Loving the new trend of bright colors but afraid to try? Here's how to start

More and more I see beautiful, bold color on the covers of home decor mags but rarely do you ever see such color in someone's home. The reason is that, as I'm sure you know, the thought of painting your living room royal blue, or whatever your color crush, is a little scary....

The trick, and I'm sure this is no secret - is to start with a few accessories in a color you love, and then, if you are happy living with it, start adding more and more layers at a time.

For example, in the room above - maybe they just started with those fab. aqua pillows. They were happy and added the aqua lamp. Then maybe the colorful vase you see in the back. Their courage was up and maybe a few weeks or months later they add some pink pillows and those gorgeous blue curtains!
via Pier 1

Bright color is scary enough, so stick with one hue if you need to. This cornflower blue alone has big impact.
via House to Home

Really color shy? Try just adding a bright throw as seen in the two views of the living room below. Sometimes just one pop is enough to satiate your need for color...


via Alice in Designland

If you want to be a little braver - try an upholstered piece, like this gorgeous plum velvet chesterfield. Mix and match pillows and an eclectic rug keeps the space down to earth.

via House to Home

In the jewel-toned home office above, different bold colors are brought in in layers - a turquoise screen, a plum chair, and green foliage.
via House Beautiful

Now...for those of us who think we may be able to paint....

Maybe start with a washed effect of a bright color....like this pink below, which is bright but also a little translucent.

...or try going all out in a smaller space, like this purple hall, fully decked out with a vibrantly patterned chaise and that AMAZING pillow!
two above via Elle Decor

I don't know if I'll ever be brave enough to do something like this but it sure is glamorous isn't it!
via Real Simple

How about you? Have you wanted to use color but are always too scared? Is anyone living with color and loving it?

A little eye candy to brighten up your Monday

Mondays...blah. Especially when it's getting so cold out! It makes it so tough for me to crawl out from under the covers when I'm toasty warm. Hopefully these chic homes with a nod to the traditional can help brighten it up a little?

The beam above the window adds a nice rustic touch without being too "look how rustic I am."

Love the nooks for spices by the oven

Cappuccino maker!

I like the look of raw linen and canvas like they've used on the bar stools

This kitchen has such a 17th century Dutch air to it - even without the Vermeer

The rooms below are from another house -

A home office with gobs of natural light! Looks nice and tucked away.


Love the retro classic chair. I also like that this room, though it has modern retro elements is still most obviously lived in. Nothing is too precious. Evidence of human, and canine, life can be seen on the shelves, the coat rack, etc.


In this room I like the large prints on every wall, and of course, the lounge. I'm a sucker for a reading nook!

via Southern Living

TIps for creating a superbly glamorous dressing room

Jane, a Decorology reader, wrote me asking for inspiration for a 9x9 room she wants to turn into a "fit for a star dressing room." So I've done my best to compile some super glamorous dressing rooms. I've also found a few "glam dressing room" essentials and where to find them. Even if you don't have a dressing room, I hope you enjoy this eye candy!

One of my favorite dressing rooms - the dressing room of JCrew Jenna Lyons as seen in Domino.
via Abigail Ahern

Another one I like -I guess I really like the windows with natural light, which is good for makeup.
via La Dolce Vita

I think the mornings would be easier to face with a beautiful wall of beautiful shoes.
via Qwikstep

via NestEgg

A dressing room is a great place to try out that bold wallpaper or paint color you've been eyeing as it's a more private, smaller space.
via La Dolce Vita


A super eclectic dressing room.
via La Dolce Vita


I adore this shot - a perfect vision of glamour.
via Country Living

Another one of my faves.
via Architect Design

via Apartment Therapy


Here are some items I would use to create a starlet dressing room.

Top left: A staple of any glam interior - a chaise or settee. This one is from Montauk sofa.
Top right: Chandelier, like this one from Graham and Greene
Center: A tufted ottoman, this one is from Serena and Lily
Bottom left: A mirrored vanity is quintessential glam. This one is from Graham and Greene
Bottom right: A pretty little table like this one from Oomph Online

Help with ideas for bay windows!?

A reader emailed me with a really great (and challenging!) question:

"My fiance and I are moving into an apartment that has bay windows (in both the bedroom and living room). A lot of people convert them into benches, but I'd rather use the space as a showcase for special items, while not allowing it to look cluttered (clutter is my worst enemy!)."

As you can imagine, you have to dig deep to find bay windows that haven't been converted into window seats - and here are some solutions I found...


via Living Etc.



The above two photos are from an AT reader's home - I really like her solution of using a narrow console table in front of the window to create a beautiful display. Make sure the objects you use are edited and the arrangement is thought out to keep the console or shelf from simply looking like a catch-all place for objects.
Here's another example - though this is an unusual bay window, you can imagine the effect of having a narrow bench/table/shelf, etc. and using it as a display area.
via House Beautiful

You could create a glamorous reading nook - an excuse to buy a chaise lounge!
via Apartment Therapy

Found this on Apartment Therapy, but it's Victoria of SF Girl by Bay apartment. So pretty - and a great sun-filled reading nook.

via Apartment Therapy

via House to Home



A teapot collection displayed on a bay window
via FotoSA

I really like this shelf/drawer window sill display.
via Country Living

A display is especially striking when all of the objects are similar, or part of a collection.
via Canadian House and Home

I included this photo to show that, if all else fails, bay windows can be beautiful bare - just add some dramatic or interesting curtains, and/or some striking paint to make the area pop.
via Beecroft


via Design Sponge Online

Bring window boxes inside and grow flowers or herbs.
via House Beautiful

My sister utilizes her bay window for this exact purpose, as a pretty indoor green house.
via Martha Stewart

Does anyone else know of any great bay window solutions that aren't window seats? I'm all ears!