The summer is winding down and it’s time to start getting ready for the fall ahead. It’s natural human behavior to want something new in the process. Newness is associated with a fresh start, which ritualistically begins at the time of each new school season. Being good design / school kids, we typically follow the rules but don’t you like being a bit of a design rebel too? Doing everything the same is just plain boring. Sometimes you can get away with saying “the devil made me do it” just to be different….
Little things can make a dramatic change when it comes to decorating, like simply adding a colorful, bold pillow. We suggested going for more impact by adding Karen Robertson Faux Tortoiseshell as “Bookcase Backers” with Casart’s removable and changeable wallcovering. Here are the photos we sent out first to our newsletter subscribers. We received a tremendous response….”smashing,” “want it,” and “love this.” to quote a few.
The great thing is you can change it up easily and switch Casart out for green faux tortoiseshell.
Here’s a mischievous and fun party trick to try: Create visual interest and impact with the temporary, interchangeable wallcoverings. Invite your friends to see but don’t tell them it’s removable wallpaper or reusable, just that it was a synch to install. Get your friends talking, then change it out, invite them back and see what they say. Yep, they’ll be amazed and wonder, “what just happened….were they seeing things?” Tip, have them over for cocktails the first time they see it. 😉 Regardless, you’ll leave them thinking.
“FabFitFun,” this might be what Giuliana Rancic, professional style guru to the stars, might say as she does in Fresno Style about quick changes you can make to create a difference. Here are some of her paraphrased points on how to get a fresh look, excerpted from Fresno Style. I’ve added in a few comments and pics where Casart could apply.
• Small Changes Add Up — You don’t have to redo a whole room…Small changes like adding a new color or introducing a scent to a room really make a big difference.
• Start at the Beginning — The entryway of a home is the first thing guests see, so make sure it’s impactful…think about updating the walls with floral or damask wallpaper…to add visual interest.
How about a twist on traditional floral with French Peacock Damask or even Clear Blue Sky Stripes in an entryway?
• Engage All the Senses — Sights, sounds, textures and scent all work together to complete the ambiance of a space…Rancic loves Frank Sinatra tunes for entertaining. [see ours below]*
• Bring the Outdoors in — Live plants and flowers do wonders for a room…
• Add Personal Style — Rancic recommends taking cues from the things you love to add elements that express your personality without having to do a floor to ceiling makeover.
• Replicate Sea Breezes and a Touch of Tropics — Match this energy with [colors to]…put the final touches on the space with a teak bowl or vase full of lemons to add a pop of color and sparkle to the room.
• Go Global — placing old maps and a magnifying glass on a side table and adorning the mantle with beautiful apothecary jars filled with spices. Add rich, velvet fabrics and pillows with colorful prints and a monogrammed throw for a personal touch.
• Connect to Nature — Display elements from nature to add earthy touches to a room.
• Perpetually Mediterranean — Freshen up sofas and chairs with crisp cotton slipcovers…Look for a few decorative tiles that remind you of Italy or Greece, and set them out on display. Show off white floral bouquets that have a few pops of orange.
• Get Inspired — The first step in discovering your own style is to make a personal “styleboard.”…collect images of things you love, such as fashion, décor, or anything that catches your eye.
We like Olioboard for this and we are constantly inspired by Houzz!
* Oh, and you maybe wondering what is the music that we devishly adore? We just discovered Breathe by Angela McClusky with Télépopmusik from its mention on Civility Studio. We find the design style of Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson, the Civility Design Duo, civil but with sense of celebration. They believe that each room should have one impact piece that inspires one to “Live Better. Play Better. Work Better. Be Better” as this My Dear Chandelier does in their work seen in their Cottage Couture Kitchen.
We couldn’t have thought of a better way to say it in how we believe in their philosophy:
— Ashley
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