Inspiration Board: Billy's Hallway

What? You want another inspiration board? Okay.........:)

My friend's boyfriend just moved into a killer house and asked me to help him with his hallway. I was so excited I immediately sent him an email asking for a budget and room dimensions. He almost as immediately regretted asking me to help.

But never the less I found the most amazing (and cheap at $19.99) striped rug that I thought would look fabulously fresh and masculine in a house of 5 young men.

I based this concept around the warm rich tones of a gentleman's club room. I also wanted to make it practical--I did say 5 young men live here--so I wanted to use a mirror with hooks for keys,  a large basket for all of those shoes, and a cool dish for that extra parking meter change.

My goal is to keep this all under $200...I'm up to the challenge!

I'm on an inspiration board roll...do you need one? Email me at heathermuety@gmail.com

On a random note, I came across this BEFORE & AFTER on DesignSpongeOnline, and I fell in love! Look how utterly amazing floral designer Jennie's transformation is. I want this dresser in my equestrian chic designed room, whenever that happens :)

BEFORE

AFTER

Friday Ramblings

Happy Friday!

I love Friday posts because...well it's Friday! I wanted to share some ramblings with you...

First, I was browsing CB2's website and I fell in love with these!!!!!

Sleek square of hot-dip galvanized heavy-gauge steel can be used indoors or outdoors, and as tables or benches/stools. Each uniquely hand-finished to a raw crystalline gunmetal grey patina that's rustproof and scratch-resistant...sign me up!

How amazing would these look in a loft...I can imagine them working perfectly with a ticking stripe couch like this:

Or maybe a vintage style sette like this:

It's all about the juxtaposition baby!

In other news, the fabulous, eco-friendly shop I mentioned last week Twelve Chairs, now has all of their offerings available for browsing on their facebook page.

Plus Twelve Chairs Boston will hold and ship items.


Lastly, if you are in the DC area you must check out the Home & Garden Expo this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center!

DATES | HOURSFri Feb 25 9:00am-9:00pm Sat Feb 26 9:00am-9:00pm Sun Feb 27 9:00am-6:00pm

Inspiration Board: Samantha's Living Room

Happy Thursday! Hope you aren't getting tired of inspiration boards. I worked with my friend to do an inspiration board for her living room. It's always a bit challenging when you already have furniture you need to work with. Luckily, in this case it's a beautiful white couch (super versatile), and fun green upholstered chairs. 

When using the color green, I love to go with color block graphics. It really makes the room look fresh and modern. I also love the idea of pops of orange around the room, grounded by black (mirrors, lamps, accessories).

Lastly, curtains are the easiest way to add drama to any space. But unless you have a wall full of windows and natural light that can handle dark or patterned curtains, I tend to use flowy white curtains to brighten up the space. Plus fun pattered pillows are much easier to change out when you grow tired, then expensive drapes.

 

RESOURCES:

Orange pillow - Dwell
Clock - Z Gallerie
Frames - anywhere
Bowl - Z Gallerie
Black / white pillow - West Elm
Subway sign - Z Gallerie
Vases - West Elm
Lamp - Z Gallerie
Green pillow - CB2

Inspiration Board: Samantha's Bedroom

My girlfriend Samantha is moving into a great new apartment in Bethesda...ahhh I love a clean slate!

I based this inspiration board around the West Elm she is purchasing.

I love the combination of neutrals including green, cream, chocolate, mustard with pops of light blue.

Here is where you can find the items above:

Dandelion pillow - West Elm
Brown rose pillow - Target
Silver mirror - Target
Bowls - Anthropologie
Leather headboard - Target
Blue Frames - ZGaller (next to West Elm in Tysons)
Lamp - Ikea
Numbers poster - Ikea
Mirror nightstand - Target
Chair - Target

How to decorate on a budget: start shopping thrifty

People ask me how to decorate their house on a budget...and I have one answer...thrift store furniture. Besides my love affair with Potterybarn, I have a hard time buying new furniture when there are so many amazing, and probably better built, pieces waiting for someone to take them home.

Every time I walk into a thrift store or antique store, I find a piece that would look better than new with some sand paper and spray paint. Throw in some inexpensive hardware (knobs, handles) and you have yourself a fabulous piece at a fraction of the cost.

Case in point...


Last week, I stopped my one of my favorite thrift stores, Joseph's Coat, and found this charming side table. I love the simplicity  of the legs. It's not ready for it's close up yet, but with a quick sand and some spray paint (I'm debating between white, black or lobster bisque), this will look absolutely perfect and modern as a side table in my basement.

And at $22 with 50% off...you can't really walk away from an $11 side table

Especially when it reminds you of something else you have seen recently...

Potterybarn side table; $199

On to my next great find...okay so I did splurge and by these great rustic ledges from Potterybarn, but the great buoys and vintage map I found at my favorite antique store (more on that below) for under $5 each!

My favorite of all time antique store is Beach Plum located in Bethany Beach (it was also profiled in Young House Love last week!. Not only do they have absolutely stunning pieces, a lot of their inventory is nautical themed--perfect for me! If you've never been--you have to go tout de suite!

Last weekend, I stopped by and found this charming mirror and drawer piece.

The weatherd look is absolutely perfect, I literally don't have to touch a thing. Can't you see this in an entryway or powder room?

And at $35, Ryan and I paid the owner and ran before he realized what a steal this was!

Remind you of anything...

Potterybarn; $199

Also, if you look past my side table photo...you will see my other side table in the background...this piece was built to store firewood a long time ago, now it is the perfect side table with tons of storage inside and wheels...another brilliant $40 find at Beach Plum.

I will probably paint both side tables the same color...just not sure what color that is yet :)

Lastly, while searching some of my favorite blogs, I came across a posting on this great Etsy shop, Dreamery Studio, that I immediately bought 3 prints from.

How amazing are these? I love the combination of nautical life, drawn with ink on vintage book pages...all things I adore! And at $8.50 each I bought 3...and will frame them next to each other (with the red coral in the middle) for maximum impact. These prints are such a departure from what people expect to see in coastal chic spaces...sea shells, sea shells...and more sea shells!

 

Do you have any great thrift store finds of your own? Email me photos, a description of where you found it and what you are going to do with it to: heathermuety@gmail.com!

Shop Profile: Twelve Chairs Boston makes responsible design look good

Happy Friday!

Today is quick post...as I'm down in Bethany Beach relaxing...ahhhhhh...can you hear that? That's a sigh of happiness! A much needed break!

I wanted to profile a Boston store that I recently read about in Elle Decor, and became obsessed with!

According to their website, Twelve Chairs is a home furnishings shop and interior design studio located in Boston’s up-and-coming Fort Point neighborhood. The shop provides a well-edited, thoughtful, and beautiful collection of items that surpass the company's standards of sustainability, good stewardship, and just plain good looks. Twelve Chairs promotes the idea that beautiful design and respect for the planet and its people do not have to be mutually exclusive.

 

Cofounders and creative directors, Roisin (Row-sheen) Giese and Miggy Mason, LEED AP, met at Cornell University where they majored in Interior Design. Through a combination of their passions and experience, Twelve Chairs came to be: informing, empowering, and inspiring their customers to live in style . . . sustainably.

 

 

How did they come up with Twelve Chairs? Twelve Chairs is named after their 12 studio mates for their inspiration, humor, encouragement, and memories. 

 

I love this!!!!!!!!! To all my best friends, if I ever make it one day I promise to honor you in this way too :)

 

Are you interested in bringing some environmentally consious pieces into your home? Fret not...Twelve Chairs offers design services including:

At-Home Design Consultation
Signature Design Package
A La Carte Design Studio Services

Check out the following images from Twelve Chairs...I love all of these amazingly unique pieces!

 

Make sure to friend them on Facebook here!

What's your style?

You know how you are constantly trying to define your style with words? Well I cam across two perfectly written descriptions...of other people's style :) But I couldn't help but feel drawn to both:

1. Part preppy coastal, part old boys club, and part fresh traditional, a lighthearted interpretation of yuppie East Coast style.
2. Modern rustic with a vintage twist. 

What would I describe my style as? Nautical chic? Preppy coastal? Fresh traditional? Oh I can't decide...I like them all!!!

Here is the home of the Arlington, VA couple whose style was described as Part preppy coastal, part old boys club, and part fresh traditional, a lighthearted interpretation of yuppie East Coast style.

I need to introduce myself to them, as a fellow NOVA dweller, and beg them for a list of their antique stores, flea markets, and these lovely barn sales they speak of.

Plus not only does Shannon & Aaron have their own blog Hase Huas, they also have their own decor site Yuppie Decor where they refurbish old finds. Love!!!

Check out the full tour of Shannon and Aaron's house here on Apartment Therapy.


Images: Leah Moss

The Modern rustic with a vintage twist home comes from top fashion blogger Cupcakes & Cashmere Emily Schuman--I don't know what I'm more impressed with...her home or the fact that her blog gets 6.5 million hits per month...BANANAS!

Images: Bethany Nauert

Check out Emily's full house tour here on Apartment Therapy.

How do you define your style?