Back to School Organization In Your Home

The kids are off to school and you are about to be bombarded with papers to sign, supply lists to fulfill and bags to organize. We wanted to give you some ideas to make your mudroom a functional AND beautiful space to keep you family on track with organization.

Photo: 2.bp.blogspt.com

 To help keep things in place, designate a spot for each family member. Assign a cubby for their items, or if you are tight on space, try hooks with specified names. You can even do a single hook, with the child's inital hung from a ribbon above it.

Photo: Westchester Magazine

Keep things within reach for your children. There's not a chance that they can complain about not reaching something to hang up a coat or backpack, and it will clear up any chance of tripping over items thrown in the hallway!



Photo: decorandyouhr.com

Photo: Decorpad

Loose papers to sign and homework cannot get misplaced by using magazine or file holders mounted vertically to the wall. The compartments help to keep things tidy and easy to grab as they head out the door.

nextstepinmylife.com

 

 

 

Organizing schedules can often be the hardest to keep up. Create a large display calendar to manage everyone's places to be and dates to keep in mind. You can create a large calendar easile and for low cost by getting corkboard, and painting or utilizing tape for lines. Super cute and functional!

 

If you want to hide shoes away, there are tons of options to hide away

your heels and sneakers in one spot.

 

Photo: Room Envy

 

 



Photo: Stagetecture

 

 

 Benches offer a welcoming spot to kick off shoes and give everyone time to hang up coats, bags and put away items in storage cubbies. And make sure to make your mudroom inviting and as pleasing as the rest of your home: add family photographs, flowers and art to the walls and shelves.

 

Photo: www.mysimplrlife.com/blog

Another option to keep in mind for space and costs is to get a cute console, and add bulletins above it. File folders on the table keep the homework tidy, and the rubber mat will avoid any muddy or wet shoes from cluttering up your floor.

Sensational Summer Colors

I  recently took a trip to the Riviera Maya, and upon my return I cannot get the beautiful blue water to escape my mind. So, I have decided to find some top design pieces that were inspired by my travel to the azul and turquoise waters far from the Rockies. Check out these pieces that will bring the distinctive color to your home!

Unique finials, made of howlite and agate, by LA-based designer Hillary Thomas. Each finial is like tiny works of art to add just the right touch to any room.

 

 

Tiles can create an impression of color, no matter where you use them. The wavy pattern of the one on the left adds dimension and interest just like the waves when the tide comes in. The vibrant colors of the example on the right create depth from the variations of color throughout. Applying it in the kitchen makes you feel like you are on vacation every day!

Image- House Beautiful

Image- The Glass Factory

Versailles Chandelier- call us to order!

A chandelier can turn a well-decorated room into an opulent, designer's space.

Image- Decoist

Dream of the sea by resting your head on these geometric & mod, aquamarine sheets.

Have fun shopping the summer's sensational color!

Funky, Shabby-Chic Texture & Pattern Mash-Up

What a fun number-

 I came across this staged

bedroom last week and

it really grabbed my eye.




It has so much color,

texture and pattern to

explore.

This could be so great as a shabby-chic guest bedroom or as a posh little girl's room.

 

 Fringe can be used in so many unexpected ways...

 It's always fun to see a play on texture, pattern and color and this bed set doesn't miss that mark-  green Herringbone and orange colored Moorish geometrics have a vintage feel, whilst the whimsical trim and funky fur hit the mark for an eclectic mash-up!

How To Create A Stylish Green Lifestyle

Green-living is more than recycling and purchasing energy efficient products. We feel that creating a green lifestyle is about being creative and connecting with what inspires you in your lifestyle. I was completely inspired this morning on my morning-internet-surfing-hunt when I came across this amazing living room filled with eco-friendly ideas.

Designer Linda Woodrum created a comfortable space that wasn't a literal translation of the term "green" by using eco-fabrics, found goods, cool art and natural materials.The room is charming, yet modern. It has texture, color and some vintage nods. I really love this space! You can find more detailed information on her selections at interiorhunter.com

all photos at interiorhunter.com

If that doesn't inspire you, here are some more tips we can offer...

Connect with nature: Anything can lead to an inspiration board.

iStockphoto.com/MonaMakela

 

 

 

 

refurbished mod chair- treehugger.com

Refurbish an old piece of furniture...making sure to restore it the "eco-way."

-sand vs. use paint thinners

-purchase low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints.

Benjamin Moore produces some low-VOC paints so you don't have to sacrifice quality!

 Seek out eco-saavy furniture, rugs, and accessories.

Green-living.com offers earth-friendly goods for your home that are inspirational and unique. 

coffee table- greenliving.com

 You really can be creative when going green rather than just recycling!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas For Her Home

  Pillows from Alexandra Ferguson on Etsy.com

 Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. 

 

Mother's Day is right around the corner and maybe some (or most) have not picked up a gift for your dear "mum" yet. I find myself scouring the Internet to find the perfect gift, just to delay ordering anything. And then, I want to kick myself when I have to expedite shipping or settle to find a clever card to hold my gift card purchased at the grocery store check-out line.

This year I have sworn off the easy find- no flowers and gift cards here!

I am going to embrace all of that encouragement of my creativity and style from my mom, and treat her to something fabulous!! Why not pick up something for the home? Below are a few of my favorite gift ideas for Mother's Day.

Sterling Branches from Uttermost.com

Gone are the days of the hand-print art as a gift. Giving mom a great piece of artwork will really be a conversation starter for her home.

My Spring Dream II from Leftbankart.com

You do not have to settle for the typical bouquet of flowers- botanical print pillows are all the rage and perfect for a pop of color on your mom's sofa! These "florals" won't be gone after the weekend.

Jamie Young Embroidered Pillows- Horchow.com

Fringed Botanical Pillow- Anthropologie.com

We think mom would really appreciate the small touches to spunk up her room. Find her some unique accent pieces like the accessories we have shown.

Hurricane- Uttermost.com

Bitossi Ceramics in Rimini Blue at Design Within Reach

Kaho Jugs from Uttermost.com

You will surely be mom's favorite with treating her to a show-stopping chandelier!!

We love these fantastic planters that do all of the work (hello, self-watering) for mom AND look amazing!

Lexington Tall Self-Watering Planters- Plow & Hearth

If you are still looking for something completely nontraditional, then treat your mom to a design service from Thompson & Thomas Design. We can customize furniture, give a color consultation or update that room you grew up in! Email us for more information.

 And, "Happy Mother's Day" to all the beautiful & hardworking women out there!
 

Tips to Brighten Up Your Space

It's time to lighten up-Go from drab to fab with these smart tips!

We feel that light and brightness plays a HUGE role in your space. So we've come up with some tips to take any room and make it feel a bit more bright and cheery.

Whether your room has a lack of windows, natural light...or just dread the thought of a weekend paint project to fix some dark walls, we have some quick and easy solutions to avoid a dank and dreary space.

1. Brighten up sad walls with wall panels. You can arrange decorative molding in large frames on the wall and fill with colorful wallpaper that introduces lighter colors into the room.

photo-design my way

photo-decor pad

photo-CSN lighting

2. Install track lighting. This is especially great in kitchen spaces, under cabinets. They not only will work as an accent to show off a great backsplash, but also is a wonderful bonus as a task light.

photo- kitchen news

3. Have a dark framed mirror or wooden medicine cabinet in your bathroom? Opt to replace it with a new, fresh light-colored one. Glass mosaics behind the mirror is all the art and texture you need to open up your space in an interesting way.

photo-design in the woods

Bathrooms tend to get overlooked- new accent towels or shower curtains can really make your space look fresh, inexpensively.
4. Arrange a collection of oversize mirrors on top of your mantel. It will invite the light in and open up your living space.

photo- natural home and garden

photo-willow house

photo- creative mama

5. Arrange a group of framed pictures on the wall that have been matted in white.

photo- red envelope frame

photo- hooked on houses

 6. Install a crystal chandelier, or even hang crystals to an existing one, to create a unique art piece for your home.   

 7. Transform a dark-paneled room by painting the paneling a lighter color.

8.Switch out your heavy or dark drapery for a Spring/Summer option. Replace thick drapes with fresh and light panels, or a valance, with neutral backgrounds. You can even get some pillows made in the same fabric or a complimentary fabric palette to toss in your room.

9. Use glossy paint in dreary rooms- it reflects light better than flat paint.

10. Add white crown molding around the perimeter of your room.

photo-ChE craft

11. Paint a mural on one wall to visually open up the space of your room. We have a brilliant artist for TT Design that can create a one of a kind work of art.

A custom wall mural from TT Design

12. Replace heavily painted frames for your photographs or paintings with light, bright artwork or lighter frames for the Summer months.

13. You can create a sense of spaciousness with floor-length mirrors. Works great in foyers, bedrooms or small hallways!

photo- your decorating hotline

Add another interesting collection of mirrors, for airiness, when you welcome guests in your home.

photo-your decorating hotline

14. Don't overlook your lamps- you can change the look, feel and brightness of the space by switching out the lampshades! Go for a patterned shade and you will have a new lease on life.

photo- patternhound.com

15. Remove the clutter. Knickknacks can make a small space seem smaller and darker. If you just can't bear to part with your little treasures, select a few to display at a time, and then rotate your accessories throughout the year.