Spring Pillow Plan On The Sofa!!

   

I am still waiting on some samples for my Spring pillows for the great room. The samples that I have already received only had a couple that would work and none of them were the perfect PINK that I am looking for.

One thing I am discovering, what is pink to one person is not pink to another. If the word blush is attached to the name it just might be more of a very soft makeup color, more peach in my book, than pink. I don't normally pay attention to names because we all know they can be deceiving.

Since I don't do peach in my home most of the samples I was waiting for did not work for my room. I did find a couple of blue and white combinations that are nice.....

And

And

However, I am still waiting on a few more  samples before I take the final plunge. Patience is key in a well designed room. If I am making the investment in a purchase I might as well get the best I can find that is within my budget!

In the mean time I played with the possibilities and came up with what I think will work.

The pillows will be on my blue ticking sofa which sits on my black striped rug as the base. I also have two white chairs in the room that will have pillows.

Sofa

Area Rug

I have 4 combinations I am thinking about. You will notice that the only fabric that changes is the very first one in the line-up, which is a blue and white combination.

The main fabric I chose as my starting point is Nebula by Pindler and Pindler. I already have pillows made out of this fabric  below is a closeup of the trim I had my seamstress add to the pillow. It is the same fabric that my sofa is upholstered in.....

Now that you have seen all the base pieces I am working with shall we look at four possible combinations?

#One

You will notice I added a touch of white and black as a tie into the rug with the Greek key pillow. I find it  makes a statement without shouting, plus I love Greek key and it mimics the mirror silhouette in our room..

# two

# three

# four

Once I choose the patterns that I like I decide where I will place them in the room. 

This is where I have to be flexible in my choices. Sometimes the pillow that I thought would work in one spot, has to be placed in another in order to have a nice visual flow.

When adding color, or pattern to your room it is important to always keep in mind the flow of the room. You don't want any one pattern or color to be jolting to the eye.

In my collage I place all the important players in the room that will determine the over all feel, look and flow of the room.

By doing this I can tell where the color spots and patterns need to go. Once I have the pillows on site I will have fun placing them and will feel confident I made the right choices.

I write about my process and the way I think to better help you, my readers, to do your own processing and to help you get a jump start on your own projects. 

Just another day in the mind of Kathysue!!

 

 

My Spring Wardrobe Shopping List!

It might be pouring down rain outside, but my mind is wandering towards Spring and it's many offerings. 

With each new season there always a few new trends or colors that we can add to our already existing wardrobe to be a little more current.

I am pretty basic, classic/preppy in my style so I was very excited to see so many checks, stripes and nautical looks this year. Also lots of pinks and blues, which are a nice addition and colors I enjoy wearing.

SIDE NOTE: As I looked at all my current pins on my pinboards for fashion and interiors they all go together. Pinks, blues, stripes, checks. I guess I am pretty consistent and predictable!You can take a look at my most current pins here!

There are a few pieces that I have on my radar and would like to get that would make nice additions to my wardrobe.

I just purchased two new pairs of pants for spring....

These boyfriend jeans from Talbots fit so well and trust me that is an accomplishment since I find it hard to find pants that fit me will.

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These ankle length pin striped pants in blue will be a real staple in my Spring/summer wardrobe.

I am also on the hunt for a cute denim skirt and found one that will work well for me.....

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As you can see my choices are pretty basic and easy pieces to work with in my existing wardrobe.

 Boden always has cute skirts.

I have one other skirt that I have my eye on and when it goes on sale I most likely will get it....

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I actually have tried this on and it fits me like a glove. 

See the cute sweater? I would love it in the yellow and they have it in pink too!

Both cardigans found at Talbots

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My list seems to be getting longer!?

Here is a go anywhere, dress-up, dress down , dress that would be a good staple for a Spring and Summer wardrobe.....

Jcrew

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I am kind of in love with this cutie of a skirt! I can see it with a plain white t-shirt or a darling white blouse, fresh and crisp!

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I have never been much for ruffles , however stripes, and checks are right up my alley and this top offers both! It also comes in pink, but I think that might be a bit too sweet for me since there are ruffles and checks.

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CURRENT TRENDS

We all know that the off shoulder tops are back this season, however I don't feel they are appropriate for my age, or body type. However there are two other trends that I really do like and would wear.

Bell sleeves

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Tie-sleeves

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 SHOES



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Absolutely fell in love with these!



 
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I don't know about the rest of you but I for one am super excited to see mules back in style.

I have several pairs in my wardrobe from the past and they are still on trend. Classics will always work.

The reason I am excited is I have an extremely narrow heel and find it very difficult to find shoes that fit me well, but mules seem to do the trick most of the time! Yay for me!!

 

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I saw these on Erin's blog, Elements of Style and fell in love with them. This soft blush color can become a neutral in my wardrobe.

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Espadrilles are always a classic for Spring and Summer.

As far as trends go I like some of them and wouldn't be caught dead in others, but I think you can see from my choices above I am pretty classic and lean towards what I like to call a grown up prepster style .

Here is a little shopping list of items that I personally am keeping in mind and thought you might like as well....

Bell sleeved blouse
Tie sleeve blouse
Check or striped pants
Wide leg or flared white jeans (I already have these)
Something in pink or blue
Cute and comfy pair of mules
A cute pair of tennies either a Ked, or a converse type style. Classic white Adidas are always a good choice too.

I am sure as the season gets closer I will find other things that I want, especially as summer hits and the temperatures rise!

I hope this gives you a little inspiration!!
What do you have on your radar for this season?

 

 

Finally Found A Coffee Table I Like!!

   

Would you believe I have only owned one coffee table in my lifetime as a homeowner? I went for years without having a coffee table.

Yes, you heard that right! 

I did use my ottoman with a tray on it as a coffee table, but I have had a hard time finding a coffee table that felt right for my room. 

Throughout this post you will see some tables that I thought I might like...

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Now that we are in a new home the search continued for the perfect coffee table. 

For some reason end tables and coffee tables are the hardest pieces for me to find. I am not sure if I am too picky, or I lack vision. It is probably a bit of both.

(no longer available)

I am always looking, because to be honest that is what I do. Sourcing is my favorite part. 

It is also important to stay current on what is in style both in fashion and in home designs. We don't have to be on trend all the time because that would be impossible and very expensive. However I think it is important to keep things fresh.

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Recently in my looking I found what I thought would be a perfect table for our great room. I knew I wanted something simple and fairly open, not too large since the great room is not really great at all, but actually a bit more on the small side, 14 ft. X 18 ft.

In my looking I kept going back to one particular table over and over again.  Then it went on sale! Oh my!! 

My sweet hubby came up to me a couple of days before Valentines day and told me to go ahead and order it for Valentines/Anniversary gift. Are you kidding me!!? (We don't usually give each other gifts, but we usually take a trip or do something special with each other)

I moved very quickly just in case he changed his mind and pressed that order button so fast!!

I found it at West Elm. 

What I love about this table is it is long and narrow (bench-like). Our room is not that large so I did not want something to take up too much visual space, or floor space.

 The table is 48in long and 17in. in depth  and 17 in. high. I am attracted to it's bench like dimensions.

The simple clean lines will work well in the room. and don't even get me started on the  white Carrara marble top.  I can see this in our room with all of the other elements.

( pharmacy lamp pictured has been replaced)

As you can see in the picture I have an ottoman so I had to keep that in mind as well. I don't like visual clutter and my rooms need to breathe in order for me to be comfortable in them. 

The base of the table is an antiqued bronze, and so are my floor lamp, and the sconces in the room so it will create a nice visual flow. 

I don't mind mixing metals in a room, but in this scenario because the table is such a prominent piece, it felt better to have the metals match in my minds eye.

( new tripod lamp replaced the brass pharmacy floor lamp)

 (existing mirror , sconces, and molding accent wall)

It takes a few weeks to get here and I can hardly wait!!