Window Shopping

We have been talking a lot about inspiration this past week so I would be remiss in not mentioning one place which incites my creativity like no other. Anthropologie. If you have never been to this retail store or at least never walked in to it, you are missing out. Their stunning award winning window displays are just a peak into what they have in store for you inside. The style of the store is everything from vintage antiques to modern industrial but even if you are not into that you can appreciate their mastery of display, their use of recycled products and repurposing of items. From cardboard animal trophy heads, to paperclip or yarn chandeliers, to polar bears made completely with shredded paper, no item is off limits. It makes me want to save everything. What can I do with these used tomato soup cans or these empty rolls of toilet paper? I think their "elves" could make the Taj Mahal out of those things. I have seen them take plastic water bottles and make them look like a blown glass floral vine reminiscent of Chihuly himself.

Creating Atmosphere Through Lighting

In order to create a successful room, you have to create atmosphere. One way to do that is through lighting. 

allthroughthelookingglass.tumblr.com

To get the best effect with lighting, use a combination of lights including overhead, lamp light, sconces and candles.

Where to Start?

Where to start? Get inspired!

Some of my inspirations: 



fabric

fresh flowers

lighting

places I love

color



beautiful objects

local flavor

I'm finding that starting a blog is a lot like decorating. One of the most difficult things is your starting point. If you're like me you like a lot of different styles and it's hard to pick just one. At the start of a project, I feel like a kid in a candy store especially with an empty canvas/room. Sometimes you just have to go for it. So here goes...

Put simply, I believe the best way to start a project is to get inspiration. You might get this from a picture in a magazine, an object that's special to you or maybe even a fabric or color that you just love or that speaks to you. Next, you need to know how a room functions and plan accordingly. This might seem obvious but if you really start thinking about it, function determines not only the items in the room but the layout and the scale of everything in it. If you start with those two things, the rest of the room should come together.

Some do's and don'ts of starting a project: DON'T feel like you have to do everything all at once.(I should take my own advice here.)Feeling like this can be so overwhelming that you might not even start. I love rooms that look like they have evolved over time. This does not mean ,however, that you don't need a plan. The worst mistakes that people make are buying things on impulse or buying things because they are a great deal. If you buy something make sure it not only goes with your plan but that you will love it for YEARS to come! To help with this, before you go shopping, have a list of items that you need with measurements and NEVER leave home without a tape measure! (or paint and fabric samples for that matter.)

Over the next few weeks I'd like to show some DIY projects and redecorating that I've done in my own home to hopefully give some inspiration if you're having trouble with that starting off point yourself. Of course, I'm not really sure where to start with that either but I'll save that problem for tomorrow. Yes, just call me Scarlett.