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Dome Pendant Light Trend + Houzz Feature

March 31, 2014 · Comments { 0 }

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

white dome light over table

Large dome pendant lights. They are being used more and more throughout the home including in dining rooms, kitchens and even bedrooms. The sleek, clean design had definitely increased in popularity and was the topic of an article recently written by Mary Jo Bowling on Houzz. I was thrilled to have my little breakfast nook (below) featured and talk about the design trend too! Here’s one quote taken from the article.

Dome pendant lights more understated than some over-the-top or frilly fixtures and they are kind of like the little black dresses of design, in that they can be dressed up or down to go with anything. – Cristin Bisbee Priest via Houzz

I often get asked who made the dome pendant in our nook. It was by Arteriors, but has been discontinued. If you are searching for something similar though, this chrome dome pendant light is a good alternative.

happy decorating,

cristin

*first image via Noe

Read full story By Cristin on March 31, 2014 in breakfast nooks, design trends, Features, houzz, Interiors, interview, Kitchen, lighting, simplified bee portfolio

Design Reveal :: Blue and Orange Boys Bedroom

January 30, 2014 · Comments { 2 }

I’m thrilled to be sharing a peek into a boy’s bedroom I designed for a client’s son. Even though my client, Suzanne (also a friend and fabulous lifestyle photographer) lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, she choose my virtual design services. This gave her the design direction she was looking for, but the ability to purchase items herself and at her own pace.

Suzanne envisioned a “big boy” room that her son would enjoy now and through his teenage years. One way we achieved this was to select a neutral wall color – Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter. It’s a warm gray that gives the room a fresh, modern feel. While the rug, window treatments, furnishings and bedding pull traditional hues of blue and orange perfect for a boy any age.

To get a full appreciation for the transformation, I’ve included a look at the room before (below). There are actually two images – one of when it was a yellow nursery and the other more recent for the toddler years (although the paint color had already been changed for the new design).

boys bedroom before - simplified bee

boys bedroom - orange bedding - simplified bee

My client’s son loves his new “big boy room.” The desk with locker-style drawers is his favorite – it’s just plain cool. On the other hand, I love the dark brown dresser with contrasting white pulls and the custom photo canvas above. The photograph taken by Suzanne of her son adds a pop of color and a personal touch to the space. Love!

If you are interested in the products used in this design, some of them are listed below… get the look

How does Simplified Bee’s Virtual Design work? Step one is to answer a detailed questionnaire that narrows down the client’s vision, style and budget. Next after a scheduled phone call and consultation with the homeowner, I will create a design delivered digitally that includes mood board(s), floor-plan(s), paint colors, budget/shopping tool, detailed product info and any additional instructions the client will need to finish the room. The client then has the opportunity make the design come to life by purchasing items directly from the shopping list and at their own pace. For more information and pricing, please contact me!

Happy decorating!

Cristin

*photo credit Suzanne O’Brien Studio

Read full story By Cristin on January 30, 2014 in baby and children, Bedroom, bedrooms, beds, bookshelves, Boy, boy's bedroom, color, interior design, Interiors, lighting, simplified bee portfolio, teen rooms, traditional, window treatments

My Office + Organized Home Office Products

January 21, 2014 · Comments { 16 }

Once you get on an organizing roll, it’s hard to stop (at least for me!) After organizing my desk, it motivated me to tackle my bookcases in my home office. They really weren’t bad, but needed to be streamlined and I wanted them to have a refreshed look. To help me reach my goal, the folks at See Jane Work at Office Depot asked me to select items from their new collection. Combining fresh style and organization, the See Jane Work collection offers super stylish office accessories in a variety of fun patterns (chevron, herringbone, stripes florals, and more) and color palettes (aqua blue, shades of pink, black, white, and more). They are perfect for mixing and matching. Best yet, they are really affordable!

To coordinate with items I already owned, I selected items from the See Jane Work Collection in hues of aqua and white. To corral my kids artwork and over-sized school papers, I picked at a pair of decorative art boxes. I love them. They have an overlapping magnetic lid closure which is really slick! I also added a few white magazine files to conceal mismatched file folders, shelter magazines and home decor catalogs. Adding pops of white can help a space look fresh, airy and modern.

stylish home office storage // simplified bee

To keep my active product samples easy to get to, I selected a fabric bin with fun grommet handles and herringbone detail inside.

home office storage ideas // www.simplifiedbee.com

My client projects are organized using binders. When I spotted the herringbone in blue, I knew they’d work with my shelf and company’s image. Next to the binders, I placed a series of white decorative storage boxes. They are now used to organize my fabric samples by color.

I can’t tell you how many readers say, “I saw a hexagon or honeycomb pattern and thought of Simplified Bee.” As a nod to the shape, I added a new art print and placed it next to a current fave – succulents.

I also picked up this darling “Be Brave” print as a reminder that God is with me at all times.

I love my “new” bookcase! What’s your favorite element?

Happy organizing,

Cristin

*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Office Depot, although all opinions are my own.

Read full story By Cristin on January 21, 2014 in bookshelves, Decluttering, decorating small spaces, etsy, home accessories, home organization, interior design, Interiors, office supplies, office/study, organization tips, Organizational tips, Paperwork, simplified bee portfolio, storage, Tips/Tricks

Design Reveal :: California Casual Chic Living Room

January 6, 2014 · Comments { 8 }

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

Open to the kitchen with a view of the backyard, my client envisioned a casual retreat that could stand up to all the kids’ play, yet still be chic. The result is an inviting, kid-friendly space that incorporates a fresh twist on traditional, mixes the old with new and features worldly accents. I’m thrilled to give you a tour of this California casual chic living room.

California casual-chic interior design - simplified bee

The color palette, of blues and gold was predetermined by the room’s wall color and roman shades. A pair of existing skirted sofas were reupholstered in woven golden fabric – although still a tailored look, they have a warm beachy feel. The seating area is anchored by a steel blue rug with a fresh pattern inspired by ancient Aztec tile.

A demilune table found at a local consignment store was placed behind the sofa and is flanked by a pair of elegant Rococo style chairs. The heirloom antique chairs were reupholstered in the beautiful Sinhala Linen (stone) by Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Schumacher. The traditional tree of life pattern really complements the chair’s ornate pierced splat back and curvy cabriole legs.

Between the sofas I placed a Moroccan inspired octagonal side table topped with a beautiful brass ring lamp, turquoise foo dog and a succulent that brings the outside in. The sofas’ custom throw pillows in Sikar Embroidery (flax) also by Martyn Lawrence Bullard features an exotic ikat pattern that pulls together the color palette beautifully.