10/30/2016

Fall Pillow Palooza




Here in the Southeast, fall approaches us a bit slowly. Only just this month did we partake in that pivotal fall moment where we recognize the seasons are definitely changing. We’re talking about the annual turn of the HVAC switch where it’s off with the AC and on with the heat. That’s all to say, whether you’re in the lowcountry or living in the upstate, it’s a known fact that hot-hot South Carolina brings up the seasonal rear. Alas, here in Greenville, it’s finally (praise hands) time for chunky knit sweaters and even chunkier living room blankets. We’ve been totally itching for this much cooler time as it means one thing: a home decor change is near.

We like our homes to reflect the transition to this wonderful new, much needed fall season, and quite honestly, it doesn’t take more than a few affordable adjustments to make it happen. The easiest way to update? The changing of pillows. Every November, we bring a pop of fall flare to our favorite living spaces by sourcing new, fall-favored pillows. This way, we don’t have to change much else in the backdrop. No couch goes recovered and no coffee table has to be swapped for another. Just pillows. That’s it. Thus, we’re sharing our favorite ways to bring a bit of fall into the forefront of your own home.

To us, fall is way more than dark tones and lots of orange. Instead, we look for pillows with lush patterns and moody textures regardless of the color scheme we’re working with. When it comes to creating fall vibes, sometimes the more texture, the better. Aim for pillows with texture that’s much different than those you use during spring and summer. Think bold mohair or a vibrantly striped velvet. These help bring a warm, inviting fall aesthetic into your home while staying away from the expected fall happenings (we’re looking at you, orange and brown color-scheme family).

Far too often, we see too much orange and brown at the ripe beginning of the fall season. Good news is, there’s way more out there than just these colorings. When you use fall-feeling patterns and textures, you’ll find there’s absolutely nada wrong with a luscious blue and green plaid euro, or a yellow and black knit lumbar. It is what it is people, pillow changing is the bomb diggity. We’ve linked a few favorites below, all of which are below $50. Which is bananas. Happy seasonal decorating!










10/27/2016

One Room Challenge - Week Four - Fall 2016


Well, Friends! Week four of the One Room Challenge is here and boy, did some stuff happen this week. Look back to week one here, where I introduced the space that Marquin Designs and I are working on. 


First, lets talk about this painting and these shades! I can't take credit for either. Marquin worked her paintbrush magic. I could not be more obsessed with this painting and those lampshades are such a huge transformation and completely update the lamps. Marquin used the best shade of blue to give them their inky appearance.


We began working on some of the accessory placement this week and we decided that this Dana Gibson beauty deserved a spot right up on the mantle with a few ginger jar friends. When like items are in a room together, they are always more impactful grouped together rather than sprinkled around. 


We decided that Marquin's existing roman shades needed a little color so we picked up some tape and Marquin used Fabric Fusion and dressmaker pins to adhere it. A project that simple made such a big impact on this space to bring the color pallet together. 


We got our pillows back from the seamstress and I couldn't be more happy with them. I made tassels and the seamstress sewed them into the french pleat corners of the Neo Toile pillow (Can't wait to show you the details of that one!), and we whipped up a little lumbar out of Jana Bek's Shagreen fabric to accent out Dana Gibson Leopard cutie. 


I think one of the most unexpected and exciting elements in the space is the introduction of green. We covered all of Marquin's antique chair seats with solid green and Design Legacy green geode fabric and it is so fun and unexpected. 



We had the most lovely afternoon on the porch working on projects for the space. Marquin covered all the seat cushions and I worked on a little project to freshen up the kitchen china cabinet area. 


Here is a lovely moment Kim (our lovely photographer and friend captured of me being really excited to adhere the china cabinet backs with command strips. Like... too excited. 

But, I do get excited about this, because adhering fabric to the back of bookcases or china cabinets is one of the most affective ways to update them in a temporary way. Here's a run down on how to make it happen. 


I usually use foam core board but in this case, the shelves were too long to buy foam core board that would cover the space so I had some corregated plastic cut from a local rubber and plastic company. In most cases you can certainly find foam core at the right length. Hobby Lobby has the best selection of large pieces. 

I cut them to size and then spray them with spray adhesive. Then, place directly on the fabric and  wrap the fabric around to the back and adhere with tape. 

It's a pretty easy update. 



We used this Thibaut print that is soft yet full of color and pattern! Here's a short run down on my shelf styling methods. 


Once we placed the panels in the back, I started to style the shelves. I always start with a bottom layer of books, boxes and trays. 


Then, I layer a few items in the back... paintings in this case, but I usually mix in a mirror too. 


Lastly, I add in the items and collections! 



I leave you with a Jackson portrait. Love this boy and getting to visit him. Check out what Marquin is up to and what all the other One Room Challenge participants and doing on Week 4! 

Until next week! 

XO, 
Amanda Louise 











10/20/2016

One Room Challenge - Week 3 - Fall 2016




Well y'all, we are on our way! Week two of the ORC is always a little light but we really have the ball rolling now... and I couldn't be more excited. Big, big things happening this week. Chinoiserie mural is happening and it is fabulous. My way talented, super-woman friend Marquin is applying her mad talent to her walls. Crazy good! 


I am loving how the mural is spaced throughout the dining room, giving visual interest sporadically in unexpected ways. 



Our plans did take a bit of a turn this week. Marquin had painted a fab animal print and sent it off to be made into fabric. We got the samples in and decided that it just wasn't right. The scale was a little snake-skinish and they were a little darker than what we wanted... so we took a 180 degree turn, baby. Completely different direction and it is my jam. 


Green agates! from Design Legacy. Good stuff, yo, and it makes me have warm and fuzzy memories from the Spring ORC. Apparently, I have a type. 


The table setting will be all sorts of citron loveliness so you know I am happy. We are making double-sided mats to place under these fantastic bee lucite mats from Katie Kime and it is going to be the most fun. EVER. 

Are these not the coolest table accessory you have ever seen?


These lamps are getting a makeover this weekend involving some inky blue dyed shades. Yum, right? 

Also, Marquin is taking this art piece she did a while ago and revamping it to make it work in the space. Can't wait to see! 


And along with that big piece we will be sprinkling in all sorts of other art goodness.



Since the dining room is open to the living room and kitchen, we are having to make some small tweaks in both of the spaces to keep it all cohesive. These are our final pillow fabric choices! Some Neo Toile paired with Jana Bek Shagreen and some Dana Gibson thrown in the mix?! I'm so excited!




We have been unpacking box after box of fun accessories that have been rolling in and i cannot wait to start pulling them all together. There will be some major shelfies and bar cart stylings happening so watch out. 


Cheesy Jackson is also a major perk to hanging in this space! 



Peace out until next week! Check out details of what Marquin is working on and all the other ORC participants

XO,

Amanda Louise 








10/13/2016

Fall 2016 ORC Week Two






Hi, friends! 

It's week two of the ORC and it is time to get the ball rolling. If you are just checking in, see the space I am helping my friend, Marquin with here

Marquin is working her magic in the space this week too. Check out what she's up to. We've split up tasks to make it all happen in this tiny time frame! 

Kevin and I are in Asheville for the rest of the week and because he is wonderful, he always tags along for at least one shopping day on trips. To get organized on what we still need to find for the space, I thought I would make a little list here... and then, get to shopping! Send over any good spots to shop! 

Because Marquin's living area is open, we are having to conquer the living room, dining room, and make the kitchen feel cohesive as well. 

So here's what we need to still make happen in the Living Room. 

1. Pillows for the Sofa and Chairs 
Using Robert Allen Neo Toile to add some darkness and depth and accenting with chartreuses for brightness. 

2. Style the Mantle, Secretary, and Coffee Table 

3. Find a Coffee Table
Something with gold and glass 

4. Rearrange/ Add in New Art Pieces 
Mix in new pieces with Marquin's existing collection 

5. New Floor Lamp 
Something with more height and a modern shape to break up the traditional pieces 

6. Add Tape to Roman Shades 
Add some color and pattern 



And the Dining Room and Kitchen...

1. Recover Chairs
Using some original Marquin fabric 

2. Find Bar Cart and Style 
Lucite?! 

3. Paint Walls
Marquins totally in charge of this one and it's going to be fab chinoiserie goodness! 

4. Table Setting
The most beautiful things in the works! 

5. Lamps
Find New Shades 

6. Style Surfaces and Kitchen Shelves





So, Off I go to make this happen! See you next week with (finger's crossed) some actual progress! 

XO, 
Amanda Louise 

10/06/2016

Fall 2016 - One Room Challenge - Week 1


Y'all! Happy Thursday. I am so glad to be taking part again in the One Room Challenge for the next six weeks. Thursdays have been so mundane since the Spring wrap up.

Last go round, I helped the ever so lovely, funnest friend around, Stephanie from Olive and Tate complete her living room. Remember that pool table smack dab in the middle of the room?! Yeah? That was us and don't forget the Great Green Chair Debacle of 2016.... you can read about my biggest design mistake to date here. The word challenge is no joke, but I couldn't have been happier with the end result of that space and allllll the fun we had along the way.



I had an absolute blast getting to know the fellow participants and seeing what everyone dreamed up in this nutso, crazy fun, tiny time frame. I know I speak for everyone who has ever participated in saying that we are all are so appreciative to Linda and the ORC team for creating this platform for all of us to create and connect on.

So, this time around I am teaming up with my ridiculously talented artist friend, Marquin Campbell of Marquin Designs to complete her living space that includes the Living Room, Dining Room, And Kitchen. I am way jazzed about it. 

Marquin has a crazy good eye for design, but needed help pulling it together in her own space. So many of us have that problem. Something about making decisions for ourselves is so much harder than telling someone else what they should do. Marquin asked if I would work with her on pulling the space together and I said, "Um, yeah. Of course I am going to do that. Also, let's be crazy and do it all in six weeks and blog about it all along the way." 

So, that's what we are doing and here's the space. 

Living Room... 




Dining Room...






Kitchen...



In all three spaces we are planning on keeping most of the existing furniture pieces except for a few that will strategically be switched out for some more modern pieces. We plan to add in color in impactful ways while still keeping the space cohesive and soft. Oh and the art... I can't not mention the art. What a dream, decorating for an artist and art collector. 

Here is our inspiration mood board. All sorts of soft hues and textures that are going to bring this space to life. Did I mention that I'm jazzed?! 


And check out our Pinterest board for the space, here

I am so excited about this project and sharing it with all of y'all. With there being so much to do/share and there being so little time to make it all happen in, Marquin and I will each be sharing the space weekly on each of our blogs. We have divvied up the work load and I can't wait for the magic to start happening. 

Marquin is sharing all about the space over on her blog and laying out the issues she's had with it that made her decide to call me in.

I can't wait to check out everyone's plans for their spaces this week. This is going to be so fun. Make sure you check out all the other linking participants here and the sponsored participants here!  

My girl, Jenny, from Boho Style File is teaming up with fab Greenville designer, Francis Still of Kinloch Interiors, to work on Jenny's dining room. I am so excited that these girls are participating and I am even more excited about the blowout celebration we are going to have with them when this thing wraps. Can't wait to see what they cook up. 

Finally, something fun about Thursdays again! Happy day, friends! See you next week with an update on our plan. 

Here we go! I'm not sure if I accurately conveyed my excitement. 

XO, Amanda Louise