Low Cost, Low Risk Colorful Accents

I'm a big fan of neutral upholstery mixed with jolts of color. Especially when you're buying upholstered furniture that needs to stick around for a while, this is the best strategy. By keeping investment pieces classic and neutral, you can be daring with less expensive and easily changeable items like pillows and lamps. Bold, colorful accessories, accent furniture, and artwork can really bring a room to life so don't fret if your staple pieces seem a bit ho-hum.

I have a war chest full of resources for these sorts of accents and one that I routinely check is Urban Outfitters. They have inexpensive "apartment" goods and some are rather stylish while others are not what I'd put in my house. Anyhow, there are diamonds in the rough and on my last visit I spotted this fun yellow floor lamp. With a great vintage aesthetic and wild color, I knew that it would come in handy for a future project. I can totally see this by a glider in a nursery or I also like it in a fresh, modern (kinda girly) living area like this...

Vintage Floor Lamp - Urban Outfitters

Journey - Acrylic on canvas by Jen Ramos - Cocoa and Hearts

Bargello Worth Avenue Pillow - Jonathan Adler

Black and White Spotted Pillow - Furbish Studio

Hutton Chaise - Room & Board

Nixon Throw - Jonathan Adler

Smart Round Marble Top Coffee Table - CB2

Here's the same room with a different pillow and throw...which option do you like better?

Quatrefoil Pillow - COCOCOZY
Persian Charm Green Throw - Sabira Home

I also ran across these two inexpensive side tables on the UO site. I think they're pretty cute...I really love the green one!

Coil Side Table - Urban Outfitters
Silver Leaf Side Table - Urban Outfitters

Do you ever shop Urban Outfitters for decor? As you might know, they are owned by the same company as Anthropologie so UO is kind of like Anthro's funky, thriftier sister ;)

Peacock and Butternut Bedroom Mood Board

It's been a while since I dosed out a mood board. So when I spotted this pretty bedding from Brocade Home, I thought it would be fun to build a little scheme around it. I love the color name...butternut.

Tier Cascade Faux Chandelier - Urban Outfitters
Sunburst Ventana Mirror - Jonathan Adler
Nailhead Bed - West Elm
Butternut Moroccan Bedding - Brocade Home
Peacock Citrine Bedding - Dwell Studio
Robert Abbey Peacock Blue Ceramic Lamp - Lamps Plus - seen on Stylish Bird :)
Coil Side Table - Urban Outfitters
Russian Medallion Rug - Urban Outfitters
Amelia Tufted Storage Ottoman - Overstock

What do you think? Any favorites items? 

I'm so in love with the coil side table from UO...it's only $78 too!

Unbridled Bathroom Design

A reader recently emailed me about creating a design for her future bathroom. Since her fiance is in medical school and will be beginning his residency soon, she actually doesn't know where this bathroom will be...so there aren't nitty gritty details to take into account yet. As far as color goes, she mentioned blues and grey, and noted that there are touches of yellow and green around their current apartment. Other than those broad parameters, I had a blank slate and it was fun creating the following bathroom look for the soon-to-be-wed couple:

Keeping her fiance in mind, I tried not to go too girly...the use of navy and the industrial accents help in that regard. What do you think?

Countertop
Lucia Soap - Burke Decor

Marvis Toothpaste - Waterworks

Monogram Tray - Jill Rosenwald on Etsy

Mayfair Glass Jar - Urban Outfitters

Hand Soap and Lotion - Anthro

Other Accents

Suction Cup Shower Clock - Urban Outfitters

Interlaced Garden Stool - Clayton Gray

Under Foot

Outdoor Rug - Pottery Barn (to go in front of sink)

Storage

Hamper - Pottery Barn

Covington Train Rack - Pottery Barn

On the Wall

Hayes Quatrefoil Mirror - Clayton Gray

Linens
Lacoste Robe - Macy's
Zigzag Floral Shower Curtain - Urban Outfitters
Maxwell Towels - Leontine Linens*
Diamond Bath Mat - Somewhere in cyberspace! For the life of me, I can't find the source for this thanks to my browser crashing during recon. If I figure it out, I'll add it to the post.

*The Leontine Linens towels are super expensive, and since she's getting married and can register for towels, these embroidered ones from Pottery Barn would be a great alternative...

Preppy Bedroom Mood Board

Across the interwebs, things catch my eye all of the time. So, when I saw this super cute bedding from IKEA, I thought it would be fun to create a menu of items that could be used with it. The set sparked a bit of a summery, Dorothy Draper/Kate Spade vision...hope you like it :)

Striped Bedding - IKEA (Pair with black

Bukhara Pillow - Z Gallerie

Pearl Embroidered Sheet Set and Monogrammed Boudoir Pillow (Green Apple) - Pottery Barn

Tufted Headboard (Silver) - Urban Outfitters

Nate Berkus Hexagon Ottoman

Lucite Tray - Dabney Lee

Niche Nightstand - West Elm

 

Light Wheel Rug - Anthropologie

Sphere Lamp - West Elm

Greek Key Mirror - Ballard Designs

Jewel Ikat Slipper Chair - Urban Outfitters

Calais Chandelier (Black) - Z Gallerie

Fu Dog Bookends - CB2

Daniella Chest - Pottery Barn

Towels - Pottery Barn

Shower Curtain - DwellStudio Target

Have a great weekend!

NYC Apartment

One of my best friends just moved into a new apartment in New York and needs to jazz up her bedroom. She bought some blue curtains at Crate and Barrel and has a white comforter and dark brown furniture. Luckily, the room is a blank slate so she has plenty of freedom in choosing accent colors. The downside to that situation is that the possibilities can seem endless, which is quite overwhelming.

It helps to find at least one item with color that you absolutely love. Starting with a key accessory like a lamp, a pillow, a throw, or rug makes the rest of the process easy because you have a palette/style to work with. To help her in the decision-making process, I've given some examples of how the blue curtains can be used as a jumping-off point for many different palettes, through a variety of accessories. I tried to use well-priced items that she can easily get in the city or order from the internet. Hopefully, something will catch her eye and we can build the room out from there.

Painting - Etsy - $70

Pillow - IKEA - $10

Blue Pillow - Etsy - $45

Ikat Pillow - Etsy -  $35

Sunbird Pillow Cases - Anthropologie - $48

Pillow pair - Etsy - $185

Orange embroidered pillow - Z Gallerie

Blue rug - Urban Outfitters - $48

Rugs - Anthropologie

Labyrinth Pillow - Z Gallerie - $50

 Sunshine Medallion Shams - Urban Outfitters - $30

Flower/Leaf pillow - Etsy - $30

Flower pillow - Etsy - $35

Blue leaves pillow - Etsy - $30 for pair

Flower pillow - Crate and Barrel - $35

This Multicolor Rug from IKEA would work with many of the pillows above and it's only $20!

Rugs from above...

Striped - IKEA - $13

Colorblock - IKEA - $18

I'd love to hear everyone's favorites...whether it's a whole set or just a particular item or color palette! Also, if you have other ideas and suggestions, send them my way :)

Cheap & Chic Accent Pillows

Just like in fashion, there are lots of funky, daring prints for the home that are popular right now. And just like with fashion, trying out these bold trends is more palatable if the cost isn't too steep. Financial commitment often takes the fun out of things, doesn't it?!?

So, I give you a roundup of some impactful accent pillows that are all under $130 (most are under $100). If you're looking to add some life to a sofa, chair, or bed, but don't want to spend too much, one of these might work...

1) Bamboo Pink Embroidered Pillow - $70 - Zinc Door

2) Tribal Pebble Embroidered Pillow - $100 - Zinc Door

3) Emerald Green and Black Houndstooth Pillow - $46 - Etsy seller giardino

4) Doha Metallic Silver Organic Hemp Pillow Cover - $75 - Etsy seller melongings

5) Magical Thinking Crewel Ikat Pillow - $44 - Urban Outfitters

6) Custom Hand-Blocked Navy Greek Key Print on Natural Linen - $125 - Etsy seller KariFisherDesign

7) Orchid Vine Pillow Cover - $36 - Etsy seller ClothandINK

8) Kasai Cloth Lumbar Pillow - $69 - Etsy seller MarthaAndAsh

From the source list you might notice that many are from Etsy, which is one of my favorite sources for well-priced pillows. Besides sellers like WoodyLiana, who makes high quality pillows from trade-only fabrics, I tend to buy from sellers who produce hand-printed textiles or who design their own prints. I keep tabs on these makers:

MacAndLexie

Melongings

SwankySwell

ClothandINK

skinny laminx (a Cape Town gal!)

Eastern Home Decor (good for ikats)

giardino

Pillow Link

Jane Forrester

Kari Fischer Design

Flower Power

I adore bold prints and while I usually fall for those of the geometric variety, lately I've been into florals. When it comes to floral prints, a little goes a long way so it's important to temper them with items that aren't fussy. I like to juxtapose bold floral prints with sleek modern elements so that the space doesn't end up being too feminine. There are tons of bright, floral pillows, rugs, and fabrics out there and below I've taken a few to show how florals can be used to add color and interest without looking girly (or granny)!

Anthropologie Tropically Pop and Finishing Flourish Pillows

Williams-Sonoma Home Classic Greek Key Bedding

Home Depot Roxy Lighting Euphoria Chandelier

Dwell Studio Masala Citrine Cases

Jonathan Adler Haines Chair

Carleton V Growing Wild
Jeff Lewis Doheny Pillow
ABC Carpet Color Reform Rug
Pieces Yellow Chrome Bench
Shop Ten 25 Chelsea Ceramic Garden Stool

Urban Outfitters Big Garden Print Rug
Pieces Blue Pottery Lamps
Windsor Smith Home Slim Chaise
Jonathan Adler Channing Buffet
Pieces Hide Slipper Chair
CB2 City Slicker White Tables

Etsy Extra Large Retro Floral Drum Shade Pendant
Room and Board Saarinen Table
Z Gallerie Concerto Dining Chair
Layla Grayce Dwell Studio Draper Stripe Rug

How do you feel about floral prints? Any favorites from above?

Serena & Lily's Latest and Greatest

Serena & Lily has recently added some gorgeous new things to their site. For starters, I'm loving this vibrant new bedding ensemble. While I'm not normally one who loves fuchsia or yellow, for some reason I think they look great together in this scenario. I'm also completely obsessed with that Greek key adorned bed! The room is also styled really well...I love the yellow paint treatment and the lineup of artwork that was used. Pretty setup isn't it?

Marni Duvet and Shams
Berry Border Frame Euro Sham
Octavia Bed

This rug is a snazzy new addition as well...

Orchid/Army Feather Rug

Berry Gobi Embroidered Sheet Set

Random aside...these knobs (although not from S & L) would be perfect on bedside table in the room...

Knobs - Urban Outfitters

I also adore this simple, yet dynamic mirror and can imagine it in so many different settings including the bedroom above...

White Mosaic Mirror
Pagoda Console Table

I hate most leather furniture, but this pretty chair makes my short list of exceptions.

Louise Chair

And finally, this chic lacquered accent table is incredibly versatile with its classic, yet updated style.

Cabriolet Table

What do you think of their goods?

Frank Roop's Fresh Spaces

Frank Roop is a talented Boston-area designer who has been published in most of the major design magazines including Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Veranda, and the late Metropolitan Home. From his mag features, I remember noticing the distinctive cushions that he uses on so many of the upholstered seating pieces in his spaces. Juxtaposed against pretty modern chairs and sofas, the cushions have a casual, old school mattress-like construction. Upon seeing them, I immediately thought of the indie platform + cushion combos from Urban Outfitters. In any case, I like the mix and I'm sure the cushions are super comfortable.

I recently found my way to Mr. Roop's website and wanted to share some images from his impressive portfolio. He certainly seems to have a signature style (notice all of the folding screens...they're often uncharacteristically short) and you'll notice that he often uses a color palette that combines neutrals with vibrant tones (he loves chartreuse!). The look ends up being fresh and interesting, but restrained.

Here's the curveball of the bunch...I really love that super long blue velvet bench!

All images above via Frank Roop Design + Interiors

What are your thoughts on Frank Roop's designs? Any favorite rooms?

Judging from the aesthetic of most of his portfolio, I was surprised to find out that he lives in Boston...not sure why, but I'd probably have guessed Miami. I think the color palettes seem very coastal, and not in a New England-coastal kind of way. It just goes to show that geographic location doesn't have anything to do with style!