Re-Thinking the Mom Cave

It all started with this...

Remember this roadblock to my Mom Cave/home office makeover?  Should they stay or should they go was playing in my head.  While the moldings are pretty in some spaces, I'm kinda over them in here and the limitations they place on wall art.

My fear is that should I try to remove them, the damage to the wall could be extensive.  They've been in place for 26 years, caulked and repainted multiple times etc. I have been firmly in the camp of keeping my beloved purple walls (read about that HERE). I had decided to go creamy white below the chair rail, leaving those moldings in place. But repaint the entire room after repairing walls? So frustrating!  Everything else was moving along (slowly).  This could bring it all to a screeching halt.  But the white moldings on the purple walls was just too much going on for me now.  What's a girl to do?

Don't you love it when inspiration/distraction arrives in the mailbox?  Enter October's House Beautiful. 

Hellooooo, Lover!

And these images...

*Sigh.*

Masterful use of the color purple in a decidedly feminine space.  But look at the wall color.

And when you see all the lucious fabrics and throws out now in aubergine and lavendar -- even Target is in on the action with Sabrina Soto's new line!  Rooms with purple walls are not easy to accessorize.  I can't believe I'm actually saying this: Rooms with cool gray walls look lovely accessorized with purple.

So...

Amazing how many different shades of gray there are!!

Yes, I'll have to a little repair work anyway.  Wonder how I'll feel about those pesky white moldings with soft gray walls?  Or maybe I'll just do as Elizabeth at The Mustard Ceilings suggested and paint them the same color so they just blend in (you planted a wonderful seed there, Elizabeth!)?  Maybe the same shade of gray but in a semi-gloss?

And here's how my art for the Mom Cave is coming along--  I'm tempted to hang them and see if I can work around those DMs (darn moldings) after all.

Aren't they awesome?

Ok, so weigh in and let me know your thoughts!  Go gray and have fun with pops of my beloved purple?  Preserve the purple paint? Keep the moldings?  Kick 'em to the curb and deal with the wall repair?  Can't wait to hear what you think. :)

Happy Decorating!

I Can't Resist... Windsor Smith

I snagged a copy of December's House Beautiful to take to the beach with me last month and I could not stop pouring over Windsor Smith's incredible interior designs for a young family's home in California. Would you ever guess that family-friendly spaces could look so elegant and yet comfortable at every turn?  She's gifted that way! Her use of silvery tones, reflective surfaces, and understated color keeps the rooms light, fresh, and sophisticated.  Many of the fabrics and furniture are from the Windsor Smith Collection.  Soak these in and then click HERE to read her interview.

Happy viewing!

Living room

home theatre

All photos by Victoria Pearson for House Beautiful.

Don't forget to enter My First Giveaway!  Click HERE for details and to enter.  Winners announced on Monday, January 17th.  Good luck!

A-Tisket, A-Tasket

There is nothing better, in my opinion, for home organization than baskets.  Since home is where YOUR heart is, sterile bins and boxes just won't cut it.  Keep your home looking "homey" with baskets of all sizes, colors, even shapes.  Buy them in sets, or pick out your individual favorites-- you can find them anywhere: Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Target, you name it. 

Handled baskets make great carry-alls or informal totes.  Use them around the house or to transport anything and everything.  Here are two gorgeous options from Ballard Designs.

Round or oval baskets are great for storing oddly shaped items or items of several different sizes.  They work brilliantly for rolled towels in the bathroom, children's shoes by the back door, or remote controls on the coffee table. Don't forget a tall one for gift wrap and a coordinating smaller one for spools of ribbon. Love this one from Pottery Barn.

In the home office, look for square or rectangular baskets that can organize files, books, or paperwork.  The square shapes fit most easily on bookshelves or can be stacked on top of one another to save space.  These Havanna beauties are from Pottery Barn also, but less expensive versions are readily available at Target and WalMart.

Want a little personalization or labels?  Elle Decor has a sweet and simple project for your basic baskets to help tie everything together.  Their DIY section has step by step instructions on how to create these little gems.

If you're like me you've probably accumulated quite a few baskets over the years.  They probably vary in size, shape, and even color.  When my teenage daughter recently decided to "redecorate" her room on a budget, we collected several odd-ball baskets and she spray painted them all black, the accent color in her new room.

For a variety of unusual baskets, check out House Beautiful's collection.  Happy organizing!

Cool Shades

As the summer heats up, I find myself conjuring up images of cool ocean waters... and the beautiful blues and greens that soothe the soul.  What if we brought those hues indoors?  Blue is the one of the hot new trends in color this season, I'm finding.  Not only can blue make a warm space feel cooler, but it also has a calming effect that is universal.  Since the most inexpensive way to change a room is a gallon of paint, get your paintbrushes and drop cloths ready.  Benjamin Moore's Caribbean Breeze and Dolphin's Cove are two of my favorites-- check them out on BM's Virtual Fandeck.  But you will also be inspired by these beautiful blue rooms, from Coastal Living, Elle Decor (be sure to check into the LookBook at ElleDecor.com), and House Beautiful.

Coastal Living, photo by J Savage Gibson

This cool green brings a little key lime pie to mind!  Coastal Living, photo by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Aerin Lauder's kitchen--paint is not just for walls!  Elle Decor, photo by Simon Upton

Georgia beach cottage, designed by Jim Howard in House Beautiful.  Paint color is Benjamin Moore's Shenandoah.

Tip of the Week: Take It Outside!

Before it gets too hot, dine al fresco with your family!  You don't need a special occasion to set a pretty table outdoors.  Use a potted plant or two as your centerpiece and pull out the stops:  placemats, napkins, glassware (or deckware).  Pieces you already own will take on new life in an outdoor setting!  Mix and match your dinnerware to have some fun, but keep it simple so you can enjoy the scenery and the company. As you see here,  House Beautiful showcases lovely table settings in the great outdoors, as does Southern Living.  Visit their websites for simple inspiration without spending a dime.  Light a few citronella candles to keep unwanted guests at bay and enjoy your new dining space!