Oriental Rugs in the Bathroom

Welcome to Monday! I am surely not awake yet today, but here goes nothing....

You all remember my Master Bath plan that I posted a couple of months ago? Well I am finally getting busy starting on that space. The cabinets and walls have been painted and I will post some pics as soon as the sun comes out around here! I went with Urbane Bronze for the bathroom Vanity and I couldn't be any happier! I have gotten so many great compliments already. The walls are Shoji White. It is a warm white with bits of tans and grays. It has totally brightened up the space and created such class with the contrast of the dark vanity.

The tile around the tub has been put on hold for just a bit while we finish a few other projects around here. So I am starting to pick some accessories for the bathroom. I have been toying with the idea of adding an oriental/Persian rug next to the vanity. I use to think that oriental rugs only were seen in my grandparents house, but I have really been loving the sophistication and age they bring to any space. I have been looking around for rugs that have a bit of texture but are soft on the feet and bring in a little color to the space. There are so many great graphic rugs, but I want to go for something a bit different this time.

Here are some inspiration pictures I have been enjoying.

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Contemporary Bathroom by Denver Interior Designers & Decorators Andrea Schumacher Interiors

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I will NOT be spending a fortune on a rug for our bathroom because it would just get all wet (and don't forget I share a bathroom with a guy!), but would look for a rug with a good price and colors to compliment the dark vanity.

What do you all think about oriental rugs in the bathroom?

Fabulous Feature Friday {Two Ellie}

First off HAPPY FRIDAY!!!...Secondly, thank you all SO much for your comments from yesterday's post. It was very difficult putting my vulnerability and real life out on the web for all to see. You should have seen me holding my breath as I pressed the "publish" button. Thank you for your love and support. It will be fun sharing our journey with all of you.

On to today's post....
Have you ever come across a new designer or blogger and then totally stalk them and read all of their previous posts? Well..I did just that with today's Feature. I first saw Paula's gorgeous home on b-metro which is an online magazine of Birmingham Living. (Not sure how I found that one since I don't live anywhere close to Birmingham!)

Her home is so cozy with touches of rustic, glam and industrial pieces. Enjoy the Tour!

Paula was recently involved in a Home Depot Challenge for her backyard. She made this sawhorse table! Love it!

One talented lady I would say! I also really appreciate how she has made her home kid friendly. It is stylish but relaxed so the kids can enjoy their home too. For more pics of her home go HERE. To follow her blog go HERE.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We are so enjoying this cooler fall weather. I do believe it is now time to clean and decorate the front porch! (Wish me luck with all of those spiders and such..eww)

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Most of you who have been following me for a while know that I don't add too much personal information on this little blog. Mostly because it is a decorating and inspiration blog where you can see pretty things as well as get ideas for your own home. I want you to feel as though this is a space where you can escape from work, home, news and kids!

Today is a little different. You see John (The Hubs) and I have been going through something pretty amazing over this past year and I want to be able to share in the joys, concerns and excitement with all of you.

Right around a year ago we were going through a tough time finding out that we were not going to be able to have biological children of our own. It was devastating and a very emotional time for both of us. We grieved and cried for that loss. We had so much support from our friends and family, but what ultimately got us through this tough time was our relationship with each other and our faith in God. He brought us both out of that grief and loss to a time of acceptance and so much more......

If you would have asked me a year ago if I would be willing to adopt "someone else's" baby, I would have said absolutely not, no way. But throughout this year my heart has been changed and I can't wait to have a sweet little one to love and become apart of our family.

We started the adoption process last March and as of right now we are not matched with a birth mother or baby. We have our final home study at the end of this month and then we will truly be waiting for "The Call". We are both so excited to be parents and know that God has a little being already picked out to belong to us. So many unknowns....but so many amazing blessings ahead.

I will leave you with the verse that got me through this year. Life may not have gone the way that I had originally thought when becoming a mama, but my desires will surely be filled when that baby is in my arms someday.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart"

~ Psalm 37:4

***Thank you so much for always supporting me on this little ole blog. I appreciate your comments and emails each week. You all have played a BIG part in my life...more than you know. ***

Back to your regularly scheduled decorating inspiration tomorrow!!

Tuesday Treats #4- Inspiration & DIY from around the web

Welcome to Tuesday my friends. We have officially entered the cooler weather here in NC. I knew once I decorated my mantel it would happen! hehe

Today I have some special treats from around the web. If you have miss the last three you MUST go here, here and here. So many ideas from other fabulous bloggers and designers out on the web! I just love sharing my finds with all of you. Hope you are enjoying this series as much as I am. ENJOY!


Number ONE: DIY Paper Garland
I love this idea because it could be used to decorate so many events! You could add it to a nursery for some color, use it as a backdrop for pictures at a party or string it across your mantel for Halloween or Christmas! All you need is card stock, scissors and a sewing machine. Stitch the shapes all together and Wah-la! Too cute. Click the link above for specific instructions.

Number TWO: Black, White & Gold Gallery Wall

You all know I have a total design crush on Emily A. Clark. She just knows how to style a home and she did not disappoint when it came to her bedroom gallery wall. I love how she displayed her family photos around the armorie. The large pictures really make a statement and the black and gold frames create a timeless vignette. Love.Love.Love!

Number THREE: 8 ideas for creating a Thanksgiving Table
I know we are over a month away, but my friend Abby wrote a great post on how to create a Thanksgiving Table with textures, colors and even ideas for the kids! You must click the link above to see how to create lovely table settings for your guests!

Number FOUR: Chic meat and cheese tray
Speaking of entertaining, but girl Courtney is the Queen of entertaining and hosting parties. Her table settings and appetizers are always fabulously displayed. She just posted a how to video when it comes to creating a chic meat and cheese tray. You will knock the socks off your guests if you follow her little tricks!

Number FIVE: Iron On Graphics for Baby Shower Activity

I have been in the phase of hosting baby showers for about 3 years now and I am always looking for different and creative ideas that I have never seen. I have participated in my share of baby shower games and activities....to be honest most are boring and really who loves to participate anyways!? People are there to eat and see the mama-to-be open her gifts! When I found this adorable idea I knew I had to share! This will definitely be my next baby shower activity as soon as the next friend is about to pop! If you are interested.... there are some great iron on graphics Here. 

WOW! Such a great round up of Treats this week! Which is your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulous rest of your day!

A Simple Fall Mantel

Welcome to Monday All! I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was actually relaxing for once. I am hooked on the show Hart of Dixie and Netflix just added season 2....so I was watching a bit too much TV this weekend. Ah Well....life is short, watch some TV!

While watching my shows, I noticed that I hadn't decorated our mantel for fall yet. What have I been thinking! Well...it was 90 degrees here on Saturday, so I was probably thinking "Where is Fall?" 90 degrees doesn't make you want to hang out at a pumpkin patch all day. But..I managed to scrounge around the house for some items to create a simple fall mantel.

A little gold, a little white and some little gourds are exactly what this mantel needed.

The gold vases were on sale last season at target. (Love the bargain end caps!) These antlers were on sale after Christmas at Tuesday Mornings. They are a good transition from fall to winter and to be honest they are displayed somewhere around here most of the year!

The little gold vases were a find while traveling this summer and I added a bit of green with some flowers and branches from my backyard. The fabulous antiqued frame is originally from my grandparents house. Love the look of rustic and modern mixed together.

You may remember these lanterns from my Thanksgiving table. They use to be black and I gave them a quick spray of my favorite gold paint! I love the glam they bring to the mantel vignette. A HomeGoods bargain from way back. 

I have noticed that at this stage in life I enjoy simplicity. Little touches of fall rather than HUGE changes that take me forever to put into action.

What simple touches make you happy for Fall!?

You can check out my previous fall/Halloween mantels Here, Here and Here

Cozy Fall Spaces

A couple of weeks ago I showed you some of my favorite Fall Decor Picks. We talked about Fall Decorating being about textures and layering. These elements create a cozy space where you can sip some hot cider and cover up with a furry throw. Today I am showing you some examples on how to layer your spaces to create interest and adding textures to create the cozy.


Okay well we are starting off with this ah-mazing room. What do you think? Can you see the layers?...pillows, throws, artwork and branches. How about the textures?...wood, leather, metal and items like woven baskets, ceramic vases, etc. This is a perfect example of a cozy space.

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This space also shows some great elements with the woven baskets and jugs against the leather chaise with nail-head trim. 

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The artwork is what stands out in this gorgeous space. Layering it with small mirrors leaning on one another gives this space some glam and history. The leather and gold metals give it an old world feel, yet the white trim and black fireplace surround add some modern. 

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Who is ready for a nap in this room. Loving the DIY palette wall mixed with the soft bedding and drapes.

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This living space is a little more rustic but also portrays cozy cozy cozy. The wooden beams against the industrial lighting again add layer and texture. 

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This fabulous space is none other than Ellen Degeneres's living room! I know this is unrealistic for most of us but man does this space give you some great examples of layering and texture!

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This has got to be one of my favorite Fall Spaces. It is so light and bright! I love the old lanterns with the linen pendant light and look at those layered rugs underneath the rustic farm table!

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I am loving this warm rustic living room. The punch of copper in the light really keeps your eyes floating upward. So many textures in this room for sure.

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So...do you feel like you have a cozy space for fall in your own home? If not...you better get busy adding some pillows, rugs, baskets and throws ASAP!

Which space makes you want to curl up and relax or have coffee with friends? 

Happy Hump Day All!

Tuesday Treats #3- Ideas from around the web

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Can you all believe that it is already October? Less than 3 months till Christmas! Ahhh!

Well I am writing to all of you this morning from this amazing view...

Sorry to make you all jealous. We are at the NC shore for the week relaxing and getting some quality time with family. Doesn't get much better than this!


This week I found some great inspiration from around the web and can't wait to share them with all of you. Of course you will see some Fall ideas. Have you all finished your fall decorating? Well you are ahead of me. I have been a total slacker this year.

ONE: Free Fall Printable from Jones Design Company
Isn't this Autumn Essentials printable adorable? I saw this on pinterest weeks ago and of course didn't pin it. I finally found it and am excited that it is a free downloadable version that you all can enjoy.

TWO: Need some ideas on how to decorate your pumpkins this year, but don't want the mess of carving? 

Check out this round up of fun ideas from Honey We're Home.

THREE: How great is this idea for organizing your children's outfits for the week! Use a sweater organizer and paint the first letter of the day of the week on the back. I bet this would prevent a lot of arguments in the morning before school. Love it! I think I need this to organize my own outfits. 

FOUR: DIY Burlap Utensil Holder...how easy and cute would this be for your fall table setting!? Just cut a piece of burlap and use a hot glue gun to assemble. No sewing required! I am thinking of using this idea for Thanksgiving, but change it up a bit by adding each guests name instead of using place cards. Oh..the possibilities! 

FIVE: My friend Anna who writes the Little Raleigh Garden blog has started making live wreaths and framed art from succulents. It is fall, but who doesn't love succulents!? She is also selling them if you are interested in purchasing one for your home! You might just see one on my front door soon.

Well Friends...I hope you are having a great week! If you want to live vicariously through my views of the ocean this week, follow me on Instagram! (sorry to rub it in)

XOXO