Stephen Alexander Homes

Located on the Chesapeake Bay in the East Beach neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, this beautiful home from Stephen Alexander Homes was designed to be full-time residence that offers a daily vacation! You totally get that fresh and tranquil vibe in every room, thanks to Sharon Goodwin and Susan Wilson of Goodwin Interiors who used a blue-green palette punched up with celery and citron tones all throughout the home. I'm crazy about the architectural details–the blue coffered ceilings, built-ins, fireplace, wainscoting...and of course the paint colors in the bedrooms! You can see more photos from Jonathan Edwards Media, view the floor plans and get more details here, and read an article all about the home here!

Have a great weekend everyone!! :)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping! 

Carpenter and MacNeille

I love the details in this gorgeous Newbury, Massachusetts bathroom designed by Carpenter & MacNeille! The award-winning architectural design and construction firm embraced the historical roots of the classic 18th-century Colonial farmhouse, while seamlessly adding modern comforts into the space! The Carrara marble floor, large vanity and wall-hung towel warmers are all droolworthy, as is that claw-foot tub! You can see lots more photos of the home taken by Michael J. Lee and read an article all about it over at Design New England!

Paint Info
Walls – Parma Gray - satin finish, from Farrow & Ball
Cabinets and Trim – Borrowed Light - eggshell finish, from Farrow & Ball


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

WaterColor Beach Home

Though mostly neutral, this bright and airy WaterColor, Florida beach home is all sorts of pretty with its splashes of subtle color throughout! I love all of the windows and open floor plan of the main floor, the room feels so spacious, not to mention relaxed and comfortable! The bunk room is really fun too...love the turquoise detail on the bunk bed railings! Lucky for us, this five-bedroom home is available for rent, get all the details on that and see lots more photos of the home here!


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Welcome Summer!

If there's one thing we know how to do here in Minnesota, it's take full advantage of our summers–which means being outside as much as possible! I'm thinking these breezy outdoor living areas would be perfect at my house! We even happen to have a new fire pit all ready for some adirondack chairs and a cute turquoise striped umbrella! I actually found these images on the Pottery Barn website, so anything you see here is probably for sale. Hint hint Chris. ;)


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

5 ways to avoid boring decor

Many of my clients remark  that my home must be perfectly decorated.   The answer is a resounding NO.   I actually have little interest in perfectly decorated homes because that usually means boring in my book. Besides, the reality is that there is only so much money and time that one can devote to a place to live.  You have a life, you have things you want to do, and often home projects get pushed to the bottom of the pile as you live with your decisions.  It's called setting priorities.

If you are spending your hard earned money on a place to live, how can you have the best space possible within your budget parameters?  This is a roundup of suggestions supported by  past posts that you might want to consider as you decide how to create an interesting home.

1. Don't try to keep up with the neighbours

  Don't go there. I've had lots of chats especially with young  professional first time homeowners who feel trapped in the friends' comparison games. You know the checks and balances  of where something was bought, the cost, the  hot style you need to have to be "successful". This is a trap for more than young homeowners.   Designing your house considering  such dictates will lead to a  very cookie cutter product (the show home look) and will possibly deplete your bank account at the same time.

Today's most popular kitchen look

 source

 Rather than questioning if your home is up to par with the neighbour's, switch your thinking to how can I make my home unique. Not everyone is daring enough to have a teal kitchen, but it looks lovely and inviting and certainly isn't like ever other kitchen.  Read this to find  ways to add interest  your space.

 2.  Don't be a slave to trends  

 Trends come and go and adhering to them often means  changing  accessories, appliances and furniture more frequently than is warranted by normal wear and tear.  Are there trends that you should pay attention to?  I've discussed that topic here.  Would you be horrified to have white appliances,  natural oak hardwood or 80's European style cabinets?  ( I have all three)  Is granite the only countertop you would accept?  ( I have butcher block and laminate)!

Timeless v.s. trendy

 

source

 Right now yellow, gray,  and black and white are "on trend", but I wouldn't call this space trendy.  Ten years from now this modern space warmed with wood and art will still look distinctive and inviting. 

Chrvrons, antlers and gray

 source

 If you are at a home decor store every week  looking for accessories to add to your home,  you might be  going down the trend road. If you have chevron patterns, a chalkboard wall, antlers, cute lettered signs about family, love or keeping calm, lots of  baskets, or starburst mirrors, you are an accessory  trend follower.  Pinterest tells all!

3. Dare to have a personal style

 A more creative solution to home decor is  to determine what your personal style is and stick with that, adding select pieces over time. Make choices that reflect your family lifestyle and history. What makes your home yours?  Do you like antiques; are you a painted furniture aficionado; do you collect things or have travel mementos;  are you into yoga and zen spaces;  is music important to you;  are you a painter,  a wood worker,  a stained glass artist or photographer?  Reflect your loves in your space.  Check out this post for a more in depth look at what your house says about you.

Distinctive zen bathroom

This is not your average bathroom space nor will it be everyone's cup of tea. That's the thing about personal style.  It should not be cookie cutter.   Each element is distinctive and they are creatively combined to produce a quiet, zen like space. 

 Antiques and interesting finds

source

 This bath has an interesting combination of antiques and practical objects.

 

 4. Forget about over matching 

There is nothing that sucks the soul out of a space more  than over matching. If I went through fifty spaces in a row on Pinterest on any one day, way too many of them are so perfectly matched they are downright boring.   Every space needs an edge, you choose what that edge is.  This post discusses the matchy match look and how to avoid it.

 A well matched spa inspired bathroom

There is no doubt this is a restful space reminiscent of cool ocean breezes, but I would love to see at least one thing that was "out of theme". Something unexpected... a different mirror,  shelf  or light fixture.   

Spa bathroom with interest

source

This is still a small bathroom space but materials have been used more creatively to produce a distinctive look. Imagine this space without the art work over the tub.  I would nix the plant.  I could see myself tripping over it every time I moved.

 

5. Move around what you have

 One of the first things I do when I begin a project with  clients who has hired me to  accessorize their space is ask them to pull out what they have stored. You would be surprised by  some of the finds that went from the basement to front and centre.   This post  will give you an idea of this type of thinking.

With so many ways to to create inviting, individual environments, do you have a favourite one that works in your space? 

Tracey Rapisardi Design

I'm officially ready for summer after seeing this Scarborough, Maine home by Tracey Rapisardi Design! I'm a longtime fan of Tracey's work and was excited to learn that this is actually her own home, designed to be casual, carefree and fun! I adore the light, airy vibe and pastel hues throughout! It's beachy and laid-back, yet so darn pretty too! You can read all about the home and see more photos taken by Tracey Rapisardi and Kindra Clineff over at Seaside Style magazine! And see more posts I've done featuring Tracey's work here!


Before I sign off for the holiday weekend, I wanted to share Wesley's 9-month photo with you all! He has been sick with a virus the last week (his first one! so sad!) but was still all smiles! Since last month, his first two teeth arrived and he learned to crawl! Exciting month for us!

(click to view larger)

Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!! I'll see you back here on Tuesday!


Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!