Supernatural Botanicals

   One of the best things about summer is having the opportunity to bring the outdoors in.  Old fashioned garden roses are easy to grow, and look amazing in vases all over your home.  Romantic, beautiful, and girly, garden roses can kick up your summer decor in seconds.  

To maintain the look:   Try to choose buds that have not completely bloomed out. This is especially true for roses and other flower blossoms with many layers of petals.  If arranged properly, a flower will continue to bloom a bit after you put it in the vase.  Choose roses that have just started to open, and you will be able to watch them unfold for up to two weeks, instead of just a couple of days.

For more interior design ideas, visit my friend Julia at Hooked on Houses.

So it’s Friday, and I like to talk about interior design on Fridays because it gives me an opportunity to (A) talk about one of my favorite subjects, and (B) it allows me to connect with my friend Julia over at Hooked On Houses. Love her blog!

In every home I’ve ever lived in, I’ve loved leaving my mark on it from a design standpoint.  Settling into my new-ish home of three years, I’ve definitely transformed it to where the previous owners wouldn’t even recognize it.

I was so excited about this new home because there were so many areas that had such huge potential to be developed into something fantastic.  I love creating those spaces, finding niche areas in your home and turning them into a favorite place to be.  Since working out is my thing (could you tell?), I was super excited to create a home gym.  Between my design and my carpenter’s expertise, we created one of the haven’s in my house…my home gym!

Previously, this was a basement with no walls and concrete floors.  We (okay, the carpenter) installed dry wall, lighting, and a rubberized floor…which made me a very happy girl!  It’s truly one of my favorite places to be.  It’s a guy’s gym, it’s a girl’s gym, and even the kids love playing on the stability balls on the padded floor in the gym.

I’ve even grown to love the elliptical machine.  Although my favorite cardio still remains step aerobics, dance, hip hop dance, etc., I’ve grown to appreciate the old ellip.

So welcome to one of the favorite spots in my house!  It’s a major stress-free zone, and you know you are going to leave this room looking better than when you entered it.  For that reason alone, you have to love it!

     And from the drop-dead-gorgeous files, we have the Tuscany Bramasole bed.  (think Bramasole villa in Under The Tuscan Sun.)  This is luxury bedding at its finest (a favorite indulgence of mine.)    How could you leave this room?  Ever?  Gorgeousness!  A total sanctuary. 

I mean, it’s completely unattainable to recreate.  Unless you are sharing your room with a really great carpenter, you are probably not going to achieve ceilings this high or columns and wall architecture this intricate.  I think I could do my best DIY project and recreate this room somewhat, but that ceiling height is untouchable.   I’m loving those argyle columns at the top.  Very chic.

It’s a great look to steal.  Rich, buttery hues of golds and yellows against the deep dark finish of the bed…perfection.  The khaki bedding works well with the overall hues, as opposed to fighting them with patterns or opposing color combinations.  I’m against the rug, however.  Upon first glance, I see Santa Fe.  I need something more Italian and less New Mexico.  The colors work, the pattern does not, in my opinion.  I’d like to see a longer fibered, softer, more luxurious rug.  Bedrooms need a soft place for your feet, espeically if you have hardwood or tile as the main flooring.  A rug is also a great way to update a room and make it feel completely different in one step.   

If you adore interior design and houses, you’ll love my friend, Julia’s, blog, Hooked on Houses.  Such a great blog.  Check out her Dali Wall Decals today.