Coventry via Layla Grayce

Well, I hope every Mama out there had a fabulous Mother’s Day! I know I sure did. I ran my first 5K race, worked for a few hours and finished the day having dinner with my two favourite people in the whole world, my boys, in case you didn’t know. What better way to follow up Mother’s Day than to glimpse, peruse and admire some modern floral carpets? Shall we?

Georgia Blue via Layla Grayce

These Amy Butler designs caught my eye. Not only are they perfectly pretty in every which way, but they add a modern graphic detail you can use to accentuate colour already present in a room, or to add a splash where there wasn’t one. The blue and white rug pictured above is sweet. I love that the pattern meanders instead of repeating. It leads your eye.

Caracas via Layla Grayce 

While I certainly gravitate to teals, blues, turquoises, mints and greens, the pink and red of the carpet pictured above is like a little visual vacay. I love a little clash, especially in a carpet. Not all floral carpets are exquisite like these, saturated with such inviting hues or woven with such divine detail.

Lacework Blue via Layla Grayce

Textiles are my absolute favourite thing right now. I work with fabric and it gives me all these crazy ideas of colour combinations, pattern layers and texture possibilities. Limitlessness sits well with me. Where it overwhelms some I feel like I am home. Grounded in option. Woven into the pattern. Everyone needs a little bliss in their everyday life.

Parrot Tulip via Layla Grayce

Multi-coloured or two-tone each of these modern floral carpets begs for bare toes, long reading stints, and of course a good session of on your belly colouring.

Ty Pennington

I am surrounded, very happily surrounded, with colour and pattern at the sofa shop these days and I love experimenting with combinations of solids and patterns. Today this translated to painted ceilings. In the two examples I love the best, the painted ceilings are like the icing on the cake of the room’s design. Thoughtful details are everything.

After such a tumultous few weeks of weather, today felt like a delicious treat. The sun was warm, the air fresh, and so finally the blooming shall begin. After work we headed straight to the river valley for our first spring jaunt at Rundle Park. I always feel this expectant-laden stasis at this point in the spring when the weather has warmed, yet the branches are bare and everything is yet to embrace it’s green. So much potential everywhere.

Okay, back to the ceilings! Imagine waking up and staring at the ceiling of the one pictured above. So fresh. So elegant. So pretty. Reminiscent of the blue skies of today. However I would have used a different carpet to unify the ceiling in a pale watery blue with a floral or stripe in it. But that’s just me.

4 Men 1 Lady

A pretty palette of grey with a pattern painted ceiling. Wow. I do not know if I like the ceiling or the ruffled curtain better. What do you think? The sky palette or the stone palette? Stencilled patterns are a good option for more intricate designs but you could also paint stripes, chevrons and other simple geometrics with a good old roll of painter’s tape.

Pink Wallpaper 

I keep seeing pink sofas everywhere and I love them!!! Inspired by Jules’ sofa on Cougar Town, I did a little searching of my own to see what I could find and oh my! So pretty. The thin arms and the extra wide double cushions in the sofa pictured above are perfect, not that girly either. Well, maybe a little girly. So my question is, can a pink sofa be used in a space without becoming super girly?

The Decorista

The square tufted cushions on this sofa give it a masculine edge especially paired with the edgy black painting and other dark accents. You could really play this masculinity up I think, if you needed to justify a rather large and important sofa purchase if say, for instance, you bought one on impulse while shopping without your husband.

Pinterest 

I have developed a love for curved back sofas. The elegant shape is very appealing. Coupled with tufting. Sigh. Let’s talk about pink for just a second. It adds warmth and depth and a touch of feminity to a room and doesn’t necessarily overwhelm to the point that it need be tucked away into the princess’s chamber. Right? Come on guys are you with me?

Bright Nest

Pink leather!!! Seriously. Wow. In tabacco shades of brown this sofa would be uber masculine, fit for a smoky den, but in this shade anything is possible!!

Pinterest 

Contrast piping in this room ties the accents together. Black and pink is so Chanel. Love it.You could also flip it and add pink piping to a neutral sofa.

Maison Luxe

Lighting gives this beauty a warm soft glow. While you may not commit to an entire sofa in pink I think an accent chair would be a perfect way to experiment with delicious shades of petal, watermelon, blush, salmon, fuchsia, grapefruit and rose.

The Glitter Guide 

Everything about this room is lovely. The black and white photos above the sofa are such a cute idea. You could also balance this shade of petal pink with geometric pillows in more masculine tones and textures. So I think the answer is yes. Yes, you can bring a PINK sofa into a room without rendering it girly. Really. Try it and send me a pic!

Pinterest 

The writing on the walls is a summation of events which you may or may not interpret, but what if you could alter that? Determine the outcome? Write the writing on the walls? While many of you may be scrubbing little people’s ideas of writing on the walls, perhaps they aspire to leave great messages for you to ponder. Or maybe it is a sign for you to take matters into your own hands and write what you write.

Design is Mine

If the writing on the walls were laid out with clear logic in poetic verse… on a wall painted the blue of a sunny skied day, I think the days would be good! And also I am in love with tufting as seen here and three images below. Gorgeous!! Just wait until we get into sofas. Coming soon!

Recycled Consign and Design

What do you want your walls to say? Your favourite verse, quote, lyric… maybe even a directive or idea for your family to live with or by?

 Pinterest

I want to write a Haruki Murakami novel all over my walls. How surreal that would be, even now I get flashbacks from the Windup Bird Chronicle when he’s in that tunnel and can’t get back. Of course my favourite Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World would be more of a contender for my walls.

First Time Fancy

Make sure your penmanship is top notch to avoid it taking on that gone off the deep end look we see in movies about serial killers. Writing on the walls is something many of us have tried our hands at, at one point or another (admit it! bathroom stalls, graffiti, etc.) but let’s try it again, with deliberation, because with deliberation great things come.

Wall Written

 decor8

Well helloooo! It has certainly been a while. A busy busy while. But as Dorothy would say “there’s no place like home” and here I am, home camp set up and ready to get back on track. And yes we did go see  Oz the Great and Powerful yesterday and it was SO GOOD! I love Glinda the good witch. It is spring break and the weather was beautiful today (a lovely treat after all the snow we have had!). There really are some good ideas out there and this week I want to show you this idea for using clipboards to organize your magazine cut-outs. I might have a mild to moderate magazine hoarding problem and have trimmed down my collection quite considerably in the duration of the move.

This idea will  help me edit things even more! I love it! Paint them or wallpaper them and hang them up. Add your favourite magazine excerpts and you are good to go. A great idea for your office space, a movable changeable take on a dream board and you could even use it in the kitchen for recipes.

Related articles

• 5 Creative Uses for Clipboards at Home (apartmenttherapy.com)

Real Simple

Stairs, when bared of their carpet might just beg to be left uncovered. What do you do if they are in less than pristine shape? Why, paint them of course! Cheery yellow, turquoise, blue, green, red, black or brown, the options are numerous. You could incorporate your favourite decor trend into the mix—numbers, letters, quotes, ombre, stripes, chevrons…etc. Personally, I would love to see some kindred soul paint a polka dot stair case. Any paint happy adventurers ready to take it on? Message me with pictures of your polka dot painted stairs!

Pinterest

Paint the risers in a contrasting colour or combine paint and wallpaper (not on the risers!) for tremendous (what a great word, I need to use this word at least twice daily) contrast. Stenciling is another option if you wish to include a graphic design.

Poppytalk

I love the eclectic look of the high gloss risers pictured above. It gives the room personality, character, depth as it shouts ‘lived-in’ and ‘don’t take me too seriously’. I like that.

Apartment Therapy

A runner riser. Pale aqua. You can’t go wrong, just up or down.

Smitten Design

That’s a whole lot of pattern! You could try to emulate this look or choose one or two patterns and repeat them. Trellis, lattice, trellis, lattice…

Design Sponge

I know the first ombre staircase was pretty perfect, but look! This one is gorgeous too. And to be honest, the sneak peak of the rest of the room drew. me. in. If you follow the link you will see what they started with. It makes the end result that much better. And if painted stairs aren’t your thing, take a look at some salvaged stair options. I found them interesting for a shop of sorts, but wouldn’t do it in a home, but you might like it. Right?

Related articles

• Specialty Painting Technique: How to Paint Stripes and Patterns – Apartment Therapy Videos (apartmenttherapy.com)

Laura Lee Clark

The great move is imminent and coming quick! I believe the house has sold although I haven’t received the final word. This means big change for us. Exciting change. New colour. New patterns. New ideas. And a fresh start. While my search for a new place begins I am dazzled with the possibilities of decorating each of the new rooms, especially a lovely bedroom.

New England Home

Inspired by opulence and the idea of creating something dreamy and new for my own bedroom I have come up with some images of elements I would like to introduce. First, I had to ask myself what makes a really great bedroom. For me, that means a balance of beauty and comfort. I want a soft, muted space for dreaming. A place with soft textures, elegant patterns and a pop of colour I can change when need be. My current bedroom has some pretty, but the vision was never finished. And that is okay. Life itself is a work in progress and some visions require alterations and alternate blueprints with secret, hidden rooms behind the bookcase and beyond the stars. New visions are calling so here we go!

Zsa Zsa Bellagio 

Layers and layers of soft, texturally appealing bedding is what I am after! How cosy.

Bedroom Ideas for the New Room:

Symmetrical side tables

Pretty bedding

An upholstered headboard

Twin mirrors to hang above the symmetrical side tables

An upholstered bench for the end of the bed

A reading chair (oh, yes, I have my eye on one! Stay tuned…new job equals new inspiration!!)

And a sprinkling of pretty sparkly things

Reflective lighting, if not a chandelier some curvy glass table lamps. Daylight and nightlight reflect in their own shimmering ways, each equally elegant if chosen right.

Better Homes and Gardens

Things I hope for in the new place:

• Lots of light
• More light
• Light so I can pull off a white with a pale hint of a colour, colour scheme like the blue above or the gray below.

Casa Sugar

While the yellow carpet may look surprising in this room, if you follow the link and tour the whole home, the yellow appears throughout the space. Love the tour!

The Cross Design

I love the stacked pillow detail and the side table. Such a simple detail, in a lovely bedroom. You can change it every day when you make your bed. By the way, I am a make your bed every single morning kind of girl (not just on behalf of teaching kids proper human behaviour, but because I like to give things a little polish, especially to start the day, every day is kind of special in its own way, yes?) and I am always surprised when I hear of someone who doesn’t!! So tell me, do you make your bed every day?

House Beautiful

Splash and dash Valentine red in the bedroom everywhere or use it to rev your heart and up the pulse a beat or two. Yes, relationships can be complicated. But love? Love is ever so simple. To appreciate the light and truth and good in another being is what it’s all about. To actively honour that sweetness with love is special, so if you are lucky enough to have that person in your life, embrace him or her with all your might!!

Pinterest

Like attracts like as you can see with these twin red tables at the foot of the bed. I love this combination of pink and red. So Valentine. The bright hues are well balanced with the black bed, and the white in the bedding and the carpet.

House to Home

My favourite element in this room is the lamp. The combination of red and fuchsia is vibrant and juicy and makes my mouth water for fruit punch! Grown-ups do not drink enough fruit punch!! Whether you choose to commit to a colour-tastic colour scheme or a muted one with pops of red, Valentine red can be added to your bedroom for the day or on a more permanent basis. Experiment with pillows and accessories or go for it and paint a wall red.

Tesoro Jewelry

Keys and locks are these wonderfully archetypal symbols for keeping sacred things safe. So of course with Valentine’s Day fast approaching it only makes sense to keep your heart all locked up until that worthy knight (or the lady equivalant) appears. And then you can give him or her a keychain with a sweet message on it! How’s that?

So I was looking around Etsy and I noticed an abundance of Valentine-inspired keychains and I thought ‘hey, that’s cute!’ This is a collection of my favourites. The one above topped my list. I love the quote from E.E. Cummings!

Temporal Flux 

This one looks manly. The quote translates to ‘I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow’.

Pat’s Design 

His and her’s. How adorable.

Fleur Designs Jewelry 

This is another one I adore. And so true. This heart wants what it wants. Doesn’t yours?

Shop the Copper Fox

Simple. Elegant. These ones could be added to your existing keychain without bulking it up.

Havok Designs 

Alright. Most of these would be best for a man. So if you don’t know what to buy your man… get him a keychain.

Lizabettas 

An anatomical heart in a lovely setting. Yes, it beats. and it beats for you.

Korpse Crafts 

Keychains for your Valentine come in many shapes and designs. Like the matching set pictured above. I like how the lady can keep the sentiment on her keys and the man can keep the key on his and it will blend right in with his other keys. Whether you choose to lock your heart up and hold tight to the key, or give it away to some kindred sweetheart, make sure you keep that key somewhere stylish!

IHeart Organizing

Winter is upon us in full force. I find it hard to keep warm when this portion of the world is brittle and unforgiving! Winter, winter, cold, snow. On Tuesday we woke up to a cool -42 degrees Celsius. Yes, you read that correct. Winter in Edmonton at its finest. So what is a girl to do but think about the move (yes, the house is for sale) and new configurations for the future. The boys have been begging to share a room and I am entertaining the thought, but I am not convinced. I have been looking at different options for beds including upholstered ones. Upholstered beds for a boy or girl as seen here can be tailored to suit any room depending on the fabric you choose for upholstering and the colour scheme of the room.

Cottages and Gardens 

Upholstered beds are everywhere right now, which is great if you are looking for your own variation. Some ideas include purchasing one, modifying a simple store bought bed or creating an upholstered headboard which you can hang on the wall. All of the options result in a custom look which I absolutely love. My favourite look so far is the twin upholstered beds placed side by side. So cute!

Pottery Barn 

I think there are three factors that make an upholstered bed irresistible. The fabric is first and foremost because it catches your eye right away. Especially if you use a bright colour or a bold pattern or a mix of the two.

Houzz

Second, is the shape of the headboard. The classic rectangular look is appealing in a classic sort of way. But I love curved and scalloped edges. Even a rigid geometric pattern looks great.

The Shabby Nest 

And third, is detail. Details like tufting, monograms, nail head trims and accessorizing. Using the upholstery fabric elsewhere in the room can tie things together in a neat little succinct way. However, if you use it everywhere you might achieve that ‘fabric was on sale’ look or the ‘a little too homemade’ look. There are fine lines. Tread softly.

Serena and Lily 

Whether the boys end up sharing a room or maintaining their own rooms, upholstered beds are definitely an option. I love how you can modify them to suit a boy’s room or a girl’s room depending on the variables chosen. It is best to exercise all of the options while I figure out this next phase! What do you think? Shared room or private rooms?

Decorpad 

Thankfully this cold snap is ending tomorrow which will make life so much easier to live.  Cabin fever be gone! Click on the link beneath the first photo for a tutorial on how to make an upholstered bed if you are so inclined to dream one up!

Related articles

• How to build a simple, scrap wood upholstered footstool