Hello! I thought I'd pop in and say hello on this Sunday evening, especially since I didn't have a chance to post last Friday. My husband and I just got back from a 3-day camping trip with several of our friends, up in Big Bear, CA. While the weather wasn't on our side due to a monsoon on the radar, we still managed to have fun, relax and get in a little hiking through the woods when the rain let up. I'm always observing the colors and textures of nature and captured some great images that I wanted to share with you. Enjoy and have a great night!

 [IMAGE CREDITS: JULIE THIGPEN]

Inspiration Snapshot: Bright & Eclectic Dining Room

I'm loving this eclectic dining room for many reasons! Here's a breakdown of why I think everything works so well together in this small space. What do you think about this dining room?

1. Notice the mirrored wall - floor to ceiling mirrored panels are the way to go when wanting to create the illusion of a larger space (plus they reflect all of the pretty elements on the opposite side of the room)

2. The walls (appear) to be covered in a neutral grasscloth, which is great for adding texture to the space

3. Crisp white bamboo chairs upholstered in vibrant yellow fabric create a nice contrast and pop of color

4. The zebra hide rug anchors the space and gives it a touch of eclecticism

5. The lacquered burled wood table somehow really works with everything else going on!

6. Teal buffet (looks vintage maybe?) is a nice accent piece to tone down all the bright, warm color

7. Framed artwork adds color and makes a great conversation piece

8. Oh, and don't forget that fabulous chandelier!

*****

IMAGE CREDIT: Kimberly Ayres (via Decorati)

Can't Get Enough of Kelly Green

There's something sort of glamorous and regal about the color Kelly Green, especially paired with gold or black. This is one color I have yet to use in a design project, but after gathering together all of these gorgeous images, I'm definitely ready to! The intensity of this color may initially scare some people off, but as you can see in each of these examples, there are many tasteful ways to pull off Kelly green, depending on how much or how little you want to use. What do you think of this color? Have you or would you consider using it in your home?

contemporary family room design by atlanta interior designer Cristi Holcombe

IMAGE CREDITS: 1,2,3,4,6,7 DECOR PAD; 5. CRISTI HOLCOMBE INTERIORS VIA HOUZZ.COM; 8. VANESSA DE VARGAS; 9. NINA CAMPBELL VIA MEND; 10. KELLY WEARSTLER

Quote of the Week

“The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.”

- Leo F. Buscaglia

IMAGE CREDITS: 1. WE HEART IT; 2. GEMMA COMAS 3. DECORPAD; 4. FLICKR; 5. WE HEART IT

Timeless Trend: The Bamboo Chair

Trends or fads may come and go in fashion and interior design, but there are plenty of staple items that have proved themselves timeless throughout the years. One in particular would be the bamboo chair, a long time favorite of mine. What's so fabulous about this chair is how transitional it is...you'll find it used in a modern home, traditional dining room, eclectic living room, glamorous bedroom, and everything in between. It looks great painted in a bold color such as lime green or cobalt blue; it also looks beautiful in simple white or a wood stain. Any way you choose to use it, you cannot go wrong - I'm serious! I sell this fabulous chair in my online shop and it's proved to be a customer favorite! And if you haven't payed much attention to this chair, you'll definitely start noticing now. I'd love to purchase one to use as my desk chair in my office...maybe painted in vibrant yellow or bold fuchsia?! Are you loving this timeless chair too? Do you have one of your own?

Before we kick off the weekend, I just want to remind all of you who live in southern California, the Good Shepherd Charity Design House is this weekend in LA! Please click this link to view the official invitation on Facebook. I'll be in room #110 all weekend, so if you do come to the event, please stop by to say hello! Have a lovely weekend :) xoxo - Julie

IMAGE CREDITS: DECOR PAD

Modern Office Inspired by Cover of Vogue

You can find design and color inspiration in just about everything...fashion, travel, nature, people...especially when you're feeling really creative. Yesterday I came across Gisele Bundchen's February 2011 Vogue China cover, where she's wearing a fabulous ensemble from Prada's spring 2011 collection. The vibrant colors and mix of bold stripes immediately inspired me to create a new design board and color scheme for a modern, feminine and chic office. Here's how I pulled the look together...

The Inspiration: Gisele Bundchen's February 2011 Vogue China cover

Creating the Color Palette: Using Photoshop (a designer's best friend!), I pulled each color from her outfit to get a better sense of palette I'd be working with.

Creating the Design Concept: The bold stripes, contrasting colors and slightly ruffled neckline of the Prada ensemble came across to me as tailored and a bit preppy, yet chic, casual and feminine. I wanted to office I designed to have the same overall look and feel. I'm pretty pleased with the result and wouldn't mind moving right in to this bright, cheerful office myself! What are your thoughts?!

SOURCES & DESIGN NOTES: Nautical Rivierra Wing Chair via Room Service! (LOVE this chair!); Ceylon Table Lamp (great for adding a pop of sunshine to your workspace!); Pranafication high gloss laminate art (this whimsical piece breaks up the geometric patterns and ties the color scheme together); Jonathan Adler Channing Desk (sleek, modern and 100% chic!); Jonathan Adler Walnut Claude Etegeire Set; Chevron Black Rug; Palm Springs Block Print Pillow in Pink by Trina Turk;  Small Regal Urn in Green (which would look great displayed on the etegeire with books and accessories!).

Shop the Look - Erika Brechtel Style

Erika Brechtel, owner of small shop [a brand styling studio], has an incredible eye for color and style, especially when it comes to fashion, interiors and graphic design. After Erika spent some time perusing my shop last night, she became inspired to create several different looks for the home, using the products I sell. What she came up with blew me away, which is why I'm directing you over to her blog, shop talk, to check out today's post! I'm so inspired by way she combined different prints, finishes and styles to create (4) fabulous looks for the home. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

{via: shop talk blog}

Guest Blogging for Tobi Fairley!

Hello and happy Monday! I hope you had a nice weekend. I mentioned last Friday that Tobi Fairley invited me to be a guest blogger for her "All-American Design" series, but in case you missed the post, please head on over to her blog to check it out. In case you're not familiar with Tobi, she is one incredibly talented designer based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. After you visit her blog, check out her website portfolio for lots of eye candy and inspiration! Enjoy and meet you back here tomorrow. xoxo - Julie 

GS Design Charity Project Sneak Peek...

Finally! Here's a little taste of how my room came together for the Good Shepherd Charity Design project I volunteered for, alongside 29 other fabulously talented designers! We've been asked not to show much of our finished rooms yet, but as soon as we get the green light, I'll be posting a bunch of photos with details on how I pulled the design together; (for a few behind-the-scenes snapshots, visit my Facebook page). If you live in Southern California (or happen to be in the LA area next weekend) you're invited to attend the Show House Grand Opening, July 23rd and 24th! You'll get to tour all 30 re-designed rooms and meet the designers who participated in this amazing project. If you attend, please stop by my room and introduce yourself - I'd love to meet you! Please click on the invitation below for details. **Today you can also find me over at Tobi Fairley's blog as a guest blogger! I'm thrilled to be a part of  her "All-American Design" series, running the entire month of July.** Have a fantastic weekend! xoxo - Julie   

BEFORE

AFTER...
SNEAK PEEK (MORE TO COME IN A FEW WEEKS!) 

YOU'RE INVITED! PLEASE CLICK ON THE INVITATION FOR DETAILS ON THE SHOW HOUSE GRAND OPENING!

Framed

The incredibly stylish duo Woodson and Rummerfield are currently being featured on Decorati's blog Access. The article/interview is wonderful and inspiring - you must check it out! I'm absolutely in love with W & R's posh, glamorous, eclectic design style. As I scrolled through several photos of their work, one design detail that really stood out was their use of "picture frame" molding on walls, often times framing out a bold & graphic wallpaper. I've always been a fan of using molding on walls to create dimension and interest, especially when there's a large amount of wall space that needs to be "eaten up". As you'll see in today's post, there are many ways to use wall molding to create a memorable focal point or "wow factor" in a space.  I'm not sure how difficult it is to install, but it can't be too hard, right? Has anyone tried it before? I found a website that sells wall molding, including the decorative corner pieces, at really reasonable prices. Go here to check it out. What do you think about this look?

{I absolutely ADORE this space! It's just exquisite!}

IMAGE CREDITS: 1,2,4,7,9,10. WOODSON & RUMMERFIELD DESIGN / DECORATI; 3,5,8./DECORPAD; 6. TOBI FAIRLEY

P.S. - Tomorrow I'll be posting sneak peeks of the room I designed for the GS Charity Project (finally!).