Inspiration Photo Friday: Tunnel Vision

24 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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determination, nature, peace, peaceful, plants, road, trees, tunnel vision, vacation

My husband and I have been on our vacation since Tuesday and since then we have mainly relaxed, which was the point of the trip. It’s really been nice to kind of do nothing for once. The weather has been rainy and cloudy everyday so we can’t really explore the area too much but when the sun comes shining through, we will surely get out for a bit.

I told myself this trip would help rejuvenate my mind and jumpstart a new way of life. When I get home I would like to focus more on my health, so starting an exercise routine and eating a little better is a must. I also want to focus on Gray Star Design and go full force with the business. And last but not least, creating more time to spend with Dan and doing more together.

I took this photo yesterday while taking a walk with our dogs. It’s the road our cottage is on and it really is beautiful. Surrounded by trees, plants, and a peaceful stream that runs through the woods, the serene environment truly allows clear thinking. It reminded me of the path I want to take in life and how important certain things are to my future. And although you never know what will come your way, creating the life you want and working toward goals that will truly make you happy, is essential for success. And I know I will get there.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Tunnel Vision - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds

23 Thursday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

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antique, beauty, better homes and gardens, Christy Renee Designs, decoist, decor, design, eclectic, flea market finds, interior designd, style, vintage

Being a lover of everything vintage, my home surely reflects the beauty of the old and the freshness of the new. Some may think its easy to throw a space like this together but it does take some thinking. Because you want there to be a cohesive look you have to arrange furniture and items in a way that they flow effortlessly. So when your eye moves around the room, there is a nice mix of all styles you love. Here are a few examples of some spaces that are great inspirations for this look.

This dining room is casual with a bit of class. The paneling on the walls give the space an upscale look while the blackboard paint makes it fun. The mix of vintage glass and accessories blends well with the wood furniture and neutral tones of the textiles.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Shabby chic and mid century design come together to create a space that is luxurious, feminine, and classic. The earthy elements and wood tones help ground the room while the antique mirrors help light find its way around this peaceful neutral space.

Photo Credit: Christy Renee Designs

Bright, modern, and colorful, this space adds stylish interest to one side of the room. By using vintage benches as bookshelves, the unique accessories and books are displayed in a creative, yet smart way.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

A little bit of glam and old world charm give this sitting room a rich look. The earthy and calm color palette play off of the shabby chic style, which also adds a comfortable layer to the space.

Photo Credit: Decoist

The traditional style of this living room includes earthy elements, such as the stone fireplace. With the addition of the vintage bottle collection and small rustic touches, a nice mix of old and new is created.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Modern and contemporary style with a few vintage pieces keeps this space streamlined and true to the aesthetic while softening up the lines a bit.

Photo Credit: Decoist

Recycling old items is an easy way to freshen up a space. This rustic and modern foyer welcomes you with style and unique flair.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

A little bit of country, rustic flair, and traditional style create a comfortable and airy space for guests to relax. The few pops of color are enough to add interest and freshness while the textures give the room the warmth it needs from all the cool neutrals. Bright and cozy live in harmony here.

Photo Credit: Modern Furniture Decor 2014

The combination of rustic old world elements with vintage pieces bring an eclectic feel to this bathroom while the colors keep it interesting.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Sound in Color: Bjork – Homogenic

21 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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Bjork, blue, color, color palette, contrast, feminine, fun, gray, Homogenic, ice blue, music, pink. purple, vibrant color, whimsy

I have loved Bjork for years. Her music is unique, just as she is, and her voice is utterly amazing. I think its awesome how she much experiments with sound and tone, its simply intriguing. Her album covers are always pretty cool too. This particular album, Homogenic, has such a nice contrast between icy neutrals and vibrant hot hues. The color palette alone is fun, whimsy, and feminine. Sort of like Bjork 🙂

Sound in Color: Bjork - Homogenic

A Day at the Fair

20 Monday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in News, Shop Gray Star Design

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animals, art, charity, crafts, design, fair, farm, garden of eve organic farm, long island, music, new york, riverhead, the forgotten friends of long island, vendor

This past Saturday I was a vendor at The Forgotten Friends of Long Island Spring Fair held at the Garden of Eve Organic Farm in Riverhead, NY. It was a beautiful day for sure. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze, and the farm was filled with happy animals and lots of plants. My husband and I were there a little before 9 am to set up my table and tent, and then the event started an hour later. For my first event, I have to say I enjoyed it a lot.

There were many vendors there, both artists and food crafters, as well as live music acts. I met some people and passed along my card which is always a good thing. Although I didn’t expect to sell a lot of items, I did make some money. My intent was to support a great cause and get my work out there to more local people. I feel that was very successful.

It also made me smile that some of my family made it out to say hello and take a look around. Big thanks to my cousin Diana, aunt Deb, Grandmother, and in laws for visiting my first fair! It was really cool to have them all there. I feel I am now more prepared for the next event I am part of, as I thought of lots of ideas of how to present my items and attract more people to my table. It’s all about the presentation. And even though I felt my table was super cute, it will be much improved next time around.

Here are some photos I took of the day. Enjoy.