Christmas

It's Here, It's Here! Christmas is this week! I'm so excited to see my family this week and share such a happy and festive time of year with them! Today's moldboard touches a little bit on the red and green but also shares a little peek into my holiday style... festive, rustic and simple. I hope everyone enjoys their week and time spent with friends & family.

Mix and Match

Today I'm sharing a little peek into one of my new favorite spaces in my house. Simplifying the gallery wall and isolating it to a singular photo ledge gives you the ability to change out picture frames and artwork with minimal effort. And if you're anything like me and are completely indecisive then this is the perfect concept. I can tell you for a fact though... the one item that is not changing from my photo wall is this beautiful custom painting. Let me introduce you to the The Painted Elephant. The creative mastermind behind The Painted Elephant and a local to Charlotte, Alysa Wayland is truly an amazing artist. My ginger jar painting should say it all {similar painting here}

I finally took my love of ginger jars to my bedroom, bringing in the whites and blues found in the  timeless chinoiserie jars with an Anthropologie twist. I've paired this beautiful painting with a variety of frames in different sizes and materials. Combining wood, ceramic, and painted frames {and a touch of gold} create the mix & match/ anthro feel that we all know and love. I also mixed both photos and artwork with the painting to continue the look I was going for.

Alysa could not have done a better job with this painting - the use of bright colors and the depth and light perceived with brushstrokes just blows my mind. I can't help but think of it as a combination of Lilly Pulitzer meets Andy Warhol... and I LOVEE both, especially Andy Warhol. {there's the art student in me coming out} Below are the images that I shared with Alysa when we were discussing what kind of painting I was thinking of for this space. I'm sure by now we all know my love for ginger jars, and some of my favorite paintings of Alysa's are of her beautiful hand painted blooms. I sent her these images thinking that I could combine the two and she did not disappoint.

Alysa's artwork is available on her etsy shop, she also offers custom signs and artwork perfect for baby showers, wedding gifts, or personal gifts if you want one for yourself! 

Follow along with The Painted Elephant

website // instagram // facebook // blog

Shop & Contact The Painted Elephant

etsy // email

Set the Table

Instagram

Just in time for the holidays... mainly Thanksgiving in my book because personally, I can't wait for turkey and stuffing! The Crate & Barrel Set the Table sale is here! it's running til 11/10 so you don't want to miss out! Grab all of the items you might need to set that table and host the holidays with friends and family at 20% off select, full price items! Check out my favorite items below.

And who could pass up on these Olivia Pope wine glasses... yes, long stems and all!

White With A Pop

In most cases, you'll find yourself stuck with stark white walls if you are living in an apartment or a rental property. Rental communities and landlords always seem to stick with the basic and bland "builders white" paint colors for every room. Which brings up the age old question... What do you do with the white walls? How do you make them look pretty? Growing up I always wanted crazy colors for my room. Since then, I've learned to love the look of those stark white walls and embrace the bright and blank canvas that comes with such a space. Check out a few different spaces that might inspire you to get creative with those stark white walls!

A few things to think about when trying to bring pops of color into a white space:

• Don't be afraid to mix wood tones & color together
• Don't be afraid to mix multiple colors
• Colorful Artwork is an easy way to bring color into the space
• Add a colorful upholstery piece to brighten up the space
• Textiles such as rugs, curtains or pillows are an easy, fool proof way to bring in color
• Don't be afraid to layer white on white (but don't forget to still add color!)

via The Design Files

via Pinterest

via SchoolHouse

via Riches For Rags

How would you add a pop of color to your white rooms?

All about that Brass

Photo by Andi Perullo

During my time spend styling at West Elm a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but just fall in love with this little guy! I spotted this brass armadillo back when he was a new arrival online and he sat in my shopping cart for a few weeks until I very responsibly convinced myself that I didn't need him. They're all sold out now and I'm pretty sure he was the last one lingering in my local store here in Charlotte.

Well, while I sit here trying to convince myself it's totally acceptable to go back and buy him... Let's take a look at everything brass. Home decor could always use a little sparkle right?

Happy Shopping!

Moodboard Maroons

Here I am again, talking about fall. Last fall/winter season I found the perfect pair of maroon skinny jeans and I just broke them out of the closet again for the season. It's such a great fall color, weather you're wearing it, or adding a little flair of it to your home just for the season. Do you have a fall color you can't get enough of?

6 Steps to Staging a Coffee Table

Photos: Andi Perullo

I'm so excited to finally be sharing this with you all! Last week, I had the chance to hang out at the West Elm here in Charlotte and play around in the showroom styling things. To say I was like a kid in a candy shop is an understatement. Now, This {I think} is one of the easiest and most fool proof ways to decorate a coffee table to ensure it looks nicely put together. Good thing is... most of these items you may already have - but if not, they are very easy to find!

First things first, You're going to need about 7 items. Why am I calling it the 6 Steps to styling a coffee table?? Well, that's simply because I'm going to assume most of you already have #1 covered. Whether it's grandmas old wooden coffee table, or it's this storage friendly coffee table from West Elm {pictured} Any coffee table will do!

1. Coffee Table: West Elm {similar}

2. Tray: West Elm {similar, similar, similar}

3. Stack of Books: {see here}

4. Candle: West Elm {love these}

5. Vase or Candle Hurricane: West Elm {love these}

6. Decorative Item: West Elm {love these}

7. Decorative Item: West Elm {Rhino, Reindeer}

Start with the tray, place it smack dab in the center of the coffee table.

Add your stack of coffee table books or magazines to one side of the tray.

Top your stack of books with your favorite candle. Feel free to take the top off for added flair.

Place your hurricane or vase in the back corner of the open side of the tray. Making sure your vase is just a little bit taller than where the candle sits is key to create a landscape within your tray.

Huge thanks to West Elm Charlotte for having me!

Add your smallest decorative object in front of the hurricane. Add an extra decorative object on the edge of your coffee table to give the eyes a path on and off the coffee table. This armadillo was my favorite little object in the store, I just had to include it! Brass animals are so popular and trendy right now, check out this rhino or these reindeer.


What's the verdict? Seems easy enough, right?? Do you think you can pull something like this off?

Pendant Lighting

You'll never realize what a difference lighting will make to a space until you see it. You may be thinking yeah, yeah, lighting is boring..and unless you are a complete and utter nerd like me, the last thing you would want to do when you move, or buy a home is shop for lighting. Well, let me change your mind a little today. A few weeks ago, a new restaurant opened up in Charlotte called Bakersfield. If you're in the area you might have heard of it or even visited for a margarita and some tacos. But if you haven't been by - You must stop in and try it. Not only for the amazing tacos and pitchers of margs in mason jars, but the lighting is simply captivating. Endless amounts of strategically placed pendant bulbs hanging from the ceiling created such a warm and edgy atmosphere all at the same time.. and did I mention the Margs? YUM.

Check out some of my favorites:

via Remodelista

via House of Turquoise

via Lonny

via Purodeco

via my paradissi

Friday Favorites

via Apartment Therapy

Hello Hello and Happy Friday! I don't know about you but this weekend to me just screams relaxation... and by relaxation {which i could definitely use a little bit of this weekend} usually means browsing local stores for home decor, redecorating a little, and laying in bed binge watching netflix. Did anyone else notice that Netflix added Gilmore Girls to their line up this week? Kid. In. A. Candy. Shop. Seriously..

So, for today's friday favorites in honor of all of the window shopping I'm hoping to do this weekend - Here are a few of my favorite online boutiques! These four shops are on top of their game with all of the home decor goodies they're offering right now. Whether it's pop-up shops, new arrivals, or even just their best sellers... you're bound to fill your cart up and drop your entire paycheck. Or at least contemplate it.  Happy Shopping!

1. Design Darling - between acrylic desk accessories, the most perfect art prints, and an entire collection of blue and white decor... design darling is one to check out! I just ordered this, this, and this..... guilty.

2. Lulu & Georgia - Ahhh I dream of lulu & georgia.. that's a little aggressive, i know. But how much do you love this rug, this vase, and this {insert heart eyes emoji here}

3. Mintwood Home - Mintwood Home may only be a month old but the girls behind this lovely online boutique are going to be taking the internet by storm in no time! The quality and selections of their products are untouchable. If you don't remember this instagram of the infamous golden pineapple, check out these products I'm swooning over here, here, and here. Oh - and don't forget you can design your own pillows.

4. Furbish - Furbish Studio is a new one that I actually discovered via instagram.. yes, instagram. I find myself liking one of their photos and the next I know, I'm filling my shopping cart.. whoops! Looking for something trendy or did you see something on pinterest or instagram that you have to have but don't know where to go to find it? Furbish probably has what you're looking for; trendy, trendy, trendy, trendy.

Black & White

Happy Monday! Let's add a little drama to this week by starting off with none other than one of my favorite color combinations... Black and White. I don't even know how to describe it... or even justify it really.  If I could wear black, white and neutral everyday... and have everything in my house be black white and neutral as well... I would. Is this acceptable? or just an unhealthy obsession? Who knows.

Oh and maybe also because Scandal is back on for another season and Olivia Pope is my main bi*%$ er... woman. If you're a fan too then you know that she's always looking amazing in her Black and White combos. Does anyone else love Olivia Pope as much as I do?

9 Fall Must Haves

Instead of providing you with a wish list for all those fall items I'm loving right now... and yes, there's a lot of them! I figured why not prep you with a few items I'm pretty sure will be heavily trending this fall. Trending to the point where you should put them on your wish list ASAP. I mean that.. Most of these items are already on mine. {don't tell my bank account cause it won't know what hit it in a few weeks}

1. Gold Starburst Mirrors - These bad boys are not going anywhere out of trend anytime soon! If you don't have one yet.. go get one! This one is on sale right now!

2. Cozy Textiles - Faux furs are a great item not only to cozy up to on the couch on a chilly night but they look great draped over a side chair or sofa as well!

3. Skull Decor - Remember this post from last season? Time to take out those decorative skulls because they'll be coming back without a doubt.

4. Coffee Table Trays - The little things are always better in groups! I love seeing a nicely staged tray on a coffee table. No matter the material, it always makes your remotes, books, and candles look very well put together.

5. White Bedding - Ahhh, white bedding.. My one true love! You can never go wrong with stark white bedding on a sunday morning when you open up your windows and grab a cup of coffee and a book. That is all.

6. Magazines/ Coffee Table Books - Any kind of mindless reading material is great and easy decor to pile up in a side basket, on a bookshelf, or on a coffee table neatly stacked.

7. Smaller Coffee Tray - Great way to drink a cup of joe in bed on a chilly fall morning, or to use in staging a guest room for when you have company.

8. Candles - No need to explain this one. A grouping of candles is such a joy to see in someones home, makes it feel so cozy and welcoming!

9. Bar Carts - If you've been wanting to invest in a bar cart and just haven't had the chance to... now is definitely the time! Stock the top of your bar cart with a few bottles of wine and your favorite liquor to warm your insides during the fall season! Don't forget the festive cocktail napkins and agate coasters!

Which of these items are going on your wish list for this fall season?

Inside my Home

I love when my favorite bloggers share a little insight on their personal life. Nothing too personal, just little things. For me in particular I always get a little giddy when I see Instagrams that showcase little pieces of their home.... a new rug, their favorite little decor piece, a properly arranged tray, or even a great angle of their custom kitchen. Call me a nerd? Sure. But I just love seeing those little insights.

Today, unfortunately my home is not photo ready... but why not share some insight into a few shiny and sparkly things that have made their way into my home recently? 

1. Alarm Clock - I've been wanting to paint this little pint sized clock gold since I brought it home.. but the more I look at it the more I like it how it is! Decisions, Decisions..

2. Candlesticks - These white candlesticks are so perfect I bought two pairs - Yes, two pairs! One for my living room and one for my bedroom!

3. Vase - Here's another great white piece that has made it's way into my home. It looks so pretty with bright colored blooms in it too!

4. Sea Urchins - These. Let me tell you, I went through hell to get my hands on a set of these. I searched about 5 or 6 targets to try and get these and I'm so happy I didn't give up! I didn't hand them though... They're topping my books on my nightstands, and coffee table!

5. Task Lamp - This lamp is perfection. It's the best addition to my desk/vanity for when I am working late at night or putting my makeup on for the day.

6. Pear Salt & Pepper Shakers - How adorable are these!? They've been sitting on my dining table for over a month now and I just got around to filling them up. Too pretty to eat? Try too pretty to use!

7. Candles - These candles are the perfect size to fit on top of the candlesticks. They look great and the glass keeps the wax from melting all over the place as bare candles would.

8. Gold Pineapple - I've been swooning over the pineapple trend for a while now and I just knew that I had to have one. When I saw that Mintwood Home was running this giveaway I didn't even think twice before entering! It's pure perfection!

Trending: Cheetah Print

image via Lonny

I know at first glance you might be thinking that cheetah print is so 90's style.. well, think again. I personally love the neutral yet fierce pattern that cheetah print brings to the table. But, it must be mixed together correctly and doing so might be a little tricky without making it seem too.... well, tacky. {we were all thinking it right?}

Here are a few trendy ideas on how to incorporate that glamorous dose of animal print into your home this Fall & Winter season. Tip: Find an accent or focal piece and mix it with blacks, browns, white and gold and you are guaranteed to achieve a chic look!

accent chair & a pop of color | via issuu

neutral living space with a neutral print pillow | via Domaine Home

throw pillow for the bedroom | via The Hunted Interior

another neutral accent chair | via Julia Ryan

cheetah accent ottomans | via Lonny

last but not least, the amazing office/closet space of Rach Parcell of Pink Peonies

Can we just take a minute and talk about how amazing Rach Parcell's dream closet/office is? I've been following her blog for a while now and I just about die every time she posts little sneak peaks into her new home, or the decor at her house. Her closet is nothing less than perfect, I highly recommend checking the entire post out here.

Desk Decor

Happy Wednesday! I've got everything 'office' on my brain this week and it all comes with some exciting news... I'm getting my office at work painted and better yet, I get to pick out the color tomorrow! I'll be sure to keep you updated and post back with pictures and colors but as for now, these are a few of the desktop items I can't get enough of! Which ones will make it to my desk?

Shop these items: