Blue & Orange Inspirations

Hi friends,
You probably know that I love love love the color blue. I had a recent post dedicated to my love of blue. Oh blue, how I love you!

http://cottagebluedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/oh-blue-how-i-love-you-how-you-inspire.html


Now orange is on a whole another color plane for me. Actually, I don't think about orange or even consider orange as an option. But, something about orange is making my design tendancies stir. I did pick up some orange clothing at JCrew recently which was totally out of character for me (it felt great to try something really different- they're my favorite pieces right now).

Maybe it has something to do with the fall  I see outside my windows or the orange pumpkins abound everywhere. Did I mention that my new neighborhood is crazy about decorating for Halloween? (I should do a post on all of my neighbor's houses- it's crazy!).

I've been thinking a lot about orange right now. I am feeling very inspired with orange paired with my friend blue. How about you?

I do remember teaching my second graders that blue and orange have a very special relationship: they are complimentary colors meaning that they are directly across from each other on the color wheel. Designers will tell you that using complimentary colors is a good thing to do.

I am feeling very inspired, how about you?

I think this one below is my favorite because of the white and blue neutral backdrop. I could see adding the pops of orange seasonally:

I am thinking about how to spice up my home for the season with a little pop or two of orange. I'll share what I come up with this week. How about you?

Happy decorating & living,
Megan

Updated: Master Bedroom

Hi friends,
I wanted to share what I've been up to in our master bedroom. You might remember that it's been a pretty Plain Jane Blank Canvas since we moved into our new home in April. It's S-L-O-W-L-Y getting a make-over (Say it like it is: it takes cashola to make these changes and money doesn't grow on trees but oh, how I wish it did!).

Here was the Room Make-Over Design Plan that I created for this boring Master Bedroom this summer:

Here's the Blank Slate that we started with, Before:

In Progress:


I've recently made two additions to the room that I wanted to share with you:

• bamboo blinds
• new small rattan table by reading chair

Do you like the table with the small linen cloth on it or no cloth?

By the way, I picked up this sweet rattan white table at the local Goodwill store for twenty bucks! What a find! I thought it was perfect for the space! With all of the right angles in the room and in some of the furniture, I wanted a curving round piece to break up the straight lines. The headboard also has nice curves.



I still want to purchase some pretty blue/white striped panel curtains for the windows to add another layer of warmth and texture to this large room. I also really want to add some cool artwork (though I have no idea what!) to the very blank wall by the dresser.

Check out this sweet colored pencil sketch that my husband's cousin, Brooke, did of our children. Isn't it amazing?

I also wanted to share two terrific magazines that are out right now. I keep rereading them in my Master Bedroom reading chair because they're that good!

• Brand New first edition of HGTV magazine
• Coastal Living's special edition: Our Best Make-Overs

I am finding that I am starting to love this room. My favorite time is when I'm home midday when the sun is shining through the windows- perfect time to curl up in white slipcovered chair and read my latest book on my Kindle.

I am hoping to wrap up the decorating for this room soon (new blue/white striped curtains and additional artwork) because there are many, many other rooms upstairs in our home that need work (master bathroom, daughter's bedroom, son's bedroom, husband's office, and bonus room). Whew! I better get back to work and make some money to help pay for some of these changes!

Happy decorating & living to you,
Megan