Why be so serious? Your home should make you smile!
If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that (to some degree) we tend decorate our homes to impress others. But most of what you do with your home décor should be an expression of YOU. And accessories are the perfect way to infuse some personality into your home!
As I was thumbing through CB2.com (one of my favorite catalogs) the other night, I found myself laughing out loud at some of the FUN decorating ideas I found. One thing they all had in common…is that they are playful, and they made me SMILE.
The first thing that caught my eye was this hopscotch rug. Makes you want to stop hopping, doesn’t it!
Next I spotted these fire-engine-red bar stools. Really adds a playful pop to a neutral space, don’t you think?
Next time you have friends over, tickle their funny-bone with these darling appetizer plates…clever 3D effects and delicious dry humor!
Here’s a colorful, whimsical idea for wall art. You could also frame a favorite board game for a pop of color, if you’re game!
Remember the crazy “fun house” at the boardwalk? Bring the fun home with these crazy spy mirrors.
And lastly, I love this studio floor lamp, styled after the 1940’s with an adjustable head.
I didn’t buy any of these items (just yet)…but they did make it to my inspiration folders! Maybe I’ll drop some hints around Mother’s Day! lol
What makes you smile about your home?
Awhile back I shared a wonderful meditation nook I discovered on a “girls spa weekend” in North Carolina (see post here). Simply put, it was a bed placed at the end of a hall for guests to relax in while in-between treatments. Of course the vibrant drapes and oodles of comfy pillows added to the experience.
So here was my “inspiration room” for a retreat area in my own home:
I decided to use a nook in our bonus room, which serves as our play room, guest bedroom and upstairs family room. This is the nook before I got ahold of it – looks like a daycare!
By switching things around, I used what I already had and created my own version of the retreat using lively colors that matched the spirit of the play room.
But after awhile, I tired of the kiddo vibe. After writing the Color Trends for 2011 post, I started thinking about how I could use color to change the impact of my retreat (and reclaim it from the kids!). Plus, remember…this is also a guest room when needed.
I was really drawn to both the “escape” and the “tribal” trends – I wanted something with an organic earthy feel, but that felt light and full of possibilities.
So I did a couple (very inexpensive) things:
- I updated the bedding to something very neutral and soothing (and yes, “on sale”).
- I added roman shades for texture and to add privacy for guests (very easy project – they hang on regular curtain rods)
- I recovered the body pillow with a playful giraffe pattern (which ties in with the chocolate brown sofa on the other side of the room), and switched out the pink pillows with other ones I had in storage.
- I simplified the wall art to be serene and relaxing.
Overall, I spent less than $200 (just for the bedding, shades and curtain rod). Now we finally have a space that is more comfortable for guests, and I have my little corner of the world where I can relax.
Who knew…color really is that powerful!
{Next step – add a soundproof curtain in front of the nook that makes me invisible to the kids while they’re playing Wii across the room. Yea, wish me luck on that one!}
How have you used color to change the feel of a room?
