Styling Selena's Painted Porch

Last year for Houzz.com, I featured a Dallas bungalow belonging to Selena and Alun Urquhart. One of my favorite things Selena had done to her back patio was to paint a blue and white Moroccan style stencil directly onto her wood deck. It looked like an area rug. I liked it so much that I returned to her home a few months later for a commissioned magazine cover shoot. This was my first crack at styling and photographing for a magazine cover. Here are the results!

Woven Textiles | Layer it On

A smattering of boho textiles for a Wednesday morning? Yes, please. Honestly, when my home needs a pick-me-up, layering woven textiles is my go-to decorating trick. Pillows, rugs, tapestries, window treatments and wall hangings are the quickest and least permanent way to spiff up your space. And to prove my point, I submit the evidence below:

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Kuba Cloth

Ikea and West Elm came out last season with Kuba cloth style pillows and benches and since then I've been seeing it everywhere.  Sadly it sometimes it takes an enormous retail giant like Ikea to bring things to my attention, but I've really fallen in love with these textiles.  The organic geometry, graphic feel and exposed stitchery really speak to me.

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Easy Breezy Boho Day

There is nothing better than a gauzy dress, a light breeze and a few open hours.  This is not how I'll be spending my day, but I sure wish it was.  Today I'm running errands with kids in tow, prepping meals and doing a large back-log of laundry. Maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a gauzy dress while I'm running errands.

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Today is the last day to enter the IKATSUZANI giveaway...
You could win a hand woven, silk, Ikat pillow cover!

Fur

I usually don't go in for fur, but I keep coming back to the photo below.  Is it the wood built-ins?  Is it the wonderful light quality?  Is it the Buddha on the shelf?  Is it the natural fiber rug?  Possibly.  But I think it might be that crazy fur covered couch. 

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The Perfect Room

I just spotted this photo at Savvy Home. Its from an Italian Ski Lodge House tour in Marie Claire Maison Italia.  The house is incredible, but this room in particular has me smiling big time.  Cozy, boho, bookish, euro, industrial, and inviting.  Dreamy!

images from Marie Claire Maison Italia via City Sage

 

Aged Perfection

I just finished the new issue of House Beautiful, which I look forward to reading every month.  I always find wonderful ideas to take away.  But I always feel a little put off when I see spread after spread of rooms which have been designed with all new furniture or completely refurbished furniture and fixtures.  Isn't it okay to have old, worn pieces in our homes anymore?  Of all the things in my home, the pieces I love most are worn, frayed and loved into aged perfection. 

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Grandma's throw pillows.

Just because they're old and 

smell faintly of cigarettes and lavender 

doesn't mean you can't still enjoy them today. 

Both photos from Not My Beautiful House.

Outdoor Lounge

I don't know a lot about creating outdoor spaces, but based on my extensive internet and magazine research the key seems to be throw pillows, toss pillows and floor pillows.  The lesson I take from this is don't be afraid to throw your good cushy favorite-est pillows on the ground and pretend you're in Morocco.

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