Monday, November 7, 2011

Fall Decor

Fall is officially here and with Halloween over we are speeding our way into the holidays. If you don't have time for elaborate decorating..here are just a few easy and inexpensive ideas to get you into the holiday spirit!  
Don't throw away your pumpkins..that is if they aren't growing mold yet..If you purchased a sack of small pumpkins or still have a few leftover from Halloween, reuse them by turning them into center pieces or add to your Thanksgiving decor. You can place these small pumpkin candle holders just about anywhere.
Got big pumpkins? Another great way to reuse them making for a great holiday accessory!
Another one of my favorite ideas is filling clear vases with holiday food. No flashy decor here. The color and textures warm up any room!
I love this idea! Adding the mum tops off this centerpiece.
Martha Stewart.com
Wrap fall colored tissue paper around a glass vase to give off the warm fuzzy fall feeling in your home. Simple and affordable! 
Now this I love! Simply find a vase or small urn (I know you have a few lying around) collect some leaves and create a festive bouquet..No holiday splurging here! You can collect leaves like this just about anywhere and turn them into an elegant centerpiece.


More (free) leaves to add to the festivities! Martha Stewart displays these beautiful oak and maple leaves perfect for a Thanksgiving table setting. 

These simple designs can be versatile displays throughout your home. Converting your decor and transitioning it to the next holiday is one of the most convenient qualities during the busy holiday season. Even if you aren't hosting holiday parties, its still a fun reminder of what time of year it is and a treat for your guests who come and go. Happy Holidays. ~MG

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Zen Retreat

My hubby and I celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary this past September in Cabo. It was our first time going to Mexico and after viewing the hotel's website several times I had the same feeling as a kid would the night before going to Disneyland. The website revealed a zen retreat including a ocean view canopy, beach front swimming pools and stunning views of the ocean. Best of all it was an adult only resort; those with children understand how important this feature is. Once I arrived I immediately fell in love with decor. Of course being an interior design fanatic I paid attention to every detail which wasn't difficult considering the hotel was elegantly simple. There was minimal architectural detail but the decor detail that went into designing the hotel is what makes the hotel memorizing. I give you Pueblo Bonito Pacifica...

This couldn't be anymore relaxing. It might just be a lobby but it was the perfect place to sit and relax during the 100 degree weather.
I fell in love with these mosaic trees. These were displayed in the lobby area and each time we walked in I found myself endlessly staring at them. Up close they are broken pieces of pottery mixed with whole pieced  tile water animals. The aroma in the lobby was just as calming and relaxing as the aesthetics. As soon as you walk in you're greeted with the warm and inviting scent of menthol and lavender.
A side stairwell which takes you up the lobby level..
 When you reach the top of the staircase..another simple and beautiful  detail.

Walk to the lobby.
Lobby lounge area
This wasn't our actual bedroom but same layout. It had a breathtaking ocean view and a full view of the resort.
 The walk to the rooms. Stunning view!
 Outside the lobby. I love how exterior wall art like this was placed throughout the hotel.
 Another amazing detail throughout the resort was the intricately raked sand. Where there was sand, there was zen sand art; newly raked every morning.
They even raked the sand above the fire extinguisher!
View from the ocean view canopy..perfect set for a Corona commercial!
 Entering the hotel
I know its silly but I paid attention to every detail of the hotel including the color combos. This was the table cloth and napkin. They are both gentle color tones opposite of each other yet so complimentary of each other.
I love the texture and color combo. It's so simple yet appeasing to the eye.

The simple design of the hotel definitely gave me design ideas to incorporate with my own. The great thing about simple design it that its that much easier to create DIY projects. Everything in this hotel can easily be used to create a design scheme or add to your existing decor. I mentioned the mosaic trees gave me inspiration for wall art in my bedroom. Hopefully you found something that will inspire you. Stay tuned..I'll be working on my version the mosaic trees. For more on Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Spa and Resort visit www.pueblobonitopacifica.com/ I highly recommend this for your next getaway!~MG

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!!!

This year flew by too fast! It felt like not too long ago we were celebrating the 4th of July..Now it's Halloween?!? I've been so busy thinking about birthdays, weddings, and baby showers this last few weeks that I didn't even think about actual holidays..The only Halloween decoration I have is a few small pumpkins I placed randomly in my house..To add a touch of spookiness, I placed a small fake spider on one it..

I know its super lame and super plain..but it's all I could do super last minute..Plus it's all I need to put away..
There are other simple decorating ideas that are easy to put away once all is said and done..Just take a look at these ideas..simple yet still festive enough to count as Halloween spirit! 

You don't have to decorate your entire house to get into spirit..Simply pick a spot in the common area of your home and decorate appropriate for whichever occasion..its fun and cool to look at! ~MG

Friday, October 28, 2011

Shelves

Bookcases don't always have to be a cluttered mess no matter how much or less you store in them. As long as items are placed neatly the entire bookcase will look clean and can also be the rooms new focal point..Check out how these shelves for your inspiration..this one in particular was mine and inspired me to create the same shelving idea in my house
http://frankroop.com
MG Living Room

Take a look at these designers approach to shelf organization...
Love how these are color coded..
File bins and boxes hide the the clutter..and makes it easier to find your stuff!


Kitchen shelves need organizational love too! Keep your kitchen cookware with its matching set and place neatly on shelf for easy access.

No need for a fancy china cabinet when your china set is displayed on open shelves. Each item is displayed evenly making for a crisp and clean look...I love it!

The great thing about design is that you can make things up as you go. When all the items you want are on your shelf step back and check if everything is balanced. If there are too many things in one area of the shelf, move it around. Spread out the big bulky items and combine them with the small and light ones to bring it all together. ~MG

P.S. Re-visit Groft Family/Man Den and check out the bookcases.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Orange and Green or Green and Orange

Sage has always been my favorite shade of green. This has been my color choice for my prom dress, cotillion dress and bridesmaids dresses. There is just something about the soft calming tone in it that sticks. One day my cousin came home with these plates and naturally I just loved the sage colored one. As I was about to wash the dishes I noticed them side by side in the sink and fell in love with the color combo..
 I couldn't help but do a photo shoot...I know I'm a dork..but the colors look great together! 
This color combo prompted me to GOOGLE design schemes and I found all sorts of ideas that I LOVE!


http://design-crisis.com
http://sunnysblog.typepad.com

It's so fun discovering new complimentary colors! I can't wait for it to happen again..and I know I will..more to come~MG