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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: plaid

Interior Palettes: Vintage Inspired and Stately

26 Thursday Jan 2017

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Interior Color Palettes

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Tags

bedroom, black, color palette, interior color palette, interior design, moss green, nature inspired, navy, plaid, vintage inspired

Loving this vintage inspired bedroom and how the dark hues play nicely with the crisp whites. The artwork brings in a nature inspired palette and the plaid rug and pillows add a sophisticated touch. Between the stately palette and clean design, this space is perfect for everyday relaxing and reading, as well as catching some zzz’s.

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(Image credit: Country Living)

Gingham Baby Announcement

17 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Shop Gray Star Design

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baby, baby announcement, children, gingham, gray star design, its a boy, its a girl, new baby, newborn, plaid

My Gingham Baby Announcement is a cute way to showcase the arrival of your new bundle of joy. It can be customized to many colors and features fun and classic elements. Filled with artsy flair and whimsy details, introducing your little one will surely be a hit.

{Thanks to my friends Dena & John for letting me share their first born in my listing}

Gingham Unisex Baby Announcement

A Circus Themed Baby Shower

04 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Decor Ideas, Events & Parties, News, Real Events

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

animals, baby, baby shower, centerpieces, circus, design, events, fabric, festive, flowers, gingham, mason jars, plaid, raffle, vintage straws

This past Saturday I helped coordinate a baby shower for my brother in law’s girlfriend, Bethany. Since they don’t want to know the sex of the baby, I had to think of a theme that would be fit for both a girl and boy and also be pretty for the mother to be. I decided on a circus theme that had some fun and festive elements but still felt like a baby shower by using light colors and cute patterns. The day was a success!

The invite I designed introduced the theme with cute colorful flags and a few animals. Nothing over the top. Each invitation included a raffle ticket for guests to bring. This entered them in a contest to see who would win the centerpieces.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The decor of the shower featured a handmade banner for the gift table, red striped straws in all the water glasses, and festive centerpieces in large mason jars incorporating white, green, and orange. Each table as well as the gift table had a blue gingham fabric square in the middle for a pop of color.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

I created an additional table where I displayed roasted peanuts and fresh popped popcorn for the guests to snack on as well as little cards for guests to share their “baby wishes” with the parents to be. I also laid a gingham fabric on the table except it was beige to incorporate more of the invitation colors.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Each guest had a “baby poll” card where they could choose what they thought the sex would be. Just something fun for them to do.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The cake was a delicious with vanilla cream and strawberries. Everyone seemed to really like it. And as a little favor and thank you for coming, everyone had a little bag full of animal crackers to take home. A perfect snack to end the afternoon.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

I am so happy everyone had a great time and the mother to be enjoyed having all the lovely ladies around her. There were so many amazing gifts as well. I think the day went really well. Looking forward to doing more!

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Coastal Cottage

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

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Tags

antique, beach, blue, botanicals, coastal, color, cottage, decor, decorating, design, flowers, gray, green, interior design, ivory, lavender, nature, nautical, neutrals, pastels, pink, plaid, purple, rustic, shabby chic, style, texture, vintage, weathered, wood, yellow

Coastal Cottage

Summer brings the warm sun and nature’s beautiful colors. It also brings a breathe of fresh air to a lot of people who love the heat so beaches, parks and lakes are most popular during this season. I personally love beaches, just not in the summer. I always thought the cooler months really brought out the beauty in coastal scenery. When its hot, some of the personality that clear skies and cool breezes brings out in the water and the surroundings is just hidden.

When I think of the water and the vast sea, usually the first thing that comes to mind is relaxation and a calmness. The bluest of nature is the star. When I think of some styles of decor, there is only one that comes to mind that I feel is comfy, soothing and natural as nature and nautical surroundings. That is surely cottage style.

It’s not surprise I love this style. Not only do I represent it in every room of my home it clearly is showcased in a lot of my design work as well. Over the years I have grown to love this style with all my heart. It is where I feel most calm. So I combined my two loves into a style Mother Nature would love herself – Coastal Cottage. Such a great combination.

To successfully create this style in your home there are a few things to remember. When you are choosing colors, let nature lead the way. Pastel blues, greens, pink and purples are just a few of the many hues that are popular. A sunny yellow in the kitchen, a lavender in the bedroom and a blue inspired by dusk for the living room are just a few examples. Always include darker tones that are inspired from nature to help weigh down the space such as warm browns and cool grays. These all help to maintain a peaceful environment.

Coastal Cottage Colors

When deciding on furniture, look for unique pieces that tell a story. Vintage finds play the perfect role in a cottage style space. Warm woods, soft and comfy cushions, patterns and subtle texture; these all help bring the style together. You want your pieces to feel weathered and rustic while showing craftmanship and strength. This allows them to bring character and personality to the space and help it feel lived in and comfortable.

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Accessories are very important because they allow for a cohesive design and help bring your personality to the table. You want them to feel handpicked and important. Textiles such as curtains, tablecloths, blankets and upholstery are key elements here. By showcasing plaids, stripes and botanical prints the cottage style will come alive. Don’t forget to include plants of all types. They will add that natural touch every style needs.

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Be careful about bringing too much nautical in because you don’t want the room to feel like you are the captain of a ship or the preppy kids took over. If so, you can kiss the cottage mix goodbye. You also want to watch the colors you add to the space because using too many reds, blues and greens may bring in that Americana feel. And although that is somewhat incorporated into the cottage style, its not the star. It can easily overwhelm the space and give it a completely different look.

And for all the fun details in between, have fun and make it yours. These next few photos are great examples of this style. Get inspired by this unique look and let it fill your heart with glee. I do everyday.

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

Coastal Cottage

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