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    Decorating with Fishing Baskets

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    Source: Whale Tail Hooks
    Over the past couple of years I’ve gathered a few fishing baskets. A few people asked about this basket in my kitchen from a recent post, so I thought I would share about my little collection.
    You can find similar baskets in my Amazon shop, or if you have secondhand shops near you stop in now and then to see if you can find one!
    I discovered my first one tucked into the back of a local vintage store before I knew they had a name. The unique shape of the basket just caught my eye!
    Baskets of any kind are wonderful for decorating and organizing, but these definitely have extra character and charm.
    Click here for basket sources
    Source: Whale Tail Hooks
    We have a larger fishing basket hanging in our mudroom right now. I noticed my husband is using it for some of the dog supplements! So clever :). Love that it has the long handle — I think a basket looks so charming on a hook.
    How to Style Open Shelving in a Kitchen (+ secret ingredients to add to the mix!)
    This one that we had the apples in my recent shelf styling post moves around the house all the time. It really comes in handy to hide or elevate the look of a room with useful things inside.
    Wall Sconce and Shade Details
    These baskets also look adorable with a plant or flowers. I love using unexpected pieces like this.

    We hung this one on our door (on this white rope) with plants in it for our fall porch! You can line a basket with a plastic bag or put flowers in jars or drinking glasses.
    Sources: Whale Wallpaper // Lighthouse Guest Towel (comes with a sailboat one as well)
    I love the texture, shape, character and multi-purpose function of these baskets, don’t you?

    I’ve even used them as a charming way to hide extra toilet paper in our powder bath!
    You can find several similar basket styles in my shop here.
    Happy decorating! More

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      How to Style Open Shelving in a Kitchen (+ secret ingredients to add to the mix!)

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

      Sources for above — click here
      Styling shelves can feel daunting, but it can be fun and less stressful when you know a few designer secrets for selecting the right items and how to style them.
      Here are some of my favorite tried and true tips for selecting items to display and how to style open shelving in a kitchen (or anywhere!).
      Botanical Plates // Brass Bells // Blue and White Chinoiserie Ginger Jar
      Pair practical and pretty
      I like to use both practical and pretty items decorate a kitchen. This philosophy is true of shelves, too. Often some of what I choose to display are pieces that are stored on the shelves because they are practical. They could be brought down off the shelves and used, such as a stack of plates, a pitcher or a basket.
      Seascape Art Print in This Wood Picture Frame //  This art print and others are in my Amazon Art and Frame Storefront // Blue and White Plates // Stoneware Crock
      Set the mood with a palette
      Determining a mood for your shelves will help you narrow down what you want on the shelves and ultimately brings everything together. The mood can be built around your style or the items you have to work with. It can be altered through the selection of colors and textures to give your shelves a more intentional, cohesive, streamlined look.
      A cohesive palette doesn’t mean everything has to match, or stay neutral or that you can’t use your favorite colors.
      Pick a mood word or two to describe the overall feeling you want to achieve. Do you want your shelves to reflect a certain season? What word would help you to describe the overall vibe? Moody? Happy? Colorful? Serene? To establish a strong mood, be intentional with what you add to the shelves. If something doesn’t contribute to the mood or is a distraction, it can go.
      Sources: Blue and White Chinoiserie Ginger Jar // Botanical Plates // Brass Bells // Favorite Cookbooks // Artificial Artichoke // Seascape Art Print in This Wood Picture Frame // This art print and others are in my Amazon Art and Frame Storefront
      A formula I use often in my home:
      A few shades of two colors + a wood and a white tone + a metal tone. Any additional hues are included in small doses.
      On the top two shelves you can see I used shades of blues and greens with mid-tone woods and whites. Then I included a few very small pops of reds and yellows only within the dishes on the plate rack.
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Planter Pot on Shelf // Seascape Art Print in This Wood Picture Frame
      Use unmatched + unexpected
      While you certainly can style shelves with one kitchen collection for impact, such as a matching set of dishes or all cookbooks, you can also mix pieces that don’t necessarily match or are unexpected in a kitchen. This makes it easier and more affordable to change the look through the seasons and show off smaller or growing collections in fresh ways.
      Mismatched pieces can look pleasing together because they all contribute to the mood and color palette you’ve selected. While it can be nice in a kitchen to display every day items on my open shelves I like to include pieces that aren’t necessarily just “kitchen related.”
      I use various collected or vintage items, interesting textures, a few plants, books, faux or real organic elements like florals, vegetables or plant stems, as well as artwork and vessels.

      Blend a mix of sizes and shapes
      Rounds, cylinders, rectangles, spikey or feathery shapes … blend together elements with opposite or unique shapes to add interest! Don’t use too many small items, but a couple of smalls will make the overall look more pleasing, interesting and natural.

      Pair, Lean and Layer
      To make mismatched pieces look more intentional and cohesive on shelves, practice the pair, lean and layer techniques. Start in the back. Depending on the length or height of your shelves, you may be able to lean a piece or two against the back wall of the shelves. Artwork and large platters or plates work well for this. Then layer / slightly overlap some pieces in front of others. Pair different heights, allowing some breathing space. Try to style three items together at least once for a cohesive grouping. Combine textures and colors for style and function — for example, placing apples in a basket.
      Kitchen Hardware // More Kitchen Details
      Step back and look
      Does the overall look feel natural and pleasing? Step back to look around the room, too, not just directly at the shelves. If it’s too cluttered or crowded or not interesting enough for your taste, nudge items around, add or take away colors, sizes or shapes, until you like the way it feels!

      Would you like to go behind the scenes of my home and be a part of a community of like-minded home lovers? Join me in real time each week to get insights into creating a sanctuary you love. You will learn my simple homemaking and decorating tips, be able to ask questions and get help decorating your home! Join us in HomeBody Gathering Place!

      Click here for mood board sources (and see more below)
      Botanical Plates
      Brass Bells
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Ginger Jar
      Seascape Art Print in This Wood Picture Frame // I ordered this art here because I wanted a specific size but you can also get these prints (and others) HERE on Amazon in a variety of sizes and some already framed as well!
      Blue and White Plates
      Stoneware Crock
      Favorite Cookbooks
      Artificial Artichoke
      Kitchen Hardware
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Planter Pot on Shelf
      Basket plant is in (pineapple lidded basket)
      Paint color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
      Kitchen Tour and Details
      Shop More of My House and Style
      Shop My Amazon Favorites More

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      in Style Tips

      How to Get the Look of a Nancy Meyers Kitchen

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      I have always loved the cozy timeless homes featured in Nancy Meyers movies such as Father of the Bride and Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Complicated.
      Increasingly I’ve been receiving messages on social media from people saying they spotted my new kitchen in several online “inspiration” videos and Pinterest boards that people have labeled as the “Nancy Meyers Aesthetic.” Two more showing my kitchen were messaged to me just today, so it seems that I’ve inadvertently captured a trending “Nancy Meyers” style in my own home. I do love this classic look and always have. I’m happy to hear that people love a timeless look as much as I do (but of course I wish people would at least credit my photos when they feature them.)
      I know it helps to break elements of a room down so you can see what it is that achieves a certain style, so that’s what we’ll do here today!
      Sources: Rattan Cart // Click here for all above sources
      The real magic behind “Nancy Meyers” style in many of these movies is that her kitchens are always feel so warm and welcoming. Don’t you agree? They feel like a place where people want to gather and make memories. Each kitchen is different, but there are some common threads that make these spaces feel like home to so many people.
      Choose appropriate architectural elements
      If a kitchen renovation is on the horizon for you, I think one of the keys to getting this “come in and make yourself at home” style is in selecting a mix of classic, interesting elements that are also appropriate for the home.
      In each Nancy Meyers movie, you can sense the feeling of being welcomed into the home as you go from room to room and into the kitchen. If the kitchen style didn’t make any sense with the rest of the home, you’d feel like you walked onto a different set! To get that same feeling in a real home, the elements chosen for a kitchen should make sense within the style and context of the rest of the home.
      The style of my own home was influenced by traditional cottages on Nantucket. We carried this same style through to our kitchen with choices that will make our home feel cohesive and welcoming for years to come.
      Architecture is a place where you can get creative in a renovation, but you really want to select elements that will make you feel at home there years from now, too. We’re still talking about Nancy Meyers movie kitchens decades later!
      Sources: Wood Oval Tray // Scalloped Lampshade Lamp and more
      Incorporate elements that aren’t pretentious
      Nancy Meyers kitchens are very nice, but they never feel pretentious!
      Regardless of your style you want to add a mix of elements that will feel warm and inviting so they feel lived in.
      For our new kitchen, we chose timeless elements such as honed Carrara marble and soapstone. A nickel faucet. Tongue and groove paneling. Creamy white cabinets in a traditional style. Timeless elements can feel classy yet unpretentious. They always feel like a home that has been around awhile, rather than one designed around the newest looks from a designer show room.
      It is true that organic finishes such as marble or soapstone will show the patina of age. While many people fear those signs of life, I embrace them because to me patina from daily use feels more welcoming and unpretentious. I wanted our own kitchen to feel like it has been in our family for years. Those signs of life will simply be evidence that our kitchen is enjoyed and has been a gathering place for family. (I wrote more about our countertop decision in this post.)
      Sources: Farmhouse Sink // Nickel Faucet (linked the same brand, finish and style of faucet I have but I bought mine through deVOL Kitchens, it appears to be a special deVOL edition and the price I paid was far less than the version on Amazon) // Rug: World Market (washable, Niko Blue and Rust Distressed Rug) or here is another similar washable rug, and one other similar rug // Kitchen Hardware // Brass Pendant Lights (other finish available)
      Include an inviting center island
      You sense that a Nancy Meyers kitchen is a gathering place. Whether it is large or small, or built in or free standing, center islands offer a sense of invitation. Islands are a destination where people can gather around to help in the kitchen or talk about the events of the day.

      Add nooks for display
      Nancy Meyers kitchens feel lived in by real people! Built ins or free standing furniture such as a little nooks or shelves, a bar cart, bookcase, plate rack or china hutch will bring a sense of personality, warmth and character which is essential in the “Nancy Meyers” kitchen aesthetic.
      We added several book nooks in our renovation so we can have our collection of books and cookbooks, art and other pretty pieces within reach and to add style through the ever-evolving seasons.
      Favorite Cookbooks // Favorite Home and Garden Design Inspiration Books
      Sources: Toile Cafe Curtain and how I hung it // See the stool niche behind the curtain here // Click here for all above sources
      Try Touchable Textures
      A variety of touchable textures help create more interest in a kitchen. Look for ways to bring in softness, color and personality through fabrics, curtains or rugs. In our kitchen we added rugs, pillows on the nearby banquette bench, as well as cafe curtains on our “stool niche” and window. We also incorporate a variety of other textures that add to the “touch-ability factor” such as such as a mix of marble, bamboo, rattan, soapstone, and wood.
      Click here for above sources
      Bring in plants and flowers
      Flowers and plants bring a sense of life to a kitchen which creates a more welcoming atmosphere. Put them into collected vases, pitchers and pots for an additional sense of character.
      Source: Rattan Basket
      Set out bowls of fruit and vegetables
      A bowl of fruit or vegetables adds to the simple charm of a lived in kitchen. Whether they are real or not, they make you feel like this is kitchen where people cook and eat real food!
      Sources: Toaster (color options) // Gold Frame // Kitchen Hardware
      Decorate with plates
      Plates are a classic element that can be used for more than just a meal! Hang them on the wall, stack them on a shelf or a plate rack to give it that charming “we live here” Nancy Meyers’ kitchen mood.
      Related Post: How I Hang Plates, Platters, and Bowls on the Wall
      Put every day on display
      A Nancy Meyers kitchen doesn’t feel cluttered or messy, but a glimpse into the every day lives of the people who work in that space makes it feel so much more like home. Hide what isn’t attractive but if your toaster is pretty, don’t hesitate to leave it out! If you use your stand mixer often, let it sit on the counter.
      Incorporating glass front cabinets for pretty items you don’t use as often will help items stay clean but still allows you to enjoy them as part of your decor.
      Place cooking or serving tools into stylish crocks, baskets or other containers. This adds style and but also organization and practicality where everything needed is within reach.
      And no need to fear of everything getting dusty. Items stay cleaner when you use and wash them often so if dust is a concern, reserve display for every day items!
      Find kitchen accessories here in my Amazon Storefront and more at the end of this post!
      Sources: Pendant Lights (similar to mine) // My Pendants
      Invite in lighting
      Pendants over islands, wall sconces or lamps on a counter are an opportunity to add personality as well as make a kitchen feel warm and welcoming even at night.
      Paint cabinets
      A soft or creamy white cabinet never goes out of style. You see them in several of Nancy Meyers movies. Her own real life kitchen is a soft white, so similar to the Something’s Gotta Give kitchen! We chose a soft creamy white for our English Tudor kitchen years ago and I still love that classic look today so we chose it again in our current kitchen!
      Paint is a “simple” way to update any kitchen. Not always cheap or easy, but much simpler than a renovation.
      White isn’t the only option for a Nancy Meyers look, try a color you love. Or mix in traditional wood tones for cabinets or islands!
      Someone had messaged me years ago after seeing “The Intern” movie because the kitchen cabinet color and subway tile reminded her of my own kitchen at the time. My kitchen had been updated before the movie ever came out. Dark painted cabinets were not yet trending at the time of my renovation, but I just felt like that darker color contrasted with classic white subway tile is what my builder grade kitchen needed. The email sender was convinced my kitchen inspired Nancy’s movie kitchen! Wouldn’t that be funny? Perhaps it did. The power of Pinterest …. and classic kitchens.
      My cabinet and wall paint color is Classic Light Buff by Sherwin Williams.

      Keep it classic
      I’ve loved designing all of my kitchens with classic elements and I love them all still! Over the past 17 or so years I’ve been messaged about ALL of my kitchens at one time or another feeling like a Nancy Meyers kitchen. We definitely share a love of classic kitchens! (Take a tour of my last kitchen here, and the kitchen before that here)
      The truth is that a Nancy Meyers kitchen incorporates the elements of so many classic kitchens that have been around for ages, long before the movies came out. Yet it is so fun that we can all watch and rewatch these movies and fall in love with them over and over again. They are timeless so they will continue to be loved by so many! These kitchens have captured our hearts and the longing we all have for our homes to be warm and welcoming.
      I hope you are inspired by all the ways you can create a kitchen you love by incorporating classic elements found in the Nancy Meyers aesthetic.

      Sources:
      White Lamp with Scalloped Shade (several color options and 2 size options)
      Patterned Rug (washable)
      Brass Hanging Bells
      Bamboo Roman Shades (see photos of these in our home here)
      Spode Blue and White Sugar Bowl
      Blue and White Striped Linen Napkins
      Stoneware Crock
      Wood Salt and Pepper Mills
      Cookbook
      Wood Cutting Board
      White and Wood Kitchen Island (Freestanding)
      Tea Kettle (many color options)
      Landscape Artwork
      Woven Scalloped Bowl
      Pendant Lights (similar to mine)
      Faux Boxwood Topiary
      Looking for more of my kitchen sources and details? Find them in my Kitchen Reveal + tour post here!
      More Get the Look Sources below (click the thumbnails for details): More

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      Coordinating Fall Pillow Combinations + Neutral Pillows for Any Season

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      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!
      Click here for above sources
      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):

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      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

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      How to Fall in Love with Your Room (+ Our New Living Room Arrangement Using What We Have)

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      It’s that time of year when we all want our living spaces to be cozy, welcoming and comfortable. We want to love our homes. But as you look around your room, do you ever have a nagging feeling that something is “off” but you don’t know exactly what it is? I definitely have! Perhaps you’ve considered getting rid of everything you have so you can start over with new things you love. I’ll admit that thought has crossed my mind a time or two.
      Sources: Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies!)
      I’m a fan of using what you have when possible and not always buying new things.
      But sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to put the furniture you have, or how to combine what you have in a new way or a new room. And how to determine when you just need something new!
      Did you know years ago I wrote a book called But Where Do I Put the Couch? with KariAnne Wood from Thistlewood Farms? Seems like I should be an expert on answering that age old question of where a couch should go in a room, but as is often the case with design, the best answer is often found through trial, error and experimentation rather than in a universal set of rules to to follow.
      I think we need to give ourselves freedom to try new things, to break the rules and just arrange furniture in a way that is best for the room! This way your room will be better designed for you and make more sense.
      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 // No link for those toys on the floor, ha!
      I am happy to say I stand by my advice in the book (which is not just about where to put the couch, by the way! It’s so much more than that! It answers 101 actual decorating questions from readers like you! Read all about it here).
      But even if we know the rules, break the rules or both, we can still feel stuck. I get stuck, too.
      Case in point.
      I was so excited when our renovation was nearly complete because I finally got to arrange furniture and get settled. But my enthusiasm soon turned to a slump. I just wasn’t feeling like the living room was coming together.
      It wasn’t the backdrops at all. I was grateful for this newly refreshed space and love our paint colors and new flooring. Love the new feel and layout of our main floor. I still planned to get blinds in the living room, and I knew we’d get those soon.
      Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug // Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold) // Pleated Lampshade // Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa // Dining Room Details
      While I was stumped at how to solve the furniture arrangement, a little voice in my head told me to STOP DROP AND ROLL.
      Catchy, yes? You’re welcome. A little lesson we all learned in kindergarten.
      This time though, there was no fire to put out.
      Just a little crisis in my head, but nothing STOP DROP AND ROLL can’t handle!
      STOP scrolling for more ideas that just overwhelm or confuse you.
      DROP the idea that shopping is the only way to solve problems.
      Get out of your head so you can get ROLLING!
      Sources: Blue and White Flower Pot // Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table // Lidded Basket on Right // Round Black Art // Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
      Even though I felt stumped — like I already tried every combination or arrangement, I told myself I needed to get up and try again. If I didn’t like it, no problem, I could just move it all right back. If nothing else, it could give me clarity on what it was I needed so I could make a better decision.
      It was time to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
      I turned on my Fall Puttering Playlist, got my comfy tennies on, and started moving the furniture all around the room. I tried every possibility, even the ones I was pretty sure I wouldn’t love. But you never know until you try!
      Several arrangements later…it suddenly clicked! This felt right. Cozy, inviting, and pleasant for conversation. Funny enough, this is the arrangement I tried FIRST! I promptly dismissed it previously because when I tried it before, the dining room was still under construction.
      Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug
      Here’s another handy tip. Don’t judge a room when it is under construction (or in a mess as the case might be). I can often look past a mess but this time, I made a quick judgement that was incorrect. I thought it was too crowded, but I am so glad I gave the arrangement another chance once the mess was picked up.
      There is plenty of room to get around, and the couch there gives each room a cozier feeling! It works! Best of all, I was so happy I was able to use what I already had! All I had to do was try and try again.
      Stop drop and roll.
      Sources: Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
      Once I fell in love with how the room felt with the furniture this way, it gave me ideas of things I had in other rooms that could serve a new purpose in this space. Our ottomans seemed too big and there were just too many legs in the room with four more on an ottoman (although I might try again, or maybe just get a new one someday). But I brought down a basket trunk I had up in the Snug and much to my surprise, it worked just fine in front of the couch!
      We love how the room feels now. I’m so glad I didn’t give up!
      If you’ve followed along here for awhile, you’ll recognize that many of these pieces are ones I’ve had for years and years and have used in many different ways in several homes!
      If you’re not feeling the love for your home, maybe it’s not your home or your furniture!
      Maybe you just need to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
      Source: Jute + Cotton Rug
      Hope this inspires you today! If you try a new arrangement in your home, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @theinspiredroom. In my HomeBody Gathering Place membership group I share in depth on decorating and creating a sanctuary through custom mini-courses and workshops.
      Join the waitlist HERE (homebodygatheringplace.com) to join us when we open HomeBody Gathering Place again!
      Find more inspiration and encouragement for your home in my books, including Love the Home You Have, The Inspired Room, and Simply Home. Find all my books here.

      Jute + Cotton Rug – with this rug pad
      Plaid Arm Chair
      Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
      Waffle Weave Blanket on back of chair
      Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies)
      Blue and White Flower Pot
      Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table
      Lidded Woven Basket by fireplace
      Wicker Trunk
      Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold)
      Pleated Lampshade
      Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa
      Brown Gingham Pillow
      Wingback Chair
      Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar
      Clam Shell (similar) and other sources
      Dining Room Details
      My Battery Operated Candles
      Blue paint color: Beach Glass Benjamin Moore
      White paint color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
      Find more sources from my home and more decor I love in my shops! More

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      Latest Amazon Finds for the Home (Fall Decor and More in The Inspired Room Amazon Storefront!)

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

      Decorating and organizing a home takes time, but today I’m here to help simplify the process and save you money with tips for using The Inspired Room Amazon Storefront!
      We find many lovely and practical finds for the home on Amazon in each season. Scroll below to see many of our most recent finds, with beautiful fall mood boards and decorating ideas for your home.
      But first, let me share three handy but simple tips for finding what you need using The Inspired Room Amazon storefront!

      1. HOW TO FIND THE INSPIRED ROOM AMAZON STOREFRONT:
      You can check out ALL of my Amazon finds here in my storefront with categorized folders that are updated often. By checking out my personally curated Amazon storefront, you will not only know where to begin shopping but I can help you simplify the process of decorating and organizing your home.
      You can also type in this URL amazon.com/shop/theinspiredroomshop OR just come to the blog theinspiredroom.net and scroll down a bit until you see my Amazon Storefront banner. Click the banner and you’ll be there!

      2. WHERE TO FIND THE ITEMS I HAVE IN MY HOME:
      This folder of my storefront features things I personally own (or are very similar) from Amazon. I know it can be helpful to see things in real life, so I also try to add photos and videos of these pieces in our home here.

      3. HOW TO USE MY HANDY AMAZON SHOP SEARCH BAR FEATURE:
      Searching through thousands of products feels overwhelming. In addition to using my shop folders to find my favorites, you can use the search bar within my storefront to search for anything specific you’re looking for. The search bar within my shop will automatically pull up my related recommendations (for example: type “basket” and it will give you folders of my ideas, my mood boards, and photos from my home that feature baskets available).
      Searching within my storefront is like having me right there to guide you! See the screenshot of my shop page above, simply type in your search term in the box where it says Search all posts. Using my storefront search bar will save you so much time wandering around, or wondering which item to choose, or trying to find what you need! I hope this tip helps! 🙂
      FOLLOW MY STOREFRONT!Click the blue follow button on my storefront to stay in the loop of what I share in the future!
      Scroll down to enjoy these mood boards featuring some of my latest finds below, I hope these give you inspiration today for your own home!
      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for above sources

      Click here for the above sources
      Click here for above sources
      Click here for above sources
      See ALL my latest Amazon finds here in my storefront!
      …or head to my Shop page here to find sources from my home and more decor from a variety of online sites!

      Subscribe to my newsletter to receive home inspiration and encouragement right to your inbox! More

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      My New Rattan Serving Cart (how I’ll use it in my kitchen + why I’m so excited about it!)

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      Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!) // Brass Ceiling Light // (see more sources at end of post)
      A few weeks ago I had an epiphany that led me to (unexpectedly but excitedly) buy a rattan serving cart! I am SO thrilled with it! The truth is I didn’t plan to add ANY furniture (except our dining table and chairs) when we designed our kitchen and dining room.
      Sometimes you don’t really know how a room will come together until:
      1) you start trying various arrangements, or2) you’re in it (not just looking at it on paper)
      That is how this rattan serving cart ended up in this special spot in our home! It was meant to be. Today I’ll share more about this serendipitous addition to our kitchen and dining area, why it works well for us, how we’ll use it and what this added piece brings to design-wise our space!
      Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      While I love free standing furniture for storage and adding character to a room, as we were designing our kitchen and dining room we realized it really wouldn’t make sense to incorporate furniture (other than the table and chairs). We didn’t have many walls to work with (all of the three main rooms are smallish and open/connected to each other, plus two of the walls are filled with French doors), so we chose to use the available wall space in the dining room and kitchen for built-ins.
      This decisions and arrangement really helped us to maximize floor space, as well as improve storage and function in an “open” layout, and I can’t wait to share more of the details and the whole renovation in the reveal!
      Sources: Blue and White Ginger Jar // Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      As I mentioned, the rattan cart wasn’t in the original design plan. Yet it serendipitously turned out to be the perfect piece for our room and looks so charming with the island, too! I love when a room comes together organically. I always expect a space evolve as we live in it, but that means you don’t always get to know in advance exactly how that will happen. You have to TRUST it will come together in time! And often if I’m patient, slowly but surely room will reveal to me what it wants :).
      A few months ago I did an inspiration blog post on rattan bar carts, never imagining at the time that we would ever have room for one ourselves!
      I knew I loved the look and had seen so many ways to use rattan carts (plus my mom had a rattan cart in her home for YEARS!), so there was no question I would love one in my home. Yet it wasn’t until I was finally standing in my new dining room one day, observing the space we had available that I could imagine how a small cart would be perfect. It would not only work space-wise with the table and chairs in place, but feels like a “meant-to-be” design decision!
      Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      To be certain we would like it there, we brought in a similar cart (the one we got this summer for the porch). It wasn’t the right size (just a wee bit too big, but every inch counts), but it confirmed that we would love a similar piece in that spot. Now if we could find just the right size, color and shape we’d be set!
      I was so excited because I immediately found a rattan serving cart that checked all of the boxes, so I ordered it on the spot (and bonus I had a $50 credit and it was on sale!). MEANT TO BE!
      It is really is a wonderful addition to our kitchen/dining area in so many ways. Not too big, not too small. I love how it brings a subtle shift and connection in the function from the “kitchen side” to the “dining area.” It also brings together and adds to all of our warm toned textures, from the cutting boards and the wood flooring to the metal fixtures over the island. I also love the way it contrasts with the natural stones and soft creamy cabinets. It feels just right, so warm, homey and inviting, like I planned for it to be there all along.
      I think many times, that’s the best way to design a room. It can turn out even BETTER when you don’t plan every detail to begin with! It is fun when you find that unexpected piece, or there is an element of surprise with how it came together, or when you simply have the joy of watching it evolve and become your own over time.
      Similar Wood Handle Flatware
      This is what I hoped for in our kitchen. I wanted the overall design to feel welcoming, classic and timeless, as if it always been here in our family. Yet in order to feel like it’s truly always been with us and will be for years to come, it would naturally evolve because we would enjoy it and live in it.
      While it’s a new kitchen and a new serving cart, every day it’s feeling more and more like a family home we’ve always loved and always will.
      So how will we use the rattan cart and what is on it now?
      Blue Rug // Rattan Serving Cart (on sale!)
      I can’t wait to use this rattan cart in different ways and of course, share it with you each season. Besides looking really cute, it is so handy to hold things we may need day to day, like a stack of cloth napkins, our favorite little trays and various trivets, some coasters, a small wood cutting board, a vase for flowers and wood flatware that not only looks so pretty on display but it handy to grab from the table. Plus it is fun to be able to lean art (which we did on the lower shelf!) or set potted plants, display seasonal decor or foliage, or even to set up with dishes or desserts to serve at family gathering! We can also move the cart around to other places as needed.
      Happy start to the fall nesting season, friends! We’re enjoying getting more settled and comfortable in our home every day. It’s the ideal season for all things cozy, so stay tuned as I’ll have so much to share with you! Thank you for being here!

      Rattan serving cart (on sale!)
      Striped blue and white cloth napkins
      Round rattan trays
      Blue and white ginger jar (see more of my blue and white favorites on Amazon here)
      Similar wood handle flatware
      Woven charger placemats (see more woven chargers and other entertaining supplies in this folder of my Amazon shop)
      Blue rug
      Brass ceiling light (see our kitchen design mood board here for more sources)
      Black and white pattern crock is an old kitchen canister, out of stock but find similar in this Kitchen Jars & Canisters folder
      Cabinet color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
      Flooring: real European White Oak hardwood, engineered. I unfortunately don’t have a link to them — they were purchased through a local store and have no brand name I can find online.
      See our most recent renovation update here.

      Rattan Bar Carts inspiration rooms
      My flea market find rattan shelf (still have this, now in our guest room!)
      My rattan daybed (this is now in our Snug which has been recently rearranged after getting new floors, I’ll share that soon!)
      Inspiration: Rattan and Bamboo Accent Furniture
      My “Rattan Love” Pinterest board with inspiration photos
      My outdoor serving cart (+ simple gathering inspiration)

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      in Style Tips

      Whimsical Decorating Style

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

      I love rooms that are designed with a sense of playfulness and light-heartedness, or when they have something quirky in them, even if it is subtle! A whimsical style can make a house feel like a happy home! Whimsy offers character and personality, while eliminating pretentiousness, stuffiness or seriousness that is sometimes a part of the design world. I think we sometimes lose our sense of childhood wonder when we grow older, so while some might long for a more serious or “grown up home” others want to retain a sense of youthfulness and amusement and express that through their home.
      Sometimes you can immediately spot something fanciful in a room, but other times it can be a delightful surprise to discover whimsical elements that are incorporated more subtly into a room.
      Whimsical decor might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it is fun! We’ve incorporated a sense of whimsy in one way or another to all of our homes over the years, whether it was through splashes of happy colors, patterns or accessories. Today I wanted to share a few examples from our past few homes and talk about our decorating plans for our current home!
      Map Source
      Some of our OG blogging community might remember my DIY Map Wallpaper in this little hall. It was a spur of the moment idea, but I think often that is how some of the most charming whimsical designs come together. If you overthink too much you might chicken out :).

      I fell in love with these curtains years ago and have kept them with me every move since. If this colorful pattern isn’t whimsical, I don’t know what is! I haven’t found the right place for them in our new home, but rest assured they will appear somewhere. Probably in an upstairs bedroom or hallway.
      (I got these curtains HERE years ago, they have several similar here. I’ll share a few at the end of this post with other whimsical decor!).

      Another fun way to add whimsy to your decor is to bring a sense of childlike fun to your home. For example, I adore animals. We always have charming animal figurines, lamps, drawer pulls and art around our home. While we don’t have kids at home any more, that doesn’t mean we have to have an overly serious adult style house. We still are kids at heart :). However, we use restraint in how much whimsy we bring into a room and choose whimsical pieces that have a bit of class — we want it to complement our overall style.
      Artwork Source
      I also love to tell a story with our decor. Since I adore animals, I enjoy picturing the entire scene where animals might live, such as a meadow or enchanted garden or any type of fairytale setting. That visual image in my mind or on a mood board makes it extra fun to choose additional accessories that help create that scene.
      I feel like this whimsical artwork I got recently is how I view life. 🙂
      I also LOVE living by the sea. I’ve always enjoyed bringing in coastal art and decor wherever we’ve lived. It fuels my imagination as I picture the setting of a quaint home on the shores of the sea. Now we truly do live on the shores of the sea, but I still love to use my imagination for how I want our home to feel.

      Scalloped patterns always feel subtly whimsical to me. This scalloped rattan tray and blue and white scalloped trim pitcher (an antique I found recently) are fun new touches of whimsy in our home! The whale tail wood spreaders (similar here) peeking out of the pitcher make me smile, too.
      We’re just finishing up a remodel of our current home so we haven’t decorated yet, but I can’t wait to bring in my whimsical decorating style. We intentionally chose traditional elements as a timeless backdrop for the ever evolving seasons and things we love. Some of the whimsical elements might be so subtle that no one else will notice or know the story of what they are looking at, but the important thing in decorating isn’t what other people think or see, it’s what your home FEELS like to you!
      Fabric source – click here
      We can’t wait to start decorating with accessories and fabrics! In fact, we already bought our first “whimsical style-setting” fabric which features all of the colors we’ll use! Shades of blues, greens, golds, whites and a soft blush pink. Soon I’ll be able to bring in our other accessories and have fun styling each season.
      Do you enjoy whimsical decorating? What are the things you love?

      Whimsical Decor:

      Sources: Meadow Print // Whale Platter // Neutral Floral Rug // Bunny Wallpaper // Scallop Pillow (color options) // Animal Dessert Plates // Accent Chair // Blue Table Lamp Set of 2 // Star Light Sconce (shade options) // Scallop Rattan Tray // Polka Dot Basket (color options) // Spiral Candle

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      2 Mood Boards for Our Home (with a touch of whimsy!):

      Sources for above left mood board /// Sources for above right mood board
      More Whimsical Decor (click images below for details):

      Related Posts:
      5 Whimsical Happy Rooms: Sunday Strolls & Scrolls
      Bunny Accessories I Love
      How to Decorate to Bring Happiness to Your Home
      Inspired By: Scalloped Patterns in Decor and Furniture More

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      in Style Tips

      How to Turn Your Home into A Sanctuary

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

      When I began The Inspired Room in 2007, my “tagline” was Refining Your Home for Authentic Living. While I don’t use that tagline now, it certainly remains true to my philosophy of home. While we certainly have embarked on some bigger renovations over the years, I actually find the most joy in the smaller refinements that can be made to one’s surroundings. I believe it’s the refining process that can make any house your home.

      REFINE: improve (something) by making small changes, in particular make (an idea, theory, or method) more subtle and accurate.

      When we understand how to refine our surroundings and know how to make the appropriate adjustments, the impact on the room will be significant in all of the ways that truly matter.

      Designing a picture perfect space is not the same process as creating a sanctuary. A sanctuary is a place of refuge where you feel at peace.
      Even if you create a picture perfect scene in your home, a photo cannot tell the whole story of how you actually feel in your surroundings. You are the one who can write that personal story and feel the impact of it every day.
      To create a true sense of sanctuary, you must learn how to refine the details that will make a difference to you and the people who live there. Those details could in time make it picture perfect (when it’s all clean and the lighting is just right!) but more importantly each refinement will begin to make your home a reflection of you and transform how you feel when you’re there.

      When you learn how to refine a room in this way, you can go through this design process with what you have and can gather over time. You will know exactly what decisions need to be made each season in order to bring all of your senses into harmony! These refinements are what will finally invite you to exhale and experience a sense of peace in your surroundings.
      Would you like to learn how to do this in your own home?
      I’m thrilled to invite you to my brand new workshop in HomeBody Gathering Place called Room Recipe where I will teach you the exact ingredients every room needs to feel like a sanctuary!
      In this custom workshop, my daughters and I will teach you how to use these ingredients and apply my tried and true design formula to each room in your home.

      With our Room Recipe design principles, you will be able to turn any room into the sanctuary you’ve always wanted.
      This summer I’m offering this brand new workshop free to members of the HomeBody Gathering Place community. We want to walk with you step by step! We make the adventure to a sanctuary attainable and personal through membership in the HomeBody Gathering Place.
      For less than the cost of one design regret (which we can help you avoid!) HGP members get access to all of our custom resources designed for people like YOU, printables that you can use for home planning, art and inspiration, as well as our community support.
      Everything we offer in HomeBody Gathering Place is to inspire you and give you support as you’re creating a sanctuary!
      However, we are only opening our community for two more days, so I hope you’ll hop in today and join us!

      How it works:

      We go through one relevant topic and activity at a time together, so you can learn and can make progress real time! The weekly and seasonal format and commitment is simple and doable. You can go at your own pace in any season, so you’re never behind!
      Every mini-course or workshop we offer is designed to be adapted and personalized to you and your home. You do not need to have a certain design style, our principles can be (and should be!) applied to what speaks to you.

      No matter what type of home you live in, or what season of life you’re in, if you want to create a sanctuary, you belong in HomeBody Gathering Place! More