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Pretty Images That Inspire Us Creatively
Whenever we stumble across beautiful images on blogs or Pinterest, it’s hard not to feel a sudden wave of inspiration flood over us. Does that happen to you? We love browsing our favorite blogs, Pinterest and Instagram to see pretty images that inspire us creatively. A few of our favorite sites include Darling Mag, Glitter Guide, Because I'm Addicted, Brunch on Chestnut, The Everygirl, Sincerely Jules and so many more. Not only are gorgeous images inspiring, but they are also mood boosting and mind-opening. I often find myself wanting to write, cook, rearrange my apartment, or just sit back and dream after seeing images that inspire me. The below images are images that inspire us, from interiors, to fresh blooms, to crashing waves on the shore. Enjoy and we hope that they inspire you, too. Also, happy friday and here's to a wonderful, relaxing, and fun weekend.
how to decorate for christmas.
I can hardly believe that big red bows and pretty green garland are already lining the streets of California, and houses are already bustling with Christmas tunes, pine candles, and glistening trees! Doesn't it seem to be starting extra early this year?I am kin of loving it.So I have to be honest. This year is our first year to fully decorate for the holidays. Our first Christmas was a few days after we returned from our honeymoon, and our house had about three pieces of furniture in it and definitely no Christmas decor! It gets better. Last year, I made the mistake of ordering a tree online, and even after measuring, it was tiny. Oopsies! We made it work, but this year, we are going full force, and I must admit, I didn't even know where to start. Something that should be fun and joyful made me entirely overwhelmed, so I decided to reach our to my favorite interior designers in Dallas.
Here are some holiday decorating tips from the Blue Print Interiors team. Let us know some tips and tricks from you too in the comment section below!
-Always get a fresh tree & wreaths (if you are not allergic). You can pick them up at Whole Foods or a local nursery!
-Be sure to water your tree every day – especially in the first week!
-If you have the space in your entry, that’s a great place for a tree!
-Add a smaller tree in another room with sterling silver ornaments or “collectible” ornaments.
-If you are using ribbon accents, it’s fun to use hot pink and apple green, as opposed to the traditional red and forest green.
-You don’t have to go with a theme, you can just pick pretty ornaments that you love!
-It is fun to start new family traditions as a young couple. For example, make it a point of always selecting and putting up your tree the day after Thanksgiving and taking down the day after Christmas.
-Make sure any vent blowing hot air nearby your tree is closed off. #fireprevention101
-A dated picture frame ornament is a fun keepsake gift to place pictures of lovebirds or little ones in.
-Fresh cedar garland draped over mantles and stair banisters always add a special beauty to the season as well as fresh square boxwood wreaths on the doors.
-Tall vases with branches or peonies are always a must on the mantles.
-Keeping it simple is key when a house can so quickly become overtaken with Christmas decorations.
-Most importantly don’t forget the reason for the season!
See some of my favorite Christmas decor below. Happy holiday season!
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photo from www.digsdigs.com
farmhouse kitchen inspo board
Hamilton and I are working on redoing the kitchen in his 1700's farmhouse and it's so much fun, as well as a lot of work. We are making progress though (with the help of an amazing kitchen designer) and hope to have it completed by end of March 2017. I will definitely be sharing before and after pictures, but above is the first before picture. That vintage rug will definitely be staying, but the stove, floors, and cabinets will be replaced. I am forever thankful for that amazing old stove though! We have cooked up so many meals on that stove and it is where I taught myself to cook, so it definitely holds a special place in my heart.
Below are inspiration images for now + a few things that I am loving from Williams -Sonoma. We are planning on wood floors, simple white cabinets, brass pulls and knobs, a custom made island, stools, marble counter tops, stainless steal appliances plus a few more special details like the vintage rug that is pictured above. As you can tell, the theme is very simple, neutral, timeless, casual and comfortable. We love having people over and look forward to making the kitchen a functional place, but also a place to hang out. We all know that somehow, people always end up in the kitchen over appetizers, wine, and good times. xo
*five inspo images are from Pinterest
favorite kitchen things from williams-sonoma:
our bedding: serena and lily.
Our sweet friends and family in Dallas held the most special engagement party for Jase and I about three years ago, and there was one piece of advice that my best friend's mom imparted to me as a wife-to-be. I will never forget it. She said to always make your home a sanctuary and restful place for your husband; it should always be an atmosphere that brings peace and comfort after a long and possibly stressful work day.Decorating our first home together has been everything from a test of patience (it's a long process) to one of the most rewarding experiences. It was exciting yet nerve racking to create the vision for our home - it is such a big and permanent type of project that messing up or choosing the wrong piece is yikes! From trial and error, I have learned so much from what piece of furniture to start with in the design process to watching how my interior style has evolved over the last two years - it is fun to already become inspired for the interior of the next home in our future!
Enter the master bedroom. This room can be a tough cookie, right? It has to be the perfect mix of masculine and feminine. I had to let go of my desire to have pretty, feminine Bella Notte pillows and a velvet throw. Exit any floral patterns. So I came to a conclusion: neutrals and white is a clean way to create comfort. It's cozy + the simple palette creates an easy foundation to add in different throw colors and patterns as the seasons change.
I have my list of top favorite online interior shops, and my first stop is always Serena and Lily. It never fails to deliver and inspire. This last month, we decided to get a new set of bedding. There is truly nothing like it! Not to mention, we might have a slight obsession with this duvet cover - one is in our master; one is in the upstairs guest! We also can't live without puffy shams and pillows! Everyone wants a bed that feels like a cloud, right? See below for our entire set of bedding.
items c/o serena & lily
blue print furniture just got better.
Fall is already good enough, but I have news to make it even better. The lovely gem of a furniture store called Blue Print in Dallas now has some of their best sellers and antique pieces viewable online. I am giddy over it + major advantage: I can browse from Cali. The place is my all time spot for interior inspiration. Take a look and let me know what you think!
Scroll below for a few of my favorites!!I can't get enough of these bubble chandeliers.
This stunning dining table provides the perfect neutral palette to build on.
This cabinet makes a great first impression in an entry way, and it makes a TV look prettier. It can be used in so many spaces!
A beautiful way to add color into your home.
the snake plant
I absolutely adore fresh-cut flowers, gardens, and indoor plants. However, my track record with taking care of plants is not the best. It's been due to a variety of reasons from forgetfulness to the complete opposite...over nurturing. I have literally smothered plants with water and love to the point of no turning back. Or, I completely forget about them for a week. Either way, it hasn't been great.
However, a few months ago, I became determined to give the indoor plant thing another try. There was a corner in my Annapolis apartment that needed one, so I started the search for a low maintenance plant that loved the sun. I ended up going with the snake plant (see images above) and am so happy that I did. The plant is indestructible. It is better to under water it than over water it, so I water it (just a little bit) about every 2 weeks or so. It's important that the soil is completely dry before watering it again. Thankfully, I have reigned in my over-nurturing tendencies and am happy to report that the snake plant is happy and thriving! Fun fact- it was only $15 at the local Home Depot and the ceramic pot was a $20 find at HomeGoods. Another reason to consider the snake plant is that it helps purify the air, removing dangerous toxins from your home.
Do you guys have houseplants that you love? Let me know in the comments below.
xo melissa
Here are a few pretty ceramic pots for indoor plants-