dwellings and décor

Spring is being a tease up here in NYC. It’ll be a lovely 64 degrees one day and then we wake up in the morning to find it’s turned 38 degrees and rainy. Needless to say lots of us are suffering colds, sleepiness, and other ailments that come with rapid weather changes. However, to keep the optimism and hope alive, I turn to light and airy interiors for some cheering up, and those with generous splashes of green seem to be best at bringing a smile to my face….

I really like the look of the crisp black and white pillow and blanket against this pale green…

via Better Homes and Gardens

Mix and match bedding has to be up there in my top 5 decorating styles!
via Real Simple

via Decorology via Domino

Guest post from Ashley at Decorology

Hello there! I’m thrilled to be a guest blogger here on Dwellings and Décor while Rachel is away. Just a little about me…I’m an interior designer from Southern California and design is my absolute passion! I’m constantly searching for new ideas and resources to share on my blog, belle maison, to inspire people to create a beautiful home that they love. I decided to do today’s post on hanging art in creative and unique ways, making the most of bare walls.

Now, if you’re like me, you tend to hang art in neat and even rows, perfectly spaced apart, or select pieces that are very matchy-matchy…it’s so hard for me to envision a wall full of different sized frames, colors, art, etc! I’ve pulled together some photos of awesome art gallery walls that break outside the box, providing inspiration and ideas for your next art wall!

PHOTO CREDITS:

(1-6) POINTCLICKHOME http://www.pointclickhome.com

(7) COUNTRY LIVING http://www.countryliving.com

(8) MADE BY GIRL http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/2008/04/glimpse-into-my-home.html

Hi! I’m Trudi - I’m from Norway and I’m normally to be found over at The Deco Detective. But today, I’m invited by Rachel to do a guest post here at Dwellings and Decor while she’s away. Congratulations on getting married, Rachel! Hope you’re having a great time in Ireland!

Since I’m a bit of an eco nerd I’ve been checking out a few eco friendly interior decoration sites for this post. Eco friendly used to be a bit beige, but it’s becoming more colourful by the minute! So if you’re looking for something new, eco chic decor is well worth considering!

If you want a look that’s contemporary, but still organic:

The Spaghetti chair would look lovely with a couple of merino applique & silk velvet pillows designed by Kevin O’Brien for VivaTerra. On the wall: Jefdesigns lightbox from 2modern.

At the moment, I’m very fond of red:

The Barcelona storage bench would work well in a hallway or a teenager’s room. Combined with the Coron felt lampshade and the Birdie coathanger you’ll get a a fresh, bold look.

Because the storage bench is multi-coloured I thought it could be fun trying another combo - this time for a smaller girl’s room:

I think the bench would look super cute with the Delight shade by designer Nahoko Koyama and a embroidered pillow. Embriodered accessories are “it” at the moment, so it might be an idea to check what’s hiding in your own home - or at second-hand shops!

As you can see, there are lots of options if you want to shop eco friendly. I actually had problems choosing just a few items for this post…

Links:

www.inmod.com (Spaghetti chair)

www.vivaterra.com (Barcelona storage bench; Kevin O’Brien pillows; embroidered pillow)

2modern.com (Gorgonia lightbox)

www.ecocentric.co.uk (Coron shade; Delight shade; Birdie coathanger)

Guest post from The Deco Detective

I am very excited and honored to be here today posting on Rachel’s blog while she is away on such a romantic honeymoon with her husband. I enjoy reading her blogs daily and this is so exciting. This is my first guest post ever and I am so happy to write about my current obsession.

My love affair.
My truly smitten, head over heals, twirling affair with Chesterfield! It all started with this image :

The simple neutral fabric, slouching in the seat and tuft in the back with uniform button sitting so proud in front of the decorative wooden doors, slightly worn. The contrast is comforting. Reassuring. Classic.

I have been searching for the perfect sofa recently, since I just purchased my first home and I need a sofa. This style keeps turning up in my inspirational files. I love the style, the size, the look, ability to be traditional to transitional to modern and remain a strong element to hold down any room. In my quest to find the perfect sofa, I came across this site www.chesterfields1780.com and what handsome chesterfield collection I found. *sigh* see for yourself…..

The Graham Chesterfield is strikingly bold with its punch of red and dark nail heads, just lovely!

The Heathcote is strong, built and completely handsome against the wood paneling and dominates the space.

The Philip Stanhope is strong with a slight delicate touch with the caster leg.

The R.W.Emerson in olive green takes my breath away with its unexpected colour.

The Samual Johnson is just pure lux, with its soft velvet fabric.

Oh, and my favorite the strong, dark and handsome William Blake. Slightly worn, but manly, sturdy, strong and expressive.

So, now you see why I love the Chesterfield. What is your perfect sofa style?
xx callie

P.S. Again, thank you Rachel for such a fun opportunity to be on your blog.

(all images from www.chesterfields1780.com)

Post from Callie Grayson

Hello All!
I just LOVE Rachel’s talent, so when she asked me to be a guest blogger, I was honored!

Today I am going to share a little bit of Kerry Joyce with you. I think his designs are perfection and I think you might adore them too.
Here is a little bit of why I like him, tell me…………what do you think?

and here is the link for Kerry Joyce:  http://www.kerryjoyce.com/main.htm

Guest Post from Bloom Studio

Although vintage styling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I simply adore it. The lace details used in this home is gorgeous and creative, and it also looks very much homemade.

Vintage cake tins is also something I very much would like to own.

Thanks so much for having me today Rachel & your dear readers for reading this :)

(photos by Trine Thorsen)

Guest Post from Luphia Loves

There are some color combinations that we’re instantly drawn to, depending on our design aesthetic, our personal paradigm, and of course, the feelings that colors illicit in us. I can’t always explain why I’m drawn to certain spaces more so than others, but I certainly know what I like when I see it. One of my favorite color combinations, red and blue, happens to be a difficult combo to work with partly because the tone of each color, if slightly off, can give you an undesired effect (i.e. patriotism, which is fine on the Fourth of July, but not in my bedroom, please). I find that this combo works best if the blue has a little bit of green in it and the red a little bit of orange or where one of the colors is much less intense than the other. Here are some examples of where I think this combo works (these are not strictly red and blue spaces, but rather have touches of other colors that help bring the space together).

Here’s an example of a lighter blue with strong red accents. The neutral brown in the space helps it from becoming overwhelming.
(source: Apartment therapy)

Red and blue doesn’t have to be harsh or even modern. This is an example of a shabby chic, romantic space.
(source: domino via coco + kelley flickr)

The greens in the rug and seating add variety to the blue/red combo. This room is one of my favorites .
(source: martha stewart via coco + kelley flickr)

Here’s another blue/red/green combo that really works. The rug has bold navy stripes but the green walls have just enough blue in them to not clash. Don’t you just love that chandelier?
(source: we heart it)

Baby blue and cherry red make this space anything but boring.
(source: we heart it)

All you need is a touch of red w/some fun pots and you’re in business.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahleeab/3359122750/in/pool-dominomag

A graphic option (not for the wary at heart) and pretty fabulous.
(source: Apartment Therapy)

I could go on and on with examples of why I think this combo works, but I think I’ll stop here. What do you think about these spaces? Is there a color combo you find yourself drawn to? Thank you Rachel for asking me to be a guest blogger; I’m sure whatever it is you’re doing right now you’re having a blast (duh, Ireland!), and we can’t wait to hear about it when you return!

~Christina
www.downandoutchic.blogspot.com

Hey, This is Manvi from Mochatini.
Rachel is one of my fav bloggers and I am delighted to be a guest here while she is away starting her a new chapter in her life.

I started Mochatini about a year ago to journal my passion for decorating and traveling. I spend a lot of my time day dream about having several homes around the world and dividing my time decorating each of them. :-) My current obsessions include styling, photography and fixing up my 1940s home in Washington DC metro area.

I love open, bright and inviting spaces and thought you might enjoy these rooms from photographer Gemma Comes interiors portfolio.

You can view Gemma’s full portfolio here.
Rachel, thank you for inviting me to be a guest here. I hope you are having a wonderful time with your new hubby!

Here is a little sneak peak of my wedding design!

Below is the rendering of my ceremony. There is going to be white rose petals along the aisle and small gatherings of leaves tied to the end of each wooden bench. I decided not to have anything at the alter because there is such a lovely view that I didn’t want to take away from it.

For the reception there will be ottomans that will create a nice seating area and I chose a really beautiful wedding tent that has chandeliers. So pretty! Cant wait to see this in person and yes, there is a chandelier in the tree. :)

Here is an example of my place setting. I purchased and stained wood planks for table centerpieces and each one will have a beautiful bouquet on top of it in a square glass vase. I also have one leaf and there will be hemp cord tied around each napkin setting. I saved money by reusing the benches from the ceremony for the reception.

I hope you like the design and wish me luck! The big day is Saturday!

(All renderings by me)