Comfy Cozy

It's been a wet week here in the Bay Area and all this cold and rainy weather makes me want to bundle up in a fleece blanket and do absolutely NOTHING. Yes coziness has always been my cure for the rainy day blues. For a room to be cozy to me it has to have warm colors with plush couches and pillows, and a tight or surrounded feeling..I guess I like spaces that would make a claustrophobic go mad..check out these comfy cozy rooms perfect to lounge around during the cold season.. 

via desdemventana.blogspot.com

Awesome view in this cozy kitchen. Rain or shine..I would sit in this kitchen sipping coffee or tea enjoying the view. I love the decor..plush pillows in this tight space make it easy to relax.

via decor8blog.com

This room meets all my requirements of a cozy room..plush pillows, warm colors, enclosed feeling..I would never want to leave for work if I started my day eating breakfast in this kitchen..

via pinterest.com/cozy kitchen 

Another comfortable setting. I love the high boxed in nook..Also super private which is great when you want to be left alone..Although I am not a fan of the decorative print..

via housetohome.co.uk

The deep reds and oranges warm this A-frame living space up instantly. This is a great room to have company over during the rainy season..I can picture myself cozy-ing up with the hubby while watching a movie or having friends over playing fun board games and drinking cocktails..Cheesy? No cozy!

 pinterest.com/caitydonohue

LOVE BUTTON! Talk about enclosed! Shut yourself out and delve into a good book in this super snug nook. Although there isn't much warm tones the cool blue is soothing and a perfect hideaway from a stressful day.

via pinterest.com/Emily Do 

Such a simple room..it has that cottage feel to it where you wake up to the sound of rain and all I would do is turn over and go right back to sleep..Easy to do in this comfortable bedroom...

MG's cozy living room

All this talk about getting comfy that it's now time for me to take action..Slipping on my fleece pajama's and bundling up on the couch with my fleece blanket ready to be a couch potato in my own home..Time to snuggle up~MG

Don't Toss That Lamp!

A great way to make something old into something new.The easiest DIY fix ever! Check out Dress A Shade custom lamp shade slip covers. They are made to fit any size lamp shade giving your dated lamp shade a custom modern makeover....

 Amethyst Peacock Slip

  Apricot Velvet

 Harlequin

 Kelly Floral

Newpaper

These are my favorite covers. So unique and adds that unexpected touch to your home.

Comic Book

All photos via

 etsy.com/shop/DRESSASHADE

What a great way to recycle your existing lamps. To give your lampshade the full makeover, spray paint the base and choose from the variety of designs fit to your style.~MG

DIY Fashionista Dressing Room

I search high and low to find my favorite design styles that match the MGSIMPLESTYLE design approach and I'm glad to finally find another perfect match. Meet Mai from acupofmai.com . Not only is her blog title cute and clever but her budget DIY dressing room is full of stylishly chic traits any fashionista would adore..

A well planned room from layout to decor..But don't be intimidated..I'm sure at first glance this room looks like a pricey makeover but going back to my statement of me finding decor that fits the MGSIMPLESTYLE design approach..I help break it down to those who don't believe this room is an affordable design. Now, the great thing about designing a room with a specific purpose, such as a dressing room, is you will have most of the items needed to complete the design only having to purchase some key pieces to help bring the room altogether.

These plain garment racks look spruced up when the best outfits and accessories are hung on wooden hangers..you can purchase a garment rack for as low as $20 and a set of 30 wood hangers for $37 @ walmart

I absolutely LOVE how she framed designer shopping bags as wall art. The shopping bags are works of art on their own..they're made with good quality material (even for just being a shopping bag) with the designer logo and maybe a touch of artwork..so why not save it and show if off!

This bold zig zag (or chevron) patterned rug adds a statement in the room. This is a popular pattern that can be found in most retail stores..The cheapest one I found is $78 from wayfair.com.


Here she perfectly displays cosmetics by using a cosmetic organizer and tray..Although this 7 drawer cosmetic organizer can run you into the triple digits, you can find similar styles at your local retailers for a lot less.
Either way, cosmetic organizers are a girls best friend..especially when you're like me and scramble to run out the door everyday.

A closer look.I like how she adds small accessories in fitting spaces. This Louis Vuitton clutch is easy to locate and small enough to lay on her vanity. There is a place for everything.

 Brilliant!..not to mention the aroma of the coffee beans adds the unexpected..

We all have shoes and storing them in cubed shelving allows for a well organized and easy to find place. No more spending that extra 10 minutes looking for the matching pair! You can find an affordable storage unit such as this in stores like Target or Michael's.

style source via

acupofmai.com

I love the simplicity of the decor and if there were a love button I would be clicking it for every picture! 

I truly enjoy coming across refreshing DIY styles such as this one. It's the simple changes that make for a refreshing style.~MG

DIY time: From Closet to Office

Hello everyone..So it's now March 1st 2012! WOW time sure does fly. It's 3 three months past the NEW YEAR and for those who had a new years resolution to revitalize a space in your home and still haven't gotten around to it..well hopefully this post will give you that push to get moving.

Check out this brilliant DIY closet to office conversion. The creative pattern separates this tiny space from the rest of the room

Here they randomly place triangular shapes throughout the interior of the closet wall....

 Time to bring it all together and decorate.

And VOILA! Gorgeous isn't it?

If you're having one of those "I don't feel like cleaning" days..Simply close your closet doors to hide your office clutter..

via

 achadosdedecoracao.blogspot.com

What do you think?? Brilliant right!..Making changes in small spaces gives you that happy accomplishment and the lingering feeling of wanting to get back home so you can enjoy the refreshing scenery in your space. I  hope this encourages you to get moving on your project.~MG

Lotus Bleu

I found this SF boutique through Yelp and oh how delighted I was to come across such a style! I am so into bold designs these days and coming across Lotus Bleu was a treat!

Skinny Laminx Cushion Collection

Very rarely do you see lamp bases with bold patterns such as these. I love them all!

Exotic rug patterns. 

Cassmidy Mirrors

Inside the Lotus Bleu boutique..

I'm sure all the wild patterns, bright colors, and exotic shapes can steer away those who are weary of such unique designs and may also wonder how in the world can everything work together, but owner and designer of Lotus Bleu, Jeannie Fraise, displays color and pattern combination so well she makes styling her eccentric design pieces seem effortless..

 Liberty Hill Victorian I

This bedroom is a great way to showoff how mix and match fabrics, textures, and colors can be used together. This room seems to have it all; zigzags, floral, plaid in cool and warm colors.

 West Marin Ranch I

 West Marin Ranch III

I love the detailed fabric design of this headboard. A simple change like this in your bedroom will instantly add personality. 

If you're afraid to delve into the brighter side of the color wheel, check out how these rooms were decorated using minimal bold colors and patterns, yet still showcasing Lotus Bleu's signature style.

West Marin Ranch III

The Cassmidy mirror is used as a vanity mirror. Look how it wakens up this small space!

  West Marin Ranch IV

photos via lotusbleudesign.com
This is a great example of using minimal color and print. See how the bold color and pattern of the rug can instantly add the POP of color in a room? Adding a few more accessories of the same color polishes off the whole look. The perfect baby step for those afraid to step outside the box when it comes to color.

As always I enjoy coming across unique signature styles designers have to offer. It keeps us interior design fanatics entertained and not to mention bringing our creative design styles to life. I hope you enjoyed viewing the wonderful world of Lotus Bleu.~MG

Trina Turk

I first laid eyes on Trina Turk designs when I worked at a small boutique on Burlingame Avenue, Georgiou. Unfortunately, this boutique closed shop. During my days of managing this small boutique someone handed me a Trina Turk flyer with COMING SOON printed on it. My co-workers and I were immediately drawn to the bold patterned apparel designs. COMING SOON finally arrived opening just a few blocks from Georgiou. So off we go to check out this new boutique; almost everyone on Burlingame Ave seemed to be headed there too. Right off the bat we loved it! Vibrant colors and patterns were evenly spaced throughout the boutique immediately drawing you in to come and take a closer look.

So walking further into the store I find they sell home decor items. Not much but enough for an decor fanatic to appreciate..

photos via

trinaturk.com

Gorgeous right? The colorful designs will surely wake up any piece of furniture. Bold patterns like these are yet another MGSIMPLESTYLE solution if you're looking for a quick and affordable change in your space. Don't feel like painting your room or rearranging heavy furniture? Choose a couple of bold and bright colored accessories to resolve that dilemma. For example, simply switch out your toss pillows and add a new area rug. The fresh new colors will make huge difference in your space. ~MG