Swoon.
We see tons of home photos everyday from reading countless design mags and scouring other blogs and websites that we love. And every once in a while a photo grabs us like an overly friendly coworker at a Christmas party. So we thought we’d feature a super-inspiring photo and break down what you can do to get the look on a budget. If you like this feature, feel free to let us know and we’ll make it a regular occurrence on the blog. Inspiration is everywhere. Observe:
How absolutely amazing is this outdoor room? It completely encapsulates all of our favorite styles, colors and textures and it just looks like the most fabulous place to be. It’s exactly what we’d do to our back patio if we had infinite resources and impeccable style. But the best thing about inspiration photos like this is that you can totally copy them. And it’s not even that hard.
Take that casual, understated chandelier for example. I’ve seen lots of candle versions so expensive electrical wiring isn’t necessary (try eBay or this $34 one from Ace). And we love the look and texture of that rattan furniture- and thanks to Ikea, a rattan lounge chair or ottoman can come home with you for less than the cost of plastic lawn furniture at some other stores.
Oh and the skirted table is fantastic. It means that you can grab a bargain table on Craigslist or even use a folding party table (since it’s gonna be covered anyway). For the tablecloth, you could pick up some burlap at a fabric store. Or for something a little more weather resistant you could get some neutral outdoor fabric and some no-sew hemming tape and whip up a table covering with nothing more than an iron and some scissors.
For chairs you can probably use any of the ones you already have- even if they’re mismatched. Just paint them all the same neutral color if they’re wood (use exterior paint or a bleached neutral exterior stain), and add a neutral seat cushion to any metal versions. You can even put wooden ones on one side and metal ones on the other side like in the inspiration photo. We also adore the metal sconces on the wall. Everyone can hang a frame or a sconce on an interior wall, but who ever thinks about decorating the exterior ones? Here’s a pair for $4.99 that we found on eBay- and you could spray paint them black or pewter or any other color if hammered gold isn’t your thing. A big metal medallion or even some plates mounted to the wall with plate hangers would be super fantastic as well. Or try hanging some tin signs like these for a touch of glam (we’d probably only use the white ones for the space above since they’re more subtle and low contrast- like the rest of the room).
Then all you need is a wooden bowl fulla lemons and you’re in business.
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Hey KK,
I’ve been in love with that chandelier since the first day of the Bazaar (yes, we’re Target-o-holics). And hearing that it’s on sale makes me wanna stop writing this comment and run to Tar-jay right now. But I shall resist the urge until I’ve squeaked out a semi-decent reply.
Miraculously, I know exactly where you should hang it. Since it’s small, it would look best in the corner of a room over a chair and a small side table or basket of books/mags. The idea would be to carve out a little reading corner within the room and define it with that adorable chandelier.
For the record, I also think it would look fabulous hardwired over the kitchen sink or in a hallway (to hardwire a plug-in fixture, cut off the plug and the extra cording and connect using the two internal wires in the cord that you’ve exposed from cutting it).
Oh and I’m in love with the pink version of that chandelier as well. I even wanted to buy it and save it for years and years until we maybe had a little girl, but John thought that was a borderline crazy idea so I had to let it go. But now that they’re in sale…
xo
Sherry
I do a regular “before and after” feature on my site (Hooked on Houses) and would like to showcase your work in a post I’m doing about giving old fireplaces new life.
I will probably be mentioning your blog and showing off your fireplace makeover soon. I think my readers would really enjoy your site and want to let them know about it. (But if for some reason you would prefer that I didn’t, let me know.)
Thanks for the decorating inspiration! -Julia K :-)
Sweet, we’d love that! So glad you found your way to our site. I’m off to check out yours in return. Please feel free to wander around our flickr gallery for better (bigger) pics of both of our fireplaces from lots of different angles. There are also a lot of fun “before” pics there. It’s all about the transformation, isn’t it?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnpetersik/sets/72157600928734726/
xo,
Sherry
Thanks, Sherry! I’m having a hard time choosing which room to do before and afters of–they’re all so good! I might have to do another post on you guys next week. Hope I can send some more traffic to your site. My subscribers will love it!
-Julia :-)
Wandered over her from Julia’s and I am very impressed. I will come back when i have some free time to really study your posts.
Janet@ Housepeepers
Hey Janet,
So glad you found us! Stay tuned for more fun before & afters, mini-makeovers, inspiration rooms, and everything in between.
xo
Sherry
Speaking of chandeliers, I needed your expertise yesterday at Target. They have their annual Global Bazaar items 30% off and I found this chandelier that I love, but I have no idea where to hang it.
Here it is: http://www.target.com/Floral-Capiz-Chandelier-Natural/dp/B000UECAKO/qid=1202737282/ref=br_1_1/602-1728260-2233462?ie=UTF8&node=298997011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=298997011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2
I think you should make a trip to Charlotte and help me decorate. If not Charlotte, you should definitely check out the sale items at your Target’s Global Bazaar display.