CHRISTMAS IS COMING.....

RUSTIC / ROUGH LUXE

If you've been paying attention, you've noticed that Christmas is taking on a  rustic flair.  It started out small, with burlap, and birch bark and forest friends on the tree, but this year its an explosion of rustic and rough luxe cabin style.

the more pine cones, the better

rustic natural style in greens and arrangements

forest themes - owls, foxes, squirrels, bears, coyotes....

deer and birds

add a little shine here and there

some birch bark, twigs or grapevine

 If your mantle is too narrow, take the rustic up and over....

Pheasant feathers and antlers are welcome

tinsel and mercury glass to play opposites

Whether you try for a smidge of the rustic, or completely immerse yourself, here are some ideas sure to inspire you!  This year blackboards are interpreted into pillows, ornaments and signs.  Fabrics are rustic burlap and linen, or lush faux furs...

faux blackboard pillow

rustic Christmas carol sign

rustic rough luxe lodge style

faux fur tree skirts

faux fur is big this season

NEED one for my tree....

Pottery Barn 

and this...

Rustic loves a smattering of plaid

and burlap and linen

and owls - don't forget the owls...

Pottery Barn

Its amazing how elegant a twig can be...

or a simple cascade of greens

check out my pinterest board (Christmas : Rustic) to find out how to make these simple wood burned ornaments

don't forget the shiny and the glitter

to make it magical

too serious?  cover it in paper mache' ...

its up to you how rustic or rough luxe you take it...

 add a lot - or a little rustic to your Christmas

You're the boss!

BOO TO YOU! [AND REPAINTING A KITCHEN]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I know I'm a couple of days early, but I just had to share the wreath I made today  -

I love him so much!   I put it together with stuff I already had.... click here to see how...

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QUESTION FROM A READER:

Hello and thank you! 

I plan to repaint my kitchen. It's a north-facing room with pickled maple cabnets (pinkish). I'm trying to diminish the look of the 1990's cabinets and modernize the appearance of the kitchen with new stainless steel appliances as well. Budget does not allow painting the cabinets. Granite counters are Dakota Mahogany with rose/peach hues and tile floor is brownish-orange (kind of Tuscan-looking). I'm hoping to create an airy, lighter looking kitchen with a neutral color. I don't have a backsplash, but if I install one, it would probably be travertine subway tile in cream/beige/white.

Thanks for your ideas! Your work is wonderful!

Sounds like you are stuck with some orangey/peachy/rose hues - so naturally I am going to tell you to go with gray.  Gray looks amazing with a lot of colors, in fact nearly all of them, and orangey/peachy/rose is no exception.  It will also achieve the 'modernize the appearance' part of the equation.

You will want to use a nice saturated tone of gray - strong enough to become the dominant color in the room so that your peach and rose tones become less dominant. 

Here are a couple of grays to try from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.  Grays are soft, calm, and will cool down all those warm hues you have.  If you have good light in your kitchen you can go with a deeper hue.

Sherwin Williams AGREEABLE GRAY

Benjamin Moore ROCKPORT GRAY

Benjamin Moore SAN ANTONIO GRAY

Sherwin Williams DORIAN GRAY

Sherwin Williams DOVETAIL

Good Luck!!!!