Inspirational Lavendar

Hey Lovelies, I am back this afternoon with my first real life set of inspirational pictures. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Sister Spice is expecting a Baby Girl next year (squeal). Originally we talked about soft yellows and blush, but her Husband shocked her and asked her what she thought about doing a lavender room.

Of course, she's on board with the lavender, but she wanted to get a sense of how lavender walls would feel in the room- it's a medium sized room so she just wants that hint of lavender without overwhelming the space.

While some rooms just had a little too much purple:


I was able to find a few more subtle spaces with lavender walls:

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I am pretty sure that the key to effectively using lavender is to use it sparingly and contrast it with white and neutrals. I also think that painting the was will be the easiest way to incorporate lavender, just in case they decide to have another little one (hint hint). A few hundred dollars to repaint a room will always be cheaper than having to buy all new furniture.

What do you think? Would you ever paint your own room lavender? Personally, I think it's fantastic and totally sophisticated!

Want an Inspiration or Style Board of you own? Contact me with your greatest design dilemma with a link or picture- and I'll provide the design input- sugarspicelivin@gmail.com- I promise to do my very best!!

Pattern Outside My Box

I am interrupting this weeks series on Style Boards and Inspiration to bring you this fantabulous living room. It's so outside of my design box, but I still appreciate that it's great design. In fact, this living room made me re-think my thoughts on pattern.

As you can tell, there is something about this living room that I just love:



Not to mention this little vignette that is perfectly masculine and feminine. (Hummmm, something about masculine design is just calling to me this month).

Check out the full house tour on Apartment Therapy- it's totally worth checking out! Enjoy.

As the days get colder, are you finding that you are drawn to darker or more masculine design?

Style Board: Sage

One of my very best friends is moving into a new place with her Boyfriend. Currently, one wall in the bedroom is Burnt Orange, which totally conflicts with their more natural color palette. The good news- the landlord will paint the wall any color of their choosing!!

I started to jump for joy when she asked for help. Here were my parameters:
1. They have this sage green comforter.
2. The room is a bit small- so they want a color that will lighten up the room.
3. I needed to create a whole look with a little money. I limited my accessories to flowers, throws and pillows.
4. Their bedroom furniture is dark brown.


Here they are- my first Style Boards:

Option #1: Light and Airy in Blue and Greens.

Paint Options:
(A) Top Rt: Restoration Hardware Light Silver Sage- will totally lighten up the room.

(B) Bottom Lt: Restoration Hardware Blue Sage- for more of a pop.

Accessories:
Pillows from West Elm

Agni Pillow, $29.

Bengal Tiger, Pear, $34

Big Sur, $39

Flowers: whites and succulents.

This option really provides a punch of color, but lightens the whole space up with some airy and neutral accessories.

Option #2: Neutrals: Sage, brown and grays.

Paint Options:
From Top Rt. To Bottom Left all Restoration Hardware:
(A) Flax
(B) Spanish Moss
(Sage Bedding)
(C) Gravel
(D) Silver Sage

The top colors will bring a huge pop to the room while the light colors will add subtle contrast and light.

Two Accessories:
Pillows from West Elm.

Mountain Flower, $34

Pheasant Pillow Cover, $34

Bengal Tiger, Fig, $34

Embellished Leaf, $34

Flowers: Succulents.

Option #3: Modern: Sage, purple and taupe.

Paint Options:

(A) Top Lt: Martha Stewart Purple Agate. Softer, but still a bit silvery.

(B) Top Rt: Martha Stewart Blueberry- for a dark rich pop of color, and still manly.

Accessories:
Shams from West Elm- on sale for $12.99 each, and a throw- any of the colors would work, $49, each.

Wild Flowers.

I love this purple option- I think with the sage and the dark purple adds just enough masculinity.

Option #4: Traditional: Sage and Reds.

Paint Options:
(A) Restoration Hardware Spanish Moss
(B) Alternative paint color: Martha Stewart Red Persimmon

Accessories: Myrium Shams from Pottery Barn, $29 each, and a Windowpane Velvet Pillow in Red from Pottery Barn, on Sale $34

Flowers: Red Carnations

Just in case she wanted to go traditional- I threw in the last option. Plus, I know that red is her favorite color.

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After waiting on pins and needles, she told me that she LOVED all the options. While she was initially leaning towards purple, she was afraid that her BF wouldn't go for it- so I think she's going with choice No. 1.

I have to be honest- sage isn't usually in my color palette, so it took some thinking to put these boards together.

Want a Style Board of you own? Email me your greatest design dilemma with a link or picture. I'll provide the design input- email me at sugarspicelivin@gmail.com- I promise to do my very best!!

Passionate about Stlye

Happy November Lovely Readers- Sorry for the late post, but it's a new month and thus, a new journey for this in-betweener.

As you have been following my journey, you know I have been looking for a passion, and after months of soul searching, I've realized that this blog has tugged its way into a corner of my heart.

I can finally say it loud and proud- inspirational design is truly one of my passions. I find myself talking design over pillow talk with Mr. Spice (talk about spicy bedroom conversation) and getting passionate about sitting down and seeking out specific inspirational photos.

Soooo, in light of my post about being a Harvest Widow- and everyone's suggestions that I get a new hobby, I want to be able to spread my love of inspiration to everyone.

Here's the deal- from now until the end of Harvest (or possibly until the end of the year). I am on the hunt for you, my lovely readers.

That's right, I want to help you style your spaces. I love helping people design, so I am offering two types of styling:

(1) Inspirational Photos. You provide a design dilemma or concept that you like but have no idea how to do it. And I provide the photos. For example, how to create a dark bedroom with a splash of color:

source: Martha Stewart

(2) Style Boards. You provide a color palette or feeling that you are going for in a room plus a price tag for how much you want to spend ($200 to $1000+), and I provide Style Boards, including paint colors, lamps, rugs, curtains, flowers, pillows, etc, etc. These will be custom made using what you already own and what you still need. For example, you have a tan couch but want to add some modern style with orange and black:

Crate and Barrel, Sofa $1,599; West Elm, Animals $24; CB2, l_MP floor lamp $199, FLOR Rug Tiles, $159, Art, Escape Print, $199, Throw, $39; Etsy, Pillow $35-55; CSN, Ottoman $136 , Flowers, BBrooks.

What do you think?

I'll be featuring real life solutions to design dilemmas via Style Boards and Inspirational Pictures for the rest of the week. Can't wait to begin to share the journey.

Do you need some design inspiration? Tell me- what's your greatest design dilemma?

Email me at sugarspicelivin@gmail.com- I promise to do my very best!!

Blog Giveaway: CSN Stores WINNER

Happy Friday, the Random Generator has spoken:

Congrats to Ann from Glamourshoes for Winning a $35 Gift Card to CSN. You should receive an email shortly from the CSN Folks! Please let me know what you buy!!

Thanks again to everyone who participated! Hope to offer more giveaways in the near future!

In the mean time, Happy Hallows Eve.

Love this. Click here to see more amazing Dog photos.

Hope everyone has a fantastically spooky Halloween!!

And stay tuned- big things are happening on the blog next week!!

White, Black and Patriotic

Typically I'd think it'd be a bit hokey to have a flag hanging in your house, but with black and white, I am loving these dark and light patriotic displays:

source: James Merrel via Desire to Inspire.

These next two are from my all time favorite designer side kick: Tommy Smythe:

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I have no idea if Emily Henderson is a huge Red Cross supporter or what- it doesn't matter, this design just works:


It seems to me that these designs work because they are simple with a bit of an unexpected punch. The black and leather make the spaces manly, while the white lightens it up and makes the rooms look cozy.

Don't forget to comment and tweet on the giveaway- a winner will be announced Friday am!!

Dark and Moody

With Halloween coming up, I am feeling these dark and moody rooms.

I feel like I need a good Witch cackle, aha, ha, ha...



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source: Graham Moss


source: Door Sixteen

And this last one, I just can't resist. I love it:

source: Apartment Therapy

Last day to enter: Don't forget to comment and tweet on the giveaway- a winner will be announced Friday am!!

Hope you all have a spooktacular day.