happy house, modern with a rustic touch, messy offices
From assistant art director Laura LaRue: “I love everything about this living room, but especially the exposed brick walls” (“An old renovated Spanish farmhouse” from The Style Files)
From marketing coordinator Megan Lindsey: “I absolutely love the rustic yet clean look of this space. I’m also a huge fan of using white and wood features, with a bright color that complements the look of the room. Love the yellow and the individual wooden tables instead of a coffee table! And the little yellow stools give it a modern and playful touch. What a great color scheme and look for any room of your home. Happy Friday everyone!” (“Interior inspiration, fabulous rooms & decor!” from ZsaZsa Bellagio)
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Isn’t this the ultimate happy house? I always love how pops of color look against a white backdrop, and this place does that so well. My new favorite kitchen…and living room…and dining area…” (“Mona Ross Berman” from House of Turquoise)
From associate editor/online editor Paulette Pearson: “This image of Jenna Lyons’ office reminds me that messy offices are creative offices! The more magazine tears, photos and books you have lying around the more likely you’ll spark a great idea.” (“Design Darling on Tumblr” from Design Darling)
in the pink
Today’s Room of the Week has us in the pink…loving these pink peonies and the pop of color against all the luscious chocolate in this dining room.
As a mom of three young sons, Jamie Stewart may know brown wears well…but she also knows how to punch up a room with a pop of pretty color (including those Trina Turk pillows!). Read more about this colorful, family-friendly house here, and see another pink space we’re loving here.
quoting interior designer sheila bridges
wardrobe makeover with tulip louise: nerd alert!
Take a step in the right direction with this selection of loafers curated by Anna of Tulip Louise! It’s a hot new trend that we love (comfort is key!), but the number of options out there can be daunting. Do I want colorful? Classic? Leather? Suede? Anna makes it easy by offering her favorites, and also suggestions for how to style them.
Which one will you choose?
I’m having a major crush on loafers, which happen to be the perfect transitional shoe to carry us from summer to fall! Once I score a set of my very own, I plan to pair them with a classic jean, t-shirt, oversized blazer and bangles for a relaxed {yet pulled together} look. Who knows, I may even throw in some peepers for good measure! I did the dirty work and scoped out what I believe to be the cutest loafers on the market right now:
1. Matiko ‘Lilo’ in Black– $66
2. Steve Madden ‘Madee’ in Leopard– $120
3. Tod’s Loafer in Fuchsia– $469
4. Matiko ‘Lilo’ in White– $119
5. Senso ‘Esta’ in Stripe Pony– $170
6. Steve Madden ‘Madee’ in Black– $120
Do you have a favorite? Mine has to be #5!
Yours Truly-
kitchen details, wrap-around porches, white spaces
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “With our kitchen and bath issue due to arrive any day, I’ve had kitchens on my mind. These are lovely, and showcase how important choosing the right details–down to the faucet–can be.” (“More sinks on walls” from Things That Inspire)
From assistant art director Laura LaRue: “Oh-so-ready to be able to hang out and entertain on our deck, but the heat here in Arkansas is keeping us all inside. My dream house will have a wrap-around porch though…just like this one!” (“Farm fresh” from Shelter Interior Design)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “I need to just embrace the fact that I’m obsessed with white, light-filled interiors. In this space, though, I especially like that it’s grounded with a dark floor and black accents. Love the chandelier and that it’s so serene feeling.” (“Contrasts and texture” from Greige)
From account executive Stevi Jackson: “My daughter and I discovered a fabulous little highway rock shop over the weekend. This is my inspiration for displaying our pretty new gems!” (“Tiny rock collections” from Daydream Lily)
unbelievable before and after, shot by shot
Say WOW to the power of paint…and a good designer. Take in the before and after of this family room, shot by shot, and see what a miracle Little Rock designer Endia Veerman performed for a young family of five, settling into a place where the paint colors were outdated and their furniture felt heavy.
Notice the change in the mantle from the heavily colored granite to the light marble tile, and the difference in going from a dark color on the walls to the light look. 
The difference with textural draperies, reupholstered dining chairs and an upgraded floor.
A freshly refinished armoire (that’s a huge transformation!) and reupholstered arm chairs. Plus some extra-cute family photos printed on canvas. You can read the full story of this amazing makeover here. And more family friendly spaces here.
family friendly entertaining with providence ltd.
Our August family homes issue calls for a post on family entertaining. And who better to fulfill that wish than our brand new blog columnist, Mona Thompson of Providence Ltd. Interior Design!? Mona, an interior designer who co-writes her blog with sister, Talena Ray, is famous for her Sunday Suppers segment. We’re excited to see what she’ll come up with here each month. Well-designed entertaining is her bread and butter!
Everybody loves it when you move the party outside…
We’ve been asked to help you plan an outdoor gathering that’s low key, casual and lot’s of fun…these are great ideas that will have you winding down summer and sliding into fall.
Friends and family aren’t  interested in fancy show-off meals…but do enjoy really yummy food. Just because it’s family doesn’t mean we skimp on details…you want everyone to feel special and have a lasting impression of a really good time!
The party begins at the front door. Candles are so easy and really say welcome! Use them everywhere…
You’re gonna be outside…Think simple, Think organic, Think Whimsey…
Things we’ll use…
Old canning or jam jars work well as casual vases. They can also be used to serve beverages, hold votives, utensils, etc. A case of Mason jars is only $12.99.
Still plenty of fresh herbs and blooms in the garden to choose from. This makes the table decorations not only inexpensive but easy. You can also pick up extra at the Farmers’ Market or local nursery if needed.
Love this herb filled trough centerpiece…how easy is that?
So simple and pretty…
Most of us have a vintage sugar mold…
We always pot up lots of herbs and flowers in different small containers in the spring. These can easily be moved indoors or out for entertaining all season long.
Blur the lines between indoors and out.
Think of your outdoor space as an indoor dining room. Bring indoor chairs out for a wonderful mix.
No paper plates for this party. Love to add texture.
Creative doesn’t have to be expensive. Love these rattan chargers from Walmart…Only $3 each.
Dish towels make really fun over sized napkins or place mats…
Love these blue and white stripe towels from Williams- Sonoma.
Or add a real touch of whimsey with a collected assortment from Anthropologie…
Keeping the food simple doesn’t have to mean your usual fare…choose make-ahead recipes and let everyone pitch in to keep things fun and casual…
 Kabobs are a family favorite and the kids love them too.
You can get really creative with the combinations…
Anti-pasta…
Caprese…
Fajita Kabob…
Shrimp and the fixin’s…
Fruit…
You’re only limited by your imagination with kabobs…they can be prepared in advance and then thrown on the grill if needed.
And because we’re keeping things simple…dessert is a variety of store bought ice creams…oh but the presentation…it’s soooo good.
So stir up some lemonade…
or maybe a little Thai Basil Sangria…
.
You can just throw it in a bucket…
…tend to a few more details…and invite some family and friends over for one last summer gathering…they will be soooo glad that you did.
It’s your turn. Let’s talk.
*Images via Pinterest
DIY Den Makeover
When we asked Cara Wilkerson (of Live the Home Life fame) to join our cast of monthly blog columnists, we wondered how on earth she would come up with a before & after every month! Lo and behold–with a dresser, coat rack, ottoman and now an entire room–she has FAR exceeded our expectations! She is, without a doubt, a true DIY diva.
This week, she gives us a look at her fabulous den makeover. How’s that for a transformation?
When I first moved into my house, I knew I had more than my fair share of updating ahead of me. My den was no exception. With well worn hardwood floors, dark paneling and poor lighting, this room was definitely in need of a little TLC.
To get this space started on the road to recovery, I turned to the pros to refinish the hardwoods, replace paneling with sheetrock and update the dated ceiling fan with recessed lighting…
…but what good would a Before & After with Cara Wilkerson be without a little DIY decorating? Let’s get crackin’!
A couple coats of a creamy yellow on the walls and white on the fireplace and built-ins worked its magic in giving this space a much lighter (and larger) feel than its before status.
Now an empty shell, time to furnish and turn this room into a functioning den. No room in my house would be complete without a furniture rehab or two, so with a few swipes of the paintbrush, a $7.00 thrift store side table was ready to join in on the fun.
While rummaging through my grandmother’s house a few months back I came across a pile of naval architecture prints. Tucked away for a rainy DIY day, it was high time to bring these prints out of hiding and display in my new den.
A half dozen inexpensive poster frames and a can of spray paint later, this DIY wall art project was a wrap.
Finally, topped off with furniture discarded by family & friends, a scattering of thrift store finds and few inexpensive accessories, this den rehab was in the bag
Befores & Afters
quoting interior designer jamie drake
Images and quote via Drake Design Associates
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