Modern, Funky, Glam

Do you ever start a room and then just get stuck on how to complete it or make it really shine?  This is such a common problem- you are not alone!  That's why I'm here to help! Lauren reached out to me for a bit of help on her new living room.  She had a great start, getting a new coffee table, sofa, and rugs, but then froze not knowing what to do next or how to make the pieces that she loved all work in harmony.  Gray sofa, neutral walls, & neutral but textural rugs... we're off to a great start!

While the current space doesn't show it, Lauren is certainly not afraid of color or pattern, so I decided to make it my mission to help her realize the modern, funky, glam space that I could tell that she was going for (even if she hadn't realized that's what she was going for yet ;-) ).

I started by pulling together an inspiration board.  My plan would begin with moody neutrals and I would layer on metallics, pattern, and a few bold elements.

inspiration: My Domaine, Domino, Hunted Interior, Urban Outfitters, original source unknown

From there I started to look at the individual pieces.  Lauren's gray velvet sofa was staying and the hopes was for the other, slipcovered one to be replaced by 2 side chairs.  The sofa has good bones, but I would remove all of it's matching pillows, start fresh and inject some funky glamour in the space.

1. oversize abstract art- buy larger and frame partial //2. brass task lamp //3. sofa (sim to existing) //4. locust throw blanket //5. campaign accent table //6. gray linen-like curtains- wall to wall //7. kilim pillow //8. metallic pillow //9. kilim pillow //10. swoop arm side chair //11. coffee table (sim to existing) //12. natural fiber rug (sim to existing) //13. faux fur rug (sim to existing)

I might even throw a fiddle leaf fig tree in the corner near the TV for a bit of greenery too.  I'm dreading the day that fiddle leaf figs go out of style.  They're such a fun, graphic way to add greenery without being too fussy!  A few differently shaped mirrors around the tv will help to anchor that wall as well.

When it comes to the design, it's all about balance.  It's always about balance and I feel like such a broken record.  The magic way to mix styles is to make sure that everyone has a buddy.  A metallic pillow will feel very lonely if there's nothing else shiny around it.... But this is a much larger post for another day.

If you're looking for some decor help, don't hesitate to reach out!!  Send me some images and info about your space and I'll send over a quote for your very own e-design.

I'm off for the rest of the week to bake, cook, wrap, and most of all celebrate Christmas with my family.  I hope you have an awesome week and a Christmas that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  ~XO Karen

Crash! Modern Cozy Chic

My friend Jen graciously let me come Crash! her home just before she started packing it all up for her impending move.  As an interior designer too, she definitely has a natural talent for an effortlessly chic space, but guys, you're gonna die over her little guys nursery! (*metaphorically only- please don't actually die over a room*) As this living room clearly shows- the key to using several colors in a room cohesively is to have something to unify them all.  In here it's the center pillow and the artwork.  And hello 6 patterns?  It doesn't look crazy or busy, just modern, cozy, and welcoming.  Well done, Jen!

Statement lights and large artwork are my current fave for any dining room- the right art and lighting can make a space!  And who are we kidding, I'm always a sucker for antique home details and molding.

I'll stop beating around the bush, though, the real show-stopper in the home is the dwelling of the littlest resident.

I dare you to try and find a more stunning crib!  He's a lucky little man.

Mod crib and a vintage dresser?  He'll be the coolest kid on the playground.

Thanks Jen for letting me share!  Pop over to her new site, Vibrant Way Interiors and say HI.  Good luck with the move, Jen and I can't wait to see what the next home looks like!

Crash! A NEW Era

It's been quite a while since I posted a "Crash!" feature- almost a year actually!  Let's not do that again.  This time, I was a house crash-er at my parent's new (ish) house. About 3 years ago, I shared a mini home tour (which was looking back was mostly vignettes) with you just before my parents moved out of the home I grew up in.

For some silly reason, they wanted to live closer to their children and grandchildren.  So they sorted through 30 years of living in one home, held a huge tag sale, packed up the rest, and moved about 2 hours away.

Flashing to the present, Mom is just about as addicted to blogs as I am.  She decided to take the new house as an opportunity to reinvent her style, and reinvent she did!  She used to gravitate toward antique and Americana and now, while the antiques are still present, the home has a fresh, airy feel.

I am definitely a product of both my parents.  Example: the white bookcase above.  The base of the bookcase showed up in the last tour, but looking a bit differently:

My dad built the hutch top/bookshelf and my mom refinished and painted the whole thing.  I kind of love it.  Like the true librarian she is, Mom uses stacked books throughout the house to tell a story with the titles. Notice: Homes, Not so Big House, Living in New England, and House of Dreams

Mom's most recent furniture refinishing project shows up in the dining room.  The antique table that I grew up abusing using, got a fresh coat of paint on the base with some light distressing.  It looks like it was meant to be this way all along!

Mr. Fiddle Leaf Fig there is the sibling to my dying IKEA one.  Clearly Mom's doing something right because he's more than doubled in height!

Mom's styling stamp is all throughout the house (with Dad's approval of course), but his styling is evident on his dresser: vintage toy car, cut book "P" that he and Mom made a la Anthro, and a vintage cast iron mailbox bank.  Mom might have had her hand in the pile of books, though.  I believe one of the books is titled Man of my Dreams.  How delightfully cheesy are they?? (xoxo)

Even the outside has their touches all over it.  A pop of color door with new, beefier trim around it, neutral shutter, a bountiful garden and a sweet house number sign off etsy (if my mind serves me right).

While they had 30 years to personalize their last home, I think my parents have done quite nicely in the relatively short amount of time they've been in this house- isn't it beautiful??

If you live in the central MA or Boston area and want to see your home Crash!ed on the blog, e-mail me (karen@yearofserendipity.com) a few pics and a bit of the story of your home.  I'd love to make this a regular feature! 

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