Ostriches, Zigzags and Stripes Oh My!

I think there is something very captivating and inviting when it comes to all white rooms. You can never have too much white if you ask me. However, there are times when a splash of color and texture lends to an even more eye-catching space. Take this living room apartment for example.

This is in the home of textile designer and editor, Michelle Adams. Now most people wouldn't dare put ostrich wallpaper up on their walls, but look how seamlessly it blends in to the elegant space. And the yellow curtains are to die for. Simple zigzag patters are one of my favorite things right now. The yellow curtains and throw bring the perfect amount of color and warmth into the room.

I also love the mixture of styles used in this space. You have a casual rug and sofa paired with a contemporary acrylic coffee table and an elegant mirror and light fixtures. This just goes to show that it's okay to mix styles. In fact, I'd say it's a must in achieving a stylish design.

Please DO NOT buy a furniture set of any kind to place in your rooms. Having pieces that look exactly like one another will do nothing to add interest to the space. You have to mix it up. If you already own a matching set, split up the pieces and display them in different rooms of your house. Or if you want to go bold, paint one of the pieces to give it a completely different look. I can't tell you what a difference it will make. More to come later on this topic...

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Canopy Stripes

As I mentioned in a previous post, black and white canopy striped fabric is one of my current obsessions. It's classic, clean and oh so elegant. Not to mention that it can make a bold statement in a room without being too flashy. I normally favor a very neutral color palette with accents of greens and robin's egg blues, and this pattern could be put in any such setting and be beautiful. Here a few of my favorite examples: Is this room spectacular or what? It's modern, classic and sophisticated! There is a large amount of stripes in this room, yet it's not overbearing. And the symmetry and clean lines displayed throughout give the room great balance. I could just plop this room right into my house! This is another example (as shown in a previous entry). If you don't have the money to invest in a rug, buy a few pillows and get the same look in your room for a fraction of the price. Whoever said black and brown don't go together was seriously mistaken. Lo...

Guest Room Before and After-Healing Aloe

Here is a shot of the room in all of its coral glory. Great for a teenager, not for a soothing guest room. And here is the Healing Aloe after. Healing Aloe is a color by Benjamin Moore. It was hard to get a good shot of the true color, but it is more of a seafoam than gray. Aside from painting the walls and buying a new white quilt for the bed, everything else in the space we already had--most of which are hand-me-downs (bed and dresser) or thrift store finds (lamp and side table). It will all be sufficient for now, and hopefully a space that our guests will love. I'm very happy with the outcome and the progress of one more room in the house coming closer to completion. One down, three to go (at least in the painting department!)

Table Decorating Contest

Jon and I are leaving to spend a long weekend in San Antonio with his parents and his brother (who will be town from Arizona). But before we go, I wanted to leave you with some pictures from the Officer Spouses Club Table Decorating Contest that was held last night. I called Jon on my way home from base, and he immediately asked "How was the contest?" to which I responded "Victorious." The 32nd FTS, our squadron, took first place! The theme was Silver Screen so we decided to focus on famous quotes from each movie genre. Each place setting featured a different movie. We had a "drive-in" for our center piece where clips of the famous quotes were shown. Welcome to the Jayhawk Drive-In! Wizard of Oz place setting. The glass had a button you could turn on to make the water swirl and look like a tornado inside. Also notice the witch's feet sticking out from under the plate :) A close-up of the yellow brick road I painted. Silence of the Lambs pl...

House of Hydrangeas

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