Rooms by State - Florida Kids Room



Florida Kids Room
Click for a better view!

I thought I would try something fun over the next few weeks. I am going to try putting together a moodboard, for every State in the U.S. I started with Florida, which is probably one of the easiest in my opinion!! When I think of Florida I think, bright white, turquoise and lime greens, like the palm tree print, top right. Add some coastal stripes, and nautical accents, then as we say in England "job done!" I can imagine this room in a light and bright beach house for a surf-riding-girly-girl who isn't into pink. Or... I could quite happily move in too, I just need to find me a beach house.... Here's some more inspiration for a Florida style beach pad.

All photos courtesy of House of Turquoise.

Suzanne Kasler Style

Suzanne Kasler - Ballard Design

I am totally in love with Suzanne Kasler's line of furniture and accessories at Ballard Design. She has such a fantastic sense of style, traditional, with a contemporary twist. I made up this Olioboard as dining room inspiration, using only the products from her range. Here's some more eye candy from this fantastic designer... it goes to show that you "can" buy style!!

Small Updates - Big Difference!

Olioboard

I was browsing one of my favourite haunts, "Decorpad, " and I saw a post that got my creative juices flowing... sometimes this happens when we are least expecting it!! The post was regarding the room pictured above top left. I suggested, that perhaps the bedroom needed some organic/natural elements. It's lovely owner,  already had the brown upholstered beds and yellow Ikat armchair and just wanted to give the room a boost! She had mentioned perhaps adding a brown and cream chevron rug, so I suggested a zebra print might also work. For some reason, the yellow Ikat print gave me a tropical feel, so.. keeping this in mind, I went with it! In place of the white tables, I was thinking a woven tray style table would add some texture and tie the beds and other decor in together. Instead of the toile bedding, maybe keep it simple with crisp white sheets and maybe a yellow printed throw pillow. Add more yellow in the form of a bright porcelain lamp and a planter of yellow orchids. Finally, for the walls, these pretty Pier One prints, small enough not to over power the rooms size, but big enough to add some more colour. I am happy to say she loved the ideas! Creative juices... you just can't help 'em..lol

British Colonial West Indies Style - Part II

Olioboard

Here is the other design board I made up for my BWI friend in Florida. She is currently at work staining concrete floors - I wish her good luck on that!! I used the existing "Austin" couch from Pottery Barn and the cool, Zebra print rug, but this time gave the room a more contemporary twist. I added cool blues, and golden yellows to mellow out all of the heavy dark brown in the rug and couch. I loved the idea of using old vintage nautical maps as artwork in the room, alongside seashell prints, model yachts and a giant clam shell. I added some metal accents to the room in the form of the brass porthole mirror and some sparkle with the Pottery Barn glass lamps. To me, they are reminiscent of those old Japanese fishing floats you see around. I love this colour palette against the rich chocolates of the existing pieces, maybe I just need to move to Florida...

Great inspiration, casual and beachy.

Gives a great BWI collected vibe.

Island Style



Olioboard

I was asked by a fellow West Indies Style lover, to come up with some ideas to bring the Island vibe to her Florida beach pad. She already has the Pottery Barn "Austin" leather couch and the zebra print rug, I added a few tropical accents to bring the Island style home. It's easy to go over the top with this type of decor and become too "themed," but I think, if you add subtle layers and natural accessories, you can achieve the look in a classic and collected way. My suggestions would be; light wall colours (preferably white), linen or cotton drapes (for the breezy, fresh feel), tropical plants (to add life to the room), hurricane style candlelight, lamps with an antiqued feel (like the Tripod lamp from Ballard) and other items such as trunks, leather bound books, and globes. I loved this large canvas art from OBX Trading. This one in particular played into the colour scheme I was going for. She also already has a seagrass chair (great texture) so I suggested the foldable leather stools, that could be used as footrests, a place for magazines, or additional child seating for entertaining!  I also provided an alternate plan with a lighter more contemporary, blue palette - more to come!

OBX Trading Company

British Colonial West Indies Vibe



My British Colonial West Indies posts seem to be very popular! I am glad to find so many people attracted to this style. I played around on Olioboard and came up with another BWI room. I just love the dreamy vacation feel that comes with this type of decor...Click here to go directly to Olioboard if you would like any information on the pieces in this board.

Snapshots from New Orleans

Love the colors.

I thought I would share a few of my favourite snapshots from our short visit to the Crescent City. I was amazed at the beauty and history we saw here. The intricate iron work, painted shutters and lush tropical plantings made me feel like I had crossed into another country!

My monkey enjoying a sneaky visit to a little Boutique Hotel courtyard.

Mules enjoying a refreshing hose down outside Jackson Square.

Canal Street with the business district as its backdrop.
Just look at that Walgreen's, they don't make them like that anymore!



Infamous Bourbon Street! Cheap booze and most other things!

We made it to Austin!

Olioboard

Well, we made it to Austin! I am so happy to be here. It was a long road trip, but we got to see a lot. We drove through the mountains of Virginia and Tennessee, then down through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and on to Texas. We stopped along the way and got to see some amazing sights. New Orleans was one of my personal highlights, the food, the history and the people... such a fun place. I am disappointed we couldn't stop and visit some of the plantations along the River Road, but having the cat it tow meant we could only do so much... oh well, guess it's only a 10-12 hour drive from here!

I was inspired by Pottery Barns new fall collection to create a Texas style library. The colour palette reminds me of saddle leather... The rustic elements, like the glazed urns and rope and iron chandelier all give me the feeling of being in the Texas country, what do you think?