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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: decor

A Little Ones Sanctuary

29 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

animals, art, baby, carnival, children, childrens room, classic, color, crafts, decor, design, Industrial, interior design, kids, kids room, sports, themes, toys, vintage

A Little Ones Sanctuary

I have always loved the idea of designing a children’s room. There is something special about creating a space for a little one to grow, develop, and draw inspiration from. Besides these few must have ingredients, I feel the child should feel warm, cozy, comfortable, and free as well. This is the space they will call their own and most likely be the place they will spend most of their time as they get older.

My husband and I are planning to start trying for our first child and you can bet I have already thought of how to design the baby’s room. I have to admit, I have been thinking about it for years now so it’s no surprise I am super excited to actually make it happen. I think being prepared and always being ahead of the game is the best policy. Plus, with something so important as this task, you should take all the time you need. Hence, starting early!

Personally, I love an androgynous space for a child. One that is not too girly or boyish, a nice mix of feminine and masculine. And anything that looks “baby” is pretty much out. I prefer a space a child can grow up in, not one that has to be redesigned every few years because they grow out of the decor. So a sense of maturity is essential. And adding small touches of childlike features here and there are easy to do. I plan to showcase vintage elements, art & handmade items, and books – three things that will truly feature the style of the space and bring a cohesive look to the room.

I also do not like themed rooms. When I mean theme, I am talking about sports, animals, carnival, zoo, stuff like this that can really go overboard, which I see all the time. Instead of making the whole room look like a football field, placing a few quality inspired pieces throughout the space. The same thing with an animal theme. A child shouldn’t feel like they are in a zoo. It can get a little hectic with wall decals, lamps that matchy-matchy with bedding, and accessories that take over the space. And most of the time all these designs/items are created for baby, so the overall look is a bit dated and overdone. Here are few examples of how to successfully incorporate a theme:

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Noosh Kids

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Kids Decorating Ideas

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Cozy Cottage Cute

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: HGTV

Color is an important element to think about. How do you want your child to feel in the space. I am a big believer in neutrals, they are used throughout our whole house. These  hues allow for relaxation, inspiration, calm, and stability in the space and are the perfect fit for a baby and young child. Sorry, but a bright red and blue room just isn’t a great choice. You want your kids to feel grounded, especially babies. Too much stimulation can really affect their overall being.

So, here are more spaces designed for children that work. They may clearly show a theme, but that theme isn’t kitschy, its a style. And that is what you want to go for. Creating a specialized look and feel should be the priority, while considering your little one’s needs and wants. It is their space after all. Enjoy!

A Little Ones Sanctuary

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Smile and Wave

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: The Boo and the Boy

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Zyrafy Z Szafy

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Orsa Maggiore Vintage

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Barn and Bo

A Little Ones Sanctuary

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: nietylkodzieciaki

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Blessed Wild Apple Girl

A Little Ones Sanctuary
Photo Credit: Your Home Only Better

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Feng Shui 101

09 Saturday Nov 2013

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

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Tags

Chinese, decor, energy, environment, Feng Shui, gryffin media, home, house, Soothing Walls

The inspiration that drives your home decor choices stem from a lot of places. The colors you like, the space you have, your budget, and style. One thing that is sometimes overlooked is how the items you chose to fill the space make you feel. The environment that you choose to surround yourself with can affect the energy that flows into your home; or at least that’s what Feng shui states.

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophical system of home design and decor that is rooted in the belief that your human experiences in and outside your home are linked to your immediate surroundings. An example of a Feng shui principle is that the items in your kitchen are connected to the wealth and prosperity that you experience in your life. For more tips and to learn a little bit more about Feng shui, check out this infographic below, brought to you by Soothing Walls.

The style of Feng shui depicted here is a Western style that does not rely on any sort of compass directions. Instead, a template is offered with 9 squares that each correspond to an area of your home. To get started, just align the bottom of the grid with the front of your house. Check it out below!

Feng Shui 101

Written by Naomi Shaw for Soothing Walls

Naomi Shaw is a freelance writer from Southern California. She loves to write about crafting, diy, and home decor. When she’s not writing she loves to spend time with her family and children.

Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds

23 Thursday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

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

Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds

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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
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.
Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds
Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

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

Add Warmth to Your Welcome

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
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Zinnia Bouquet Wreath: Terrain
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Paper Flower Wreath: West Elm
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Dried Lavender Wreath: Pottery Barn
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Green & White Dried Flower Wreath: NaturDesign
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Dried Flower Wreath: NaturDesign
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Small Book Page Rosette Wreath: Anthology on Main
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Farmers’ Market Herb Wreath: Williams Sonoma
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Forsynthia Wreath: Williams Sonoma
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Lavender Patchwork Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Fall/Holiday

Live Willow & Hydrangea Wreath: Pottery Barn
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Live Ivy Wreath: Pottery Barn
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Artificial Boxwood Wreath: Wild Ridge Design
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Lavender Round Wreath: Williams Sonoma
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Faux Acorn Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Apple and Pine Cone Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Fall Harvest Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Winter/Holiday

Enchanted Forest Eucalyptus Wreath: Hayneedle
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

White Pinecones Wreath: Lise Simple Creations
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Winter Floral Wreath: New England Wreath
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Burlap Christmas Wreath: Red Robyn Lane
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Lemon Leaf Wreath: Andrea Beitzel
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

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