Loving Neutrals

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Everyday Design, The Home

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art, beige, blue, brown, colors, cream, decor, design, earth tones, interior design, neutral palette, the home, white

I have always loved a neutral palette in my home. I think color is a great but I happen to enjoy living in an environment that is relaxing and comfortable. There are so many ways to use neutral colors in your decor and it doesn’t mean just having beige and white the main characters. There are lots of tones to play with. The key is using texture, shape and light correctly so you have a cohesive and all around finished look, without any one thing contrasting too much.

Here are some great examples of how to design an interior space successfully with a neutral palette. I hope they inspire you to use more neutral colors in your home.

Photo Credit: Country Living

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Inspiration Photo Friday: The Vast Open Sea

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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blue, couds, earth, journey, life, Maine, nature, ocean, photography, sea, sky, vacation, vast open sea, water

You can always look to Mother Earth for inspiration and guidance. Whether its peering out your window on a snowy day or being surrounded by an endless forest of trees, she is there to lead the way. I am constantly being influenced by the Earth and among my travels, my experiences have been seriously amazing.

On our trip to Maine a few years ago, we were loving the cabin on the water we were staying in. To look outside and see that first thing in the morning was really nice. There is something about water that is refreshing and peaceful, it truly touches a part of your soul. Our trip was awesome, to say the least. We did a lot of exploring and relaxing, which a vacation should be. There are many memories we created while visiting.

One, in particular, really was inspiring though. We took a boat ride out into the ocean and got to see views of Maine we would of never have got to see on land. It was fantastic! Even though it was cold and our faces were almost frozen, we enjoyed every minute of it. I took so many photos because I didn’t want to miss anything. But even though I was on guard with the camera shooting, I silently took it all in and was taken back by the beauty that surrounded us.

This photo almost sums up our boat trip. Even though the ocean is wild and has millions of lifeforms calling it home, it’s peaceful, serene, and calming. The sky offers a horizon so beautiful it can be a painting and the clouds seem weightless, like fluffy streams of cotton. How can you not be inspired by such an amazing view.

It reminds me that life is an endless journey. Just like the vast open sea, there are so many experiences just waiting for us to take and make our own, tons of possibilities to prove, and millions of things to learn and share. This endless journey doesn’t have to be something you fear, for the Earth has given us so much to support our adventures. You just have to walk the distance and open your eyes to what is being shown. There is always more to see.

So if you just look a little deeper and expand your vision, you will realize how important each experience really is. You’re not truly alive unless you’re really living. Create, share, inspire, love, and laugh. These are things that move you farther and deeper into happiness and I wish you all a spectacular journey.

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Vast Open Sea - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The Cool Winter Blues

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Everyday Design, The Home

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bathroom, bedroom, better homes and gardens, blue, cool colors, Country Living, cream, eclectic, interior design, living room, neutrals, patterns, texture, white

I simply love the color blue. I always have and always will. It’s just one of those colors that can make you happy or make you sad, can brighten or calm a space and really help to bring the feel the nature inside your home. Let’s just say its the color thats filled with surprises.

Always having a special connection with blue, it has been used throughout all my color schemes in my spaces. You will find it everywhere in my home. I’m a big fan of the cool color palette and blue is a rising star in that category. Mix it with grays, creams and other cool neutrals, and you have a space that is peaceful, fresh and brilliant.

Here are some great examples of how to use blue in your home. I hope they inspire you to incorporate this amazing color into the spaces that make you happy.

This bedroom is certainly a place to rest. With pale blue on the walls, it enables to space to feel light and airy, like your surrounded by clouds. The addition of white makes it feel fresh with soft layers and the warm wood tones helps ground the overall design. The small pops of garden inspired colors throughout the room brings more interest and a bit of glamour.

Photo Credit: Country Living

This reading nook is all sorts of fun. Although comfy and relaxed, the various pops of color and patterns allows the space to feel alive and stylish. Blue and yellow are the main characters here and as you follow your eye around from the stool to the plaid curtains there are all sorts of details that help this room have an eclectic feel.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

The various blues in this living room allow the space to feel fun and classic. You don’t have to stick to one hue. As long as they are close enough in the spectrum as far tone, it should work nicely. Here, the owners a light toned rug, a couch that matches the rug nicely and then included a brighter more saturated blue for pop. Using this color for the bookshelves really make them stand out as apposed to using the pale blue, which would help blend them in. Again, whites, creams and warm wood tones help to balance out the space while a few hints of green add a touch of whimsy.

Photo Credit: Country Living

The same idea as above is being treated in this bedroom. Various blues in all different patterns and textures really bring a unique feel the to space. Although the room has a neutral backdrop, the blue elements keep it lively, fresh and interesting.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Feminine and cottage chic, this vanity area is all dolled up in light blues, pinks and lavender. These soft colors keep the space light, pretty and fit for a queen. The addition of white and ruffle details really add a cottage feel while keeping modern with how its treated.

Photo Credit: Country Living

A nice way to express your love for nautical design is to simply use blue and white in a simple way. This bathroom keeps with the streamline aesthetic with dark blue walls and white furniture accents.

Photo Credit: Country Living

Nautical Design and Decor

20 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Jim Klossner, The Home

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blue, boats, decor, design, home, Jim Klossner, nautical, navy, ocean, redecorating, sea, shells, water, waves

Do you ever crave a moment by the sea? Maybe it’s the tranquility of the waves lulling you to sleep, the fresh salty breeze, or the feeling of sand between your toes. Whatever it is about the ocean that sets your heart in motion, you can carry the look into a beachside house or bring the ocean to you when you’re 1000 miles from the sea. Here are some great designs for inspiration.

A great nautical design starts by leveraging navy blues and bone whites throughout your fabrics, paints, and accents. Navy and white stripes make a great runner and pillow combo, especially when combined with this funky navigational chart wallpaper.

Photo Credit: The Home Barn

White furniture is easily given a nautical flare with some blue pillows scattered about. The boat book shelf is an ingenious touch that leaves you in a “sitting beside the sea” mood.

Photo Credit: Decor Medley

Blue stripes integrate with this ultra-modern nautical take, with sleek clean lines and lots of natural light. Check out the mirror a la porthole for a fun twist.

Photo Credit: At Interior

There are several ways to bring the ocean theme to your bedroom – these striped walls provide the perfect backdrop for an otherwise mellow nautical design.

Crisp modern nautical sheets and coverlets, along with curtains and other fabrics, are a great and inexpensive way to bring this look to the bedroom. Some options hearken back to the glory days of big ships, and have an antique nautical feel like this set.

Other approaches are more minimalist.

Another popular approach is integrating the patriotic with navy themes. These tend to be bolder, and bring in reds and more color to work with. If you like a bigger color palette, this is a distinctive take on the nautical theme.

Photo Credit: Home Decorating Co

If your kids are little sailors at heart, the options are endless. Some light carpentry quickly builds a shell that turns a kid’s bed into an actual boat.

Photo Credit: Marine Insight

In any room, small touches that quickly lend a nautical feel include interesting rope designs, like these framed on the wall and used as part of accessories.

Photo Credit: Ocean Home Mag

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Boats are being worked into design in interesting ways, from accent pieces to the furniture itself.

Photo Credit: The HomeBarn

Life preservers have a role in nautical design, both indoors and outdoors. Some are functional, others purely decorative.

Photo Credit: The HomeBarn

A whole other approach works in softer pastel colors, seashells, and sand to give more of an “at the beach feeling.” Shells can actually become part of the structural support of a house or an accent piece.

Photo Credit: Porta Weddings

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Outdoor spaces can also be transformed with nautical elements, from lighting to lawn furniture. Any backyard can give the feeling of overlooking the sea.

Photo Credit: Nautical Cottage Blog

Photo Credit: Shades of Light

Photo Credit: Houzz

With all of these great ideas, you can give a nautical makeover to any room of your house in no time. So what are you waiting for? Start redecorating today!

Written by Jim Klossner