{Mastering The Mirror}

Mirrors are a powerful tool in home decor that, when used correctly, can completely transform a space. Mirrors can add light to a room, make a smaller space appear larger and they can give a huge punch of style to an otherwise boring room. 

Here is our round up of the 10 best ways to use mirrors in your home. 

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Closet panels to make a closed-in space feel more open 

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Think outside of the box by grouping multiple mirrors together for a unique gallery wall.

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KITCHEN BACKSPLASH 
Skip the hassle of changing out under cabinet lighting by using mirrored panels to add light instead. Pay attention to detail by covering the lighting panel as well for a cohesive look.

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DOORWAY
A mirrored door that reflects the furniture pieces gives the illusion that there is a whole other room beyond the bedroom.

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ABOVE THE BED 
A gilded starburst mirror above the bed can add an unexpected touch of grandeur and draws the eye upward, making the ceilings appear taller.

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ACCENT WALL
Mirror a wall in order to make the room feel more open. Be sure there are no busy patterns or loud colors in the room that are reflected. The mirrored accent wall works best when it is reflecting appealing elements (never another blank wall). This cream sofa with its lovely nailhead detail and simple lamp fit the bill for elements to reflect in the mirror. 

Don't be afraid to hang art over the mirror, breaking all that reflection up can be a good thing. And you want to avoid an overwhelming stretch of mirror that has your guests distracted by their own reflection.

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 FIREPLACE

If you can avoid the dreaded flat screen TV above the mantle, a mirror is a tried and true way to accent this focal point. It can easily add style and substance and does well when surrounded with smaller, coordinating accents. 

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ENTRYWAY
A unique mirror at the entry is a great opportunity to reflect a unique light fixture. 

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BATHROOM
Adding a free standing mirror to a bathroom or powder room adds a more stylized element than plain, traditionally mounted mirror panels will. This suspended style adds a rustic, casual touch but a more ornate mirror could easily be used to dress up a powder room.

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DINING ROOM
A large, free-standing, leaning mirror adds drama to an upscale dining room. 

{Fashion Friday}

This time around Minka Kelly is the star of our very own Fashion Friday… 

lucky her ;) 

See her outfit translated into a living room, complete with the resources, below!

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Double End Chaise, $1,341

Rustic Horse Art, $938

Kravet Malibu Sofa

Sofa Fabric Swatch 

Benjamin Moore "Moonshine"

Benjamin Moore "Orange Parrot"

Benjamin Moore "White Dove"

Bamboo Floor Lamp

Modern Pillow

Black & White Pillow

Orange Flower Pillow

{Thirsty Thursday}

Not exactly feeling the heat here in Boston…brrrr. That wind! But we can daydream about it instead. Below are ten beautifully crafted outdoor retreats I'm dreaming of enjoying a Mojito in.

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Daily's Mojito

2 ½ oz. Daily’s Mojito Mix
1 ¼ oz. white rum
Fill glass with soda

Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lime squeeze.

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{Announcing}

Hot off the presses… Our new postcards have arrived! 

{How To: Overcome Decorating Paralysis}

We've all been there … you've recently moved into a new house or were inspired by something you saw online and want to undertake a redecorating project. Most of us, myself included, are completely paralyzed by all the options out there. When it comes to decorating my own place I feel that same sense of uncertainty and pressure you may experience despite my instincts and extensive schooling.

But I recently noticed something that gave me great insight into why its so difficult for most of us to decorate our own space. 

It is astonishingly easy for me to redecorate other people's homes, which must mean the way I approach their projects could help with moving my own and yours along.

Fear over wasting money or creating more work for yourself stops most of us from letting go and getting creative. 

But approaching your projects as if you are working for someone else just might be what you need in order to get decisive.

The dirty truth no decorator wants you to know is: there is no magic formula you have to master or follow in order to make your room look fantastic. 

Its all about following your instinct to make individual choices that get you excited. Actually, truly, excited. If you follow that feeling those choices will add up to something unique and amazing. I promise.

Let go of the rules. Allow yourself to be inspired. And then set a clear vision and stick with it.

5 Ways To Ditch Decorating Paralysis Once & For All: 

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STEP 1: Decide how you want the room to A. Feel & B. Be Used 

Do you want it to be a serene retreat or an energized mix of modern elements?  Do you need lots of seating for entertaining or just a great, deep comfy couch for the family to cozy up on? Take some time to sit quietly to get clear on how you want to feel in the room once its done.

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Use this to define your style.

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STEP 2: Pick no more than 2 inspiration photos per room 
Choose just two photos of a room that encompasses what you would like to achieve overall and take them with your everywhere. You don't have a photographic memory so you will constantly need these to stay on track. Choosing too many inspiration photos will just leave you flustered and confused.

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STEP 3: Set a budget that is comfortable for you
Decide how much you will spend on the project from the outset so that you're not clouded by stress over money down the line. Eliminate the choices that are too expensive and instead scour the internet and local shops for less expensive imitations. Decide which elements you can introduce later without compromising the design of the space. For instance, in this laundry room the homeowner opted for less expensive lighting but could always change the fixture out down the road. Blowing your budget on one or two pieces is a surefire way for your project to stall.

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STEP 4: Set a deadline
Every decorating professional has a deadline that they must meet for their client. It would serve you well to create one for yourself so that the project doesn't drag on. A project loses its creative flow and sense of fun when it continues on for too long. Despite what you may think, looking at your half-finished room everyday hoping for the divine to provide you with direction won't speed things along. Get moving and     avoid stagnation at all costs.

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STEP 5: Start with the biggest investments
If I'm decorating a dining or family room per say I like to choose the larger investment pieces first, like the dining set or couch. I also prefer to choose the lighting fixtures for a space first. They will dictate the design direction of your room, hallway or entry. In general, keep these selections neutral so that later there is room to play with texture and pattern in the accents, i.e.) curtains, pillows and rugs. Putting your design punch in elements that are easily switched out is perfect for the biggest commitment-phobes among us.







Have you found success in overcoming decorating paralysis? Have a helpful tip for our readers? Let us know in the comments!

{Fashion Friday}

I am currently obsessed with yellow but sadly it's not the most flattering color for a blonde so I've been using it in my home instead. You might remember yellow's big moment a bit ago when it seemed to be everywhere with its trusty sidekick, gray. That yellow is over. The new yellow stands on its own just fine. It also gives a great punch of energy to a room when paired unexpectedly with muted tones, muddy greens and neutral browns.

Eva Longoria wears yellow beautifully. See her bold outfit translated into a modern kitchen of all places. Let us know what you think of yellow in the comments below!

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Light, $129.69

Aluminum Bar Stool, $94

Glass Canister, $14.99

Dish Towel, $16.15

Custom Yellow Suzani Valance, $50

{Thirsty Thursday}

My good friend Hannah's birthday celebration is coming up this weekend and I will be attempting to make her favorite drink, a Gin & Tonic. Simple & Easy!

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2 oz gin

5 oz tonic water

1 lime wedge

Pour the gin and the tonic water into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lime wedge

Read more: Gin and Tonic recipe 

Below is a round up of some spaces I could very easily enjoy a refreshing G&T in... With a client patio redo underway I'm focused on porches and sunrooms in order to solve my dilemma of whether to go bold and happy with the color scheme or neutral and calm.

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Which scheme do you prefer? Neutral or bold? Tell us in the comments below!