S'more Wedding Favors

I couldn't resist sharing something sweet with you!  I designed these tags and favors for a dear client.  The front of the tag says Sending you... S'more love (perfectly adorable) and then on the back, it's a perfect spot to put a poem, saying, scripture or signature.  What's great about the word s'more is that you can use it to pretty much any saying.

Sending you...S'more Love and Joy (Christmas party favor)
Sending you...S'more bundles of love  (awesome for baby shower)
Sending you...S'more sweet treats (birthday favor)
Sending you...S'more Joy (wedding favor) with the couple's name on it

Perfect wedding favor because they are unique, edible and easy to DIY. 

The Perfect Partnership

There are some designers that can marry the styles of traditional and contemporary seamlessly without even being able to determine which is more dominant. 

Rustic horizontal wide plank boards fill the focal wall around the fireplace.  By using a rectangular fireplace it emphasizes the width of the room and lends itself nicely to the overall vision.  The black slate fireplace complements well with the steel black staircase with linear shadows up the walls.  Stone pebbles on the opposing wall gives great contrast, texture and visual detail to the large room.  By using the two natural elements they expand the space while giving it a cozy, inviting lure.  Pops of color in the side tables, carpet or blankets can transition this space nicely for years to come.  Simply changing out the functional pieces allows you to invest in the architectural space while having fun with interchangeable items.

Loving this space!  5 stars!  What do you think?

Source: archiproducts.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

The Traditions of Christmas

Do you find lately the traditions of Christmas are getting forgotten about by the commercialism of the holiday?  I feel more and more each year we need to go back to our roots and keep things simple.  We get so caught up by the expectations and stress of being in multiple places at one time or having that perfect gift or even have the house perfectly decorated for guests.

Here are some great suggestions for scaling back this year and focusing on what really matters.

1.  Make a list of old traditions that you once enjoyed doing and do at least 2 of them this year.  Keep the list in safe keeping to add 2 new ones next year.
2.  Instead of stressing about what gifts to buy, donate your gift money to a local food bank or sponsor a family in need.  The inner joy and peace it will bring you will amaze you.
3.  Decorate only the main living space for the holidays.  Instead of stringing lights and garland throughout, put your focus on your family area.
4.  Think of a few people who are shut-in for the winter or do not have family locally and either stop by or give them a call.  They will be overjoyed by your thoughtfulness and the time you have taken to talk to them.
5.  Appreciate the little things.

As we kick off December, don't spend your time wanting Christmas to be done and over with.  Make it enjoyable and memorable by doing it your way.

Here are some great snapshots and links to classic designs or family traditions you can start up!  Enjoy!

Source: gracefullysearching.blogspot.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: google.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: today.deviantart.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: mummytofive.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

One cannot help but fall in love with these mirrored subway tiles.  Not overly practical but the beauty of them and the reflective quality would be worth it!  Here are some to check out!

Source: houzz.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via elev8 dezign on Pinterest

Spring Cleaning....laundry room!

Spring cleaning time is here and time to consider the best of the best laundry rooms. Here are some great choices of inspiration to update or renovate your existing laundry. This room has a tendency to be a bit boring however you spend a great deal of time in the laundry room so why not make it beautiful! My laundry room of choice has to be the chalkboard cupboards...perfect for leaving notes for your family, reminder not to put certain clothes in the dryer or when to change the cycle. A functional statement piece perfect for adding some interest. Enjoy!

Source: younghouselove.com via elev8 on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via elev8 on Pinterest

Source: designstamped.com via elev8 on Pinterest

Source: designspongeonline.com via elev8 on Pinterest

Source: curbly.com via elev8 on Pinterest

February is obviously the month of love so instead of doing the usual feature on red, I'm in love with pink right now.  It is classic feminine!

Pink draperies soft hues of gray

Perfect mix of Pink and White

Bright & Cheerful Pink Door

Perfectly Pink Palette

Timeless Design

Looking back over the stack of magazines I have accumulated over the many years of design, I find myself asking the consistent question, can design be timeless?  Can it?
I whole heartedly believe so.  It's the foundational pieces that we purchase that make something timeless and from there, we pick up on trends, statement pieces and bold colours.  When working with clients, my primary goal for the majority is to direct them to pieces that will work with them for many years.  If you are putting a great deal into a couch, rug, art or cabinets, you do not want to look at them in five years and ask yourself what were you thinking?

Here are my top 4 tips when considering timeless design.

1.  For large investment pieces, look for less is more.  Less ornate detailing, simple fabric choices and transparent glass.
2.  If looking for a pop of colour or graphics, look at framing bold wallpaper, graphic art or photography.
3.  White is classic.  I do not believe white will ever go out of style.
4.  Personality in a space is directed by the memories that are showcased there.  Add a few family heirlooms such as crates, vintage timekeepers, books and photography.  Keeping the rest simple will showcase those memories all the more.

Here are some images to showcase these fundamental tips to keep in mind.

Dining Space

 

Mix of old and new

Living Space

White Kitchens

I'm continuing my discussion on kitchens as I feel this is the perfect spot in your home to make some dramatic changes.  The best part about your kitchen is that you will see a return on your investment plus. 
Here are some classic kitchen designs courtesy of houzz.com.  Cabinets and your counters are going to be your investment pieces.  When selecting these, keep in mind a timeless design to carry you through for years to come.  Add color, design and texture in your less costly items such as paint, lighting, accessories, drapery and cabinet pulls.  By changing those items in 20 years will be far less expensive rather than updating your kitchen cabinets. 
When selecting your cabinets, I would recommend staying clear of ornate detailing, raised panel doors, machine finished distressing and fancy windows in the cabinets.  The simpler the better.  More to come...

Kitchen Trends 2012

After years of anticipation praying and waiting patiently for my very own kitchen, last year it happened finally.  It's important when purchasing a home to have good bones to the house.  Cosmetics such as paint, flooring, lighting etc. can all be upgraded over time.  The house we bought is just that.  A perfect gem.  The feature that caught my eye the most about this house was the open concept family kitchen.  I pictured family dinners, typing away at my laptop, cooking up tasty treats and just creating the best memories possible.  A few weeks of living in our house, I genuinely knew what people meant when they said the Kitchen was the heart of the home.  It is the core hub of the family.  Being able to create masterpieces with food, share breakfast in the sunshine with my husband, chase the dogs around the island and turn the lights off at night after another day of memories. 

I was researching some kitchen concepts this week and came across the trends for 2012 in kitchens.  I fully believe in investing in your kitchen.  When choosing quality pieces, you are extending the lifeline of your kitchen.  Quality cabinets, counters, organization and flooring focusing on timeless details will allow in the future for fine tuning to change things up.  A gallon of paint in the color that is in style or changing the handles of your cabinets are all things that are relatively inexpensive in the big picture rather than having to change out cabinets and fixtures.  My encouragement to you is take your time, do your research, save up so that you are prepared to invest in your future.  Enjoy every moment making memories in your kitchen

Here are some fresh kitchen ideas for various styles.

Fresh Summer House Kitchen

Vintage Kitchen with Patchwork LoveSeat

Minimalist Kitchen

Rustic Modern White Kitchen

Stunning Art-Design It Yourself

I was absolutely speechless when I saw this wall design. I really didn't have words to describe how beautiful was because there is really not much to describe. That is the beauty of it. If I had been asked to design this in someone's house, I would not have been able to imagine the impact the minimalism would have. The best part about this is it's something anyone can do with a collection of various shaped and sized empty frames.  Simply stunning.
 

Minimalist Art- Sherlon Kahkai

Rules in Design?

Are there really rules that need to be applied when designing a space?  For some people, they believe there are set rules to be applied...however I would believe the contrary.  Who set out the rules anyways?  Isn't design a personal taste?  Is there a rule book that says red and pink shouldn't go together?

Living etc. has some fabulous concepts for style rules that need to be broken.

Next time you are working on a concept or a design for a space, don't let the boundaries that someone else put up stop you from being bold, showing your personal style or elevating design to a whole new level. 

How inviting...

elev8 dezign   What is your front door saying about you?  Have you ever driven by your house and come back by and sat out front of your house and looked at your front door?  What color is it?  Is that a door you would want to go through?  What do you think is on the other side?  Finger painting, cookie baking, nap times and giggles? Cheerful conversations, morning newspaper readings in the sun, laptops clicking away and evenings by the fireplace?  Or perhaps it's scampering of dogs racing by, laughter on the couch and family recipes brewing on the stove.  Whatever your story on the inside, what is your story saying on the outside?  Next time you are driving through your neighborhood or walking into your condominium building, stop and revisit the stories that are being spoken from your front door.

What do you think these front doors are saying about the memories on the inside?

Traditional style transformed to contemporary with a touch of colour 

(via pinterest)

Clean and contemporary front door with a splash of pizazz!  Sarah Malone House

Bold Black Door in contrast to rustic shaker style house.  Spool 72 Home