Summer Fun

If the picture below doesn’t stimulate your senses with the scent of a campfire, perhaps you have been living under a rock.  Summer is right around the corner and it’s time to fine tune your outdoor spaces!  Listed below you will find plenty of colorful, relaxing, and inspired pieces for any exterior extension of your home.   Happy BBQ’ing! ~ B2

Restoration Hardware

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

West Elm

Restoration Hardware

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

West Elm

West Elm, shown in picture above

West Elm

West Elm

Spring Cleaning!

It’s that time of year again to rearrange your closet!  I often hold out until the weather is suddenly 80 degrees and humid and I can’t find  my tank tops. Therefore, I have created this new blog post to get you motivated and avoid this situation. Staying organized is the key to getting ready in a flash, appearing together at all times, and sporting that outfit that leaves your friends envious because it wasn’t buried in a box under your bed.  Below you will find reasonably priced items to suit different rooms in your home.  Let’s be honest, we all place our winter sweaters in a buffet cabinet in our dining room, right? Here’s to helping you store things where ever that may be!  ~B2

Ballard Storage Unit

Ballard Dining Room Unit

Ballard Wall Unit

Pottery Barn Storage

Martha Steward Storage Unit

Ballard Storage Unit

Container Store Products

Container Store Basket

Container Store Products

Container Store Basket

Ballard Storage Unit with Jewelry Drawers

Container Store Basket

Color Trends – 2012

What better time than the present to redecorate your house for the new season.  It may seem like you just put your holiday decorations away, but it’s time to focus on the next season – Spring!  Benjamin Moore has forecasted the color trends for Spring 2012 into 4 categories:  Earth & Sky, Eclectic Elegance, Spiced Life, and Sense & Sensibility.  Of the four I have opted to showcase Earth & Sky as my favorite.  Below you will find pictures from Benjamin Moore’s website that display the earthy hues and calming colors of the palette.  As always, paint is an easy way to update any room but let’s not forget about accessories! You will also find my picks from my go to manufacturers for items that will “spring” you into the next season.  Happy decorating!

Crate and Barrel

West Elm

World Market

Pottery Barn

 

Room and Board

Happy Holidays!

I am showcasing the following tablescape for this holiday season as one of my favorites. This set up is very versatile as it can be placed on any table, not just a recycled teak one.  The modern place settings can be substituted with any plain white plates and chargers and still maintain the same look.  The stemware could be altered as well with whatever clear wine glasses you may have around your house. What sets this tablescape apart from others are the birch style candles combined with the purple ornaments and lime green table linens.  I have listed these critical elements below and where to find them for less!  Simply cut a few branches from your christmas tree or backyard pine tree for that extra touch.  Happy Holidays 2011 – B2 Designs

Etsy - $19.99 for set of 3

Crate & Barrel - $7.08 set of 3

Crate & Barrel - $2.95 each

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following tablescapes are all inspired by the use of one item – the manzanita tree branch.  This tree branch can be used in so many different ways during the holiday season.  The pictures below are some of my favorite examples.

 

Koyal Wholesale - $6.98 each

Going Green…perhaps?

Recently, I decided it was time to update my family room with a new piece of furniture.  I had been looking for a coffee table that would add a little something extra to the room.  Something wood, the appropriate scale, and would function as a table but could also be a place to throw one’s feet up.  Thus, I found the table below on an online website called Home Decorators.  The Home Decorators’ magazine came in the mail and I didn’t find much that interested me, but then I checked out their website and stumbled upon this great table.  The table  is constructed of reclaimed wood which speaks to the green movement and that aspect of design which is hot right now.  It has brought an earthy feel to my family room and provided the uniqueness that I felt it was missing.  I have provided a link for the website in the lower right hand corner of my blog – under blogroll.   Happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving

Creating an elegant tablescape for the upcoming holiday does not have to cost a fortune.  I have found similar pieces as to what is shown in the picture above at a fraction of the price.  Purchase items listed below and visit your local farmers market, grocer, or plant store to pick up the gourds.  If you can’t find metallic gourds/pumpkins visit your local arts and crafts store and pick up a can of spray paint.  Guests will be certainly be impressed with your creative table arrangement.  Happy Turkey Day! B2 Designs

West Elm - Simple Hurricanes $19.00 to $39.00

World Market - Metallic Leaf Table Runner $24.99

Crate & Barrel - Set of 4 Stainless Steel Chargers $49.95

Distinctive Decor - Chilewich Placements Black Tuxedo Stripe $19.00

Outdoor spaces, for less

Although summer season is coming to an end, now is the perfect time to purchase furniture and accessories for your outdoor space for less!  Creating an intimate and relaxing outdoor space does not have to cost a fortune.  Preparing for next year by going out and shopping the sales is a great way to save money and be proactive.

Outdoors spaces are normally an after thought, in the back of our mind that we need something but we put it off.  Then that summer bbq or baby shower that you have to throw happens, and you are left scrambling at the last minute to find furniture.  Take my advice, go out and spend 100 dollars and trust me it will be worth it the next time you are having people over.

The pictures below are of my new patio space and it all cost less than 100 dollars.  Granted I don’t own a large patio set that includes a dining table and chairs, but that is why I am telling you to shop now so you can find the deals on those items!