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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: home

Art Inspired Palette: Honey and the Hive-Home is Where Your Mom is

30 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art Inspired Palette, Color Inspiration

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art, art inspired palette, color, color palette, design, flowers, home, home is where your mom is, honey and the hive, house, Kelsey DeLange, painting, pastels, polka dots

Art Inspired Palette: Honey and the Hive-Home is Where Your Mom is

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

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bathroom, bathroom renovation, country, design, gray, home, interior design, master bath, modern, rustic, subway tile, vintage, white

This past December, my husband and I had our master bath renovated and are still amazed how different it is. Since our home is old, the bathroom was pretty bad. It was super outdated and closed in, ceramic tile everywhere, a large jacuzzi tub we hated, a toilet that was far from eco-friendly, no heat, and a storage space that was unusable. There was plenty to dislike about the space.

This was the bathroom in its original state before we moved in:
Fresh and New

For two years, we lived with the minor changes we were able to do, which was basically change out the vanity/sink and light. Not much, but we didn’t have of a choice. I wish I could say we got used to it, but it was something neither of us could get used to. Then finally, it was time to gut it and make it beautiful.

There wasn’t much we could do about the actual space of the room but being a designer, I know certain tricks to help open it up and feel more airy. I did this with a neutral palette, white tile on the floor and shower, and opening up the storage space so we can actually use it. Before there was a wall there with a small door, but now its all open shelving which I’ve hidden behind a fabric curtain. We also got a new tub that is a normal size, which opened the shower area up tons. We also read reviews for great water softeners for our plumbing and our skin!

As far as style, I wanted the space to have a modern appeal but showcase classic vintage elements. I did this through a gray/white color palette and keeping everything white so it looked clean and crisp. You can’t get anymore classic with subway tile so I chose that for the shower and for the floor, small hexagon tile I have always loved. It brings me back to my Grandmother’s house in Brooklyn when I was a little girl. Now I get to have that memory everyday!

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The small shelves are from Home Decorators and the medicine cabinet was a great buy on Overstock. The rest of the accessories such as the glass shelf, toilet paper holder, towel ring, and towel rack were purchased at Lowes and Home Depot. We decided to hang the rack on the back of the door so we didn’t lose any wall space. And it worked out great because they hang right above the bathroom heater so they are always cozy and dry.

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The new white vanity has a bead board exterior which just adds to the classic look. A heater was installed, as well as a fan, so the space is much more comfortable be in. For a curtain, I used some fabric I had cut from old curtains and custom sized them for the window. I chose to only cover the bottom half so the space would be lit up nicely with natural light.

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

I wanted chrome throughout with a little glass detail and brought in warmth with soft neutral textures such as baskets and pastel artwork from some of my favorite artists on Etsy. The gorgeous collage behind the door is created by Mae Chevrette and the smaller print by River Luna. We showcased our love of vintage jars by using a few we found at our local shop to hold bathroom essentials. And because I hate how tissue boxes look, I found these beautiful linen covers on Etsy from Pilo that look great in the space.

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

All in all, the bathroom is a success! I feel like I am in a spa which is crazy. Who would of thought we could go to this from where it used to be? I gave myself a big pat on the back for this one. It was so much fun designing the space without doing all the work for once. We finally have the bathroom of our dreams and we are so grateful.

Feng Shui 101

09 Saturday Nov 2013

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

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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.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Weekend Fun at the Farm

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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animals, Benner's Farm, best friends, carving pumpkins, farm, friends, goats, halloween, home, pumpkin picking, queens county farm museum, sanctuary

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for awhile. My best friend Meg and her daughter Leona Faye are coming to visit later tonight and I can’t wait. I don’t get to see them much because they live in Jersey, so when they come, I am always super excited.

Besides catching up and hanging at the house, we are going to Benner’s Farm tomorrow for an afternoon of pumpkin picking and visiting with the farm animals. I have been wanting to go this particular farm for a few years now so its nice to finally go. And to spend some time with my favorite girls and all the awesome animals will surely make for a great day. After, we will carve our pumpkins and have a relaxing night.

Below is a photo I took back in 2011 at the Queens County Farm Museum where we had our wedding. Being at a farm just feels like home for me. The fresh smells, bountiful gardens, and of course the beautiful animals that really call it home. I have always loved how aware they are most of the time. When they look at you, you really feel it. Making contact with an animal is not like a human, it’s very different. There is just something about it that truly makes my heart skip a beat.

I have taken countless photographs of animals along my journeys and each one of them is unique and fascinating. They have such wonderful personalities, and to witness that is a gift. I love when I visit a farm or sanctuary and know in my heart the animals there are taken care of and safe. We all deserve to have a home sweet home.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Weekend Fun - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

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