First off, I love living in the Pac Northwest. I love the summers. I love the temperatures. I love there's no hurricanes or fire ants, moccasins, or massive amounts of humidity (being from Fairhope, Alabama means that these things were a little too well known to me before!).
The only tiny itty bitty miniscule complaint that I have about Portland is the looooooooooooong grey winters. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE grey. Grey walls, sofas, rugs, accents, and art are welcome into the majority of my interiors but I am also a firm believer in Happiness with a capital H.
Due to our lengthy days filled with overcast or rainy skies I wanted to share some tips to bring some light, bright and happiness into you home before the days officially set in (the forecast IS showing the next 10 days of SUN! Better get your vitamin D peeps).
Here are some tips from senojDESIGN on making your grey days, well happier! And as always, feel free to call/write/email with any questions!
Go Round
Designer Susan Noble Jones says, "Rounded shapes like the drum shades, the living room tables, and the tub. They soften a room and make a house more lovable and livable." And it is true…round is just enough softer, and mixes up some shapes to keep all the lines from getting too cold and harsh:
Inspiration:
(Via Arianna Belle)
Item Choices:
(all items via senojDESIGN)
Add Some Color
Color inherently makes us happier. It gives us variety and something to have our eye move around the room for. This doesn’t mean you have to be loud and crazy with it but something a little splash did the mind good.
Inspiration:
(via Kelly Wearstler)
Item Choices:
(all items via senojDESIGN)
Attention to Detail & Embellish!
Remember your favorite shirt, dress or skirt from when you were little? I remember a few of mine and they all had something “special” on them that made them stand out in my young mind. Whether it was a ribbon, bow, beaded pearls or glitter…it made it fancy and special!
Inspiration:
(via House Beautiful)
(via
Item Choices:
(all items via senojDESIGN)
Clean It Up
Spaces that are clean, white and monochromatic tend to produce less anxiety responses. I mean, when was the last time you went to a spa for a “you day” and were greeted by primary colors and neon? There is a reason there is a color called spa blue! This doesn’t mean everything is sterile white, but keep it simple. Colors all in the same family will bring your level 10 to a 2.
Inspiration:
(via House Beautiful)
Item Choices:
(all items via senojDESIGN)
Accessorize Accessorize Accessorize
Collect but edit! Layering items you love around your space is a sure-fire way to love where you live. If you are second guessing an item due to it “not going” through that notion out the window and try it. If it doesn’t work, ask yourself how you might be able to modify it…can you spray paint it? Gold gild it? Place it on stacked books for some height or maybe find more of what ever it is to create a little collection. Display your layers on shelves and mantles.
One tip: Do this slowly and make sure to edit. For every little vignette you put together try to not have it take up more than 20% of the surface you are working with. This reduces clutter and allows the individual items to be special not lost in the masses.
Inspiration:
A nice eclectic mix of painting, photography and a fantastic horn!
Keep it simple and bright. A collection of vases on the mantle are freshened up with fresh flowers!
These large scale ceramic pieces make a great grouping under this console.
Trays and containers atop the piles of books keeps it uniform but collective. Also on the mantel the grouping of white & blue ceramics is beautiful!
Item Choices:
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