New Decorating Projects Page

Hi friends! Just wanted to share that I added a new page tonight: Decorating Projects.
Check it out:
http://cottagebluedesigns.blogspot.com/p/decorating-projects.html

I plan on updating it all summer long! Become a Cottage Blue Designs: Decorating Blog "follower" and receive updates (see right hand column for "followers"- it is real easy to do).

Thanks for your support!
Happy decorating and living-
Megan
megan@cottagebluedesigns.com

Pop of color in pillows

The "in progress" part of decorating our new home in Raleigh, NC continues. I have a feeling we will be "in progress" for years to come! Today's blog comes from our family room:

You might remember that before we had mostly white pillows on our white sofas in the family room.

I was feeling that the family room had too much white and need more pops of color in the pillows. On Monday while going to the movie theater in Durham to see the cute new cartoon Rio we noticed a Crate and Barrell store next door to the theater. Of course, I needed to go to see if there was anything in the store that I HAD to HAVE. That's a joke! There's a million things in the store I'd love to have! But I did see these porcelain blue velvet pillows (on sale I might add!) that I thought would be perfect in our family room:

I think the warm velvetly fabric and the cool blue color is the perfect compliment to our room. What do you think?

Next project for this room: finding some fun graphic panel curtains to flank (not cover!) the windows. I think that will add an element of interest and warmth to the room.

To Stage or Leave Vacant?

What do you think sells a home faster and for more money?

A staged home or a vacant home?

Check out these staged home photos and vacant home photos from the same home (our old Annandale, VA home).

Leave me a comment and let me know which way looks best to you.

Vacant Living Room:

Staged Living Room:

Vacant Basement:



Staged Basement:

Vacant Bedroom:

Staged Bedroom:



Vacant Dining Room:

Staged Dining Room:

Which do you prefer? Which looks better? Which appeals more to you?

Thanks for your feedback,

Megan