Meet Delores

 Meet Delores! She's brand new to our formal living room. 

Note: I intentionally set out to NOT do any home design projects this Summer until after school started ... I did 3 rooms that were not even on my list. I am my mother and am constantly redecorating rooms, often spontaneously! 

Our den (reveal coming soon) went through a total transformation which then resulted in some changes to the formal room with the additional of these etageres, removal of the tv and Delores.

With the etageres now flanking the mirrored console, art was needed on the wall. Because this room is traditional, I wanted art that's modern and interesting but complemented the current color palette.

In scrolling online I found this portrait. I named her Delores. I find her elegant and also mysterious. She an unexpected piece bringing interest to the room. 

When I added the grasscloth wallpaper to this room several months ago I realized the windows needed formal dressing. I decided on long drapes in a rich golden yellow color.  To me, they were the perfect finishing touch. 

Adding a jewel tone to the soft muted colors really added depth to the room!

BEFORE

AFTER

'Delores' Art Print - Etageres - Drapes - Drapery Rods & Finials 

I encourage you to be creative in your living spaces and add fun art!

Dress Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Marble Decor

 I LOVE marble! It's luxurious and a natural beauty. I also have an affinity for things found in nature as I believe that man cannot create anything as beautiful as God can.

When decorating my home, I mix materials like wood, fabric, metal, glass and stone for design that traditional and well collected. The textures add dimension and since I sprinkle antiques into each room they feel timeless and sentimental.

This past weekend, I added this midcentury marble coffee table to our formal living room! I've been hosting several times a month and realized our guests were having to sit their glasses, plates and belongings on the floor. We have conversation couches to encourage friendly exchange amongst our loved ones but there was a slight disconnect with the vast space between them.

The marble adds a surface that's durable and easy to clean particularly as food and beverage will be in use.

Coffee tables are a high traffic piece so I didn't want anything fragile like a delicate wood or glass, tufted wouldn't work with serving and it needed to be at a savvy price!

Note: there was a big controversy over adding a coffee table. I wanted it. Ryan didn't - he also doesn't like marble or antiques (Bless Him!). I won. 

Note: I pretty much always win because he's amazing and always wants me happy :)

TIP: Marble topped furniture & decor is best found at antique/thrift shops

and resale sites like Marketplace. I find old furniture to be of great quality!

This shell planter was actually white. 

I did a little DIY and added Gold Rub N' Buff to it and voila! 

While marble is exquisite in kitchens and bathrooms it is susceptible to staining, cracking and chipping. Not to mention expensive. So I incorporate it in decor.

Here are some beautiful marble pieces to decorate your home with ...

TRAY

Great for display in a kitchen/bath or serving beverages & food 

WINE COOLER

you can also use this as a vase for fresh flowers/plants or as a utensil holder

FRUIT BOWL

beautiful for serving and display

MARBLE ACCENT TABLE

great for living spaces or bedrooms

PLANT STAND

LAMPS

also in a brown red stone

DECORATIVE BOWLS

comes in multiple sizes and sets

OUTDOOR SIDE TABLE

Dress Your Home Beautifully in Marble

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tuesday Transformation: Bye Bye Blinds - Hello Roman Shades

Last Tuesday I started this series on updates we've done to our home that are fairly quick and easy as we await the big renovations.  I believe this is important for many reasons.  Everyone wants the magazine pretty/HGTV home reveal but in reality that takes time, resources and so much money.

There's also endless design options available so it takes a great deal of searching and deliberation when deciding on finishes. I have stacks of magazines and several inspiration boards on Pinterest with examples of things I like.

We're focused on the downstairs as it's where we spend most of our time, needs the most shine and is shared with others. Thank goodness the  majority of the upstairs has been renovated recently. 

The bones and character are outstanding in our mid-century colonial (that's why we bought it) but it needed some fine touches.  The hardwoods, one of a kind moldings and large scaled layout are all details throughout that they just don't make anymore.

Windows are impactful features from the inside and out of a home.  How you dress them is equally as impactful. Our downstairs windows and doors were covered in blinds.  I detest blinds, so they had to go. Most of the blinds that were removed in the back portion of our home on the French doors and windows I'm not replacing as the unobstructed light is stunning!

Before ... Bye Bye Blinds

Blinds have been the standard window fixture for function and form for decades and while they do in fact block light and provide privacy, they're not for me. Made of plastic they appear cheap and collect dust. I prefer upscale fabrics. One of the things I miss greatly from our previous home was the beautiful custom plantation shudders.  I'd love to have them in this home however they are a significant investment and I'm not sure they would be a best fit for function and the design plan I have for our current home.

Super Easy to Install

I chose roman shades to replace the blinds and gracious what a beautiful difference!

I started in the formal living room as it's in the front of our home and where we spend a majority of our time.  The rug is a family heirloom and the foundation for the entire color palette of the downstairs and because it has such an elaborate print I needed to keep the shades simple.

Ta-Da!

I love that you can adjust the coverage of the shades

I take window treatments seriously and almost always prefer custom creations.  This can be pricey as  I would have chosen a printed fabric with trim but in this case I was able to save money opting for a solid shade with a neutral trim therefore no need to go custom. 

They balance the room with a clean and complementary look. They also darken and provide privacy but in a prettier way!

Note: Donate your blinds - while not my favorite aesthetically, they serve a very helpful function.

Every morning I wait to open the windows with Vivian so that she can look out and watch for puppy dogs to pass on their morning walks.

The morning light is so much prettier - but it's always been fun with this gal

Roman Shades  - Sofas

Dress Your Windows Beautifully with Roman Shades

XOXO Sarah-Louise