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    Whimsical Decorating Style

    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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    11 Things I Bought for Our Kitchen (Decor and Organization)

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

    We’re still waiting on some of the final finishing details in our kitchen (so if you spot anything that doesn’t look finished, don’t worry!). I’ve been trying to finalize some paint colors for the painters so I’ve been working on that, but meanwhile, I couldn’t wait to pull out a few things I’ve stashed away for our kitchen! I’ll share a few of them today!
    The good news is we will probably be able to “move in” to the kitchen this week, even though there will still be some details to finish as well as projects still going on around the house (such as our deck, living room / mudroom / entry / stairwell paint, new wood stair treads and flooring upstairs, plus the Tiny Cottage!).
    If you’ve missed any my last remodel update you can see that here.
    I’m guessing we’re a few weeks out from the contractors being officially “done” and then of course, more fun parts will begin for me! I can’t wait to decorate and put plants in our garden :). I’ve been collecting some vintage dishes that I can’t wait to display in the kitchen and have even bought a few plants for the backyard.
    Today I’ll share some of the items I brought in last week and I’ll share the vintage items once I get them in the kitchen.
    Blue Hobnail Glasses /// Sage Hobnail Glasses (or here are similar hobnail glasses on Amazon!)
    1. Hobnail Drinking Glasses
    We needed new drinking glasses and I couldn’t resist these beauties! I’ve always loved hobnail design and the colors were perfect. They look like seaglass! I decided to get a combination of the blue and the sage colors. There are also similar glasses HERE on Amazon with great reviews!

    2. Over the Sink Roll Up Dish Drying Rack
    This is such a clever drying rack, it works with our farmhouse sink and will be handy when we want to hand wash items or just need to set something, maybe a towel or plant or anything that needs to drip dry! It rolls up and can be stashed away when not in use.
    Over the Sink Roll Up Dish Drying Rack
    Natural Wood Dish Brush // Dark Brown Wood Dish Brush
    3. Wood Dish Brushes
    I always love having wood brushes in the kitchen, I couldn’t decide which one to get so I got both a natural and dark brown.
    Natural Marble Tray
    4. Marble Tray
    We use small trays like this all the time, so I knew we’d love this one. This is marble, another I’ll share below is resin.
    Resin (marble look) Footed Tray
    5. Resin (marble look) Footed Tray
    Woven Rattan Trays
    6. Woven Rattan Trays
    We bought these woven rattan trays to be able to carry food or plates upstairs during the remodel. They are wonderful, so sturdy and just the right size. We’ll use these all the time for serving, so they will be a great addition to our kitchen.
    Plate Holder Easel Display Stand // Sailboat Plates
    7. Plate Holder Easel Display Stands
    I was looking for easel style stands to be able to display plates, platters or books. At first I thought the finish on these would be too bright, but once the plate is on it, they are really pretty! I bought a bunch more in a couple of sizes.

    8. Sailboat Appetizer Plates
    My husband bought me these darling sailboat appetizer plates locally (but we found them online here, too!). I will use them at the table but they will also be adorable for decor. We can’t wait to mix and match all of our pretty dishes to display (and use!) in this kitchen. Stay tuned for another post on that!
    Bamboo Drawer Organizer Set of 5 // Long Bamboo Drawer Organizers (stackable)
    9. Bamboo Drawer Organizers
    I found these bamboo drawer organizers that come in a variety of sizes so you can mix and match to fit your needs. I can’t wait to get our drawers organized! I got this set of 5 in different shapes, and a set of 2 long dividers that can stack (see photos below).

    Tray Organizer
    10. Tray Organizer
    These will be handy to set up cookie sheets or baking pans in a cabinet!

    11. Patterned Animal Bowls
    I love these little bowls I had shared in my recent “pretty kitchen accessories” post! We use little bowls for all kinds of things, so I knew these would get a lot of use. They come in a set of 4 with a bunny, frog, bee and squirrel (2 reddish bowls and 2 blue).
    More on The Inspired Room:
    A Sense of Place: Designing Our Forever Family Home by the Sea (+ kitchen update)
    Charming Kitchen Faucets (4 We’ve Had and Many More)
    The Beauty of Soapstone Counters (+ why we chose them for our kitchen)
    16 Simple Ways to Decorate Your Home for Summer More

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    How to Turn Your Home into A Sanctuary

    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

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    Summer Dining Room Mood Board (Shades of Green, White, and Blue!)

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

    Get inspired for your home with this summer dining room mood board in shades of green, white and blue! 
    Mondays aren’t always the most inspiring day of the week and not a day we look forward to after a fun weekend, but I hope to change that with our Monday Mood Boards! I hope these mood boards can be an inspiration to you and your home.

    Takeaway Tips to Bring this Look to Your Own Home:
    How would you describe the mood of this room? To me it feels so homey and cheerful. Can’t you just picture being in this room on a lovely day with the sunshine streaming in and music softly playing in the background? Imagine sitting down at the table with a friend to have a yummy lunch! I love it.
    To create a cozy look like this, layer it with a variety of textures. Here we included the versatile jute rug, chunky rattan chairs, pleated lampshade, distressing on the green cabinet, wood table top, seagrass lining the tops of the white wood lidded boxes, and more. Texture is a key decorating element every room needs, but how you choose to layer them together will alter the feel of the room.
    The design pieces in this room are all classics, so they will stand the test of time. It’s a room you could have fun decorating every season without changing any of the furniture! The pop of deep olive green on the cabinet provides a striking color contrast that would be beautiful all year around. Any time you add green to a room it comes to life!
    The brass lantern pendant adds warmth (as opposed to using a cool metal such as chrome, for example). I love the candlelight bulbs, adding a dimmer would make the mood of this room extra inviting at dinnertime!
    The adorable gingham pleated lampshade on the accent lamp will add light to any dark dreary corner in the evenings.
    The heron artwork speaks to my coastal loving heart, but the art could be easily swapped out to suit any design style!
    Subtle striped curtains add a bit of pattern and interest without overpowering the room. I love this simple look for summer, but you could even have fun swapping out the curtain panels in winter for a different look (like a more moody color, a bolder pattern, even a cozy velvet…endless possibilities!).
    This would also be such a fun room to set up different tablescapes! I love this spring/summer look with these solid green plates layered with a hydrangea salad plate (comes as a set with other flower designs). I recently shared a fun spring tablescape we set up in this post!
    A simple vase of blue hydrangeas is the perfect nod to summer (the flowers in the mood board are faux so you can enjoy them longer as well as use them year after year! See photos of them in my home here).
    Mood board source links are below. You can use these mood boards to recreate the whole look or choose a favorite element and add to your own sense of style. Save this to your Pinterest boards for future inspiration!

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    Rattan Dining Arm Chair
    Striped Linen/Cotton Curtains (color options)
    Green 2 Door Accent Cabinet
    4 Light Lantern Chandelier
    Faux Blue Hydrangeas (I have these in a few colors, see more photos of mine in this post)
    Pedestal Dining Table with Wood Top
    Green Plates
    Botanic Garden Plates (set of 6 with different flowers)
    Table Lamp with Gingham Pleated Shade
    Jute Rug (almost 20,000 great reviews!)
    Blue Heron Painting
    White Wood Lidded Boxes with Seagrass Tops (I have these!)
    Do you enjoy mood boards? You can find more HERE, and you can also follow our @theinspiredroomstyle Instagram for more mood boards and decor finds.
    Related:
    Cozy and Inviting Dining Room – Get the Look
    Dining Room Mood Boards with Simple Swaps
    Browse all dining room inspiration in our Dining Room gallery here
    My dining room inspiration board on Pinterest More

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    5 Design Books I Love for Remodel Inspiration

    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

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    How to Decorate Your Home for Spring (24 Simple Ideas)

    Want inspiration for how to decorate your home for spring? Today’s post has lots of ideas to make your home oh-so-springy with staple spring accessories (that you might already have!). You’ll find lots of helpful tips and advice featuring pretty and practical ideas (many of which I’ve used in my own home over the years), plus a spring mood board!
    Spring decor basics (a few ideas!): vessels, blooms, botanicals, throw pillows, spring mugs, light layers, candles, artwork, plants (real or faux), books, trays, baskets
    Espresso Machine
    1. Adds Sprigs of Spring Flowers in a Vase
    Snip some flowers from your yard, or divide a bouquet into smaller bud vases. You can even use dried florals, like lavender. They last a long time so you get a lot of bang for your buck!
    Patterned throw on back of sofa
    2. Layer in Lightweight Throw Blankets
    Change up your decor with a lightweight throw blanket! These mudcloth throw blankets are absolutely perfect for tossing over furniture as an added layer of texture, pattern, and color. They’re reversible, lightweight, soft, and machine washable! I shared about these last summer and still really love them, I got them in several patterns (grey/taupe and white Swiss cross, a blue and white geometric, a blue and white Swiss cross blanket, and this floral one. Read more about these blankets and see more photos here.

    3. Spring Doormat
    A fresh spring doormat can lift your spirits as you enter your home. You can even layer in a pretty patterned rug underneath.
    Related Sources: Plaid Rug // Homebody doormat is from this shop–I don’t see the homebody design available anymore but here is a similar one! // Amazon Doormats // Amazon Outdoor Rugs

    4. Display Tulips in a Basket
    Treat yourself to a grocery store bouquet but instead of a vase, try setting the vase or a jar in a narrow basket! It adds a fun texture.
    Related Sources: Baskets // Kitchen Details

    5. A Simple Spring Mantel
    Style your mantel or a shelf with a few simple spring accessories like birds, flowers and books!
    Related Sources: White Faux Tulips (look and feel so realistic!) // Seagrass Vessel // Rattan Mirror
    White Slipcovers
    6. Spring Clean Furniture
    Vacuum or spot clean (according to manufacturer instructions) your upholstered furniture. Dust wood pieces. Wash or dry clean slipcovers. I love furniture with washable slipcovers, so we got these affordable white washable slipcovers for our IKEA Ektorp chairs. We also have this sofa with a slipcover, too. Read more about these slipcovers here.

    7. Style Your Coffee Table
    Set out a book that inspires you (binding color, topic or cover photo!), display spring objects like shells into a pretty bowl, or add any botanical element like a plant or flowers. Use a large rectangular or round basket to corral items or create a firm surface on an ottoman.
    Related Sources and Posts: Coffee Table Book – Island Whimsy: Designing a Paradise By the Sea // More Favorite Design Books // Similar Blue and White Centerpiece Bowl // Similar Basket Tray // Rug Source (machine washable) // How to Decorate a Coffee Table in Any Season

    8. Make A Teacup Garden
    Plant violas in wide mouth tea of coffee mugs! Water sparingly to keep moist without making them soggy. Bonus, you can use the flowers as garnish for food, too!
    Related Sources: Mugs are from here // Rattan lampshade

    9. Freshen Your Bedding
    Say good-bye to winter layers, drab colors and refresh your bed! Wash all bedding, curtains and vacuum rugs, too! Swap out the bedding fresh patterns, lighter, airier shams and blankets! I love this white waffle weave blanket (seen above).
    Related Sources: Similar Block Print Quilt // Blue and White Striped Sheets // Pom Pom Striped Tassel Curtains // Similar Pillow Shams // Wood Bead Chandelier

    10. Spring Door Basket
    Make a spring door basket with branches or other botanical elements. Hang the basket from a hook on the door or a ribbon secured to the top of the door.
    Related Sources and Posts: Similar Door Basket // Similar Faux White Spring Flower Stems // See more photos of our spring entry here
    Bunny Salad Plates // Blue and White Floral Dinner Plates // Woven Charger // Napkins // Bunny Napkin Rings // Appetizer Plate // Bamboo Detail Flatware // Blue Vintage Etched Goblets (color options) // Linen Round Tablecloth // White Bunny Mini Candy Bowl // Famille Rose Egg (tiered treat dish)
    11. Set a Spring Table
    Have fun styling a spring table with a mix of dishes, linens and accessories. Find table setting tips and all of the sources here.

    12. Update a Lampshade
    Lampshades can be gently vacuumed to dust them or even covered with fabric or a new look! Or start fresh! See more pleated lampshades in my home, more inspiration photos and sources here.
    Related Posts and Sources: Pleated Lampshade // Similar Lamp // Tulips // See more of my bedroom here

    12. Spring Statement Pillows
    Make a spring style statement with color and pattern!
    Related Sources: Hydrangea Pillow // Floral Pillow // Faux Hydrangeas (in door basket) // Ceiling Lantern (color options)

    13. Spring Mugs
    Put away your winter mugs and swap for your favorite spring looks! Find some of my favorite mugs here.

    14. Rearrange A Shelf
    Swap out dishes, accessories, books for spring colors and style!

    15. Change Your Curtains
    Take down heavy or winter fabrics and replace with lighter, airier, and fresher colors and patterns
    Related Sources: Similar Curtains // Woven Shade on Door // Rug (machine washable) // Similar Tufted Ottomans

    16. Hang Plates on the Wall
    Plates can add style to your walls! See how we hung these plates here.
    Related Sources: Blue and White Plates // Striped Banqeutte Bench (fabric options)

    17. Spring Bunnies
    Hippity hoppity! Easter bunnies make adorable spring accessories and centerpieces.
    Related Post: Bunny Accessories and Easter Decor

    18. Swap Your Rug
    Fastest way to update your style for spring? Add a pretty rug or runner to the kitchen! These are washable rugs so they’re perfect for messy areas and pets, too.
    Related Sources: Rug // Blue Pan // Kitchen Details

    19. Add Spring Style to Your Brunch Table
    Make spring FUN for the whole family by baking something yummy with spring cookie and pie crust cutters! This strawberry crisp was so delicious and simple to make (an so adorable with those Easter shapes!).
    Related Post and Sources: Simple Strawberry Crisp Recipe // Bunny, Egg, and Chick Easter Pie Crust Cutters // Alphabet Cookie Cutters

    20. Faux Tulips
    If you love tulips but want them to last longer and to be able to use them all season, invest in some faux! These ones look and feel SO realistic! I have them in light pink, coral, and white.

    21. Fun Taper Candles
    Candles don’t have to be limited to winter decor, look for fun colors and shapes for spring! These twisty taper candles are so fun (they come in multiple colors), and there are even battery operated twisty taper candles like these!
    Similar Botanical Framed Art // Similar Floral Botanicals
    22. Change Your Art
    Hang botanicals, seascapes, landscapes, whatever your favorite spring scenes are!

    23. Add Charming Vintage Pieces
    Spring is for yard sales and antique shopping! Pick up vintage pieces that not only add character to your home but give you simple options for display and creativity, too! I love this fisherman’s basket I found at a thrift shop (here’s a similar one on Etsy).

    24. Collect Spring Statement Pieces
    I don’t have a lot of seasonal specific pieces (I don’t have room to store much) but I do think having a few statement pieces you can bring out (or even use year round) can be so fun to show your personality!
    Related Sources: Brass Bunny Candle Holder // Faux tulips in light pink and coral,
    Sources: Green Stoneware Vases // Rattan Bar Cart // Cement Bunny Planter (I have this!) // Windowpane Pillow // Sailboat Watercolor Art // Bird Art Print // Green Woven Plaid Pillow with Tassel Zipper // Blue and White Floral Lamp // Faux Ranunculus Flowers
    Find more spring decorating inspiration posts on The Inspired Room here! More

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    Collections that Add Soul to a Home: Sunday Strolls + Scrolls

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

    @honeycreekfarm1896
    Do you have any collections in your home? Collections are one of my favorite ways to add soul to a home. Today you’ll find some lovely inspiration from some of my favorite finds around the internet.
    No matter what your design style is (or if you’re a maximalist, minimalist, or somewhere in between), you can enjoy the process of collecting things you love and displaying them in a way that makes you happy!
    “By inviting in things you love, you’ll feel more deeply connected to your home in a way that will inspire your life”. – from my book Make Room for What You Love
    If you love the idea of having more collections and personal details in your home but aren’t sure what you like, study inspiration photos and design books to learn what you love (these are some of my favorite design books). Take note of the colors, shapes, textures, patterns, and styles that catch your eye!
    Pay attention to how they are paired together and where collections are displayed, so that you will have ideas you like for styling, too.
    When you know what you like, then you will know what to look for and be quicker to spot it secondhand, in stores or online. It’s an exciting process to hunt and gather treasures for your home over time!
    Ideas for collections: seashells, books, blue and white, ironstone, copper or brass pieces, books, artwork from travels, vintage stamps or stationery, glassware, ornaments, quilts, antique baskets….
    The more you decorate in a way that speaks to you, the more soul your home will have!
    We’ll be talking about meaningful ways to decorate to bring more soul to our sanctuary in our new member community HomeBody Gathering Place (learn more and join us HERE by February 28th 11:59 PM PST to get in our spring session before the doors close).
    Enjoy the inspiration below!
    Sunday Strolls + Scrolls is a series inspired by the interiors and exterior spaces I fell in love with while scrolling the internet. I particularly enjoy finding spaces and ideas that reflect a sense of sanctuary! I hope this series will feel as relaxing and enjoyable to you as a leisurely walk down a charming street, a peaceful stroll through a garden or finally getting to peek inside a lovely neighborhood home during a Sunday open house. 

    @missmustardseed
    @littlesquaresofjoy
    @mothermeg
    @abeautifulmess
    More Inspiration:
    My Favorite Secret Decorating Tip
    How to Decorate: The Slow Process to a Style You’ll Love
    How to Create a Cozy Collected Kitchen
    Enjoy the home inspiration in all past Sunday Strolls and Scrolls posts here! More

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    A Cottage Bedroom Mood Board

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    Pleated Lampshade // Similar Lamp // Tulips // Find a ‘get the look’ mood board with more sources at the end of this post!
    We’ve been working on our bedroom in simple ways since last year (just after we moved in!). We’ll be changing out the carpet for wood floors soon, so that will be a more significant project. But mostly I find it fun to make little changes that start to make a room our own.
    So far we’ve added plug-in wall sconces, buffalo check curtains, and art along with our furniture. I’m always evolving spaces and finding new pairings of old and new, but that is how I keep it feeling fresh and personal.
    A couple of weeks ago I shared that I had been switching out a few lampshades in my house for patterned shades. I love the cottage look! Recently I updated another lamp with a patterned shade in my bedroom. You might remember that I bought the lamp originally at Walmart. It’s currently unavailable but if you are looking for a similar lamp, I found this floral lamp on Amazon that reminds me of it!
    Pleated lampshade // Similar Lamp
    The lampshade that came on the lamp was a fun teal color but it was feeling a bit bold for the mood I was after. I love the subtle leaf pattern on this soft blue patterned shade, it makes such a pretty pairing with the botanical bird lamp!
    Putting a new lampshade on my original lamp helped it to blend in more with its surroundings, yet it still makes a really fun statement! Style is often just personal preference, if you wanted the lampshade to POP rather than blend in, you certainly could do that!
    Most of what is in this room were things we already had, and the wall color was already there as well (Bunny Gray by Benjamin Moore). The accessories we’ve added help to tie the whole look together and make it feel more “finished” even though we’re always updating it in some small way.
    Don’t be afraid to use what you have and then add new pieces to freshen things up! If you like an eclectic cottage look as much as I do, nothing really has to match perfectly. The goal isn’t to make everything match, but you can make some things go together even in a less obvious but intentional way.
    Buffalo check curtains (chambray color) // Similar Lamp // Pleated Lampshade // Rattan planter basket
    Once you know the mood you’re after, you really can tie a room together with just a few elements. Decorating this way will definitely save you money over time (because you aren’t always buying new furniture) and you can update a room for a new look or season with just a few new pairings, changes or additions.
    For example in our room the bit of brass on the curtain rods ties in to the brass on the bottom of the lamp and the wall frames as well as the mirror. We have a few brass accessories on the shelves. Does every accessory need to have brass on it? No! But as you repeat some elements or colors around the room, your eye ties them together and the rest of the room feels pulled together and intentional.
    It might seem hard to pull random pieces together, but it will become more intuitive as you do it! Decorating is one of the many homey topics that we’d love to talk about in our new HomeBody Gathering Place! We’ll be opening the doors soon for a limited time, I hope you’ll join us (click HERE for information on this new community!).
    Hope today’s mood board inspires you to try some new pairings in your home!

    Sources:
    Gold metal bamboo style wall mirror
    Sisal patterned rug
    Faux Fern
    Pink tulips // Coral tulips
    Rattan planter basket
    Bird art – I have mine in these gold Amazon frames
    Buffalo check curtains (mine are the chambray color)
    Floral chinoiserie lamp
    Block print pleated lampshade
    Gold framed seascape painting
    Navy 6 drawer dresser (similar to mine)

    Looking for more decorating ideas and advice? Check out these “Style Tip” posts! More