette with the centered greenery in a tin planter, the chalk board, and the antique window. 

Dreamy Whites

This lovely table setting is perfect for Spring. The white ceramics are beautiful, and the lilac's are even better. Here are some of the items you will need to duplicate this space:

• Enamel Pitcher
• Lilac's  
• Antique Lavender Bottles
• Mason Jars

This table setting is very easy to duplicate. I have always believed that when you don't force a table setting, it looks natural. Less can definitely be more, and don't try to force it.  If you notice this setting, there is room to breathe.  There isn't so much on the table that you can still actually see the table.  Fill those mason jars with lemon aid, and your ready for a Sunday Spring Brunch.  Add some macaroons or petite fours, and your golden!

FrugalHomeMaker.com

Now for the DIY's. 

One spring item that I love, is this amazing DIY tulip wreath that is not only easy to put together, but inexpensive, and will brighten up and liven up your front door.  Some of the item's you will need for this tutorial are: 

• Grapevine Wreathe
• Silk Tulips
• Burlap Bow  

Follow along with the tutorial, and you will have a great wreathe to grace the front door and welcome your guests.  (Including the Easter Bunny!)  If you don't want to use only tulips, then shop around Michael's or Hobby Lobby and find a spring assortment that will make you happy. Hydrangeas, lilac's, lilies, any spring bloom will look great. 

This next DIY is fabulous. It includes Mason Jars.  How can you go wrong with Mason Jars? Painted Mason Jars are a big trend right now.  Forth this DIY, you will need the following: 

• Mason Jars
• Acrylic Craft Paint
• Hydrangeas
• Paint Brushes
• Free Printables

Now, be sure to follow along the tutorial.  This tutorial has you paint the interior of the mason jar, but you can also paint the exterior and sand some areas for a more shabby chic distressed look. If you go that route, I would recommend Chalk Paint. 

Happy Spring and Happy Decorating!

The Golden Revision

Many of us who have a 1980's and 1990's house have the same thing. Outdated and ugly brass fixtures.  We all have them, we all hate them, and we all want to replace them.  Especially now that they are probably showing their age with tarnishing and deteriorating finishes, leaks, and oxidation.  It's ok, we should all know we aren't alone.

Today's finishes aren't limited to Chrome and Brushed Nickel.  For those of you that still love the warmth and class that Brass once showed, there is still something perfect for you.  There are still golden finishes that are gaining in popularity. (I guess everything does come back around at some point!)  Here are some of my favorite finishes that are perfect for people who love the gold finishes, or who are on top of the fashion game!

This faucet is Brushed Bronze.  Similar finishes are available from many well named brands, including Kohler, Delta, Brizo, Newport Brass, Altman's, and many more.  This finish is available in both kitchen and bath. Brushed Bronze is a darker version of a golden finish.  It is warm, and goes well with cream colored finishes.

Here it is again in a kitchen faucet.  This particular faucet is the Kohler Karbon Articulating Faucet, which list at around $1500.  This finish is truly a way to make a statement.  It hasn't grown widespread like Brass did in the 80's and 90's, and like Brushed Nickel has in the 2000's and 2010's.  Because of so many finish offerings today, I don't think it will be come so widespread, so you can really make a statement and have something unique.

This Polished Copper faucet by Newport Brass is called the Metropole. I very popular design, in a unique finish to Newport Brass.  It looks just like a shiny new penny. This faucet is priced from around $1207. Many of Newport Brass's faucet offerings are available in this finish, which is again, a warm and unique finish.  One thing I dislike about chrome is that it can be so cold.

Newport Brass has the largest selection of gold finishes including Polished Copper, Brushed Bronze, French Gold, Polished Brass, Brushed Brass, and so much more. Newport Brass also has a wide variety of faucet designs, and nearly all faucets are available in all 27 finishes.  They are typically made to order, which makes them the best way to customize your faucet.  They have a full array of faucets including bath, kitchen, shower, and accessories to coordinate your whole home.

Delta Trinsic Floor Mount Tub Filler in Champagne Bronze

And this last faucet is the Delta Trinsic Floor Mount Tub Filler in Champagne Bronze. I love the mix of Traditional finishes with contemporary faucet design.  This is a great way to create a custom space.  Why stick to the same old boring Brushed Nickel if you don't want to. Like Newport Brass, Delta has a full variety of coordinating faucets and accessories to match your whole home.

Most people can't wait to get rid of their outdated gold faucets.  Some people still love the gold, if that's you, rest assured, you will find something to fit your taste.  Traditional, contemporary, and transitional styles are available in these fun new finishes.  And if you shop with the major brands, you can create a whole suite of fixtures and accessories to make a complete space.

6 Gorgeous Fall Porches

The air is getting cooler, and the pumpkin spice latte's are plentiful.  So what does that mean for your house? Whether you are decorating for Halloween, or fall in general, here are some absolutely gorgeous porches to get you inspired.

Simple with a splasg of color.
By Seaside Interiors

Lovely vignette,simple and clean.
By ComfyDwelling.com

Another chic vignette
By ComfyDwelling.com

Simply Elegant 

Lovely seating area
By ComfyDwelling.com

Eclectic Fall Decor
by EASYdesigns

Metallic Leather

Custom Brushed Metallic Beaver Meadow Brown Leather

on Chairs at the Langham Hotel in Atlanta, GA

Designed by Johnson Studio

Metallic's are a lot of fun, and a great way to bring in some extra texture into any space.  Sometimes they can be a little scary, and easy to overdo, but still fun.  I was surfing Pinterest not too long ago, and found some products that I have since fallen in love with.  The company in question is Townsend Leather, and their product line is absolutely stunning.  They specialize in all kinds of leather, but have a great collection of metallic finished leathers for interior design and fashion.  Their collection of embossed leather features several different metallic and foil finishes, that lets just say, I was rather excited to order some samples.  

Razzle Dazzle Cowhide (RD)

Color: Silver

Pattern: La Scala Damask

Number: L-RD-1875-LAS

The first piece that caught my eye was the Razzle Dazzle Cowhide in La Scala Damask Silver.  I could see this textured and shiny leather featured on throw pillows, or even an upholstered headboard!  This particular design is not recommended for heavy use areas like seating, but great for accents or vertical applications, as the metallic foil can wear. 

The physical sample is just as beautiful as the photo, and the textured detail is absolutely stunning.  No trick photography here, it looks great, even at a distance.  I often worry about some of these textured materials because when entering a room they can often take two or three glances to actually get what's going on, but not this one.  

Fab Foils Embossed Cowhide (EFAB)

Color: Silver

Pattern: Ostrich

Number: L-EFAB-1875-LAS

One of the other leathers that instantly caught my eye was the Fab Foils Embossed Silver Ostrich on Cowhide.  This highly metallic leather sample took my breath away right out of the envelope. It almost looks like a piece of foil, so shiny and bright.  I already have a few projects I could use this for.  Like the Razzle Dazzle Cowhide, this color is not recommended for heavy use areas like seating, but great for accents or vertical applications.

I could see this more in fashion, like on a purse, or shoes, not so much furniture, however I could also see it utilized in some holiday decor, such as combined with blue and silver themed Christmas decor, as accent and accessories. 

Brushed Metallic Cowhide
Old Penny BM-8357

Looking for something that can be used in upholstery?  This chair is a great example of why I am now loving metallic leathers.  This chair is done in the Brushed Metallic Cowhide in the color Old Penny.  It has that subtle sheen that you would expect on say, and old penny, and it is sure to be an eye catcher when walking into a room.  I love it!  I really want a giant overstuffed leather chair in this color, in the corner of my bedroom to curl up with the Kindle, or write a blog post or two.  

This particular leather is Hand Rubbed to accentuate the metallic finish and the leathers own natural characteristics to create that patina that looks like the chair is your favorite.  

Townsend Leather also has some interesting textured metallics that can be used in upholstery.  The Aniline Gaufrage Cowhide pictured below is a breathtakingly luxe leather that looks fantastic on these chairs.  This photo below is the reason I wanted to write this post.  I love this transitional luxe vignette is exactly the kind of room I love creating, and can't wait to partner with Townsend Leather in creating these unique pieces.   Want more?  Check out the rest of my blog.  You can also find Townsend Leather on Pinterest. 

Aniline Gaufrage Pewter Mosaic
GFA-6221-MS

Fall Tablescapes and How to Create Them

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so what could possibly be a better post, than setting that amazing feast table?

So, let me tell you a little about me, and my family when it comes to holiday feasts, we are the poster child for lazy meals.  We load up the island and treat it like a big buffet, if you want to eat, get off your butt and grab a plate.  There is nothing on the table, because the more you put there the more you gotta clean up.  You will only find the things that are required, a glass for your one beverage of choice, napkin, and a fork.  I wouldn't know the proper way to set a table if it killed me.  So when I got married, I was surprised to see that there are actually people who know how to set the table.  Can look at a place setting and know exactly which bread roll is theirs, and which wine glass is theirs.  This concept is completely foreign to me.  So this is one reason I wanted to write this post, help the sisters (like me) out there throw an amazing holiday feast, with a properly set table that looks amazing.

Lets start out by the place settings themselves.  What goes where?  I learned an awesome trick at a wedding once.  If you make that "OK" symbol with your hands, link the index and thumb, your Left hand makes a "B" and Right hand makes a "D", bread and drink!

Place Setting Diagram by http://www.trimsunlimited.com/blog/top-10-etiquette-blunders/

I found this diagram which is an excellent display of what goes where. When dining, you will use your utensils from the outside in. It is somewhat obvious since your salad fork is on the outside, followed by dinner, then dessert.  There isn't much more I can talk about here, the picture pretty much explains it all. 

Now that we have that figured out, lets go over some amazing fall tablescapes to get you inspired for your holiday entertaining. Now if you don't already follow my Harvest Season Board on Pinterest, you should. I have some amazing ideas for tablescapes from fun and festive to formal and ornate.  There truly is something

Contemporary Table  by
Focal Point Styling

This tablescape features one very necessary element to any tablescape or vignette you can create, and that is layers.  If you notice, they used a square charger, large plate, napkin, small plate and then the pumpkin.  Creating layers is a great way to also show different textures.  Just like in this display, the plaid plate, golden pumpkin, and then the rattan textured charger.  They all blend well with the table runner and leaf detail on the candlesticks.

When creating your perfect fall table, start layering right there in the store.  Play with the plates, linens, and decorative pieces to create a look all your own. Play with shapes, textures, and like this design, even various prints.  "Matchy Matchy" has it's place, and so does eclectic and fun, shown here.
Also, when trying to recreate this look, Home Goods is my favorite place to shop.  They have great prices and selection.

White Pumpkin Table Scape by
Ann West Interiors

Want to play it safe, or still not sure what to do with textures and patterns?  Try something like this tablescape by Ann West Interiors.  She created a table scape by simply placing white pumpkins of various sizes and shapes down the center of the table.  The use of white candles of various heights creates even more stunning interest.  The hurricanes with candles and leaves create height.

When looking for pumpkins, consider foam craft pumpkins, that can be used year after year.  Fake not your thing, often you can find them in bulk at places like grocery stores, home improvement stores, or of course, your local pumpkin patch.

Glittering Table by
HGTV

This amber tablescape by HGTV features similar colored glass ornaments including stemware and accent pieces, candles, and foliage.  A lovely table setting that is both classic and timeless.  This scape can also be done year after year, and tweaks in foliage, can also be used for Christmas.
A tablescape like this can be easily created using pieces from Pier One, or even Crate and Barrel.  Be careful with the amber colored dishes and shopping multiple stores.  Some might be more yellow, and some more orange.  You want it to match!

When creating your look, shop around.  This can get expensive.  Especially if you need to create many place settings.  This is one reason why I love places like Home Goods, Marshall's, and Ross.  They often have some great pieces and very affordable.  The biggest challenge at these stores will be finding the quantity you need, again if you have a lot of place settings.
Enjoy, and again, follow my Harvest Season board on Pinterest for even more How-To's and inspirational photos. 

Follow Sarah George's board HARVEST SEASON on Pinterest.