Lovely Links

One of my very favorite etsy sellers reopened her shop today, Dandee Designs. Keep an eye on it this weekend as she promises to fill it with goodies.

And what's more awesome? She's giving away a $30 gift card over here to celebrate Lyndsay's revised venture {FYI, Lyndsay did my banner here on this very blog... she's amazing}. Hurry on over, the giveaway ends soon!!

Now I can really say vive le weekend!

Signing off....

Collections-How to Display Them

Many of us have small collections of items that we'd like to display but just don't know how.  I've found a few good photos  recently of different, unique ways to display your collections.  Just click on the picture to be taken directly to the source.

Collections of Globes.  love the red one!

Collections of Vases

Collections of Letters

Collections of Plates.

Do you have objects you collect?  How do you display them?

Ikea Inspiration

Have you seen the new Ikea catalog yet?  Here are some of my favorite images:

I Love, Love, Love the black and white "frame" around the door and how it contrasts with that green wall!  I think I could actually have a green wall in my home!

This kitchen doesn't even look like IKEA to me.  Love the contrast of dark wood and light floor and countertop finishes.  So clean and classy!

P.S. Have you entered our current design challenge yet?   You can win a 5' x 7' area rug from FLOR!

Flashback Wednesdays

Flashback Wednesday is where I bring back goodies from the good old days. The 80s & 90s. I talk about fashions, trends, toys, you name it. These are some of my wonderful memories from childhood.

I remember going to junior high (that's what it was called way back then, remember???!!) and saving from all my babysitting jobs for a pair of tapered guess jeans. They had to be stonewash and tapered. Just like this....

It makes me cringe just thinking about it.

image here

Light & Airy Bedrooms

I love beautiful and relaxing bedrooms.  They make dreams so much better.

Bedrooms from Laura Resen, P.S. Design, Decorology & Light Locations

Swedish Interiors-So Inspiring

Yesterday I ran across a most inspiring set at Flickr!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Be aware--If you click on the link be prepared to look at every single picture!  They are wonderful!  Thanks Chez Larsson for the inspiring photos!

Vive le weekend!

Our weekend was wonderful. Seriously wonderful. It was one of those weekends you wish you had all the time. Not spending ALL Saturday running errands. Surrounded by family and loved ones. And enjoying the sun and water. Here are a couple pictures of our great weekend.

Yay for good weekends! How was yours?

Monday Redesign: Rhonda's Living Room

Remember Rhonda's Living Room?  She needs our help to make the space more airy and comfortable. 

First, let me go over the floorplan of the space.  I know that Rhonda was struggling with the layout of the room, but I really like the layout the way she has it.  I tried moving it around, and adjusting it, but it works just perfec the way she has it.  It leaves a walkway for great traffic flow (see more on making a space planning here).  The main item I would change is making the wall with the couch and fireplace clean and simple.  Take out the end table, and simplify the lamps.  The way it appears right now is too heavy and unbalanced.  I would also move the plant to the other side of the room, near one of the chairs.

Now for a breakdown of the goodies and the mood board. 

 

Here's a mood board for her space along with a break down of goodies.

1.  The color palette I choose for this room is a mixture of chocolate browns with a pop of white and an accent of tan/yellow.  I would paint the walls with Sherwin Williams Sycamore Tan SW2855.  I would paint the inset of the fireplace and the media center/bookshelf (currently painted red) with Black Bean SW6006.  This will instantly warm the room and provide a good contrast.

2.  Although I really, really like the lamps that you have, I would change them out for something that is lighter and doesn't weigh that side of the room down as much.  I suggest these lamps from Ikea which are similar, but not as "heavy".

3. Since we are giving the room a new color palette, I would switch out your pillows for these.  They are fun and provide contrast against the couch, and bonus: they are only $30 for 2 pillows!

4.  I would remove the ottomans that you have centered in the room and replace it with this white coffee table.  The ottomans that you have currently are wonderful, and I could see moving them to your bedroom, at the end of the bed, or as extra seating in another room of your house.  These are too dark and make the room feel heavier than you'd like. 

5.  To tie everything together, I found this 5x8 rug from JcPenny's.  It's fun and goes perfectly with the color palette.

6.  Take out the darker end tables and replace the one between the chairs with this white side table from Target (only $15!!). 

7. As for the media center (the wall you have with the tv), I am proposing that we change things up.  I think the bookshelf is fine.  However, the area where the television is located is too cluttered.  My eyes don't know where to go.  I would take down the vase, and the shelving.  I would place this compact tv stand with your television on top and stereo inside, and it will look better.  With the new paint, I can't wait to see it!

8.  Last, but not least... I would hang a larger piece of art above the couch.  The current wall art is too small for that space- I suggest something about 4' long.  I would experiment with these Retro Squares (probably buy 2 large and 1 small, or 2 small and 1 large).  These are a great and inexpensive way to create art in your home, and it's all unique to you!

I hope you love your redesign, Rhonda!  I had a blast doing it.



Do you need design help?  Submit your space here.

Our Fourth Design Challenge-Sponsored by FLOR

It's time for the next Design Challenge!  This time our sponsor is FLOR.  I absolutely love their designs and the quality of their product!

The winner will get to choose one of the following three carpet patterns and can choose any available color they'd like within the style!  That means that there are 26 different pattern/color combinations for the winner to pick from!

Morning Coffee

Shirt Stripe

Take A Ribbing

You will get 12 tiles which is enough tiles to create a 5' x 7' area rug.  They can also be reconfigured if you need a smaller one for a mudroom, a long and narrow one for a hallway, or any number of other spaces!  Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor FLOR!  (Don't forget to follow them on Twitter!  @FLOR_  )

Here's the form!  Please remember that images must be sized less than 1024 kb.  Can't wait to see everyone's favorite spaces!!



Good luck!

and 

Vive le weekend!

Do you every have a day or week where you'd just like to throw in the towel? Seriously! It's been one of those weeks. Shifting focus... trying to balance on a pin.

One thing that I know I couldn't live without in my life is my George Foreman. Great for cooking hot dogs for the little man and grilled cheese or paninis. I seriously love that thing. Quick, easy, and yummy!! {Well, the paninis atleast... not sure about the hot dogs.}

Vive le weekend!

image here

Before Redesign: Rhonda's Living Room

Rhonda sent over her living room space with built-ins on one side and a fireplace on the other for a redesign.  This space is ready for a new look and here is her feedback to help us with the design.

 

What are your favorite design store/home décor stores?

Lowes, Pier 1, Ikea, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot.

 

What 3 words would you use to describe yourself and the feeling of the space you'd like?

I have found that I feel most comfortable in modern meets contemporary spaces that are warm with clean lines.

What is the most important thing you’d like done with the space?

I want to give it a more modern but comfortable edge.

 

What are two of your favorite and least favorite colors?

My favorites are Red, Chocolate, Black, Dark Grey.  My least favorites are Bright Shades of Yellows, Greens, Oranges.

 

What are the overall dimensions, including ceiling height of your space?

17'x18' with an 8' ceiling height.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to include or consider in designing your space? 

I would like to keep room light and airy which is why I'm having so much trouble with arrangement and colors..so help!

 

Do you have any ideas for Rhonda and her living room?  Feel free to share them in the comments below.

 

Giveaway Winner: 2Modern Pussy Willows Pillows

And the winner of the 2Modern 18×18 Pussy Willows pillows by Inhabit is...

#33- Cindy Lewis who said, "Classy I love it!"

A BIG thanks to 2Modern for a wonderful giveaway!  And thanks to all who entered.  Cindy- email your shipping information to admin AT freshnestdesign DOT com and we will pass it along so you can get your fabulous new pillows!

   and  

Fresh Ideas for Organizing- by guest designer Sarah Hodges

We are super excited to have Sarah Hodges as a guest designer on Fresh Nest today!  She is Russell & Mackenna’s in-house interior designer and Flagship Store Manager.  Have you seen there amazing furniture and fabrics? Sarah works with Russell & Mackenna clients to freshen up their nests by providing consultations, space planning, color scheme coordination and digital rendering services.  Go on over and visit the Russell & Mackenna website to find great furniture that is customizable.   

 

 
Transforming your home into an organized, efficient haven may seem like a daunting and even overwhelming task – but if you invest in a few fun and functional furniture pieces to get you on your way, staying organized will be a breeze!  Most of my clients are busy families looking to add fresh and colorful furniture to their homes - my starting point on any redesign is to help the client define their personal definition of organization, whether it involves everything in its own designated place out of sight, or right at their fingertips. Everyone looks at organization differently, so it’s helpful to define what it means for each client.  It is also important to define the organizational needs of each space.  I’ve found that if the room in question is a family space, it helps to get everyone involved in the process by giving each family member a sense of ownership in the project.

First, sit down and make a list of the rooms in need of organization (in order of importance).  Then, list organizational goals for each room.  For example, clear off desk, sort items under bed, empty junk drawer, sort DVDs and CDs, etc. This will help you to mentally prepare for the work ahead. Begin your mission in a room shared by the whole family, like the living room. Working together as a team will help everyone understand the steps in the process, so when the time comes to divide and conquer additional rooms in the house, the same organizational tasks will be carried out in a similar fashion.

Assigning dedicated organizational space for each member of the family can help keep order, and storage cubby boxes are a perfect vehicle to accomplish this goal. They’re great for keeping art supplies, books, magazines, and toys organized.  Many retailers offer large lockers with these cubby boxes below, which are perfect for mud rooms and entrance foyers. Each cubby box and corresponding hook can be assigned to an individual child, and there is still leftover space above on the shelf and below on the bench for additional kid gear, board games, or even out-of-season outerwear.

 

Russell & Mackenna Bethany Beach Locker in Key West Teal and White Linen with Arch Frill and Sail Boat Finial. Also shown, River Chair in Raspberry

Creating space for items used by the family as a whole will also help with organization and cut down on time wasted looking for misplaced items. Look for a piece of furniture that has it all - surface space for entertaining, open storage space for wine or collectibles, and closed storage for discreetly containing household essentials. Use this piece of furniture as your family’s “organization station” so that you can arrive home, put your bags and keys away, scan the mail and quickly separate the magazines from the bills by sliding them into dedicated cubbies.  The addition of these pieces will encourage routines, and thus (hopefully) eliminate the chore of digging through the trash for the electric bill that was thrown away with the junk mail. Keeping important dates and notes in one common, well-traveled area can also help with organization.   Cork boards are great for displaying party invitations, special reminder notes, flyers, photos – you name it!  I find that hanging a cork board over or near the family’s “organization station” (often in the kitchen) is helpful for keeping everything compact and mission-specific.

                    

Russell & Mackenna Big Round Bay Cork Board in Raspberry –

Parsons Cork Board in Eggplant with Flower Cutout

Organization isn’t just for the living room, playroom or kitchen – it can also benefit bedroom spaces.   For most people, organization begins with establishing routines.  Begin by making your bed everyday – if you start off your day with organization in mind it will help you continue to stay organized throughout the day. Organize your closet by moving your coats and winter gear to storage or to a designated coat closet.  Create more floor space by installing a shoe rack, condensing all purses and bags and donating all unwanted clothes to local charities. Again, as long as everything has its own space and is consistently kept there – there will be no more last-minute searching for that second shoe before work in the morning!

Giving toys a dedicated “home” when they aren’t being used is another must for efficient organization.  Purchase bins in a variety of sizes to accommodate toys in sizes ranging from tiny to gigantic!  Toy boxes and blanket chests are great ways to store large quantities of toys in one place, while camouflaging the clutter!  Children seem to thrive on competition, so ask your kids, “Who can get all of their toys back in the toy box first?!”  By making a game out of organization, your child will be more apt to play along and help out at the same time!  

Russell & Mackenna Blanket Chest in Sherbet with Key West Teal Butterfly Monogram –

Bethany Beach Bench in Lagoon with Vast Sky Cubby Boxes

For families on a budget (and let’s face it, most of us are), repurposing vintage items around the house can make for unique storage solutions – especially during the summer months when pool and sports clutter can take over your home.  Whether your home is modern, coastal cottage, or somewhere in-between, vintage always works in any home décor.  If you don’t have a lot of vintage items around the house, they are readily available at consignment shops and flea markets.  Try using old tin sap buckets to contain swim goggles, or vintage wooden cream cheese boxes for storing sun block – these are also great storage pieces for art supplies. Everyone loves to lug home seashells from a beach vacation, but they often end up in the garage instead of on a display shelf - try filling old milk bottles with the smaller shells and you’ve got yourself a new accessory full of memories.  Wooden milk crates look rustic and are a functional place to store fresh towels, blankets or flip-flops.  If the kids need a summer or rainy day project, try painting galvanized buckets with hand-painted fish or a beach scene and fill them with their toys.  Don’t forget the bathroom and shower areas – vintage glass containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are great for containing shampoo and soap. Think outside the box when choosing towel hooks – sometimes it’s fun to use something unexpected, like a collection of antique door knobs to hang your towels.

When sitting down to get organized, remember to be patient - it will take time to get everything under control. Set aside a specific time each day when you’re least likely to be interrupted – use this time to get your plans down on paper.  Keep with it and try not to get discouraged – by keeping your organizational goals displayed on the fridge, you won’t lose sight of the ultimate goal – an organized and happy home!

These tips are just a small sampling of an almost endless supply of organizing ideas for the home.  Remember, even the most disorganized family can become a model of efficiency in a matter of days with the help of a few key furniture pieces and storage supplies. 

Flashback Wednesdays

This Flashback Wednesday is brought to you by superstitions. I don't know that this is necessarily a flashback, but these are some superstitious things I used to do when I was younger.

• Hit the ceiling of the car if we ran a yellow light. I don't know what this really accomplished. I think it made us invisible so cops couldn't see us.
• Lift up your legs and hold your breathe while passing a cemetery so you don't possess a spirit that has recently died. (The cemetery on 40th & O always killed me!)
• Don't step on a crack or break your mother's back.
• Blowing on dandelions to make a wish

Do you remember any superstitions you used to practice when you were younger? Share them, I'd love to hear.

Also, we have a great giveaway going on over at Fresh Nest for some stylish pillows. It ends tomorrow.

image here

Modern Mailboxes

We've all see the standard mailbox:

by mrjoro

But why should the mailbox be left out of the fun of a modern design?  Here's a few below from Mailboxes out of New Zealand.  (Don't worry, they ship anywhere!)

And don't forget the numbers of your home!  I love the type these ones are and stainless steel would look so clean on a mailbox!

Don't forget that tomorrow is the last day to enter the 2Modern giveaway for these gorgeous pillows!  All you have to do is comment!  How easy is that?