Hot architectural details

A beautiful addition to any home is the application of millwork  trim and moulding panels on walls, ceilings and framing built-ins and kitchens.

//1//

Our friend Christine Dovey of Bijou and Boheme is masterful at designing spaces with this premier touch. I sure could use her carpenter for a day, week or year! The next three images are her designs and is pretty much becoming her signature look.

I 've often dreamt of hand painting this look on a wall, but I  came across a great wallpaper alternative to this look from (the always fantastic) Anthropologie:

//2//

//3//

There's no substitution for a high end look with real millwork, but this is an idea you might ponder.

Even small touches like this trim on closet doors makes a huge impact like in this bedroom makeover by our dear friend Pam, from Simple Details.

Have a great weekend, and stay warm!

curtain call

Today I need some advice.

I have a large living room window that could use some help.

Right now, there is a custom relaxed Roman shade covering it (see FOR SALE items!).



Source: houseofturquoise.com via Bethany on Pinterest



But I think some light, long puddling curtains might add a bit more drama to the space.  So I bought some inexpensive linen-blend curtains from West Elm.  

Once again, I was hoodwinked.  I always think I have the best idea and then when I start to execute, I realize I have champagne taste on a beer budget.  They just look awfully plain compared to my custom shade.

So two questions.

Do you like them hung from the ceiling or from the wall?

Source: newlyweddiaries.blogspot.com via Bethany on Pinterest

Source: 4inspireddesign.com via Laura on Pinterest

To make them look less out-of-a-box and more custom, I thought I might add some trim.

#2 - Is Greek key trim overdone?

Source: housebeautiful.com via Bethany on Pinterest

Source: greenstreetblog.blogspot.com via Bethany on Pinterest

Alternatively, I thought about doing a velvet trim in a pattern like this.  The the question there would be - what color velvet?  I ordered some samples and am leaning towards a beige.  Loving the camel, gray and white and celadon theme we've got going.  But I'm tempted to be a rebel and add rust velvet. 

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com via Redlilocks on Pinterest

 

-Bethany

PS - Just had to brag about my cute-so hubster for a second.  He was just looking over my shoulder prodding me to tell the blog-o-sphere how he really decorated our house and I was busy rolling my eyes and typing away about curtains.  Then I remembered what a good soul he is for sitting here during dinner listening to me pontificate on Greek key trim versus velvet and adding an opinion or two between bites.  And always offering an honest opinion and a sound eye during my decor-extravaganzas. And I also remembered how special he made me feel on Valentine's Day by making me feel like I was the only woman who ever crossed his path and putting on the ritz for me. Thanking my lucky stars I found a good one, and one who makes me laugh constantly.

house of a different color

Seems like everyone in my neighborhood is painting their houses.  Despite the winter season being upon us, it's been above 50 degrees for the most part and there are more than 4 houses that have turned up a different color.

I wanted to paint our home last summer but with the wedding-circuit and normal every day life getting in the way, we never got to it.

Here's what the house looks like now.

We have cedar siding in a smokey blue-gray color.  The color is getting thin in some places but we are unsure of the color we want to go with.  I'm leaning towards a dark charcoal gray, while the hubs likes the current color.  If we could just pick a color I could finally do something with those atrocious shutters.  And maybe one day if I hit the lottery, I'll get a custom (non-builders grade) door.

TWIST.  

We are probably going to replace the roof in the next year and we're planning to do a metal roof.  That will have a huge effect on what color we should do.  We should probably wait on that decision before deciding on a paint color, huh?

If we keep a similar base color, we could always paint the windows black like this one.  I LIKE!

Maybe a bit too Hamptons for a house on a lake, but love the color palette.

Reds not really my thing but love the POP!

OK here's where YOU weigh in.  The last two are my faves.  Out of these two, which is your favorite?