Dandy Chandy Tuesday ~ Recycled Vintage

Absolutely adore this Shabby Beaded Aqua Blue Crystal Chandelier from Zia & Tia. They restore and reinvent one-of-a-kind vintage chandeliers reusing recycled materials. Pure. Dreamy. Loveliness if you ask me!

Design Tip of the Week (8.30.10): Beam Me Up

Install or expose beams to add an interesting architectural element to what could be just a plain ceiling. So whether you are exposing what you have or adding beams just for effect, its a great way to bring people's eyes up. Perfect for a flat or peaked ceiling. You can stain the wood to contrast your wall color or paint the beams the same color. Beams are cozy, they add warmth to a room, and sometimes spicing up the architecture of the inside of your home is all the decorating you need.


{Photo from Twilight Field Journal}


{Photo from Carolina Eclectic}



{Photo from Decor Report}


{Photo from Furniture.Blogdig}

Inspired Friday ~ Black & White

{Photo via graphicmania}

Black and white photography is so inspiring. It really sets a mood for a room. Having a room literally translate into black and white decor can be calming, romantic, striking and modern all at the same time.

Check out these beautiful Black & White rooms for some decorating inspiration. Happy Decorating!

Art Smart ~ Vintage Love

{Bicycles - 13x19 LARGE Archival DICTIONARY Art Print}

Love these art prints that are printed on antique dictionary pages from Memorydust's etsy store. Perfect to frame in groups to give your home office or guest bedroom a laid-back vintage vibe.

The print above is particularly my favorite because I just ordered a mint green vintage beach cruiser bike to ride around here in Miami! Pictures to come! :)

DIY Tips & Tricks ~ Switchplate Planter

What started off as a joke between friends is actually a pretty fun idea on how to give old switch plates new life ~ read about it and watch a video tutorial here at Readymade.

Dandy Chandy Tuesday!

Meet my new chandy...the Starlette Pendant from Crate and Barrel! Tin with star cut outs, my new friend : )

Design Tip of the Week (8.22.10): Let the Sun Shine

I'm currently experimenting with yellow and found that this is not the easiest color to work into a room. My design dilemma was using yellow tastefully and stylishly without over doing it or making the room too feminine. And most importantly, using yellow in a way that I could live with day in and day out. I sought out some inspiration on the many ways you can use yellow in a room. From bold to subtle, from a primary to an accent color...yellow truly does brighten up a room. How bold can you be with this sunny hue?


{Image from Warpedeco Home Improvement}


{Image from Patricia Grey}


{Image from Apartment Therapy}


{Image from BlissLiving Home}


{Image from QwickStep}


{Image from Country Living}


{Image from Qwick Step}

Inspired Friday ~ Seeing Stripes

{Zebra Thoughts :: Closeup of zebras face via West LaCount Photography}

It really is amazing how various intricate patterns and shapes occur in nature. The zebra (shown above) is a great example of how nature and design come together. If you want to bring elegance, boldness, black & white patterns with a splash of color, the images below will hopefully spark some ideas. Remember when designing with animal prints, try not to go overboard. Little hints here and there through pillows, rugs, accessories will be enough to add much needed interest to a room. Happy Decorating!



{Dining Room via HGTV}


{Living Room via Elle Decor}


{Erinn Valencich Office}


{Zebra Chair from Oly Studio}

Art Smart ~ Bunny's in a Tree?!

{Rowan Tree ~ Print}




{We Are Here ~ Print}


I love the illustration style of Kristiana Parn. Check out the rest of her etsy shop here. My 2 favorite prints are shown above. They have a whimsical quality that I could see in a series all over a children's room, or for the child-at-heart's room. :)

Notice Anything Different?!

Good Morning Everyone! Yes this is exactly what I look like when I write this blog...like Carrie Bradshaw with a fancy feather shawl on...right! :) That's actually what Chrys looks like when she writes the blog up North in Washington, DC...here in Miami I'm in my bikini! ;)

Notice anything different today about our blog??? We decided after 2 years of a beautiful blog design to switch it up a bit. You still get the same ol' P4D look for the most part, bare with us we are almost done with the complete look, a few tweaks still to come.

Let us know your thoughts...Love the new look? Any suggestions? We would love to hear your feedback! We will return tomorrow with our regularly scheduled program!

Dandy Chandy Tuesday ~ Interchangeable Glass Links

This glass links chandelier from Z Gallerie is just stunning. It would look beautiful in a very formal room, or add some interest to a shabby chic room with all white decor.

The coolest thing about this chandy is the glass links are interchangable, so make yourself a new chandelier each week! Very fun!

Design Tip of the Week (8.16.10) ~ Start a collection

Start a collection of candlesticks as an affordable and elegant decorative accent. Search for similar or eclectic candlesticks of all different heights to group together. For example, find different color glass candlesticks or stick with one color and play with sizes (mix skinny with pillar candle holders). Or go for a more antique look and collect brass or silver ones. Display with or without candles. Showcase your new collection on a mantle, dresser, side table, or a shelf.


{Photo from Style at Home}


{Photo from Design & Renovate}


{Photo from Country Living}



{Photo from BHG}


{Photo from Your Home, Only Better}




{Photo from Real Simple}

Inspired Friday ~ It's A Plaid, Plaid World

Inspiration:


Chrys: OMG plaid is so in right now.

Jen: I knoooow, plaid is the new black...or something... :)

{Image via VueSociety}


On a serious note, plaid is such a beautiful and classic pattern. If you want to bring a sense of tradition, elegance, and coutryside style into your home, then we hope the below inspires you to go plaid! Happy Decorating!

{Decor}ation:

{Woven Tattersall Black/Ecru Cotton Rug}





{Badgely Mischka Bedroom via Elle Decor}




{Jeffrey Banks Set of 4 Madras Napkins, On Clearance for $7.95!!!}




{Plaid Plate via Crate & Barrel}

Art Smart ~ Paintings with a Message

Rodney White's art is fresh and fun. His visual messages will bring about positive thoughts in your home. Check out more of his work here.

Our Faves! (8.11.10): Cooking with comfort

The French Bistro Comfort Mat from Ballard Designs will be a cushy place to stand while your prepping dinner.

Dandy Chandy Tuesday ~ Namaste

This "Flowering Lotus" Pendant Light by Jamie Young Company will look just beautiful in a room you would like to make your tranquil retreat from the world. :)

Design Tip of the Week (8.9.10) ~ Expanding Your Houses Sleeping Capacity

Well it's official...my girls from Washington, DC (including my fellow Primed4Design blogger Chrys!) are coming to visit me here in Miami at the end of September! Yay!

Their upcoming visit made me think of this great post Chrys wrote on 2.8.10 about expanding your houses sleeping capacity.

I have a murphy bed down here in Miami that looks very similar to the one in the post, they really are wonderful and stylish space savers!

Inspired Friday ~ Natural Elements

Inspiration:

{Riverbank Butterflies Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic}

This photo really captures the essence of nature ~ lovely green butterflies in motion. If you want to bring a bit of illustrious nature inspiration into your home, the images below will hopefully spark some ideas. Nature is full of colors you can borrow from when it comes to decorating your home. Happy Decorating!

{Decor}ation:

{Nature Inspired Room with Green Accents}



{Sheer Silk Organza Green Curtains}


{Butterfly Wall Decals}

Art Smart ~ Flower Power

I am absolutely in love with Marci G's Turquoise Poppy Bowl's in blue and orange shown above. Each piece is one of a kind. She sometimes uses paper patterns or stamps that are cut and decorated by hand. No two are exactly alike. Check out the rest of her shop here for more beautiful stoneware pottery.

Our Faves (8.4.10): Red Reefs

Inspired by the Master Suite Retreat posting on Monday, here is an interesting and modern way to display beachy wall hangings. Coral Reef Wall Art from Overstock for only $169.99.

Dandy Chandy Tuesday ~ Seeing Things in a New Light

We all have the dreaded old chandelier/light fixture that we just can't seem to find the time to replace, right? Put this semi-transparent mirror film light shade from Lunatika over it to give new life and a vibrant, sleek look to something old.