Mismatched Curtains

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

I anticipate a tish bit of eye-rolling by some on this one. My apologies in advance, but you know I like to look at out-of-the-box ideas in addition to the more practical posts.

After tearing this image from April 2010's In Style magazine with a note to post about it, I couldn't find the image on their site so I googled it and guess what? Apartment Therapy already blogged about this back in October 2009 with the same image (originally from Domino magazine).

IS and AT both suggested that to mix things up a bit, you could intentionally mismatch your curtains. What do you think of the idea? would you?

I think I could... Solids only though and it would help if there were more than one window so that I could repeat the mismatch to make it look more intentional.

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Clever Curtaining and Other Great Design Ideas

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

When I saw this home designed by Lindsey Bond featured in House Beautiful, I was immediately impressed not only by the great design but with her clever use of curtains to soften, disguise, separate spaces and create focal points.

You may remember this post where I talked about accessorizing your walls with curtains? I wish I had seen the image above at the time because it would have been another great example for that post. Love it!

In her office, the wall-to-wall open shelves disguise an off-center window while the curtains soften the space and can be closed to hide the shelves when needed (notice the ceiling mount rods). What a great way to keep the light from the window and still utilize the entire space for storage/display. The artwork hung in front of the shelves works to keep your eye in the space and off of the off-center window beyond.

Here she uses curtains to cocoon the bed in its own little room-within-a-room. She calls it her modern canopy.

You can see the other side of the bed curtains below. The beautiful antique mirror is covering an awkwardly placed window.

Here the curtains divide the room and make each space more intimate.

Some other things to note in the image above:

• You may have noticed the statement wall? :-) Awesome isn't it? It's actually a painted screen placed on the wall. I love the simple, bold punch of color in the otherwise neutral space.
• Rather than a built-in banquette, this one is just a long bench with a lumbar pillow that rests against the wall.
• And of course you know I'm a fan of layered rugs. They add incredible texture to this small space.

To see more images of this home and to read the interview with designer Lindsey Bond, visit housebeautiful.com
photo credit: Jonny Valiant

Hope you're having an awesome week so far!

Hanging Pillows and Cushions

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

The cushioned banquette in the image below divides the kitchen from the eating area. Very clever idea, don't you think? But what really drew my attention in this image was the back cushion. Notice how rather than upholstering the back of the bench, they've hung a cushion from pegs?

myhomeideas Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

A few things that could make this a great idea to copy:

• If the fabric gets soiled (which can easily happen in any eating area), it can just be removed and cleaned (assuming they've made it with a zipper so that it can be removed).
• When you're tired of the fabric, just make a new cushion cover - no reupholstery required.
• It's unique and creates a different look than the expected upholstered back.
• The use of hooks would keep them in place a little more easily than just ordinary cushions or pillows.

In this Coastal Living Idea House, they used 3 twin size mattresses and fabric covered panels to create the daybeds in this sleeping porch. They do call them "hanging bed cushions", but in the image they almost appear to be attached to the wall, possibly with velcro strips or something similar? Just guessing, but it seems like that would be an additional solution to keep them from shifting around.

Coastal Living Photo: Tria Giovan

If pillows are more your style, Martha Stewart shows you to to make these hanging pillows.

What do you think? Is this an idea you would use?

Happy weekend...

Nesting Tables

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Nesting tables are a great way to add additional table top space without taking up additional floor space.

myhomeideas Photo Laurey W. Glenn

Other perks:

• Whatever you have on top of them can usually stay whether they're in or out, providing a handy spot for remotes, books, magazines, etc. that you want to keep close at hand.
• When you're having company and need an additional spot to set a drink, pull them out and set them in convenient spots around the room. When the company leaves, they tuck conveniently back into their designated spot.

If you don't have nesting tables, how about creating your own with a couple of different tables that are sized so that one can fit within the other? This also creates a more unique look, and provides versatility to use the tables separately in different areas later on.

AJC Homefinder

I'm a big fan of ceramic garden stools, and I think they are a great option for creating your own unique nesting tables by "nesting" one underneath another table, whether it be the living room end table or a table beside your bed.

Speaking of unique nesting tables, I thought these that I found via Design Sponge were interesting. They were designed by wuttke werks + so'mace. The tops are reclaimed whitewashed Douglas Fir and the metal is recycled rebar.

For more table inspiration, tips and ideas, check out these posts:

• Coffee Table Ideas, Tips and Inspiration
• Nightstands/Bedside Tables
• Side/Accent Tables

Southern Living Idea House Creative Use of Space

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

The small room below is actually an upstairs landing in the 2010 Southern Living Idea House that they decided to make use of by turning it into a small sitting room.

Some things to notice about this space:

• LOVE the upholstered wall behind the bench and the statement that the nailheads make - definitely the focal point.
• Bookshelves provide room for not only books, but to display family treasures and decorative items as well as baskets for storage.
• The turquoise poufs are a fun splash of color but are also multifunctional since they can be used as a footstool, side table or extra seating.
• Adding the lighting as part of the built-in unit eliminates the need for lamps in that area.
• Using chairs like the pretty cane chairs here is the perfect choice for a small room since they take up less space visually .

In this next room, which is a guest apartment in the garage, A Murphy bed folds up to create an open living space during the day and back down for sleeping at night. They finished off the space by upholstering the "headboard" of the bed and framed the area with curtains for a dramatic statement.

Interested in seeing more creative uses for small spaces? Check out this Creative Use of Small Spaces post.

Photos: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Chests, Shelves, A Headboard and Mirrors

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

I'm sure that's one of the more creative post titles you've ever seen, isn't it? :-)

I'm still debating as to whether I would actually ever do this or not, but of course I like the fact that it's different and creative. Using two chests to the sides behind the sofa rather than a sofa table behind and end tables on the sides? What do you think? (image from CR Laine)

I wanted to include this image in my shelf inspiration post, but couldn't find it at the time. Isn't it interesting the way they created these shelves to follow the curve of the window? (image from BHG.com)

If you have an awkward corner in your bedroom, this idea from BHG.com might work for you. Rather than ignoring the corner, they maximized the space by creating a corner headboard storage unit. They've included reading-light wall sconces and electrical outlets, and the plug-ins are close at hand for alarm clocks, cell phone chargers, etc.

I know many of you have seen this already, but for those of you who haven't - Jenny at Pearl Street Interiors hung two inexpensive unframed IKEA mirrors (love the shape!) over the plain sheet mirror in her parent's bathroom using 3M hanging strips. I love the idea and the dimension that it adds, don't you? To see the rest of this makeover, click here...

This isn't really a mirror, but I like the shape of this Ghost Mirror from Country Living. Template and tutorial here.

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Happy Friday! Have a great weekend...

Shelf Inspiration

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Interesting way to utilize a corner...

Elle Decor Photo: Peter Murdock

Just a hodge podge of shelf inspiration today that I had saved and thought you might want to see. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

A shelf across a window (how amazing is the window?!!!)...

House Beautiful Photo: Simon Upton

These custom bookshelves from BHG.com were created by raising up ready-to-assemble cabinets, adding custom doors and topping with a bridge to make them look like built-ins...

Built-in shelves around the doorway...

houseandhome.com

I like the way Style at Home editor Erin McLaughlin utilized this wall space in her small home...

style at home Photo Virginia MacDonald

Putting a bookcase on this wall was a great solution to utilize this akward space and move the furniture away from the wall...

allyou.com

If you're short on display space, how about using your windows as a shelf? (obviously you don't want to go crazy with this idea or it could get pretty cluttered, but I think the way they've displayed the artwork in this room works)...

myhomeideas.com

A wall of shelves makes a statement...

Frank Roop

marthastewart.com

These shelves at diyideas.com were made from drawers...

How about this staggered display shelf from BHG.com?...

BHG.com says, "A recessed nook is the perfect place to show off your favorite art and display your collections. Remove a section of drywall to reveal a 4- to 8-inch-deep niche between wall studs. Consult a contractor to make sure it's safe to remove any horizontal bracing elements. Then add shelves"...

houseto home

A clever idea and great use of space to add the shelf/desk at the end of these bunkbeds...

myhomeideas.com Photo Tria Giovan

Kitchen space saver. A TV shelf built into the island...

Coastal Living Photo Dominique Vorillon

We've seen variations of this idea before, but I still love the idea of utilizing the space underneath the stairs...

Coastal Living Photo Matthew Gilson

In a small bathroom without much storage or room to set things, a shelf above the sink can be a perfect solution. BHG.com shows you how to make this one...

Set-in shelves above the tub are another way to gain storage and display space in your bathroom...

Good Housekeeping

A bookshelf "headboard"...

bhg.com

BHG.com shows you how to make this bedside shelf...

Marthastewart.com shows you how to make these ribbon bracket shelves...


and this suspended shelf...

If your shelves are less than organized and you want to hide the clutter when company comes, Real Simple suggests adding some sliding panels...


How much fun are these bookshelves from Graham and Green?


Etsy shop Little Fish Furniture makes bookshelves. Literally...

This post may have also given you some inspiration for accessorizing your shelves and bookcases, but if you're looking for more accessorizing inspiration, click HERE.

A Window Option To Consider

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Coastal Living photo: John O’Hagen

When we built our home one of my main concerns was that I have enough windows and that they be as large as possible while keeping in scale with the space. Unfortunately, there were some spaces that windows absolutely weren't an option (like our kitchen :-( ), but if it was possible I put one in.

When it came to our master bedroom, there were only two walls in the room where windows were an option. One was a no-brainer, but the other was the wall that our headboard would be against and was also a little more visible to the neighbors. So I compromised with the windows shown below for that wall and I absolutely LOVE them!

Putting these smaller windows above our bed (the bottom of the window trim is approx 5'10" from the floor) gave me a look I love, the privacy I wanted and the light and peek into the outdoors that I craved. The center window is stationary but we put awning windows on either side so that they could be opened. Did I mention yet that I love them? :-)

In this room, it looks like they've used all awning windows.

Country Living photo: Steven Randazzo

As you can see here, you don't necessarily need an outside wall to put windows above the bed!

Country Living photo: Don Freeman

Just as in the previous photo, they've used the windows on an interior wall but in a family room instead of the bedroom. It's a great way to open up the space and bring light in from the adjoining room if a window to the outside isn't an option.

bhg.com

Obviously, this isn't one of those quick-fix decorating tips but if you're considering a little remodeling of your space or you're building a new home this is definitely an option to consider.

If you're not building or remodeling and you wanted to do a DIY project to mimic this look, could you mirror some window frames? It wouldn't bring the outside light in, but would still expand your space and reflect light from any other sources in the room.

Hope you're having a great weekend!