Louisiana Gulf Coastal Style

Louisiana Gulf Coastal style is a superlative design style for all seasons, but it seems to shine brightest in the summer style spotlight.

1778 Gulf Coast

Decor style displayed throughout your home is a 365 day a year love your style affair, but at certain times of the calendar year the appeal of a particular decor style is heightened.

Brown_Pelican3The Brown Pelican – The Official State Bird of Louisiana

American White Pelican Artwork by John James Audubon

American White Pelican Artwork by John James Audubon

Scenes from home illustrate Louisiana is a mixed bag of decor styles, dishes, and dialects.

Our rich and diverse history replete with Spanish and French influences reflects in regional design and architectural features such as flat-tiled roofs, stucco façades, and coastal into tropical color palettes.

Oyster-shuckLouisiana Cookin’

Food is more form than function with fresh Gulf seafood being a house specialty for all seasons.

Baked Oysters with Gremolata

Baked Oysters with Gremolata

Matte White Round Stoneware Oyster Platter

Matte White Round Stoneware Oyster Platter

Vintage Found Hotel Silver Appetizer Forks - Set of 4

J.P. LIMOGES FRANCe antique 1902 rimmed soup salad pasta bowls

J.P. Limoges France Rimmed Soup-Salad-Pasta Bowls

Welcoming_beach,_Louisiana

Louisiana Gulf coastal style is rooted in Victorian, Acadian, Creole, French, Spanish and European influences.

gold-scalloped-rim-glass-plate

Gold Scalloped Rim Glass Plate

Antique German Fish Plates Set Of 8, Dinner Fish Plates

Antique German Fish Plates Set Of 8, Dinner Fish Plates

Chinoiserie style oyster pineapple wall hanging sign door hanging

Chinoiserie Style Oyster Pineapple Wall /Door Hanging

Custom Oyster Shell NOAA Chart

Custom Oyster Shell NOAA Chart

Silver Aluminum Coastal Serving Bowl

Silver Aluminum Coastal Serving Bowl

shrimp-salad-recipeShrimp Salad Recipe

seafood-cocktail-pickle-olive-sterling-silver-forks

Design and decor treasure troves include John James Audubon prints, oyster and turtle shells, and eclectic objets d’art of beach and bayou.

Louisiana Gulf coastal style

Sharing a common foundation with its traditional coastal design style counterpart, Louisiana Gulf coastal style blurs the lines with a seasoned twist of laissez le bon temps interpretation.

Louisiana Gulf Coast scene

Embellishing pieces in order to create a custom look is a Gulf Coast breeze.

Instant and affordable, simply replace existing cabinet hardware with decorative cabinet knobs rich with Gulf Coast style overtones.

green-cabinet-door-hardware

 Greg Natale

You’ll be amazed at how fast a piece goes from to plain to pizzazz with the addition of new cabinet hardware.

Louisiana Gulf Coast style hardware

Coastal color schemes take a cue from the natural surroundings of sky, shore, shell, and sea.

coastal-blue-color-palette-Glidden

Incorporate casually elegant pieces into the spaces and places of the home to best convey the quintessence of Louisiana Gulf coastal style.

green walls office

Southern Home Magazine

driftwood-sconce-silver

Regina Andrew Design Driftwood Sconce

Table lamps and wall sconces, better known as the jewelry of the space, both complement and complete the desired look.

shell shaped wall sconce light

Shelly Wall Sconce

Coastal style does not have to fit the traditional sea and shell mold.

Finley-Sconce

Finley Sconce

wood-traditional-wall-sconce

Minka Lavery – Abbott Place – 2 Light Wall Sconce in Traditional Style

grand-isle-louisiana

palette-coastal-colors

from Sherwin-Williams

LC_body_of_water

coastal-greens-neutrals-colors

We take just enough liberty with the traditional hallmarks of coastal design style to make it our own, enhancing the look with a dash of native to Louisiana flavor without walking too terribly far way from the core notes.

Handmade Suar Wood Goldfish Sculpture

Light Blue Polystone Textured Ombre Fish Sculpture

Sourcing in the style of furnishings and home decor accents isn’t always an absolute exercise in imitation.

Louisiana-coastal-designJarod A. Hebert Architect, LLC

Stepping back for a moment or two to absorb and access the living room in the above image, and as lovely as it is, I’m going to add to and take away from for the sake of personal preference.

options-graphic

Capital Lighting Jude 6 Light Chandelier - Mystic Luster

Capital Lighting Jude 6 Light Chandelier – Mystic Luster

19th Century Italian Carved and Giltwood 6-Light Chandelier

19th Century Italian Carved and Giltwood 6-Light Chandelier

cyan-design-driftwood-table-lamp

Cyan Design Driftwood Table Lamp

Uttermost Twisted Vines Table Lamp

Uttermost Twisted Vines Table Lamp

Vintage Art Print Gold Framed, Beach

Vintage Art Print Gold Framed, Beach

BenJara Medium Clam Shell Accent, White

BenJara Medium Clam Shell Accent, White

 

One Kings Lane Vintage Silvered Oyster Shell Lamp Finials - Set of 2Vintage Silvered Oyster Shell Lamp Finials – Set of 2

Silver Glass Task and Reading Table Lamp with Faux Mercury Glass Finish

Silver Glass Task and Reading Table Lamp with Faux Mercury Glass Finish

 

White Polystone Coastal Shell Sculpture

White Polystone Coastal Shell Sculpture

Taking the Louisiana coastal environment into consideration results in upholstery choices of the cool, versatile, and easy care kind.

Leobarda Oatmeal Armchair with Nailhead Trim (Set of 2)

Leobarda Oatmeal Armchair with Nailhead Trim (Set of 2)

teal-blue-arm-chair

Beato Blue Armchair with Turned Legs

Pearl 17.5 in. GlassCrystal LED Table Lamp, WhiteBrass Gold

Pearl 17.5 in. Glass Crystal LED Table Lamp, White Brass Gold

Icott 29 in. Silver Mercury Glass Table Lamp with Off-White Shade

Icott 29 in. Silver Mercury Glass Table Lamp with Off-White Shade

Carter French Country Brown Distressed Hardwood Round Pedestal Side End Table

Italian Baroque Pedestal Table

Beige Polystone Turtle Sculpture Set

Beige Polystone Turtle Sculpture (Set of 3)

Folklore tells the tale of beauty and aquatic goddess known as mermaids.

Fascinating as mythical sirens, this turtle sculpture set of 3 mermaids makes a graceful addition to the theme.

Safavieh-Handmade-Ikat-Madyson-Modern-Wool-Rug

Safavieh Handmade Ikat Madyson Wool Rug

shells-on-buffet

Blossom IvoryGray 8 ft. x 10 ft. Floral Area Rug

Blossom IvoryGray 8 ft. x 10 ft. Floral Area Rug

Ruffled-Metal-Wall-Accent-Mirror-gold

Small Round Gold Classic Mirror

white-sea-shells

June 33" Metal LED Table Lamp, Brass by JONATHAN Y

June 33″ Metal LED Table Lamp, Brass by JONATHAN Y

WILLIAMS SONOMA Bamboo Form Marble Top Chest Dresser

Bamboo Form Marble Top Chest Dresser

Provence Sunburst Iron Framed Mirror

Provence Sunburst Iron Framed Mirror

Haversham 56 in. Aged Blue Credenza with 4 Doors

Haversham 56 in. Aged Blue Credenza with 4 Doors

Searching warehouse and storeroom for my Great blue Heron John James Audubon print got this Louisiana Gulf coastal style party started.

Great-blue-Heron

Hanging the Great blue Heron print in the dining room is under decorative consideration, and the best way to rule it in or rule it out is to actually hang it before the second and final coat of paint.

Great-blue-Heron-Audubon

If I decide against the piece, I simply caulk the nail hole and we’re on to bigger and better items.

Audubon-blue-heronAudubon Oppenheimer Octavo Edition, Pl. 369 Great blue Heron

Roseate Spoonbill on the Louisiana Coast

Roseate Spoonbill on the Louisiana Coast

Medium Rectangle Ivory Casual Mirror

Medium Rectangle Ivory Casual Mirror

Primal+Pelicana

Primal Pelicana

Antique Silver Bamboo Table Lamp With A Drum Shade

Antique Silver Bamboo Table Lamp With A Drum Shade

Geometric Design Storage Buffet Sideboard Cabinet with 2 Adjusted Shelves

Hexagonal Embellishments Sideboard with Solid Wood Legs

Corbett-Lighting-Signature-9-light-Gold-Leaf-Chandelier-with-Antique-White-and-Gold

Corbett Lighting Signature 9-light Gold Leaf Chandelier 

Senja 47" Round Dining Table

Senja 47″ Round Dining Table

Reely-Wicker-Rattan-Single-Light-Pendant (1)

Reely Wicker Rattan Single Light Pendant

Monette-Black-Rectangle-Dining-Table

Monette Black Rectangle Dining Table

lagniappe-graphic-slant

Delia 20.5 in. Cream Faux Alligator Table Lamp with Off-White Shade

Delia 20.5 in. Cream Faux Alligator Table Lamp with Off-White Shade

Metallic Gold Alligator Sculpture Table Decor 1

Metallic Gold Alligator Sculpture Table Decor

Shell Large Helmet

oyster-shells-candles

HomArt – Match Box Set of 2 – Shells

Homestyles 20 in. Bronze Patina Pelican on Coastal Rock Nautical Beach Statue

 Homestyles 20 in. Bronze Patina Pelican on Coastal Rock Nautical Beach Statue

Innova Heron Duo Garden Statue

Innova Heron Duo Garden Statue

Traditional additions grouped along with those awash in modern subtleties strike an expected meets the unexpected balance.

coastal-stems-shells

Resin Coral Shell Bowl

Resin Coral Shell Bowl

Gold-Tone Clam Bowl, Large

Gold-Tone Clam Bowl, Large

Nature provides the natural color palette so beautifully found along the sands and water’s edge of the Gulf Coast.

Driftwood_on_the_beach_Louisiana_1

coastal-paint-colors

Summer is the season of coastal decor style, and the popularity of Louisiana Gulf coastal style is experiencing its day in the sun.

Darleen-signature-love

Best Fall Decorating Colors

I began working on this best fall decorating colors blog post several weeks ago in anticipation of the visual loveliness soon to be revealed.

fall living room

Luxe. Daily

Patience plays a pivotal role in the game of designing, building, remodeling, and decorating.

fall-color-schemes-dark-red

Country Living Magazine – Photo by Jean Allsopp

And waiting for fall to get here.

Hidden Sapphire CSP-690

Benjamin Moore Hidden Sapphire CSP-690

fall fabric

Yellow Oxide 2154-10

Benjamin Moore Yellow Oxide 2154-10

pheasant art print

Fall or autumn.

What say you?

life-starts-all-over-again-fall-Fitzgerald

Fall vs. autumn FYI:

The term fall originated in English around the beginning of the 16th century.

the-fife-arms-braemar-scotland-fireplace

The Fife Arms

Autumn gained its English prominence in the 18th century.

SW2838-polished-mahoganySherwin-Williams Polished Mahogany Sw 2838

Originally short for fall of the leaf or fall of the year, fall is the preferred term in the United States to best describe the season between summer and winter.

orange-cinnabar-fall-colors-dining-room

Southern Living

The term autumn was originally derived from the Old French word for autumn, automne, in the 15th or 16th century.

Autumn found favor in British English, however, fall has become prevalent in British publications.

Best Fall Decorating Colors

Behr Pumpkin Drizzle #HDC-FL15-01

Vibrant, fiery, deep, and vivid- the hues and tones present in the colors of fall lend decorating inspiration to everything from page to project, palette to plate.

hendricks.churchill.portfolio.interiors.living.family.room.photo.John.Gruen

Hendricks Churchill – Photo: John Gruen

SW 6171 Chatroom

Sherwin-Williams Chatroom SW 6171

Warm tones pair well with refined neutral shades (a color powerhouse in and of itself).

Best Fall Decorating Colors

Feathering the nest in color, pattern, and layers of texture associated with fall finery creates stunning statements.

Tammy Connor Interiors

Tammy Connors Interiors

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Mill_Valley_G- P_SCHAFER_ARCHITECT_DPC

G. P. Schafer Architect

C2 Paint Expedition 662

C2 Paint Expedition 662

Across the pages of social media platforms, portfolios, and shelter magazines, the styles and works of talented interior designers and decorators give good inspiration.

A Place to Call Home - by Gil Schafer III

A Place to Call Home – by Gil Schafer III

Oftentimes when we see an impressive color palette, furniture placement, or accent piece, we borrow from the look; fashioning the decorative elements towards our own style.

 Chas Olive Green Velvet Armchair

Deer Head Wall Plaque

This show and tell features modern, traditional, new traditional, and rustic chic interiors bedecked in the best fall decorating colors.

French Quarter Maisonette Decorations Lucullus

Decorations Lucullus

Magnolia-paint-heirloom-yellow

Heirloom Yellow by Magnolia Home Paint by Joanna Gaines

Still Life Oil Painting Teapot and Oranges

Still Life Oil Painting Teapot and Oranges

Éclectique Bureau à DomicileÉclectique Bureau à Domicile

farrow-ball-studio-green-no-93Farrow & Ball Studio Green No. 93

Velvet Flange Throw Pillow

camelback-sofa

Country Living

Benjamin Moore Blackberry Punch CC-962

Benjamin Moore Blackberry Punch CC-962

grapes-pears-2

Vistro navy stoneware platter

Visto Navy Stoneware Platter

fall-colors-tablescape

biscuit-barrel

English Biscuit Bucket

blue-white-transferware-covered-vegetable-bowl

Sampson Covered Casserole

Sussex Vibrant Family Home

Sussex Vibrant Family Home

Benjamin-Moore-Knoxville-gray-HC-160

Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray HC-160

Benjamin Moore's Terra Mauve

Garrow Kedigian – House Beautiful

BM byzantine

Benjamin Moore Byzantine  CSP-1075

French copper kitchen

Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Sauce Pan with Stag Knob, 3-Qt.

Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Sauce Pan with Stag Knob, 3-Qt.

copper-pans-on-shelves

Style at Home

persian-gold-behr-premium-plus-paint-colors

Behr Persian Gold #M300-7

Vintage H. Blok Original Oil Painting

Vintage H. Blok Original Oil Painting

Coastal Landscape Oil Painting

Coastal Landscape Oil Painting

purple-gray-gold-throw-pillows

Silverwing Interiors

Vixen-Behr

Behr Vixen #PPU 17-03

warm-rooms

Elle Decor

SW 9079 velvety chestnut

Sherwin – Williams Velvety Chestnut SW 9079

andirons-French

Antique French Bronze Andiron Bookends

Portrait Oil Painting of GentlemanPortrait Oil Painting of Gentleman

best fall decorating colors

Elle Decor

pompeii red

Sherwin- Williams Pompeii Red SW 2911

Williamsburg Framed Round Mirror in Rosewood

master_bath_vanity

Traditional Home

roycroft pewter sherwin williams

Sherwin-Williams Roycroft Pewter SW 2848

Quite often color takes the lead as the statement piece of the space.

This collection of the best fall decorating colors in seasonal schemes, tones, and hues reflect the warmth, coziness, and elegance of fall.

Darleen-signature-love

The Very Right Of The White Kitchen

Seems the love affair between kitchen design and decorating and the very right of the white kitchen (or nearly all-white kitchen) is stronger than ever.

white-kitchen-marble-countertopsKnock It Out of the Tuxedo Park Perfect!  Elle Decor

Pristine.

Classic.

Fresh.

Timeless.

Color trend with traction.

Benjamin Moore Simply White is simply an excellent choice for your anchor, primary or accent kitchen color consideration.

The Very Right Of The White Kitchen

Choosing to go with a white or nearly all-white kitchen is by no means a color sellout.

stunning white kitchen

Modern accents such as the Tom Dixon mirror ball pendants in white hot off the presses metal finishes give good glam.

White kitchens are anything but boring, uninspiring or underwhelming.

54c1a7c66e427_-_devera-edc-04-14-5-xln-xlnElle Decor

The color white in company of designer, winter, off and ivory shades and tones invariably makes a lasting color impression.

white-kitchen-fresh-flowers-House-Beautiful

House Beautiful

Let it capture the life and the heartbeat of the space.

evans2Birmingham Home & Garden

Immersed in natural light from floor to ceiling, the kitchen in this historic Livingston, New York, home features antique architectural elements.

Impressive kitchen cabinets are fashioned from antique windows, and the well placed pendant lights, center island lantern and black and white tile flooring only serves to further enhance the predominately white color palette.

Unpretentious in design, this white hot kitchen is farmhouse fabulous on steroids.

white-kitchens-01Architectural Digest

Highlighting the effectiveness of natural light coupled with distinctive Louisiana architectural elements, this kitchen-dining space combination becomes the design feature of this custom home from award winning St. Tammany, Louisiana Highland Homes.

New Orleans style white kitchen

Rich natural accent colors present in the decorative wood beams and flooring play well to the white countertops, striking center island chandelier, kitchen cabinetry and custom range hood.

Louisiana-kitchenHighland Homes, Inc.

No natural light to be found?

Fret not. white-kitchen-lighting-fixtures

Gorgeous kitchen lighting options in white will infuse the white kitchen with light and style in white hot color palette perfection.

white-kitchen-colorsStyle at Home

When selecting kitchen materials, the color white continues to dominate the field.

Feast your eyes upon the examples below.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, and did I mention gorgeous?

white-kitchen-decorating-elements

Hand-glazed white ceramic subway tile backsplash brilliantly paired with Carrara marble makes a striking decor follow-through.

upscale-kitchen-colours

White ironstone china stands out from the  gallery wall in decorative sync with the herringbone pattern reclaimed elm hardwood floors.

upscale-kitchen-top-tipsStyle at Home

Complementing colors and accents come together to produce a stellar focal point while supplying all the contrast needed to make a bright and bold, white hot white kitchen statement.

32944845_010_b10

Less is more applies here.

023Apartment Therapy

Size does matter, but it is not always the design feature afforded the space.

This New York studio apartment kitchen demonstrates how proper design can result in optimization of space and function.

Big or small, that is the desired design result of today’s working kitchen.

white-kitchen-cornerElle Decor

It may only be the base on which you build your color palette, but the color white commands and keeps the attention of a space. It is the neutral of choice.

a96483fa5bf0Molly Frey Design ~ DecorPad

“White has stood the test of time because it’s clean and fresh.
And those two words — clean and fresh — are classic
words for describing a great kitchen.
There isn’t a better way to approach design.”

 —Mick de Giulio


Houzz

Does the clean, fresh, crisp and pristine look of the very right of the white kitchen (or nearly all-white kitchen) continue to appeal to your design and decor taste?

Darleen-signature-love

Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year 2016 Simply White

Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year 2016 Simply White is simply stunning.  One of the biggest decorating misconceptions is that in selecting the color white as an anchor or primary space color you are settling for a boring, uninspiring or underwhelming color choice.

Benjamin-Moore-color-of-the-year-2016-simply-white

I am of the strong opinion that all color begins and ends in shades of white.

OC-117Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117

The color palette power play made by Benjamin Moore Simply White is based in its clean, pristine and polished versatility.  Wall, trim, floor, cabinetry and furniture. Yes, yes, yes, yes and  a resounding yes.

Simply-White-kitchen

It may only be the base on which you build your color palette, but Benjamin Moore Simply White commands and keeps the attention of these spaces.  Allow me to point out how the fresh palette and layers of natural light wraps the space in warmth.

simply-white-dining-roomHuestis Tucker Architects, LLC

This entire space from floor to ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White, proving the visual effectiveness of the color white.  No blending into the woodwork here- the rich tones and glorious golds of the accents and furnishings instantly attract the eye.

simply-white-breakfast-areaIn the Fields – Simply White

In my opinion Benjamin Moore got the 2016 Color of the Year: Simply White right. Thoughts?

Love your style!

Rental Refresh Upgrades: The Comforts of Home

Pulling back the reins on major decorative and design improvements to a rental is a financially sound practice if you are not renting to own, making improvements to the property in return for rent credit or taking up residency for the long haul.

Dave the Builder and I completely overhauled, remodeled, refreshed and spiffed up our first home, a darling mid-century cottage lease purchase property.

first-house

I loved the bones of the house, but the decor stood still somewhere in the 1950s.

In the beginning we remodeled and refreshed for the comforts of home sake with caution, choosing to update through lighting and color.

I cannot beat the color drum enough- it really is the most bang for your buck way to infuse style into a home.

kitchen_melissa-leeLove, love, love!  Design Sponge

rental-kitchen-color-palette

In the case of our son’s rental home, the kitchen is small but workable in regards to design, function and affordable possibilities.

Presently, the walls are painted red and the cabinets are white laminate with oak trim 1980s throwbacks.

You know the ones!

Dave the Builder and I scrimped, saved and sacrificed to remodel the kitchen in our first house.

We thought this style of kitchen cabinet was the bee’s knees, and according to the kitchen design magazines and showrooms a whole lot of other people did too!

home-designHouzz

Millennials love retro, and although everything old eventually becomes a new trend again, the dated oak trim will be modified with paint and new cabinet pulls added.

Since replacing the cabinets is cost prohibitive laminate it is!

As I explained to our son the pros of laminate cabinet fronts and countertops, he came around to the practicality of keeping the original cabinets in play.

Laminate is a very forgiving surface to work with.

The upkeep is minimal, and that works in any kitchen.

No need to throw the baby out with the bath water.

The Comforts of Home

Strategic pops of color and an accessories mix of warm metals with a modern spin will complement the neutral paint palette and introduce that new kitchen look.

rental-master-bedroom-paint

Please excuse the poor quality of these images.

The combination of bad lighting and a cell phone camera gets you a color distorted photo.

The master bedroom walls are painted with Benjamin Moore’s Museum Piece.

The color in the above image is no where near the true color that is Museum Piece, so to my sources I go for an image that does capture the true color.

BM-museum-piece-framedBenjamin Moore

Great color choice!

BM-muesum-piece-wallsBenjamin Moore PSP-Museum Piece ~ Renae Keller Interior Design, Inc.

Master bedroom furnishings and accessories with a hint of Louisiana coastal chic will literally offer the comforts of home.

rental-master-bedroom

Final suggestions for decor accessories and furnishings lean toward DIY chic projects, hacks and thrifted treasures.

His fiancée scored a great coffee table and reinterpreted the style with paint and embellishments.

Our style council agreed a chic credenza with a mid-century interpretation will mix things up like a dry martini.

“By acquiring all of your furniture from different eras and places and things that are expensive and inexpensive, it will make your end product have a great spirit.”

Kelly Wearstler

A fantastic period piece in great condition that comes with the extra added bonus of a quality finish, impressive lines, scale and focal point presence to die for is out there, and a can of Johnson paste wax and a soft cloth will put the period at the end of the very stylish and on-trend sentence.

modern-barDomino

I will end this post with an observation from my earlier Rental Refresh Upgrades post.

Does it makes sense and cent$ to make updates and improvements to a rental property?

Absolutely!

Focus less on the fact your new residence is a rental and more on the fact that your new residence is where you call home.

All things house that make a home come together to make the out of your own pocket rental refresh upgrades worth it in the name of the comforts of home, convenience and personal style.

Love your style!

For Rent: Rental Refresh Upgrades

Today’s blog post is brought to you by the letter R for rental refresh upgrades.

The conversation of late between mama and papa Places In The Home and our son heading up to the Great White North to begin his career has revolved around rental property viewings, interiors, exteriors, accents (eh?) and scads of all things house that make a home (rented or owned) furnishings.

This is the time of year when thoughts of apartments, condos, townhomes and single-family houses for rent and rental refresh upgrades begin to take center stage in the minds of college bound students, career starting college grads and newlywed couples.

According to recent real estate and business reports, millennials trend more toward renting than buying.

house-for-rent-sign

The genius of internet listings, video viewings, real estate apps and Skype proves an essential tool in locating a property.

With a few clicks, well placed phone calls and virtual tours, our son has successfully rented a two story Victorian-era style home.

Now comes the fun part- the rental refresh upgrades.

He and his fiancee are currently in putting a stylish spin on his new abode mode.  This is not our son’s first time at the rental rodeo.

He knows all too well renting comes with caveats, and property management firms have rules and code restrictions that must be adhered to.

Addressing the aforementioned right off the bat clearly defines the can and cannots.

Fortunately, the home owner is on board with the updates and rental refresh upgrades our son wants to do to the property.

BM-revere-pewter-framedBenjamin Moore

Fresh paint  rules the rental refresh upgrade playbook.

I ran across this quote yesterday and it really hit home.

“Color is the least expensive thing to put in a house.”

—Ruthie Sommers

Color often gives the biggest return on your interior decorating investment.

Paint is an instant update and covers a multitude of previous tenant color choice sins and the scuffs, streaks and uh-ohs made when moving out.

As a housewarming gift, his fiancee’s father is painting the entire interior and key exterior areas of the house.

Going with a neutral color palette allows more breathing room in regards to accents and furnishings.

Landlords and property managers love neutral palettes, and come closer to approving the request for painting with this color choice.

rental-house-den

My inbox is experiencing a high volume of before, during and after pictures.

It’s exciting to be in the loop, share in the progress and to be asked to be a part of the process .

rental-staircase

Does it makes sense and cent$ to make updates and improvements to a rental property?

Absolutely!

Focus less on the fact your new residence is a rental and more on the fact that your new residence is where you call home.

All things house that make a home come together to make the out of your own pocket rental refresh upgrades worth it for the sake of your comfort, convenience and personal style touch.

Rental Refresh Upgrades

So worth it rental refresh upgrades good to go as in take it with you when you go ideas range from a programmable thermostat, stylish mirrors in bathrooms, accent rugs, light switch and wall plates, cabinet knobs and pulls, new shower head(s) and focal point light fixtures to exterior walkway lighting, planter boxes and a decorative mailbox.

Renting or buying, it really is amazing how a sense of personal style, displaying objects of individual interest and decorating with accents that capture and convey your personality makes a house a home.

studded-rug-FlooringHall’s Flooring

I’ll leave it there for today’s post and pick it back up with more pictures and suggestions for rental refresh upgrades.

Love your style!

Who’s Ready For Summer?

Who’s ready for summer?

who's-ready-for-summer

Dave the Builder snapped the pic of my brother’s freshly cleaned swimming pool right before he dove in.

A cool summer splash revives the mind and refreshes the body on a hot summer afternoon.

All winter long we wished for summer, and believe me, the great genie of hot with a huge dose of humidity granted our wish.

Do be careful what you ask for.

forecast

If summer means I get to color my summer world with tropical brights, fresh and green right off the farm to table seasonal vegetables and fruits, and accents in the so summer appropriate classic color combination of pink and green then I say bring it on.

summer-paint-colors

Sherwin-Williams

farmers-market-summerEd Lester Farms – Coushatta, Louisiana 

pink-and-green-breakfast-areaTraditional Home

Under serious consideration is my effort to develop a signature paint color in a stunning shade of pink to pay homage to my first true color love. I even have the name of my paint color selected-  I pink therefore I am.

Long is my history with the color pink. My first design and decorating endeavor dates back to the late 1960s, when my very brave and trusting Mother allowed me carte blanche with the paint color and wallpaper selections for my bedroom.

Texture was the standout feature of this wallpaper.

Capturing the essence of the flower child chic groovy sign of the times depended on the colors, pattern, and texture.

sweetie“Sweetie” by Inaltéra

With Six You Get Eggroll starring Doris Day and Brian Keith features a blast from my past in the form of the master bedroom wallpaper.

vintage retro wallpaper daisies

Retro Wallpaper

Inspiration is everywhere.

with six you get eggroll master bedroom

Perhaps it sheer and 60s style coincidence that my bedroom design and decorating choices closely mirrored the master bedroom of the McClure residence as shown below.

benjamin-moore-sweet-16Benjamin Moore sweet 16 pink

Summer is a three month fest of vacations, outdoor living it up entertaining, interior updates and refreshes with summer colors, patterns and textures and relaxing on the patio, porch or deck with a cool beverage embracing the lazy days of summer.

Who’s ready for summer?

Darleen-signature-love