Favorites Around the Web

I spend a good deal of time on Pinterest and Houzz and recently found three genius ideas that I just had to share.

1. Part bookcase, part secret passage.

2. Storage under the stairs.

And that reminded me of this image I found a while back.

3. And finally there is this – it's not nearly as fancy as the other photos here but the concept is stellar and so easy. When hanging a picture frame, put a dab of toothpaste on the frame where you need the nails to be. Then simply press against the wall to leave marks (which can later be wiped) as guides for hammering in. (via Somewhat Simple)

What have you found around the web lately? Any great images or clever ideas to share?

Geometric Wallpaper

Remember the posts I've done before about my mom's ahead of her time decorating style with a Marimekko bedroom and yellow houndstooth?

As for the wallpaper in my parents' kitchen, I knew the day would come when I found something like it.

Today's the day! While flipping through the Holiday 2013 Domino (a recent gift from my still stylish mom) I saw this.

Graphic and geometric, I'm loving this space – especially the way that different shapes are worked in like the round circle art on a white square field, the clean-lined and angular bar cart and pair of obelisks. A pink peony and bowl of roundish lemons balance out the area adding a pop or color and even more interest to this fabulous space.

And the fact that the wallpaper reminds me of my childhood home? That's the best part.

Gallery Wall at Kate Spade's Outlet

Last weekend, I traveled to the Hudson River Valley and thanks to Mindy's suggestion, stopped at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets along the way. Have you been? It's an enormous complex filled with nearly every outlet store imaginable. Kate Spade's outlet certainly caught my attention.

Love that gallery wall!

Interesting art and wall arrangement plus beautiful displays underneath. The way the jewelry is displayed reminds me of Jenny's closet.

Other than the gallery wall, one other thing caught my eye – a pocketbook with doughnut detailing! My daughter would love this.

*****

images via The Pink Chalkboard 

Display Frames

While at Clover Market in Chestnut Hill last week (a post about that to come soon), I saw a few of these display frames.

Perfect for hanging all sorts of things like invitations and miscellaneous bits and notes throughout the year but come the holiday season, all I think about is a place to hang holiday cards. 

They look simple to make – just staple chicken wire to the back of an old frame and add some clothespin clips (colorful mini clips would be extra fun). 

Boden Ads as Art

Remember this post about using magazine ads as art? Boden's latest catalog had some beautiful pages that made me think of that.

Aren't the patterns pretty? They would look great with a photo cut out and placed over the text. Then simply frame the ad/photo and you'll have a unique, beautiful piece to add to your gallery wall!

*****

ads by Boden

Ferm Living

Ever since I got the wilderness wallpaper for my family room, I've been a fan of Ferm Living. Through the Scandinavian Design Center, I found that they have much more than wallpaper in their collection. Here are some favorites:

This graphic teapot looks like it would be right at home with the bib and blanket I posted about last week.

For a flash of cool, add this lightning bolt pillow to your kid's room or even your living room couch.

Wall decals are popular but I haven't seen mini hearts like this before. Aren't they sweet?

And finally, I had to add in a wallpaper. Don't these clouds just seem happy?

Calendar as Art

Recently I was telling a friend of mine about one of my favorite ways to decorate walls – taking pages from a calendar, framing them, and grouping them together. I did this in my NYC apartment with a calendar of black and white photography of flowers. It was my mom's idea and it looked great. If you think about it, it makes sense – if the images are cohesive enough for a calendar, then they will be just as cohesive and look great side by side on the wall.

CB2 must agree with this train of thought, too. Check out these beautiful graphics taken from an original screen-print calendar by Philip Sachs and Amy Fierro.

The calendar is available for purchase as are the walnut frames shown here. Use the calendar in 2014 and then frame them afterwards. But hurry – the calendar is a CB2 Edition LMTD release of 150. They won't last for long!

Serena & Lily Wallpaper

Have you seen the new wallpaper collection by Serena & Lily?

Already known as a go-to stop for bedding, furniture and home decor, Serena & Lily's new line of wallpaper is perfectly on point with the Serena & Lily aesthetic and would be a lovely addition to the home.

The one below is my favorite. In this colorway, it's calming yet interesting and especially lovely with the bedding shown here. 

Which one is your favorite? View the entire collection here. 

*****

all images via Serena & Lily

PB Teen

Mindy and I have written before about kids stores/catalogs that have items that would be beautiful in any room and for any age (think Land of Nod, RH Baby & Child, etc). I recently got a coupon for PB Teen and while looking online, found a ton of gorgeous items.

Like this wall decal.

Centered on the wall behind a bed, it would be a traditional and sophisticated detail.

Remember this DIY frame I posted about last year? Check out PB Teen's cable version.

A couple sets of these capiz wire mirrors could make a beautiful 3D cluster behind a living room couch.

And finally, this wallpaper.

Pretty as an accent wall but I'd love to see it in a powder room. With white fixtures and some shiny gold accents, it would look both preppy and luxe.

Just a few favorites from a whole bunch of goodness at PB Teen. Happy shopping!

Pretty Paper Flowers

I love flowers. I always feel like having a bouquet around the house is such a treat. For me, it's always been about fresh flowers. No, they don't last forever, but until recently I haven't come across anything as pretty. Until now. Say hello to this beautiful paper wreath!

Found at Paper Source, the peony wreath was the one that first caught my eye but the daisy one is equally lovely. Which is your favorite?

Don't they just say hello spring? I'd like to see one of these on a gallery wall or as a sweet focal point behind a bed or crib in a little girl's room.

Beautiful Brackets

I'm working with a friend on a gallery/family wall for her home and she came across this great item on Etsy.

Loving those brackets! What an interesting addition it would make to a gallery wall or as just a special piece of art to hang on it's own. 

The ampersand looks very cool here (it's sold separately). Of course, Mindy and I are big fans of ampersands. You can see them here, here and here. But instead of the ampersand, my friend and I are thinking about putting the initial of her last name here. Perfect for a wall dedicated towards family items (photos, a "family rules" piece of art, kids hand prints, etc). 

Looking for another great place to use this? Put a child's first initial in brackets and center it over his/her headboard. Available in a wide range of colors, it can fit with any room decor. A touch of personalized art like that would be a sweet little focal point in the bedroom.

*****

all images via Slippin' Southern's Etsy shop

West Elm Gallery Wall

A while back, I was in Georgetown and found this great gallery wall at the local West Elm. I was inspired by the chalkboard background and hand-drawn frames. It was a clever way to fill out the wall without spending unnecessary dollars on frames.

I thought of that when I received this Valentine-inspired image (and frame promotion) from West Elm. They've done it again – but this time it's the art inside the frames that is super easy and attainable.

Do you see all of the design goodness? Let's break it down:

Lots of little details but nothing too complicated. Together they add up to a beautiful and very personal gallery wall – appropriate for Valentine's Day and the whole year through.

Add Some Wall Interest

Have a large wall but not a lot of art to fill it? Try this idea.

The decorative border creates a special area for a single piece of art.  Having the bottom part of the wall painted helps unite the space and the chandelier adds just the right touch of sparkle and refinement. So simple and pretty.

*****

image from Kidshop by Serena & Lily

Gold Ceilings

I have a new obsession – gold ceilings.

Last week, I came across this image from Mary McDonald and fell in love. The gold wallpapered ceiling is special and adds a little shimmer without being distracting or too bold. Here it is paired with gray walls but I think it would be equally lovely in a light-filled room with soft white walls. A friend of mine is thinking about redecorating her living room and I am trying to convince her to do a gold papered ceiling in there. The room has a fireplace – imagine  how fantastic the ceiling will be with firelight dancing upon it!

Some other gold ceilings for your viewing pleasure:

It's interesting to note that all of these rooms have crown moulding. I think it's necessary when treating your ceiling in such a unique way. Notice how the color of the crown moulding, though, can affect the overall look of the gold. In Mary McDonald's room, the white crown moulding really brightens the space and makes the gold ceiling look airy. Whereas below, the black moulding makes it darker, cozy and a bit seductive.

And then there is the mid-toned moulding here. I can't tell from the photo if it is wood or gold matching the ceiling. Either way, this color brings out an earthy quality in the gold.

And finally, want just a little bling on the ceiling? This stenciled approach may be for you. I've seen it before on second floor hallway ceilings and above staircases. Very whimsical and pretty.

*****

from top
Mary McDonald's dining room reprinted in Domino Best Rooms
Carlyle Penthouse via Houzz
gold ceiling with beams via Sadie + Stella
bedroom by Catherine Badger via New Design Times
gold ceiling via homedit
gold stenciled stars via Pinterest

Fern and Moss Wall

Are you kidding me with this?

Earlier this week I wrote about Viva Terra but I held off on sharing this image until today. It truly needed it's own post. Talk about a statement piece! This would be so great in a dining room. Or a living room. This fern and moss wall art is eco-art and does not require watering. Amazing.

Smaller sizes are also available and I am strongly considering getting one of these squares to add to the gallery wall I'm planning for my dining room. Great texture, great greens, and oh so different.