Check out these amazing before and afters:

http://www.schuelove.com/2011/09/diy-showcase.html

One of my favorite websites, Houzz.com, offers up countless inspiration for your home from all around the world. You can even create your own “idea book” to keep track of your favorite finds. Check out this latest post of a beautiful beach home on the Jersey Shore…minus the GTL.

My daughter gave me a subtle reminder the other day about why I love what I do. In and innocent baby-to-toddlerhood mover, she turned her bib around, and now wears it as a cape. Everyday. Giving new life to our everyday surroundings is exactly why I fell in love with design.

a bib makes a wonderful cape

My design philosophy is to keep things simple, comfortable, and beautiful. Even down to the smallest details. I love halloween, but it’s easy to go overboard…and cheesy! So this year, I decided to stick to my design principals. I took our pumpkin & a can of copper spray paint, and 10 minutes later I have a somewhat unique decoration for halloween. Simple and beautiful.

Copper Pumpkin

Wednesday Website

Looking for a unique fabric? Want to design your own? Check out this amazing website. Find or even create the perfect pattern for your project. Fabrics start at $18 per yard. Another great perk – no minimum order.

http://www.spoonflower.com

This week’s post is inspired by an amazing weekend spent with my girlfriends (by the lake…obviously!)

go jump in a lake

Amazing DIY slipcover, courtesy of organizeyourstuffnow.

No skills required, just need a piece of fabric and a pillow. Love it!

http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/?p=19110

DIY pillow slipcover - no sewing required!

before you run out and hire a designer because you cannot figure out how to place your furniture in a room, try pulling the furniture away from your walls (if that doesn’t work, then you can call me. ha) so often i walk into a client’s home and all of the furniture is pushed up against the walls, because that is where they think it has to go. sometimes it does belong there. but try this little trick next time you want to re-arrange a room. you might be surprised.

floating couch + chairs

Buying furniture for a space can be overwhelming, especially when on a tight budget. I often encourage clients to purchase a neutral base with their furniture (tans, creams, brown or black leather). This allows you to bring in color with your accessories: pillows, window treatments, and so on. It becomes a more cost effective option down the road when you want a new look. It is MUCH less expensive to replace a throw pillow (just re-cover it!) than to replace a whole couch when you’ve become tired of the pattern.

Neutral base + colorful accessories

turquoise

turquoise

Whether it’s two brothers, two sisters, or a brother and a sister sharing a bedroom, designing for two unique children can be a challenge. You want to have a cohesive look, without taking away from their individuality. Some tips to go about this:

• Buy matching matching bed frames. No matter what is on the bed, this will unify the space.
• Buy coordinating bedding, not matching. Let your daughter have her pink, and your son his orange (or vice versa!). Companies will often offer the same pattern in various colors. Letting them chose “their” color is a fun way to involve them in this process.
• Personalize.  A monogramed pillow, their name in letters above their bed, something that says ‘this is my space’ is a nice way to add a personal touch.
• Be creative. Sister #1 loves soccer, and sister #2 loves ballet. Have each of them draw themselves doing what they love best, and frame them in identical frames. It will save you some $ on artwork as well!

Have your own design dilemma you’d like help with? Email me at summersaltdesign@gmail.com

shared bedroom