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Rabu, 31 Maret 2010

Sarah's House kitchen

Sarah isn't shying away from color this season.  She mixes up the colors for the cabinetry, brings in a few different fabics, uses two different types of stone for the backsplash and throws in some vintage lighting.  She always makes it look so easy! 

Selasa, 30 Maret 2010

Passion for Purple

Jamie DrakeCan I just state on the record how excited I am that purple is starting to creep it's way back in style (both in fashion and in home decor)? I've long been a fan of purple, in all its many forms (though particularly in its richer, jewel-tones of plum and aubergine), and it's been frustrating trying to incorporate the color into the decor of our new house as there are precious few

Another spring project

Now that the warmer weather is on its way (fingers crossed) I have been anxious to tackle my front door with a fresh coat of paint.  Well, I'll be honest, I would redo the whole exterior if I had it my way!  Even something simple like a new paint color for your front door can make all the difference.  Yesterday while enjoying a grande non fat extra hot vanilla latte;) I was flipping through 

Minggu, 28 Maret 2010

Virtual Vacation: Edinburgh

Work has been incredibly hectic for me as we rush to close on an acquisition in a matter of weeks (instead of the months that we should have had). For all the craziness though, one upside to being overextended at the office is that, when things finally do settle down, you feel incredibly entitled to make the most of it and go on vacation. Dave and I are booked to take a much-deserved (for us both

Sabtu, 27 Maret 2010

Kitchen redo

I thought I would share some pictures of my home.  Let's start with the kitchen.  I am having trouble locating all of my before pictures of the house so for now I will share my kitchen.  Nothing makes me happier than a good reno.  I can't say my lovely husband agrees although I do my best to convince him otherwise!BEFOREAFTER

Kamis, 25 Maret 2010

Sarah's House bathroom

I am loving the bathroom Sarah did this week!  It is so fresh and pretty and the color scheme of graphite with the yellow is a great combination.  I happen to have this color combo in my bedroom so of course I'm a big fan. 

Shop Like a Design Blogger: Odi et Amo

Today I'm thrilled to announce the beginning of a new weekly guest blogger series entitled "Shop Like a Design Blogger". Each Thursday, I'll be inviting one of my favorite design bloggers to detail their favorite design resources, be they for fabric, furniture, trimmings, art or accessories. But ultimately, I think what these ladies will show you over the next few months is that home decor

Rabu, 24 Maret 2010

Create A Light And Airy Feel To Your Rooms


Voile curtains are great for creating a light and airy feel to your room; they are not as heavy as other curtain fabrics and give a full, flowing look to your window dressing. Voile curtains are ideal to use in bedrooms and living rooms where the décor is bright and uncluttered.

Choose from a wide range of styles and colours; plain, stripes, floral, contemporary, to complement and enhance your interior. As well as light colours, lined voiles also come in some truly stunning darker (and even black) colour ways to add a touch of drama to your room.

Voile curtains can be made from lots of different fabrics, including linen, organza and made-made. To add additional substances to the curtain but without adding too much bulk or heaviness, you might decide to use lined voile curtains, with a poly cotton lining.

These will still let plenty of light into your room but at the same time provide more privacy then unlined curtains. Lined voiles can be full-length, just to the window sill, draped or even used as a decorative room divider.

Lined voile curtains can be made with eyelet, tab-top, ring-top or pleated headings and many styles come ready-to-hang with matching pelmets and tie-backs.

Why not use voile curtains to create a stunning look to your bathroom as they offer elegant and privacy effortlessly!

Image: A Life's Design

Selasa, 23 Maret 2010

Guest Post at JourneyChic

{One of my fashion obsessions: Tory Burch tops.}Just a quick post to say come on over to JourneyChic today to check out my guest post on my wardrobe essentials (go HERE). I know the majority of my posts here on Odi et Amo focus on interior design, but my interest in fashion actually predates my interest in interiors (unsurprising since most folks don't get interested in design until they

Minggu, 21 Maret 2010

Sarah's House bedrooms

I am really falling behind on my Sarah's House updates!!  She did two bedrooms this week and they were both very different color schemes but both share a relaxed fresh country feel.    I love the mix of patterns and the headboard in the blue room is fantastic!  She also used my new favourite rug from Ikea that I now have to have.  Here are a few pictures to enjoy.Gorgeous headboard!My new have to

Weekend Update: The Powder Room

Yesterday we managed to complete another major project around the house -- without even being here! In fact, we were in Phoenix, Arizona, this weekend attending the wedding of a dear high school friend of mine. Meanwhile, back in Sugar Land, our trustworthy and fantastic wallpaper lady completed the wallpapering job in our powder room and I'm ga-ga over the finished results -- and completely

Jumat, 19 Maret 2010

Spring Cleaning

I don't know about you but every spring I feel like I need to clear both my head and my home of unnecessary clutter.  This usually entails going through my house and either throwing out things I am sick of looking at (and by that I don't mean literally throwing things out but putting them in my ever growing crawl space of stuff) or moving things around and finding new places for furniture or

Beautiful Nursery Bedding Sets


When designing and decorating a baby’s nursery one of the most important features is the cot and bedding. It is such a lovely, exciting project to create a warm, cosy room for your baby and home ware shops are bursting with so many wonderful designs and colour schemes for you to choose from.

You may decide to go for a traditional blue or pink theme or maybe something more neutral such as green or yellow. Often bedding sets are decorated with delightful embroidered characters like bunnies, teddies and fluffy yellow ducks!

Baby bedding sets, which often make up part of a complete range of nursery accessories, usually consist of sheets, blankets, duvet cover, pillow cases and a cot bumper. Baby bedding is made using extra soft materials, such as 100% cotton percale, so that they are kind and caring to baby’s delicate skin.

For younger babies it is recommended to use sheets and blankets and then move on to duvets and pillows when the baby is about a year old. Cot bumpers help to keep the cot cosy and draught free, but it important to check the bumper ties regularly to ensure that they are secure. Baby bedding sets and matching soft toys make wonderful gifts for a new arrival.

Image: Rooms of Inspiration

Rabu, 17 Maret 2010

Glorious shades of blue

I have always been a huge fan of the color blue.  Maybe it has something to do with that fact that I am a pisces!  To me there is nothing better than being surrounded in blue.  My house is painted in a gray blue and I have never grown tired of it.  It is still considered one of the trendy colors probably because it is so versatile.  From the lightest gray blue shade to the darkest navy end of the

Going Green

Christina MurphyIn honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I'd be pretty uncreative and pull together some of my favorite green rooms. I'm always a fan of bright, monochromatic (or dichromatic) spaces and green is one of my favorite colors when you're trying to go bright and bold, but still have a "liveable" room. Unlike, say, orange or yellow, Green -- and even bold greens like kelly green -- read

Selasa, 16 Maret 2010

Sarah's back!

I have decided to do a weekly blurb on Sarah Richardson's new season of Sarah's House on HGTV.  I have been watching her since the very beginning when she did a show called Room Service.  She was very crafty back then and I remember thinking wow this girl can do a lot with buttons! I have always loved her approach to design and how good she is at mixing pattern and texture. Make sure you check it

Senin, 15 Maret 2010

Work in progress

I have been working on a few rooms in my home for awhile and slowly but surely they are coming along.  Sometimes painfully slow!!!  Anyway, here is a shot of the one wall in my bedroom.  I will post more pictures soon.

It's a beautiful day...

It's a beautiful Spring day here in Houston today and I'd much rather be lounging in a gorgeous poolside cabana than in the office. Unfortunately though, it's Monday and my backyard is still in the state in which we bought it (i.e., completely empty) so until we have the time and funds to turn our attention to landscaping, I'll have to make do with a little virtual daydreaming, courtesy of

Gorgeous Julian Charles Luxury Bedding


The Julian Charles bedding ranges all have one thing in common; their wonderfully rich and sumptuous look. There are many styles and colour-ways to choose from, depending on the décor and design of your bedroom.

As we are heading in to spring and summer, let’s look at some of the ranges available in light, airy palettes, just right for creating a bright and breezy summertime bedroom.

The Freya range from Julian Charles perfectly captures that quality of pureness and light, with its stunning creamy-white colour and luxury jacquard pattern and trellis-effect border.

Portia is a beautiful woven jacquard with quilted look in shades of vanilla and biscuit, whilst Liberty incorporates panels of cream and contrasting chocolate with chenille and jacquard detail. The Palazzo bedding range comes in a fantastic silky fabric with a Damask woven design and coordinating stripe, all in a stunning duck-egg blue and taupe.

If you are looking for bedding in the classic opulent Champagne colour-way then the Julian Charles Stanford range may just be perfect, with its woven-banded styling and simple, clean lines.

Whatever range you choose, why not carry the look throughout you bedroom by using the coordinating curtains, cushions and throws for that truly luxurious feel.

Image: Bedding Wizard

Minggu, 14 Maret 2010

My new love

Okay maybe not so new but definitely one of my favorite patterns. Quatrefoil means a representation of a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets. It seems as though interior designer Suzanne Kasler (don't get me started on how much I love her!) also has an appreciation for quatrefoil. Check out Suzanne styling a few rooms on the Ballard Designs website www.ballarddesigns.com. Here

Jumat, 12 Maret 2010

Why Not Get Your Bedroom Ready For Summer?


With spring well and truly on its way, maybe you would like to give your bedroom a makeover to create a fresh, bright interior, all ready for the warmer, sunny days ahead? Even if you don’t have the time or budget to re-decorate completely, a few simple changes and up-dates will make a huge difference.

One of the quickest and easiest things you could try would be to invest in beautiful new bedding set, with a duvet cover and matching pillow cases. You could even treat yourself to some wonderfully smooth cotton sheets or perhaps a stunning bedspread or throw.

Whatever, your budget, you are sure to find a bedding set which is just right for the lighter, brighter feel of spring and summer. You may be looking for something floral and pastel or maybe a bolder geometric design, but still with a nod to sunshine and warm nights. Gingham and embroidery are also very popular choices for summertime bedding sets.

Coordinating bedding sets are available for single, double and king-size beds and it is often possible to buy additional items such as extra sheets or pillow cases separately.

So why not get your bedroom ready for summer? Throw open the window and let the sunshine in!

Image: two ellie

Kamis, 11 Maret 2010

Formal Dining Rooms

Sherrill CanetEarlier this week Cristin posted about decorating dining rooms over at Simplified Bee and it's gotten me itching to start decorating my own dining room (to get a feel for what I'm going for, see HERE). When we first moved in, we managed to paint out the trim on the lower third of the room to resemble wainscoting and paint the balance of the walls a deep blue (Farrow & Ball's Drawing

Selasa, 09 Maret 2010

Family Room Update

Progress on decorating the once-empty family room has sped up in recent weeks. After much internal (and external) debate on ottomans and throw pillows I feel like the room is finally starting to take shape. Sure, I'd like a smaller swivel chair close to the fireplace (I'm thinking something with a skirt to counteract all the leggy pieces in the room already), curtains and dramatic built-ins on

Window Dressings Made Easy – Tab Top Curtains


Tab top curtains are a good choice for your room if you are looking to create a simple, informal feel. The curtains are hung by means of tabs spaced evenly along the top of the curtains, through which the a curtain pole is threaded.

You can use tab top curtains in many different setting and fabrics depending on what function you want your curtain to fulfil. The beauty of tab top curtains is that they can be made from just about any kind of fabric, from the lightest, sheerest voile to the heaviest, richest velvet.

You may want to create a romantic, feminine look in your bedroom in which case a delicate voile hung in the window recess will look pretty, whilst providing privacy. You can also hang curtains outside the recess, if you want to.

Alternatively, you might want thicker curtains to give a warmer, cosier feel to your room. Again, tab tops are an option. One thing to bear in mind, however, with tab top curtains is that they lie flatter across the window than other types of curtains and give a less full appearance. To achieve the best look when the curtains are drawn it is important that you have a 1.5 to 2 times the amount of fabric to the width of the window to gather in them for a stylish look.

Image: A Life's Design

Senin, 08 Maret 2010

Mood Board Monday: Purple & Brown Nursery

The latest edition of Mood Board Monday (organized by the lovely Sarah of Pewter+Sage) focused on decorating from the ground up by centering a design around one of two fabulous, go-anywhere rugs. I remember reading an interview with Thom Filicia a few months ago wherein he suggested designing a room around a rug as its colors and patterns are great springboards for selecting paints and fabrics.In

Jumat, 05 Maret 2010

We Spend A Significant Proportion Of Our Time Asleep!


Everyone relishes the thought of climbing into a cosy, inviting bed and snuggling down for a good night’s sleep. We spend a significant proportion of our time asleep so it makes sense to make our bed as comfortable as possible.

The type of bedding that we choose can have a big impact of how inviting our bed is; luxury bedding in particular will go a long way to creating a truly gorgeous place to sleep. Top quality fabrics will be supremely soft and comfortable against the skin and will ensure that the bedding stays perfect all night long.

There are two main fabrics to choose from; Egyptian cotton and Silk. Egyptian cotton is traditionally used in luxury bedding as the high thread-count of the fabric ensures a superior smoothness and coolness.

Silk is also used in top quality bedding; it has a wonderfully soft feel against the skin and a beautiful sheen. It also has the additional benefit of being hypo-allergenic.

All types of bedding, including duvet covers, pillow cases, sheets and bedspreads can be bought in these luxury fabrics. There are specialist companies, particularly on the Internet, who manufacture and supply a vast array of different styles and designs of wonderful bedding.

Image: AtticMag

Kamis, 04 Maret 2010

High versus Low: Pop Quiz Time!

It's been a while, so I thought it was time for another pop quiz. One of these mirrored-top tray tables costs $699. The other, $69.99. Can you tell the difference? Place your votes below and I'll let you know the answer tomorrow! poll by twiigs.com Update: The majority is right. Table A is the Mirrored-Top Tray Table from Horchow and retails for $699. Table B is the Country Living tray side table

Rabu, 03 Maret 2010

Housekeeping.

Sally SteponkusI apologize from the outset on the randomness of this post, but I've been distracted by work and planning a bachelorette party the last few weeks and have been remiss in making a few "thank you's". First off, thanks to everyone for the overwhelming response to the credenza re-do. It's so gratifying to hear such a positive response after putting in so much of my spare time and

Selasa, 02 Maret 2010

The Benefits Of Beautiful Luxury Bedding


Embroidery is often used to enhance and embellish bed linen, especially in the higher-priced luxury ranges. Embroidery creates a rich, textured appearance and can create truly stunning effects.

These days, as with everything relating to bedding, many different varieties of embroidered bed linen is available, depending on the style of bedroom you want to create.

You may be wanting to design a traditional, timeless setting, in which case a floral chintz fabric will create a delicate, feminine environment. This design could be carried through the whole décor, to include wall-paper and curtains.

Alternatively, the style you want to create might be modern and contemporary with a more minimalist feel. In which case, the many ranges of luxury bedding created by today’s popular interior designers may well include just what you are looking for. Again, these ranges usually include matching, complementary items which can be added to maintain the colour scheme and design throughout your whole room.

Although embroidered bedding tends to be more expensive than other types because of the level of workmanship involved in manufacturing it, you can still find some very stylish and beautiful ranges available in high-street stores at reasonable prices. A fantastic embroidered bed-spread can make a great focal point for your bedroom.

Image: A Life's Design

Senin, 01 Maret 2010

Weekend Update: Credenza Completed!

Well, it took us two weekends, three coats of paint, one coat of polycrylic and a lot of elbow grease (and brass polish), but we finally managed to finish spiffing up the credenza I scored off of eBay last month for Dave's office. And despite this project being far more time consuming than I had initially anticipated, I'm pleased with the final results and consider it well worth the effort (