Reflecting on Christmas 2014

Looking back, remembering the blues, silver and sparkles that were part of my home for Christmas 2014.  

 The other part, brights with shades of red.

  



Missing it, already. 

Ele

paradox

It's this time of year when decorating, for me, seems to become a paradox. A mix of winter (and I mean ND winter), with planning for warm trips. It's the conflict between beautiful crystal trees, shimmering snow, brisk temperatures, vs. seashells, warm sand, and the heat of the sun.

As this conflict of nature surrounds my soul, it amazes me how the two can have qualities that are the same: beautiful clear blue skies, the calming sound of the ocean/wind, and shimmering sand/snow. Sameness in the midst of conflict.  

So how does this work in decorating my home without it looking messy? Calm the conflict by finding common ground. In this case I drew on both color and texture.
  

 

Silver crystal-like starfish and crystal branches= an interesting paradox that brings sameness to conflict. 

 

To glitter starfish use spray adhesive and shake on silver glitter or glass glitter. Use a glitter tray from a craftstore. It will save you frustration and glitter!

 

...and may you feel God's blessings in the New Year,

even when they might not be right in front of you. 

Ele

 

olio board

 http://www.olioboard.com is an amazing design site that allows you to create an inspiration board, and lets you know where you can purchase the items.

 

I'm seriously in love.
I recently spent an afternoon in a furniture store aimlessly wandering the aisles for bedroom inspiration. I found little, and the massive bedroom sets (although pretty) provided little in the way of softness and mismatched  look I want to achieve. 

Oilio Board to my rescue!  

I love mismatched. It gets my attention, so the above Olio Board is the bedroom "look" I would like to achieve.

1. I started with basic pieces: luscious tufted headboard, mirrored side table, neutral chair, and large barn wood colored dresser. 

2. I like mixing silver and gold, of which the mirrored table has both. I added the gorgeous gold shimmery chandy, the great London silver clock, the mirror, (which also has silver and gold), and the silver lamp with a neutral shade. 

3. I believe in neutrals, (YES I admit). Boring, boring, boring nuetrals, so the bedding, the rug (nice design), and laundry basket were added next. At this point, I could add more neutrals with lots of texture for a shabby french look, or I could add color. 

4. Since I'm not the only one who resides in this room, I chose to add a little color: purple velvet pillows (which I already have, yay!),  a lime green pillow, a lime tufted footstool that reflects the headboard and has great chocolate legs. With a neutral base, any color would work in this space. And, in the future the pops of color can be changed!

Have fun playing with Olio Board!
Ele

Fleurs en Bleu

Looking out my farm house kitchen window, this is what I see.

My vintage church studio building surrounded and covered with snow. It is looking pretty lonely as my visits this time of year are few. I am still cleaning, and organizing my house.

It is cold outside, but the sun shines brightly. The air is fresh and crisp. Despite the beauty of winter, it is this time of year that I begin to hold on to the promise of spring blooms. I am well aware of designers who are shouting, "get rid of the silk flowers", but I wonder.....do they live where I live? Do they KNOW that the upper mid west growing season is extremely short? Do they realize that some of us yearn for blooms. Dare I say....even fake? Every year, I promise myself that I will not succumb to traditional FAKE blossomry, but I do. Especially when I came upon this huge bouquet.

My dining room table can seat 12 people, and this bouquet is a grand size. I was also pleased at how well it matched the upholstery on the chairs.

Fleurs en Blue.

Flowers in Blue.

Admiring the blue hydrangea flowers, I realized that I have a blue flower theme in my home.

Blessings, Ele