Creative Decorating Ideas

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

A shadow box border? They look like shadow boxes judging by the depth of the side profile. Either that or it's just very deep frames, because it does look like there are images in them? Either way, I like it...

T Keller Donovan/Michael Price Photography via DecorPad

I've talked more than once about updating chandeliers (and ceiling fan lights) by surrounding them with a drum shade. But... I haven't talked about doing small drum shades on chandeliers yet, have I? I think the exaggerated cylindrical shape of the shades in the image below makes them more interesting and the mixed up fabric adds a whimsical designer touch.

harlequin

(I can't remember if I've talked about table lamps yet, but putting a drum shade on a lamp can instantly give it a fresher, more updated look too!)

I like the way designer Thom Filicia seamlessly blends the TV into the decor by putting it into this niche with art above it. Placing a cozy secondary seating area in front of it makes it even less of a focal point (especially when the TV is off of course!).

House Beautiful photo Thomas Loof

I've been trying to figure out if it's an optical illusion or if the sconces in this image are actually mounted directly on the mirror. If so, I think it's a clever idea.

House Beautiful photo David Tsay

P.S. I had a question on a source for fresh, modern wallpaper that is not to the trade only. I haven't had occasion to shop for any recently and am wondering if any of you have any suggestions/sources? Thanks!

10/7/2010: For those of you not checking comments, I thought I would add this suggestion that I gave to someone there in case it might be something you would want to try. Here's what I said in answer to a question on wallpaper: "I'm hoping we'll get some answers on the wallpaper resources. I'll try to do some research on it too when I get a chance. Have you found any fabric that you like? I'm not sure about applying it onto paneling but I know it can be applied to sheetrock. Might be another option to consider if you can't find wallpaper as soon as you would like. BHG.com has a tutorial here: http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/fabric-walls/ ."

Southern Living Idea House Creative Use of Space

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

The small room below is actually an upstairs landing in the 2010 Southern Living Idea House that they decided to make use of by turning it into a small sitting room.

Some things to notice about this space:

• LOVE the upholstered wall behind the bench and the statement that the nailheads make - definitely the focal point.
• Bookshelves provide room for not only books, but to display family treasures and decorative items as well as baskets for storage.
• The turquoise poufs are a fun splash of color but are also multifunctional since they can be used as a footstool, side table or extra seating.
• Adding the lighting as part of the built-in unit eliminates the need for lamps in that area.
• Using chairs like the pretty cane chairs here is the perfect choice for a small room since they take up less space visually .

In this next room, which is a guest apartment in the garage, A Murphy bed folds up to create an open living space during the day and back down for sleeping at night. They finished off the space by upholstering the "headboard" of the bed and framed the area with curtains for a dramatic statement.

Interested in seeing more creative uses for small spaces? Check out this Creative Use of Small Spaces post.

Photos: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

A Cheerful Home

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

When I ran across California designer Jamie Levitt's cottage style home on the Family Circle website, I was immediately struck by how bright and cheerful it was. I saved the link, and this beautiful, sunny Sunday just seemed like the perfect day to share it. :-)

For the complete story on this home, and for Jamie's tips on how to get the look, click HERE.

Friday's post: Bedroom Inspiration
Saturday's post: Decorating With Ribbon

Photos by Edmund Barr

Shelf Inspiration

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Interesting way to utilize a corner...

Elle Decor Photo: Peter Murdock

Just a hodge podge of shelf inspiration today that I had saved and thought you might want to see. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

A shelf across a window (how amazing is the window?!!!)...

House Beautiful Photo: Simon Upton

These custom bookshelves from BHG.com were created by raising up ready-to-assemble cabinets, adding custom doors and topping with a bridge to make them look like built-ins...

Built-in shelves around the doorway...

houseandhome.com

I like the way Style at Home editor Erin McLaughlin utilized this wall space in her small home...

style at home Photo Virginia MacDonald

Putting a bookcase on this wall was a great solution to utilize this akward space and move the furniture away from the wall...

allyou.com

If you're short on display space, how about using your windows as a shelf? (obviously you don't want to go crazy with this idea or it could get pretty cluttered, but I think the way they've displayed the artwork in this room works)...

myhomeideas.com

A wall of shelves makes a statement...

Frank Roop

marthastewart.com

These shelves at diyideas.com were made from drawers...

How about this staggered display shelf from BHG.com?...

BHG.com says, "A recessed nook is the perfect place to show off your favorite art and display your collections. Remove a section of drywall to reveal a 4- to 8-inch-deep niche between wall studs. Consult a contractor to make sure it's safe to remove any horizontal bracing elements. Then add shelves"...

houseto home

A clever idea and great use of space to add the shelf/desk at the end of these bunkbeds...

myhomeideas.com Photo Tria Giovan

Kitchen space saver. A TV shelf built into the island...

Coastal Living Photo Dominique Vorillon

We've seen variations of this idea before, but I still love the idea of utilizing the space underneath the stairs...

Coastal Living Photo Matthew Gilson

In a small bathroom without much storage or room to set things, a shelf above the sink can be a perfect solution. BHG.com shows you how to make this one...

Set-in shelves above the tub are another way to gain storage and display space in your bathroom...

Good Housekeeping

A bookshelf "headboard"...

bhg.com

BHG.com shows you how to make this bedside shelf...

Marthastewart.com shows you how to make these ribbon bracket shelves...


and this suspended shelf...

If your shelves are less than organized and you want to hide the clutter when company comes, Real Simple suggests adding some sliding panels...


How much fun are these bookshelves from Graham and Green?


Etsy shop Little Fish Furniture makes bookshelves. Literally...

This post may have also given you some inspiration for accessorizing your shelves and bookcases, but if you're looking for more accessorizing inspiration, click HERE.

Decorating with Letters and Numbers

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Letters on your pillows...
Coastal Living photo Tria Giovan

Words on the wall...

Country Living photo John Coolidge

Country Living photo Jack Thompson

Excuse this photo, but I took it with my cell phone in a little restaurant we stopped at a couple months ago. They had several walls accessorized this way and I thought it was interesting (and of course I had to take a photo in case someone in blogland could use the idea!)

Notice the words on the mirror?
Sarah Richardon Design

and this one? (love it)
B&B Italia via Marcus Design

Signs...
Sarah Richardson Design

House #'s on pillows on your porch...
diyideas.com

Personalizing your chairs with chalkboard paint. Fun for every day use and also a clever, different take on "name cards" for dinner guests. ( BHG.com)

Embellishing wood letters ( BHG.com)...


A mix of plates and words...
HGTV.com Designer Sue Adams. (Photo by Sam Gray)

words ON plates...
Country Living photo Ellen Silverman

Letters etched into frosted glass cabinet doors...
Coastal Living

A cute eye chart lamp shade, printed table runner and wall words from Real Simple...


Organize and Decorate Everything did a stairway letter wall...

Love the use of letters on this bunkbed...
warymeyers via Alkemie

An artistic headboard from diyideas.com

A fun idea for a boys room from diyideas.com

Monogrammed tables from diyideas.com

BHG.com suggests assigning each family member a hanging basket, then mounting the baskets on hooks beside an entry door or on a stairway wall. Identify the baskets for each family member using letters...

Use a window film with a cut out message as an inexpensive alternative to blinds...

via homesandgardens.com

via Brume

Bird and Banner via Once Wed showed this project as a centerpiece idea, but the vintage numbered books could really be used anywhere you're accessorizing.

Edited to add this chair from Living Etc. via Color Sizzle. Isn't it fun?

Have a great day!