Pink and Grey

As you can see on my blog layout, you will probably notice that I love pink and grey together. Powder pink is so dainty and feminine, while the soft grey is neutral but sophisticated. This color combination is nice for a girl's bedroom.

1. Vanity via Elle Decoration. Photo by Jeremy Wilson

2. Living Room via House and Home. Photo by Virginia Macdonald

3. Nursery via Restoration Hardware Baby and Child

4. Bedroom via The Designer's Attic

Complete the elegant pink and grey look for your bedroom with this inspiration board:

1. Vienna Full Spectrum Crystal Window Table Lamp, Lamps Plus

2. Peonies on Glass Vase, Flovery

3. Baies Candle, Dyptique

4. Stanley Mirrored Nightstand, Gilt

5. Pink Ruffled Pillow Sham, The Land of Nod

6. Grey Basketweave Throw Pillow, The Land of Nod

7. Tadpoles Basics Curtain Panels, Target

8. Allegra Iron Canopy Bed, RH Baby and Child

Mauve and Taupe

Taupe and mauve are two subtle colors, but I think they look good together. Mauve is classy and not too feminine. Taupe is neutral, and it pulls together the whole look. It's a nice combination to use in a room if you are not bold enough to choose bright and striking colors. To keep the look from becoming bland, you can add brass, glass, or other shiny elements for texture and play with different shades for depth.

1. Living room via Canadian House and Home, designed by Stacey Smithers, photo by Tracey Shumate

2. Sitting area via LeSueur Interiors

3. Living room via Barbara Barry Baker Furniture

4. Dining room via Interior Archive, designed by Katie Ridder & Anita Sarsidi, photo by William Waldron

1. Patchwork Wall Art, West Elm

2. Latte Bowls, Anthropologie

3. Tufted Priscilla Settee, Anthropologie

4. Rosette Euro Sham, Anthropologie

5. Organic Cotton Pintuck Standard Sham, West Elm

6. Coqo Floral Rug, Anthropologie

7. Arteriors Home Elton Vintage Brass Metal Round Coffee Table, Lowe's

8. Smoke Rings Cup and Saucer, Anthropologie

9. Abacus Table Lamp, West Elm

10. Isla Print Wall Art, West Elm

Using Wall Decals

Here's a design tip. Decals are not just for store front signage, you can also use them as wall decoration for your home. If you are renting an apartment, and the building has strict rules against painting and installing wallpaper, then wall decals are the way to go.

Another advantage of using wall decals is that they are highly customizable - you can install them however and wherever you want. There are many different styles for wall decals that are available everywhere. In this case, this huge gold heart shaped decal from Urban Walls was used as a "statement piece" for an office.

via Urban Walls

There are also patterned wall decals that totally look like wallpaper. I like the triangle decals in the photo because they make the room look fun.

via Urban Walls

Wall decals are easy to apply as long as the surface is clean. It will stick to almost any kind of surface. And if in the future you change your mind and decide to replace them, you can just easily peel them off. Also, they're easy to clean. Since wall decals are made of vinyl, you can just wipe them with a damp cloth.

Here's another patterned wall decal: plus signs. The black plus signs look cool against white furniture. It looks clean, but it shows a lot of contrast.

via Urban Walls

And here is one of my favorites: Gold polka dots. 

via Urban Walls

Gold polka dots also look nice in a little girl's bedroom. It's totally different from the usual pastel painted kids rooms. No, they won't make your room look like it's infected with chickenpox. Because really, they're cute and quirky. And even if you're a grown up it will still look nice in your room. :)

via Urban Walls

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

Pretty Pastel Kitchen Inspiration

1. Photo from Patchwork Harmony

2. Striped apron and cakestand both from H&M Home

3. Pastel colored windsor chairs paired with ombre table cloth. Photo by jonathanwgooch

4. Yvestown's kitchen - image from sunnysblog

5. Baby pink coffee machine and a powder blue Smeg. Photo from Over the Edge Design

6. Bakery tine cans from H&M Home

7. Candy Kitchen - article by Candy Channing on dailymail.co.uk. Click on the link for more details on the items in the photo

8. Candy colored ceramics from Anna Weinreich's blog

9. Pastel colored cakes from The Sweetest Occasion. Photo by Jenny Haas

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.

Pinterest Feed This Week

Just to share on this blog some more pretty things all over the internet, I decided to start making posts on what's on my Pinterest newsfeed. You know, just for fun.

Anyway, here are some of the pins that I found interesting:

1. Paint your doors pink and yellow

This two-toned door at Amanda Happé's apartment was featured in Design Sponge. It's a nice pop of color in her minimalist home.

photo from Design Sponge

2. Plates on the wall

This photo was posted by Clemmensen & Brok, at Elly's Pancake House in Chicago. If I had the time to go to the flea market, I'd buy as many vintage plates and porcelain items as I can. And one of the things you can do with vintage plates is to hang them on the wall.

Photo from Clemmensen & Brok

3. Bri Emery's new home

Bri Emery of designlovefest had her house done by Emily Henderson, the winner of HGTV design star, my favorite stylist in the whole world.

Photo from stylebyemilyhenderson.com

4. Anthropologie's Stitch-Striped Pillow

These pastel colored pillows from Anthropologie comes in three colors. I like the styling and how they photographed the pillows in this picture.

photo from Anthropologie

5. Bunny Ear Bags

Joy Cho posted this DIY bunny ear bags for Easter. You can put treats and other surprises in this bag for a party. Easter is coming! Are you ready to decorate your Easter eggs?

photo from ohhappyday

6. What happens when a bunch of pastel paper circles are posted on the wall

This folded paper decor was posted on Oh So Beautiful Paper for a brunch for Minted. It's so beautiful I have no words for it.

photo from ohsobeautifulpaper

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

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 :)