Glamorous Black and White

What one person may view as "Glamorous", another may not, but the following interior scenes by Cattelan Italia are beyond imagination and one can only dream to live in a space as glamorous as these. The unexpected combination of highly ornate detailing with contemporary lines and art give each space a modern flair that once seen, can never be forgotten. To combine hints of sparkle, glitz, rich fabrics and muted colors while still managing to remain young and fresh is a token of true design.

Remodel on a budget

Do you find yourself thinking about taking a vacation more recently then ever? Well here's a solution that won't require any flight or hotel accommodations. With just under $750 you can remodel a guest room to look and feel like a vacation suite. As an example, I transformed my guest room into an "Italian villa". The project only took two days and didn't break my budget.

Recreating a space can be as easy as re-finishing or re-painting existing furniture pieces. I wanted to create a space that was a retreat from the rest of the home. A guest room that had the feeling of being on vacation. The color palette I chose is a combination of a soft red, pale yellow and turquoise. I started with an antique bed frame, a side chair, two side tables and a storage trunk, all pieces that I already had. I painted the side chair in the turquoise color and added a seat cushion that I purchased from Pier 1 for only $24.

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/Furniture/tabid/519/CategoryID/159/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/2994/Default.aspx?ProductName=Embroidered-Flower/Stripe-Dining-Chair-Cushion

Dunn Edwards: DE5725 Dragon Bay. Gloss finish

I had two different side tables and decided to use the two as nightstands for a unique feel. One is a round marble top table that I found in my grandmothers garage, the other, a square wood top table with iron legs that I revamped with two cans of spray paint. Gold for the legs and white for the table top.

Before the remodel...

Family heirlooms are great pieces for guest rooms because they are conversation pieces and definately help to create a warmth in the room. To create additional seating, I added a chest that my mother gave me, and hung three antiqued mirrors above it. I bought a unique green lamp at an estate sale for only $5 which went perfectly with the room. I stained the existing woven shades in an ebony finish and added white linen drapes.

Paint for all four walls: $50 Dunn Edwards

Back wall: DE5089 Geranium Red

Three walls: DEC734 Jasmine
Stain for shades: $13 Minwax, ebony 2718 from Home Depot

Drapes: $49.00 Ikea http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80110274
Area rug: $129 Ikea http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80084920
Round accent pillow: $39.99 Pier 1 Imports http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/RugsPillowsWindows/RugsPillowsWindows/tabid/514/CategoryID/144/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/3661/Default.aspx?ProductName=Round-Boxed-Appliqué-Pillow
Full size Mattress: $400 Costco
Sheets: $44.99 Bed Bath & Beyond

As a finishing touch I added fresh flowers that I picked myself from the neighborhood. This is a great idea and will save you a lot of money!

These were picture frames that my grandma gave me and I had antiqued mirrors put in the frames.

Pantone color of the year

What comes to mind when you think of Mimosa? I think of a fabulous sunday brunch and relaxing on a hot summer day with this brightly hued cocktail.

What about color of the year? Pantone has named "Mimosa" PANTONE® 14-0848 Mimosa, a warm, engaging yellow, as the color of the year for 2009. In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow. Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation. It is a versatile shade that coordinates with any other color, has appeal for men and women, and translates to both fashion and interiors. So how can you incorporate this highly saturated bright yellow into your home for 09? Take a look at the ideas we've compiled below. You can't go wrong, afterall, it is the "color of the year!"

Want to learn more about Pantone paints? check out their website @ http://www.pantonepaint.com/

Easter Decorating Ideas!

Great tips for Easter Decorating!

1.. Lighten Up your Room!
Do you have a heavy looking sofa, or drapes that are just too dark for the room? It's time to change them out for lighter and better looking alternative. Take away the drapes and replace them with sheers. Slipcover the sofa or chairs with pastel tones or florals.

2. Views
Your furniture may be positioned to surround the fireplace, but now with spring coming up its time to think about ways to rearrange the look for summer. Change the focal point away from the fireplace to a view of a garden or water or wherever your best view is at your location.

3. Re-Accessorize
Its time to re- organize your accessories! Clean the dust off the shelves and begin to replace objects with lighter tones and fun bright colors. Bring out your floral china and set up a collection of pitchers, and include plants.

4. Flowers!
Easter is the perfect time to arrange beautiful spring flowers around your table. If you are buying the flowers from a boutique make sure you give them an advance order as this is one of the busiest times of the year. Small pots of prim roses, petunias, hyacinths and a short tulip..work the best with spring. Arrange the flowers in woven Easter baskets and fill the empty spaces with floral moss.

5. Sheer everything!
Sheer curtains, sheer tablecloths, sheer bed skirts, and pillows, all of these are the best elements of spring and summer. Plain, embroidered, or printed sheer designs can all be used for interiors, so look for the one that best fits your interior.

Great ideas for table setting!

Jimmie Martin furniture

We have such an appreciation for designers who bring a bit of modernity and rawness to our world of design. You won't find a typical, cliche or boring furniture piece in Jimmie Martin's furniture collection that's for sure! Each piece is custom, unique, has a personality all its own and we love it! Combine history, art and pure creativity and you've got the perfect recipe for a furniture collection that is exciting, sexy, quirky, and urban while somehow managing to remain glamourous and sophisticated. Modern statement pieces at its best...here are a few...

We love that the feathers on this classic french Louis XVI chair give it a high fashion feel. And although the taxidermy bird is sort of grotesque and gothic, it kinda works and is actually quite funny!

Tagging isn't always unsightly! This Queen Anne chair received a modern facelift with a sharpie and silver leaf details.

It's not enough that the materials for this chair are a rare combo of metallic neon green paint and zebra hide...so Jimmie took it one step further and added the zebra tail. Hmmmm not quite sure what to think about this tail, but I think I'm leaning towards love it.

A simple black armoire with a gold painted candleabra. Classy yet fun.

Wanna really tell them all just how you feel? Get it out with a sharpie and some spray paint! And don't hold your words back...furniture is the new therapist don't you know.

At your command Lamps

How great are these lamps! Cool, fun and creative we think that everybody should own one of these. And the best part is...you can manipulate the bodies in whatever position you'd like as they are all jointed. This could get really fun!
Find them at http://www.freshome.com/

Be creative every day ~ Plural

Gotta love Ankasa

For all of you stylish fashionistas out there enamoured with interiors and fashion, have we got a treat for you! Love the look of embellished pillows? then you will not be disappointed by Ankasa's fashion forward collection. Having only been established four years ago, by a husband and wife team of fabric designers, the line has become a huge success. Inspired by the world of fashion, Ankasa aims to blend fashion and interiors into a unique and luxurious home decor collection.

The designs are absolutely beautiful and are like jewelery for your upholstered furniture! Who would have thunk it right?! This line of pillows is glamorous unlike any other, with hand embroidered designs, jeweled embellishments, fur, patent leather and color pallettes mimicking those coming down the runway each season, these gorgeous pillows are definately at the top of our wish list!

Be creative every day! ~ Plural

Fun dinnerware

A penthouse suite for the price of a dinner plate? Well, not exactly, but these fun plates featuring floor plans are sure to spark conversation at your dinner table. Choose from a studio, penthouse or a luxury penthouse! What a great idea, Love it!

You can find them at http://www.fisheddy.com/

White Kitchens

What is more timeless than the classic white kitchen? Elegantly chic, modern and oh so beautiful! White kitchens have a clean and inviting nature about them that is undeniable and the space always feels fresh and new.

Here are a few of the many great qualities of using white in your kitchen: It is a utilitarian shade that allows you to easily coordinate your other elements such as counter tops, back splash, wall color and accessories. It reflects light, making your entire space feel much brighter. So if you have a space that is not well lit and electrical work is not an option, then white is your go-to color. It makes any color that's paired with it look like a million bucks. Most importantly, the end results look amazing and you will absolutely fall in love with your kitchen.

Here are some of our favorites:

Splash of Color

One of the easiest and most pocket-friendly ways to add a quick change to your home is with the use of paint. Adding color to your existing white walls will transform your space without breaking your piggy bank. Always test out several shades of your fave color on the wall before committing. Lighting plays a big role in the way the paint will look in your space so be sure to view your samples in both natural and artificial light, and at different times of the day.

Tile: Tile is a more permanent way of adding color, but it adds another dimension to your otherwise flat walls. Try adding a wall of tile in a smaller space, like a powder bathroom to get more bang for your buck. Glass decorative tiles are on the hot list right now and come in a variety of patterns, sizes and colors. Think outside of the box, mix and match and have fun!

Be creative every day~ Plural