Style Tips

Subterms

    More stories

    • 100 Shares189 Views

      in Style Tips

      Coastal Grandmother Decorating with Amazon Finds (Mood Boards)

      by

      A few days ago I shared about “Coastal Grandmother Style”. No beach house or grandchildren required, ha! Coastal Grandmother was recently coined on TikTok as a style that is all about romanticizing your life. It embraces the easy breezy coastal decorating vibes of homes portrayed in the Nancy Meyers’ movies we all fell in love with for their sets. I think we all love the home in the movie Something’s Gotta Give!
      Decorate in Coastal Grandmother Style
      Many of us here relate to this style or have been living the “coastal grandmother” lifestyle for years (even if we didn’t know what to call it, aren’t to grandma status, or even if the beach house has only been in our dreams).
      If you want to decorate your home to have a similar coastal feel, I rounded up some decor finds on Amazon that I think fit right in.
      You’ll find my “Coastal Grandmother Decorating Style” idea list in my Amazon Storefront HERE, and three mood boards below!
      Do you like these mood boards? I love them and find them so inspiring.
      All sources for the mood boards are linked below (everything is from Amazon!).

      Sources for above (click the images and links below for details):

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      Gold Wall Sconce with Linen Shade (Set of 2) – I have these in my home and use these rechargeable light bulbs (see details here)
      Wooden Sailboat
      Sailboat Nautical Gold Framed Artwork
      Rattan Table Lamp
      Faux Potted Plant
      Coastal Blues: Guide to Decorating with the Colors of the Sea and Sky (see my video and post about favorite coffee table design books and finding your style HERE)
      Slipcovered White Sofa
      Blue Ticking Pattern Pillows Set of 2
      Blue and White Floral Porcelain Ginger Jar Pot
      Ivory and Blue Striped Cotton Rug
      White Spindle Accent Chair
      Deep Wicker Storage Trunk

      Sources for above (click the images and links below for details):

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      A Boat, A Whale, and A Walrus Cookbook
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Table Lamp with Gold
      Ship Painting with Gold Frame
      White Adirondack Chair – Weather Resistant
      Blue Modish Glass Bottle
      Nautical Rope Knot Door Stop
      Blue Faux Hydrangeas
      Wooden Model Sailboat
      Blue Herringbone Faux Cashmere Throw Blanket
      Cast Iron Whale Wall Hooks – Set of 3 (I have these!)
      Blue and White Decorative Flower Pots – Set of 3

      Sources for above (click the images and links below for details):

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      Rattan Table Lamp with Shade
      Blue Recycled Glass Carafe Bottle
      Coastal Ship Gold Framed Wall Art
      Black Wall Sconces with Shades – Set of 2
      Blue and White Striped Tassel Pillow
      Blue Tufted Upholstered Arm Chair
      Wood / Cane Round Accent Side Table
      Natural Fiber Jute/Sisal Area Rug with Gray Trim
      Rattan Rectangular Storage Lidded Basket
      A Lovely Life: Savoring Simple Joys in Every Season (my new book which unbeknownst to me, aligns perfectly with this “Coastal Grandmother” trend! A Lovely Life book is about savoring the simple pleasures of home (like a Coastal Grandmother…ha!).
      Blue and White Porcelain Ceramic Mugs – Set of 4 (I have these!)
      Wool and Cashmere Throw Blanket with Tassels (blue, other color options available)
      Brass Whale Paperweight
      See more in my “Coastal Grandmother Style” idea list in my Amazon Storefront HERE! More

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Style Tips

      How to Decorate a Room with Color (While Keeping the Mood Simple and Calm)

      by

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

      Do you like decorating with color? Or do you prefer neutrals? I appreciate so many types of rooms. I sense the beauty in rooms with primarily neutrals and a serene organic look…and I also feel so happy when I see rooms with fun little pops of color…as well as rooms bursting with color all over!
      Perhaps you know you are a tried and true neutral fan, or a color-for-life fan. Or, maybe you’re like me and you love BOTH, so which one should you choose for your own home?
      The good news? You don’t have to choose! In my own home, I love to include color, but still strive for an overall sense of calm. I sometimes have a little more fun with color in certain rooms, and then transition into a room with a calmer palette. I also give myself freedom to change things up with my whims!
      There really are no rules, so if you love color but see your favorites on the “what not to do list” in any given year, or if someone says the style you love the most is going to be a passing trend, don’t worry!
      Ultimately your style should be all about what YOU and your family love for your home.
      If you are like me and want to add more color to your home while keeping the overall mood simple and calm…here are a few inspiration rooms along with my design observations and takeaway tips!

      This room uses a lighter muted wall color with fun pops of color! Color was brought in through furniture with the sky blue painted armoire and fun orange painted chairs. Accents like a bouquet of cheery sunflowers, green and white patterned pillows and chair cushions, and an orange throw blanket wrap color around the room.
      Using neutral elements as well like the eclectic mix of baskets and pottery bring in a natural calm feeling. Whitewashed wood floors keep the whole space light and airy. The connected room is a bright bold blue, but with white paneling below.

      This space brings in spring green with the muted green and white patterned wallpaper, dried hydrangeas, a stack of springy beach towels, and landscape artwork. Simple off-white wall trim and wood floors keep the atmosphere calm. Natural texture was brought in with straw hats hanging on simple white peg hooks and the large woven basket! A tiny pop of extra color comes in with a blue ribbon on one of the hats. I love how that one simple touch pairs the color with the neutral texture. Adorable!

      This cheery space uses white paneled walls with a bright turquoise painted wood floor. Colorful striped braided rugs, a cheery dresser painted a similar color as the floors, fun colorful rows of books, and a green and white patterned chair. Color was even subtly brought in on the white bedding with blue scalloped trim.

      This kitchen has been a fave of mine for awhile now! I love the soft and muted blue/gray cabinets–they add a whisper of color while keeping a distinguished and serene tone. Another tip for adding color subtly in a room is to incorporate warm metals! Notice the brass wall sconces, copper pot and colander, brass hardware, and lanterns. Greenery and a beautiful pot of bright red flowers adds some cheer. Colorful patterns and accessories in the adjoining room make it an all around lively space that is still calm and comforting! LOVELY!

      You can certainly bring in color with furniture, but for investment furniture pieces, choosing neutrals can be a wise choice for flexibility and longevity. A neutral sofa has always felt like a classic investment to me. My white slipcovered sofa and leather roll arm sofa (above) have stood the test of time, we’ve had them for years! They’ve allowed me to easily swap out pillows or rugs when I want to change up my look. A pop of cheerful color was added with a less expensive piece (that tufted ottoman!) and of course, the rug adds color and pattern.

      If you want to just dip your toe into adding color, check out this kitchen. It’s primarily neutral, but they brought in the same repeated color through blue upholstered barstools, a blue painted island, and a blue accent backsplash behind the stove. There’s even a hint of blue in the pendant lights. You could certainly add more colors to this space if you wanted to, but repeating a few of the same color is a simple place to start!
      A neutral backdrop can give you total flexibility to change up your accent colors throughout the seasons, too! You can see some of the paint colors we used in our craftsman home HERE, and more paint colors in our Seattle home HERE.
      How do you use color in YOUR home? I’d love to see in our free Facebook community! You can share your homes there, as, decor advice, and get inspired! Join us here.

      I share more decorating advice in my books The Inspired Room, Simple Decorating, and “But Where Do I Put the Couch? & Answers to 100 Other Home Decorating Questions.

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      Related Posts:
      A Calm Home (While Decorating with Color and Pattern //// Dignified with a Riot of Color //// Freshen Up for Spring: Green and White //// My Old Laundry Room with a Green Barn Light

      You’ll find lots of inspiration in our galleries, I’ll share links to a few of the categories below:
      Browse Inspiration by Color
      Bedroom Inspiration Gallery
      Kitchen Inspiration Gallery
      How to Decorate: find inspiration room by room (and browse posts in other categories)
      Style Tips (designer advice, home styling tips, how to find your inspired style, mood boards and more)
      You can also search anything specific you’re looking for below (just type in the box and click search!) More

    • 100 Shares99 Views

      in Style Tips

      Inspired By: Scalloped Patterns in Decor and Furniture

      by

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

      I love to play with various textures, shapes and patterns in a room as they add a lot of interest! The scallop has been having a moment in the design world, but of course it’s a classic shape so don’t be hesitant to bring it into your home. The possibilities are endless for how to incorporate them, these days you’ll find scallops on furniture, accessories, dishes, wallpaper, napkins, lampshades, mirror, trim or backsplashes, fabric and linens and more.
      Here are some whimsical scalloped design pieces we found online and some inspiration photos below to show you the fun they add to a space!

      Sources for above:
      Scalloped wall mirror
      Scalloped pillow sham (color options and comes as duvet as well)
      Rattan scalloped pendant light
      Scalloped basket
      Scalloped seagrass tapered hand-woven lamp shade
      Navy pillow with scallop pattern and tassels
      Scalloped teak wood round serving board
      Scalloped edge planter
      Round scalloped bone picture frame
      Scallop woven side table
      Scallop wooden plant stand
      Brass sconce with scalloped shade (also has a woven shade option, and comes as table lamp)
      Wicker weave photo frames with scallop edge (set of 2)
      Capiz shell scalloped hurricane
      Round marble petal shaped scalloped tray
      Framed green artwork with scallop waves
      White scalloped bone and wood picture frame
      Tall scalloped woven basket (great price!)
      Scallop edge jute rug (also has a navy trim color option)
      Scallop woven tray
      Woven scallop baskets (set of 2)
      More inspiration for scallop design:

      More scallop decor (click images below for details) More

    • 75 Shares169 Views

      in Style Tips

      Dining Room Mood Boards: Simple Swaps

      by

      I always love how just a small change can transform the whole look and feel of a room!
      We made 3 mood boards (in a similar style of our dining room) below. In each mood board, we swapped out only the dining tables and rugs! Which look is your favorite?
      LOOK ONE:

      Sources:
      Round Rattan Mirror
      White Oval Extending Dining Table
      Wicker Dining Chair
      Blue and White Patterned Rug
      Ship Art
      Banquette Dining Bench
      Whitewashed Wood Bead Chandelier
      Rattan Bookshelf
      Black Star Candle Holder Sconce
      Aqua Taper Candle
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Vase
      Blue and White Striped Tassel Pillows
      LOOK TWO:

      Sources:
      Round Rattan Mirror
      Wood Oval Dining Table
      Wicker Dining Chair
      Pink Patterned Rug
      Ship Art
      Banquette Dining Bench
      Whitewashed Wood Bead Chandelier
      Rattan Bookshelf
      Black Star Candle Holder Sconce
      Aqua Taper Candle
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Vase
      Blue and White Striped Tassel Pillows
      LOOK THREE:

      Sources:
      Round Rattan Mirror
      Black Dining Table
      Wicker Dining Chair
      Blue / Multicolored Patterned Rug
      Ship Art
      Banquette Dining Bench
      Whitewashed Wood Bead Chandelier
      Rattan Bookshelf
      Black Star Candle Holder Sconce
      Aqua Taper Candle
      Blue and White Chinoiserie Vase
      Blue and White Striped Tassel Pillows

      Fun, huh? Which look is your favorite? I hope this inspires you today to think about simple swaps you could make in your home! You can ‘shop your home’ for something you already have, or mix in a new piece you love to create your own unique style and space! More

    • 125 Shares179 Views

      in Style Tips

      Traditional & Collected Coastal Style: Get the Look Mood Board

      by

      Cozy and Inviting (Get the Look!) is a fun periodic “mini-series” on The Inspired Room!
      To get that “cozy and inviting” mood many of us crave for our home, in this series I share a variety of inspiration rooms that feel cozy and inviting to me (for a variety of reasons!). Then I quickly brainstorm a list of whatever elements I see that I think help create that mood. We will also feature items or tips to “get the look” into your own home.
      Today’s inspiration rooms are all from a beautiful home I found in New England Home Magazine. It is a traditional look with a bit of a coastal vibe, it feels so cozy and collected! Enjoy the inspiration images below and then you’ll find some design observations and get the look sources below.

      Wallpaper – KASAI Wallpaper at Thibaut

      Here are some of my observations and notes on what stands out to me about this home. At end of this post you’ll find a design mood board and more pieces I would consider including in the design if I was styling a similar space!

      Rattan accent pieces
      Antique looking dining table and bed
      Soothing paint colors
      Fun pops of green
      Accessories and furniture with a collected look
      Fun patterns used in the window treatments, garden stools, wallpaper, artwork, pillows and furniture
      Warm wood in every photo
      Unique accent lighting
      Twisted taper candles
      Natural rugs with subtle patterns
      Books (I have a fun post full of rooms decorated with books here)
      Interesting details on furniture and accessories like fringe, tassels, trim
      Fun pattern lampshades (gingham, scalloped woven, pleated with pattern)
      Landscape paintings and chinoiserie botanical artwork
      Decorating with collections (blue and white pottery, books, baskets, the green cabbage dishes, books etc)
      Inviting seating areas (window seat, plenty of dining seating, conversation area in living room)
      Lively plants and flowers

      See more photos of this home here: New England Home Magazine

      Mood board sources (click links below):
      Turquoise twist taper candles
      Green and white geometric ottoman
      Gold metal adjustable wall sconce
      Framed landscape summer mountains artwork
      Round rattan wall mirror
      Green and white floral vine curtains
      Green ceramic lamp
      Blue and white ikat pillows
      Taper turned wood candlesticks
      Green ceramic cabbage plate
      6 light brass round chandelier with white shades
      Taper turned wood candlestick set
      Blue and white ceramic garden stool
      Teak oval wood stool
      Blue and white ginger jar
      Blue and white ginger jar with lid
      Striped jute sisal rug
      Cane back wood dining chair (and here is a woven wicker dining chair with blue velvet seat)

      More similar sources below (click thumbnails for details):

      You can find other posts in the Cozy & Inviting Get the Look series below!
      Cozy & Inviting: Dining RoomCozy & Inviting: Coastal Living RoomCozy & Inviting: Kitchen More

    • 125 Shares149 Views

      in Style Tips

      4 Important First Steps to Take When Designing A Room

      by

      Do you ever feel overwhelmed with where to start when designing a room? If you want to give a room a refresh, here are the first four steps I usually take to get started, to organize my thoughts, needs and style preferences so I can move forward with a plan!
      1. Assess the Space
      First I look at the space I have. What do I like about it? What do I not like? Do I like the colors, the arrangement, the furniture? Most importantly, how does it feel to be in here? Consider the current mood and what you’d like to change about it. Are there any cluttered spots that need to be addressed? Are there certain corners or particular angles that don’t inspire you? Do any initial ideas come to mind? I don’t have to solve it all…I just use this time to observe what’s working and what isn’t. You can write down your observations in a notebook if you’d like!
      2. Gather Inspiration
      Next I begin to gather inspiration! I start by looking for anything and everything that inspires me. I don’t worry too much yet about the practicality of the idea or the why behind my inspiration…I’ll get to that next! If an image, idea or art or piece of furniture speaks to me in any way, I save it. If I use books I flag them with little sticky notes (I shared my favorite home design books HERE). If it’s online inspiration, I will pin them to a Pinterest board, or if it’s on Instagram I use the little flag button on the bottom right to save them to a specific folder.
      3. Observe and Find Takeaway Tips
      Now that I have some inspiration saved, I try to analyze my photos and take note of what elements I like (I’ve done several posts about this called Takeaway Tips, see all here!). Sometimes I find I will save an inspiration photo but don’t know why it was that I gravitated toward it. Look closely and observe what specifically you like. Maybe you saved a photo of a kitchen that looks nothing like the style of your home. Upon observation, you note that it is a bright white kitchen with colorful cookbooks on built-in shelves. The takeaway from that might be that you feel inspired by bright white spaces with pops of color on open shelves.
      4. Look for the Patterns
      Next I look for patterns in the inspiration photos I chose. It could be literal patterns (like stripes or plaid!) but I’m mostly looking for color schemes, furniture elements or room styles that I seemed to choose repetitively. Did I save lots of photos with moody dark walls? Do I seem to love the look of a room full of antiques? Do I like the streamlined look of built-ins? I also refer back to the takeaway tips, because that can help refine the specific elements I want to incorporate. I might have saved several photos of white rooms, but once I look for patterns I realize what I really was inspired by was the architecture of white paneling, or maybe I really like the way vintage wood furniture looks against the white walls, for example.
      Also I find it helpful to ask myself honestly if any of the patterns are mostly driven by current trends, rather than what I actually like for my own home. I might save a lot of moody earthy toned rooms, but it’s helpful to remind myself that while I might love them in photos that doesn’t mean they will be the right choice for my home. It’s OK to discover that you love a certain look in photos and yet not choose it for your home.
      After completing those four steps….I start to feel much more equipped to begin making the specific plans and design decisions for my own space!
      In my next post I’ll share some of the inspiration photos I’ve started to gather as I brainstorm ideas for my new kitchen remodel!
      I’ll also give you an update on my bedroom and plans for that for “A Lovely January”. If you missed the details about that challenge, you can catch up and join us here.
      More inspiration on The Inspired Room:
      How to Find Your Style (+ My Favorite Home Design Books) – VIDEO
      How to Get Inspired and Find Your Decor Style
      How to Decorate with Inspiration Room (Takeaway Tips)
      More Takeaway Tips Posts

      Find decor advice in my books The Inspired Room, Simple Decorating, and But Where Do I Put the Couch + Answers to 100 Other Home Decorating Questions.
      Check out my “How to Decorate” page to find decor inspiration room by room.
      You can also follow my new Instagram @theinspiredroomstyle for style advice and our thoughtfully curated selection of timeless furniture and charming accessories! More

    • 63 Shares169 Views

      in Style Tips

      Introducing: The Inspired Room Style

      by

      I am a big fan of creating your own authentic style. Rather than just going with what is trendy or popular or what someone else says is in style, I have always stayed true to what I love. While I no longer do personal design consultations like I did before I started blogging, I have spent the past fourteen and a half years teaching others how to use what you have, to collect things you love over time, and to surround yourself with pieces that tell your stories in order to create a truly meaningful home.
      I’ve been asked for years if I would consider doing decorating courses or hosting private education groups, but right now I teach through my books, this blog, and social media. I also have a fun new way to help ya’ll with your homes. Introducing The Inspired Room Style! It’s a brand new Instagram destination where we are offering our thoughtfully curated selection of timeless furniture and charming accessories so you can create your own “inspired style.”

      The Inspired Room Style is a completely free design service that is so simple to use! You’ll be able to scroll through our favorite daily finds in Instagram stories, click to shop any item that interests you, as well as browse the categorized highlights to inspire and help you find just what you’re looking for! 
      Tip: be sure to watch our daily stories at @theinspiredroomstyle because now and then my daughters and I will post one-of-a-kind finds or items you can buy from our own homes, too!
      We’ll also occasionally post simple design tips for how to create your own unique and authentic Inspired Style! It’s going to be so much fun to share this new resource with you and we hope you love it as much as we do.
      If you’re ever looking for inspiration for your style, or even want something new or vintage to add to your home, I hope you’ll find this resource helpful.
      Follow @theinspiredroomstyle for more!
      Happy decorating! More