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MY WEBSITE:
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MEDIA & MENTIONS
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BLOGGING BUDDIES
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MY FLOWERS {Instant Color}
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COLOR INDEX
Fruit and Flowers
Summer is the time of year for casual entertaining and hosting unexpected guests.
So for those occasions, here is a simple {and healthy} idea where your guests can help themselves to summer’s best berries and fresh fruits. Here, I created a ‘buffet’ on our vintage school desk. The top surface is tiled, so it really adds a nice pattern, which is great when you’re setting out just a few items.
If you have time to make a quick run to the grocery store before your guests arrive, grab some seasonal fruit, berries, cherries and don’t forget the flowers because they always say “welcome.” You can also fatten-up your floral arrangement by including greenery from your yard. I added vinca vine and blades of fountain grass.
{Make sure your vase is colorful!}
You may have seen my pedestal bowls before. I love to use them because they make everything {in this case, fruit} look so important. Soft, chewy peppermints are perfect for summer entertaining. They won’t melt, they’re light and they give your mouth a burst of cool.
Pineapples are the universal ’symbol’ of hospitality {plus they’re insanely sweet this time of year}.
Happy Entertaining!
July 4th Crab Feast
Here in the D.C. area, Fourth of July celebrations typically involve a good ole’ fashioned crab feast, featuring Maryland Blue Crabs straight from the Chesapeake Bay. After all, babies born here learn to crack open crabs before they can walk. OK, that may just be an urban legend, but there are plenty of kids {including my own} around here who can open a crab in under 5 seconds. So to honor the traditional crab feast, and to inspire one of your own this weekend, here’s a sizzling mood board that will get your celebration started:
1. www.birthday-reminders.com, 2. www.abbeyhillco.com, 3. www.platesandnapkins.com, 4. www.flickr.com/photos/62657215@N00/36054325/, 5. www.homecooking.about.com, 6. www.candywarehouse.com, 7. www.jospices.com, 8. www.marylanddelivered.com, 9. www.artfulentertaining.com, 10. www.bhg.com, 11. www.marylanddelivered.com, 12. www.foodnetwork.com, 13. www.wrappedhersheys.com
A Light Makeover
Before you get rid of that old ‘candelabra’ lighting fixture, check out this project:
I added a little color and pizazz to an uninteresting, bargain floor lamp by using scrapbooking paper and mini-shades.
I simply ‘wrapped’ scrapbooking paper around the candle covers. I purchased my paper at Michael’s, but you can find scrapbooking paper at any craft store.
Make sure your choice reflects the style of the fixture, as well as your room. The color can match your existing hues, but it doesn’t have to — especially if you want to introduce a new accent color into your space.
{Mark your paper on the reverse side}
Remove a candle cover from your fixture and use it as a guide to mark and cut your paper to size. Important: You don’t want to create a fire hazard, so make sure the paper does not touch the light bulb — cut the paper so that it is positioned just below the top of the candle cover. Wrap your paper around the candle cover, and secure the paper in place with hot glue.
For a finished look, I added a finial. You can find mini-shades {and finials} at any lighting-supply store or visit lampsplus.com. This is an easy way to add just a bit of color to your space, so give it a try!
Shockingly Pink
Straight from the current issue of House Beautiful — a “flirty” foyer makes a bold {and possibly even shocking} color statement.
The residents of this Brooklyn town house wanted ‘high-impact’ right at the door. A dramatic color in the entryway will set the tone for the rest of your home, even if you choose to use less color elsewhere. In this case, fuchsia accents {chairs and pillows} were used in other rooms.
Bright and bold colors create a jubilant space, so don’t be afraid to use them in unexpected places.
A Pretty Functional Bedroom
Straight from the current issue of Southern Living — a bedroom perfect for busy working women and moms:
What makes this space pretty, is the use of color and pattern. The wall covering is adorable. However, if you’ll need to consider your husband’s taste, mix in a more masculine fabric, such as the one used for the bedskirt and chair.
What makes this bedroom functional, is the bedside table — it’s a desk, dressing table and breakfast area, all in one. A great idea, especially for small bedrooms. Furniture pieces that help you to multi-task will make your life easier. And check out the yellow handbag and shoes! Busy women always find the time to shop, don’t we?
Colorful Outdoor Entertaining
The key to an intimate, elegant outdoor dinner is to bring the indoors out.
That means forgoing the paper products. Instead, adorn your patio or picnic table with fabric linens, glass stemware, ceramic plates and silverware — all the items you would use in your dining room — and choose a color theme.
Use identical place settings for a formal look, or mix and match for a more casual meal.
For pops of color, add throws, scarves and pillows. Added details such as place cards, candles, and a beautiful centerpiece will make your guests feel welcome.
And last but certainly not least, pray for beautiful weather!
Photos from: southernaccents.com; countryliving.com; barillaus.com; apartmenttherapy.com
Garden Variety Color
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I often derive color inspiration from nature.
That includes paying close attention to my garden to see what’s blossoming, what’s in full bloom, what’s beginning to turn, and what’s bare. So, after taking a few photos in the yard today, I created this vibrant paint palette:
{Colors are from Sherwin-Williams: Radish, Festival Green, Daisy, Invigorate}
Light and Airy Colors
Because the weather is getting hot outside in many places, you may want a cool, light and airy escape inside.
This pretty dining room is filled with budget-friendly projects {just in time for summer}. The paler, softer hues and white furnishings create a great space to just chill out.
{spray paint and painted shades are an easy way to update your lighting fixtures}
{this is one of my favorite ways to add color to a space — using ribbon}
{creating a floorcloth is always a fun, summer project}
Click Here for more details on this space from bhg.com.
Citrus Spaces
Living with a citrus colored space means always having an uplifting place where you can go to get your juices flowing.
With the vibrant, happy hues of lemon, tangerine, lime and yellow-green, the citrus palette provides an instant pick-me-up and an inspiring backdrop for work, play and reflection….every home should have one of those.
To see more citrus-painted spaces {and get more paint color ideas}, join The Paint Can Crew on facebook!
Citrus Celebrations
Comprised of sunny yellow, tangerine, lime green and chartreuse — the citrus palette is as festive as it is colorful. Citrus-themed celebrations, such as the events pictured below, are sure to keep your guests in a cheerful mood:
Coming up next: Citrus Spaces
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WELCOME!
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ADD COLOR TO YOUR LAUNDRY
Take it from me as the mother of three boys, if you must wash clothes you might as well make it fun!
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GOT A PAINT COLOR QUESTION?
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