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Friday Find: New Serena & Lily Bedding and Home Decor

January 8, 2010 · Comments { 14 }

Serena & Lily have done it again. Their new bedding collections and home furnishings are exquisite. And there is a little something for everyone – adults, children and babies too. Take a look. You’re going to like what you see.

Clean and crisp! Serena & Lily’s Catalina Duvet and Euro Shams feature a bold medallion scarf print in blue and white – a timeless look. The bedding is beautifully paired with simple Navy Color Band Shams.

The vibrant Pimento French Ring Sheet Set provides a wonderful contrast against the calming blue and white Catalina bedding.

The new Freida Collection for girls is full of color and life. The white duvet with green, pink and orange floral design has a modern feel that balances the room’s ethnic touches. This delightful bedding looks stunning paired with the red headboard and pink painted flooring.

The Chai Nesting Tables at $369 are my favorite. These vibrant hand-painted tables look great in the little girl’s room above, but would add a bit of whimsy to any room.

The new Marlo Nursery bedding is part of Serena & Lily’s exquisite Heirloom Collection. Inspired by traditional Mexican folk art, the silky embroidery and nature motif would be delightful for a baby girl or boy. The flat-style bumper is embroidered on both sides with white ties and a zippered slipcover that removes easily for washing. Simply gorgeous!

The Mini Haitian Drum Lamp is handmade from recycled materials by artisans in Haiti and sells for $329. This beautifully tactile papier-mâché lamp has a hollow core {keeping it nice and light}, a white linen shade and rustic blown-glass finial. I could see this versatile lamp in almost every room of the house!

Be sure to check out what else is new at Serena & Lily. Do you have a favorite?

Read full story By Cristin on January 8, 2010 in baby nursery room, bedrooms, friday find, interior design

Welcome 2010 and Favorite Posts of 2009

January 4, 2010 · Comments { 17 }

Happy new year! 2010 is here – can you believe it? In May of 2009, I sat at my computer and wrote my first post {thinking it just might be my last}. I knew very little about blogging and the blogging world. After a few posts and some nice comments from readers, I was hooked. This post will be my 150th.

One area of blogging I have enjoyed {surprisingly} is “meeting” other bloggers that share a similar passion for interior design. It’s a welcoming community, full of very talented people that continue to inspire me daily. Here’s a look back at some of my favorite posts of 2009 by fellow bloggers.

Things That Inspire made me connect the dots between house and garden in the post, Vanishing Threshold. Thoughtfully and beautifully written {as always}. Love this blog.

This tranquil master suite by husband-wife team, Brooke and Steve Giannetti is one of my favorite bedroom designs this year. Brooke {sweet as can be} takes us through the design process on her beautiful blog, Velvet & Linen.

In A Test of Time by Laura Casey Interiors, a talented interior designer and blogger shares her list of furnishings that will stand the test of time. Laura has a great sense of style. Reading her blog is a treat.

I have always been a fan of painting the backs of bookcases. Centsational Girl’s post on Bookcase Style showcases lovely examples of bookshelves decorated with paint or wallpaper. This blog is full of inspiration.

Janell at Isabella & Max Rooms designed this beautiful bedroom for her little girl. Isn’t it gorgeous? Throughout the year Janell shared her design process, several DIY projects and of course the room’s completed look. Worth a visit to her lovely blog.

Talented designer and blogger, Joni at Cote de Texas shares her top ten design elements. Number two {behind linen} is the versatile slipcover. She has me {a mom of two young ones} sold. I prefer the more tailored version as shown in the living room image above.

Wallpaper is back and better than ever! Maria Killam {designer & color expert} of Colour Me Happy wrote a great post on things you need to know before buying wallpaper.

Need some sunshine? Odi et Amo {attorney by day, designer by night and talented writer} takes us on a virtual vacation to Palm Springs and tours the home of Kansas-based designer David Jimenez. Get ready to swoon.

Oh boy! Lauren at Pure Style Home {fellow mom & creative designer} unveils her new toddler’s room. It’s darling. Love the vintage wallpaper lion taking a walk over the chalkboard paint hill!

There are so many other posts I enjoyed reading in 2009. The lovely blogs listed under “buzzing blogs” are my daily reads and current favorites. Please check them out. Definitely worth the time.

If you have areas of design or organization you’d like me to cover in 2010, just drop me an email – simplifiedbee {@} yahoo {dot} com.

Thanks for reading Simplified Bee and happy 2010!!!

Read full story By Cristin on January 4, 2010 in interior design

Winter White Interior Design & The Snow Man

December 21, 2009 · Comments { 13 }

The Snow Man

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

~ Wallace Stevens

* images courtesy of Veranda, House Beautiful and Simplified Bee

Read full story By Cristin on December 21, 2009 in color, interior design

Tribute to Turquoise – 2010 Pantone Color of the Year

December 18, 2009 · Comments { 15 }

Three cheers for turquoise! Pantone 15-5519 {aka turquoise} was recently declared the 2010 color of the year – here’s the press release.

{turquoise jewelry via Veranda}

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

To celebrate the news, here are a few images showcasing my favorite color, turquoise. And a big thank you to fellow blogger and turquoise lover, Erin from House of Turquoise for her endless inspiration.