Wonderful Friday - Weekend Inspiration

Read that book

Enjoy the light

take in the view

enjoy every minute of the longest days

Enjoy the weekend!


1. High Gloss, 2. Lonny, 3. Sweet Home Style, 4. Smitten, 5. Architectural Digest

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A surprisingly chic and modern way to dress your windows

When I think roller blinds, the words chic and modern don't usually pop into my head. I have been searching fruitlessly though for an affordable roman shade for our bedroom window, but finding something simple, crisp, and tailored, within our budget - seems to be impossible. Now, after, seeing these blinds - I'm considering a roller blind. My mom has some in her bathroom, which she really likes. Does anyone have experience with them?

Deciding which window treatments to feature in the home is far from an easy task. Essentially, this choice can determine the overall ambiance of a room. One way to incorporate a great deal of personality and character into the home is to opt for patterned roller blinds.   Typical designs tend to be centered around flowers and patterns, however the variety is huge.

I absolutely love this artistic flower pattern...

Patterns range from traditional damasks to more modern approaches - dots, painterly effects, and stripes.   It also seems that no matter what your color scheme, it's likely you'll find something to complement your palette.

They even make them in eco-friendly and kid-safe versions too.

If you still can't find something you like, it is possible to design your own. DIY kits for roller blinds can be purchased from most hardware and craft stores.

*disclosure: This post is sponsored by Roller Blinds Direct

You have read this article DIY / modern blinds / roller blinds / window treatments with the title window treatments. You can bookmark this page URL https://bellashabby.blogspot.com/2012/04/a-surprisingly-chic-and-modern-way-to.html. Thanks!

Preparing you home for winter: touches of coziness and luxury

I want to wish everyone here in the states a happy Thanksgiving - cherish time spent with family, friends, and loved-ones.
- xoxo, Ashley

With the weather turning for the worse and the temperatures plummeting, we all seek little comforts to keep us going. Whether it’s indulging in some spontaneous shopping or giving in to that chocolate craving, there’s still nothing better than coming home to a warm and cosy home. So, here are some design tips on how to make the cosiest living room.

via Scandinavian Chic

Now that the days are shorter, it's usually dark by the time most of us get home from work. Set one of the lights near your entry or foyer on an automatic timer to turn on a few minutes before you usually get home. Having a light on when you enter will add a welcoming, comforting feeling.

The lighting can make or break the cosiness. Keep the lighting soft by using a collection of small table lights, and floor lamps. Also, track lighting can not only highlight your favourite features but add to the mood, which you can control best with dimmer switches. A main factor of the room’s atmosphere is its colour scheme. Focus on warm colours. You can have a combination of soft and warm colours, or liven it up with a deep red or bright yellow.

Lamplight is far cozier than overhead lights

via Alice in Designland

via TradHome

via Apartment Therapy

A reading nook with throws and pillows is a perfect way to spend a comfy day inside and out of the cold
Home Sweet Home

via House to Home

Accessories play an equally important role for setting the cosy scene, so get lots of them and make sure they’re soft and touchable pieces. You can use stylish accent pillows to pile up, and drape throw blankets over the sofa and furniture. Keep these in tone with your chosen warm colours, and be sure that you really love their style and texture. Then you won’t be able to resist their comfort.

via Elle Decor?

I'd cozy up with this little guy any day.
via Pottery Barn

More and highly recommended accessories are accent pieces, like candles, mirrors, and wall art. The wall art can underline and combine the overall theme of the living room, while candles lit in front of mirrors provide a soft yet dramatic glow to the room. However, for this to work when you need the comfort, which could be any time of the day, you’ll want to stop natural light or the glare from street lamps from spoiling it all. The best window coverings for the job are Venetian blinds, since they are available in many different colours, styles, designs and materials, and can be matched with the existing decor. And when you’re ready to let the world back in, you just adjust your Venetian blind.

These are just some design tips to get you in the mood of the cosy living room experience. Aromatherapy products, relaxing music, and area rugs are some more of the endless options for the cosy design. The main point is to make sure you love the design and are comfortable with the colours and features chosen. Enjoy designing and Happy Winter.

disclosure: this post is sponsored by Hillarys.co.uk

You have read this article cozy interiors / fireplace / reading nook / venetian blinds / window treatments / winter decor with the title window treatments. You can bookmark this page URL https://bellashabby.blogspot.com/2011/11/preparing-you-home-for-winter-touches.html. Thanks!

Help! I need to pick out a color for curtains in my new living room!

So, I moved into my apartment about a month ago - and there is still SO MUCH work to do. Coming up on the list is to make new curtain panels for the patio doors in my living room. My inclination is to go with white and airy - because that is probably my favorite look. However, I also feel like maybe I should explore some other possibilities.

Since I know many of you are super creative and have a great eye - I'm hoping I'll get some fab. suggestions! Also, I'm not adverse to pattern if you have any ideas pattern-wise!

Can't wait to hear what you guys come up with!

Photoshopped "white" curtains...

the two above are taken at night with lamps on.

White in daylight

I've also been liking very light limes and yellows lately...

A light lemony-lime?

daylight lemony-lime


This one below is sort of "meh.." I tend to shy away from darks...but I thought I'd just throw this out there for the heck of it.

You have read this article curtains / drapery / oriental rug / rocking chair / window treatments with the title window treatments. You can bookmark this page URL https://bellashabby.blogspot.com/2011/09/help-i-need-to-pick-out-color-for.html. Thanks!

Gorgeous curtains and a very generous discount for you!

I don't know much about window treatments - but I have witnessed how they can completely make a room - adding that finishing touch to what was otherwise a room "missing" something. I was lucky enough to get to try out a gorgeous set of curtains by DKNY Home, courtesy of the awesome folks at Curtainworks. The images depicting the curtains were spot on to how the curtains look in person. I love the effect of all the flowers falling to the bottom of the panel.

Now you can get any curtains of your choosing from Curtainworks with this 25% off coupon code - CWB5. If you need a better reason then just a seasonal makeover, hanging heavier drapes during the winter can help keep the cold out and save money on your heating bills! The coupon code expires on 1/31/2011.

These are the curtains I chose. I normally don't lean toward red, but thought I'd take a chance.

This room is just a temporary home until I move in February.



A close up of the embroidered flowers above the printed flowers.

I also have a DKNYHOME.com 25% off coupon code for you, DKHB3, expires 1/31/2011


Enjoy!

disclosure: These curtains were received as a sample

You have read this article curtain panels / curtains / product review / window treatments with the title window treatments. You can bookmark this page URL https://bellashabby.blogspot.com/2010/11/gorgeous-curtains-and-very-generous.html. Thanks!

Check out my interview with HGTV designer Martin Amado!

I always like it when I get to ask the experts design questions that seem basic enough, but we tend to forget. They always leave me saying "ohhhh yeahh..." Well I was offered the opportunity to ask Martin a few questions and came up with a few that either I always seem to need help with or that I get a lot from readers. Here are my questions...


1. For those who love to rearrange and change things around in their home a lot, what’s the most cost efficient way to “change” up your décor? In other words, what décor change gets you the most bang for your buck?

2. If one can only make one purchase or change to improve the eco-friendliness or green rating of their home, what singular purchase/installment would you suggest?

3. What is the most valuable lesson learned from a renovation/redecorating “mistake” you made in the beginning of your career that others can learn from?

4. This is one I get a lot - a young family moves into an old home with great original architectural elements – for example – dark wood paneling, floors, and molding. If painting or altering the wood in anyway is 100% out of the question, what design tips and tricks do you suggest for adding some youth, funk, style, and modern flair? How do you lighten up the space and “ungrannify” it with decorating elements other than paint?

Watch to hear me ask Martin these questions and to hear his really great answers:



Thanks again to Martin for his wise words of wisdom! To see some of Martin's fab work or to learn more about him, go to his website.

You have read this article affordable decorating / decorating tips / eco-friendly / green / HGTV / home decorating / Martin Amado / window treatments with the title window treatments. You can bookmark this page URL https://bellashabby.blogspot.com/2010/10/check-out-my-interview-with-hgtv.html. Thanks!