Click here for above sources
Pillows are one of the simplest ways to change the decor of a room. I usually try get the zippered covers in fabrics, colors and styles that are versatile enough to mix and match for the season (you can read more of my advice on all things pillows here, including my favorite inserts). I also like to have some neutrals that can work in every season!
Today I am sharing a few fall pillow mood boards that I hope will inspire you for pretty pillow pairing possibilities! When you scroll down you’ll also find a few beautiful “neutral” pillows I bought on Etsy that I think could be used year round. Enjoy!
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Click here for above sources
Sources top to bottom left to right: Rust Floral Pillow // Cross Pattern Pillow // Mustard Stripe Pillow // Black and White Plaid Pillow // Beige Floral Pillow // Terracotta Floral Pillow // Teal Floral Pillow // Beige Velvet Pillow // Brown Plaid Pillow
Sources: Linen Striped Pillow Cover // Gingham Neutral Pillow Cover // Blue Reversible Throw Blanket (as bench seat cover, see more styles of blankets like this in my home here)
Source: Gingham Neutral Pillow Cover
Source: Linen Striped Pillow Cover
Source: Soft Pink Striped Pillow Cover
Source: Brown Gingham Pillow on Wingback Chair // Jute + Cotton Rug with this rug pad // Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar // Clam Shell (similar) and other sources
More Pillows (click the images below for details):

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How to Pick Decorative Pillows That Go Together (5 tips on style, pillow inserts and saving money!)
Throw Pillows in my Amazon Storefront
5 Clever Ways to Make a Small Space Cozy and Inviting
13 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall
Find more decorating advice for your home in our Style Tips gallery! More

This post is in partnership with Walmart
One of the most enjoyable things for me in decorating is to focus on enjoying the season we’re in! Why keep your spaces the same all the time when you can feel inspired with a few simple changes? We aren’t headed off on a tropical vacation this summer, but the sun is out right here so we’re savoring every moment of it. Last week I brought in some fun elements to our bedroom from Walmart Home to give it the feeling of a tropical retreat!
The things I chose for our space from Walmart Home are so cute and super flexible so they’ll work in other areas of the home and in other seasons, too. It’s really easy to switch the whole feeling of a room by simply changing a few accessories, so you don’t have spend a fortune.

Here are my Six Favorite Tips for Decorating a Summer Bedroom:

1. Decorate with what you love, but be willing to try something fresh and new! I got this floral white ceramic lamp with a teal shade. I’ve had simple white lamps in my room for a long time, but I have to say, I ADORE this quirky colorful lamp. I’m so glad I tried a new look! The style really spoke to me and gave my room a really fun personality!

After I fell in love with the lamp and brought it home, I saw one similar at a high end shop. Don’t you love when you get a deal on something you love and then find one similar but more expensive elsewhere? You have to know where to shop, be true to what you love and yet willing to try something new, and window shop often enough to jump on good finds when you discover the gems.

2. It’s OK to decorate spaces so they are pretty now, even if you think you are just going to change them later. I got this botanical wall art set because they are just so fun! This wall has felt uninspiring to me for a long time, but I kept debating what I was going to do about it. Now it makes me so happy to see it looking so finished, fresh and cute! I thought these pieces would be great as an accent anywhere you want a little splash of color. I think sometimes we are afraid to get or hang art because it seems too permanent or it makes a statement we might not be sure we want to commit to! I learned a long time ago to just HANG THE ART! You can always change it later, but you might also wonder what took you so long to fall in love with your space.

3. Try throwing in a touch of moody to a space, even in the summer. You don’t have to do all light and bright in the summer. A deeper tone in a shade you love can bring more contrast and dimension to the space. I got this faux suede peacock color pillow. I loved the color because it ties in so well with the lamp, but also it brings in a contrasting tone and a slightly more moody vibe which will be really nice as we head into fall, too.

4. Look for versatile layers. I got this white chenille 3 piece duvet and sham bedding set. I really wanted a simple lightweight textural white coverlet for our bed that would be easy to layer with other bedding throughout the year, or could be folded up and stored in the winter. When I saw this duvet cover I knew it was going to be perfect! You can use it like a coverlet, but it also has a button closure with ties so I can put in my faux-down insert to make it extra cozy and FLUFFY when I want to, or as we head into fall! I’ll show you how that looks next week. This will be really fun and cozy to use all year round. It came with the shams, too.

5. Don’t forget texture! I loved this little round wicker tray for texture, but also the versatility. Texture is an often overlooked element that really transforms the feeling of a room. I love setting up a little tray like this on a bed for guests, but it could also work on the wall as pretty decor or as a basket to corral anything on a counter or dresser.

6. Look for pillow covers with zippers. I was thrilled with the pillow covers I got in this blue and white patterned pillow set. They look so great with my style and can work in any room of our home. Plus, they have zippers, which I love for two reasons. One is you can fill it with the fluffiest pillow inserts so it’s super plump! Plump is good when it comes to pillows :). The other reason I love pillow covers is when the season is over or you just want to change the look, you can easily switch out the insert and put the cover away until next time you want to use it.
I loved how these pillows looked in our living room too (below).

Walmart Home has so many fun accessories for the home!
By the way, there is also a new Wow and Now category at Walmart with fun trendy home items at really affordable price points. You can check it out here!
Shop my bedroom look:

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Sources:
Floral White Ceramic Lamp with Teal Shade
Fronds Wall Art Set of 2
Round Wicker Tray
Rattan Open Weave Round Storage Basket
Rattan Weave Woven Storage Crate
Natural Fiber Rug
White Chenille 3 Piece Duvet and Sham Bedding Set
Faux Suede Peacock Color Pillow
Ceramic Floral Round Wall Hanging Mirror
Metal and Glass Terrarium
Other source: Blue and White Patterned Pillow Set
More Walmart Decor Favorites (click thumbnails below for details): More

Photos in this post: New England Home
Before I begin to decorate or remodel a home, I first try to picture how I want it to feel to be there in every season. Now that we have our new home, I’ve been spending lots of time daydreaming about our life here (as I’m packing up our old house to move our belongings in, that is haha)…
For fall and winter, I visualize our home feeling like the most inviting charming bed and breakfast hotel in a seaside town. A place where you’d come in from a day of adventuring to get warm by the fire. You’d be able to curl up in a comfy spot to spend the evening in a cozy chair reading a book, listening to music or having lively conversations over hot spiced cider and hors d’oeuvres. 
I already love calling our new house our home, and I know I’ll have so much fun making it our own. As I’ve been looking for inspiration, I found this amazing guest house on Martha’s Vineyard in New England Home (where all the photos in this post are from) and it got my creative wheels turning for cozy ideas. This home also gives me lots of fall feelings and ideas…hope you are inspired by it, too!
I’ve shared many times here on The Inspired Room that I like to observe interior design from many different sources and styles. This practice helps me to begin to think of my own style in fresh ways and inspires me to create more interesting spaces.
Enjoy the photos in this post! Below each photo I share a few design elements that stood out to me. I call this the observation game (I’ve been sharing posts like this from the beginning of The Inspired Room back in 2007!). If you observe and study good classic design, it will inspire you for years to come!

Observations: Grasscloth wallpaper, green painted doors, substantial statement lighting that also adds contrast, an interesting pattern mix, a cozy sisal rug, botanical artwork, lots of texture, paneled ceiling and wood beam

Observations: inviting wood dining table, mint green vase, candle-style lantern for mood lighting, rustic tray

Observations: soft blue/green painted paneled ceilings, fun teal chairs, nautical stripes, cozy lamp in corner, black lights, walls of windows/doors

Observations: simple mantel styling, cozy fireplace, texture and pattern combinations

Observations: island paint color in a soft minty blue, warm wood floors, green Dutch oven on display, casual woven baskets, interesting architecture, covered range hood, covered dishwasher, mostly clear counters, dramatic greenery

Observations: rich wood furniture, simple linen window treatments, cozy conversation area, simple coffee table styling with stacked books

Observations: matching navy twin beds, footed nightstand, simple greenery, fun blue and white patterned bedding, botanicals throughout home, coastal striped rug

Observations: interesting wallpaper, unique but simple black light, cute reading chair with side table and brass pharmacy lamp, plaid rug, four poster bed, blue and white bedding, little round mirror, substantial lamp, wood secretary desk, simple curtains with black rods

Observations: charming rocking chairs on the porch, shingled exterior, beautiful glass French doors, black pendant light

See more of this lovely guest home here: New England Home
Do you dream about how you want your home to feel before you start decorating? 🥰 Tell me about your home over in our free community Facebook group or in my Instagram comments! What do you envision your home feeling like? I’d love to know!  More

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

Today I wanted to answer a great remodeling question a reader asked me last week!
* Reader Question: What is your favorite design book for getting ideas for a remodel?
I carefully study a variety of design books to find ideas for our remodel. Today I’ll show you a few of my favorites and how I used them to make decisions for my home!

1. Not So Big Remodeling
On this first one I’ll give you a disclaimer, I don’t look at it for design photos as much as I like to read the tips. I have several of her books (she’s an architect) and they are helpful for thinking through what she calls the not-so-big house concept. She covers ways to make a home more livable and inviting as well as adding character without necessarily making it larger. This one is specifically about remodeling.

2. Timeless
This book is a long time favorite. It was well worth the investment for me as I often pour over the photos to pick out details that I love as well as read the text. It often gives me more confidence in choosing what I like, or will spark a new idea or confirm an idea. The homes in this book are so beautiful, they have really amazing architecture! They are also huge compared to my small home haha. Even so, I still feel so inspired by the design elements that I enjoy looking at them for classic ideas that I could incorporate them into my own home.

The author is Patrick Ahearn, I really respect his sensibilities and expertise as an architect.
Another thing I love about studying books is that it is an education! They can help you become discerning so you incorporate good design sensibilities and concepts into your own work or projects at home.

3. A Pattern Language
Speaking of books as an education, this book is totally different from most design books as it has no photos! It has some drawings and sketches and a lot of words. It’s a classic book, it’s been around for a long time! I find it so interesting to read, although in full disclosure I really have to concentrate to understand some of it. 🙂 But that’s a good thing as it stretches my mind!
If you like to consider why certain architectural choices or spaces in a home work, or why some feel right and some don’t, this one might spark your interest! The concepts he shares give you a lot to think about. Reading his ideas help make sense for why I’m drawn to certain homes and spaces and why others just don’t speak to me in the same way.
It also talks about communities and neighborhoods but I particularly enjoy the parts on homes. If you are like to study, or are remodeling, or building a new home, I recommend this one! For some reason it’s expensive on Amazon but maybe you can find it at a library or used!

4. The Great American House
This is a neat one for your coffee table! I think I might get more inspired looking at architecture books than decorating books when I’m remodeling. I just love looking at all the details in classic homes, from woodwork and ceilings to plumbing and floors.

5. A Place to Call Home
Of course, I can’t leave out this one. It is one of my all time faves. Gil Schafer is the architect and author of the previous book and this one. All of the homes/rooms featured aren’t my style, but I drool over so many of them that it’s always a joy to look through.

Do you like studying design books for inspiration? Hope you enjoyed a peek at a few of my favorites!
See more home and garden inspiration books I love HERE. More

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

Shopping for new things in a store or online can definitely be fun (especially when you’re excited about fall decorating or making your home cozier for winter!) but I think rearranging what you already have can be just as (if not more) rewarding! Do you agree?
If you’re new to decorating, I’m glad you are here to learn. Today I’ll let you in on my favorite decorating tip…a secret decor strategy you may have always wondered about (and I’ll talk a bit about why I moved my blue lamp to this room!)
Of course, if you’re a seasoned decorator, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you’ve been following me for years, you have watched me decorate this way over and over AND OVER AGAIN! It works and it’s fun, too. You’ve seen me decorate this way over time, through makeovers in a variety of rooms, homes, in all of the seasons.

When you are new to decorating, you might wonder (like I did years ago) if you have to buy things all the time in order to love your home. Have you wondered how some people’s styles can look so eclectic and unique, while some look almost identical to a few others you’ve seen?
Or maybe you’ve wondered if people have to redecorate to keep up with certain trends. Perhaps you have noticed how some people seem to pull together in room in a hurry without buying anything new. Maybe you (like I did!) wonder how others were able to afford all of that new furniture or decor!
It might seem like it’s all a mystery, or maybe just an endless cycle of spending a fortune is required to decorate or stay in style.
Sometimes people are able to spend a fortune on all new furniture or seasonal decor. It’s true. That’s one way to do it! But those of you who’ve been collecting their furniture or accessories over time know my style secret. Once you go this direction, it not only saves money but gives you a more unique and collected look that can stand the test of time. This secret offers you the opportunity to refresh your home every season without spending a fortune.

My secret decorating tip is to collect pieces you love over time. When you decorate this way, it’s fun to update a room even without buying new things because YOU LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE. When you chose wisely to begin with, your look doesn’t go out of style. You get to go shopping in your own home and quite often you’ll find just the right piece to complete a space or decorate for the new season.
And when you don’t have what you need but you have the funds to add to your collection or you find something special enough to buy, you can do that, too! Every time you add a new piece (or several) to what you’ve have collected over the years, you get a fresh updated new look and can quickly pull your home together in any season.
This is precisely what I’ve been doing in our new home, just like I have repeatedly in every home we’ve lived in. Sure, I might buy a new accessory, a rug, or even furniture if the budget allows and right item is discovered. But I also love when I do NOT have to buy something new. I enjoy mixing and matching and rearranging what I have until the room feels right to me.
If I stumble upon something somewhere that I love (or if what I have just does not work well in a new space), then hooray, I thoroughly enjoy adding the new item.
Source: Reversible Blanket on Back of Sofa
As you can see, I moved my blue glass lamp here from my upstairs office. I loved it upstairs (I love it in every room to be honest!), but I wanted a round lamp in this corner. I felt l like it needed a larger round lamp as a statement piece, but something that wouldn’t block the light from the window.
For a week or two I had a beautiful tiffany style lamp sitting there that we’ve had for several decades (and is apparently back in vogue!). We love it, but after living with it in that spot for awhile, I decided I’d like it better in the other corner. (Even if you’re a seasoned decorator, a lot of times decorating involves moving items around until you love them where they are!) So off I went to shop for something in my home that would work.
Turns out, the blue glass lamp was just right! It’s weighty enough to fill some of the space there, but airy enough to allow light and color from the outside window flows through the glass. I do miss this lamp upstairs, but I only have one so this spot took priority!
I bought that lamp on sale a few years ago for my last living room because it just felt like ME. Remember the blue glass lamp I made myself? I feel like blue glass lamps will always work somewhere in my home. Around the same time as the blue lamp was added, I bought this blue rug and now here they are, paired together again.
Buying new things over time expands your options and updates your current look. Pairing things you have collected over time, or with any new item you choose to get, is what creates your unique STYLE!
Do you like to decorate this way, too?
More Inspiration:
How to Decorate a Fall Mantel (Using What You Have)
Favorite Design Books + Video on Finding Your Style
How to Decorate: The Slow Process to a Style You’ll Love
Traditional and Collected Coastal Style: Get the Look
One Essential Decor Element You Probably Need More of In Your Home
The Secret to Finding Your Style and Feeling More at Home Where You Live
4 Important First Steps to Take When Designing a Room
My Decorating and Homemaking Books

Catch up on more posts in our Fall Nesting Series! More