Kelly Green Accents

I am in love with kelly green at the moment because it's such a glamorous color. But I like to use this kind of green sparingly. In a room that has a black and white or neutral color scheme, you can add kelly green as accent. That extra pop of color will make the room look even more sophisticated.

My favorite example is the entryway below by City Dwellin'. Upon entering the room, you are greeted by the solid, bright green credenza along with the black and white patterns on the wall and on the floor. The bunch of white peonies also gave the room more charm.

1. Entryway via City Dwellin'

2. Living room via Charm Home Design

3. Dining room by Kay Douglas via Veranda. Photo by Mali Azima

4. Dining room by Christina Murphy Interiors via TRADHome. Photo by John Bessler

This is my inspiration board for the color scheme. Also, I love the wallpaper. It's very Great Gatsby.

1. Superfresco Easy Cinema Wallpaper, Graham and Brown

2. Emerald Table Lamp, Lowes

3. Credenza, Fabulous Mess

4. Parsons Side Table, Bungalow 5

5. Arbor Trellis Linen Print Pillow, Shades of Light

6. Quincy Pillow in Green, Joss & Main

7. Stockholm Three Seat Sofa, Ikea

Coral and Navy

Here's another awesome color combination: coral and navy.

Navy and coral make a pair of complimentary colors. This means the colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Navy blue is such a rich and classic color, while coral is bright and energizing. Navy is somewhat masculine, and coral is more feminine. 

Both are bold colors and strongly contrast each other. You can partner them with neutral colored items, and gold and white accessories. Your room (or your outfit?) will look amazing.

1. Living Room via Style At Home. Photo by Stacey Van Berkel-Haines

2. Bedroom via Decorchick

3. Dining display via Design Sponge. Design by M Design Interiors. Photo by Justin Officer

4. Nursery via Cococozy Photo by Pam Cooley

Here are some items for the home that would fit the color scheme.

1. Love Knots Guest Towel Tray, One Kings Lane

2. Peach and Gold Pot, upintheairsomewhere

3. Coral Reef Ovo Table Lamp, Lamps Plus

4. Trellis Coral Pillow Cover, Oh My Pillow

5. Baris Decorative Pillow, Furbish Studio

6. Lampert Sofa in Venice Navy, Jonathan Adler

7. Homespun Trellis Navy Rug, Rugs USA

8. Red Coral Study, Williams-Sonoma

Yellow and Mint

Right now, I'm loving this color combination: yellow and mint! These two colors go well together because they balance each other out. Yellow is a bright and sunny color and it gives your room a nice warm feel. Mint, on the other hand, is cool and refreshing and is also easy on the eyes.

These two colors make a good palette for a nursery room especially if you do not want to use the stereotypical pink/blue.

1. Living Room from Objects Living

2. Nursery by Handmade in the Heartland

3. Bedroom from My Home Ideas, photo by Lisa Romerein

4. Living Room from Grays Lane

Here are yellow and mint accessories that I found online:

1. Cushion Cover 30x50, H&M

2. Awesome Owl Catch-All Dish, Urban Outfitters

3. Little Geometry Cushion (in mint), Ferm Living

4. Fuji Instax Mini 8 Yellow, London Drugs

5. Enamelware Candle Tin, Anthropologie

6. Oh Snap Leather Journal, Urban Outfitters

7. Finn Rocker, Anthropologie

Kitchen Design Inspiration

Hello everyone! My family mentioned before that they were planning on renovating our kitchen. I thought they weren't serious on doing it until lately they've been asking questions about what finishes to use.

So I made a quick mood board for a little bit of kitchen inspiration.

I have always wanted white subway tiles as backsplash and black granite countertop for my kitchen. And you can't go wrong with white shaker cabinets, they're simple but beautiful. To balance out the cold tiles and countertop, maybe add hardwood flooring for warmth.

I also like to add metallic elements in the design for texture, like those industrial pendant lamps and the cup drawer pulls. As for accents, you can't go wrong with plants. They definitely give life to the space.

I searched in Pinterest to find examples of kitchen designs that go well with my mood board:

White elements, like the cabinets and backsplash reflect natural lighting and this makes the kitchen bright and airy.

photo from Southern Living

See how the black countertop breaks the whiteness of this kitchen? If it's too white then it's too stark. Those cup drawer pulls also give a little sophistication into your kitchen.

photo from Southern Living

I like how the kitchen below is styled. The hanging lamps and the framed sign add character to the space. And of course we all need a clock in the kitchen. 

photo from my ideal home

I know I'm busy, but I can't wait to push through with our home renovation! Hope things work out well for us with the kitchen redesign.

Manila FAME March 2013

This is a pretty late post, but it's never too late to share something beautiful! I went to the last day of Manila FAME, which was from 14-17 March 2013. There are so many beautiful locally made products that were exhibited in the show but it's also sad to know that most of them are for export only.

I wasn't able to look around the whole exhibit, but here are some highlights of  the show:

Here's the exhibit by Kenneth Cobonpue and Hive.

Pillows designed by Inigo Elizalde. Look at the geometric patterns on the tables.

I just want to grab those pillows and bring them home.

Lamps designed by Wataru Sakuma. I asked the lady manning the exhibit if these lamps can be hung outdoors, unfortunately she said no.

Basilisa collection by Ito Kish

I love the different solihiya patterns on this screen.

The Millenial Home is an installation directed by designer Budji Layug that envisions the lifestyle of today's generation.

Vito Selma designed these hanging lamps that look like beautifully arranged feathers.

These are pillows adorned with coconut shells and mother of pearl. They remind me of reptilian scales.

Here's a collection of carved wood chairs by Betis Crafts. Betis, Pampanga is known for producing intricately carved wood furniture.

The booth of Masa Ecological Development Inc. (MASAECO). There's designer Wataru Sakuma at the back.

The lamp is made of moulded abaca pulp.

We saw cool lighting design by Feliix. The Crystal Light, an LED fixture, is composed of glowing crystal balls. These crystal balls are connected together using a magnets, so you can assemble them in any way you like.

Coral Light, another LED lighting fixture inspired by how corals reflect the rays of sunlight through the ocean.

At the second floor was this awesome installation by Van Gogh is Bipolar. It's a restaurant in Maginhawa, which I never got to try when I was still in the University. Maybe next time!

The collection of teapots remind me so much of Alice in Wonderland.

And there were so many shoes painted in white and hung all over the installation.

The show also featured local crafts and they even demonstrated how it was done. This lady is carving bamboo arches and is a local craft in Bulacan, especially done for their Singkaban Festival.

She has been doing this since she was young. She was taught by her parents, and now she is teaching her children how to do the craft.

It's such a bummer I wasn't able to see everything! Next October I should plan my trip for one whole day. 

Studio Ditte Wallpaper

Hello! I haven't touched my blog in a while. It's because I'm focusing more on reviewing for the licensure exam in June, so my crafting time is limited. :(

But I'll try to update once in a while when I feel like posting something. Like right now, I just want to share this online shopping find. Studio Ditte has the most creative collection of wallpaper design.

Use this colorful porcelain saucers wallpaper design to make tea time a little happier!

Or how about rows and rows of embellished teaspoons and keys?

And this birdhouse wallpaper is just so adorable.

Chirp chirp

Check out their web shop at studioditte.com

Furniture Made With Rattan

There is something about rattan furniture that makes me think of outdoors, relaxation, or a vacation at the beach. It's interesting that many furniture designers are able to manipulate rattan into something beautiful and organic. Here is my list of favorite rattan pieces that I found through the internet, and some of these pieces I have seen in person at Manila FAME.

The Family Love Tree
The Family Love Tree is an Australian based company founded by Katie Graham. Her products are made of authentic rattan and manufactured in West Java.

Lady Peacock Chair

photo from thefamilylovetree.com.au

This chair that is so elegant and feminine. And you can see the peacock feather design at the back rest.

Rattan Glass Top Table Natural

photo from thefamilylovetree.com.au

Vito Selma
Vito Selma is a Filipino designer based in Cebu who has received numerous awards for his sleek and bold pieces.

Delilah Chair

photo from citem

Another chair that I would love to have. The curves are so sexy!

Baud

photo from vitoselma.com

I have seen this piece at Manila FAME and it's interesting to look at with its beautiful contours.

Locsin International

Another Philippine based company that exports furniture internationally, and is a constant exhibitor at Manila FAME.

Spartan Havana

photo from Locsin International

This looks really cozy, it's like sleeping in a rattan cocoon.

Foglia Rocker Chair

photo from Locsin International

Downton Abbey Inspired Bedroom

So I was wondering why that show called Downton Abbey is so popular. I got curious and watched the first episode, then the next episode, and before I knew it I was already done with the second season! 

What's so appealing about this show are the juicy gossip and the scandals of an aristocratic family. I also like that it relates to the past events of Britain such as the first world war, the sinking of Titanic, and also the innovations throughout the history like having electricity, the telephone and the gramophone.

 Watching this show makes you want to have that kind of lifestyle. Aside from that, I like what the set designers did to the interiors. This show inspires me to make a mood board.

Photo from thelastcountess.livejournal.com

Photo from guardian.co.uk

Photo from fanpop.com

Photo from myaustendreamworld.com

Among all the bedrooms that I have seen in all episodes of Downton Abbey, Lady Sybil's is my favorite. Compared to Lady Mary's bedroom which is a dark, Lady Sybil's room is light and airy, which is what I like in a bedroom.

Basically the keywords for this look are feminine, fresh, pastel, and floral.

Here is the mood board that I made.

 Wallpaper

While watching I wasn't really looking at Mrs. Hughes in this shot. I was looking at the pretty wallpaper. It's not as old looking as the other bedrooms at Downton.

Choose wallpaper in damask or trellis pattern. Keep the pattern subtle by choosing light colors.  Pastels are recommended like lilac, cream and powder blue. Light colored wallpaper will catch and bounce more natural light into your bedroom.

Kelly Wearstler - Imperial Trellis Alabaster, Cole & Son - St. Petersburg Damask, Graham & Brown - Elizabeth Beige Damask

Paint Colors

Paint your doors, mouldings, ceiling, door frames and window frames white. And alternative for the wallpaper is to paint your walls in creamy neutral colors. Stick to whites and greys.

Farrow and Ball - Great White, Farrow and Ball - Off White, Farrow and Ball - Skimming Stone, Farrow and Ball - Wimborne White, Farrow and Ball - Cornforth White

Curtain Fabric

The curtains at the background are so pretty, just like Lady Sybil. I have researched through the internet and have discovered that most Edwardian interiors use "chintz" for their curtains.

Add accent colors to your room through the floral pattern for your curtains.

 Cath Kidston - Spring Bouquet, Cath Kidston - Birds and Roses, Fabrics and Papers - Lady Rose Curtain Fabric

Upholstered Seating

as for upholstered seating just what Lady Edith is sitting on...

use cream colored or white upholstered fabric. It's also nice to have tufting on your chair.

Anthropologie - Sand Linen Corrigan Chair, Williams Sonoma - White French Chair, Pottery Barn - Middleton Armchair

Dark Wood Furniture

I spot a big armoire,

and a writing table both in dark wood. To balance out the the light and airy characters of the room, use dark wood for the furniture. Contrast is key.

You can add a vanity table or a writing desk into your bedroom. Adding a canopy bed would also be lovely especially if you decorate it with sheer draping.

Bobkona Furniture - St. Croix Collection Vanity Set, Pottery Barn - Farmhouse Canopy Bed, Pottery Barn - Devon Campaign Bedside Table, Pottery Barn - Farmhouse Chifforobe

Accessories

Look at how Lady Sybil (or at least the house maid of Lady Sybil) arranged her decor on the fireplace. And I love that huge mirror, it makes the room look bigger.

I spot a nice gold frame with an oil painting in it. How about that porcelain bowl and pitcher?

Don't forget to put loosely arranged flowers on your bedside table to add color to your room.

I usually see these glass decanters in the bedroom whenever I watch some episodes. You can use glass jars and bottles to store your perfume or maybe even to stash your cookies.

from Lonny

Use shiny and gold items like candle holders and picture frames, chintz pattern on porcelain, and glass for your jewelry box.

Here are more photos for inspiration that I found through Lonny Magazine's website.

from Lonny

from Lonny

from Lonny

from Lonny

I'll be posting more Downton Abbey inspired looks probably for kitchen and living room next time :)