WS Home, have you seen it?

Yellow has always been one of my favorite colors, but I haven't decorated with it much. I love this Williams Sonoma "New Traditional" collection of neutrals with pops of intense yellow. Their Spring 2013 publication I received in the mail is a sight to behold-beautifully photographed.

 Since painting my laundry room BM's Gunmetal, I am in love with this shade of gray. It really goes with more than you think, and is the perfect backdrop for neutrals with lots of color. (That's why art museums use it!)

If yellow is not your color, you can easily get the same look with a brilliant emerald or clear saturated orange or even a fuchsia; the more saturated the better. I did a post on saturated colors a while back and it certainly applies to the accent color possibilities here.

Remember my BRAGG concept? Every room needs a touch of Black, Rugs, Art, Greenery and Glass (or mirror). That's what makes a successful room. Check it out in your space!

 Williams Sonoma's Rustic Modern and Beach Chic rooms are sure to please as well.

 I hope you have a wonderful week!

The Power of Three

Mom has always believed that groupings look best with elements of threes.  A rule of thumb she's often practiced in client homes over the years and definitely displayed throughout her own home.

I've always struggled with this concept because I naturally have an affection for even numbers.  I always performed better at horse shows when my entry number was an even one, and I always pick even numbers for luck.  I even go so far as to make sure the temperature dials in my car are ALWAYS set to an even number.  Quirky? Maybe.  Does it work for me? Yep.

But there's something to this odd number theory.  Artwork, plants, baskets and repetitive elements seem to look really crisp in threes.  Have a look.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

-Bethany

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a matter of taste

We've mentioned stores like IKEA and Pottery Barn, West Elm, World Market, Home Goods lately - all favorites of ours. However...

When I see a room made up of only store bought things, I feel like they have missed the point of making a home your own. I appreciate and value custom pieces, custom draperies, custom anything.  And those things vastly improve the look of a space just by being unique, feeling amazing and expressing a more personal touch. But custom comes with a price!  And there are so many ways to add custom touches to store bought products to convey a designer 'look for less', like Bethany showed us here.

The many ways to make a home look custom, personal, updated, well-loved and evoking family heritage:

1.  Artwork of varying types (framed under glass, paintings on canvas, drawings, photos and so much more).  Bethany said she read a wonderful quote the other day : A house without art is a house without soul.

2. Personal mementoes from travel or family, antiques, heirlooms that help to tell your story.

3.  Mixing in aged pieces or things with a patina with new or updated pieces.

4.  Sensory experiences through candles, fresh flowers, greenery or fresh air stimulate memories of far off places or make a memory within your home.

5.  A beautiful dish filled with candy or nuts, or a bar cart with varying

beverage choices is a lovely invitation to sit and chat.

6. If you've tuned in to Powell Brower Home from the beginning, we often reference our favorite BRAGG concept.  A simple checklist that we like to run through when completing a space.

7.  Adding custom touches to storebought or dime-a-dozen furniture or accessories, like trim, additional fabric accents, new legs, hand dipped legs, paint, nailheads and O'verlays can do wonders.

Certain rooms in a home can be designated for the custom treatment while others you can cut corners with.  What point are you at in your life?  Do you have all custom pieces in your home?  Do you have mostly store bought?  Are you at a time in your life when you've had the makeshift, lower cost version and now you're ready for custom?

Or do you get more joy making and repurposing items than buying new?  We'd love to know.

Whatever your style, it all boils down to TASTE. If you have good taste, you can just about make anything work. But you just can't manufacture good taste.

That's why fashion and decorating are so intertwined.  A room that evokes good taste are just like the clothes worn by someone with real style. No matter your budget or where you buy your products, taste and style go hand in hand. It's all in the eye of the beholder. 

-Nancy

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If you are looking for help with your home, we'd love to work with you! Contact us for a listing of our services and prices.

Nancy and Bethany

Why it Works

When I poured over the new Traditional Home in the mail, my eyes quickly skimmed the pages and forgot this image as soon as I saw the next.  Except when I went back for a second look.

My first impression as I glanced at this room was "model-home" decor. But as I started to notice a few personal faves (the covetable Hermes throw, the La Fiorentina romans in the background) I realized I really love this room (by Jeff Andrews).

It's not this room, busy and interesting and full of movement.

But I love it separately.  And my first impression was wrong.  I love when that happens!  That's how you I learn.

Why it works:

It's BRAGG at its best!

Black accents (coffee table legs and pendant lighting) ground the room.

The sisal Rug adds texture.

The painting on the right wall adds a touch of Art

Greenery around the room, from the topiaries to the floral arrangements, gives life to the space.

Glass front cabinets and stainless appliances give a reflective glow in the room.

Do you ever see a room that doesn't strike any kind of chord at first, and then upon second glance, has you changing your mind?

-Bethany

If you are looking for help with your home, we'd love to work with you! Contact us for a listing of our services and prices. 

 Nancy and Bethany

Here's a decorating tip to ponder!

As I think back as to one of the early guides to my (re-) arranging a room, I think this tip will help some of you with the design elements to pull a room together.  It is simply the word " B R A G G"; easy enough to remember!

The "B" is for black. Every room needs a black element to "ground" it, to balance all the lighter tones, and give the room a breather, something dark and black as a resting point for the eye.

1

"R".  This is for RUGS. ( a passion of ours) Rugs are like pictures for floors, I always say.  They add personality, color and warmth.  Whether layering over wall to wall carpet or using over a hard surface, they are a must in your home. You can be bold and whimsical for that element of surprise, or you can be predictable, harmonious with your plan, and add your accent colors here.  NOTE: today on OKL,

they have FABULOUS rugs, and some cool ideas for tips using them.

2

"A" is for Art.  The personality and character of the home owner lies in the art choices. Here you can add whatever you like, but your selections can really 'push' the design quality of your space.  You can add an 'edgey' vibe to a traditional space, or go the safe route with traditional art selections. Most people are comfortable with the 'safe' pieces, subject matter most people can relate too.  If you are bored with your space, add some Modern Art! That will refresh your look and make it look more current.

3

"G"  One of elements of warmth and coziness is to add GREENERY.  Bring the outdoors in, with plants, and leafy accents at all levels throughout your home, i.e. floor, shelf or tabletop , and something tall.  It doesn't mean the color green has to be in your decor, it can be considered a part  'the great outdoors' and treated like a neutral which works in EVERY room.  No silk plants please.  The dust they collect soon becomes more noticeable than the greenery.  Even if you have to purchase new inexpensive plants every year, it's worth it.

The last "G" is for glass.  All rooms need reflection and shine.  In light of the current mirrored furniture trend, mirrors and glass enlarge your space, give you portals and glimpses into other spaces, and generally add a little glitter and bling to a room.  It's like jewelry, and what woman doesn't love a little bling!  I use lots of mirrors in my home in every room.  ( Not to look vain, but to enlarge the space) It really works, try it.

Enjoy, and let us know if this helps you give your rooms a 'lift'.

Nancy