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One Room Challenge Fall 2015 :: The Reveal

November 11, 2015 · Comments { 47 }

It’s here and all I can think of is how quickly the past six weeks have flown by! Today’s the big reveal of my Foyer for the One Room Challenge and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. It’s such a happy space and am thrilled with the result!

formal foyer // one room challenge // @simplifiedbee

As you may know, for the past several weeks I’ve been sharing the whole design process (including all the ups and downs!). In case you’ve miss any and need to catch up, here are the links:

Week One – Foyer Before // Week Two – Wallpaper & Paint // Week Three – Furnishings // Week Four – Lighting // Week Five – Art & Accessories

To refresh your memory and to appreciate the transformation, I’ve included a few before images in combination with the reveal images.

ENTRY BEFORE ::

ENTRY AFTER ::

I love the new black door painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black. It makes such stately entrance to our home. The handsome hanging lantern via Lowes was also a terrific addition. And isn’t the antler doormat by Mark & Graham just perfect?

FOYER & STAIRCASE BEFORE ::

FOYER & STAIRCASE AFTER ::

This is really a happy space. I’m in love with it all. The large-scale feather bloom wallpaper by Celerie Kemble for Schumacher sets the tone immediately. The gorgeous navy lacquer console by oomph is the perfect compliment. I’m also so pleased with the chinoserie chic touches in the fabulous x benches in Clarence Houses Tibet Print, gilded faux bamboo mirror, pair of elegant table lamps and vintage blue & white porcelain bowl housing the cacti & succulents.

As I mentioned in this post, the stair-runner got held up in customs. Unfortunately, it still hasn’t arrived. I’m so bummed not to be able to show you a finished project, but the reality is that sometimes we have no control over these things. It’s a great lesson in patience in this need to have it now society. When it is installed, I will be sure to share it with you! I still love this image because it showcases the lovely scalloped pendant from Bellacor and high-gloss painted ceiling in Farrow & Ball’s Borrowed Light so beautifully!

I also love how the staircase landing turned out. The dyptich artwork through Minted compliments the original door chimes which we modernized by adding a clean-lined teak cover. For texture and to balance the space, I added a small bench covered in a cozy sheepskin rug.

At the top of the stairs, I left the original vintage chandelier – it is so timeless that it didn’t need to be changed out. However, I updated the window valance and have it covered in a beautiful hand-blocked textile from Galbraith & Paul. It’s layered it with a matchstick woven roman shade in white. The adjacent gallery wall filled with Michelle Morin’s whimsical birds and bees is another spot that makes me smile.

One Room Challenge :: Week 3

October 21, 2015 · Comments { 25 }

It’s already week three of the One Room Challenge! If you are dropping by for the first time, here’s the first and second weeks to get you caught up on all the action.

Today I’ll be sharing my process of selecting furniture for the Foyer. The 12′ x 12′ space only has one wall (opposite the front door and approximately 7′ long) that’s suitable for furniture. The question then becomes which pieces and in what configuration? Here are some of the options I considered:

This entry by Erin Gates is beautiful and a chest flanked by upholstered chairs is a great, functional furniture arrangement for an entry. This English Colonial style dresser would have worked however, I didn’t want a visually heavy chest of drawers in the space.

This charming small entry (via Chatelaine) features a clean-lined console table and large baskets to corral shoes. I love the simplicity and functional aspects of the space, however I was seeking more color and upholstered seating.

Benches are also great furniture options for Foyers. I love this tufted bench with polished brass base. Such an elegant look, however I longed for a console table. So I decided on another great furniture arrangement for our entry.

This entry designed by Tami Ramsey has a similar furniture arrangement I was looking for. A chic console and a pair of upholstered benches that could be tucked under. I love the chinoiserie touches here too!

oomph console tables // one room challenge // www.simplifiedbee.com

With the furniture arrangement set, I immediately thought of one company that creates the most amazing custom furniture, unique lighting and in particular gorgeous console tables: oomph. Their signature traditional, with a twist style was just what I was envisioning for the foyer. With several beautiful styles, 16+ colors and intriguing surfaces to choose from, I selected the stately Fenwick console in club navy with a linen surface. And I LOVE it. And a huge thank you to oomph for their support and sponsorship!

From there I selected a fabric for the pair of X benches. I’ve had my eye on Clarence Houses’ Tibet Print for some time. It’s exotic, playful and in pale blue picked up on all the right shades for the Foyer. The textile was purchased through ORC sponsor, DecoratorsBest – a go to destination for over 200,000 designer fabrics, wallpaper, trim, pillows and rugs at fantastic prices. LivenUPdesign (via Etsy) created the X benches in just the right dimensions to fit under the console table. They centered the tiger perfectly on the tops of each bench and were so lovely to work with.

I love mirrors in entryways (they are practical and can add light to the space) and knew that I wanted to place a large one over the console table. Because I’d selected so many pieces in shades of blue, I wanted the mirror to be different. After considering tons of options through ORC sponsor Bassett Mirror (fabulous selection of lamps, mirrors and furnishings at great price points!), I selected the Sloan mirror (above). It’s rectangle shape wouldn’t compete with the wallpaper pattern like a round mirror would. I also loved the gilded faux-bamboo finish – a chic chinoiserie touch.

Here’s a look these and some other selections for the Foyer all together:

Selections for the Foyer and why:

gilded faux-bamboo mirror – because I love an entry with a mirror and love for bamboo

chinoiserie table lamp – because of their chinoiserie style and deep navy color (I’ll go into more detail regarding lighting next week!)

fenwick console table – because of it’s scale, neo-traditional style, durable lacquer finish and custom options

clarence house tibet print in pale blue – because it’s a chic, yet playful chinoiserie print in all the right shades of blue perfect to liven up the X benches

diamond natural fiber rug – because the space needed a neutral, warm element without a busy pattern

celerie kemble bloom wallpaper – for all the reasons mentioned in this post 🙂

I hope you’ll check back next week to see more progress! In the meantime, don’t forget to drop by to see what the other ORC participants are up to. There are so many incredible projects in this group!

Apartment 34 | Arianna Belle | Because It’s Awesome | Coco+Kelley | Design Darling

Design Indulgence | Design Manifest | Christine Dovey | The English Room | Vanessa Frances

Hi Sugarplum | Honey We’re Home | Jojotastic | The Pink Clutch | The Pink Pagoda

Style Your Senses | A Thoughtful Place | Kimberly Whitman | The Zhush

TM by CIH

Read full story By Cristin on October 21, 2015 in chinoiserie, console tables, etsy, foyers, furniture, interior design, Interiors, mirrors, tables, textiles, upholstery

Friday Finds :: Spring Decor for the Home

March 20, 2015 · Comments { 0 }

disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means Simplified Bee receives commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Hello spring! Blooming trees, longer days and warmer weather. What’s not to love about this season? It’s also the perfect time to refresh your home with new home accessories. Don’t over think it – it can be as easy as adding a live plant, chic lighting fixture or fresh throw pillow. I’ve pulled together some eye-catching spring decor for the home that you just might love too!

product links:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

happy friday!

cristin

*first image via Real Simple

Read full story By Cristin on March 20, 2015 in chinoiserie, Features, friday find, Friday Finds, healthy home, home accessories, lighting, throw pillows

Color Crush :: True Blue

February 25, 2015 · Comments { 1 }

disclosure: This post contains an affiliate links, which means Simplified Bee receives commission if you make a purchase using these links.

This elegant blue and white table vignette for Legends of la Cienega 2014 designed by Mark D. Sikes struck a cord with me. I’m drawn to the layered patterns, chinoiserie touches and brilliant blues. The timeless color palette is on trend again and here are a few home décor favorites I’ve spotted recently: