Chicly unique, eclectic spaces

FREE IMAGES I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!  On that note, I thought it might be nice to detox a little with some non-holiday eye-candy.

Love modern art with traditional decor

all images via Elle Decor Lookbook

Show Off Your Design: Ann Ueno

FREE IMAGES

Today we are showing off the lovely design from Ann Ueno who blogs at House and Host (not to be missed!). Check out her space and what she has to say about her design process:

Entryway – I LOVE wall galleries and the inspiration for this space was to be inviting, attention-grabbing supported by stories.  This gallery features all of my own personal photography (great way to create cheap art) of places my husband and I have traveled, combined with smaller accent pieces that welcome people into our home.  Our last name initial.  The ‘chateau’ sign from Anthropologie.  Small trio mirror (of course, you always need some mirror in entryway to apply lipstick, right?).

Dining – the next two shots are our dining area.  The main asset here is the table.  I was very inspired by one of my favorite authors, Shauna Neiquist and the importance of hospitality, hosting and feeding friends and family alike.  In order to do that, you have to have enough space and a welcoming space.  So when I saw this amazing farmhouse table, which was relatively inexpensive and plus when I bought it, it was on sale (from Restoration Hardware).  The moments and memories we have had around this table will forever be stamped on my heart.  There already stains and spills and I love it.  It’s the way it’s supposed to be.  Imperfect, with incredible stories shared. (the chairs are Z Gallerie and I always get asked where they are from!!)

Master BR – since becoming married, a challenge I face is trying to make sure our house isn’t TOO girly.  Of course, some areas still are.  But, I really tried to ensure our master bedroom had a balance of masculinity and femininity.  And the inspiration was from a hotel room.  My husband and I are both in the hotel business so that was my vision.  Dark navy walls, personal artwork and photography in the form of a gallery, clean white linens.  It works perfectly for us and I do think it creates a nice balance and a personal touch with our hotel backgrounds. 

Last – just a fun styled shot of our living room coffee table.  I change this often so no big story here, other than taking cues from blogs and Pinterest on how to style a coffee table!

Isn't Ann's space fab? Don't forget to submit your Design to Show Off here on Decorology (See Instructions here)!

Impromptu Office Ideas

FREE IMAGES Most people that work from home have a dedicated office space, but for those of you who don't always work from home and are missing that needed space for the occasional snow day (like here in MD), there are some creative ways to set up an impromptu work space!

via You Say Too

My favorite solution is probably to convert and armoire or cupboard into a hidden office.  Another plus is it helps keep dust off your electronics, and if you don't have time to tidy up, just shut the doors!

Keep a living or library table housed with a lamp and another few office necessities and you can easily use it for an occasional desk.

Traditional Home Office by Rockville Furniture & Accessories Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Eclectic Home Office by Austin Interior Designers & Decorators Scheer & Co.

A narrow sliver of room can be dedicated if you work from home for maybe only one day a week, but don't have a dedicated office. Consider outfitting one wall with a narrow desk.  Then, run some attractive draperies far enough out from the wall that it will be able to hide the desk when it's not in use.

via houzz

If you have room for a rolling table this could be used for multiple purposes. A great work space, extra cooking space, a rolling bar for parties, or portable storage! Clear it off for a day of work from home that won't affect the rest of your house. Baskets underneath can hold supplies.

via houzz

This hideaway desk is perfect for small spaces. If you are lacking the square footage for an office, purchasing a wall mounted desk could be exactly what you need for those random work from home days. Just pull it down when you need it and store it away when you need your space back!

Dinning Room Do Over

FREE IMAGES Today I want to share some idea for underutilized dinning rooms! Unless you are entertaining frequently this room seems to be used only on the holidays or large events. Here are some great ideas for utilizing the space year round!


via marthamoments

Use your dining room as an office! There are some seriously great perks to having your office in the dining room. Chances are better that you will keep it clean and working with a clean slate is a great way to start a work day. There are also creative ways you can contain your office items so that it isn't overwhelming when you need to convert the space back into a dining room!

via Houzz

Make your dining room a library too! Adding shelving on your dining room walls to hold your books can make for interesting dining room conversation as well! Add a comfy chair in the corner or by a window and you might find yourself getting away in that room more often than dining!


via pinterest

If you are looking for something a little more family friendly, you can add some games to your library and make it a family game night! Make it a getaway from all the electronic distractions and use this space to have a little more fun. Your dining room might become the families favorite space in the house.


via shorty114

Change up the seating! Make it a more cozy space instead of a stiff dining room set. Use your eat in kitchen for breakfast and lunch but take dinner to a new level by using the new comfy dining room. What's the point of having a space if your not going to use it?


via raisinguprubies

If you or your kids are crafty you can tie in this pace to store your items for those last minute project ideas! Throw a drop cloth over your dining room table and challenge yourself to make something new each week and utilize this space! The large dining room table will give you great work space and if you need it to go back to being a dinning room just move a few storage items out of the way!


via projectlittlesmith

If you need a more kid friendly space. Let the little ones take over this room when it's not in use! Finding great storage piece that can contain toys and double as a bar table during dinner parties.

There are so many easy combinations you can do to make a dining room a more usable space!

Quietly stunning: Dining rooms with glowing repose

FREE IMAGES I've been having a huge dining room crush lately, and I think it's because I don't have one, and it's not likely that our first home will have one either. These dining rooms also reflect the style I've been loving lately - not too shabby, not too chic, but a lovely mix of clean, sensible design with a touch or two of glamor.

This dining room is quiet and peaceful, but the pink sofa adds a little wink.

A sunny spot to eat breakfast is the best!

I want those chairs so bad!!! Anyone know of something similar thats affordable?

The white "leather" bench is actually faux leather vinyl - great for kids (or me!).  This owner recommends Grain de Cuir by Nobillis.


1. via BHG, 2. via Lonny, 3. via Laura Ashley Advertisement, 4. via Interiors Porn, 5. via Lonny, 6. via Southern Living.

Bright, Beautiful, and Bold Dining Rooms

FREE IMAGES It's so dreary hear today. I definitely needed a little eye-candy pick me up!

How heavenly would that sun be while enjoying breakfast?

An oldie, but goodie.  I've featured the above before, but I figured it's good enough to show twice.

1., 2., 6.  BHG, 3., 5. Adore Mag, 4. ?

Perfect little dining rooms

FREE IMAGES I have been in dire need of a new dining room table for over a year now. Why oh why is it so hard for me to find one I like and a price I like. I think I want a round one...

I really like this one...

or a Saarien style table

Which one is your favorite?

via BHG

Dining Room Buffet Revisited

FREE IMAGES My dining room buffet decor had been bugging me... 

Yes, it probably looked fine but it just wasn't me.  The vase collection bugged me kind of off to the side and I felt like they were a little too modern for me. I bought them at clearance prices and they matched and filled the space but in the back of my mind I was always looking for something else. 

I finally had the creative ah-ha moment after taking down my Christmas decor, I didn't want the cheap vase collection back up there, ever.

Cloches and Apothecary jars!

 

Since I really heart cloches and apothecary jars I decided I needed to display them all the time, not just with holiday type items. I finally came across my iron cake stand (I lost it for like 3 months!  In my own house!!  How's that for being organized?!  I had stuck it in a bin of kids clothes that I was carrying up from the storage room in the basement, then I took out the clothes I needed and left the cake stand, who looks for a cake stand in a bin labeled "boys clothes"? Yes, I am crazy).

Anywho, hooray for my iron cake stand because it's the only one that fits my biggest cloche!   I have lots of random grassy balls and decorative balls lying around so I started filling.  I had some small fake pears for my apothecary (notice the painting behind the buffet... pears!  My... I'm a creative one, aren't I?! ;) 

I decided to leave the almost too modern plate because it needed something else and it matches really well.  I am so much happier with the new look, (although the burnt orange lampshades still sort of bug me, it needs the color).  I used everything that I already had around the house (no $ spent = bonus points!) and I'm so much happier with it. 

What do you guys think??  Do you like the before or after?  Be honest, I won't be offended if you like the before better (wanna buy some vases?) 

Don't forget to enter my Reedmor Jewelry giveaway here!