Downton Abbey Inspired Design

Oh, Downton Abbey, how I love thee.  Anyone else in love with this TV series?  It's a PBS Masterpiece Classic that airs on Sunday nights.  For those of you not (yet) addicted to it, Downton Abbey is a period mini-series with the most sublime costumes, set design, and casting.

The series takes place in early 20th century England - it covers the first World War and the decade that follows, depicting the post-war experiences of a wealthy aristocratic family struggling to socially modernize with the times. Right now, they're airing the 3rd season but you can catch up on all the 1st and 2nd Season episodes online at Hulu.com.  Well worth a view for anyone who loves history, fashion, design, or just a great storyline.

Now that I've gushed about the show, here is a gorgeous photo of the 3 sisters of the family that the show revolves around:

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They're stunning, huh?  When I saw this photo over on Darlene's Fieldstone Hill Designs blog it moved me to hunt for some home design inspiration that matches the beautiful colors and soft details of this photo.  Now that Spring is upon us, "pastel-ed" jewel tones are dominating runways and home design so it wasn't tough to find these lovely spaces.

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While not necessarily period appropriate to Downton Abbey, these rooms definitely speak of the color inspiration (coral, lavender, gray, and mint) of the above portrait of the girls, and ooze a certain ambiance of classical styling and very refined taste.

What are you thoughts?  Do you like these colors in interior design?  Any other Downton devotees out there?

Pillow Talk - Inspiration for a 'Big-Girl' Room

I've been on the hunt for a few details to change in my little one's room as she transforms from a baby to a 'big-girl'...seemingly overnight.  I wanted to find some fabric that would tie together the elements that already exist in her room in order to minimize expense and take advantage of all the things we love in her little space.

I've loved the fabric below (Waverly's Panama Wave in Desert Flower) for a while now and spent several months hunting for a yard of it so I could make a pillow cover.  One day, after giving up on finding the fabric for less than an arm and a leg in shipping costs, I stumbled upon the perfect Etsy shop called sewSusieDesigns which made my pillow dreams come true! 

Susie handcrafted this pillow cover (18"x18") with my desired fabric for a totally affordable price of $32.  Does it get any better than that?  Actually it does...this pillow is meticulously made with such noticeable attention to detail.  The chevrons match perfectly along the seams - something I never could have done with my sewing "skills".  Susie will be my go-to pillow person from here on out!  Check out her sewSusieDesigns Etsy shop {here}.

Now that I have my inspiration pillow in hand, I can work toward updating the rest of the space.  Here is my custom Inspiration Board for the space.  (sources with links are below image)

1. Ikea Ung Drill Frame ($30) - Ikea with "Little" print ($40) - Maypole // 2. Kirby Gray Silk Drapery Panels ($216/pair) - Baby Authority // 3. DIY Light Fixture (approx. $20) - instructions here // 4. Turquoise Gumball Jar ($23) - Hayneedle // 5. Baby Italia Eastside Dresser in white ($480) - Babies 'R Us (no longer available) with Hickory Hardware Tranquility Knobs ($2.55/each) - MyKnobs.com // 6. Brushed Nickel Metal Alarm Clock w/Turquoise Hands ($37) - Amazon // 7. Pier 1 Rose Glass Lamp ($20) - Pier 1 (sold out) // 8. Confetti Garland ($20) - West Elm (sold out) but you can easily DIY it! // 9. Twin Teal Otomi Animals Comforter ($99) - Land of Nod // 10. Ikea Minnen Bed Frame ($150) - Ikea // 11. Large Gray Owl Stuffed Animal ($24) - Pier 1 // 12. Waverly Panama Wave in Desert Flower ($36) - sewSusieDesigns on Etsy // 13. Ikea Gislev Rug ($20) - Ikea // 14. Ikat Sari Pouf Ottoman ($140) - Pier 1 // 15. Mini Dot Toddler Sheet Set in Bright Pink ($49) - Pottery Barn Kids

Again, most of the items are already in the space (including the curtains, large Ikea frame, DIY'd light fixture, dressers, lamp, rug, pouf, and other accessories).  Adding just a few new accessories, linens, and a 'big-girl' bed will help transform the room from a wee-one's nursery to a more toddler-saavy space.

My proposed DIY project is to make this cute garland from West Elm:

Some pink, red, and silver cardstock (or paintchips?) cut into triangles and run through the sewing machine should suffice, right?  It'd be pretty cute hanging from dresser knobs, I think.

And, maybe in the long term (for the budget at least) I'll swap the gray Ikea rug for this colorful turquoise and teal rug from Shades of Light:

And, in the future, if I'm really feeling crazy I might paint a wall or ceiling in this shade of pink - Benjamin Moore's Gentle Butterfly:

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It's the pale, subtle pink a la this gorgeous room...

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Thoughts?  Feelings?  Likes?  Dislikes?  Are you getting the still little but 'big-girl' vibe?  I sure hope so!  Please give me some feedback before I go and execute this plan!

Home Tour - HGTV Dream Home 2013

Have you seen it?!?  The HGTV Dream Home for 2013 is pretty amazing, to say the least!  Here are a few of my favorite shots from this coastal marsh-lands home built just 20 minutes from Charleston, S.C. in the Indigo Park neighborhood of beautiful Kiawah Island.

The Front Porch - a little Asian zen with a craftsman influence

Powder Bath - how fun is that pop of lime?!?

Entry Hall - blue with rustic textural elements

 Kitchen - loving the taupe cabinets, glass backsplash, and that stove...the green walls, not so much

Butler's Pantry - gray and white, wine fridge...does it get any better than that?

Dining Room - great flow from the entry, through the dining room, and into the great room

Great Room - hello, high ceilings!

Master Bedroom - nice rug and nice walk-out to the back deck

 Master Bath - neutral, but in a good classic way

Upstairs Loft - graphic indoor/outdoor fabric and red tables add a huge dose of fun

Guest Bedroom #1 - serene and simple, yet refined

Guest Bath #1 - clean lines + white linens = great bath

Guest Bedroom #2 - the turquoise in this room makes me smile (and dance a little on the inside!)

Guest Bath #2 - perfect complement to the above room

Garage Playroom - who doesn't want hanging beds, a big-screen TV, and a ping-pong table off the garage?

Garage - check out that shiny (and slippery!?!) concrete floor waiting for an oil spill (enter sarcasm)

Back Deck w/ Plunge Pool - a little paradise in the backyard plus a plunge pool cherry on top

You can check out all the photos, videos, floorplans, sweepstakes details, and more on the official HGTV Dream Home website {here}.  It's totally worth a look-see and drool-over, if you know what I mean...

What do you think of the cool coastal color scheme of greens, blues, and grays?

Which of the above rooms is your favorite?  I love the kitchen and dining room with that AWESOME butler's pantry.  Oh, and that upstairs loft space is pretty phenomenal with the exposed beams!

Any items you totally love?  My favorite items are the Ethan Allen four-poster beds in both of the upstairs guest rooms - that white spindle bed and the twin turquoise beds are super gorgeous.

Enjoy and don't forget to enter the HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes daily for your chance to win the house, all the furnishings, $500,000 dollars (to pay the extensive property taxes...ahem), and the uber cool GMC crossover SUV!  (or don't, and give me a better chance of winning...wink, wink)

Be Enveloped in Emerald

If you hadn't already heard it through the design grapevine, Pantone officially deemed "Emerald" the color of the year for 2013.  And, it's showing up everywhere - from fabric to the runway! 

Lucky for us, it's a beautiful and classic shade that we won't quickly tire of.  Here are a few of my favorite Emerald spaces, decor items, and fashion bits for 2013.  What do you think of the opulent but fresh shade??

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Seeing green?  It really is a gorgeous hue, huh?  This is a tough one for me - I love the color but have never decorated with it (minus a green plant here and there).  I find it much easier to wear, so I'll stick with that for now.  What Emerald item do you envision adding to your home or wardrobe this year?