Introducing a New Series: Risky Business

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I’m so excited to announce the start of a new series here at the Story of Home called Risky Business!

Over the next few weeks, designers will be sharing the biggest design risks they’ve taken and how those risks have paid off! These designers have inspired me to take a chance, so I’ve started a new project in the kitchen that I’ll reveal at the end of this series. I hope this series encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and take a risk in your home as well!

Lindsay

Cape Cod House Tour

I stumbled across this stunning Cape Cod summer house featured on Traditional Home’s website, and I just had to share it with you. Designed by Maureen Footer, this home incorporates color and pattern in a way that’s both stylish and comfortable. 

Sites like Traditional Home and Better Homes & Gardens never cease to inspire me. Where do you find your inspiration?

Lindsay

Fall Perfection

Doesn’t this room just scream “fall” to you? 

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I love the rich wall color and textures used in the room. And don’t even get me started on the mix of patterns! Did you see the houndstooth pattern on the backs of the chairs? Houndstooth is one of my favorite patterns lately; I can’t seem to get enough of it! 

Lindsay

Stylish Laundry Rooms

I spent my weekend doing laundry. Laundry is probably one of my least favorite chores to do, but wouldn’t a stylish laundry room make folding clothes a little more enjoyable? I think so. 

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Lindsay

Wall Decor: Hanging Plates

The Nester pinned this the other day, and I loved it instantly! 

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I love the idea of hanging plates on the wall. While I realize this look isn’t for everyone, I love how organic the arrangement is. I was so enamored by this beautiful and unique wall decor that I thought it would be fun to round up some additional wall decor ideas! So enjoy and be inspired to take a risk on your walls!

all images found via my pinterest account

Lindsay

My Top 5 Favorite Patterns

Nothing brings more visual interest to a room than pattern. Patterns are usually what set the tone in a room and often inspire the color scheme. Here’s a list of my current top 5 favorite patterns: 

Greek Key 

(upholstered chairs)

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Faux Bois

(area rug)

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Ikat

(window treatments)

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Chevron

(upholstered chairs)

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Houndstooth

(throw pillows)

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What do you think? Are these patterns too bold for you? Would you like to incorporate them into your home but aren’t sure how? Better Homes & Gardens has a great article that gives you tips on mixing patterns. 

If you’re on the fence about adding more pattern to your space, try incorporating pattern through accessories. Lately, pillows are my favorite way to introduce pattern into a room. Caitlin, from Caitlin Creer Interiors, is a pro at mixing patterns and pillows!

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I love the patterns she combined; they add so much life to the space! 

What’s your take on pattern? Leave a comment or email me; I would love to hear your thoughts!

Lindsay

Stylish Storage

When I started to decorate for fall, I also got the itch to organize. Being organized makes me so happy and definitely helps me relieve some stress. Just looking at this beautiful, organized home office makes me feel peaceful! 

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So to celebrate organization and motivate me to start at home, I’ve rounded up six storage containers that provide function and style!

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Lindsay

Clever Mudrooms

Take a look at these mudrooms...

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See what they have in common? They’ve both used Ikea bookcases! Great idea, huh? 

Ikea Expedit Bookcase

Ikea Billy Bookcase

A clever solution that transforms a back entrance or hallway to look like a built in mudroom!

Lindsay

If I had a Million Dollars...and shopped at Anthropologie

I know it’s a bit ironic that I’m writing this post in the same week that I shared some thoughts on contentment. However, in a lighthearted way, I thought it would be fun to dream about what I would buy from Anthropologie if I had endless resources. So here is my list...

The Illusorio Cabinet would make a great entertainment center; it’s made to look like it has “antique drafting trays,” but it’s really disguised drawers and shelves! Perfect for hiding the Blu-Ray player, Blu-Rays, games, and more!

The Corrigan Chair in Linen is just beautiful! It looks like the perfect spot to curl up and read a book. A wonderful combination of style and comfort, not to mention the amazing button tufting!

The Coqo Floral Rug would be perfect in my home office someday. I love how fun the pattern is, and the navy keeps it sophisticated and classic. 

The Midnight Courtyard Curtains are also very sophisticated with their navy print. Plus you all know how much I love a good patterned window treatment. 

The Quiet Mist Shade would be my final splurge. This lamp shade looks like it was watercolored, which I love, and I’m also crazy about the texture!

What are some of your favorite things from Anthropologie? 

Lindsay

Decorating for Fall

I don’t know what my deal is, but for some reason I am not too excited about decorating my house for fall. Maybe it’s because most of my fall decor is sitting in storage back in Michigan, or the fact that the leaves don’t change colors here in California. Whatever the case may be, I’ve decided to set small goals and tackle them one at a time. Hopefully achieving one goal will motivate me to accomplish the other ones. First up, accessorizing our Ikea Expedit Bookcase for fall. Here’s what it looked like over the summer...

By changing the placement of the baskets and switching out some accessories, the bookcase is now ready for fall...

How do you get your home ready for fall? 

Lindsay

I want to make a wreath...

I’ve been inspired by the Nester, yet again. She’s amazing, and I love her philosophy on design: “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful!” Love that. Anyways, she hosted a linky party featuring DIY wreaths, and since I’ve never made a wreath before and always wanted to try, I decided to go for it. Here are some of my favorite inspiring wreaths...

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I’ve haven’t decided which wreath I’d like to attempt, but I will let you know when the project is complete!

Lindsay

Contentment

I spent my morning searching various websites looking for some inspiration so I could write a new post. What I found were some impeccably designed rooms that left me feeling like my house was inadequate. There is nothing wrong with having dreams and goals for what your home could look like, but it’s important to keep things in perspective and appreciate what you have. Discontentment is like quicksand, easy to slip into but difficult to get out of. Difficult, but not impossible. 

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Months ago I started reading a book that has greatly impacted my life. 

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One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, gave me a new understanding of what it means to be grateful and experience true joy. As prompted by Ann’s book, I have started a journal recording little moments in everyday life that I am thankful for. This journal has really helped me keep things in perspective. 

The practice of giving thanks can definitely be applied to home decor. Although I continue to pursue the goals I have set in designing my home, I need to stop and enjoy the process of design, appreciating the beauty that already exists. I do desire to have a beautiful home, but not at the expense of a heart full of discontent. 

Lindsay

Yellow Paisley Settee

My friend Whitney (who is full of creative ideas; we’ll hear more from her later!) recently pinned this yellow paisley settee on Pinterest. 

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Of course I had to re-pin this right away; I love the color yellow; it’s so bright and happy! Whitney and I chatted about how cute the settee would be used as a banquette in a breakfast nook like these... 

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What do you think? And does anyone know of a “look for less” option? As much as I am loving the yellow paisley settee, I am not fond of it’s $1,499 price tag...

Lindsay

Horizontal Stripes

From the moment I saw the Nester’s window treatments I have loved horizontal stripes. 

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On window treatments or walls, horizontal stripes make a huge statement in any room; they can feel very elegant in adult spaces or whimsical in children’s space. I prefer horizontal stripes in similar color tones so they don’t overwhelm the space; you could even vary the finish (flat & semi-gloss) to create a subtle effect. Here are just a few of my favorite spaces that incorporate horizontal stripes...

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So what do you think? Do you love horizontal stripes as much as I do?

Lindsay