Dainty Florals

Hooray! I am so happy that elegant florals are coming back to the interior design trend this year. Honestly, I have always been in love with the lovely pattern, and I always try to include something floral into my design, simply because I think they give life to any space in the room.  Florals make pretty accents, embellishments, and great focal points.  However, if it isn't carefully executed, floral patterns can also make a room look disastrous and cause a great eye-sore.  

If you decide to install a floral wallpaper, my first advice, in a designer's perspective, is to choose a pattern that you won't regret later on. Trust me, you will be looking at this pattern every day, so pick something that's fun, playful, and something that will go perfectly well with your existing furniture. If you already have natural pieces of furniture, I think combining them with a colorful pattern is a great combination. I recommend creating a color palette based from the colors of your chosen floral wallpaper. You can also mix this pattern with another pattern, but make sure they are similar in color. That way, they are still in perfect harmony with one another.  I think floral patterns is more effective if it is only installed as an accent wall, because covering all four walls will make a room look smaller and cluttered. 

There are also other ways for this pattern to stand out in any room. Exaggerating the size of the flower, like this magnolia flower below, is a perfect example of how dainty it can appear in a room. You can even paint a flower of your choice! It will take a while, but the outcome will be rewarding (: As for accessories, choose objects that will blend in with the color. See how the pages of the books blend with the stigmas of the flower?  And the shelf having the same color as the petals? Remember, it's all about creating a beautiful composition to create unity and harmony.

I hope my tips helped you in some way. Floral patterns can transform a lifeless room into a delightful one, because they promote peace, tranquility, balance, love, and rejuvenation.  Just keep in mind that when choosing the perfect pattern to cover your wall, select the one brings joy into your life. Remember, pick a pattern that you will adore and will be proud to show off to your guests for future parties and gatherings. Try not to over-do! Less is always more. 

All Things Shabby Chic

One of the main reasons why I pursued interior design as a career is because of Rachel Ashwell, author, designer, and entrepreneur of Shabby Chic brand.  I still recall the very first time I watched her show on the Style network, thinking, "wow, she makes a home look like heaven!" I was only twelve-years-old at the time and I had already found my calling.  I wanted to design my future home with Shabby Chic aesthetic. Simple, cozy, and dainty.  I always found myself daydreaming by imagining that I wake up every morning to an all white-painted walls, in a warm, cotton fabric sheets. I'd then look outside my window and see a garden of beautiful roses, fruit trees, and rows of lavender fields.  I found this photo (below) that simply describes the picture in my head.  Even if the weather is cold outside, I wouldn't mind waking up to a pretty bedroom.
What I love about Ms. Ashwell's style is the tranquility and peace that she perfectly executes in every living space.  I think her pastel color palette mixed with floral patterns are a good combination for a lovely home.  I also adore her love for finding treasures at the flea market and restoring an old piece of twisted leg arcmchair into a dainty looking dining chair, by putting soft cushions to make her guests feel comfortable.

The combination of details in her chosen furniture, fabric, color, and houseware are what makes Shabby Chic so successful and classy.  If my home looked like this now, I would feel like I am living a princess-like lifestyle.  It's like re-living the past in a more updated style.  If you have seen the Marie Antoinette movie, starring Kirsten Dunst, Shabby Chic reminds me of the aesthetic in the movie, for its intricate details and pastel colors. The movie was set during the Rococo period, a movement in the 18th century, that reacted against the strict regulations of the Baroque period. The Rococo movement opted for a more graceful approach by using creamy, pastel-like colors, playful curves, and elegant and ornate furniture.

Not only this shabby style looks charming on the inside, but it also looks admirable on the exterior.  It is equally as lovely and attractive, whether you are hosting a simple get together with family and friends, a tea party for kids, or relaxing and sunbathing by the pool.

I am truly thankful for Ms. Ashwell for inspiring me to follow my dreams as an interior designer. If I had the opportunity to work for her, it would be the greatest honor for me. Even though my taste in aesthetic constantly changes, for the reasons of the latest interior design trends, I know that I will always be a Shabby Chic lady at heart.  Someday, I will post a photo of my dream into reality. Nothing is impossible, right? (:

Care for some tea?

This year, I decided that I would start my own tea cup collection, since drinking tea is part of my healthy lifestyle. And what better way to drink my tea in a dainty cup? Believe it or not, I found my very first cup at Goodwill! Isn't it lovely? I'm going to continue to search for more tea cups and will update you on my latest collection.

The Year of the Emerald

I recently watched Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face a few days ago, and there was a scene where she wore this emerald coat over her white tulle dress, as she made her way down the stairs, to pose for a cover spread in a magazine. I have always adored Audrey because she always exuded beauty and sophisticated style during her years as an actress. Whatever style and color Audrey wore, it always seemed to look beautiful on her petite figure. So when I saw this scene from the movie, I thought the emerald color complemented her skin and made her look amiable. She simply looked like a lovely gemstone.

So this year, it is with delight pleasure to announce that Emerald has been chosen to be the color of the year.  I have always been in love with this grass green tone because of its uniqueness and sophistication. Beyond being simply pretty, the emerald symbolizes peace, growth, balance, and reflection. And did you know, that because of its rarity, this gem can be used as an alternative to a traditional diamond engagement ring?

What's fun about this color is that it can also make your home beautiful. For those of you who are redecorating a space, the emerald color can instantly become the focal point, whether it is employed as a wall color, or an accent piece of furniture.  As a young designer, I think of interior design as a fashion makeover. I simply like to "dress up" the space by mixing and matching colors and patterns together. In my mind, I think of the walls as the color of your skin, the furniture as your outfit, and paintings, and other objects as accessories. I know it's kind of weird, but it works for me. (:

I am also a big fan of color, so color coordination is probably one of my abilities as a designer. Coming up with a color palette has never been a problem for me, because I can easily picture something in my head and decide whether things go well with one another.  This peacock feather, for example, would be a perfect accessory to a room. It's rich in color, so it will help you with what other colors to choose from based from this palette. For example, a curvaceous, reclaimed black walnut coffee table, with a dark metallic base would complement this feathered texture. Not only that, but there is also balance between the two.  Emerald goes well with white, dark wooden textures, and lighter shades of greens and grays. It's all about contrast and having the perfect balance to create unity.

I hope you buy something green this year! I think emerald is such a rich and sophisticated color that can certainly bring elegance, whether you are wearing it as a fashion statement, or an accent in your indoor space.  It also complements some nuances of shades. I think if you use this color, it will certainly bring peace and tranquility. (: