Decking the Halls

It is officially time to start trimming the tree.  I typically wait until December 1st to pull out the x-mas decorations but am hosting a small dinner party and wanted the house to look festive for my friends.  My parents are also coming to stay with me for the holidays so I wanted to take it up a notch.

I started by moving my living room furniture around to free up the front window as I love how the tree looks there and it provides some interest to the exterior of the house when the lights are on.  The living room is a wee bit cozy but since I have yet to find a coffee table for that room it actually works out perfectly.

Ornaments and shiny bells glitter in the candlelight

Garland via The Bay reconfigured into a wreath

Garland added to the chandelier

Garland and holiday decor on the bookcase

  

Christmas detail added to the mirror

Tree all aglow

Lovely little vignette (large ornaments are from Winners)

Interior wreath - garland is from The Bay

Ornaments on display

Lighting Inspiration

My final Lighting project involves a two bedroom condo.  Our instructor wants us to challenge ourselves with our lighting choices and reminds us that there is no budget!  Some fabulously expensive lighting finds I found include:

Artichoke Glass Pendant - Design within Reach

Wooster Pendant Light - YLighting

Cadmo Floor Lamp - Artimede

Leaf Light - Design within Reach

Looking for a Coffee Table

I moved the coffee table from my living room to my family room a few months ago and have yet to replace it.   I have a bronzed large mirror in that room and need select one with a similar metal tone.  A wood coffee table will be difficult to find as I have a red tone in the hardwood and then the dining room furniture has much darker tones in it.  A few options I'm considering:

Bel Aire Oval Coffee Table - Crate & Barrel 

Clairemont Coffee Table - Crate & Barrel

Foxed Mirror - West Elm

Tanner Coffee Table - Pottery Barn

New Rug - FLOR

After my previous post on FLOR, I decided to order some tiles but actually didn't select the rug per my post "In Need of a Rug"  FLOR sent along their catalogue and that's when I found Due East in Pepper.  It works really well with the existing furniture and rug in my living room which is essential since it's an open plan.  I selected a custom size to work with my own space and ordered some extra tiles to accommodate the dining room table when it's extended.  Love it!

The reveal

Laying the tiles out with Shoppy

The finished product

Detailed shot

Another view

Getting Country-fied

Project 3 for Interior Decorating I involves designing a condo for a client with a specific design style in mind on a $70,000 budget - my partner and I got a single woman with three cats that likes "North American Country" and pastels.  She is also a piano teacher and needs a room/space for lessons that is separate from her personal space.  We also have to incorporate her piano and a pre-existing hutch (which thankfully can be painted).  Definitely a challenge.  I'm leaning towards shabby chic and a more modern interpretation of country - here are some of my inspiration photos:

Lovely kitchen - via Mad About Pink

Sweet little nook - via Decorpad

Subdued living room - via Modern Home Furniture

And who can forget the originator of shabby chic, Rachel Ashwell - her site is full of amazing room designs, furniture and accessories.