I'll be back soon! I'm going to visit a place like this...

I'm off to Florida you guys! I'm taking a much needed long weekend to visit one of my sisters and relax on the beach. So, I'm leaving you with ways to add some light-hearted, tropical air to your space.

oh...this is so me... natural wood tones and white

via the beautiful blog, this is glamorous




West Elm(top)/Pottery Barn ( 2 bottom) via Material Girls

Material Girls gave some really good advice on achieving this look:

• Rattan or wicker furniture
• Wood flooring
• Natural area rug- seagrass or sisal
• Mixing lots of texture and pattern is a must!
• Comfort is key- large upholstered furniture in preferably white or off white will give it a fresh, clean, and crisp look
• Animal prints!!!!
• A few leather pieces
• Try to stick with these colors- pale yellows, browns, golds, beiges, natural greens that have more yellow in them, soothing blues, whites, and splashes of red, black, and chocolate brown
• Wood furniture
• Lanterns
• Bamboo shades for your windows
• Table setting- they have these great round textured placemats at Crate and Barrel/ C&B Outlet or you could do wooden bowls
• Large floor vase with bamboo sticks
• A candle in a glass container with water rocks/stones
• Wood bowl with real fruit

But if you want more of a beach/nautical look, here are some of my favorite accessories:

• Faux coral- I can't say enough about it, I have a piece of it in my Living Room that I bought at Crate and Barrell and it just makes my coffee table.
• Extra large clam shells- I know we have done a high low feature on this before, but you can find them everywhere these days- they are very in style!
• Anything dark blue and white
• Stripes are always nice for this
• How about putting starfish in a bowl or in a jar?
• Shells on a stand or in a glass bowl
• A glass apothecary jar filled with sand...my mom (who inspires me every day!) has been collecting sand from the different beaches she has visisted while on vacation for the past I don't know how many years- she then puts the sand in different glass jars and labels them where they came from. It makes a really cute display and a great conversation starter about all of your travels!

Tips via Material Girls (more great info to be had)

via Home Decorating Reviews






Tropical island architectural genius! I love the use of stone! It must make the home feel so cool when coming in from the beach.

viazlgdesign

A gorgeous apartment!

I watched the movie "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" a few weeks ago with a friend and was surprised at the gorgeous apartment/studio of Alex, Jessica Biel's character. The apartment has an eclectic feel with some traditional elements thrown in. The walls are painted light yellow, light blue, and are covered in paintings and photography. My clothes are nowhere near nice enough to hang on an open rack, but I like the look, especially with the exposed brick wall. I also like how the bed was visually separated by two curtains hanging at each end corner.









via Universal Pictures

A few ideas to accomplish the same look...

Velvet chairs and vintage-style bedding

Are there any West Elm fans out there? A step down from it's owner, Pottery Barn, West Elm is easier on the wallet, but I've never made any big purchases from the store. Do any of you have any experience with West Elm's furniture? If I do spy something I like in the catalog, it's usually an accessory or decorative piece, but this issue I liked some of the new furniture in the collection.


I really love this color, and I've also found myself being drawn to velvets lately. Humboldt chair, $499


curved upholstered chair $279, also in cocoa. I think the singular tufted button in the center is a nice touch.



vintage bird duvet cover + shams, starting at $29.99. I think birds (though I love them so) have become a bit overused. For some reason it doesn't bother me so much on this bedding. I think it's because I've always loved that "scientific illustration" look. I also like the forest drawing on the sham. I would also try and pair it somehow with the heirloom quilt as it has that same vintage feel with the keys and blue stripes.


Set of 3 round canvas nesting boxes, $63.20. I wish one could buy these separately, I only like the scissors and the needle and thread.



Does anyone know if West Elm beds hold up? I've narrowed my bed down to "upholstered", so now I've started to look around. Walton headboard, queen is $449. Button-tufted upholstered headboard, queen is $399.

All images via West Elm

NEW! Retro Dining Set from West Elm

I really like the new dining set from west elm, and they say it's solid hardwood, which is even better. I think the chairs are so chic, and I like the round legs on the table. The only thing I would change on the table is the table top. The border around the edge has a laminate look to it...it might look different in person I suppose. What do you think?