Mountain Cabin Goals

Last weekend, my girls took me away for a surprise birthday trip. We ended up away in the mountains to do all the things I love, plus some. From a spa day, to hiking to horseback riding, it was everything I could have asked more and more with the gorgeous freshly changing leaves beaming orange, yellow and crimson all around. The crisp air and overcast sky set it over the edge and I'm pretty sure now that November is my favorite month out of the year.

When we got home, I couldn't stop my mind from wandering. How I'd love to own a little cabin hidden away in the mountains to spend weekends just like this one with family and friends. My little designer mind couldn't help but create that space and my imagination sent me to making moodboards of just how that cabin might look...

Chandelier | Botanical Print Art | Feather Art* | Bear Art*
Sectional | Carpet* | Coffee Table | Chair | Kilim Pouf Ottoman*

Suede Herringbone Pillow | Plaid Pillow | Printed Pillow | Plaid Lumbar Pillow
Candle Holders | Wall Chess Board | Domino Set*
Hide Side Table* | Table Lamp | Vintage Candy Jar* | Fur Throw | Acrylic Trunk

*write us for pricing and to order

Strange Things

With Halloween right around the corner, I found it the perfect time to share with you something on the creepier side of design. Now I don't celebrate Halloween - so this is really me just admitting my weirdness and displaying my love for these creepy little things on any old day of the year. They're definitely different and much more difficult to convince clients to want them included in their projects, but they're such fun pieces that would be total conversation starters in any space. I think every space needs a little "weird" element. Besides, what really is considered normal?

While I wouldn't go overboard by mixing too many of these in the same space, just one of them combined with a streamlined aesthetic in the rest of the space would be so fun to look at. It's all about balance.

Aren't these pieces so fun? Tell me I didn't just win you over!
If you're still thinking on it, tell me decor item you may be willing to try in your space!

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SHOP THESE PIECES

1. Natural Curiosities Rehberg Insect Art 2. Lola Decanter 3. Lola Round Box
4. Elmira Brass Ant Sculptures 5. NewWall Buggie Wallpaper 6. Cobra Brass Door Handles
5. Popham Design Scarab Cement Tiles 6. Lindstrom Rugs Scarab
7. Skull Planter 8. Fliepaper Wallpaper

*shown counter clock-wise from top left

How to: Create a Color Palette for your Home

Next to furniture layout, the number one design concern I hear from my clients is regarding color palette. Once colors are determined, how are they incorporated? How many colors are too many colors? Do I have enough color? What are the rules on mixing patterns? With endless design options out there, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

While I'm definitely partial to neutrals, and those tend to be easier to layer in a space, I love working with colors as well. Bold or subtle, it doesn't matter - I've tried to streamline the process of layering to create a cohesive look. Here are a few simple guidelines I like to follow to keep focused as I gather paint swatches and fabrics to create a foolproof palette.

Let's start with an example:

The first rule is that there are no rules. Now that may contradict this entire post, but it's true. The goal is to create a palette you are happy with. No one can tell you any one color doesn't go with another. If you like it, it works. BUT, if you're not sure what you like, this is a way to navigate that.

1 : First, start with your feature piece. It may be a rug, a pillow, a bold piece of art. This is your starting point and where you will draw your inspiration for the remaining colors or finishes. It could be a super busy piece, or one solid color. Whatever it is, start there. This is your first color to build from. In this space, you can incorporate ANYTHING in this color, or any range of that hue - either darker or lighter.

2 : Add a pattern. The chair in my moodboard is neutral, so the color can work most anywhere. I've pulled this neutral beige out of the rug, but the pattern is so different from the lines in the rug, so it pops against it. 

3 : Next - find a contrasting color. In this example, I chose a teal to complement the dusty mauve. There's no rhyme or reason to it - I just like how they look together. They're different from each other and stand up nicely next to one another.

When choosing a color, you can pull out a color from your statement piece, or choose any other color you like. If you're having trouble choosing a contrasting color, start with the color wheel! Opposites attract, so you have that bit of extra insurance there. But you could also use a color right next to another on the wheel. You really can't go wrong.

4 : Continue to introduce texture. You now have two main colors to work with, as well as a range of hues from dark to light. By choosing fabrics and pillows and throws in these colors - but items with texture - you're introducing movement to the space as well as creating layers. Layers are KEY in designing a space that is warm and inviting and they keep they eye moving around a room. Remember, texture is not just something that is obvious to the touch. Visual texture is important as well. 

5 : If I kept everything in this space teal and mauve, it would be boring. I wanted to introduce another "color" into the space in the form of wood. The burlwood table is perfect for many reasons. First, it coordinates with the maple chair legs. They speak to each other in the room, but don't feel "matchy." The orange/yellowish hue also pops really well against the mauve rug. (On the color wheel, purple is across from yellow, so they are the perfect complement.)

Notice how everything in this moodboard has another item it coordinates with. A big rule of thumb is to let everything in your space have a buddy. You will create harmony and nothing will feel out of place.

My leather sofa speaks to the table lamp, the light fabric in the chair, and the cream tones of the rug. The teal lamp and pillow offer contrast in a complementary color. The gilded gold lamp has beautiful olive tones which are brought out again in the artwork. It's all about creating balance and all your crazy patterns and colors will just work!

Here are some of my favorite spaces that show seamless color and pattern combinations: 

What colors do you love in a home color palette? And send me a message to share you color palette and pattern concerns!

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