...because sometimes all you need is a little inspiration...

Friday, February 19, 2010

Warm & Cozy Room

What does it take to make a room feel nice, and warm, and inviting? It can be done a number of different ways.
1. In this first room, warm colors - the reds and oranges - are hardly present. Where they are in the room, they are muted. But you still feel a warmth when looking at this space. It comes from the wooden furniture, the lanterns and other candles, and the throw tossed casually across the sofa. This room evokes warmth by making one feel at ease - like they are at home. It's very comfortable.

2. The architecture of this room is warm in and of itself. Arts and Crafts make a room feel handcrafted which gives this room a cozy feel. The use of red paint as a wainscoting - only on the lower part of the wall - is perfect here. Any more and it may have been over done. Mission style furniture brings in more of that handcrafted element. And the browns of the wood and leather make this room feel warm just looking at it.

3. This cozy chair is a perfect addition to any room. Warmth in a single piece of furniture. The deep red curtains, pillows, and rug bring that warmth in as well. And those flowers remind us of harvest and autumn which is a cozy time of year - adding that to this space.
4. The use of those chairs again just make you want to curl up and sit here for a while. The earthy tones in the pottery on the mantle add a nice, homemade feel. The candles bring warmth wherever they go. Subtle touches of red in the rug and those sparse autumnal flowers add warm color to the space.
5. Here is another room that has that warm feeling without so much of the warm colors. Where they are present, they are very subtle - in the pillows and in the rug - yet they are present and add that warm feeling to this space. The color of this sofa is reminiscent of autumn, and that brings out the cozy feeling that fills this room.

6. This space is very inviting and carries both a warm and a calming feeling which is sometimes hard to attain in a room. It's nice when a room carries this vibe, though because it means it will be comfortable in both the cold winter and the hot summer. The warmth comes from the red in the pillows and the rug, as well as the leather ottoman. The calming feeling comes from the couch and the walls, as well as from the windows and all that light spilling into the room. It's amazing how natural light can make a room always feel like summertime.

7. This cozy room carries all the traditional earth tones that bring warmth to a space. That tangerine colored sofa brings so much spice to this room. The green on the walls is a warm green so it adds to that feeling. The deep colors in this room make it feel so rich, and the coffered ceiling adds a richness to this space as well.
8. Everything about this space feels very rich, and warm, and inviting. The warm colors on the walls sets the tone for the space. The reds in the pillow and the wood add just enough color to make the luxurious furniture stand out.

9. Here is another space that has those warm colors, but still carries a cooling calm feeling. This space would feel comfortable all year long. The white built-ins behind the sofa bring a coolness to this space, especially since they are filled with light colors. I love the pops of red in the pillows and the flowers - just enough to add a punch of warmth. The rug which looks like a quilt has a nice homespun feel and is made up of muted warm colors. The light curtains flanking that huge wall of windows add a summer breeze to this room.
10. This space is warmed up by these cinnamon colored walls. They set the scene for this room, along with the wood floors. I like how most of the large pieces in this room are primarily white to calm down that wall color. If you're going to go dark on the walls, you have to go light on the furniture unless you want the room to feel heavy. The white curtains really lighten the space as well. But I love those pillows and other accessories - different versions of that wall color and they tie the room all together.

11. If you're looking for a warm color but want to go a little less bold than red, this tangerine color is for you. Those curtains bring so much spice into this room! And this color is repeated in slight variations throughout the room. This room also feels cozy because there are a lot of pieces of furniture in it. It is an eclectic room which gives it a homey feeling.

12. This room has a warm feeling that is sort of borrowed from the adjacent room back there. Those bold red curtains and that tangerine wall color add a lot to this space. The reds and oranges in this room are pretty muted, but they borrow from that other room and give this room the warmth. Once again, candles add a lot to the space and the wrought iron bring in a handmade feeling - which adds to the coziness.

13. Here is another room that has that warm and cozy feel without the deep dark warm colors. Warm tones are there in their muted form. The wall color is slightly warm and the pillows bring some of that warmth in. But, I think this space would feel cool in the winter as well. Most of this room is neutral, so change a few items and you've got a whole new feel to the room. Love rooms like that.
14. Here is another room that is primarily neutral. Little pops of warm colors in the wood armoir and pillow bring warmth in. It's not as much of a cozy room, because the furniture and accessories in it are so chic. However, I think it looks very comfortable to be in.

15. Here is a more modern room with that same warm and cozy feeling. The warmth coming from the warm colors in the pillows, ottoman, and throw. The neutral couches are a perfect setting for any kind of feeling in this room.

16. This room just reminds me of a typical family room. I would be willing to bet a big screen TV is on the wall behind this photographer. It's pretty clear that the warmth is emanated from the colors in the rug, that chair, and the pillows and other accessories. Large sectional sofas always bring a cozy feeling to a room. They beg you to come and sit on them.


17. And lastly, here is another room full of that tangerine color. Love the sea grass shades on the windows. Very beachy and warm feeling. Those drapes are so dramatic and are bringing so much color into this room. That large floral arrangement on the mantle is full of autumnal flowers and reeds and adds a lot of coziness. And all the accessories in this space are full of those warm colors.

So, to recap - if you want to bring warmth into your space, here are some guidelines:

1. The quickest way to change the feeling in a room is to paint the walls in a warm color.

2. If you don't want to change the walls, add in furniture or accessories in those warm fall colors, but remember that a little goes a long way.

3. If you don't want to go that bright, still use those colors, just in muted form.

4. Add handmade looking items.

5. Wood always brings warmth into a space.

6. Rugs make spaces feel grounded and cozy.

7. Autumn inspired floral arrangements bring the space instant cozy feelings.

8. Candles spread warmth everywhere they go whether they're lit or not.

9. Mixing up the furniture - instead of getting everything matchy matchy - makes the room feel more like home.

Happy Decorating!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Organizing by Jars

LOVE these two organization tips from {Little Birdie Secrets} - especially how these ribbon jars are color coordinated!

I can see a whole craft room decorated and organized by cute looking jars like these. And canning jars seem to always be around, don't they?? Love this idea.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Another Custom Bow Holder

Please excuse me while I toot my own horn.I made another bow holder recently. This time, the nursery colors were mint green, brown, and pink with antique white furniture. I think this one turned out so cute!!
I had a really fun time making these flowers...just sewing ribbon to itself in a spiral. Don't they look cute?!
Seriously wanted to keep this instead of giving to it's owner. I hope she likes it as much as I did. Check out more of these in my Etsy Shoppe on the left side bar.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tea Rose Home

{Tea Rose Home} is a really cute blog I've just found. She makes really cute things and has a ton of tutorials! A couple of my favorites are this {Ruffle Shirt Tutorial}. Isn't it so cute!! She makes these on a great budget, too. I also really love this Audrey Hepburn inspired {Jacket}. Adorable! I'm going to have to try this! I also love this {Tshirt Makeover}!Everything's so cute! And she just posted a great one for a reversible purse {UCreate}

Adorable, I know. And I love that they're all tutorials.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Valentine's Flowers

Saw these on {Let's Entertain}.pastel tulips in a vase filled with conversation hearts.

Red tulips in a vase filled with red hots.

I love them both as a gift or a centerpiece.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Valentine Breakfast

Cute pancakes, huh? {Martha} just piped regular old pancake mix onto the griddle using pastry bag. Very clever. And the strawberries add a nice touch. I love how they look like a heart when sliced like that. :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Heart Strings

{Little Birdie Secrets} used these supplies:

To make some heart strings.I love the buttons and the different papers she used. She made some necklaces, and then decided to hang some as decorations:
Cute, huh! Love how she weighted them down with a button.

I think it's a fun thing your kids could help you make to get in the Valentine's spirit.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Chocolate Heart Cookies


These just make my mouth water. I love peanut butter cookies and with a chocolate heart on top!! Perfection!

As seen on {Very Best Baking}

Ingredients
36 chocolate hearts, unwrapped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. BEAT granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large mixer bowl until combined; beat in egg and vanilla extract. Beat in flour and baking soda.DROP dough by rounded tablespoon into ungreased mini-muffin cups. BAKE for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven; gently press 1 Nestlé Heart into each cup. Cool in pans on wire racks for at least 10 minutes. Remove cookies from muffin cups with a butter knife. Serve warm or cool completely on wire racks.

Oh my!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Rose Cupcakes

I'm resolving to always frost cupcakes with a tube from now on. It's easy, you just start around the outside edge and move in to the middle where you leave a little tip when you lift off.
They just look so much prettier than cupcakes frosted with a knife, don't they?? Especially on a silver platter. :)
Those above are great but these are amazing.
Perfection! I'm pretty sure all they did was start frosting in the middle of the cupcake - using a big frosting tip and twisted it as they spun around the cupcake until they reached the outside edge. Definitely going to have to try this! Maybe for Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Valentine Mailboxes

Saw these and LOVED them! They sell white mail boxes like these at the craft store. Spray paint them pink and then hand paint the flag red...done. You could also put names on them using red stickers or something. So cute. I think it would be fun to have one of these for each family member - so it's not all about giving Valentine's to friends...it's about family, too. :)

Monday, February 1, 2010

Fabric Roses

Love this idea from {The Idea Room}. Using the supplies above: a styrofoam hearth, push pins, scissors, and a lot of felt, she cut a bunch of felt circles using a cup as a stencil.
Then she folded the circles in fourths, as shown and pinned them to the heart until it was covered all around.
Cute, huh? Fun craft that the kids could help you with!

{Blog n' Tell} has a similar tutorial for making long lasting roses.
They just cut little felt squares and pinched them in the center. Then, glued them to a foam ball. Find a pretty urn to put it in, and you're done! Very cute for Valentine's Day.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Valentine's Day Party

I'm in love with this little Valentine's Day party from Potterybarn. I LOVE those little mail pouches on the backs of the chairs - also a great way to arrange seating! Love the cupcakes, love the heart-shaped place mats, love all the red and pink candy. But I especially love this:
Cutest Valentine's Day table runner I've ever seen! They're selling it, of course, but it really looks pretty easy to make using a needle and thread. So CUTE!


I also love these Chair Backers But PB doesn't sell them anymore. However, the lady at {Our Scoop} made some of her own:



I think I'd omit the ruffles and add the large stitches and maybe even the name like the PB ones, but she has a great tutorial {here}, if you want to make these cuties.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Valentine for your Husband

The gal at {My Mix of Six} made these little date packets for her husband for Valentine's Day. A fabulous idea since she gets to enjoy them, too. ;) I love gifts like that! She just got gift cards for various date ideas like dinner and a movie, or going to the theater, or having a picnic and playing cards. There is one date idea for every month for the year. I think it's pretty cute.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Valentine Lollipops

Cookie Bouquets...Very cute idea from {Woman's Day}. They're just sugar cookies on a stick. The glasses have foam blocks in them which the cookie pops are stuck into and then, the rest of the glass is filled with sugar. Such a cute centerpiece/take home gift idea!!

And you could also make rice crispy pops:
{Skip To My Lou} has a great tutorial for making these cute Valentine treats.
She used a heart cookie pan to shape these rice crispies. Then, she stuck a stick in them, dipped them in chocolate, and covered them with sprinkles. Delish!
I also saw this on {No Fuss Fabulous}

They just used a cookie cutter to make the heart shapes. And they dipped them differently.
And here's just one more idea from {Pleasant Home}. There are a lot of great ideas in this post, so check it out. She had left over candycanes, so she just layed candycanes in a heart shape on wax paper with a lollipop stick inbetween them.
Then, she melted white chocolate in a ziplock freezer bag - and cut off a corner of the bag to pipe the chocolate into the heart shape. And finished it off by sprinkling Valentine sprinkles on top.
So CUTE Huh??!!
Any way you do it - YUM!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Kraft a Superbowl Party

{Kraft Foods} has some great superbowl food ideas. A couple of my favorites were this Cheese Football

Ingredients:

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 pkg. (3 oz.) Bacon Bits
2 Tbsp. pimiento strips
RITZ Crackers

Beat cheeses and dressing with mixer until blended. Add onions and pepper; mix well. Refrigerate several hours. Form into football shape on serving plate; coat with bacon bits. Add pimento strips for "lacing." Serve with crackers.

I also really like these - they remind me of rice crispy treats...only chocolate.

Chocolate Football Bites

Ingredients:

6 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups cocoa sweetened rice cereal
White decorating gel
Microwave chocolate, corn syrup and butter in large microwaveable bowl on high 2-1/2 min., stirring after 1-1/2 min. Blend in vanilla. Add cereal; mix well. Cool 10 min. Shape into 18 (3-inch-long) football shapes with lightly moistened hands. Place on large sheet of wax paper; cool completely. Use decorating gel to add "lacings" to "footballs." Let stand until gel is firm.

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