A Wrap Up

Hello dear readers!  I hope you are enjoying your summer.  Sorry for being a bad blogger.  I know I've been obsessing for weeks about the color blue, and I'd like to wrap that obsession up.  For now.  I'd love to bring more blue into my place.  If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know that I first considered blue when I saw this cover of Domino.

I miss Domino magazine!  This was my favorite cover.  I love the royal blue sofa with the pink and lavender pillows and her lovely orange dress.  If you'd like to add a little blue to your place, it's easiest to do it with accessories.

This quilted slip cover gives a nice pop of dark blue in this room.  And dig those canvases above the sofa.  I may need to steal that idea.  Image Mauricio Arruda.

These lovely dipped vases would look great in the above room.  Michelle Williams Ceramics.

Feel more turquoise?  Here's a beautiful vase I'd love to have for my collection.  Clear Mountain Craft.

Need a little bling with your blue?  How about this gorgeous pillow.  I seem to be a sucker for anything shiny lately.  Comfy Heaven.  I guess you've noticed Etsy is my go-to place for fab accessories.

And don't forget the outdoors!  I love the use of blue and white in this gorgeous outdoor space.  Above two images Ikea.

Pallets, Crates and Slipcovers

I love reading the opinions of designers, but I usually take them with a grain of salt and do whatever I want.  I don't worry about trends and am limited by a small (no) budget.  So when I read today that pallets and slipcovers are no longer trendy, my thought was I didn't realize they were ever trendy.  Since I am limited by lack of funds, I prefer casual design and love to see how people with small budgets (and spaces) solve problems.  The point of all this:  when decorating your home do what you want.  Trust your instincts.  Listen to advice, but only take that which appeals to you.  And most of all have fun.

I'd like to humbly offer some inspiration showing that pallets, crates and slipcovers can look chic in your home.  I am falling in love with a little rustic element thrown in.

PALLETS

Love the gray bedding and the low scale of the lamps.  Also love the white painted floor.  Above two images Bodie and Fou.

Bonus points for using industrial wheels on this pallet coffee table!  Love it.  Image via flickr.

Stunning use of pallets!  I'd love to have some of these for my deck!  Stay tuned for a post on outdoor decor, which I am currently obsessing about (like we all do at this time of year).  Above two images Simone Tasca via Desire to Inspire.

CRATES

Love the touch of rusticity this crate as coffee table provides.  Also love the organic rug and the artwork, and - of course - those fab sofas!  See the rest of this wonderful home tour at Desire to Inspire.  To see creative use of crates in display, see previous post here.

SLIPCOVERS

This gorgeous room remains simple and cozy at the same time with its skillful use of texture.  You know I love those white floors.  Image Mary Beth Koeth.

Gorgeous.  Love the gray.  Image via The Style Files.

Don't these rooms make you want to put your feet up and sip on a nice cup of tea?  You wouldn't have to worry about spills.  Perhaps you'd prefer a nap.  It's all good.  I like life a little less perfect.  And not to mention the obvious benefit of upcycling to the environment.  Image via Damien Russell. 

Want to see one of my favorite rooms featuring a chenille bedspread as a slipcover?  Click here.