Almost-Spring Tablescape Inspiration

Are you ready for some lovely leafy greenery, fresh floral inspiration, and beautifully personal tables? (I always am!) I don't know about you, but, after the craziness of the holidays, I just want to see simpler, more laid-back table styling. 

February can be a long, dreary month for those of you in cold climates, and you are probably yearning for a little hint of spring, right? I hope these table ideas will help you get through those last few cold weeks and inspire you to freshen up your tablescapes, to look forward to the sunnier days ahead.

I'm really into a more rustic look, right now, such as beautifully imperfect china and wooden boxes full of succulents and roses. I love the brass, rose gold, and copper trends going on, as well as matte black finishes, especially for ceramics. Berries, branches, and small fruit are wonderful elements, along with cut flowers. I also love seeing gum leaves, protea, and wildflowers on the table. They look so natural and informal (and they grow well here in South Australia, so that's a bonus for me!). Personal touches, like handmade place cards, are such a lovely way to let your guests know that you appreciate them. Finally, let's not forget how gorgeous indoor bulbs can be in late winter, to bring a bit of spring into your home.

Any time of year, it's nice to see something verdant and welcoming, as we sit at the table. Enjoy...

{Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

My dream table...

Kensington table from Arhaus

My dream chairs...

Brookline tufted chairs from Target (US)

A wish list collage for my dream table...

{Sources, from top left to bottom right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

Cool, Casual Dining

I love the laid-back mood of each of these dining spaces. The wishbone and metal chair styles are so perfect right now, and I always love gorgeous pendant lights, gallery walls, and beautiful windows. Hope you love them, too.

{image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Re-Doing the Girls' Room

For the last few days, I've been looking for inspiration for sprucing up the girls' bedroom, which is also a sometime-study (simply because that is the only place where Glen's desk would fit). The girls are now 11 and 14, so I think they would probably like to let go of the little girl mood in the room, and freshen things up. They stay with us every fortnight, so the room isn't used every day, but it still needs to feel like a lovely haven for the girls, when they are here. This is the last room to tackle in the house. It's in serious need of some major style updating.

Here is what I have found inspiring...

urbnite

 Ikea Alvine Kvist bedding

Target (Australia)

source unknown

Be Still on etsy

Ikea

I want to get some dark grey and white floral Alvine Kvist bedding from Ikea, because I think it's a classic print that could go with lots of different colours. For bedding accents, I'd like blankets in a magenta or lilac hue, preferably ombre. I might try to dip-dye the white blankets that are already in the room. I'd like to add some yellow, blue, pink, and aqua accents, and something gold, like a desk lamp. A couple of colourful cushions on each bed would help to tie in the colours and play nicely with the floral bedding. We need to get some bedside tables, something small with a little storage, preferably white. (I love these ones from west elm.) I think a black and white piece, like the Ikea Tillfalle lamp shade, would look fabulous, too. A bright yellow Eames replica chair would update the desk very nicely, and add a pop of colour to the space.

Style Me Pretty

urban outfitters

Living etc. on Facebook

Gild and Grace

Target (Australia)

There are a couple of not-so-pretty spots in the room. One is a functional but ugly metal shelf, storing random junk. I would love to get either a white wardrobe or a big cube shelf, and some lovely baskets and boxes, to make the storage more pleasing to look at. I would also love to paint the storage piece a deep blue, maybe down the track. 

ZsaZsa Bellagio

Mechant Design

viking blood

source unknown

Michelle Adams's former bedroom

The wall above the desk is a big challenge. Glen has his framed degree hung there, which is wonderful, but it just doesn't go with the cool, colourful teen girl vibe I'm hoping to achieve in the room. I need to come up with a look that makes everybody happy, since the room is used by three people, for different things. I would love to see an art collage or a pretty mirror above the desk. Also, for art, I want to print and frame a couple of detail shots of colourful stones, and hang one above each of the girl's beds.

Once I get the ball rolling on this re-do, I'm sure I will be posting a few pics of it on Instagram, so be sure to follow me there, to see how things go.

If you have teen girls, I'd love to hear your thoughts on styling a bedroom that they will love!

Happy Weekend!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend.

 no-bake blueberry truffle tartlets

{image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14}

My Dream Closet

It's always a lot of fun to daydream about your dream house, right? As you know, I've told you all about My Dream House, which remains one of the blog's most popular posts. I also gave you a peek into My Dream Bedroom. 

On that theme, today I'm showing you My Dream Closet. I've been looking at some absolutely gorgeous homes on Compass (Have you seen this site? It is seriously swoon-worthy! It makes me want to visit NYC again.). It has inspired me to imagine having a beautiful, glamorous closet/ dressing room.

Welcome to closet heaven...

I love the fabulous wallpaper, sitting area, and mirrored vanity in this dressing room.

This beautiful closet, with all those mirrored doors, is so bright and sleek.

To begin, I must tell you, I'm a lover of organization. I like to make sure that everything has its rightful place to be, in my home. My closet is no exception. I have a colour-sorted wardrobe. My mood, each day, seems to be matched by colour, so that's how I organize my shirts. Everything else is fairly well-organized, but, of course, there are always those bits and pieces that don't seem to have a logical spot to go. I would remedy all of those things in My Dream Closet. It would all be super organized... shoes, jewelry, underwear, outerwear, purses, scarves, and so on, would all be beautifully sorted and easy to find.

This is closet heaven! I love how the purses are displayed, like in a boutique.

I love the idea of using bookshelves for shoe organization.

So organized. I like the center storage unit, with glass display for jewelry, etc. in this fab closet.

Fabulous light, and another beautiful center storage unit in this closet.

A gorgeous wallpaper would make the space feel really special. Since I would be having a wallpaper in My Dream Bedroom, the pattern in the closet would need to be complimentary. I like the look of silvery-grey wallpapers with floral or chinoiserie patterns, as well as more all-over decorative patterns. They're just so pretty.

 I'd love to have this wallpaper in the bedroom.

 This wallpaper would be perfect for the closet. The pattern really compliments the bedroom paper, yet is different enough to be interesting on its own.

This closet is so chic. I love the vintage pieces and the portrait. I would hang my beloved Vargas print in My Dream Closet.

I'd love to have a beautiful little chandelier, to add a romantic touch to the space.

warmed by love

A mirrored vanity would be so glamorous. I love Old Hollywood films, and I have always daydreamed about having an old school glam vanity, like this, so that I could feel like I'm Marlene Dietrich or Ginger Rogers.

ariannabelle

this is glamorous

I think a cozy sitting area would be nice, where I could sit and try on shoes, and just hang out.

Carolyn Quartermaine chairs

I love this elegant grey toile chair.

French Essence

This chair from anthropologie would be perfect for trying on shoes.

I love beautiful trays, vintage bowls, and other pretty vessels for displaying little treasures. It's lovely to keep a few favourites on display, for outfit inspiration.

ariannabelle

DIY marbled bowls via a beautiful mess

I hope you enjoyed seeing My Dream Closet today! It was a lot of fun to put this post together.