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      How to Decorate a Fall Mantel (Using What You Have!)

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

      White Slipcover Chair Details // Blanket on Couch Details
      Whenever I look online or in magazines for how to decorate a mantel for fall, I run across lots of ideas that feature tons of seasonal specific decor! Mantels can be so beautiful with bundles of wheat and piles of pumpkins lining the surface and seasonal garlands and wreaths hanging! But you’ve probably noticed (if you’re a long time follower here!) that I tend to mostly decorate with just a touch of any season and then use a mix of non-seasonal specific items I already have.
      That’s just how I’ve always done it (check out this fall mantel blog post from 2010). The decorating advice I share here has stood the test of time and been used effectively through many homes, so I’m sticking with it :). I hope you find it helpful.
      I love to set a mood with pieces I already have, while incorporating mostly gentle nods to the season. Now and then I might go a little more crazy with decor if I’m feeling inspired, but a bit more restrained is my preferred vibe. I get easily overwhelmed by too much.

      For this mantel, I brought over artwork that had a palette that felt “fallish” to me. It is of a coastal town we happen to love nearby, so it feels appropriate to the season, to our home and tells a bit of our story. The frame played nicely with the rustic framed mirror, so I loved the two together. By leaning it in front of the mirror, it created a pleasing “stair step” layered arrangement that keeps it feeling connected and more interesting.
      I had some “not necessarily fall” branches in a deep green that helped set the right mood for how I want my home to feel in this changing season. By putting them in a blue glass vase, it still retained a bit of summer as it felt lighter and airer. The height of the branches filled up some of the space, too, so it balanced the mirror out and didn’t feel dwarfed by the size or shape of mirror. Then I just tucked in a hydrangea from our yard as a gentle nod to the season.
      Here are a few thoughts on how to decorate a fall mantel using what you have (and some touches of the season!):
      1. Gather items you already have. To decorate an early fall mantel, I don’t necessarily start with a traditional theme (like fall pumpkins, for example!). I just start pulling together items I already have around the house. I think of this process as fall nesting! It’s about honoring the current season in your home while preparing yourself and your home for the next season.
      Even if the weather where you are isn’t the same as ours, the seasons will be changing in one way or another. What inspires you right now? What combination of elements or a color palette would feel inviting for this season in your home? You don’t even have to use “fall colors.” Maybe you will keep your existing palette but just incorporate an item or two in a deeper hue than you did in June. What textures feel cozier and more inviting, but not too heavy for this transitional season?

      2. Consider the mood you want at home in this season. As you are preparing for fall, I encourage you to read my book A Lovely Life. It will help you feel inspired and motivated by a purposeful and meaningful perspective on each of the seasons. The items you use to decorate your home or mantel right now will help you set intentions as well as create the atmosphere of your home. Have fun with decorating and by all means don’t take it all too seriously! But it is true that how you decorate your home can nurture your family in unique ways in each season. It’s not a waste of your time to decorate for the seasons. In fact, change can be therapeutic and so beneficial.

      3. Pace yourself to savor the present season.
      I have always felt my best when my home flows with a gentle rhythm for the seasons. That’s why I embrace subtle changes in how I decorate. I want my home to reflect the current season and always be inspiring to me, so I will likely update my mantel as the season evolves, too. For example, I might switch out the branches to ones with a golden hue. Or add pumpkins in October!
      With that said, I don’t mind decorating for fall or Christmas a little earlier in the season than some might, because it can inspire me to feel prepared! When my home is ready, I am able to give my full attention to other more important things (like hosting gatherings or spending time with family!).
      But if I were to decorate with Christmas trees on October 1st just to get it done, rather that feeling extra prepared I’d for sure feel burned out on it all too soon. I’d want to take it all down by the time the season actually arrived. I like to decorate for Christmas to create a festive mood for our family. So I will decorate for Christmas early enough that we can relax and focus on the meaning of the season, but not so early that we are bored of the decor when Christmas arrives.
      That’s why I like to pace myself with in any season, such as the addition of pumpkins, or any other really specific seasonal decor. I want to fully enjoy and be present in the season we’re in rather than tire myself (or our family) of a future one before it even happens. That’s just how I approach seasonal decor! You do you — let your home be a reflection of you and your family!

      See more of our Fall Nesting 2022 Series:
      Start here > > A Slower Rhythm Through the Seasons
      Fall Decorating: 7 Simple Tips to Slowly Transition Your Home
      Reversible Blankets for Sofas, Chairs, Beds and More! (our mud cloth layering blankets)
      Affordable White Washable Slipcovers: Ikea Ektorp Chairs
      How to Be Intentional in Planning for Fall and Holidays
      Savoring the Last Sunsets of Summer from Our Porch!
      **************

      Cozy Fall Shop
      Shop My House & Latest Decor Finds
      Our Amazon storefront More

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      Mixing & Matching Decor to Create Your Own Style (+ Mood Boards)

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      If you want to create your own signature look, I’ve always recommended mixing and matching pieces you already have with things that are new. That way you are gathering things you really love over time, so your style will always feel fresh and yet unique!
      And you don’t have to break the bank to do that. Over the years I’ve bought so many wonderful things I still love for my home from Joss and Main!
      Good news, the Joss and Main’s VIP Sale is on now, so it’s the perfect time to refresh your space with pieces that reflect your signature style at the best prices of the year! 
      We created some lovely mood boards below for you featuring stylish pieces that can update the feeling of any space. Mix and match, use what you love and make your home your own in every season.
      The sale is today 4/27-4/28…two days only. Don’t miss out!

      CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE VIP SALE!

      Here are some of my favorite items from the VIP Sale:

      Woven shade wall sconce

      Wall sconces are a perfect way to add warmth and character to a room! I’m loving these woven shade sconces (can’t you picture them flanking a bed? So pretty!). They would bring style and texture to your space in addition to the warm lighting…two key ingredients for a cozy space!

      Patterned Rug

      The colors and pattern of this this rug are absolutely gorgeous.

      End table

      I have little end tables like this all over my house. They’re the perfect perch for a book and cup of coffee or tea next to your coziest reading chair!

      Flip Top Storage Coffee Table

      How amazing is this storage lift-top coffee table? Love the double duty function for a small space when you’re working from home — and it has amazing reviews.
      We designed two room mood boards for inspiration using some of the items that are part of the sale!

      Click the links and images below for the above source details:

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      Source Links: Slipcovered Square Arm Sofa // Arched Floor Lamp with Shade // Throw Pillow & Insert // Full Length Arched Gold Frame Mirror // Woven Table Lamp // Raffia Woven Seat Wood X Bench Stool // Wood Flip-Top Storage Coffee Table // Round Wood and Metal Accent Table // Rattan Loop Wall Mirror // TV Stand Cabinet // Ceramic 3 Piece Candlestick Set // Concrete Table Lamp with Shade (2 color options) // Black 1 Drawer Nightstand with Gold Hardware

      Click the links and images below for the above source details:

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      Source Links: Upholstered Low Profile Platform Bed (my daughter Courtney has this exact same bed with a lower headboard–she loves it!) // Gold Wall Sconce Light with Woven Rattan Shade // Solid Wood Dresser with Wicker Cane Drawers // Navy Blue Solid Wood Nightstand with Shelf and Drawers // Concrete Table Lamp with Shade (2 color options) // Stripe Cotton Lumbar Pillow Cover // Velvet Armchair (multiple color options) // Upholstered Bench (multiple color options) // Square Textured Pouf Ottoman // Oriental Navy Blue Area Rug
      Check out everything in Joss & Main’s VIP Sale HERE!

      CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE VIP SALE More

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      Coastal Grandmother Decorating with Amazon Finds (Mood Boards)

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      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):

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      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):

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      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):

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      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

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

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      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.

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      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

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      Dining Room Mood Boards: Simple Swaps

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      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

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      Traditional & Collected Coastal Style: Get the Look Mood Board

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      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

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      4 Important First Steps to Take When Designing A Room

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      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