design advice

In the dreariest days of Winter, sometimes you need a major pop of color to lift your spirits. Whether that color comes in the form of a bright bouquet of roses or a smashing new pendant light, it's a perfect way to shake off the mid-February doldrums.

I love the way that these warm red seat covers and sunshine-hued pendant lamp add a lovely contrast to the muted snowflake pattern of the wallpaper in this dining room. Would you believe that the cool table is simply an Ikea base that's had a more luxe tabletop added to it? What a great, simple DIY we should all try!

Contrast is key in making these admittedly disparate elements work. Don't fight it — embrace the different elements completely. To get you started, I've rounded up some dark and moody wallpaper and some admittedly exuberant pendant lamps. Which pairing is your favorite?

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If you haven't seen it already, starlet Lauren Conrad has an eponymous blog where she writes about everything from fashion to cooking to decorating, always in an approachable, empowering voice. She doesn't claim to be an expert on any of these topics, but rather shares what she's learned from experiences dressing up for fabulous fêtes and outfitting her own LA interiors. One piece of design advice that Conrad recently shared, which I particularly support, and which is oft forgotten on trendy design blogs, is to stick with the classics. Here's what Lauren had to say about the topic:

"There’s a reason classic is, well, classic. Incorporating pieces that have withstood the test of time gives you the freedom to translate them as your design style evolves. Using classic furniture, prints, and fabrics provides you with a basic foundation to build on with trendy or personalized accessories and finishes. Let’s say you find a gorgeous antique credenza or a traditional armchair. You love the shape and feel of the piece, but the finish or fabric is all wrong. In this situation, I say: invest! There are plenty of ways to transform an older, classic shaped piece of furniture. If it’s a sofa: reupholster, add throw pillows . . . An aged dresser: paint it! The possibilities are endless when it comes to updating a timeless piece."

Read on for four more interior design tips from Lauren Conrad!

Do you decorate with classic furniture?

I'm excited to present a post from one of my favorite sites, ShelterPop!

We've learned what a mess says about you, but have you considered the impact of where that mess is located? Author and environmental psychologist Sally Augustin, PhD sheds some light on this surprising revelation. (And yes, we've learned lots from this!)

Mess location: The entryway
Chances are you are: Extroverted
"A mess in an entryway that contains personalizing items [think knick-knacks, photos, art, etc.] communicates a need to clearly and immediately establish information about themselves to their visitor," Augustin says. "People with this sort of mess are also apt to be extroverted and interested in establishing a bond with visitors. Personalizing items also establish territory."
What to do about it: Extroversion isn't a bad trait! But have you been welcoming so many people in your home that you don't have time to tend to your own needs? Then it's time to put "you" on your calendar. Make it a habit to clear up clothes, jackets, and other "drop off" items that you leave by the door when you get home and for when you are leaving. As much as you enjoy welcoming guests into your own home, your entryway should be equally welcoming upon visitor arrivals.

Mess location: The living room
Chances are you are: Tense.
"Cluttered spaces...generate tension for humans because our eyes continually review our environment. With lots of stuff around, that process becomes more arduous. In addition, since our possessions are extensions of us, lack of care for them could also indicate, potentially, a lack of self respect-but it may also indicate a toddler is present, money is in short supply, or other similar things."
What to do about it: Since the living room area tends to be the cluster zone for your family, it's all a matter of finding space to hide the clutter. Utilize decorative storage bins and storage ottomans. Seeing a messy area will induce more stress and tension, so take that extra minute to keep things in allotted places. Then, recover from the visual tension by closing your eyes and listening to music.

Continue reading to learn more about your mess!

Having a space in your home dedicated for relaxation can give you a great sense of comfort and grounding at the end of a long day. Maybe you can only dedicate a small corner of your apartment, or perhaps you have a whole room to spare, but you don't have a be a feng shui master or practice meditation daily to deserve a spot in your home that's a sweet escape from everyday life. Whether you want a place to curl up with some music and a good book, or you want to Zen out part of your home office, take these tips to heart when creating a sweet retreat in your home.

• Choose a spot that feels good to you. Maybe there's a really beautiful view from that corner window, or it gets especially warm in that nook. Make sure the place you relax is actually someplace you could picture yourself relaxing.
• Play with color. Hopefully, your apartment is already home to a color scheme you find soothing, but your retreat should take it to a whole new level. Think cool colors, lush fabrics, and cozy blankets. And try not to immediately fall asleep once you plop down.
• Make it distinctively yours. Surround yourself with images of things that inspire you and pictures of the people you love. Don't feel pressured to get this all done in one day. Take time to consider what's really important and what you want around you in your special space.
• Bring the outdoors in. Bringing a little green into your retreat will connect you to nature and warm things up. It's really unbelievable what a difference some fresh flowers or a small potted plant can make to your mood.
• Make a point to sit there every day. Relish the time you have for yourself, and get into a routine of hanging out in your spot alone every day, even if it's just for 10 minutes. After all, a 10-minute vacation is better than no vacation at all.

Do you have a spot in your home that's distinctively yours? Share a photo in the Su Casa group, and we may feature it on the site!

Did you catch my interview last week with Secrets From a Stylist's Emily Henderson? Emily shared so many great ideas with me in the interview that I wasn't able to fit them into two posts, so today I'm back with some more of her great tips.

When I asked Emily for her advice on where to save money when home decorating, she recommended, "Mirrors are a good bang for your buck. They're not as expensive as a huge piece of fine art, but they still make a big impact in the room."


If you want to save money when it comes to adding a little greenery to your scene, Emily advised, "I'm also a big fan of branches over flowers. I love flowers, don't get me wrong. But branches in general can be a fifth of the price, they last twice as long, and they make such a bigger statement. So if you're trying to cut down on spending but want to have some life in your space, try branches."

Check out Emily's advice on where to splurge!

Recently, I gave you a glimpse of a Calgary apartment that interior deisign firm Corea Sotropa renovated. One of the firm's specialties is designing for small spaces. Corea Sotropa was kind enough to share some tips for designing for small spaces. Want to see all of the firm's great advice? Then read more

Take a cue from Funny People, and decorate your walls according to what you love. In the movie, Seth Rogen plays an aspiring comedian who is mentored by Adam Sandler, a seasoned vet of the comedy business. In a movie that's all about funny people, it makes sense that their homes should reflect their love with framed photos of comedians. Do the same in your house by letting your art and photographs reflect your hobbies or great loves. Are you a bird watcher? Frame vintage Audubon illustrations. Are you obsessed with cooking? Frame beautifully illustrated recipes along one wall of your dining room. Really, the possibilities are endless!

"The best rooms never take themselves too seriously and yes, there is such a thing as death by good taste! A multi-layered interior should easily accommodate (and, at times, flaunt) some irony, wit or kitsch." — Met Home Creative Director Linda O’Keeffe

Photo by Todd Selby