West Indies Project

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

I have been very busy working on a "top secret" condo decorating project! Okay, not really top secret.. but "in the works" to be more accurate! I have put together some mood boards with the West Indies/British Colonial style. This time a little more relaxed and casual. I used some gorgeous art work by the artist Allyson Krowitz and then tried to compliment the palette with the green lamps from World Market. Then to add some pattern and another shot of green I used a trellis pattern rug from Home Decorators over a light sisal rug for texture. I love this look! The dark furniture and sofa are from Haverty's.

Then for the master bedroom, we are looking at this sort of set up from Pottery Barn. The art is from Bed, Bath and Beyond. Believe it or not, it's less than $40 for each piece! The green bedding (although, probably not what we will go with) is from Tommy Bahama. I love the fresh, tropical feel it gives against the warm wood tones. Of cause the PB chair is in the corner, with a super cool side table from Ballard!!

So excited... more to follow!

Sally

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

www.potterybarn.com

Island Style at Pottery Barn



http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl



http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl


I'm super excited to see that Pottery Barn has started carrying a few gorgeous furniture pieces embracing the West Indies Style I love so much. I have always been a huge fan of the "plantation style" chairs, with the dark, turned wood and cane backing. It's such an elegant piece, I did a whole room dedicated to it!!  Make that two rooms actually! I used the Pottery Barn Farmhouse bed in the second room, for a more contemporary feel, and a traditional four poster from Thomasville for the first. I prefer the more traditional!!

I thought that the rusty orange palette from the seaweed prints would be a good jumping off point for fabric and wall colours. The trellis rug, has such a great pattern and picks up on the seaweed colour and is a great counterpoint to the rich wood tones. I'm not totally sold on the Khandar Cinnabar fabric from Calico Corners, but I like the fact that it brings in a lighter shade of orange and a pretty gold shade that would be perfect for a wall colour.

The Colton Chair has a friend too, a graceful
bench that looks stunning at the end the bed.

Endless budget dreaming

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

I love Olioboard! It gives me a nice little escape where I can dream away rooms with endless budgets!! This one began with this pretty Silk bordered Peshawar Rug from WSHome. I love the soft cream palette with the hits of dark chocolate around the border. I appropriately named this design "No Play-Doh Allowed." I constantly find bits of play-doh in our current rug.. not that I mind too much, it keeps the monkey happy! I think this room would be better for a couple without kids though... unless everything is scotch guarded!!

I do these mood boards for fun, but would love to make one for you if you like what you see!
Just email me and ask. Sally :-)

Glamorous Bathrooms

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

One of my favourite sites, Olioboard, is having a fun, community contest right now all about dream bathrooms. This is my entry above (there was no budget so I went wild). I was aiming for a space that made me want to put make-up on in the mornings! I love the soft gold and silver colour palette and lighting. There are some fantastic entries for this contest. Head over there if you're looking for some bathroom inspiration!

Here are a few more glamorous looking bathrooms. I think adding wallpaper to a bathroom, really ups the glamour value, as well as the choice of mirror and lighting selections. Even a basic vanity can be glamorous with the addition of some mirrored inserts.

Happy Thursday Everyone!

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

Adding Drama with Black

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

I never thought I'd be open to using so much black in a room, but take a look at some of these gorgeous examples! Okay, so you have to be a bit gutsy to make the move, and black isn't for everyone, but wowzas! It really does add drama and contrast to a space. I am totally in awe with those designers/homeowners that take the plunge and paint a wall black. I love the way wall decor is highlighted with a dark backdrop.

I tried my hand at a black and gold moodboard after falling head over heels for the WSHome Maze Rug. It's really meant for outdoors, but what the hey, Olioboard has no rules!! I love the geometric pattern, and it looks great paired with gold/yellow accents. I have to send a big thank you to a lovely lady on Olioboard for giving me some tips with this one. :-)

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

via decorpad

I have to say, if I saw a black kitchen, I could only think of one designer.

Kelly Wearstler is the Queen of creating drama and contrast.

Inspired by the Marshes

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

I just did a post on North Carolina, and now I'm moving further South! I am putting this perfectly moody, marsh canvas on my ever growing "wish list." It's called 'Storm Over the Marsh' from Ballard Designs. It reminds me of the drive we did to Bluffton and Hilton Head in South Carolina. The subtle colour palette was inspired by the peaceful wetlands. On the first attempt, I used blue as an accent, taken from the sky and water. On the second, I used the green from the grasses and other vegetation. I thought I would prefer the blue like I usually do, but this time it's definitely the green version! What do you think?

From Palmetto Bluffs Facebook page



http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl



From Palmetto Bluffs Facebook page.
This image inspired my green version ;-)

One of my HGTV Dream Houses, was the 2008 Green Home in South Carolina. In fact, I think that is when my love of South Carolina began! The designer, Linda Woodrum did such a fantastic job of bringing in all the colours and textures from the marsh. I especially love this low, distressed console, paired with the lamps, art and photo.

From HGTV Green Home in South Carolina



Loving blue and taupe

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

I am really drawn to this colour combination at the moment. It has the beachy feel I crave, but it's a little more subtle than sea and sand. I had to add my beloved Heron art from Bed, Bath and Beyond to my idea board! These examples of blues and taupe's are some of my favourites also. All found via decorpad. Such a relaxing palette, although I love the last photos addition of stripes and chocolate brown to liven things up a little.

Happy Thursday everyone!



North Carolina dreaming

Outer Banks - North Carolina

http://olioboard.com/users/sallyjl

 We decided to drive down to the Outer Banks on Friday. From Virginia Beach it's less than a two hour drive and well worth the visit. The beaches are pristine, and they have a ton of things to do. We visited the Wright Brothers Memorial, had dinner a seafood dinner at Dicks and spent some time on the beach watching people flying kites. It was a great (if short) trip.

I tried my hand at an ocean inspired room. To me it feels more tropical because of the darker wood tones and turquoise accents, but I like the overall look. :-)

Whenever I visit the beach I always feel inspired by the sights and sounds. It's just so relaxing and peaceful there. Stanley Furniture has an awesome collection of coastal inspired furniture that gives the feeling of being beach side. They use a soft muted palette to give that beachy feeling. I am definitely reminded of driftwood, sand, marsh grasses, pearly seashells and the ocean with this pretty collection!

Thinking Outdoors and $50 CSN GIVEAWAY!

I'm dreaming of being a homeowner, and finally having a piece of ground to create a lush garden. One of the first things we've promised to our 3 year old is a corner of the yard all to herself. I've been looking at  wood swing sets for a while and would love a huge one for her and her buddys to play on. We've been lucky enough to have a house that backs onto a park and play area. So having a swing set will be a must in our new house!

I personally, would love a pool... but I know the maintenance part sucks. This one above (Tori Spellings house) is just gorgeous. I love those pools with a teal colour to them, rather than bright turquoise. It reminds me of the ocean... I also dream of lush greenery and a seating area... and a screened in porch..... *double sigh*....



                                            

Images via decorpad.

Anyway, back to the giveaway!

I have a $50 gift card for CSN. It's a great online store with tons of gorgeous furnishings and decor to choose from. I would love for you to enter, here's the details!

The Rules:
* You must be a follower of this blog in order to be eligible to win

* Winner will be selected via random.org or randomizer

* Winner will be contacted via email; Winner must respond to email notification within 2 business days or another winner will be selected.

* Email address must be posted in your blogger profile OR you must post it with your entry. If I do not have an email address to contact you, I will have to select another winner.

* Only residents of the US are eligible to win (sorry)

* Winner is responsible for taxes

* No P.O. Boxes

* Jadore Decor is responsible for prize fulfillment

* You must be 18 years old and above

* End date for giveaway is 3/15/2011

*$50 gift code expires April 30, 2011

Lamp love

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/table-desk-lamps/asbury-table-lamp/s428965

I never believed in love at first sight until I saw the Asbury Table Lamp from Crate and Barrel.. Seriously, I heart you Asbury! Darn the people of C&B... especially when you add it into a beautiful room like below...or on a console with a seashell, etched candle holder and botanical print! Have you been taping into my dreams...? Okay, sorry for the overacting, but OMG, I need this lamp.. make that two of these lamps. I have always wanted a celadon lamp (and a pony, but this is way cheaper) and this one fits the bill. I just love the roundness of the base, it looks like it needs a hug. The crackle finish is soooo purdy too, and the gold silk shade... *insert sigh*.. just perfect..