Shades of Gray in Home Decor

The color gray is fabulous. I just love it! Since it is a neutral color, it goes well with so many different colors. It definitely adds elegance and sophistication to a decor.

"Gray is the color of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. It is perceived as long-lasting, classic, and often as sleek or refined. It is a color that is dignified, conservative, and carries authority. Gray is controlled and inconspicuous and is considered a color of compromise, perhaps because it sits between the extremes of black and white. Gray is a perfect neutral, which is why designers often use it as a background color." - Sensational Color




I love the pinstriped headboard and floral cushion here.




I love the gray wall that adds as a background to this absolutely gorgeous chair and fabulous side table.




What a great living room area here. Everything works so well together.



I love the white couch against the gray walls here. What a great contrast!




This bedroom is so gorgeous. I love the bed frame, the zebra striped cushions and the carpeting.




Really love these gray home decor accessories. Gorgeous!

A-Frame Tent

I love this A-frame tent by Rubyellen Bratcher of Cakies. She has a fabulous blog!

She has provided detailed instruction on Grosgrain. I love that blog too! ♥

It looks pretty easy to make. I want to make one for a corner in Tobias' room. I would love a chevron pattern, but I think he would prefer a superhero themed one. :)

Hmmm, maybe we could go with the chevron and I'll make him a couple of superhero pillows... :)

Inspiration Sunday - Pattern: Chevron

I don't know what it is about the pattern chevron. It really is my new crush. I love it. So modern, yet so retro.

Here is some chevron inspiration for you. ♥


Ocean Chevron Pillow




Chevron Oak Floor




Yellow and White Chevron Oblong Clutch




Chevron Baby Blanket Rainbow Chevron




Chevron Fabric Organizer Basket




Sophistikat Rug in Cobalt




Chevron Wristlet Pouch




Chevron Cake Stand Dessert Pedestal

Inspiration Sunday - White Decor

White. So clean. So fresh. So crisp. I don't know what it is about using a white palette in home decor, but I just love it. It looks so inviting. When the kids get (much) older, I will definitely be going white! But right now, it's just not practical in my house! :) For now, I can just look at some lovely and inspiring pictures.

I love this dining room table. It has such an elegant and cozy feel to it. That chandelier above the table is beautiful. Loving the white wash floors too.




How gorgeous is this? I think I'd feel like a queen lying down on it! I'm also loving all the windows and how much light comes through them.




Love all the cabinet space in this kitchen. I also love how the dark floors make such a dramatic impact on the all white kitchen.




This mirror is so beautiful and elegant.




This room is so cozy and inviting. A great room for entertaining with family and friends.




I love the round mirror. The yarn pom-poms in the clear glass jars are fantastic. I'll have to try that.




I had to add this picture as I love the turquoise walls contrasted against the white furniture. And yes, I love the color turquoise.




This room looks like a wonderful sitting room. Great to relax and read a good book.

Inspiration Sunday - Funky & Fun Decorative Pillows

Pillows are such a fun way to brighten a room or add just that little bit of oomph to your home and office decor. Instead of the "traditional" pillows, I went on the search for some funky and fun ones. Here are a few that I found:

Pacman Pillows by Modernality
I remember playing pacman when I was younger. Such a low tech, simple game, but hours of fun! Beware, it can be very addictive!




Ctrl - Alt - Del Pillows - http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/ctrl-alt-del-pillows/
I love these computer key pillows. How many times have I had to press Ctrl-Alt-Del on my computer? Too many! Maybe it's time to get a Mac! :)




Tech Pillows by icon pillows
In the age of technology, these pillows really fit right into this generation. (With a sunflower thrown in for fun).




Character Pillows by mymimi
These are so cute! I especially love the panda one and the mouse hiding in the piece of cheese. So sweet!





Alpha Pillows by creative suite
Oh, alphabet pillows. Who wouldn't love these?




Pillows by Jonathan Adler
I love, love, love the geometric shapes of these pillows. So fresh and fun.




Mac OS X icon pillows by Throwboy
I thought these Mac OS pillows were quite ingenious.

Inspiration Sunday - Furniture Makeovers

I LOVE furniture makeovers. Some before and after pictures are absolutely astounding!

We have a dining room set that we received as a gift when we got our first house years ago. Since having kids, the chairs have really taken a beating. The worst are the spaghetti stains. No matter how hard I tried to scrub out the stains, you can still tell they are there.

Last summer, I decided it was time to reupholster the chairs. I wanted a bold color, so I settled on this rich, soft velvet feeling fabric. This was my first time reupholstering any sort of furniture. It was so much fun. I love the result. It has really changed the look of the chair and it's stain free...for now! :) And when I get bored of the color and texture of the fabric, I can change it up. (I love the color turqoise and I'm just waiting for the right fabric to come along!)

Talking about stain free...I also had some clear vinyl type material that I cut to fit the surface of the seat, so that when the kids are eating at the table, I can just fit the plastic over the seat and yay, no more worries about food falling on the chair! Woo-hoo!

Here's a before and after picture.





And here are some amazing furniture transformations. Stunning!


Before - This chest is just blah. It looks dated and worn.



After - Wow, I love how it was painted white and the top was reupholstered in green. What a difference!




Before - I like the style of this chair, but it definitely needs some updating!


After - What a change! I love the metal studs placed along the front of the chair. Although, I'm not crazy about the fabric (I would have chosen no pattern on the fabric and a brighter looking color. Leather would be nice too!), it's a far cry from the original!




Before - This vanity looks like it was well used and well loved.



After - What a difference some color makes! I love how the vanity was transformed into a desk. I also love the message board on the wall. Beau-ti-ful!




Before - This dated tv cart needs some loving.



After - I love how the tv cart was transformed into a night table. I love how the casters were replaced by legs. I normally don't like wall paper adorning furniture, but this is just plain lovely!




Before - This wardrobe cabinet looks well used and looks like it has been run through the mill!



After - Wow, you can hardly tell that they are the same cabinet! I love the bold 'I Love You' painted onto the cabinet. Very cool! The flower adds a unique touch also.