Refreshing a Space One Item at a Time

Like most people, when it is time to refresh a room's decor I start with one or two elements. A new rug, a new light fixture, a new chair or two. While we like to believe that everyone has the funds to redo an entire room from paint to furniture to rugs to lighting all in one magically swoop, that is not most people's reality. I know Pinterest has us thinking differently. So until the decorating gods bestow us with an unlimited budget, I pulled some of my favorite current home pieces that could easily be swapped into many different spaces for a quick, but highly satisfying refresh. 

1. I am eyeing these pretty chairs for our kitchen. They come in a bunch of colors and I love the natural fiber seat. 

2. & 3. Love these two side tables. The gray (comes in other colors too) has such great texture and the x base option has great lines. Comes in white as well. 

4. This is a such a pretty oushak rug. 

5. A big reclaimed farm table that can adjust for bigger parties. 

6. These dining chairs are perfect for a kitchen and come in a ton of colors. A nice modern update to a windsor. 

7. A soft jute rug with a banding that comes in different colors. PB Kids, not just for kids rooms! 

8. Love the shape and slightly rustic feel of this chandelier. 

9. Love this black and white spindle chair. Comes in a stripe as well. 

10. Spendy, but I LOVE this coffee table. Storage and a coastal feel is a win. 

Any great finds your obsessing over? 

xo

Erin 

Patio Prep: Outdoor Chairs

The Adirondack chairs that we had out back died last summer and it is time for some replacements. We have black iron patio furniture that is not my favorite anymore, but can withstand any weather and never has to be brought in or covered. So it stays. This is what it looked like last summer. 

That bench has also been relocated to our mudroom, which was seriously needed. At this point I can barely even decide what kind of chair let alone what style I want. But, here is what has peaked my interest. 

Serena & Lily / Terrain

Both of these options would have to be stored indoors most of the time, but I love their vintage feel. The beach chairs are something unexpected too. 

Ballard / Pottery Barn

The chaise is a great option because we do not have any of them right now. The Ballard chaise would hold up in any weather and I love the lines and simple design. Plus I can have a custom cushion made in a fun fabric. Or do I just go back to the classic Adirondack? 

Crate & Barrel / West Elm

I love this more modern take on the Adirondack. Plus, it would be nice to have a wood element out there. The rustic feel of the West Elm chaise also goes very well with the style of our house and a nice juxtapose to the furniture we have now. 

Think I am leaning towards a chaise. Once we get our landscaping under control for the Spring (sometimes I love all the land we have and sometimes I want to cry about it) I will know more about budget, which of course drives all of this. Both the wood option and the iron one would look great and my head is already swirling with fabric ideas. Stripes? Solid with Piping? Ikat? Yep, something else to torture myself with. 

Any other great outdoor chairs you have come across? 

xo

Erin 

Recovered and Refreshed

No, I did not just return from a spa trip, I wish. But, I did just return from a trip to the reupholster man that I recently discovered. I have had two of the original chairs from our dining room set (from Matt's grandmother) for years with the original fabric. While the mauve plaid was really "vintage," it was not cute. I have looked at hundreds of fabrics trying to pick one. Why is fabric so hard??? My biggest concern was that the rest of the room was not done at all, so I had to pick something I liked, but was also neutral enough to be incorporated into whatever design decisions were made down the road. I came across Mally Skok and her fantastic fabric a few months ago. If I chose one of her fabrics, I could then use another pattern in the same colors for other options for the room later (drapes, other chairs, pillows, etc.) So I went with a simple stripe in shades of blue....

When in doubt, go with stripes, right? I think it turned out fab. My next move for the dining room is going to be paint. Or possibly wall paper. The darker navy in the stripe of the fabric is my inspiration and I am fairly certain I would like to do dark navy grass cloth above the chair rail and white below with some wainscoting. I found this photo for inspiration. 

If the grasscloth ends up being too pricey, I will go with a paint. Any favorites? Here is the room as is today. I really need to figure out how to use my DSLR, these are awful. ha 

Yep, that is a changing table in our dining room. 

I need to do something with that built in hutch as well. New hardware and a patterned paper on the inside possibly. 

Think I am headed in the right direction. We leave town for a couple weeks in April, might be a good time to do some painting. 

xo

Erin 

Dining In

I have been kind of obsessed with getting a new kitchen table and chairs for the last month. It is something we really do not need, but since I feel like I live in our kitchen/family room I want a change. 

 This is our current set up....

The table is really nice and so are the chairs, it is just annoying how the floors and the furniture are the same exact color. 

I have LOVED the Riveria chairs from Serena & Lily for awhile, so I know I want those as replacements. Has anyone ordered them before? 

For the table I want something affordable that can will  get destroyed by my children over the next few years. But that has some style and goes with the style of our home. West Elm delivers with this Parson's style table but in a rustic patina hued wood. 

Table: West Elm, Chairs: Serena & Lily

What do you think? Do you like the combination of modern lines with rustic and bistro style? I am loving it, Matt thinks the chairs are weird (rattan? really?), but I have always wanted them. 

Would love to get by Christmas maybe.....

xo

Erin 

Bringing the Outside In

The spaces that end up most inspiring to me are those that actually look like they can be lived in. They are more casual and have an eclectic mix of patterns and textures that is easier to recreate than something that looks formal and totally "done." One material that I love in spaces is rattan and bamboo. It almost feels like these pieces are meant for the patio, but look fantastic in a living room or kitchen. Plus, it gives off that whole beach-y, relaxed vibe that makes your space look inviting and comfortable. 

I LOVE this living room. Totally eclectic and fun. 

These chairs make a fun statement and bring warmth to the room. 

Again, eclectic. Makes you feel like you can put it together with some things you already have. 

I have been eyeing these Ikea chairs for awhile. Look how great they look with a cushion and colorful pillow. 

Chairs are so insanely expensive, so the rattan options can give you some seating options that do not feel like they will break you. 

1. Pier One $299

2. Byholma from Ikea $94

3. Serena & Lilly $450 (Just for fun, but I kind of want one)

4. Stella from Home Decorators $299

5. Pottery Barn $179

6. Storsele from Ikea $119

7. Pier One $159

8. Almsta from Ikea $99

9. Furbish $795 (pricey, but look comfy)

xo

Erin 

Outdoor Decor

With the interior of the house in a state that I like (for now) and the fact that I have put off decorating until I settle in more, I decided the patio needed a little love. We have a large space to entertain and enjoy and the privacy we have now is fantastic. We moved a patio set that we had at our previous place  and I used a few things I had along with some new items to set up two areas where we can sit, relax, eat, drink, and enjoy the summer. 

I wish I could say I planted those flowers, but picking them up from the local nursery (thanks Mom!) was just as satisfying. The teak bench was a wedding present from our dear friends with a plaque engraved with our wedding date. 

The black set was from our previous house, as well as the umbrella. I found all the fun blue and white cushions from World Market. 

I am obsessed with these outdoor ottomans. Perfect as a place to rest your legs, a tray for drinks and candles, or another seat. Also from World Market. 

Did you know you can bring in (sad) pots you already own to your local nursery and they will plant them for you? I did it with the blue pot on the right and had them plant all my favorite herbs. The rosemary tree smells amazing. Need some bigger planters for this entry, but figure this will be great for this summer. 

Now if the temperature can go below ninety-five, I can enjoy it  during the day again. It will be fun to have a party soon and take advantage of the space. 

xo

Erin