Lauren Conrad's Ruffles

Lauren Conrad (yes, I've been a fan of her's since Laguna Beach!) is expanding her line at Kohl's with the introduction of a new bedding collection. 

Here is the Ella set, full of ruffled-goodness. I am such a huge fan of ruffles that of course, I love this.

I really like this Chloe set, too, with all of the ruching and rosettes.  

Aren't the details so Anthro-inspired?

So far, LC's bedding collection is only available here online and I can't wait to see this ruffle-goodness in person.

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images via Kohl's

Inspired by...Dressing a Headboard

There are so many options of pretty headboards out there these days. I've written before about some favorite headboard ideas but lately the idea of a headboard that can easily be changed whenever the mood strikes really interests me.

The simplest way to do that? Take a rectangular headboard like this

and lay a large scarf or thin blanket on top of it. This scarf display at J.Crew made me think of it.

How would I put it together?

I'd place the navy/pink scarf over a headboard and add a pink polka dot sheet set with a white duvet on top. Throw pillows in a navy/white pattern and a bright pink bolster in front.

Maybe I still have the 4th of July on the brain, but wouldn't a red, white and blue bed be kind of cute and summery? Using this scarf, I would add blue and white patterned sheets with a white duvet and fold a red blanket at the foot of the bed.

And then there is this mint green and navy stripe scarf. Definitely more subtle than the other scarves but still a great way to jump on the mint green color trend that seems to be everywhere this summer. I would do white sheets with this one and a navy duvet and then accent it all with lots of patterned mint green and white pillows.

So many scarves. So many possibilities!

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West Elm headboard
Scarves by J.Crew

Sneak Peek

As we head into the weekend, I thought I'd leave you with a quick sneak peek into my bedroom. I had been struggling with what to do with the furniture layout and bedding in here but after seeing this image, I came up with a plan and finally feel like I'm heading in the right direction. More photos to come next week!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! See you back here next week.

New Bedding

For a long time now, I've been thinking about redoing the bedding in my bedroom. I always find beds to be the most difficult to style – pillows are slouchy, sheets get wrinkly, duvets look messy, and the end result looks nothing like I see in magazines. It's frustrating.

But I'm determined. I read once that stylists solve the slouchy pillow issue by putting duct tape in long strips around the edges of shams. So that's one question answered but do you want duct tape on your pillows? I don't.

I recently saw this bedroom on Emily Henderson's blog and fell in love. It is my perfect bedroom. Clean and crisp bedding, somewhat masculine but the accent pillow and floral drapes add plenty of feminine touches. And look at the bed – not a wrinkle in sight since there is a coverlet spread across most of the duvet.

I'm planning on recreating it in my gray/yellow color palette. This is what I'm thinking:

This stripe bedding from West Elm,

with a white duvet covered with this gray coverlet

and then 2 yellow/white pillows (I found one at Home Goods and now I'm looking for the second)

with a gray lumbar pillow in front.

What do you think? I just started ordering everything. I'll post photos when they all come in. I can't wait to see how it will all come together!

Sleeping on a Cloud

Jillian's post yesterday with that fabulous ruffle bedding brought to mind this gorgeous quilt from Anthropologie. This must be what it feels like to sleep on a big, white, puffy cloud. So dreamy!

It's even on sale! Check it out here.

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Catalina Quilt and Euro Shams from Anthropologie

One Settee Two Ways

I recently came across this settee and was struck by it's clean shape and fabulous pattern. It got me thinking -- where would I put such a bold piece in a home? Two places came to mind: an entryway and in a girls bedroom.

In the entryway, the settee would be the main event, contrasted against green/gray walls and accented with some natural materials like that woven basket (perfect for magazines or to use as a basket to transport items upstairs). The coat rack has some exposed wood that relates to the basket but the gray lacquered base keeps the look clean and modern. The bone inlay mirror adds lightness and a subtle sheen, bringing out the creamy color in the settee's ikat fabric.

Using the settee in a girls bedroom, though, would be completely different. Here it would still make a statement but it wouldn't be as look-at-me since shades of pink would be used throughout the room. The walls would be a soft gray. The bed would be made with pink polka dot sheets and a crisp white duvet with a thin throw in bright orange draping over the duvet. A vibrant, colorful pillow would be tossed on the bed along with this sweet cloud pillow. I picture the settee sitting at the foot of a full-size bed but it could work anywhere in the room. Did you notice the repetition of form between the circle shapes on the sheets, the table and the cloud pillow's cheeks? A small detail but one that I think would make the room all the more cohesive.

What do you think? If you like the settee but aren't as keen on the pink, it's also available in a graphite/yellow ikat or in a simple sandstone color. But color aside, where would you put this piece? In an entryway or in a bedroom? Or do you have another idea? We'd love to hear from you. Please share!

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Henley Armless Settee from Grandin Road.


entryway:
Blu Dot's Splash Coat Rack
Sherwin Williams SW 6207 Retreat
Crate & Barrel's Pramana Magazine Basket
Serena & Lily's Cyprus Bone Inlay Mirror


bedroom:
Land of Nod's Pink Dots Sheet Set
World Market's Porter Round End Table
Land of Nod's Ribbon Throw Pillow
Land of Nod's Head in the Clouds Pillow

Graphic Gray and Yellow

As evidenced by the gray dresser in my bedroom, I'm totally into gray and yellow. Bold and graphic patterns make this color combo even more fun.

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clockwise from top left

Dwell Studio's Zig Zag Citrine Rug

Land of Nod's Not a Peep Crib Bedding

Dwell Studio's Big Floral Citrine Rug

Marimekko's Lumimarja Pillow Sham

A Great Idea

Perhaps the greatest idea for bedding ever...

What a fun way to wake up (or go to bed)! It totally reminds me Twelve Little Monkeys and I can't help but smile. 

CB2 collaborated with designer Noel Ashby to create this cheerful bedding. You can read more about the designer here on CB2's blog, in the loop.

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Jump Bed Linens from CB2

Painted Wall Mural

My good friend, graphic designer and packaging extraordinaire, Maribeth, just updated her bedroom and I'm delighted to share her photos with you.  Inspired by this West Elm bedding,

Maribeth painted a mural behind her bed.  Here's what she had to say about it:

It is a small but long room, so I wanted a visual element at the far end behind the bed to create a strong focal point and some drama. I was also having difficulty figuring out a way to create some balance due to the asymmetrically placed glass inset at the top.  I couldn't figure out any kind of wall hanging that would do the trick.  So, an all over wall mural seemed like a good solution.

We have featured some of Maribeth's design work here before (many of her works were honored at the Philadelphia Design Awards) and are happy to get a glimpse now into her home.

Well done, Maribeth.  Thanks for sharing!

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bottom photos by Steven Kradel

Best of...West Elm Fall 2011

Two weeks ago, I wrote about my favorite new items at Urban Outfitters.  Today, it's West Elm's turn. I've been a fan of West Elm for years but their new collection has me really excited.  The patterns, materials, and textures would add great depth to a space.

organic charcoal leaf duvet and shams

stray dog side table
for more on Stray Dog Designs, click here

cut paper collage trays

indigo stripe pillow cover

I'm especially fond of these items that look like you picked them up on an exotic travel vacation.

traditional wooden parats

traditional wooden box

carved wood coffee table

And finally, there is this laundry basket.  I've been looking for one just like this but in black. Anyone know where I can find that?

swahili laundry basket

Best of...Urban Outfitters Fall 2011

It's that time of year again.  Yes, I mentioned Back to School shopping time last week, but that's not what I'm talking about today.  The time of year I'm excited about now?  New collections at some of my favorite stores.  Have you seen Urban Outfitters' new items for the home?  Simply fabulous.  Here are my favorites:

ziggy chair

jaune floor lamp

The gray and yellow items above match the color palette of my bedroom perfectly.  And the pairing of the graphic chair and bright lamp together are just right.

Something else just right for you and the mustache-lover in your life:

mustache wall clock

And then there are these pillowcases.  Sweet dreams are just the thing to think about as you crawl into bed each night.

sweet dreams pillowcase

Hope you have a great day and sweet dreams tonight.

Flower Petals

Back in April, Jillian and I both posted about flower petal pillows that caught our eye. I really enjoy petal inspired design, especially this bedding and shower curtain from Anthropologie:

image via Anthropologie's catalog, issue 5, 2011

image via Anthropologie

If I didn't already own this ruffles bedding, I would pick up that bedding in a heartbeat. All of the layers of fabric are just so luscious!!!

(P.S. You can see our past flower petal posts here and here).