Coming Home to Fresh Paint

We are back from our trip to see the grandparents and falling back into line is taking a few days. How nice is it to have your parents around to help with your kids? I am so grateful that they want to be so involved and allow me to take a nap. 

While we were away the painters did a few jobs around the house, the first being our family room/kitchen. Previously it was a buttery off white that normally would be fine, but it bugged because the kitchen cabinets were also off white. The fact they matched has bothered me since we moved in. 

Here is what the room was like before...

I chose a cool, calming icy gray (Sherwin Williams Ice Cube). Something much lighter that gives me more options for decorating down the road. This new color has made me like the kitchen cabinets more and just has a fresher look than before. Don't mind my little model...

I am a little annoyed that the painters forgot to paint the ceiling in between the beams. Those are always the things that happen when you are away when the job is getting done. But even Matt says that this new color makes all the other rooms (all that buttery white) need new paint too, so they will be coming for a visit again soon. We also had our room painted, which I will share once a couple more pieces

 come in.

What do you think? Not a huge change and hard to tell in photos, but I love it. 

PS: Need some new throw pillows, any suggestions???? 

xo

Erin 

White Washed

We have a living room in our house. Do you? I want it to be a room that we will actually use, not one that sits there looking pretty. My thoughts are that it would be nice to make it another family room with no television. That way it has a comfortable feel that makes it usable daily, yet I also want it to have style for entertaining guests. In my search for inspiration, I have found myself gravitating towards rooms painted white. Which is strange because I am really a color person. Although, lets get serious, I usually choose some version of gray. White walls seem so chic with neutral furniture and pops of color from plants, pillows, art, or window coverings. Here is what is steering me this way...

Love that mustard settee in the middle of the room and the striped rug. 

Traditional sofa and wing back with modern wood chairs. So Cool. 

Gray, gold and white is such a great combo. 

The rugs are little random for me, but that painting is gorgeous. 

I love the ease of this room, yet it also looks comfy. Worship the rug. Anyone know of one like it? 

I for sure want a fiddle fig like this one, and I like the texture of the ottoman. Z Gallerie has a similar one. 

Again, loving the stripes and the fiddle fig. 

Very neutral with geometric pillows would be easy to put together. And there is that striped rug again. 

Striped sofas. yes. 

A few too many patterns for me, but I like the striped fabric. And those tables, I saw them at World Market on sale. 

Classic, with wood accents and brass. 

Think I am going in the right direction? Can't decide if white is boring, or leaves you with endless possibilities. 

xo

Erin 

Best Way to Choose a Paint Color

I spent the morning playing with this fun tool from Sherwin-Williams, Chip It. You simply give the URL of a photo and it will give you paint colors to coordinate. How fun to use when starting a design project in your home? You can use any image that inspires your space and it will give you the perfect color palate to follow. 

You can use your favorite look from Fashion Week...

A favorite bedroom with a pop of color...

An outfit that you have your eye on...

The dressing room you are obsessed with...

Or a photo of your favorite place...

You can actually add it to your toolbar much like Pinterest so you can Chip It whenever you stumble across something you love. This makes picking colors a whole lot easier and so much fun. 

Happy Chipping! 

xo

Erin 

A Touch of Color

A very chic friend of mine is updating her house with touches that bring a fun, but sophisticated, touch to a traditional house. The house has hutches built into the walls, which so many would love to have. Antique glass doors open to roomy cabinets holding glassware and serving pieces. When I visited after the painter had visited I just loved the new soft gray on the walls and this fantastic deep turquoise that lined the backs of the cabinets, the island walls, and the exposed shelves under the sink.  By choosing just a few areas to add a punch of color, the whole room was given a new life.

What color would you pick for a quick update to your kitchen and where would you place it? Would love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.

A few more ways to accent a room:
A white room gets some pizazz from a bright blue wall
Paint the door! This soft pink is so precious in this room
Love this coral inspired wall paper on one wall or as a backing for shelves
A gorgeous burnt orange area rug  or One in bright blue
Throw a new case on your tired old pillows like this yellow chevron from Milk And Cookies

xo
Erin