• About
  • Visit Gray Star Design
  • Minted Collection
  • Design Services
  • Contact

The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Category Archives: Events & Parties

Let the Countdown Begin

29 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties, Everyday Design, The Home

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Better Homes & Gardens, christmas, christmas tree, color scheme, cozy, decorating, design, festive, garland, holiday, inspirations, stockings, traditional, tree, warm, wreath

Let the Countdown Begin

Well, Christmas is right around the corner and winter days are here. Dressing up your home in a festive look can be done in many ways. Depending on the style you have throughout your house, any holiday decorating you do should still reflect that style. For example, if you have lots of white and cool colors than using silver, blues and white for your festive makeover would be successful. If you have an eclectic home than mix it up and have fun!

Here are some great inspirations to get you busy, if you already haven’t started. I was on it the weekend after Thanksgiving. I hung garland through the house, the stockings are hung and lots of gifts are under the tree. If you need a little push or want some new ideas, check out these next ideas from Better Homes & Gardens and get movin!

Choose a simple color scheme and stick to it. This will bring a traditional holiday a modern makeover. Pick two colors and go with the flow.
Let the Countdown Begin

Keep it simple but feature the color of the season, green! By laying garland on your mantle or around a doorway, your home will immediately feel warm, cozy and festive.Let the Countdown Begin

Get creative and feature a main element that is not traditional. Instead of a wreath, combine a little bit of nature in a basket and you have an interesting arrangement.
Let the Countdown Begin

This is what I am talking about by going with the style of your home. This winter wonderland says it all. With silvery tones, lots of white and pops of blue, this space is classy, modern and gorgeous.
Let the Countdown Begin

And keeping with the nature inspired decor, this space is earthy, warm and classic.
Let the Countdown Begin

Show off your crafty style and mix it up with rainbow lights, vintage flair and unique elements.
Let the Countdown Begin

Show off your holiday collections with style. Get those knick knacks out and feature the little items you love.
Let the Countdown Begin

Use items you wouldn’t normally use for the holidays and create an interesting and unique feel in your home. Get artsy and think out of the box for this one.
Let the Countdown Begin

For more inspiration visit Better Homes & Gardens

The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

21 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Advice & Inspiration, Daisy Hart, Guest Posts, Weddings

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bouquets, cutting flowers, daisy hart, flowers, light, watering

If you want your flowers to grow properly and live longer, you have to know how to treat them. Cut flowers are the most difficult type of flowers because they die out very quickly and you need to be well aware of the different ways in which you can change that. Here are some great and easy tips on how to properly cut flowers and take care of them.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

The secret is in the treatment which involves the use of proper growing floral substance, watering and nutrition and in the correct performance of the cut of the stem. The best way to take care of a flower is to treat like an actual living being, a human or an animal. All are simple requirements, space, water and care and light.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

Try to learn everything about the specific type of flower and you will see your knowledge will grow for it but also your understanding of the way it lives and develops.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

The Best Time to Cut Flowers
In order to achieve the best results imaginable you have to gather the flowers early in the morning, before sunrise or after sunset, before the night falls. The general idea is that you must not expose the cut flower to too much sunlight or too much heat. Therefore you must also remember that it is important for you to pick the flowers in a cool day with a cool weather, not freezing but balanced and cool. Aim for a temperature somewhere less than 80 degrees of Farenheit.

The problem that is caused by higher temperatures and exposure to direct sunlight during the process of cutting consists in the fact that the metabolism of the flower will be quickened and the flower’s energy will be greatly deducted, this experience is something similar to a human stroke . Take care of your flower and it will repay you with its beauty. In addition, if you cut the flower when the sun is shining and the air all around it is hot, its water naturally gets more easily evaporated and by the time you put the flower in the vase with the new water, the flower will most likely have been damaged to a great degree.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

The crucial period for cut flowers is between the moment they are cut and the moment when they are placed in the vase with fresh water supplies. No sudden evaporation of water will take place in the evening or the early morning when the air is the coldest and the sun is nowhere to be seen. However, you must not cut flowers that are wet in any way because once cut they are very vulnerable to diseases. If the flower has any sort of liquid on it when it is cut off, the moisture upon it may develop some sort of bacteria and then the flower may wane even faster than if it was cut off during a sunny hot day.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

Useful Tools
The tools that can prove to be very helpful in the cutting flower process are scissors, that enable you to make a nice, clean, straight cut, without any plant particles remaining on the end of the cut of the stem. Also, remember that everything must always be clean. Change the water and wash the flower itself every day.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

{Daisy Hart is a writer and blogger with great flair for flowers and flower decoration projects. She is focused on writing the best possible way and is constantly searching for new sources of inspiration. Currently she contributes articles mainly on flower related thematic.}

http://www.flowershops.co.uk/anniversary-flowers/

Written by Daisy Hart

Holiday Party Tips

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bouquets, centerpieces, christmas, Country Living, decor, decorating, favors, flowers, fun, garland, holiday, Holiday Party Tips, interior, nature, ornaments, party, thanksgiving

The holidays are here! With Thanksgiving in a few days and Christmas & New Years right around the corner, it’s time to start planning those holiday parties. There are so many fun things you can do to dress up your home and make it festive. Here are a few tips I scored from Country Living that should totally inspire the designer in all of you.

Using ornaments in different ways is always fun. You don’t have to just hang them from the tree. Gather some in a bowl or vase, hang from doorways and moldings or create garland out of them. Try to stick with a theme or color and go with it.
Holiday Party Tips

Let nature be your guide and feature lots of green. From small centerpieces to holly type garland, there are lots of ways to use flowers and plants. You can even create small bouquets for people to bring home as favors.
Holiday Party Tips

Create some laughs by dressing up photographs of family and friends with funny faces and holiday cheer. Just use a dry erase marker and you should be good to go.
Holiday Party Tips

Instead of adding lots of decorations, dress up your table with pretty bowls and plates. Whether they shine, shimmer or bring pops of color to the space, festive they will be.
Holiday Party Tips

Little Holiday Heroes

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Decor Ideas, Events & Parties, Everyday Design, Shopping

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anthropologie, BHLDN, decor, dinner, family, festive, holiday, host, Jayson Home, linens, ModCloth, party, ruche, thanksgiving, Through the Country Door, VivaTerra, west elm, World Market

Little Holiday Heroes

I always say, its in the details, because honestly, it is. Whenever I go to a party or wedding, even a dinner party, its the little details I see first. Whether big or small, they really show your guests you wanted the event to be special. When these little details are lacking, it just seems that sincerity is missing as well.

I searched for some really nice items to include in your holiday dinner this year for Thanksgiving. If you are not the host, than maybe you can use them the next time you have some friends or family over for a yummy meal. It’s always important to have fun and don’t overdo it. Especially, on a table where people are eating. Believe me, no one wants big centerpieces in their faces while they are trying to talk or tons of do daddies in their way when they want to get seconds. Keep it simple, clean and totally you.

Little Holiday Heroes
Cutlery Portrait Napkin – Anthropologie

Little Holiday Heroes
Amazon Dreams Pitcher – Anthropologie

Little Holiday Heroes
Stately Trio of Vases – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Poppy Pos Vase – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Felted Foliage Garland – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Wee Medallion Food Picks – BHLDN

Little Holiday Heroes
Piglet Placeholder Set – Ruche

Little Holiday Heroes
Pretty Cupcake Kit – Ruche

Little Holiday Heroes
Cheese and Thank You Serving Set – ModCloth

Little Holiday Heroes
Checkered Mercury Vases – Jayson Home

Little Holiday Heroes
Marina Vase – Jayson Home

Little Holiday Heroes
Rustic Set of Candleholders – Through the Country Door

Little Holiday Heroes
Hampstead Natural Napkins – World Market

Little Holiday Heroes
Natural Fiber and Lurex Table Runner – World Market

Little Holiday Heroes
Madras Serving Bowl – World Market

Little Holiday Heroes
Gilded Fig Vases – VivaTerra

Little Holiday Heroes
Metallic Diamond Printed Napkin Set – West Elm

Little Holiday Heroes
Cake Kitchen Placemats – West Elm

Little Holiday Heroes
Decorative Napkin Ring – West Elm

← Older posts
Newer posts →
color in films sound in color art inpsired palettes
art and design the home events and parties weddings real weddings color inspiration film-reviews historic places news and updatesminted






minted.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives



martha

Magnolia Rouge

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.29.10 PM

Etsy

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.18.10 PM

logo

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.42.13 PM

P&PBlogHeader

wedding chicks


ruffled

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.47.49 PM

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.16.32 PM


lauren-elle-photography

jenlombardo

logo_website

site-logo1

kelly_dekenipp_logo

homelogo

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Join 1,379 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...