Archive | simplified bee portfolio RSS feed for this section

Our Elegant {and even glamorous} Christmas Mantel

elegant chic christmas mantel decor
Last year our holiday mantel was decorated asymmetrical with lots of color, vintage ornaments and traditional fir & pine garland. As you can see, this year’s Christmas mantel is symmetrical, monochromatic and frankly more elegant. The Lee Industry arm chairs in chartreuse flanking the fireplace inspired the mantel’s color palette of greens and whites with splashes of gold and silver.
  
chic mini trees christmas mantel design
A trio of etched mercury cachepots from Pottery Barn are filled with crisp white feathers and playful white winter berries. A small collection of vintage and contemporary Christmas trees are set just off center and each pick up different colors in the palette {actually used these cuties last year}.
white silver green christmas mantel decor simplified bee
For a more formal look, a pair of small live fir trees are placed on either side of the mantel. Each tree is set in beautiful birch wrapped tins – this earthy element balances the sparkling silvers and glass and adds a warming neutral color that compliment the winter berries. Matching blown glass mercury candlesticks {Pottery Barn} hold chunky white candles and are placed next to each tree. The entire mantel is lined with fresh Heather and Camilla tree branches – love the varying textures and shades of green.
white winter berries snowman christmas mantel
Perched on a small present, a silvery white snowman ornament adds a whimsical touch.
silver green christmas mantel decor
Simple, low-maintenance moss balls are placed on a silver “trophies” picked up at an estate sale. I was told they were originally used to place cigarettes. Really? They look much better in this form I think.
metallic glass ornament wreath diy silver gold
Hanging from the hammered tin mirror is a glass ornament wreath inspired by Eddie Ross’ in 2008. This was a fun DIY project and easy to do. The glass ornaments are a combination of ones found at an estate sale {vintage for $1} and Goodwill {$1 for two dozen – brand new}. Here is the how to by Eddie.
chic christmas horse decor and stockings
A proud white ceramic horse stands stately atop vintage Lucite nesting tables and favorite design books. It’s fun to take everyday home décor items like this and make them holiday ready by simply adding a little festive ribbon and tinsel. A chic Moroccan inspired print fabric is added to crushed avocado green velvet stockings. The pair are hang from a single panel fireplace  screen – love how the patterns in the screen and stocking play off one another. Swags of silver tinsel are added to the mantel for a touch of glam.
Need some more inspiration? Go here are fabulous ideas on how to decorate your mantel for the holidays.

Happy Decorating, Happy Holidays!


* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Read full story By on November 30, 2010 in Christmas, DIY, Holiday, holiday decor, home accessories, mantels, simplified bee portfolio

My Casual Chic Thanksgiving Table

Before I head back into the kitchen, I wanted to share some glimpses of our casual chic Thanksgiving table this year. In the images the table is set for four, but tomorrow it will be extended to seat a few more guests.

 

Contemporary patterns in greens, blues and browns are mixed and play off the Italian China. The yarn turkey place cards were made a few weeks back. I love how they look on the napkin by Pomegranate.
A gilded pheasant figurine, collection of colorful gourds and chartreuse vintage hobnail glass vase with white baby roses make fun centerpiece.

 

The pheasant figurine was found at a local consignment store for $12. I spray painted it gold – thank you Mr. Eddie Ross for the inspiration!

william arthur ward appreciation quote

Thanks for reading Simplified Bee! Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!
* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Read full story By on November 25, 2010 in DIY, Entertaining, holiday decor, simplified bee portfolio, Thanksgiving

Baby Bird and Spring Green Meadow Gender Neutral Nursery

Recently I had the pleasure of designing an inspiration board for a client expecting her first baby this Spring. The whole design process was done virtually {over email}. The mommy-to-be wanted help pulling together a gender neutral nursery room that wasn’t too cutesy or babyish {sorry Winnie-the-Pooh}.

Along with a completed questionnaire, my client emailed a few photos of the room and items that she would like to incorporate in the design. One item was a sweet yellow and green silk pillow with a darling silver bird. She also wanted to include a dark wood armoire, white traditional crib and a vintage chandelier she had bought at an auction. From this starting point, I created a nursery room inspired by nature and a springtime meadow. It has a beautiful shades of green, yellow and hints of gray silver. Here is a look at the main inspiration board and the list of vendors:

1. Oilo Modern Berries Crib Set available at Fawn & Forest and Polka Dot Peacock – $399; 2. Green & White Striped Curtains by Custom House Baby – price varies; 3. Benjamin Moore Celadon Green 2028-60; 4.Reversible Organizer Fabric Bin Basket by Baffin Bags (Sage Green White Damask) – $18 each; 5. Modern Meadow – Wall Pattern Vinyl Decal Sticker Art (silver or olive martini) – $62; 6. Jellybean’s Bird Watching – $15; 7. Love Birds Hand Painted Canvas – Posh Tots (green) / Framed dimensions are 24″ x 28″ – $95; 8. Bird Mobile (felt) by Eleni Creative – $80; 9. West Elm’s Pouf in Dhurrie, Platinum/Ivory Octagon Print – $199; 10. Hand-woven Shag Solo Honey White Rug (4′ x 6′) from Overstock.com – $130.99.

Patterned after the red currant berries that dot the Norwegian highlands, Oilo’s modern berry line was the first crib bedding I was drawn to for the nursery. It’s simplicity, color and modern style were elements my client was looking for.

For the room’s two large windows, I suggested floor length tab curtains in a green & white stripe. This vertical stripe would be a nice repeat of the stripe pattern in the fitted crib sheet and make the room feel taller. For the walls, the mommy-to-be wanted a wall decal. Again, I searched for something not too cutesy and found the “Modern Meadow” wall decal found on Etsy. I recommended the decal be in an accent color of silver or a darker shade of green to allow for a contrast with the suggested wall color: Benjamin Moore’s Celadon Green.

My client also had an over sized upholstered armchair she was going to convert into a gilder {love this idea!}. As a footstool or small ottoman, I suggested West Elm’s pouf in platinum & ivory octagon print. I thought with time too, this would be a fun little seat for when the baby reached toddlerhood.

A sweet felt bird mobile from Etsy store, Eleni Creative adds just a touch of whimsy to the nursery and picks up on silver and yellow accent colors beautifully. It also pulls in the bird and meadow theme without going overboard.

A 4′ X 6′ hand-woven white shag rug was selected to cover the hardwood floors and add texture to the nursery room. It was found on overstock.com for a great price – $130!

To keep baby’s toys, board books and diapering products organized, I found {also on Etsy at Baffin Bags!} this reversible bin in a chic sage green and white damask pattern.

For the walls, I suggested colorful artwork that again played on the bird and meadow theme. This one from Etsy by Jellybean called “Bird Watching” and thought it was also fun because the homeowners have several cats. I recommended hanging this print with two other prints from the same artist’s collection.

It was a delight to help my client pull together her first nursery. My client loves the bird mobile. What do you love?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Read full story By on March 3, 2010 in baby and children, baby nursery room, simplified bee portfolio

Frog Prince Nursery Room Decorating Ideas

Recently I took my oldest daughter to see Disney’s The Princess and A Frog. What a darling story – we gave it two thumbs up!

This delightful movie and a sweet email from a Simplified Bee reader encouraging me to design another nursery room, spurred me to create this inspiration board with a little green friend in mind. It was created for a little boy-to-be {frog prince}, but could be easily adjusted for a baby girl {frog princess}.

frog prince nursery room

1. Good Boy Potion Custom Canvas, 2. White Elegance™ Round Baby Bassinet with Sage Toile Bedding, 3. Froggy Fisherman Chandelier, 4. Hayes Glider, 5. Freddie Gone Fishing Storage Bin, 6. Avery Rug, 7. Green Tree Frog Fan Pull, 8. Frog Prince Plush Toy, 9. Hand Painted Knob.

Spruce up a vintage dresser or flea market find with a coat of fresh paint. For this froggy nursery, I recommend Benjamin Moore’s Spring Meadow. It would add just the right punch of color to the room.

Personalized artwork is a wonderful investment. This Limited Edition Green Frog Serenade Wall Hanging would add the perfect touch of whimsy to any froggy nursery. It’s available only through Posh Tots.

 

*images courtesy of Posh Tots and Country Living

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Read full story By on January 11, 2010 in baby and children, baby nursery room, interior design, simplified bee portfolio