Classic with a Twist

Patio Perfect

Even though it is "freezing" in Dallas right now,
it IS time to start thinking about the great outdoors!

Many of you are traveling for Spring Break this week, but
if not, get outside and get a jumpstart on your outdoor living space.

Here is mine... (I need it to look like this again... since
now it is dull, dreary and... dirty!)

And this side of the patio... covered with pollen- sigh...
(and dead plants:)

Now let's work on yours...

PATIOS: They are a part of our lifestyle -- extending our family rooms
into the outdoors to take advantage of nature, sun, and fresh air.
They are transitional spaces that blend the best of indoor and outdoor life.
More than ever, patios are where we entertain guests, spend time with families,
or just get away from it all. Drool over these beautiful patios and
steal some of the ideas to try in your own outdoor getaway!

Candles?? Yes please.

Color, Color, and more Color!

Accessorize with lanterns, baskets and pillows

Garden stools are the best kept secret...until now!

Wall Planters! (Easily a DIY project)

Create your own hanging garden

Even though it is outdoor, don't be afraid to make it look like home

I would feel like I was at a resort everytime I walked outside if I lived here! Amazing.
(Yet again, more garden stools!)

For a natural, organic, and free-ing look, try hanging glass (or clean plastic) bottles
filled with flowers and hung with twine from trees, or a covered patio.

Even if it's not Christmas, a few lights make everything seem a little more festive!

I found a few outdoor specials today while browsing around and
thought I'd share in case you've been inspired!!

Horchow Tables

Horchow Garden Stools

Pottery Barn Lanterns

Pottery Barn's Capiz Votive Holder

Pottery Barn's Magnolia Blossom String Lights

Pottery Barn's Punched Ceramic Lanterns

Until Next Time,

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Comments: 2

Remember my client, New York, New York???

Did you think I gave up on the project?
I have to confess it might have been easier to level
the entire house instead of piecing together
the intensive remodel that we have almost pulled off!

Another sneak peek up top at a cool feature-

T vs. NY, NY: The Transitional mantle

Here's the before:

The "After" mantle is drool worthy...

Now that the mantle is in... what do to next?

Here are some pointers to take yours from
"Bare to There":

Mantles -- The "eye catcher" of your home and place
you can be most creative! Do you ever get stuck and
not know what to do on this "stunning" location?

Here are a few tips to help out!

1. Add a different shaped mirror centered above the mantle to
add a different element to a symmetrical room. Add your own “finds” in
vases on the mantle – kids pick you a pretty flower? Add that to a vase!

(via)

2. Frame out an area above your mantle and paint the area inside
a complementary color to the room! Make this area special by adding
same size frames spaced throughout. I love how this picture shows a
tall vase with small branches reaching to create height.
It makes the pictures seem to be in the background, but they add so much!

3. This mantle comes to us from Sweet Something Designs:
She flanks both sides with tall vases that hold a mix of branches and
green/white accents. I LOVE the symmetry of this pieces.

I just liked this image

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4. Paint! Paint your mantle and the space above the mantle to
create a focal point of the room. Base the color of the paint on
something from the room, like this space, the grey/blue hue comes
from the stone surround of the fireplace.

5. Want to be BRAVE?? Well this is an inexpensive alternative to an
actual piece above the mantle…find a decal that you love and fits your space.
They offer these at Target, and lots of online stores!

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6. Layering – In this room, the fireplace really contrasts with the rest of the
room as it is color-filled and unique. These black and white photos framed
in a simple white frame and layered on top of each other is a great contrast.

(via)

7. This sculptural symmetry is great! As BHG puts it in these next two photos:
Start with a large object in the center (here, driftwood), then place pairs of
objects on either side. They don’t have to be identical, just related.
For example, two different terra-cotta pots still look like they belong together.
Symmetry doesn’t have to mean stiff —
the organic shapes of branches and seedpods keep this arrangement casual.

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8. An asymmetrical arrangement harmonizes objects of different shapes and sizes.
Balance a tall, large object with several smaller ones, but not too small —
mantles swallow up dinky accessories.
A similar color palette gives unrelated objects a theme.
Shop your house or discount stores for items in the same color family.
You can’t miss with pitchers, plates, books, and pottery.

(via)

9. A homemade mantle. Go outside and grab a few leaves and
branches to sit in a vase, a few pine cones and an old barn door to
make a backdrop for this fall mantlescape.

10. Stair step thicker objects and place a surprising thin, tall piece at the end.

This harmonizes the setting as a whole, but leaves

the asymmetrical look in place.

11. Minimalistic – There is always something elegant and striking
about a simplistic design. Don’t be afraid to “not clutter”.
This is a good lesson to learn!

(via)

12. A great modern fireplace approach! Granted…most of our homes don’t
look like this, but who’s to say they can’t?! Again, we have layering of
different sizes and shapes of pictures frames, bringing the largest to the
front and smaller to the back. But the fireplace design as a whole….
a concealed firebox that doesn’t continue to the floor,
without a hearth and a simple wood block as a mantle. Great.

(via)

13. Different panes – think of the decor on different “panes” as if you
were walking straight, you would come first to the first pane, then run into the
2nd and so forth. A great idea for a deep mantle.
On the back pane we have a simple repetition of framed images
which is simplistic enough to set as the “back level”. On the front pane
use different mediums and materials in the items you choose.

(via)

14. Here is a second image to echo what the last image shown.
Several levels throughout. To add something different, use oversized vases
to less than overpower the large framed art or mirror behind.

(via)

So much more to show you of the showpiece of New York, New York.
Carpet installed tomorrow... whoop, whoop!
We are almost there!

Until Next Time,

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Comments: 4

How to Refresh Your Space with a Coat of Paint!

We're thinking outside the box here at CI!

I've been busy with several of my custom build jobs and wanted
to share the design direction of one client's home-
we'll call her...

Fond'a Rhonda!
(since I do happen to be very fond of her:)

Here's one of our inspiration photos:

(not sure of source... Traditional Home??)

and another...

Notice that it all starts with a paint color-

Gray!

Want to give your
space a refresher?

Color is a great little trick that is inexpensive and
(hopefully) fun to implement. PAINT!

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Repainting a room can bring a completely different feel to your space,
create a more clean appearance and lift the spirits of it's inhabitants!

But what color should you paint your "need a refresher" space?!

Here are a few ideas, tips and tricks.

Gray is becoming the ultimate neutral because it looks good
with almost any color.

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When you hear 'gray' you think dreary, but this is a wonderful gray
that has a lot of light in it, especially when paired with white trim.

Plus, it's a color that works well with
so many other colors.

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Soft Blues. A color that pretty much everyone loves and lives with daily.
It is easy on the eye and easy to live with.

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Be Bold. Rich Colors create amazing contrast. It may seem like a

huge undertaking to select such a dark color, but if you pair it

with whites, lights and neutrals, it could be a "stunning" effect.

(This paint color shown below is "Stunning" by Benjamin Moore ;) )

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For added interest and immediate art, use your paint
on your walls as your art.
Create thick, horizontal stripes in small areas of your home to WOW
you every time you walk by.
No need for that stairwell to be boring!!

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Look outdoors... What do you see?? Bring a color that is
inherently outside your home, to the inside of your home.
If you live in a place like THIS, then you have no problem doing that!
The beautiful teal of the ocean makes for a huge impact in the
turquoise walls of this home.

House of Turquoise had a great find. See more of this home HERE.

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Create dimension. If you live have a very small area,
or a wide open area, there are some situations that allow a pop of color
in contrast with the rest of the walls in the house or room.

Choose wisely. This pairing below of navy and taupe is an excellent
choice as the navy blends well with the furnishings and creates a
dramatic wall to lead you outdoors.

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And don't just leave the painting to the walls!
Check out Centsational Girl's refinishing post here to grab a
few ideas to give your FURNITURE
a refresher!