Beautiful New Wedding Color Combos!

As spring is nearing a close and summer quickly approaches - if you are contemplating a color scheme for your wedding, consider these options.  All photos courtesy of The Knot.


1) Aqua and Chartreuse - the mix of these two colors is so fun and vibrant, perfect for an outdoor event.

2)  Blush and Mauve - simple and understated! 

4) Garnet and Tangerine - a crisp color combination - seems perfect for September when Autumn is in the air.

4) Lavendar + Cream + Chocolate - another gorgeous combination that would be great for a formal September wedding!!!

5) Fuchsia and Navy - perfect for those who love bold colors!

6) Lemon and Celadon - another beautiful combination that would be perfect for an outdoor summer wedding.

7) Blush + Ebony + Pewter - a very romantic color scheme!

8) Cloud + Cream + Platinum - this combination would be a perfect choice for a more formal celebration.

Which one would be your choice??

La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination

Define your style!

Blending homes as a newlywed couple can be a monumental task at times.  Sometimes you are trying to combine households and blend two different syles and the majority of the time - it just doesn't seem to "click" as much as you would like it to.  Most couples that I know that have been married for years are still going through the same thing and their stories are the same.  At first, they were blending two homes and their design styles didn't mesh, but they figured that once they got a larger home, everything would fit appropriately and magically things would start to fall into place.  When they got the larger home, they were faced with having a lot more space and all of a sudden the urgency to fill that space - with anything - crept in.  Now they have large spaces filled with odds and ends that although are gorgeous to look at, do not truly reflect their design styles.  Although I can help you determine your design style once you find yourself in this place, it's a lot easier to do so at the very beginning!!

Are you a newlywed or a first time homebuyer with empty space to fill in your home?  Steer clear of the discount section and resist the urge to spend impulsively on trendy items!!  Embrace the empty space, and take time to define your design style before you make any purchases.  Consider making timeless purchases such as these that will be with you forever and will always be in style.

Avalon Black Extension Dining Table
www.crateandbarrel.com
A traditional table with a modern finish - this table can grow with your family - extending to 65"

Cole Chair
www.RoomandBoard.com
This classic design can blend in with a myriad of other styles - from traditional to eclectic.  So even if your style changes down the road, this comfy chair will still fit right in.

Midas/by Autumn Rose
www.UGallery.com
Selecting original artwork is the easiest way to create your own unique style.  Visit some galleries and support your local artists.  You never know - you might end up purchasing the work of a great artist in their early years!

Sarouk
www.ABCCarpet.com
Purchasing a Persian, Turkish, or Oriental rug may require a hefty upfront investment, but it is money well spent and so worth it!  Even after years of wear and tear, you just can not beat the handcraftsmanship of these pieces.  They actually look BETTER the more they age!

Nailhead Upholstered Headboard
www.WestElm.com
A staple such as this will give your bedroom a polished look in an instant!

Tesana Lamp
www.mottega.com
Whether it is placed on a console table, a nightstand, or in a reading nook, this classic and versatile lamp is a keeper!

Before you make your next design purchase - consider whether the piece truly lives within your design style.  If it does - great!!!  If it doesn't - step away from the cash register.  Purchasing pieces that fall within your design style and that you truly love are the best way to pull your home together.  Regardless of how long you have to "embrace the empty space" :o)

La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination!

Custom Window Treatments......from the store?????

Window treatments are a lot like shoes – they can make or break a room.  Sometimes all that is needed to turn a room around are nice window treatments.  Believe it or not, there are still great window treatments available for purchase that can be made fabulous with a little bit of additional creativity. 

I always start with a panel that has a lining on the back.  This will keep your room insulated while simultaneously creating a uniform look from the outside of your home.  Please try to keep the colors on the inside – you don’t want everyone in the neighborhood to know that you have red window treatments in your living room :o)  To embellish your store bought panel, look for trim such as a braid or a tassel, and then you can start to very easily customize your window treatment.

For this project, you will need:

A panel window treatment – from your favorite store

Fabric glue – can be found at Jo-Ann or any fabric store (or a sewing machine)

Window Hardware – Lowes or Home Depot

Pinking Shears (or Scissors that will cut through the trim)    

Instructions:

1. Make sure to measure your window from top to bottom to determine the appropriate size of the drapery.  Most windows can use the standard 84” panel.
2. Purchase the draperies and then decide on an appropriate and a coordinating trim.
3. Determine where you want your trim to be placed.  Do you want to line your trim along the bottom of your panel – or do you want to go for the WOW! factor and trim the panel along the leading edge of the panel (the inside edge of the drapery where you handle the drapery to pull them open and then back closed).
4. Lay the drapery flat and measure the trim corresponding to where you want the trim to be placed (bottom edge or leading edge).
5. Cut the trim, ensuring that you leave some extra on both sides.
6. Bottom edge or leading edge, glue the trim, in sections, to the stitch on the draperies making sure to press the trim firmly to the drapery as you go.  If you opt to use a sewing machine, which I personally do and recommend, omit the glue and stitch the trim in place.
7. Tuck the extra trim remaining on each side of the draperies to the back of the panel and glue to secure.  With the sewing machine, omit the glue and stitch the trim in place to secure it in place.
8. Let the glue dry for 24 hours and then hang the panel.  If you have used a sewing machine, the panel can be hung immediately.

 

 

A brown velvet Pottey Barn panel very simply embellished with a bottom edge tassel trim. 



Easy enough, right?? 

La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination! 

The Art of the Floating Shelf

One of my signature design suggestions for just about any room in a home is the floating shelf.  First, because floating shelves are simple and classic and can serve as an artistic focal point in a room; and second, because floating shelves enable you to change what you have on display at any point in time creating an entirely different look in your room with minimal effort.  But not only can floating shelves serve as pieces to display artwork, books, etc., they can also serve to give you additional “functional” shelving pieces in a tight space, i.e., the bathroom. 

Photos courtesy of HGTV.com

The floating shelves in this dining room and the living room below make great use of the wall space to create an additional focal point in the room.  Notice the different sizes and shapes of the shelving used here and also notice the leaning picture on the shelves in the dining room and the living room below - that's another design trick that I typically use.  The leaning photo as opposed to the hanging photo is unexpected and can be very quickly changed out when you want to display something new.  

A lot of new homes and apartments do have medicine cabinets anymore, but rather flush mirrors with great lighting.   If you have wall room, as shown here, floating shelves in the bathroom can give you additional space to place all of your jams, jellies, and towels that you may not have the cabinet space for.

You have the wall space, why not use it?

The niches above this fireplace were made for display.  Why not add glass floating shelves?



Floating shelving can also be used as functional shelving as shown in this kitchen.



If you are in need of additional shelving and have some wall space to spare, give floating shelving a try.  They come in a multitude of colors and sizes, and even corner units to make use of the all forgotten corner.  They can be found just about anywhere, but my favorites can be found at Ikea, Pottery Barn, and Target. 

La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination

D.C.s Annual Running of the Brides

If you are planning a wedding and still looking for the perfect gown, on Friday, April 29, 2011 Filene's Basement will hold it's annual Running of the Brides sale where brides can find their dream dress at a dream price!  Bring your team and get ready for a day of wedding gown shopping at Filene's Basement!  Doors open at 8:00 am.

Location:

Filene's Basement
Mazza Gallery
5300 Wisconsin Avenue
Washington, D.C.
202-966-0208

For additional information, please visit:  http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides/

La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination

Budget Conscious Easter Party Décor

With Easter just a few days away, I have had some questions on how to dress up a table for the quickly approaching festivities.  Although it may seem that time is running short, you still have time to pull together a fabulous celebration.  Party décor does NOT have to break the bank to be gorgeous or memorable.  Take a look at these table centerpieces created with jars, glass cylinders, and of all things – wrapping paper and gift wrapping embellishments!  If you are having a casual Easter celebration and want a quick, fun, and (not to mention) adorable way to dress up your table – why not give these fun centerpieces a try!

For more information on this feature, visit http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/04/floral-inspiration-fresh-modern-for-spring/

All photos courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess   



Who would have thought that jars and glass cylinders from Michaels along wrapping paper from your favorite store could also be used to dress up a table?!



The cute polka dot tea cups and saucers were given to each guest as party favors.



Add a bright table runner and this table is ready for the Easter celebration!  This theme can also be used anytime during the spring to give your table a colorful lift!

 *Sidenote - Glass cylinders and jars of all sizes can be found at Michaels and ironically, the gift wrap used for these centerpieces came from my favorite store "The Red Dot Boutique" (Target).  They have a gorgeous selection of wrapping paper, some of the papers are heavy stock - seemingly made just for this type of DIY project.*  So the next time you are browsing the giftwrap section - try to envision dressing up your next party table with the leftover wrapping paper.  Now that's really budget conscious - two for the price of one!!

La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination! 

A Baby Shower Inspired by the "City of Light"

I am currently planning a baby shower for a good friend of mine taking place next month, and I ran across this Paris inspired baby shower on one of my favorite blogs that I just had to share.  Baby showers have been moving away from the traditional "baby themed" showers to an all out celebration for mom to be, just like this shower.  I love the soft pink and gray color palette and the feel of this shower ~ it is both modern AND vintage ~ definitely très chic!!  Please visit Hostess with the Mostess at http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/04/a-paris-inspired-baby-shower-tres-chic/,  for more pictures and additional information on this beautiful baby shower!! 



I love the usage of the stacked vintage books and little suitcases used in this design!  They are repeating elements in the design layout.  We are beginning to see a lot of stacked elements in event design these days......

  



A closer look at the the details, details, and more details :o)

 





The little pink baby shoes are just too adorable!!



La Toya Michelle

~You are only limited by your own imagination~