Light and bright spaces

Check out my most recent post about making your room feel light and bright: http://michellesdesigninspirations.wordpress.com/

- Michelle -

New Blog!

Hi everyone!

Check out my new blog at: http://michellesdesigninspirations.wordpress.com/


Thanks for reading!

- Michelle -

"Funky Living Space" Design

Hi everyone!

I decided to do a Polyvore set today to inspire some design choices for my readers: "Funky Living Space" designed by me! An eclectic style with funky accents and fun colors.

Check out my other Polyvore sets here: http://mmurphy37.polyvore.com/

Thanks for checking out my design!

- Michelle - 

Design Inspiration # 1

Hi everyone!

I love using the website Polyvore to create interior design inspirations and fashion designs. I want to post some of my designs on my blog here to inspire others with color and design.


This is an interior inspiration I did a little while back. Organic and rustic with a funky flair.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/54746951691187078/

Thanks for reading!

- Michelle -

Creative Use of Space #2 - Fireplaces

Hi everyone!

I have had clients and friends ask what they should do about an unused/broken fireplace. You don't necessarily have to do anything, but it is nice to consider a decorative look or different use to accent that feature of your space. I have come up with some different uses of an unused/broken fireplace that can add a nice touch to your space.


1. Candles - A nice arrangement of decorative candles (can be lit or not) will accent the space and create a feeling of warmth.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/442248/Kewamee-transitional-living-room-orange-county

2. Make it an accent piece - Even if you can't light a fire in your fireplace (broken, etc) you can still make it look beautiful. Put some nice logs arranged beautifully and add decorative accents on the hearth or mantel. The example below is decorated for the holidays, but you can do anything that works well for your style and space.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/2235562/Linden-Hills-Farmhouse-farmhouse-living-room-minneapolis

3. Fireplace screen - Putting a nice decorative fireplace screen in front of your unused fireplace will create a nice finished feel and accent the fireplace as a beautiful feature of your home, not as a broken eyesore. This example also has nice decorative accents on the hearth and mantel to finish off the look. 

http://www.houzz.com/photos/590499/Lake-Keowee-Smith-Private-Residence-living-room

More tips to come in the future!

Thanks for reading!

-Michelle-

Pops of color!

Hi Everyone!

Color is an amazing design tool, but can also be the most challenging part of design. What colors should I use? How many should I put together? How much is too much? There isn't necessarily a "color rule" as to how many or how little color you should use in a space. In my designs, I tend to stick with threes (3 really is my favorite number). I like to pick one base color, something more neutral like gray, cream, or taupe and build off that with two richer colors as accents. It varies from space to space, client to client, but threes are a good way to design for yourself.

Gray is a very popular neutral. There are so many grays out there and it is a great grounding color for a room. It creates a nice even and balanced space to work with. Just be careful about undertones of other colors in grays (they are sneaky!).

Once you pick your solid base color, add some pops!

Here is an example of a gray base color with blue and green pops of color.

http://www.decoist.com/2013-05-23/decorating-with-green-inspiration/

Here is an example of cream with purple and yellow.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/manja-swanson/a-colorful-living-room-de_b_4032991.html

It is also okay to add more neutrals. Gray and white are paired all the time because they work well together. You can have two or more neutrals with one pop of color or even one neutral with one pop of color. I would't suggest going with more than two pops of color because the room starts to look busy. There are bends to this rule though. For instance, a patterned rug with 3+ colors in it with a gray sofa and white walls is fine. Pull out one or two of those colors in the rug to use as your pops of color. Just don't overdo it by putting 4 accent colors in your room based on the rug pattern. 

Here is an example of two neutrals with a pop of color.

http://www.pinterest.com/raelynnok/gray-white-yellow/

Here is an example of a colorful rug and pulling out those colors as accents.

http://icoupie.com/compact-waterfront-house-to-withstanding-tsunamis-and-wave-actions/energetic-living-room-contains-soft-gray-sofa-two-gliders-white-coffee-tables-orange-stools-on-colorful-rug-a-fireplace-wall-mounted-tv-and-wooden-book-shelves/

**Michelle's Post Wrap-Up** - Don't be afraid to use color. Grays, creams, and browns may seem boring, but they are wonderful colors. They are the base to your room, grounding your space and design. Start with these neutrals and add your pops. 

Thanks for reading!

- Michelle -

Creative Use of Space #1 - Under your Staircase

I want to start daily/weekly posts with creative uses of spaces in homes to inspire others to think creatively about how to design your tight bathroom and or small nook in your home. Sometimes it seems as though small spaces are wasted with clutter or homeowners just don't know how to make such a small space work.

Here is my first "Creative Use of Space" post which is about how to design that small space under your staircase! I'm sure many of you readers have seen closets under staircases or maybe even have one yourself. Why not create a small powder room? If you need a powder room for your guests, this could be a perfect space. Make sure you have enough room before you decide to tackle this in your own home. If the space under the stairs is too small, another idea is to create a small home office. A small desktop with some wall shelving is a great use of the small space.

 

http://designhomes.pics/bathroom-under-the-stairs-design/6/bathroom-under-the-stairs/

http://www.houzz.com/photos/648577/Burlington-Cloakroom-set-traditional-bathroom-london

http://groovexi.com/perky-stair-storage-solutions-lovely-dwellings/impressive-small-home-office-using-white-corner-desk-utilize-under-stair-space-area/

** Michelle's Post Wrap-Up** - No space is too small. Think creatively! Even a small wall niche could be a great little bookcase or a spice rack. 

Thanks for reading!

- Michelle - 

Fall Colors

A lot of people struggle with how to incorporate seasonal decor into their space without causing a clash with their usual decor. Now that it is fall, reds, browns, and oranges are common colors to see in home decor stores and websites. It's hard to see how you can spice up your own home from season to season when your normal style may not match the items of that seaon. I want to give some advice on how to add fall seasonal decor without cramping your style.

1- Put a little neutral in it - I've seen many people struggle with how to incorporate bright, bold seasonal colors, but everything doesn't need to be so bright and bold. If you already have a colorful, pattern filled room, maybe add some more neutral tones. Beiges, tans and browns can be a great way to balance the space while throwing in your fall decor. The space will feel warm and cozy which is a great fall feeling. Swap out your throw pillows or add a cozy blanket on the couch. The living room below has some nice tans and oranges in the pillows. The orange throw adds a pop of color if you need more color in your space.

http://www.freshimprovement.com/3707/gilong/fall-home-decorating/

2- How much is too much - Homeowners will ask me about how many decorative items they should have in a space before it just feels too cluttered. In this situation, there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer. Although, I can give some helpful hints to think about when deciding how many decorative items you should buy and how to arrange them so that your space won't look too cluttered.    A. Less is always more: One bolder decorative piece makes a bigger statement than five small trinkets. Try a medium sized pumpkin on your sideboard instead of 4 small pumpkins on one side. That medium sized pumpkin paired with a tall candle and adding a bowl of pinecones on the opposite end of the sideboard would be just enough to create that fall feel without going overboard.
   B. Three is my lucky number - Threes are a good way to group items together. If you aren't sure what to put as a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving day table, try a group of three items. Three candles of varying heights, a large pumpkin with 2 small, etc. Then add some loose pinecones or garland to the table to add some more depth. Remember that all the food will brighten up the space as well so remember "less is more, when it comes to seasonal decor". :)
   C. Texture me up - Adding texture to your dining room table will add warmth and character. A nice neutral table runner will ground your center piece while the fabric material creates a cozy feel. Bright colored napkins and shiny napkin rings and silverware will add more to your textural palette.

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/house-and-home/fall-dining-room-table.html

3- Fall are welcome - Everyone wants to make their home have an inviting "all are welcome" front entrance feel. How do you achieve that you may wonder? First, you need to liven up your door/front entrance to the home. That's the first step into your home that all guests will see. A fall wreath will liven up the door and colorful planters will add some volume to that first "space" of your home. Pumpkins and decorative signs can be added to the front steps or lawn to greet your guests as soon as they arrive. As your guests enter your foyer, continue that inviting feel with more plants and textures. A small console table with some candles and small decorations will speak "fall" to your company. A small rug with warm oranges and browns can ground the large space and add texture. Lastly, if you want more "flair", garland on doorways or stair railings will add drama and more texture to your humble abode.

http://www.digsdigs.com/47-cute-and-inviting-fall-front-door-decor-ideas/

 

   http://www.stonegableblog.com/fall-home-tour-at-stonegable/

**Michelle's Post Wrap-Up**

Seasonal decor doesn't have to be overpowering. Seasonal colors and decorative items should be incorporated into your normal design style. Don't let the decor become overwhelming. Always remember, "less is more, when it comes to seasonal decor".

Thanks for reading!

- Michelle - 

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for checking out my new blog, Michelle's Design Inspirations! I am a recent college graduate with a degree in interior design. I am very passionate about everything in the design world. I love crafty projects, sketching, painting, interior design (of course!), and so much more! I want to create a blog where I can share things that inspire me, things that make me think, and really anything related to the art and design world that speaks to me. I hope that maybe my inspirations will inspire others as well and keep the love of design alive. Thanks again for checking out my blog and I hope to start posting some great ideas soon :)

- Michelle -