Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

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Andrea Beitzel, Anthology on Main, Apple and Pine Cone Wreath, Artificial Boxwood Wreath, autumn, Burlap Christmas Wreath, decor, Dried Flower Wreath, Dried Lavender Wreath, Enchanted Forest Eucalyptus Wreath, entrance, fall, Fall Harvest Wreath, Farmers' Market Herb Wreath, Faux Acorn Wreath, Forsynthia Wreath, front door, Green & White Dried Flower Wreath, Hayneedle, holiday, home, Lavender Patchwork Wreath, Lavender Round Wreath, Lemon Leaf Wreath, Lise Simple Creations, Live Ivy Wreath, Live Willow & Hydrangea Wreath, NaturDesign, New England Wreath, Paper Flower Wreath, Plow and Hearth, Pottery Barn, Red Robyn Lane, Rose Garden Wreath, seasons, Small Book Page Rosette Wreath, spring, summer, terrain, welcome, west elm, White Pinecones Wreath, Wild Ridge Design, Williams Sonoma, winter, Winter Floral Wreath, wreath, Zinnia Bouquet Wreath

Now that I am a homeowner, I do my best to make people feel welcome when they visit. I feel first impressions are important and that’s why the entrance to your home is a good place to start adding a little warmth. Besides keeping a clean porch and adding some accessories or flowers, placing a wreath on your door is an easy way to say welcome. I have one for every season and enjoy switching them out as the weather changes.

There are all types of wreaths you can buy. Some can be really expensive so you want to think about how long you will have it. If its something you will use for years, then go ahead and spend the money, its worth it. But if its just for a holiday, then you might want to think twice. I recommend purchasing preserved wreathes because they last a long time, if taken care of, and are essentially real. There is nothing worse than having something hang on your door that looks like a plastic toy. I think that just says you really didn’t want to try.

Well, here are some beautiful wreaths to consider. They will be sure to send some inspiration your way on how to jazz up your entrance and welcome your guests in style. Enjoy!

Spring/Summer

Rose Garden Wreath: Terrain

Zinnia Bouquet Wreath: Terrain

Paper Flower Wreath: West Elm

Dried Lavender Wreath: Pottery Barn

Green & White Dried Flower Wreath: NaturDesign

Dried Flower Wreath: NaturDesign

Small Book Page Rosette Wreath: Anthology on Main

Farmers’ Market Herb Wreath: Williams Sonoma

Forsynthia Wreath: Williams Sonoma

Lavender Patchwork Wreath: Plow and Hearth

Fall/Holiday

Live Willow & Hydrangea Wreath: Pottery Barn

Live Ivy Wreath: Pottery Barn

Artificial Boxwood Wreath: Wild Ridge Design

Lavender Round Wreath: Williams Sonoma

Faux Acorn Wreath: Plow and Hearth

Apple and Pine Cone Wreath: Plow and Hearth

Fall Harvest Wreath: Plow and Hearth

Winter/Holiday

Enchanted Forest Eucalyptus Wreath: Hayneedle

White Pinecones Wreath: Lise Simple Creations

Winter Floral Wreath: New England Wreath

Burlap Christmas Wreath: Red Robyn Lane

Lemon Leaf Wreath: Andrea Beitzel

Sound in Color: Baroness – A Horse Called Goglotha

07 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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A Horse Called Goglotha, baroness, bird, brown, color, gray, illustration, john dyer baizley, neutrals, shading

How can I not include more album art from Baroness? Each one is beautifully created by singer/artist John Dyer Baizley and seriously frame worthy. This particular piece is one of my favorites because it has such as nice array of neutrals. From the browns to the grays, Baizley allows these colors to interact in harmony, while at the same time give them each the power to stand out on their own. The line work and shading is superb as well. This cover encompasses a lot of earthy goodness if you ask me.

Sound in Color: Baroness - A Horse Called Goglotha

Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue

03 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties, Real Weddings, Wedding Decor Ideas, Weddings

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Andre from Brancoprata, Annabella Charles, Belathee, Boho Bridesmaids, Clementine Posy, Coralee and Alex, country, Danelle Bohane, Eat Boutique, Elizabeth Messina, events, flowers, Greta Kenyon, Haute Horticulture, Jen Huang, Jen Huang Workshops, Jennifer Tai, Kate Holland, Kelly Kaufman, Leaf & Honey, Logan Cole, Magnolia Rouge, Melanie Benson Floral, Melinda Ellis Cakes, nature, On My Hand, Ruby and Willow Design Studio, Ruche Bridal Shoot, rustic, shabby chic, Spanish Inspired Shoot, spring, Spring Bouquet, summer, Sutherland Kovac, Sweet Southern Charm, Verde + Indigo, wedding bouquet, weddings, White Loft Studio

I am in love with the reinvented Magnolia Rouge. If there is one place you want to go to for wedding inspiration, this is it. The magazine never ceases to disappoint. From beautiful photographs and unique events to loads of information, Kate Holland of Ruby and Willow Design Studio presents a skillfully designed quarterly every bride needs to see. I am a huge fan for sure.

I just looked over the spring issue and of course, I’m in awe of how nice it came out. I wanted to share my favorite elements to help inspire all you couples out there who are planning your special day. Even if you are not getting married or helping someone else plan theirs, there are tons of ideas and looks you can pull from these pages. Enjoy!

Ruche Bridal Shoot

Photographed by Elizabeth Messina

The Wedding of Olivia & Travis: Karaka, Aukland

Photographed by Coralee and Alex

Color Story: Verde + Indigo

Photographed by Greta Kenyon | Styling by Ruby & Willow | Flowers by Leaf & Honey

Spanish Inspired Shoot

Photography by Jen Huang | Flowers by Kelly Kaufman | Styling & Design by Jen Huang Workshops

The Wedding of Tara & Stephanie: Boonville, California

Photography by Belathee | Cake by Melinda Ellis Cakes

Entertain Shoot

Photography by White Loft Studio | Menu Creation & Recipe by Eat Boutique

Celebrate Shoot

Photography by Greta Kenyon | Styling & Concept by On My Hand

The Wedding of Laura and Mike: Kumeu, Aukland

Photography by Sutherland Kovac | Flowers by Leaf & Honey

Sweet Southern Charm Shoot

Photography by Annabella Charles | Floral Design by Haute Horticulture

Spring Bouquet Shoot

Photography by Annabella Charles

An Intimate Elopement

Photography by Jennifer Tai | Flowers by Melanie Benson Floral

The Wedding of Joana & James: Ponte de Lima, Portugal

Photography by Andre from Brancoprata

The Wedding of Jess & Rowan: Abbeville, Aukland

Photography by Danelle Bohane | Flowers by Leaf & Honey

Boho Bridesmaids

Photography by Logan Cole | Flowers by Clementine Posy

Inspiration Photo Friday: Garden Bliss

03 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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bloom, cherry trees, flowers, food, garden, garden goodies, growing, herbs, nature, plants, seeds, spring, summer, trees, vegetable gardens, white flowers

Now that spring is here, I can’t stop thinking of our vegetable gardens my husband and I plan to set up this year. Being able to grow what we eat is truly amazing to me. Having enough to share is even better.

I live right next to a nursery, which I love, and the other day I went over to take a look around at their selection so far. It was nice to be around all the garden goodies and flowers, especially since this kitchen renovation has been taking over my life lately. To take a break and be with nature for a little bit was seriously needed. It also helped me get in the mode of planning a few pretty areas around the house. To start I bought a few packs of flowers and planted them in pots for the backyard for some color. Already it brightened up the space.

Our cherry trees in the back are finally blooming, something I have been impatiently waiting for. They are so pretty with their little white flowers. We have three which came with the house and I love them. I like to go back there with the dogs and relax sometimes. It’s so nice to be able to do that on my own property.

This photo was taken a few years ago while my husband and I were visiting Connecticut. We passed a garden and I had to take pictures. I look at this and remind myself that our gardens will soon come. The beauty in all fresh food and herbs will shine brightly in my backyard and I will truly be one happy girl.