Creating a Reading Nook

Nina Chair

The other day a few of my close girlfriends and I were talking about starting a book club. Nothing special or too much of a commitment, but it sounds like something fun and hey, it's a great excuse to get together and drink wine right?

Well even though I'm the last person you'd catch leisurely reading a book on a given night, I've always loved the idea of having a little reading nook. And when I saw this beautiful fuchsia chair at World Market the other day, I just couldn't stop staring.  So, I've decided.. this chair will be mine someday.  Doesn't it create the perfect pop of color? This chair would make that space complete - Somewhere you can go to just sit there and enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book. {maybe i'd actually get to put a dent into my never ending reading list...} Here's what I'd put into my reading nook to make it my cozy little getaway:

1. Bright, comfy chair
2. Small side table
3. Table lamp
4. Small bench
5. Coffee mug
6. Decorative pillow
7. Cozy throw
8. Candles
9. Basket for extra throws or books

Moodboard Monday: Mint

Happy Monday! Today's moodboard is a little bit of a sneak preview for what is to come this week here at Defined Designs. Personally, I love the color mint, pair it with white, gold, or even wood tones and it just pops oh-so perfectly. What colors do you love to pair with mint?

The Perfect Cover Up

I know I talk about everything and anything blue a lot. Let's be real, I just love navy. I also love the classic blue and white combo. Ginger jars anyone?? This past weekend I went to Aiken, South Carolina to visit a friend from college and I just died over her nail polish color. It was the most perfect slate blue color you could ever imagine, and perfect for fall! It's called 'The Perfect Cover Up' by Essie and you can bet I'll be going to scoop it up ASAP. {you can get it at Nordstrom!}

What's your favorite fall nail color?

Moodboard Monday

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend, I loved being able to lay around and relax a bit {I also enjoyed the pool and caught some sun with some friends} I was so excited to be in Charlotte this weekend especially to see the fireworks this year! With the new Knights stadium opening up earlier this summer I knew the fireworks were going to be amazing!! I'm a sucker for some fireworks too.

I'm sure since everyone's weekend was full of color between hanging out with friends and family, & catching some rays and seeing the fireworks... Who's ready for a calm week {even though we've got to go back to work} Let's calm things down from the wild weekend with my favorite neutral color..

'Merica

Happy 4th of July!! I had a little fun with today's post if you can't tell with a quick glance.. Taking all of my favorite red white and blue posts and putting them into an american flag collage! What else would be patriotic than that? Enjoy!!

Moodboard Monday

Monday Monday Monday... I started sharing moodboards on Mondays not only because it sounded catchy, but because living the post grad life, living a grown up life, and even life in school or on an internship lets face it - Most everyone dreads Mondays. I love sharing a little splash of color or pattern inspiration to help brighten up your day and bring a little smile to that dreadful Monday morning!

Hows it working? Have you been following along each monday?
Either way - here's a little dose of turquoise to brighten your day!

Wish List Wednesday: Ikea Finds

I'm sure you all know by now my weird love for ikea products. I'm a true believer that there is something there for everyone and you can always find something that you could use in your home.  The best shopping trips to ikea are when you find the hidden gem in an ikea hack...and it works.

If you are brave enough to venture into the never ending maze they call ikea, but you might not be super confident on your handy skills, then here is a great selection of items that speak for themselves.  These Bold Ikea finds are great just the way they are:

Shop these Items:

Orange is the New Black

I'm hoping that today's splash of color will give everyone a little happiness on this Monday Morning. The word is out that the new season of Orange is the New Black is back on Netflix, and for those of you who are out of the loop - It's time to sit down and binge watch to catch up. It's the most addictive new guilty pleasure show of Netflix.

So, in honor of it's long awaited return.. Here's a little "Orange is the new Black" Moodboard:

Looks a lot prettier than a women's penitentiary right? Happy Monday!

Moodboard Monday

Happy Monday! Tis the season of peonies and I love that they're filling up my instagram newsfeed. Pretty blooms {especially peonies} are a great way to brighten your day! Instead of focusing today's moodboard monday on peonies and fresh blooms, I've decided why not think out of the box and get a little creative? Great photos of peonies are always filled with pastel hues - Here is today's pastel moodboard:

Simple & Sophisticated

A Beautiful Mess

This entryway is so simple yet so stunning to me. The baskets serve for great hidden storage, and come on - us girls can always use some extra storage... am I right? Well, adding some metallic accents and some greenery into this simply white yet sophisticated space will polish this look off and you'll have this look for less!

Shop the look:

Console Shelf: Ikea | $199
Starburst Mirror: Target | $35
Wall Art Print: Target | $53
Bowl: Ikea | $13
Candle: Bloomingdales | $35
Flowers: Ikea | $1.99
Plant: Ikea | $3.99
Metal Hurricanes: H&M Home | various sizes

Basket Option #1: Ikea | $7.99 each
Basket Option #2: Ikea | $17 each


Can you see this in your home? Who's ready to go shopping? I know I am!

Chartreuse

Have you ever wondered what that perfect shade of citrus green was called?  We all know the exact shade I'm talking about - its not too aggressive, but not too dark that it has an awful brown undertone.. Just the perfect shade of lime green. Well, if you never knew the name but loved the color, let me enlighten you.

Chartreuse. {shar-troos} Yes, I took that one from Dictionary.com

One of my all time favorite colors. I understand that it might take a lot to get used to, and some of you might not like the look of it, but I promise it'll grow on you. For those of you on the fence, let me convince you:

Desire to Inspire

I also really love this pop of chartreuse in the sofa - it's such a bold furniture choice. Visit my Citrus Pinterest board here to see more! What are your thoughts on this bold color crush?

Moodboard Monday

Am I the only one who thinks that mother nature needs to get her act together? We were so temped with the beautiful sunshine and then she tricked us with this cold front! I know some people even saw snow [yes, in april] I'm not a fan! I'm ready for summer, and keeping in that spirit - today's moodboard monday is all about that bright sunshine!

Who's ready to soak up the summer sunshine? I know I am!

Crushing on Coral

Happy Monday! Like always, High Point Furniture Market was filled with so many bright pops of color. Every showroom showcased different colors whether it was their own furniture or accent pieces to bring people in to look at what they had, nothing was bland or boring. One of the colors that I saw at High Point Market that I can't stop thinking about is coral. I'm loving anything and everything coral for this spring - and maybe even this summer too!

Today, I'm bringing back mood board monday because I'm crushing on coral. What bold spring colors are you crushing on?

All photos via Pinterest

Love coral but don't know what colors to pair with it? Here are two of my favorite color schemes including coral:

Pairing: Coral & Navy

Pairing: Coral & Teal/Turquoise

Market Predictions

It's that time of year again! The infamous High Point furniture market is almost in full swing. The freight elevators are running non stop, the showrooms are getting the finishing touches of paint and the beautiful furniture is getting it's last minute rearranging. Everything is perfect, the lights are on and Friday is when the madness begins. For those of you who don't know much about furniture market, it's basically fashion week for the interior design and home furnishings industry.

While I was attending school at High Point University I had the amazing opportunity to work furniture market for a wonderful company. I made so many unforgettable and life long connections with so many people within the industry I will forever be grateful for that experience.  This year I will be going back on the "other side" from a buyers perspective I will be able to browse, take pictures, and see everything I can manage to fit into a weekend.

Much like NY fashion week - Market is the chance for designers to debut their latest styles and trends for the upcoming year. Here are my predictions for Spring Market 2014:

Oh! Oak Cliff!

Mixing Metallics Gold, Bronze, Silver... They're all over the home decor world right now.

Wisteria

Statement Mirrors Like statement necklaces in fashion, these are a must have in your home in today's trends

Pinterest

Radiant Orchid The 2014 Pantone Color of the year will be debuting this market I just know it!

Williams Sonoma

Ginger Jars These popular and trendy blue and white patterned ceramic jars are everywhere today. I can't wait to see these things gracing the vignettes and showrooms through market.

Serena & Lilly

Bold & Bright Colors Mixed that is.. Who said color blocking was only for fashion? Bold and Bright colors are always going to be shown at market but this time around I think they will be mixed and matched more than usual.

Wisteria

Heavy Geometric Patterns Thick lattice work, Chevron, and Quatrefoils are not going out of style any time soon. Mix these bold geometrics with bold colors and black and white and they'll be flying off the shelves!

Ellie Cashman Design

Oversized Florals This trend might be tricky to spot in market because I'm thinking that the oversized floral is more of a wallpaper trend, but I'm sure that it will find it's way into the showrooms.  Pillows or Wall Art maybe?

Society Social

Lacquered Accent Furniture This trend has surfaced market before and it was such a hit. 

Navy & Neutrals

Hello Hello! Let's take a step back from all the overwhelming, up and coming trends I've been throwing at you lately and talk about something simple. Something that everyone goes through at some point, usually more than once in their lives. The taunting decision to pick out paint. Let's face it. It's hard to stand there in the paint section of your local hardware store and be expected to just pick out a color and commit to it. [So. Many. Decisions.] I know.

If there's anything my dad has taught me about paint, there's two words I'll never forget. Benjamin Moore.  Sure, all the other brands are great and work like their supposed to but Benjamin Moore paint in my parents house is like liquid gold.

On that note, I'm helping a friend decorate and get ready for her nursery and we're in the process of picking out paint. Today's topic is right up their alley in helping them make the big decision. [The baby's name is already chosen, so of course the next big decision is the paint color of the nursery right?] It's a boy so who wouldn't love a little Navy and Neutral for a baby boy?

Here are my top choices for this Navy & Neutral Bedroom:

Personally, I'm imagining an all grey nursery with a thick horizontal cabana stripe that sits just above the top of the crib and flows through the room.. Soft and bold all in one! Note: We will be bringing in some other bright colors like mint greens, yellows and orange tones to this nursery with the decorations and other items as well! This baby is already the most stylish kid in Ohio!

Other colors and inspiration of navy & neutral painted rooms:

BM Van Deusen Blue | Apartment Therapy

BM Kendall Charcoal | Painters Place

BM Dark Harbor | The Marion House Book

BM Stormy Monday | Hey Gorgeous Events

BM Hale Navy | The Nesting Game

Alright now it's your turn! What are you're thoughts on this color scheme to start off the nursery? Which two colors would you pick - could you decide between all the possible Navy & Neutral options?