Enviable Summer Entryways and Foyers

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There are your "traditional" elements that no entry or foyer should be without - but shoe storage and a key tray don't necessarily make an entry way that makes you smile when you walk in the door.  Here are a few elements that do...

Art with impact.

via Pinterest via Waiting on Martha

Live plants/flowers.

via Pinterest via 11 Magnolia Lane

An oversized mirror.

via Pinterest via Desert Domicile

A dramatic entry rug.

via Abbey Carpet of SF

...and of course, your best friend waiting for you.

via Pinterest via Chango.co

A Beautiful Mix of Classic and Contemporary

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At first thought, mixing a classic style with contemporary would not be my first choice. This pictures prove me wrong! There is a sort of elegance in it that stuns me. 

via thistlewoodfarms

via easternwhitepine

via decorpad

via decorpad

via bloodandchampagne

via georgianadesign

It really brings out a luxurious side to decor. I am really impressed with the mixture of these two styles. Are you?

Prepping for Spring with Global Views!

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Global Views is showing off their new spring line and I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite choices they have:

These rocky block vases are my favorite! The help bring the outdoors in and provide a space to add a little greenery inside as well. 

These Free formed Lily plates are stunning!

This Poppy Pod Sculpture is elegant and a great way to add a pop of gold into your decor.

Another vase that's so elegant and chic! These branch bud's would be adorable for individual place settings.

Tie to together with this nickel twig bowl for a great centerpiece.

I love decor that can double as storage! Check out these gorgeous marble petal bowels. You can own any of these beautiful items thanks to global views!

Which one do you like the most?

Beautiful Autumn Updates

FREE IMAGES Sad as it makes me, summer is on it's way out. Though I like autumn, it's the knowledge that winter is right behind that bums me out. One way to make goodbyes to summer a little less painful is to update your home with some elements to make the time spent indoors more pleasant.

1. A plush upholstered be for cozying up under the covers. From Joss & Main.
2. Candlelight will be even more beautiful in this Moroccan lantern. From One Kings Lane.
3. Take advantage of all the light you have my using a pretty mirror to reflect it. From Joss & Main.
4. A gorgeous dark wood dresser makes for a pretty place to store throws. From Joss & Main.
5. A sumptuous leather chair for curling up with a great novel. From One Kings Lane.
6. Keep toes warm with a sheepskin rug. From Joss & Main.

Blogs I'm Loving!

FREE IMAGES Check out some of the amazing blogs I've found recently that are definitely worth a read:

This dinning room screams glamorous to me! The glass above the fireplace makes a huge statement and the rest of this Victorian house tour is lovely - check it out at styleinsideuk.

I am anxiously waiting for one of my favorite bloggers books that's out on preorder now! Erin Gates from Elements of Style has always been a great source of inspiration for me.

Bloesem also featured this new veggie collection of prints by Carmen to spice up your walls! This is a great way to add some color and life to your space.

Love this bar inspired by old crafstmen table, and built from reclaimed pine.  Check out more amazing reclaimed art projects at Sikada Creative.

Friday Favorites

FREE IMAGES With the amount of things that go through my inbox on a daily basis as well as great finds I see while I am out and about, I figured I'd start sharing some of my favorite things with you all!

This sunburst mirror is $299 from One Kings Lane and it's absolutely stunning! There are so many spaces in my house I could imagine this being. 

Vera Wangs Ikat Duvet is simply gorgeous and I love the colors. You can find this at ideeli for $129-159.

These fun trays at Cococozy are adorable and I love the extra storage they'd provide. I could definitely picture them in my office. You can get them in bright colors or neutrals for $99 each. 

Last but not least, I am loving loving these Captiva Sling chairs at Serena & Lily for $350. They are perfect for some outdoor comfort and look so simple but comfy. 

Spring and summer mantel decorating ideas

FREE IMAGES My favorite part of decorating the house is bringing in small personal touches that make me smile each time I look at them, or showing off a collection I've grown over time. A great place to do that is the mantel, because nothing is permanent! You can change out a mantel like you would a shelf and make it the centerpiece of a room.

Here are some great ideas to welcome spring via your mantel:

via theinspiredroom

If you are really open for change, painting your mantel and fireplace surround in a warm white is a great way to brighten it up for spring. Just make sure you are really committed if your surround is brick, as stripping paint off of brick is pretty darn tedious.

Loving this very clean and simple mantle with the white and gold accents.
via Pinterest via Centsational Girl

via interiorsbystudiom

You can't go wrong with a quote. Make it something you want to remember each day or your latest mantra!  Got a cool set of pottery or ceramics? Showcase it on your mantle.

Adding a chic mirror above your mantle is a great way to make the most of precious natural light and makes a stunning focal point.  The coral on the mantle is also a nice homage to summer.  I always like to decorate with natural objects whenever possible.'
via BHG

Use your mantle as a revolving art gallery.  I have way too many prints and little pieces of art from my travels to have all hanging at the same time, so I rotate them every few months.  The mantel is a great place to do that.

via BHG

Show Off Your Design: Ann Ueno

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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)!

What a difference a mirror makes - cute and clever ways to use mirrors

FREE IMAGES Here's some eye candy that will be sure to make you rethink mirrors! Mirrors can make a tremendous impact in a space, and if  you are lacking in square footage or light, great mirrors can really make a room feel much bigger and brighter by bouncing light back

Mirror your mirrors - using two can have a really striking affect.
via apartmenttherapy

We don't hesitate to put mirrors in our bathrooms or entryways, but why not in the kitchen?  It can really open up a narrow or galley kitchen.
via Niagara Novice

Putting a mirror across a doorway can reflect new colors or textural interest in a room.
via Angie Hranowsky

Make it huge.  Mirrors are one of those things where I think bigger is better.  It will reflect so much light and add a lot of grandeur.  
via Automatism

Don't settle for what your house "came with".  We have lame-o contractor grade mirrors in our bathroom.  What a difference a beautifully framed mirror would make...

via glamorouschiclife

Here are a couple of mirrors I would love to have in my home..

This Venetial mirror... at $249 it's not that expensive, but not in my future right now with a wedding on our heels.

Get it at Gilt.

More affordable and so pretty.

Get it at HauteLook

Do you have any cool or clever ways of using mirrors in your home?

Only a few hours left to enter to win $100 from Novica!!

FREE IMAGES Get your tushies over to this Decorology post to enter to win a $100 gift code to use at Novica!!! You must enter by 12 AM, Dec 14th for a chance to win!!   Artisan apparel, jewelry, home decor, and much, more.

Beaded basket by Wayan. Click here to see it.

Mirror by Edmundo. Click here.

Quilt by the Artisans of Tilonia.  Click here.


Hurry over to this Decorology post to enter!