{inspires} Design Camp with AB Chao

It seems like forever ago now, but before I left for Europe I spent the day with AB Chao! AB's been traveling around the country this year for her Design Camp's and Portland was added last minute as a mini camp. Yes!

Friends if she comes to your city, GO. This woman has an amazing design sense, is a wealth of great tips and tricks for decorating your home, and is just adorable and fun. I learned so. much. good. stuff.

Some of what I loved most about camp follows.

When decorating:

1. Be BRAVE. (By far the hardest thing to me, but also my far the most important)

2. Take your time.

3. Less is more.

4. Don't take it too seriously.

5. Follow your heart. If you love it, it's the right thing.

Don't you think these are so applicable for life in general? YES.

Restrict your palette.  
Go either super light or super dark. 

This was a light bulb moment for me.  I tend to go middle of the road because it's safe (see, be brave above :). But light or dark are where you make a statement, and more than likely where you'll be the happiest. As I thought through this I realized the design decisions I was happiest with were the ones where I was brave and either went super light, or super dark. Hmmm. She's on to something here!

AB also had some interesting professional design tips. Such as -- combine curtains and shades in the same fabric for a layered look. And, paint a room's ceiling and trim the same color as the wall. Both of which you see in magazines, but I never actually thought about applying in reality. But, why not, right? Be brave. :) See the theme here?

Oh, and I'm also completely inspired to spend a lot of money on a painting I love. Seriously, this woman makes a strong case for investing in art. Now, to find my dream painting :).

You can find AB's Design Camp recap here. Dewit, ya'll! :)

{inspired} nature is callling

Maybe it's my recent floating and camping experiences. Or, maybe it's the fact that my house is a disaster (read: kitchen remodel), but I am craving nature decor. Not cutes-y nature-inspired decor. But, a nature decor that calms your soul -- similar to spending a day hiking along a favorite trail. Nature has a way of making me feel relaxed, alive and inspired all at the same time. It's pretty amazing friends. This is by far not a new theme on the blog. Come on, I have a twig pendant hanging in my bedroom! But, below are my current favorite examples of bringing nature indoors.

pinterest

willow rose boutique

design sponge

signed by tina

house beautiful

If you like to read more about natural decor, check out my posts about incorporating spring branches, "this is Oregon" art series, decorating with green plants, creating a woodland inspired interior, and being inspired by nature walks.

{inspired} summer color palettes

I realize that summer "officially" starts on June 21. And, there are a lot of place across the U.S. that have been basking in hot warm summer sun since before then. But we're a little slower here in Oregon. It's a general rule that Oregon summers - the sun, warm weather - don't begin until after July 4th. Seeing as how we've had nearly two weeks of perfectly sunny mid-80's weather, I think it's safe to say that summer finally here :).

All this to say ... it's time to look at summer color palettes! For those of you newer readers, each season I take a look what's on my to-wear wish list, and then translate that into a comfortable and stylish room.

Summer Color Palette #1

 

anthro

southern piphi

Summer Color Palette #2

 

asos

traditional home

Summer Color Palette #3

jcrew-skirt jcrew-shirt

free house interior design ideas

Friends, which look is your favorite? Obviously, I LOVE coral right now. But I'm also really digging blues and greens. I think I would take them all :)

** If you’d like to check out previous color palette posts see: spring color palettes, winter color palettes, fall color palettes, summer color palettes, and spring color palettes.

{inspired} spring florals

One of my favorite trends so far this spring is the abundance of bright, colorful florals. I'm a sucker for when fashion swings more feminine -- I love dressing up in cute skirts and patterns. 

I'm pretty sure my husband, who is so cool about my decorating decisions, would not so much agree with bringing overly feminine florals into our home. So today I thought it would be fun to dream and look at some lovely spaces that do incorporate this fun trend.

kristen is lovely

I love this wall paper. It manages to be moody and feminine all in one. This would be an amazing retreat.

pinterest

I think curtains are a great way to bring in a trend. They're easy to change up if you get tired of them and they bring so much personality to a room.

the decorista

I love this girly vintage couch. It's so bright and fun. And looks so chic with the pink walls.

If you like this look, and think you'd like to try it in your home, I pulled together some fun ways products that let you bring the look into your home in varying degrees.

1. Floral curtains
2. Quilt
3. Floral ipad case
4. Floral heart print
5. Amelia Sofa
6. Amaryllis Measuring Cups
7. Garden tools

I actually own #6, and I LOVE them. They're such a fun way to bring a pop of color into a room. Currently, they're serving as votive holders on my mantle. I also would love to try #4 and #1 in my house. And, in my dream sewing room/craft room/huge walk in closet (not necessarily all one room -- we're dreaming here afterall ;), I would definitely incorporate #5.

What do you think about a florals? Do you have them in your home now? Would you bring them in? If so, which products do you like best?

{inspired} craft room/office mood board

As I mentioned the other day, I've been really struggling figuring out what I want our craft room/office to look like now that it's all purdy. 

The room has a number of things it needs to accomplish:

• Sewing space
• Craft space
• Storage
• Creative fabric storage
• Chris' closet :)

And it needs to accomplish all this in a tiny space: 9 ft. x 12 ft. to be exact. This little space definitely has its work cut out for it. Last night Chris and I took a close look at the room and how we use each space in the room and we determined that we don't need the desk that currently resides in the room. We NEVER sit at it, and it just takes up space. That, pared with the beautiful inspiration offices I posted Monday, helped me organize my thoughts and ideas and come up with a mood board.

Details:

1. Sewing table (already own, not as pictured)
2. File cabinet (already own, not as pictured)
3. Turquoise office chair (already own, not as pictured)
4. Rug
5. Armoire (already own, not as pictured)
6. Shelves
7. Painted chandelier (salvaged, not as shown)
8. Fabric. Honestly, the floral fabric is lovely, but its brightness scares the heck out of me. That's why it's on here:). It'll be used for either curtains or pelmet boxes. The striped fabric will back a bulletin board.
9. Woven shades (already own, not as pictured)
10. Offices boxes and storage. For all the *office* supplies that are losing a home when the desk moves out.
11. Orange desk lamp (already own, not as pictured).

As you can see, I'm working to use and/or repurpose a lot of items we already have. I like that it mixes geometrical prints with some fun pops of color. This is a craft room after all! You might notice the lack of *art*. I have a fun idea for fabric *storage* that will turn it into the room's art.

Now that I actually have a plan, I'm so excited to get started on this room!

{inspired} craft rooms & offices

Friends, I'm stumped.

See, the back bedroom that we just completely refinished serves as my sewing/craft room and our office. Plus, Chris' dresser and clothes live in the (smaller) closet :). That's a whole lot of multi-functioning for one, pretty tiny, room. Since we put so much effort into making the bones of this room look sharp, I want to make sure the furnishings follow suite. Plus, it's a craft/sewing room. It needs to be inspirational, or I'll never sew ;).

I thought I'd start with a mood board. Similar to the one I made for the back entry. But, I can't come up with anything! What's a girl to do? That's right, hit the great interwebs for inspiration. I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to write this post, but just looking through craft room photos and offices photos has been immensely helpful and inspirational.

Want to see what I'm loving for offices and craft rooms?

This lovely office has been on my radar for a couple years. What I especially like is the *L* shaped table that gives lots of counter space with a minimal footprint, and the big armoire for storage.

Flickr: VARNISH design

This room is gorgeous. LOVE that lamp. What really caught my attention, though, is the creative fabric *storage*. All my fabric is hiding behind closet doors at the moment. Having is on display is not only beautiful, but incredibly helpful for remembering what you have to work with.

Pinterest

Here, I am loving both the lights (chandelier lights in an office are so pretty!) and the HUGE table.

 Etsy

I don't have room for an entire wall of storage, but I like the idea repurposing a console or buffet into a large counter area.

BHG

This room is amazingly close to what I have in mind. Like the first picture, it's a *L* shaped set up. The photo is a little blurry, but you can see a sewing machine at one end of the tables and a computer under the window. Love this.

Martha Stewart

This room I love solely for the the color palette. Okay, and all the great storage boxes :).

 The State of Things

I'm thinking a lot about floating shelves, similar to this. I like how these shelves are customized and think a few of these a long one of the walls would be a great addition.

What are some of your office or craft room *must haves*? Do you have rooms in your house that do double or triple duty?? And, any ideas for creative fabric storage? There doesn't seem to be much on the internet about this.

{inspire} pinterest

Did you all have a good weekend? I had a super relaxing weekend with my family at the beach. Do any of you follow March Madness? This is the first year since middle school that I haven't filled out a bracket. At first I was kicking myself, but there was so much amazing basketball this weekend and it turns out that it didn't matter. In fact, it was almost better because then I wasn't forced to root for the team I'd chosen ... I could root for the rock star underdogs! :)

 French By Design

We didn't get to work on the house at all this weekend, but I did start a fun spring craft project that I'm hoping to finish up quickly and share with you! Today though, I thought I'd show you a peek into my Pinterest account. Are you all on Pinterest? I've been a member for quite awhile now, but it's only been the past couple months that I really started playing and fell in love with all the goodness on the site and it's organizational capabilities. 

 Design Sponge

The mood board I put together for the back entry? As I was finding images I loved, I saved them on Pinterest. Then, when I found something new I could look at the *Mud Room Ideas* folder and tell at a glance if that product would work with my over feel or not. 

Making It Lovely

And of course, there's a plethora of inspiration going on here. In fact, I think it would be all too easy to get sucked in for hours on end. I mean really. How awesome is this mobile (above) and this cake (below)!?

Eat Cake Be Merry

Last week I started a folder for my *To Makes* and I feel like it will fill up all too quick! :)

{brooke} april two eighty

I am dying to make a quilt like this!

 Anne M. Cramer

All the photos in the post are images or products that I love and have recently inspired me. You can follow me at http://pinterest.com/jennmccormick.

Are you on Pinterest? Let me know your user name in the comments ... I would love to see what's been inspiring you lately! Or wanna talk basketball? How about Butler? OR VCU? OMG!

{inspired} projects around the web

Happy Friday friends! I have so many projects that I'm excited to share with you, but fridays are my picture taking day, and today is completely gloomstastic here in the great nw. So no new pics today. Boo. Here's to hoping for a little sun this weekend so I can get these projects shot! It's been awhile since I've featured some of my favorite blog land projects so I thought I share some recent home updating projects that have completely inspired me!

As you know, we have a completely unfinished (but organized!) basement. So I have been loving seeing how Nicole at Making it Lovely has been completely finishing her basement. Love the green floors!

And speaking of green paint ... I am so in love with the color Jane at The Borrowed Abode chose for her living room makeover. Just amazing! 

Check out this bathroom makeover that Sam of When Two Become One recently completed. Beautiful! And, she makes it looks so easy. I'm completely freaked out to start our bathroom! 

I could curl up in this library at Ashli's Maillardville Manor and read for hours. I love the green she's incorporated (seeing a trend in this post?!) and I love the pops of color from all the books. This little space makes me really want a library.

Last, I could not adore more Camila's, from Effortless Style, new pink (!) living room! The transformation from dark brown to light pink is just amazing. Oh, and that chair is just awesome.

There is so much goodness on the Internet these days, and these are just a few of my recent bookmarks. What projects have caught your eye lately?

Thanks to all of you for stopping by and saying hi this week!

{inspired} spring wreaths

Once we hit March, I get a little antsy for spring to hurry up and arrive already. Spring in Oregon means lots of rain (shocking, I know), but it also means longer days, warmer temperatures, and budding flowers and trees.  *Love*. As you've probably figured out, our decor doesn't change much for the seasons or holidays (well, except for Christmas). But this year I have my sights set on making a spring wreath. I had so much fun making my Christmas wreaths, and I think a spring wreath could add a nice touch of color. I have quite a large *to make* file, so from there I pulled my favorite wreath inspirations that having been popping up on the interwebs lately.

Beautiful Nest

I love this wreath's texture and fullness. I also like that it's super neutral, but you could change out that ribbon according to mood. Perfect!

Pinterest

I still completely love my holiday yarn wreath, and so making a bright fun one is top of mind. This one caught my eye because of the colors (yah blue and orange!) and the simple medallion, instead of flowers.

Paper n Stitch

But, of course, I'm still loving the flowers too. Love this color combo.

Home Made Ginger

This wreath of moss, branches and fabric flowers screams spring to me. So much fun texture.

Pinterest

This could possibly be my favorite. Oh who am I kidding? I adore all these. I like this rectangle shape though ... and these are all the flowers I learned from my felt wreath project. I would love to give this a try to practice these cuts more!

Cuegly

And, aren't these petals just the cutest? So much depth ... and so colorful!

What about you guys? Ready for spring?! :) What fun spring-related DIY projects do you have planned?


Edited: I just discovered the What I Love Wednesday link party, which is perfect for this post! Hop on over to view what everyone's loving today :).

{inspired} colorful lamps

I am decidedly indecisive these days. This indecisiveness ranges from what to have for dinner (ask Chris how fun that is ;) ... to what I want to do with my life. I'm usually have incredibly strong gut instincts, which creates quick decisions. But, we have some pretty big *life* decisions we need to make in the next few months and I find myself paralyzed by this indecisiveness. It's bad friends. So instead of thinking about all the big indecisions, I'm focusing on the small ones. Obviously.

 House Beautiful

A few months ago Chris and I bought a couple lamps at an antique store. They match, they're curvy-awesome, they're a hideous color and they were $5 each. A quick coat of paint and they'll be heading for the living room.

Funky Bear

But see, I did something wild and crazy the other day. I painted them turquoise. Like, bright turquoise. At first it was a definite YES! But then my decidedly neutral loving mother said ew. Sigh. Which of course made me rethink them. (Side note: How do mom's DO that?) Now, whether I actually like the color or not changes ... on an hourly basis. My poor husband.

Domino, via Barrie Briggs Spang (I've always loved this room)

I've pulled some beautiful images of turquoise lamps. Maybe I needed the reassurance that while not common, bright lamps can be beautiful in the right room. But you know what? I'm not looking for common, and part of the appeal is that not many people have funky turquoise lights.

So my question for YOU, my lovely readers, is what are your thoughts on bright funky lamps? Great way to add color and style to a room? Or completely obnoxious attention hogs? :)