2023 Home Design Inspiration

I have so many design dreams for our 1963 Georgian Colonial home! When we purchased it 4+ years ago every single room needed my touch with the exception of the master bathroom. It was perfect! We started by having every wall painted prior to moving in and slowly we've been remodeling and decorating.

Last year we took a break and invested in lots of travel but this year I'm ready to add a lot of design to a few spaces.

Here's the inspiration I have for our home this year ...

GUEST BEDROOM

I love this calming soft mint green color for the wall. 

Contrasted against our rich wood furniture gives a very traditional look.

I'm going to accessorize the room with crisp linens, pop of print in pillows and with my nature treasures: seashells, rocks, feathers, and sharks teeth!

HALLWAY

I believe hallways are one of the most important spaces in a home and yet they are often the most neglected when it comes to design. They are a high traffic space and a center focal point. We have an extra wide and long hallway upstairs with a large landing area at the top of the stairs giving ample opportunity to make a style statement.

I want to add chair molding with picture framing underneath starting on one side of our stairs up and through the entire hallway. I'll then add this fern branch wall paper above! 

POWDER ROOM

We have remodeled our powder room with new flooring and fixtures but now I want to give it more pizzazz with mural wallpaper!

My gal pal put this scene in her sauna room and I love it!

LIGHTING

I believe lighting is the jewelry for the home! I'm looking for shiny gold fixtures for our sunroom, den, office, guest room, our master closet but perhaps a white one for Vivian's room.

KITCHEN

This will leave only our kitchen left to design and it's going to be a doozy! It may be a few more years of waiting. A complete renovation from top to bottom with a big price tag (so we've saved that one for last). But since I'm sharing here's my inspiration for it. 

Dress Your Home Beautifully

(even if it's just in your dreams)

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Closet turned Playroom

Welcome to Vivian Louise's closet turned playroom!  When we found our house one of the things we were most thrilled about were the humongous walk in closets for all the bedrooms.
Now that Vivian Louise is 1, her nursery isn't just a pretty room where we rock her, change her and where she sleeps.  It's now a room where she spends time awake playing with her toys.

She's always adored her room, not sure if it's the soft colors or just that she knew it was hers but it's her happy place.  This thrills me as I loved creating it for her.

I wanted to keep her room nice and pretty and the rest of our home nice and pretty!  As I noticed she would bee line to her closet every time I was in there picking out her clothes it occurred to me that it was just the right space to make into a play area for her.  And to house her toys in an organized fashion.

The hanging quilt was handmade by a lady at our church and made the perfect wall decor and the mermaid painting my sister made using her daughter's hand print.

The rug is amazing!  It's not fluffy so it won't collect dirt but just enough softness, color and a fun confetti pattern :)
It's not a perfect fit with a few inches too wide but it is mostly hidden.

I used soft bins with labels and handles for easy and pretty organization. I love that you can find them in whatever color suits your decor - everything purple and pink for my baby girl!

Although she can't read to put her toys away in the correct bin, whoever is playing with her can.

I used the inside cubbies to house bigger toys.

I decorated the top of the shelves with her wooden doll house (she's not quite ready for it yet) and her special handmade bear and caterpillar.

On the left side are her hanging dress clothes and of course beautiful bonnets.

Underneath is her piano, puzzles and baskets of fun.
Low soft baskets are key Mammas! That way they can get into them easily.
I bought a nesting set in white and they've been perfect.

Puzzle racks are also necessary so that you don't loose the pieces.

There are also two rows of shelving on top to house sentimental things like her Moses basket, baby book etc ... as well as the everyday things like diapers.
I also have bins up there with clothes I'm keeping and clothes that she hasn't grown into yet.

We use this canvas tote bag to fill with toys when we are going places for extended time.  Easy to grab, fill and go! 

I used a clear over the door shoe rack for her baby shoes, socks and hair bows.

She's not confined to play in her closet, we leave the double doors open and she has a blast in her teepee and spreading out her toys on her rug.

This rattan carriage is not only beautiful but it's great to push around.

This lamb sings 'Jesus Loves Me' and this bunny is the BEST! She got her for Christmas and we gave the elephant version to her cousin. She plays peek-a-boo and sings.

Again these soft low baskets are so perfect for toddlers. And they're cute!

This shelf has nothing to do with her closet/playroom but it's pretty so I'm sharing it :)

It houses the things I don't want her playing with/destroying.  They're special and require supervision. 

Now the prettiest part of her room is her framed heirloom dress gallery wall I shared with you last week HERE!

6 Cube Organizer Shelf | Storage Bins | Confetti Rug | Rope Nesting Baskets |

Puzzle Rack | Tote Bag |

Dress Your Baby's Playroom Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Heirloom Dress Gallery

There are so many keepsakes and items from Vivian Louise's first year that I want to hold dear and cherish forever.
While I can't keep every garment she ever wore or every toy she played with, I have hand selected pieces to keep that I can pass down to her.  I love that my Mamma saved things from my childhood.  Vivian Louise has even worn a dress that I wore as a baby.

Typically items are put away in a bin/box and stored in a closet rarely to be revisited. But just like a framed photograph can take us back to wonderful memories, I wanted to embrace that concept with some items from her first year.

Since I love dressing her in traditional, timeless clothing I thought it would be precious to frame a few of her heirloom pieces and display them in her nursery.

I used 16x20 frames and used white fabric for the backing.

I wanted to hang them 2x2 above her crib but they would hang too low and I didn't want her to be able to reach them. So we hung them on the opposite wall and they fit perfectly!

Left to Right:

This is a Feltman Brothers dress with delicate embroidery and lace.  I wore this brand as a baby.

This was the first dress I ever bought her, just 2 days after finding out she was a girl.

It's a Sarah Louise (I couldn't wait to dress her in this brand).  She wore it for her 3 month pictures and Easter Sunday.

This dress was a gift from my Mamma.  She wore it for her dedication celebration.

This is the gown she wore for her baby dedication. It was a gift from her Granny. 

Cherish those special pieces that make you remember the precious moments!

Dress Your Baby's Nursery Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Vivian's Nursery

Hello gals!  I know I've been absent from the blog - because I've been 100% present with baby girl.

I fully intended to share her nursery in December and then earlier this month but our sweet blessing has kidnapped all my attention and I don't mind at all. While I miss routine and productivity there's no where I'd rather be than with her.  I'm going to try my best, now that she's 5 weeks old, to get back into the swing of some of my pre-baby activities. (Not going to lie exercising is on the TOP of my list).

I shared her nursery design with you here on this post.  I stuck to the design I had created with only a few exceptions.

I wanted lavender as the base color with accents of soft pink and a touch of tangerine.

Finding the rug tied it all together. 

For the crib bedding, I didn't want a matchy-matchy set so I pieced together the elements separately.

I'm obsessed with Jelly Cat stuffed animals! 

I brought the tangerine color in with the drapes. I special ordered the trim fabric and attached it myself to ivory silk panels. It was nice to make them myself - not that I'm a DIY or crafty gal by any means but it feels special to create her room.

We were gifted so many blankets, perfect for our Winter baby.

I had originally wanted to use my antique sideboard as her changing table for a unique and traditional addition but after renovating our living room it really worked best as it was intended by the dining room.  As most things, it turned out for the best as I decided to use the dresser that was my Mamma's, mine and my little sister's growing up.  All I had to do was give it a fresh coat of paint.  I kept the hardware original.  I love the history it adds to her room.

This chair has been a special place for us both.  When she was still in my belly I would sit and read, talk to her and sing her sweet songs my Mamma used to sing to me.  Now I still do those things but she's snuggled in my arms. It's also roomy and so soft for her feedings.  I love rocking her (and myself) back to sleep.

I added a shelf to hold special things for display and to hold her books because we plan to read to her every day.

The bear was Mr's when he was a little boy.  By adding a lavender ribbon it was a perfect match.

The small canvas was hand painted by a dear friend of mine.

Her baby book is wrapped in silk fabric with her monogram - I plan to start working on it this week.

I also added a photo of us, the two people who love her most in this world.

The Christmas cactus was a gift from my Mamma and I believe all rooms need a plant.

I love the sweet feeling I get when I'm in her room! It's truly my favorite space!

A Nursery Dressed Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Vivian's Nursery Design

Gals, this week’s ‘Mamma Monday’ post didn’t get posted yesterday – oops.  Forgive me.

The weekend was ROUGH – I was in bed and sick on my stomach ALL day Saturday (I’m constantly telling myself that this baby girl does in fact love me and that I love carrying her - #theStruggleisReal ).  I’m giving up on hoping the sickness with improve but I still battle the frustration of my low productivity levels.  I want to do so much but my body will not let me. Lots of prayer happening!

This week, I want to share with you Vivian’s nursery design.  It was inspired by this Pinterest pic my gal pal showed me last year…

Lavender with pops of tangerine orange.  It was different yet still feminine.  I instantly knew this was the palette for a girl’s nursery. With my own spin on it of course!

Here’s the design I created of what her nursery will actually look like ….

For the walls I chose Sherwin Williams color ‘Inspired Lilac’ a super pale shade of lavender. Lighter is better with paint.

I’ve added pink in the lamp and rug and kept the orange to a minimum with greek key trim on ivory silk drapes, a Hermes decorative box and flecks of light orange in the rug.

The rug is even prettier in person, soft and much lighter in color than online.  It pulls in all 3 colors lavender, pink and orange in a traditional design.

I’m not a big fan of nursery furniture as it is temporary so I opted to incorporate what I have and my traditional taste and am using my antique buffet as the changing table.  It also breaks up all the pale hues with its rich dark wood.

I’m adding touches of gold and glam in the lighting, mirror, pouf ottoman, small side table and frames.

The crib is a classic – just like the one I had as a baby but in white.

The chair swivels and rocks – this piece of furniture is not designed specifically for a nursery. When I found it I felt like I was sitting on a cloud and I seriously wanted to close my eyes for a cat nap right in the store.  For fear of embarrassment I didn’t.  You can choose from over 80 fabrics.  I went with a textured cream. I have plans for this chair to one day be my reading chair in our master bedroom.  

For art I’m adding our Anne Neilson painting of angels, and pieces my Mamma and sister have painted.

FYI I have a slight obsession with Jellycat stuffed animals! She already has 4 J

Everything has been purchased for her room with the exception of ordering the chair and gold pouf.  We hope to begin decorating in the next week now that our living room renovation is almost complete – I need to share that fun project with you!

I can’t wait to share the finished room with you later this month!!!

I hope you like it – check out my Nursery Pinterest board and my Maternity Style Board for inspiration!

Dress Your Nursery Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Decor for Every Room

TGIF! Today I am sharing with you 5 things I incorporate into the decor of every room.  But don't worry, your unique style can shine through each and every one of these!

I truly believe, as with dressing, that your home should reflect your style and who you are.  Guests should walk in and get a good feeling of what you represent, like and what's important to you. 

So here are my 5 things for every room ....

Books: While we may live in the digital age, books are the foundation of information, learning and adventure.  They showcase your interests. And coffee table books are great displays of just that.  They also make great gifts because there's a book for where ever your passion lies (Travel, cooking, history, sports etc ..)

Here's what's in my house ...

Hers: Design, Etiquette, Fashion, and Biographies 

His: Military, Golf, Investments, Southern Lifestyle

Houseplants:  They bring life (literally) into the room.  They are also healthy for the air we breathe :)  Pick house plants that suite your style - color, leaf shape, growth pattern ... 

I'll be the first to tell you plants can be intimidating.  You need to consider their needs and how they relate to your lifestyle (high maintenance/fragile = No and room lighting)  Succulents are super easy and don't need much water and minimal sunlight, orchids however are a bit more fragile.

The fig tree is my jam! I have several throughout my house and find them easy to care for and the big luscious green leaves bring so much green goodness to our home.

Candles:  This is a perfect example of a love/hate relationship.  While I like the aesthetics, smell and vibe they give a room, the fire hazard element scares me to the core.  Mr however adores candles.  I've tried to compromise with plugins and diffusers for scent but he loves the burning wax.  So I give in a little and carefully burn candles (but I pick the scent!)

Pictures:  I LOVE pictures of the ones I love most and the memories we've created.  There are sooooo many in every single room.  They are a visual of the relationships we hold dear and also nostalgic of times past. I print in black & white, color and stick with shiny metal frames.  Use the frame to align with your decor and style.

Mirrors:  I love using mirrors in my designs.  They make rooms feel bigger and reflect light.  And there's a shape, size and style for every space.

Dress Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Bathroom Brights

Down the hall, first door on your left.  That's where you'll find our 'bigger' guest bathroom.  We have a powder room for guests as well.  (That's a sticky subject - I'm DYING to add bold wall paper but Mr's foot is down on his veto vote)

For our mid-century ranch home we were quite please with the size of this bathroom to accompany the extra bedrooms.  In fact it's much bigger than our master bathroom.  It was renovated just prior to our purchase almost 2 years ago - wow times flies! I must say at first I wasn't thrilled with the tile, cabinet and fixture choices in our home's baths or kitchen but I quickly grew quite fond of them.

I wanted traditional and he wanted new and modern.  I won! #happywifehappylife
This house has gorgeous crown moldings, plantation shutters & real hardwood floors throughout and solid wood doors; it even has 2 pocket doors!! I'm all about the details. But all of these trimmings are painted in a rich beige color.  That was hot 50 years ago but now the bright whites and greys are the shades of interior design.  Now, our family room is the only room painted grey with white trim.  That room, kitchen, powder and master suite are the only exception to the beige on beige motif.

When I say beige motif I'm saying every other room had beige walls and beige trim.  I said 'bye bye beige'.  Within months of moving in, the formal dining, living, entryway and hall way were painted.  Next came the sunroom.  Gals, I need to step up my game and share those with you!

But back to this guest bathroom. The tile choice is a warm yellowish tan and it's on the floor and in the shower floor to ceiling.  The granite is also on the warmer side with dark cabinets, dark hardware, lighting and mirror,  Pair that with beige and I hate to say it, but it was rather dingy.

For such beautiful finishes they were muffled by the lack of light.  There's no window so the sinks, toilet and shower curtain were carrying the bright load.

BEFORE

SO, rather than fight the beige I decided to compliment it.  With white walls!  I received a less than enthusiastic response from others. White??!!  It's so builder-grade, plain, and sterile.  They were right it can be.  But there are exceptions and I trusted my design instincts.

AFTER

I added pops of emerald green with this monogramed shower curtain, hand towels and original art.

In the end these white walls not only brightened the space, it highlighted all of those warm dark elements so they could shine.  Bathrooms should feel clean and fresh and this polished coat of paint did just that.

Paint is the work horse of interior design.  You'll have a huge transformation for a small price.  Choose wisely and always always get a sample first!

Paint: Benjamin Moore 'Chantilly Lace' 

Dress Your Bathroom Beautifully with a Fresh Coat of Paint

XOXO Sarah Louise

Pinkalicious Christmas

Welcome! Come on in to our decked halls!

Ok, maybe decked is embellishing a bit.  I'm not big on lots of Christmas decor.  It's not my favorite holiday. Gasp! but it just isn't.  And, I don't like to invest money into things that are temporary and then have to store them.  I detest pack rat habits.

So, I've decided as with most things in my life, that I will do it my way.  In pure SL style.

First things first, I love the entryway into our home. The outside and in.  Because our rounded stairs and front door make quite the classic statement all on their own I simply added red bows onto our iron urns for a bright pop that's stands out all the way from the street. And because they're under $2 each, can simply be tossed come January.

On the inside I cleared our foyer tables and placed the most important decor you'll find in our home front and center, the nativity.  Jesus is the reason for the season. Amen!

If you look closely you'll see our mistletoe 'kissing ball' hanging in the formal room entry.  

We take full advantage :) 

Above in our foyer and below in our formal room, I place poinsettias plants in my vintage champagne buckets.  I typically have orchids in them.  I chose these pretty buttercream blooms because I'm not a fan of red in my home and I like the lighter brighter look.  

My formal room evolved unintentionally incorporating blush pinks.  I love it!  So last year while Mr was deployed, I decided to embrace my feminine style and continue this color palette & decorate in blush and gold for Christmas.  This year now that he's home I was worried he would be opposed, but in true 'happy wife, happy life' fashion he went with it. 

I add a little something new to my decor inventory every year to spread out the cost and it's fun to bring in fresh elements. It's always a new ornament or two, and most of the time more birds (I love birds on my tree - they symbolize peace to me) but this year it was these blush trees and glittery church.  What a pretty pink scene!!! 

Our tree decor is the same as last year.  Except for this year it isn't leaning since I had someone to help me set it up. I've had this same gold star topper now for 7 years. It's a trooper.  We kept the ornaments this same with the exception of a US Navy one that I gifted Mr this year.  It's bittersweet now that's we've left the military but it will always be a part of our lives.

All it needs are presents!  

We enjoy sitting in front of the tree and soaking in the spirit of the season sharing our thoughts.  It's cozier with hot chocolate! 

Our family room houses the fireplace and it is the room we spend the most time in.  I was so excited when I found real boxwood wreaths and pine garland at my local Trader Joe's! I quickly scooped one of each up as they were going fast.  The pine garland was surprisingly super long but with some arranging and shedding I was able to get it so that it framed our fireplace beautifully.  I had some burlap that I cut and used to hang the wreath over the mirror. 

I have a plethora of candle stick holders. I'm not sure how it happened - ok well let's be honest it's a mix of family heirlooms and my frequent trips to thrift stores / obsession with old and shiny brass/silver things.  I have a tendency to over clutter sometimes because I just love my things, but I could just hear one of my gal pals who is always urging me to keep it clean and simple.  So I did, with just 2 sets of candles in both brass and silver.  I like to mix up my shine. 

Our stockings are from our very first Christmas as Mr and Mrs 7 years ago.  

Scragley kitty all snuggled up by the fire, how he can stand the heat with all that fur I don't know.  He's way over due for a hair cut. Yes we shave him even in the winter.  He's super cute and lives in climate control. Oh and for those of you who've seen this pic on my instagram/facebook, I have serious guilt from all of your comments on why Scragley doesn't have a stocking! 

I also added red bows on our corner sidewalk lamp post and mailbox.

And last but not least, for the past few years I place candlestick lights in all of our front windows for extra curb appeal. I have a feeling next year Mr is going to want to hang lights outside.  I guess if I can have pink on the inside he can light up the outside - in moderation!

Let your light shine bright for Jesus!

I hope you enjoyed my little holiday home tour. May you be inspired to decorate your home in your own style and perhaps be inspired by mine :)

Dress Your Home Beautifully for Christmas

XOXO Sarah Louise