Mood Board Monday's Movin' On

created by Sarah at Pewter & Sage

The delightful Sarah at Pewter & Sage is graciously allowing Mood Board Monday to take up permanent residence over at her blog. I know it will be a good fit for her and a fun event, so be sure to watch for her announcement of when the next one will be!

As for me, I still may show up at the parties, just not as the hostess! :-)

I haven't forgotten about the tips, ideas and guidelines for hanging your artwork that I promised – that’s next!

A Party, A Giveaway and DIY Ideas

Womans Day Posh Painted Pillows - click here for instructions

THE PARTY!

The next Mood Board Monday "assignment" will be given on Monday, October 26th and the Mood Board Monday party will happen on Monday, November 9th, so mark your calendars and prepare for some more fun! Looking forward to it...

THE GIVEAWAY!

Sandy at 4 Reluctant Entertainers is having a giveaway today! Her blog is on my list of favorites and, if you haven't already, you definitely want to check it out! I think this quote by Sandy best describes what you will find there ""Hospitality is not about having the best or newest or most beautiful. It's about sharing your heart and home with others."

THE DIY IDEAS!

The three DIY ideas you see in this post are just 3 of the ideas in the Woman's Day slide show "8 super-easy DIY ways to personalize a room with paint" .

Striped Paint Treatment

Womans Day - click here for instructions

Flea Market Chest with a sophisticated new look!

Womans Day - click here for instructions

Hope you're having an awesome day!

Mood Board Monday with MckLinky - 1

Mood Board #1 click on the board to view larger

I'm a perfectionist and a rule-follower, so this is embarrassing for me. But, since I also take myself entirely too seriously, it's probably good for me as well. Rather than having 1 completed mood board, I have 3 unfinished mood boards. :-( My intentions were good but, when given free reign to decorate without any client considerations, I have a hard time settling on any one thing. At least I had already decided on a bedroom or I would have REALLY been in trouble. So here's what happened...

I started with Mood Board #1 at the beginning of this post. The trellis fabric on the windows, combined with this beautiful upholstered headboard and funky night stand has the beginnings of a sophisticated bedroom. (btw, the nightstand isn't exactly "budget" but you could use any bargain you find with an interesting shape and paint it). I loved the idea of having a monogram above the headboard and I chose this example because I thought the background color looked close to what I was thinking for wall color. Add the platinum shaded crystal lamps from Target and we're almost there! Except. Wait. Maybe I should really be finishing the little girl's room idea that I used in the original inspiration? (yes. I talk to myself)

Enter Mood Board #2. To the original Pier 1 curtain panels, the trellis fabric and Target pillow I added these cute prints from art.com and a dresser and mirror from JCPenneys. I liked the way the mirror echoed the curves in the prints. Someone had mentioned a 6-year old girl's bedroom, so I thought I this was working. Just a few more things to finish the room. Until..

Mood Board #2 click on the board to view larger

I saw this daisy rug at Walmart and thought it would ALSO be cute for a girls room with the trellis fabric. See what I mean?

Mood Board #3 click on the board to view larger

Once again, the lime trellis fabric as window treatments and also an accent pillow on the non-existent bed. The Target pillow adds it's punch, and I really liked the way this mirror I found at Target repeats the daisy design. Add a lime green lamp and a cute cottage dresser from JCPenney and...

That's where it all ended and I realized I needed to get this post up so that I could make sure MckLinky works before tomorrow (never used it before). Indecision and procrastination definitely got the better of me on this one!

Enough about me, now it's time to see who's linking up! I'm not sure who all of the participants are but I know that there are some very talented gals out there whose creativity you'll enjoy if they DO link up!

To join the party...

1. Create a mood board (complete or incomplete! :-)) using either the lime trellis fabric or the Pier 1 window treatment (or both) as inspiration and do a post about it, including sources.
2. Add your name and project to MckLinky (Example: PK @ room remix - bedroom)
3. Then add the link to your SPECIFIC POST, NOT your general blog address.
4. I didn't have a special button created, so please just put the button you see on my sidebar (using properties) in your post and link back to this post so that everyone gets to join in the party!
5. Not sure why I would need to do this but, as the party host, I reserve the right to remove any links at my discretion.
   
   
   

Fall Inspired Family Room - Mood Board

Edited to add sources: window tx - BB&Beyond; Garden seat - Ballard; Mirror - Target; Leaf prints - Ballard; Sectional - Pottery Barn; Floor lamp - Target; End table - Pottery Barn; Table lamp - JC Penney; magazine basket - Pottery Barn; Paisley Pillow - Restoration Hardware; Geometric Pillow - Room & Board

I can tell you that I either need some serious help with my time management skills today, or I just need more time, not sure which. :-) I'm sure there are many of you who can relate. Some days are just like that.

I wanted to get this mood board posted because I said I would. It was inspired by the fall leaf prints in the upper right hand corner (found at Ballards).

I actually did a true "mood" board, just grabbing items that I felt fit with the room I imagined. It was an interesting exercise since I'm used to doing a design board for a specific client and their room dimensions, personal preferences, and budget constraints. It definitely went more quickly! :-) Therefore, some items may be affordable and some are not, depending on your budget. That is one of the positives about mood boards though. They are a "room road map" that you can use to create your space, purchasing similar items using local, or internet, sources that you know fit your budget.

Also, if anyone has any ideas on how to get these mood boards to load larger in my posts, I would appreciate your advice. I've tried everything I know. If you want to see this board larger, just click on it.

The GIVEAWAY ends this Sunday, October 11th. Don't forget to register!

Mood Board Monday with MckLinky is this Monday, October 12th.

Have a great weekend...

Mood Boards and Inspiration Files

If you put 10 people in a room and could show the images that popped into each brain as you said some of the terms that we commonly use to describe design styles, colors, etc. it would be amazing to see how varied those images would be! In my first design-related job as a design consultant at a furniture store, I learned very quickly not to rely too much on a client's description of what their design style was for that very reason. A picture is most definitely worth a thousand words...

Enter the mood board/inspiration file. This isn't a new concept, of course, but I think some people may feel that this is for decorators/designers only. Not. It's definitely helpful for anyone designing a new space to create a mood board or inspiration file, whether or not they will be working with a decorator/designer. The mood board I'm referring to is the most random, least structured of all mood boards. The one with no pressure to do it "right". Just a few quick points...

Mood Board by Jeni Hilpipre-Wright
BHG Window & Wall Ideas Spring/Summer 2007

Photographer Kim Cornelison

1. The items shouldn't be analyzed at this point - just chosen because you're drawn to them.


2. Never discount anything because you think you already have "too much" in the file. Eventually, you'll pare it down but, to begin with, you can never have too many things because you don't know what ultimately will "stick".


3. Obvious things that could be included are room photos and furniture, paint, fabric and accessory options that appeal to you, but nothing is off limits. Maybe it's a photo of something completely unrelated to decorating but you love the color, or texture, or shape... If you like it, include it.

Once these inspiration items have been collected over time, you will more clearly define your style/color/mood by weeding the items out. This may be easy for you to do, or this may be the point that you call your decorator/designer. Either way, you'll have clearly defined your style for yourself, or the person you are relying on to make your dream room a reality.

Tomorrow I'll post a "Fall Family Room" mood board that I did, just for fun.

The GIVEAWAY ends this Sunday, October 11th.

Mood Board Monday with MckLinky is this Monday, October 12th!

Oh. I'm sorry. Did I just hear them say POSSIBLE SNOW SHOWERS on my TV news? Seriously? :-( It's a good thing I'm done with this post because it's extremely difficult to type with your fingers in your ears.

Hope you're all having an awesome day!

Mood Board Monday With MckLinky

It was fun hearing all of the comments yesterday regarding Mood Board Monday! Mama Thompson was loving the inspiration pieces and wishing she had a little girl. Sounds like Mom of 2 Cuties may actually be using them as a starting point for her 6 year old girl's bedroom (photos - pretty please! :-)). Chic Coles and Jennifer were loving the mood board idea. Laurel and Paula loved the trellis fabric and Kathy, Tracy, Tammy, Annie, and Kelly already had some ideas of how they would use it. Struggler had some ideas as well and suggested using MckLinky.

So... Here's what I'm thinking. At least at this point, Mood Board Monday still may not be every Monday, and there will be some Mondays where I'll do it, but it won't include MckLinky. However, on Monday, October 12th, I'll host the first Mood Board Monday with MckLinky. I'll post more "rules", if needed, on that day but here are some general guidelines for this first MBMWM (guidelines may or may not vary each time).

1. This is NOT a mood board competition for designers (although designers are certainly welcome to participate). THIS IS a fun way to share all of the creativity out there, and showcase how we can all start from one inspiration point and end up with a variety of ideas.
2. To be a participant, you need to create a complete mood board for a room of your choice using at least one of the two inspiration items shown below. Either the Delilah Window Panel from Pier 1 or the Garden Trellis Lime fabric from fabric.com OR both.
3. On MBMWM you will need to include sources in your post and give a brief description of the room. I know some of you out there are great writers (envious! :-)), but for those of us that aren't, please don't be intimidated by that. As long as you can create a mood board and generally describe it, we're good.

That's it! Whether you're looking forward to creating a mood board or just love the idea of seeing all of the different ideas, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts!

Hope you're having an awesome day!

Style on Sale - #1

A mix and match board for those of you interested in incorporating this color scheme somewhere in your home.

These items were at a reduced price, or very reasonably priced, at the time this board was put together. Obviously no guarantees as to what the price will be or whether they will be available by the time you read this post. :-)

Source list:

1. West Elm
2. Ikea
3. Pier 1
4. West Elm
5. JC Penney
6. Kohls
7. Kohls
8. Pier 1
9. The Company Store
10. Pier 1
11. Ikea
12. ZGallerie

Have a great day!

Remix It for Girl's Bedroom

You may remember this post regarding a new remix it online project I received for a 9 year old girl's bedroom. Even though mom initially submitted this as a remix it online, it has turned out that I am doing some in-home consulting on this project. They live in the Minneapolis area and it has been a fun project to help them with so far. The project involves at least one DIY project for them, so it will be finished as they have the time to get it done, but hopefully I'll be able to post some photos of the completed room.

The partial design board above shows a mini-peek of some of the things we'll be using in the room.

1. The walls will be painted Sherwin Williams 6710 Melange Green. Sherwin Williams 6766 Mariner will be used as an accent.
2. Pendant light from IKEA.
3. Window treatments from Walmart.
4. Bedding from Bed Bath and Beyond.
5. Desk from IKEA.
   

Have a great day!

Remix it design board #6

I was inspired by this picture yesterday while reading Erin's post at the Rare and Beautiful Treasures blog.

As well as this car that I mentioned the other day in one of my posts (amazing where we find inspiration, isn't it? :-))
I thought if I showed you the photos you might be in color love like I am, so I decided to do a mix and match remix it board for you today so that, depending on your taste and your room, you can add some of these fun items to your current design.

These items can be found at:
a. Williams Sonoma
b. Williams Sonoma
c. Urban Outfitters

d. Tonic Home
e. Target
f. The Company Store
g. Target
h. Target
i. Target

j. Target
k. Target
l. Target

Have a great day!

Remix It Design Boards #4 & 5

Going green.
Fresh...


Cozy...


Have a great day!

Remix it design boards #2 and #3

Pretty in pink...

or not...

Have a happy day!

Remix It Online - Room #1

You may remember that I posted this room on May 29 and told you that this client was ready for a remix it online. These are photos of her family room before:

Prior to her signing up for remix it online, we had already worked with her to do an accessory remix. We gathered some items from around the house and used only what she already had to accessorize the mantel:

BEFORE

AFTER

Then we moved on to the bookshelves and created a little bit more of an updated look by removing some shelves, purchasing some large black and white pieces of art and mixing some new accessories with things she already had.

BEFORE

AFTER

She was very pleased with the result but really wants to keep moving ahead toward a lighter, even more updated look. That's why she decided to do a remix it online. She would like us to build the rest of the room around the accessorizing that we've already done, keeping in mind that in the future she plans to purchase all new accessories when she is able to redo the adjoining kitchen and decides on what new accent colors she really wants in both spaces.

Here is the interactive floor plan. When the client clicks on each item in the floor plan, it will show her a photo of what the item is and where she can purchase it. If the item is available online it will show her the URL, which she can click on, and it will take her directly to the item on the website.


The remix it design board...

Here is a little of the remix it rundown:

• The walls will get a fresh coat of paint but be kept pretty much the same color by painting them Sherwin Williams Tamarind. The client feels that the room feels dark and heavy and has hinted at painting the built-ins in the past, so I am suggesting that they paint the built-ins and fireplace surround white (something like Sherwin Williams Alabaster) to really lighten and update the room. I would suggest that they carry the Alabaster white cabinet color into the kitchen when they are ready for the redo there. Ideally, the base and windows in both the kitchen and family room would also be painted white. The oak floor in the kitchen would tie the rest of the oak trim on the first floor in.
  
• Because the TV needs to stay where it is and there really isn't a lot of space for a new TV stand, I suggest that the client mount the TV on the wall with a adjustable swivel bracket and build a custom corner shelf, painted Alabaster, which will sit on the wall just far enough underneath the TV to allow room for the DVD player. The homeowner has proven to be pretty handy in the past, so could probably do this himself. The cords can be hidden with a concealer painted the same color as the walls and, if needed, they can set a potted plant on the floor underneath the shelf to hide the outlet.
  
• I would also suggest that, if it's structurally possible, they remove the railing that separates the kitchen from the living room and just make the two existing openings into one.
  
• As you can see, I am giving them a much more updated look with the new furniture and lamps, while keeping the entire palette netural. Having a neutral palette, with the exception of the burgundy pillows to give them a pop of color and tie into the existing accessories and current adjoining kitchen color, will allow them to completely change their look when they decide to in the future by just swapping out pillows, art and accessories for something more colorful.
  
• I typically would have not put a sectional in this small room because it is blocking off the entrance to the room and isn't as welcoming as I would like, but the client was very specific that she wanted a sectional. They only use this room for watching TV and enjoying the fireplace and the view and wanted as much room to lounge as possible while enjoying all three. In this case, the sectional provides the function that they need. I also chose a sectional that is almost the same color as the walls because it helps it to blend in more.
  
• I am recommending three of these little round ottomans for their versatility. The top flips over to reveal a tray and they can be used either way. They can be moved around for extra seating, or for a foot rest, or a handy place to set a drink or popcorn. A lot of function for such a little ottoman!
  
• They feel that they don't really need or want window treatments in this room and especially don't want stationary side panels. There isn't really room with the TV and the function of the patio door to use stationary side panels, so they're off the hook there! If they do change their mind though, I would recommend something like the cordless bamboo roman shades hung above the windows (outside mount).

There you have it! That's the plan.

Have a great day!