O' Say Can You See? Decorating with Red, White & Blue!

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What a great, long weekend. While we enjoyed our BBQ's and retail sales, I hope you took a moment to reflect on the heroes that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and the ones they left behind.

The weekend's festivities got me thinking...about decorating, what else? Nothing says summertime like patriotic decor. OK, watermelon and flip-flops pretty much sum it up too but I'm trying to stay on topic here! And...Sorry I'm a couple days behind, but that's kind of the story of my life.  In all fairness, Jacki and I ARE hard at work on an ADORABLE playroom!

Tablescapes like the one above are an EASY way to let out your inner patriot! Besides being patriotic, don't these three colors remind you of the beach and picnics and 150 degree NC summers? And, of course fun times spent with family and friends...near some sort of water.

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See, I told you...

Another budget friendly update is pillows and accessories of course! If you have a room with a neutral palette, try adding a few little touches to celebrate the season and our great country! I bought one of these from World Market last year and stuck it in my chocolate chair in a room painted spa blue. It was just enough to be festive but not too much. They are carrying them again this year and at under $20, it won't break the bank. 

World Market

If you're not ready to go for a pillow, try something a little smaller like a candle holder. You can score some battery powered votives at the dollar store and not have to worry about the flame while you're entertaining.

Sometimes, less really is more. Especially if the main color in your home is say, orange?! 

Don't let a color clash dampen your patriotic spirit! Move the party outside. For many of you, that's actually possible. 

Side note: I'm not talking to our NC readers. Ya'll just go back inside where the air condition is blasting, serve some cherry punch and call it a day. 

For the rest of you, set a lovely table. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Some red and white layered tablecloths with blue, SOLO plates will do the trick (sorry Mom!). 

Country Living

If you decide you're just too pooped to go the distance for a full-fledged tablescape, head to the grocery store and grab some white flowers (note: NOT carnations, they are hideous) and adorn them with mini flags. How cute is that?

Even though I'm a few days behind for Memorial Day, I'm WAYYYY ahead for summer and 4th of July. Consider this your reminder and get busy!

Last but not least...

WE WERE FEATURED:

WE'RE LINKING UP WITH LIL' LUNA~~                                                              
                                                                

Let's Play! A SWOON worthy play room.

WE ARE SO EXCITED!  Jacki and I are headed to IKEA (sans kiddos-which is something to be excited about in itself) because we have the opportunity to decorate a craft-lovin', little girl's play room. I'm having to keep a close eye on Jacki because that is her dream child and I'm worried she may try to flee the country with her. I suspect that would be really bad for business!

Our client(s), mom and daughter, want something that can be used by the whole family. Some of their requests are:

• a place for arts and crafts
• a place to display masterpieces
• a dress-up area
• a place for family movie night
• additional room for overflow, overnight guests

This is the current playroom:

They are moving the play room to a different room in the house--upstairs (read: trying not to have a Toys R Us downstairs). Luckily, it's a LARGE room and was being used for a guest room and office. 

Here's the before:

You can see from our mood board up top that our vision for this room is bright and cheery! And, we will address the wishlist to make this room fully function for everyone, especially Jacki's little BFF.

We're just getting started so you will have to stay tuned for the finished project. Here's a peak at the room's closet and our vision for the dress-up area that will be hosted in there:

Vision:

Not to mention wall decals and of course, PILLOWS!

OK, seriously, you're as excited as we are... I know it. Thanks for stopping by and come again soon!

Check out our link love--

Headboards- Luxurious Tufting and Nailhead Trim--Oh My!

                       Traditional Bedroom by Toronto Photographer Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer

Hello and Happy Monday adorable readers! It's raining here in NC and I just want to crawl in this gorgeous bed--or back in mine! Alas! An impending move waits for no woman!

As I have mentioned, my family and I are in the midst of moving and hopefully downsizing. Therefore, I have been selling furniture like cRaZy! I've even contemplated selling (read: listed on Craigslist) my bedroom furniture in an attempt to lighten up. I've already successfully sold my cherry sleigh bed that I used in our guest room. While it is beautiful, it is also bulky. This is another one of those situations where I used what I already had but I really want something else. I've looked at this little number from Target.

Don't you think that would be so inviting? And for $300, you cannot beat its elegant, clean style. I also like that it doesn't have a footboard because no matter how large your home is, the guest room probably won't be huge.

*IF* I can sell our bedroom furniture, I would love to have something like this in our master:

potterybarn.com

We sit in our bed and use our laptops and watch TV pretty regularly. This headboard would make a comfy perch!

What do you think of upholstered headboards? Do you have one or more in your own home?

Today we're linking up with The Dedicated House. Head on over and check out some great tips and tricks from around the blogosphere!

Easy Update: Try Chevron

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to update your home decor; try chevron!

Adding a new mirror, some drapery panels or even something as simple as a tray on your coffee table is a great way to update your look without spending a lot of money.

Kristen has a great DIY tutorial for painting a chevron design on curtain panels on her blog here.

I know Catherine has her eye on some chevron details in her new home (wherever that may be); where will you try chevron?

Hanging the TV over the fireplace: To be or not to be?

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To hang or not to hang...that is THE question for many.

I hate to start the day off with SUCH a controversial subject. Of course a fireplace should be the focal point of a room but can the TV share the spotlight? It sure is convenient because you can see the TV from every angle in the room. But, does it invite more TV watching and less personal interaction? Hmmm....

It should ABSOLUTELY NOT be a tangle of visible cords and components. Here's Jacki's keeping room off the kitchen, a beautiful example of getting it right:

This living room is a perfect candidate for an over-the-fireplace TV placement. It can be a less expensive option than updating your TV cabinet.

TV's over fireplace done RIGHT:

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And there are many ways to conceal the TV:

Here's one of our client's family room. Where IS she going to put the tv? We're thinking over the fireplace is the frontrunner! We'll keep you posted!

Tell us, what do you think of hanging the TV over the fireplace? Does it emphasize TV watching too much?

Today we're Hookin' up with House of Hepworths, head over and check out all their goodies!


                                           

Trend Alert!! Quatrefoil baby!

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Have you seen all the cool quatrefoil popping up EVERYWHERE? If you're anything like us, this decor eye candy is TOO hard to resist!

Check out this awesome, budget-friendly update for under $20,

Etsy

Or, this D-I-Yquatrefoil wall art:

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I'm gonna call this more of an "investment"than a cheap update, but man...it sure is dandy!

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Get out your credit card girls, you're gonna want to do some shopping. Check out these PILLOWS!!!

Etsy

Etsy

I Loooove this rug...long time. Well, at least until the next trend steals my heart.

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This pendant is totally TDF (to die for)!

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Yes, please.

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What can we say? We're jumping on the quatrefoil bandwagon! When Jacki spiffed up this little nook between her master bedroom and powder bath, this quatrefoil wallpaper was the star of the show!

Wallpaper from Lowe's

Are you digging quatrefoil as much as we are? 

We're linking up today with The Dedicated House.

Under the stairs and dreaming!

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Hey there and TGIF! This is one mama that is ready for the weekend! In an effort to prep for max relaxing, I searched the web to find some great spaces to chill out under the stairs. And some awesome space-saving storage ideas too!

Without further ado:

Isn't this clever? Many of us use the closet under the stairs for storage, but very few do so THIS stylishly!

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Seriously? You could host a party in this space under the stairs:

pinterest via House Beautiful

#BRILLIANT: How clever is this? #USINGEVERYINCH

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and, a less intricate yet similar design:

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OMG!!! To die for....

Along the same lines as the last one..but SOOOO thoughtfully awesome!

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In a bit of exciting news, we were featured on Anything Blue Friday for last week's post about DIY custom window treatments. Thanks Kathryn for the shout-out. You guys head on over her way if you're feeling BLUE today! And have a GREAT weekend!