Guest Post: Want It Wednesday

Leave a comment

Hi, everyone, I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work from around the world. My writing focuses on things I’m passionate about: interior design, decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art. I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I’m a very lucky girl!

Being asked to write a Want it Wednesday guest post was like turning a kid loose in a candy store.  I realized I am coveting so many things right now that it was hard to narrow it down to just 8! I think it is the back to school shopping feeling in the air. I want to change décor with the seasons. So here are 8 thinks I want this Wednesday. What are you wanting?

Console Table
Little Emma English Home via

Love the shabby chic style of this long table. Used as a console table or kitchen island, it would add a lot of charm to a kitchen, hall or living room.

Kilim Rug

The Haystack Needle via

A graphic and colorful kilim rug from Turkey is definitely at the top of my list of wants right now. A kilim has such great color and style—perfect for a bedroom, living room or home office.

Wool Bowls

Super Market HQ via

With Fall right around the corner, these squash colored felted wool bowls would look great on a dining table filled with apples or decorative gourds.

Rustic Crown Molds

Little Emma English Home via

I don’t know what they are but I want them– the molds (?) on the shelf that look like rustic crowns.  How charming for kitchen decor! Must add this to the kitchen design ideas file.

Pink Chair

A Girl Named Bong via

Love the new home line from Lilly Pulitzer.  This hot pink Chinese Chippendale style chair is the Boulevard chair from Lilly’s line at Horchow. Love her dragon print as a pillow too!

Light Bulb Vases

Free People via

How cool are these light bulb vases?! This is a great DIY project from Free People. Adorable!

Leather Chesterfield
Decadent Green via

A classic leather chesterfield… I think this is on a lot of people’s want lists. Such classic lines but it can work in so many different decors. Love.

Oyster Shells

Shop Candelabra via

I saw a few of these when I was on vacation on Cape Cod: a sphere composed entirely of oyster shells. They are gorgeous in person and are truly sculptural works of art that kick up a coastal interior design. Wonder if it could be a DIY project.

What are some of the things you want this Wednesday? Make sure to stop by at Design Shuffle and browse all of the different styles of interior design ideas, inspirations, tips and trends. Be sure to say you saw us here at This Little Nest.

Quest for the Perfect Powder Room Wallpaper

Leave a comment
I may not have executed it all, but I at least have plans for just about every room in the new house except the downstairs half bath.  Here is its current state.
The rest of the house is rather neutral so I decided to go bold with this room as it’s small and low risk.  I’ve got a huge white carved wood mirror for the back wall and the corner sink will soon be replaced by a square pedestal sink.  I’ve decided to go blue and white with the wall and I’ve been desperately searching for the perfect wallpaper pattern.  Here are my favorites so far!
I love this wallpaper print but I’m afraid the repeat is too small and would be overwhelming in a small bathroom.
This wallpaper has a larger print, which I love, but has more white than blue, which I don’t love.
I think I REALLY love this chinoiserie navy print wallpaper but it’s sooooo bold.  I’m just a little apprehensive but part of me says I should just take the pluge.

I think this print, like first one, is too small and would make a guest to our half bath dizzy!!

Wallpaper is so difficult to decide on.  It can easily get too stuffy and outdated. I’m hoping that this mix of traditional colors but with a fun, bold pattern would be the perfect way to keep it fresh.  Which do you like best??  (Hint, hint:  I’m trying to get you people to comment!)
~Katie

Home Inspiration Photos

Leave a comment
With the looming move and work beginning in the new house tomorrow, I’ve been an online inspiration photo addict as of late. I’ll be posting updates and before and after shots as work begins but I thought I’d share with you some of the pretty photos (and a few sneak peeks) I’ve come upon and gathered while brainstorming about the new place. 
http://www.kitchenbackplashes.blogspot.com
http://www.houzz.com

http://www.decorpad.com

 

http://www.decorpad.com

http://www.decorpad.com
  
Sarah’s House HGTV
Helen Gillilan artwork that will be going in the living room
Pillow & Curtain Fabric for the Living Room
http://www.houzz.com Bedroom I ADORE!

See you soon with some progress pics!

~Katie

New House! We’re Moving!!

3 Comments
I’ve been wanting to tell you guys this FOREVER, but didn’t want to jinx anything so I decided to wait until after we closed today!  We are moving in just a few weeks to our new home!  
Before Pic!
Please excuse the poor photo, but it’s all I had on my phone!  The house is in a charming neighborhood just 10 minutes away from our last neighborhood and within walking distance to several of our friends’ homes!  I’m just ecstatic about all of it’s original features:  great moulding, built ins, hardwood floors, a sweet little sunroom, and a screened in balcony off the master!
  In just a few short days, the blue vinyl siding will be coming down and the original 1925 exterior will be getting a fresh coat of chalky white paint, the hedges will be getting a good trim, and I’ll be going into manic decorating mode! Our goal is to get it restored to it’s historically accurate state so we can get that historic marker back up!  (I’m assuming the historical society had a fit when someone decided cotton-candy blue vinyl siding would be a good idea)  Lots of before & after photos to come your way soon!
Anyway…if you’re looking for me in the next few weeks, try the local fabric store! Toodles!
~Katie 

Guest Post: Colorful Shabby Chic Bedrooms

1 Comment

Hi everyone!  Arcadian Home offered to do a guest post on the dear old blog about colorful shabby chic bedrooms and I thought you guys would enjoy it!  Let me know how you liked it!

Shabby chic interior design has been popular for many years now. It’s aesthetic is one marked by aged, distressed or vintage home accessories and decor. With colors ranging from whites and pastels to the worn-out colors of woods and metals, shabby chic interior design is also ultra feminine.

With an emphasis on texture and layering, it makes for a lovely look in the bedroom. So if you’re in need of a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing, take a look at these beautiful and shabby chic bedrooms.

Shabby Chic Bedrooms
Sarah Klassen via Elle Décor UK

Who wouldn’t want to spend all day in this fluffy, gorgeous, shabby chic bedroom? The color palette of robin’s egg blue and dusty rose are soft, pretty accents to the frilly white bed and white bedside table.

Shabby Chic Bedrooms
Down & Out Chic via House to Home

Admittedly, the bed is lovely, but this wonderfully creative wall art steals the show. Acting as a headboard, the designer created an arrangement consisting of salvaged shutters, vintage frames and an old window. So pretty!

Shabby Chic Bedrooms
Interior Design via
This lavender and purple bedroom is perfect for any little girl with a sense of style. Texture is the star here — with different textures layered upon one another, from the woolly knit throws to the area rug and the heavy, printed curtains.
Shabby Chic Bedrooms
Country Living via
When you hear or see, “brick accent wall,” you may not immediately think of something feminine, let alone, shabby chic, but that’s exactly what this lovely room is. The brick accent wall is softened by vintage nightstands and lamps, as well as a pretty chandelier and a soft pink throw.
Shabby Chic Bedrooms
House Beautiful via
Shabby chic bedding is the star here, while soft pink roman shades and a flower vase full of pink roses add surprising bits of color.

When done well, there’s something incredibly feminine and well-worn about the shabby-chic look. Though all different, these bedrooms are such dreamy havens, with plush white linens, antique furnitures and décor.

Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home accessories at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

My New Hobby: Wedding Flowers?

1 Comment
In the last few years, I’ve developed a hobby of flower arranging and have been asked to use my “talents” (and I use that term loosely) for wedding of friends.  I absolutely LOVE doing it and thought I’d share my latest wedding with you all:  Siobhan & Alex

 Siobhan and Alex have been friends of mine for years when I began working with Siobhan right out of college.  They’re an awesome, laid back couple that I adore being around.  Their wedding was unique, modern, gorgeous, and most of all FUN!
I created bouquets for Siobhan and her bridesmaids…. as well as centerpieces for the ceremony and reception (which were funky and modern).
  
 This was a spring wedding with dark, moody (and gorgeous) flowers…..
which isn’t exactly an easy combination…..

….but with help from my friends at David Wholesale Florist , I was able to find what I needed.  They’re a great wholesale florist in Birmingham that is open to the public.  So whether you need enough for one arrangement or an entire wedding, they’re a great local resource.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!  Email me if you’d like me to create something for your next event (shameless self-promotion, I know)!

Beauty Must-Haves

3 Comments

I’ve been a huge fan of Ole Henricksen products for a while, but I recently splurged on some of his “new-to-me” products.  I’ve been using the Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser and Grease Release Face Tonic for some time and they’ve been very good to my oily-proned skin.

But I went into Sephora to get my next bottle of cleanser and couldn’t help but be intriqued by all of his other options, especially the Three Little Wonders set.                              
I’ve recently noticed a few minor wrinkles here and there around my eyes and forehead (I’m sure it’s a result of lifeguarding with little to no SPF in high school) and I’ve yet to begin taking any precautionary steps to prevent aging so I thought now was the time to start.  This set has a Collagen Booster serum to be used at night to fight off current and furture wrinkles, an Invorgorating Night Gel (oil free which works much better for me than your typical night cream) and Sheer Transformation, an oil free moisturizer to be used at night and before makeup application. 
My skin is a catch 22.  I’ve been hesistant to use creams and moisturizers because I tend to be so oily, only to find out that my skin is oily because I don’t use them.  When skin is dehydrated like mine, it over produces oil leaving your face super shiny.  I’ve been using the Sheer Transformation moisturizer for only a week and I can tell a huge difference at then of the day when it comes to shine control.
So, I get this is a blog about home design but the truth is, I feel like sharing a little more about my life and interests than just decorating.  So here you go, hope you don’t mind!

Overstock Me! Living Room Edition

Leave a comment
I don’t know about you guys, but I do WAY too much online browsing when it comes to home interiors.  I love so many different styles and tastes that I’m constantly picking out so many items, I could decorate hundreds of living rooms.  And the one place that I always see something I like, no matter what style I’m into that day, is Overstock.  So I attempted to style an entire room (graphically) in nothing but Overstock inventory.  It turned out a little masculine, but I’m actually totally digging  it….and with the idea of a possible new house and new living room to furnish, I could definitely go with this look.  Let me know what you think!  I’ll come back and source it all tomorrow!  Enjoy!