What is your shelf style?

Symmetrical or Asymmetrical ?

I like both -- but always love having a little greenery in the mix!

Whatever your preference - shelves are an easy place to make a quick change and you can easily utilize some of your favorite things that you already own.  Mix it up for a seasonal change!

Posted by Paula

Design Star Auditions

Are you curious about the HGTV Design Star Auditions?  Well, Decorativity has a behind the scenes look from Atlanta at the W Hotel.  Take a look - here>


Posted by Paula

Texture, Texture, Texture

We all know that in a transitional room, texture plays such an important role. Texture creates drama and provides that wow factor.

The Lanata Throw adds just the right "pow" to this neutral scheme.

Posted by Paula

Drama in the House

 

Florida Design Magazine with Photography by Robert Brantley and Design by Michael Brosche

Always one on the prowl for a little drama, I find this dark purple wall with a narrow glass-block window particularly dramatic.  The venetian plastered wall is a great backdrop for the marble encased tub. Don't you think?

Posted by Paula

Time for a New Year already?

Looking for invites for your New Year's Eve Bash?  Love this Etsy Find: It's a printable design!

Designed and available through MyChaoticResolve
Posted by Paula

Perfect for your party

I attended Lavish this weekend in Atlanta and it was simply amazing!  The atmosphere was spectacular as we were at The Mansion on Peachtree and it was so lovely.

One of the sponsors was La Plates, which is a company that offers personalized melamine plates.  These are just perfect for a celebration or a fabulous hostess gift. 

Isn't it terrific what Lara Hazelett Shelton created for the conference?  So Fab!

Posted by Paula

What does 'traditional' mean today? modern transitional

In the video presented by The Editor's at Large, designers are asked what traditional means today. A wide range of answers are given:

• inward facing
• less clutter
• pare it down
• luxurious and special
• gathering place
• color, movement & excitement

One quote is from Dan Barsanti as he describes himself as a traditionalist with an edge---- sounds like a modern transitional to me. Hey- we like that! modern transitional lifestyle-- sound familiar?





Posted by Paula

Tickle your Fancy

Purchasing new artwork for your home can seem like an intimidating experience - but you need not be frightened. Lighting, color, decor and the size of your room need to be taken into account, but otherwise, have fun!  Mix it up with photography, sculpture or collages.  Just remember to fill your wall space with pieces you love and you can't go wrong.

Peacock Feather available in the shop

Posted by Paula

Center of Attention

You'll never have to worry about blocking the flow of conversation at the dinner table when using little groupings of small bouquets for centerpieces.  Here cordial or vodka glasses were grouped together and filled with beautiful flowers to complement the fall color scheme and placed at each setting.

If using this idea at a dinner party, it's a nice idea to use them as party favors for your guests. 

Posted by Paula

Juxtaposition

It's Monday and I am just loving the juxtaposition of light and dark today. How about you?

Posted by Paula

Mardi Grape - Purple as a Neutral

One of our favorite color experts Kiki Titterud had shared in an article that CMG’s (Color Marketing Group) 2010 Next Color was selected and it was Mardi Grape! Mardi Grape is a crossover of purple, brown and gray.  Who knew that purple could be considered a neutral color.  It is starting to show up... what do you think?  Is it for you?



Posted by Paula

Coffee, Cocktails and Conversation

Don't you love it when you go to someone's home and from the minute the door opens, a wonderful feeling comes over you? It happens as soon as you get your first peek inside and can't wait to see what delights await you! What is it that creates that welcoming vibe that piques your senses and beckons you in? True it has something to do with the demeanor of the host or hostess at the door but what about the elements in the design of the room?

Want to encourage your guests to linger a little longer and enjoy coffee, cocktails & conversation with you in a space that by every one's measure is a roaring success? We are pleased to share with you 6 tips from some of our favorite designers. They will show us how to give our guests pause as we accomplish this most inviting feat.

Designer Kenneth Brown believes that soft textures, lamp lighting, a warm color palette and the sound of laughter help create an environment that says "Welcome".

Visit Kenneth or please become a fan on Facebook. You can also catch him on Twitter.

"In order to create a space that is both inviting to the heart and pleasing to the eye - it is important to not overlook your ceilings," says designer Samantha Sirzyk. "So often the focus of an interior is placed on furniture arrangements and accessories, all the things that you see in front of you, when really it is what comes from above that can take your space from ordinary to extraordinary. Pay attention to the lighting in your space - both the type of fixtures (recessed, surface mounted, torchiere, etc.) and the types of lamps (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, etc.)- and don't forget about the endless possibilities with ceilings treatments (a simple bead board might just do the trick)."

Visit Samantha at Pretty Lovely Things and also follow her tweets.

For designer Robin Baron, "Flexibility is the name of the game! Create a seating area in your family or living room that's comfortable and multi-purpose. Placing ottomans under your coffee table or around your sofa allows for extra seating so your guests can easily pull up for an intimate chat or sip a cocktail at a party. And when you're not entertaining, put your feet up and relax while watching TV. The goal is to make your space functional and flexible for your lifestyle."

Visit Robin Baron Design and get the latest via Facebook and Twitter!Photo Credit: Phillip Ennis Photography

Designer Nicole Sassaman says, "The family room is a stylish, modern, and yet very comfortable space to have your morning coffee in or even your martinis in the evenings. I provided lots of fun seating, but one of the favorites is right on the floor on top of the cozy shag carpeting. The warm colors on the walls and the unique fireplace create a great ambiance to hang out and relax in. The crashing sound of the waves hitting the sand doesn't hurt either!"

See SassyTips on Twitter or pick up a copy of her latest book Design Life!
You can also visit her site to see more great designs.

Designer Mally Skok shares "I think creating a comfortable environment is all about seating. I love to put chairs in passages, in bathrooms, a bench in a window with a lovely view. It visually says to you and your friends - make yourself comfortable, stay a while, or put down that heavy package here. Chairs, sofas and benches in well thought out an unusual places tell your guests that there is plenty of space for them to drop in and stay for a while. It really doesn't matter if they ever sit in that spot or not, it still sends a lovely message."

Follow Mally's tweets or see some of her beautiful fabric designs.


And designer Kiki Titterud says, "Create Colorful Conversation - Splashes of color not only convey an inviting ambiance, but also evoke strong psychological effects on those enjoying the space. Warm, cheerful colors such as yellow, yellow-orange, orange, and red-orange generate creativity and simulate conversation, socialization and appetite. Entertaining in rooms decorated with these hues will be a cinch, guests will feel welcome, and ready for an evening of chatter."

Color expert Kiki Titterud, Allied ASID, CMG, CfYH can be found online at her website or on her blog. Find her on twitter too!

Thanks designers for sharing such helpful advice!

dESIGNtIP-Photography as Art

Want to have some fun decorating your home without breaking the bank after the holidays? An inexpensive way to create artwork for your home is to use your own photography. If you mat and frame it, you can have a gallery look that is easy on your budget. This is part of my "loving lilly pads" collection.

by Paula

dESIGN tIP - Using Black and White

This room's simple monochromatic palette is just right used as a background to showcase the many textures that create interest in this space. Orange is a color that you either love or hate. Me personally? I love it. Here it is used to add just a splash of color. What a great place to relax!

This home is featued in Elle Decor UK November edition.

Posted by Paula

Making The Most of Your Living Room

Your room should have a focal point and fireplaces are the perfect natural candidate as they bring a feeling of comfort to your room, but if there is no fireplace you will need to create your centerpiece. You might hang an oversized piece of art or feature a beautiful piece of furniture. Color can be a simple solution to creating your focal point, whether it is a wall color or one just one color used as an accent around the room.

When considering lighting for your room, you’ll need to accommodate activities such as reading as well as resting activities.

Seating selection should be appropriate for everyone in your family; comfort is much more important to consider than style. Consider seating that makes everyone feel relaxed and at ease. Don’t forget to mix up the textures when you select your textiles.

Experiment with the furniture layout- If space allows, consider introducing a second seating area. A great solution to connect different areas of the room is to use backless seating such as a chaise or bench to allow viewing from one part of the room to the other.

Careful consideration should be given to storage. Be sure to plan for housing your media equipment. Not to say that the television has to be hidden, but do hide the wires! Nothing is less relaxing than mess, clutter and exposed wiring.

Is your design easy to maintain? Remember that your room is for living and not for show. Let your hair down and enjoy living your everyday life.

Commit the room’s design to paper, even if your budget doesn’t allow completion of the project all at once. You will benefit from the vision as you make future purchases.


Posted by Paula

image from flickr's tobi fairley

Have a Design No No?

While looking at all of the designer rooms in magazines, on websites or blogs do you take notice of the small details that make the room? These may seem insignificant when your are planning your space but they can give your room that polished look and you don't have to spend a lot of money. See the few tips below and save yourself from making a Design No No in your space.

• Hang your art at the right level- We've all seen art that looks as if it is floating out on its own above a piece of furniture. It's best to separate furniture by no more than 10".
• Don't match everything in your room- whether it be furniture pieces, matching fabrics or coordinated wallpapers - It gets boring.
• Don't have too many small plants scattered around- make an impact with a few grouped together or use 1 large knock your socks off plant.
• Be aware of your silk plants- don't let them become dust catchers! Personally, I like fresh flowers when in season so they are reasonably priced.
• Be ruthless in editing accessories in the room- Make them count! You can always rotate them out.
  

Photography: Jonathan Harper as seen in From House to Home
Design Michael Graves