Category: DESIGN

Posted on

Seasonal Decorating: Styling a Spring Coffee Table

Dilemma:

“I want to bring the feeling of Spring into my home decor but my budget is small and my available time is even smaller. Can you help me?”

Solution:

I hear this dilemma quite a bit during workshops and classes. You want to refresh your home each season, and although you want it to look like a million bucks, you don’t necessarily want to invest a lot of time or money doing it. Creating a seasonal display on your coffee table is an easy way to bring Spring into your home and many of us already own these suggested items.

 

  • Wooden Tray
  • Your Favorite books or magazines
  • Decorative Box
  • Decorative Coasters
  • Potted Bulbs or Spring Flowers

 

Once you have raided your closets and collected all your items in one place it is simply a matter of placing them in an appealing manner on your table.

 

Check out this video I just made for you with simple tips for styling your coffee table that can be done in a matter a minutes. It will have you ready for entertaining or simply whistling like a spring bird in no time.

Now it is your turn, I want to hear your design dilemmas. Leave one concern you have about seasonal decorating in the comments below and we may answer in an upcoming video or session.

Posted on

Need More Paris?: Bistro Chairs

French Bistro Chairs. Decorative tile. Paris Cafe. #AnAppealingPlan

After searching images of Paris markets, gardens and cafes for Mondays Post “Weekend In Paris”, as well as continuing research for a clients French inspired restaurant patio {photos to come soon}, I needed to see more!

More gardens, more markets, more chairs… So I have dedicated the next few posts to dreaming of a trip to France. And the knowledge that when you put a desire put into the universe it finds a way to make it happen. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much I as have finding them.

MORE CHAIRS…

 

Paris Bistro Chairs. Green. Tile. An Appealing Plan.

Paris Yellow Metal Bistro Chairs. An Appealing Plan.

Paris Bistro Chairs. Street view. colorful chairs. An Appealing Plan.

 

French Metal Bistro Chairs. Dining Table. An Appealing Plan.
{Image spotted on Stylish Design Services}

French Bistro Chairs. Bistro Stools. Kitchen Island. An Appealing Plan.

What are you dreaming about this year? What is on your dream board this year? Share your story by commenting below.

Happy Dreaming!

~ krayl

P.S.: If your dreams consist of creating your own oasis to transport you to another land, or perhaps you are simply looking for a few pieces to accessorize your space. Our design services can transform your garden, gathering and everyday living. To learn more visit our services page or contact us today!

Posted on

Weekend In Paris

This weekend many design enthusiasts and professionals made the pilgrimage to Paris for the Maison + Objet. Although 1000’s of miles away I am dreaming of the day when I can again visit Paris in the spring, attend this amazing event and walk the streets for inspiration.

Paris Streets. @AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.

Paris Streets. @AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.
For now images will have to do.

The Street Markets.

Paris Street Markets. AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.

The Cafe’s.

Paris Street Cafe. AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.

The City Gardens.

Paris Streets. Paris Gardens. #AnAppealingPlan.

Paris Gardens. Window Boxes. Garden. #AnAppealingPlan.

Until this dream becomes reality, a girl can dream. What is on your 2013 dream board? See our on Pinterest now.

Posted on

Pantone Color of the Year for 2013: Emerald

Radiant, jewel-toned Emerald promotes balance and harmony

Pantone LLC announced PANTONE® 17-5641 Emerald, a lively, radiant, lush green, as the Color of the Year for 2013.

“The 2012 Color of the Year, PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited, reddish orange, provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and move forward. Emerald, a vivid, verdant green, enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight, as well as promoting balance and harmony.

Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity – no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.”

As I am so inspired by nature and the natural world we HAD to begin our look at this color by starting in the garden. Leaves, garden stools and garden tools inspire and are inspired by the color green.

 {Garden Stool from About.com}

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

Moving from the garden through the entranceway and into your home, Emerald Green bring a luxury to your Doorway and Front entranceway.

{Planters from Fireside Antiques }

{Image courtesy of Franki Durbin }

“Emerald for Interiors Enhance your sense of well-being at home by rejuvenating the interior with Emerald paint, accents and accessories. This jewel-like hue will create a luxurious feel in an entryway, powder room, dining room or study, and bring life to a living room as an accent wall. Add a splash of color to the kitchen and dining room areas with Emerald dinnerware, stemware and appliances.”

I love the image below because it utilizes mirror images to showcase the Emerald Green outside, on the velvet couch and also in the glass mirror on the wall.

Moving on to the kitchen and dining room we see the color come to life in cake stands, glassware, and centerpieces.

{cake stand image courtesy of news-press.com}

{glassware image courtesy of Williams-Sonoma}

{Bells of Ireland Centerpiece Inspiration}

 2013 is going to be a year filled with good fortune and prosperity and we look forward to searching for and providing you with everything you need to create your own appealing plan. {See more of this fantastic color by following us on our Emerald Pinterest Board}

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2013: PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald via read the release in its entirety on their website Press Release …more…

Posted on

Design Finds: Casa Nova Tampa

Lastnight I attended an event at CasaNova in Tampa, FL for a networking function {and if truth be told to stare at all their beautiful home decor items}, and found a few new favorites to put on my growing wish list as well as an item or two for a client’s office re-style.

This Bird Nest Pillow would make an excellent addition to the 75 other pillows currently on my bed, after all I don’t have one with a nest and eggs on it… And the whole bird trend is so hot right now.

Bird Pillow

If you follow my blog at all you know my love for Natural Design inside and outside the home, so when I saw this carved wooden chandelier hanging above a round card table I was mesmerized. I stood trying to figure out if it was a created from one single block or created separately then synched together. Still not sure but either way it is amazing workmanship. {although also on trend I apologize in advance for too much of the Tangerine Tango bookcase in the background of the photo}

Tablescapes, Tablescapes, Tablescapes. I LOVE them on an entranceway table, side table, waiting area, dining room, retail merchandising and for entertaining. Pretty much can’t go wrong. Try recreating the ones below on your empty table.

Finally their collection of custom fabrics which takes up pretty much the majority of one wall was too pretty not to take a few snappies of. Hmmm, I think the chair in my master might need a new slip cover…

NEUTRALS

Color Swatches Neutral

RED & YELLOWS

Color Swatches Red & Yellow

If you live, work, play in the Tampa Bay area be sure to stop in Casa Nova and say hi to owner Barbara & designer Kylie Italiano. And tell them I said hello.

Enjoy this post? What did it inspire you to do? Let a comment below and share the love with your friends using the social share button. Complete the form below to receive weekly updates to your inbox. Enjoy ~ krayl

Posted on

Starck Design meets Electric Golf Cart = V+

Always on the hunt for new and green designs I came across a recent Wall Street Journal Style & Travel article interviewing one of my favorite designers Philippe Starck regarding his latest creation:  “French designer Philippe Starck hates cars. They’re noisy, dirty, anti-social, masochistic and they bring out the worst in people, he says. He recognizes, though, that people sometimes need locomotion. To that end, he has created an electric vehicle, which is on display this week at the Geneva Auto Show and will retail for about $40,000. The pared-down design of the V+ Volteis by Starck—it resembles a golf cart more than a car that could withstand urban use—seems to prioritize form over function. “If you look at the electric vehicles on offer today, they’re unbelievably bad. The designers are taking out the engine, putting an electric motor in its place and don’t really think about what it should look like,” says Mr. Starck.”

Super cute AND Functional! I am in. I will take two please. {one in grey and one in yellow of course}.

Posted on

Gardening: INside or OUT. WoollyPockets Are the Answer.

Now thats a Focal Point

What is a WoollyPocket??

“Garden Shed DreamingWoolly Pocket was founded in 2008 by brothers Miguel & Rodney Nelson. …out of a personal need for a simple, DIY-consumer friendly system for gardening vertically, not yet available on the market. …they invented the breathable Woolly Pockets with internal moisture control that are made from recycled plastic bottles in USA. Now, the Nelson brothers are turning the gardening industry down side up. And the Woolly Pocket family is also helping millions of students learn nutrition and gardening through their Woolly School Garden program by creating a living garden classroom for students K–12.”

I have seen them for sale and have wanted a space to use them. Currently living with out the garden space of my dreams I have decided to bring it inside, and plan on placing them in my bathroom as well as master bedroom. Stay tuned for

Now thats a Focal Point

my progress as I continue my 2012 plans!

The images are just a few examples of how you can use them as well as the full description of how they are made.

Happy Growing! kf.

Perfect for any area indoors or outdoors where moisture protection and water conservation is desired.

1. HANGS SIMPLY Wally has easy fasteners and anchors that work on masonry, drywall, sheetrock, wood and metal walls. Hardware included.

2. SMART WATERING Water Wally’s back panel (the tongue) with a wine bottle or a long spout watering can. Wally’s tongue wicks water down directly to the roots. This conserves water and promotes plant health.

3. AUTOMATIC WATERING For larger installations, insert optional drip irrigation behind Wally’s tongue.

 4. PROTECTS WALLS Military-grade moisture barrier ensures that your walls stay dry.

5. SELF WATERING Reservoir allows tongue to continue wicking water to the roots.

6. STRONG, HEALTHY ROOTS Breathable felt allows moisture to evaporate and allows plants to air prune.

7. ECO-FRIENDLY Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (PET).

Happy Growing! kf.

Enjoy this post? What did it inspire you to do? Let a comment below and share the love with your friends using the social share button. Complete the form below to receive weekly updates to your inbox.