Now that is some bargain. I get the effect of a new bed without draining the wallet. Check out fantastically talented architect Mina Jivad’s new collection of decals over at Blik.

Her headboard creations are available in an array of trendy colors, so you will have the most up-to-date looking bedroom and be the envy of all those who are just wishing for a new bed.

Pick this season’s popular sophisticated gray, or fall into the 80’s trend with the brights of kiwi and raspberry. Either way, you will sleep well knowing you have a few bucks still left in your wallet!

For major impact, try white-based bedding – a fresh, crisp and clean background really sets off a punch of color!

Target Watercolor Floral Quilt

Pottery Barn Suzani Embroidered Duvet (on sale now!)

Bright and Happy! An array of spring colors!

The Company Store Newbury Plaid Quilt

Garnet Hill Zinnia

Geometric Prints

Dwell Studio Collage Duvet

Add a bit of sunshiny yellow and it’s also the “it” color for 2009

Gala by Wildcat Territory

Combine two trends with the gray and citron duvet from Bliss Living Home:

Have you purchased Spring bedding this year?

To begin we have the ever popular Herman Miller Aeron Chair, sold at Design Within Reach. Sleek and super comfy, it is now available in the Titanium Weave. I just love the cool gray look!

West Elm highlights the Tubular Desk Chair in a soft gray felt. Its understated, clean lines have a bit of a retro feel that I appreciate. I could see this contrasting with a cottage-y, curved, wooden desk. It would be unexpected, but that makes it fun!

The Milan Chair from Ballard Designs looks incredibly comfy, it even has a tension tilt mechanism which allows you to rock in the chair! Sounds like a winner to me!

Ikea offers the Patrik Chair which I love in the Fagrabo Red! How fun would it be to pair this vibrant red chair with a black metal sawhorse desk? Fabulous!

Simple, clean lined and classic the Ada Swivel Chair is available at Chiasso. It’s ideal for many desk sizes and at $128 it is a bargain!

Another Herman Miller favorite (could you tell I use to work for a HM Dealer?!) is a “fun” chair, the Caper! This is a small, light weight, easy to move chair which can be used in many different applications. It is ergonomically correct (so there will be no back aches…) and is available in 14 colors.

What type of chair do you sit in? Do you chose style over comfort?

Don’t forget there is still another fantastic option for any design lover on your gift list! A magazine subscription is really the perfect gift, at least for me. I love running to the post to pick up the latest Living Etc, Domino or even W (as we know home decor follows fashion). Below are a few of my monthly reads!

Do you have a favorite design book or magazine? If there are books on your list this year, what are they?

Along with setting up the blog, I have been working on some really great design projects, which I will share with you over the next few months. Now I am back with the promise of regular posts again. So please forgive me and if I may shamelessly plug, take a peak over at CreateGirl, where you will find even more budget friendly home decor ideas and even some fashion finds! OK, back to work.

Across my desk this afternoon came a fabulous email from CB2, one of my “go to” stores. If you write a review on one of their products, you will be entered to win a $1000 CB2 gift card! We all know you like to share your opinion on products, so hop on over; in this crazy economy, don’t we all want to save a little? The lucky winner will be drawn on December 17th…now that would be a great Holiday gift! Below are a few of my favorite CB2 products:

Oh, not to mention all the pieces above are on sale! Have you purchased from CB2? Share your favorite pieces…and happy product reviewing!

My favorite find is from Blik: the “Chair Back” decal! I love all the different styles and they are available in a range of colors! At a price point of $30 for six decals, it’s certainly an easy way to update those once boring chairs!

Next, we have numbers and letters from the Etsy store TastySuite! A fun idea to label each person’s chair with either their initial or a number. You could get really creative with the numbers and subtly let someone know they are #1 in your life. Who knows, by Christmas they could have moved down the list and you could subtly give them a new number. Cheesy, I know, but fun!

I am also loving the Damask Accent pack from Wall Slicks. They are shipped in one big sheet, but depending on the size of your chair, you could use a small 5″ Damask or take a larger one and cut it in half! They give off a more sophisticated feel and could be great to use after on the wall in a hallway or bathroom. That’s the great thing about removable art…you can use it someplace else after the guests leave and the chairs go back in the closet (or under the bed).

Now if a dishwasher could magically appear I would be a real happy city girl!!

The Allegro Settee is a great deal at $499 (though it does say assembly required, which might mean nothing more than screwing in some legs) and looks substantial at 54 inches wide. It appears to slant back ever so slightly, which I like in a settee. I prefer it in the Mocha Micro. At this price, it would be a great piece to reupholster after a year or two if you get sick of the fabric! Stack a few brightly colored pillows on it and you have a unique new settee.

Another piece which caught my eye was this magazine rack. Goodness knows I can use all the help I can get in corralling the piles of magazines I have! I like the faux leather which is different than all the metal ones we see out there and the ivory stitching is a nice detail. At $21.99 it is available in green, red and white. Now if they had purple or orange, it would be ever so trendy.

The Alpha coffee table is a unique piece with its vintage looking printers blocks. It is a great conversation piece and could be the highlight of any living room. At $899, it’s not necessarily inexpensive, but it is a piece I would suspect one would keep for a long time!

What home decor pieces are you liking for fall?

Four months ago, I saved a swatch of fabric by Philip Gorrivan for Highland Court Fabrics, almost identical to the pattern in her coat.

For the last two seasons, orange has been everywhere and as one can see by my StyleFeed, I’ve been a wee bit obsessed. Now that the trend has calmed down a bit, I revisit the pattern and find I still enjoy it. This is a good indication I should have it in my home. This pattern would look smashing as pillows with a fat, corded welt to surround it, or even as a bed coverlet with a wide band of winter white border. This just goes to show once again, that fashion and home decor really do go hand in hand!

What have you saved to your StyleFeed that you may have forgotten about and fallen in love with again? Do you like the trend of orange in home decor?

In another lifetime I was completely one of those who worked in a very boring looking cubicle, you know the ones with the gray felt and high walls. This would have been a welcome sight! van der Kley designed Globus originally for the corporate office but than saw there was an interest for it in the home, cafe and other lobby areas. You can now use it with your Xbox or even hook up a tv! The “ball” opens in the center to reveal a comfy swivel chair and a sturdy pull down board for your laptop. When not in use it can be closed, locked and with the convenient casters, easily moved from one area to another! Genius! I just love the sleek style and the comfort factor which might just equal more productive employees! Tell your boss you are really thinking outside of the box, actually I would say “ball”! At the moment it is only available in white, but can’t you just see it in fun, eye-popping colors? I am confident in saying this would make those long lay over waits in the airport much more bearable!

Is this something you could see working in yourself?

I love The Company Store, their sheets are fabulous and always in really fun colors. Wait one minute, what do I see as I am flipping through their catalog pages? These absolutely fabulous Urbino ottomans!! They are so fun, I especially like the turquoise option. The embroidered medallion on top creates a unique accent. I see this ottoman as a lovely addition in a bedroom, perhaps next to a vanity, or as spare seating for guests in a Living Room! They have a very distinct Moroccan feel, which we’re seeing all over the magazines right now.

This next find is one of my favorites. The sleek Metropolitan Table gives a great retro feel to an otherwise ordinary table! It has an ebony finished glass top which seems to just jump off the surface, and the double nickel legs compliment the octagon shape nicely. All this from Linen Source? Who knew!!

Do you look at certain stores for items other than the ones they advertise? Do you have a secret catalog or website with great finds? It’s always the hidden treasures that get the most compliments, after all!

At first, I didn’t think much of this Tole Topiary plaque but as the days passed, it just stuck with me. It’s an interesting piece and one I had not come across before, how refreshing!

Whenever I think of a grand home, I envision a pair of these three-dimensional topiaries flanking the front door. They make such a regal and classy statement.

I don’t have a grand home with a winding drive leading to the front door — yet — but the Faux Topiaries from Ballard could be a great stand in. I love how subtle they are and how flat they seem against the brick. I also love the idea of using them to add a different dimension and texture in the entry way of a home. Imagine at the holidays hanging little white lights on them? Too sweet! They are available in medium and tall. I guess the old saying is true: if you continue to think of a piece for days or weeks than it is one you should purchase, or else one day you will wake up to regret it!

Is there a piece of home decor to this day you wished you had purchased?

First, decide what is most important to you. Do you want to have a place to lounge out on a chaise or is having people over for a dinner party the most important factor? In this post, I’ll present some wonderful chair options for creating that outdoor living room.

First is the fabulous Rex chair from CB2. It is available in two sizes, lounge and standard. For a lounge chair which sits lower to the ground and is a bit wider, the price is inexpensive. I can just picture us now….a drink in one hand and legs hanging over the side. The poppy, which is EVERYWHERE right now, is my favorite color. Talk about a sunset!

I absolutely love the vintage feel of Atuto’s ring chairs. Their style is sweet and full of interest. The gentle, delicate klismos back made of sturdy iron creates a nice contradiction. I could see them used in a little garden in the summer and then pulled inside as an accent chair in the cooler months. Lovely!

Smith & Hawken always has sturdy, wonderfully crafted pieces, like this Whitfield chair…I’m in love with the scrolled arms. But to be honest, sometimes they are a little expensive for pieces I’ll use just three months out of the year.

Luckily, S&H is now doing a line for Target. Their Marlton Club Chair is a great option! This is the perfect compromise of style and price, only $169 compared to the $699 version shown above. The cushion is plush and sits comfortably. The only change I might make is to replace the cushions with a fun Sunbrella fabric from Ballard Designs. This Citrus Stripe is on sale for $17/yard; that’s a great deal and it looks very summery!

So go on…soak up the sun in your new chair and use your outdoor space in whatever way your heart desires. After all, it is the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!

There in the corner sits the lonely chair I bought years ago at a flea market. Of course I had every intention of stripping the old paint and gracing it with a shiny new coat that very same weekend. We all know how good intentions can go; I never got around to doing it. Finally, this weekend I thought to do a bit of research. As much as I love my Ben Moore paint, I felt this chair needed something special and all its own. As I start my internet search I stumbled upon “The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company,” which I am impressed with right away. Can we all say GREEN and free of any VOC?! Love it! To top it off they are a local company here in Massachusetts, even better. The Milk Paint Company literally makes their paint out of milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigment. It arrives in a small package and you just add water to the desired thickness. They state there is a bit of a milky odor when you first start to paint, but as soon as it dries you are left with an antique looking color.

Most of the photos they show online are of very “old fashioned”-looking pieces, but I think in this age of the “vintage” craze, an older looking piece mixed in with some contemporary pieces will give it the spotlight it deserves. In other words don’t get scared off by the pictures, think outside the box!

Fabulous, I have made some progress, now off I go to wait by the post for my “Soldier Blue” milk paint to arrive. I will post some pictures and give a review when it arrives…then again don’t hold your breath, we know how long it has taken me just to pick the paint!!

First, we have Dwell Studio’s new line for Target. This ensemble just looks crisp, clean and completely refreshing…talk about coming out of winter hibernation into the spring breeze!

Then there’s the fabulous Angela Adams designing for Bed Bath and Beyond. The Lulu bedding collection features her signature oval pattern. The ever popular teal and brown combo is shown here and creates a warm, comfortable haven.

Bed Bath & Beyond also showcases the “Hollywood” line by Jonathan Adler, a handsome mix of deep navy and clean white.

As a grade schooler, I remember those who wore the “gator” were known as the preppy kids. Now, all those preppy kids are rejoicing with Lacoste’s incredibly colorful sheet sets. They have even tacked on their classic alligator for the Crocod’elle collection, available at Macy’s! I love the deep purple option.

Nate Berkus of Oprah fame has created an India-inspired pattern in this chocolate/white option, available at Linens and Things. Again, I like the clean look of this ensemble and after seeing it in person, I like it even better. It has great movement and as a pattern, it could be the highlight of any bedroom!

As you can see, there are many affordable options out there for the budget-conscious design lover! I am not sure my search has ended, but at least I know what is available. Where do you find designer items at discounted prices?

You wonder what will their personality be? What will create a laugh, a smile or inspiration? Are they likely to be a sports fan, truck and airplane enthusiast or a ballerina and Disney Character dreamer? As you can see on my StyleFeeds, (both creategirl and jacehome), I have been researching wall décor for a nursery. Here are some of my favorite finds:

“The Gang is All Here” is a favorite from the Etsy store Creative Thursday. Marisa has a great eye and creates such a story with her characters! I have a fondness for Oscar and Lewis, very sweet!

Land of Nod is a great resource for children’s wall decor. I especially like these reproduced vintage advertisements from the 20’s and 30’s. I have a feeling many little boys would love a room full or trucks and cars!

The Modern Traffic Canvas from Modern Nursery has so much movement it would create a theme in any little room. The crisp blue and white canvas is very clean.

The animal “Peek A Boo” collection from Yuko Lau is very fun and great for both genders! Art.com has a broad collection at a good price. I would purchase a few and group them together. The colors are so sharp and great to play off one another!

From Emma Thomson comes “Felicity Wishes”. A piece so lovely any little girl could wish upon a star and believe all of her dreams will come true. Precious!

As you can see, the options are really endless and it can be so much fun to think of a little one’s personality. The only rule is to have fun and don’t make it too serious!

What are your thoughts on nursery room wall décor? Do you think it inevitably influences the personality of the young one?

The William Sonoma Home Montmartre Vanity has a very Parisian Deco feel to it. The clean lines and square nickel hardware is just classic. I especially love the contrast between the dark Walnut finish and the parchment colored inset. The petite vanity chair with the slight curve to the back and plush ivory velvet just makes it feel even more sophisticated.

This 50’s styled dressing table, designed by Jamie Graham of Graham & Green in London is so glamorous! The mirrored top and drawers adds to the charm of a bedroom vanity. The dark legs look to be in a rich espresso finish, which gives the piece some weight. I like the idea of choosing your own mirror, the beveled triptych option they show is perfect for seeing all angles. The stylist of this photo positioned a comfy velvet chair next to the vanity, as if to anticipate a curious little girl looking on!

If you have the space why not indulge in a piece of furniture which is for the sole purpose of assisting us in looking even more beautiful everyday!

Since interiors are known to follow fashion, I looked for evidence of the trend and there it was in my mailbox in the form of a Pottery Barn catalog. Have you seen it? I swear it was so bright, it would be visible in the dead of night. How do you feel about this trend of bright, bold colors? Trends always make me a bit nervous, because inevitably there will be a homeowner who falls in love with a photo and looks to recreate it. This can be a good source of inspiration, but I always caution. Questions I would ask are: Is this really your personality? Are you this “bold”? When this trend passes, which thankfully most do, will you then be sick of the room? We all like change and want to feel we are in on the latest, so let’s explore adding a bit of brightness without having to completely commit.

This is a fabulous example room from William Sonoma Home. I like the neutral sofa and by adding splashes of color with the area rug and the throw pillows it will be easy to change out as the trend passes. The darker wood pieces also help keep the bright green grounded. It’s bold, but not overpowering.

In this picture from House Beautiful, designer T Keller Donovan adds the warm orange Marais stools from Design Within Reach. They provide the perfect pop of color to this stark kitchen. I might add a bit of wall décor in the same tone and mix in some yellows just to pull it together further. It’s a great example of going with the trend, but not spending a fortune to do it.

If you want to add just a tiny bit of pop, purchase a couple of these fun vibrant frames from Pottery Barn. I really like the green and blue options; mix in a few silver frames and you’ll have a nice grouping.

For a bold accent in the bedroom or living room, add this green apple pillow from notNeutral. I adore its whimsical nature! If you use it in the same room as the green PB frame, it will help tie it the look together!

A small room like the bath would be an easy place to try out the trend. Add fun towels like these from Garnet Hill. They almost have a fun summer beach feel. All of these options are acting bold without screaming from the rooftops!

How do you feel about the bold colored accents that are out there now? Would you add a few pieces to your home? If not, don’t worry there are many other trends circulating between fashion and interiors. For instance, the more subtle hues of orange, gorgeous blues and my favorite, lovely purples. I will post more on these color trends in the coming weeks!

How fun are these “lighting sculptures”? The artist Jeff Kott’s fixtures are exactly the bit of whimsy I am constantly looking for!

First off, I absolutely love that they are recycled wine bottles and are so appropriate to use in the kitchen, possibly above a sideboard in the dining room, or multiples hung up high down a long entry hallway (the possibilities are endless). Secondly, it seems we are all looking to be more eco-friendly and design savvy at the same time, what a combination here. It’s as if they are art. Two versions are available, the “2 Stripe” or the “3 Stripe”. The 3 Stripe colored option seems to be a bit warmer to me. My favorite is the soothing glow of the burnt orange, yellow and green, I imagine the light dancing off warm honey or caramel colored walls in such an interesting way.

If you don’t have the need or space for the lighting fixture, why not consider the carafe or one of the very cool vases! The double vase is especially interesting and would be a unique housewarming gift for anyone…especially the wine lover!

To top it off (no pun intended), re:modern isn’t just a fabulous woman-owned company; as stated on their website, they donate “a portion of all net profits towards causes in support of the arts, community, and environment”. So raise a glass to reinvented products and to an amazing company!

Enjoy the weekend!

To avoid overwhelming myself, I will just start with the office. Be gone, stacks of magazines which have created a lovely aisle to my desk, you now have a home in these sweet rattan magazine holders by Iris!

Adios to all the tiny fabric samples I have collected, you will now be in the dark in these fun West Elm covered boxes.

All the catalogs I get from every company on the planet (ok I exaggerate…half the planet) you will now be recycled when a new one arrives, but at least you’ll be stashed in these fabulous wine crates (mine are actually from a restaurant down the street but this is a good example by Ballard Designs).

Filing is not very appealing, nor is the look of a traditional file cabinet, so these canvas covered boxes will add color and be a good filing option.

Now to the massive amount of design books I own, it is time you all had a glamorous place to shine. How about this IKEA bookshelf? I love the way the colorful book bindings will pop off the black finish!

For a tad bit of whimsy, I think I will purchase this adorable clock from Pottery Barn. I am all about orange these days! Mix in a few of my own picture frames, vases and trinkets and it won’t be just another boring bookshelf, but an interesting arrangement.

So let’s just see how long this all lasts…..some would say I work best in a little chaos? What secrets do you have to stay organized in your office throughout the year?

Keep a close eye on the Diary, I have many fun home ideas and items to pass along in the next few months, it’s going to be a great year! Now back to organizing. Well, on second thought, maybe I will catch up on all the other Tastemaker’s posts before I move on, the rain looks like its sticking around!

I have a friend who, with the purchase of her new house, has just become interested in interior design. So this Christmas, I have put together a small bag for her. Want to take a peek?

I started with this great reusable bag from Envirosax that I found on Delight.com. All of her gifts will fit perfectly in here. I love the orange and green retro look and seeing as she lives in the city, it is perfect for toting groceries home or carrying magazines for a trip to the coffee shop. Why not wrap with something reusable, such as baskets, kitchen towels and totes?

“Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style” by Kelly Wearstler is an amazing book. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “Inside a room I want to be moved- I want to feel the drama” and literally, this book is all about drama! From the gorgeous white Casper Wingback Chair by Viceroy to the Trina Turk boutique in Palm Springs, the photos and advice will be sure to get the creative juices flowing!

Next, I added this candle from Target. She loves Vanilla and Lavender, a nice way to relax the senses after a long day!

For a personal touch, I ordered a Chocolate Velvet Pillow from Ballard Designs with her newly married initials on it. At just $15.50 for a custom 18” square pillow cover, it is a great deal. I will have to get an insert, but I can easily do that at one of the discount stores locally. The chocolate is a perfect option as it will blend with any room in her house.

Lastly, I added these great label tags from Etsy. The mid-century furniture motif continues the theme and make a nice extra. They also introduce her to the world of indie designers on Etsy!

It does take a bit of time, but with some scouting you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a thoughtful gift. It doesn’t always have to be big… sometimes the best gift is just a hand written note in the mailbox (and maybe some favorite homemade cookies to go with it!)

I’m always on the look out for creative gift ideas, so please share yours!

First, pick one day to get it all done. Whatever doesn’t get done in that one day, give yourself permission to say, ah that’s ok! Choose a theme and decide what areas you want to focus on, not every inch of the house needs to be decked out!

Something sure to put a smile on your face is The Reindeer Door Mat from Crate and Barrel. I love to be greeted at my front door by something festive once the holidays begin. It is adorable and a great way to welcome your guests!

Another easy tip is to gather all the glass hurricanes or clear vases you have in your house (you know, the kind you get with a floral delivery). Next, find ornaments which are in your color scheme. I like these purple and gold options from Wisteria. Fill the glass hurricane to the top and display a few together on an end table or even the center of the dining table. If you have vases of different heights it will be even more dramatic. Next, I take some spruce sprigs from outside and nestle them around the bottom of the vases just to ground them a bit. Add a holiday tablecloth and your room is transformed!

If you live in a small city apartment like I do and don’t have room for a tree, LL Bean has come to the rescue. Last year I found this on my doorstep, a gift from my mom, it was such a wonderful surprise! A real tree, complete with all the trimmings and it even has the lovely Balsam scent. I placed it on my table and enjoyed it all season long. Could it be any cuter?!

A very quick way to bring a holiday feel into your living room is by switching out your everyday throw pillows. You can just buy the covers and place them right over the pillows you have now. I like the combo of this striped option with the Swedish House pattern from Pottery Barn. Thus presto changeover is quick and you will be amazed at how it creates a completely new feel for the room!

Now it is time to sit back and enjoy your newly decorated home! Put your feet up, build a fire and sip some eggnog knowing you are done!

Do you have easy, inexpensive decorating tips? Please share!

These 15 x 15 x 15 boxes are made in fun pastel and primary colors. The Geometric shapes are really what makes them stand out as something different. They are also so much easier for kids to grab toys out of than lifting a heavy storage box top. There are so many ways to use them, the options are endless. You can be as creative as your imagination will let you…. a nightstand, storage under their platform bed or tucked neatly along a living room wall where it blends in with the décor.

I especially like the fact you can mix door cubes with the geometric cubes, sometimes you just want the toys hidden! The above “6 pack” sells for $329; it’s a great deal and you can customize the shapes and colors to fit within your rooms color scheme. Very fun for you and the tiny tots who will fill them up quickly!

This cocktail table from Neiman Marcus oozes glamour. You’ll see a lot of the mirrored look in interiors right now, a throw back to the time of the Golden Age of Hollywood. In a small room, this table could create such depth without having the typical mirror on the wall. The crisscross legs have a subtle wave to them, which gives the heavy top a bit of a feminine touch! I really like the detail of the mirrored tiles along the edge, it just adds to the movement and will reflect any surrounding fabric in a striking way.

In this room, I could see a beautiful ivory-colored sofa with black accent pillows, keeping it crisp and clean. Imagine a black murano glass chandelier above which reflects in the cocktail table; I love this option from Design Within Reach. Perfect, this table will definitely be the WOW piece in any room!

As an interior designer, every job is a different collaboration with the client. I am always scouting in different genres depending on the client, which means I find very cool pieces I wouldn’t usually stumble upon if I was only keeping within my own personal style. To me, there is nothing more exciting than when you find that perfect piece which pulls a room together! I am constantly scouting for that WOW piece either for myself or a client. How can this room be different than any other? As Coco Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must be different!”

Where do I scout for pieces? The answer is anywhere! Depending on the budget I am working with, it could be a great find from eBay, an independent designer on Etsy, an online specialty shop, or mainstream stores like Crate and Barrel, Target and Pottery Barn. Mixing pieces and pricepoints from different stores creates a look that is unique to the homeowner. I hope to introduce you to pieces you might have zipped by in the store and also bring to light vendors you might not have looked at previously.

Given my background in fashion, each season I look to the runway to see what will be coming down the pipeline for the following season. It is so exciting to see a color or pattern translate into fabrics and accents.

I am not a trendy designer, though – I believe if you design with “trends” top of mind, there will come a point where your look is outdated. I do believe you can have fun when using trendy pieces, but they’re better for accents which can be easily swapped out. What home décor trend are you totally over at the moment?