Shot In The Arm

I need a kick in the pants after this weekend.  Work was crazy and the post I intended for yesterday is not going to work. Due to technical difficulties and my wackyness perfectionist tendencies. 

With that said, some big bold color is needed to start the week off right.  

 

Lots and lots of color

Jenna Lyons

I want to go here and I need that lounge.

Jonathan Adler

Perfect on a black glossy floor.

French chair livened up with yellow leather/vinyl

Always loved this nook

Mary McDonald

All via my Pinterest.

Click to follow-I post some reallllly good stuff, promise!

Blog Crush

Sometimes I stumble across a new blog (new to me anyway) that I just can not seem to get enough of. Right now Gorgeous Shiny Things is that blog.  My blog crush if you will.

The author, Danika Herrick can work some major design magic with a paint brush, some paint, tape, a  ruler and a blank wall!  Oh and sometimes there are vintage furniture pieces involved.  Her crazy colorful interior design and renovation projects are original, inspiring and just plain AWESOME.   All written about in a fast paced approachable style that is fun and interesting to read.  Like a good conversation with a close girlfriend.

She is a mom with two young boys and a husband who works in real estate.  They moved five times and FIVE years. Always renovating and redecorating in each new home.  Her background is in interior design but I she started her own company recently.  If you read design blogs then you are probably familiar with O’verlays.  Yep, she along with her business partner created them.   Just the sheer amount of what she has accomplished is something to look up to.

Lets talk about the picture above shall we.  This used to be a wood dresser people, now it is a sea green masterpiece with shiny gold hardware.  Note the wall-that is not wallpaper it was done by hand with a gold pen. Seriously.

Lovely guest bedroom and office then…..

Bam!  This is the view of the opposite side of the room behind the closet door.  Yes, that geometric mural was painted by hand and it is oh so amazing.  The Dorthy Draper inspired chest is, I think an Ikea find done up with O’verlays. 

O’verlays and mirror working hard keeping the glam.

Paint and plastic templates to get this effect.  Not yours mommas stencil.

Her bathroom before

annnnnd after. More O’verlays at work!

Go NOW to read and partake in some more design and renovation goodness. I should say everything she does is budget friendly.  Sometimes all you need is a $30 bucket of paint and a ruler to create something amazing!

Design Board Happenings

TADA!

I was all set to have a big giant inspiration board ready for today’s post.  However, after several attempts this is as big as it gets people.  Remember I AM NOT a graphic designer, I just play one one this here blog.

Above is what I would do if I had a gazillion dollars to spend and could just buy from 1st dibs like it was my job.  In my mind this is what my office would look like.  All pretty, sparkly glam, modern and traditional at the same time.   Here sherbet colors and fabrics would mingle with a brass 1970’s screen and a chinoiserie table lamp can cohabitant with a burnt orange and purple velvet stripe toss pillow. Aw yeah.

  Notice my favorite discontinued Jane Churchill fabric on the antique black bench.  So perfectly wonderful in a small doses.

Despite the technical difficulties this was too much fun and I will continue to create mood/design/inspiration boards for your viewing pleasure.  Go HERE to see a larger view.

By the end of the week part two of the office will be up and ready.

Wait till you see the deck and office chair.

Spring Is Coming…..Soon

Did you notice that it is staying lighter longer in the evenings?  Well, up here in Pennsylvania it is.  This fact makes me very very happy.  It will soon be March and winter will be over and done with!

Till then we can all partake in the bright splendid color below.

via Pinterest

Apartment of Ivanka Trump via Little Green Notebook

via 1st Dibs

Katie Ridder

Phillip Gorrivan via Pinterest

Yeah ok I had an aqua and mustard yellow moment.  I got no issues with that.

Have an awesome weekend!

More Glossy Goodness

I know I posted about my obsession with lacquered walls last week but you must take a look at this.

Spied last evening on the blog A {Little} Dash of Ash.

  Deep glossy navy walls along with a brown checkerboard wood floor creates some major contrast.  The wood along with the white ceiling keep it from being dark and moody.  Also, everything here looks like it was chosen with care from the artwork to the  peices on the console.  Yeah, that console is awesome too.  Love that the molding and trim are the same color as the wall. It makes the space seem larger.

I was curious, did my research and found it is the apartment of  Todd Romano, published in Architectural Digest back in February 2011.  The space is a tiny studio in New York but the color scheme is big and bold.  Lots of color against glossy navy which are throughout the WHOLE space.  Pay close attention to the red stacking trays,  lime green velvet chairs and an amazing collection of art. Oh it is so so good!

Images via Architectural Digest & A {Little} Dash of Ash blog

Photography by Thomas Loof

Colorful Picture Matting

I have been coveting the below photo for quite sometime.

Photo by Ann Schlechter via Coastal Living

It is from Coastal Living but I cannot find anymore info on the room.  Cause I would LOVE to see the rest of it.  You see it is not just the vintage chairs, I imagine they were picked up for a steal at some wonderful out of the way antique shop or flea market then given new life with white spray paint.  Yes, these are the things I wonder about.  And it is not the cozy banquette seating oh no it is the those magazine advertisements framed with pink matting!  If someone had the creativity to use pink I want to see what else is going on in their space!

I gave me some much needed inspiration for our sad plain jane entryway.  It’s not really sad I’m just bored with it. But that is a post for another day. Till then here is some more colorful matting for your Thursday evening.

Lonny Magazine via Luxe + Lillies

via everything LEB

Thomas Cary’s apartment via New York Social Diary

Thomas Cary’s apartment via New York Social Diary

*Still from the film Indiscreet via Habitually Chic

I have never seem this movie, which stars Ingrid Bergman, but this interior set has me intrigued.

from Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick via Chinoiserie Chic

 

All Lacquered Up

Saturday evening conversation over takeout Chili’s brought with gift card leftover from Christmas.

ME-“Maybe I should lacquer the walls in the bathroom since ya know we are going to have to replace the drywall”

Tim-Tim-“What are you talking about and who would take the time to do that?”

ME-“Welllll, there was this article in the new Elle Decor……”

Tim-Tim-blank stare/eyes glazed over thinking about the Patriots (they lost btw but Madonna was amazing)

Nothing says  glamorous like lacquered walls.  Rich, layered and dense especially when done in a dark moody color.  This is the perfect thing to bring a little shin to your Monday morning.

One of my favorites deep electric blue by Eric Cohler & Jennifer Mason from Traditional Home.

Love this stairway. Crisp vertical lines then alternating black and white on the stairs.  Black gloss on the woodwork.

via 1st Dibs photo archives

Layered, masculine with a green velvet sofa and leopard pillows.

via Pinterest

More high gloss black from interior designer Tommy Smyth.

Lets go completely the opposite end of the color spectrum and throw in some orange glossy goodness.  The draper chest looks amazing when paired with this wall shade.

via Aestate.com

More navy blue lacquer.  I never tire of this.

via Pinterest

Up to the ceiling with high gloss white.  A lovely bedroom is made all the more glam. I think ceiling paint makes it feel bigger and more open.

via Aestate.com

Another lovely room traditional and feminine then bam! glossy lemon yellow on the ceiling.

via Apartment Therapy