Theres something so exciting about the Trina Turk boutique that draws me in every time I pass by. The graphic prints and colors evoke happy feelings!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to bring some of those happy feelings to your home:

PILLOWS:

The higher end….

Looking for a steal…..

ADD A THROW BLANKET

So many of us hate silk flowers and refuse to
decorate with them. I unfortunately wasn’t born
with a green thumb and have found some arrangements
that make fake look good.

Fill up a clear vase with shells and add
a piece of coral. If you you wanted you
could even spray paint the coral to match your decor

If you prefer a more modern decor, this organic
arrangement is a nice way of softening those
straight lines.

This wire container is great with nothing in it, but if you want to add some color and texture here is an easy way. Mix some cattail clusters and rope balls for texture.

So there you have it. Some easy ways to not have to get out your watering can. Simple is
sometimes best.

There are a few small things you can do to update your decor without any heavy lifting or major remodeling. The easiest way to update your look is  to decide a direction you would like to go with your style, and then change the small items in the room that take away from that feel. Then replace with a few new items that bring a new feeling in.

These “small items” or accessories are the elements in your room like lighting, area rugs, pillows, books, frames, vases, etc.

For example… if you are trying to brighten a room and create a more relaxing feel, here are 4 key elements to accomplish that look:

PILLOWS: Change out your old pillows with tassels and fringe and  bring in some natural textures like linen, cotton, or hemp.

AREA RUG: Bring in some seagrass or sisal to ground things.

LIGHTING: If you don’t have enough light in the room, add some more lamps! If you have the space for it, hang a chandelier! If you have an outdated light fixture or pendant, simply replace it with something fresh and new!

ACCESSORIES!!! (vases, books, bottles, found objects, trays, flowers, etc…)

True Food Kitchen is the new Culinary Creation in Newport Beach. The simplicity in food and decor concepts make for one of our new favorite hot spots for lunch. Laura and I loved the clean lines, pops of color, and organic feel. The whole enviroment feels light, bright, and fresh. The food is so unbelievable tasty that I could not believe how healthy it was! The hummus is a must!

I love the lime green and the fresh grassy plants all over! Simple, fresh, and fabulous!

Love the succulent centerpiece? It’s a cheap and chic centerpiece idea.  Succulents are oh-so-easy to care for… all they require is a lot of sunlight and a tiny bit of water.

Want to DIY?

Grab a terracotta pot, brush on a mixture of white acyrlic paint diluted in water . The paint and pot can be found at michaels craft store, and choose a succulent from Lowes. The whole look will cost about $7!Place one in the center of a table or group 3 together to make a bigger statement.

If you decide to stop in and try it yourself, make sure to try one of their natural refreshments! My favorite is Andy’s Elixer, made with Olivello Juice, Agave Nectar, and Soda water. It’s packed with anti-oxidants and actually tastes ahhhhmazing!

Since we have been busy working on a Nautical themed house, everything with Anchors and Rope has been catching our eye. One of our all time favorite nautical pieces is from a collection designed by Annie Selke for Vanguard Furniture. The whimsical ropey detail makes for a great accent piece in an entry or a bedroom to fill a space or create a focal point.

Kelly Wearstler used the Ropey chair in her design at Maison 140 in a rich orange.The splash of color really makes it a statement piece. It can be anything from beachy chic to high volume glamour.

Here are a few minimalistic bathrooms that really transcend typical design and turn the “loo” into an exciting retreat. Borrowing ideas from art, nature, and pure imagination, these bathrooms are far from ordinary.

An avant garde approach to bathing…

The dark gray texture of the concrete walls and the skylight with light pouring in feels strangely natural. This shower feels bare and beautiful to me.

The lengthy clean lines and gilded edges in this room create simplistic elegance.

This shower/bath combination seems like an optic illusion and puts its bathing subjects on display.

Become one with nature. The scenic view from this bath creates the perfect relaxation retreat.

One of my favorite design trends is KNOTS! Leave it to Kelly Wearstler to make a sailing knot cool! using a ground linen fabric with heavy cotton knot embroidery, the House of KWID turns sailing knots into high fashion for the home. The fabric comes in 3 colorways and works fabulously as an upholstry fabric or as a decorative pillow. At over $400 a yard, I’m sticking to pillows.

Ann Gish also puts her spin on “the knot” with her crushed silk napkins. They retail for $30 a piece, but you can re-create the same look on a budget. Just take some napkins made of thin material… wrinkle them up… then tie a knot in the center, and voila… A fresh new look for a tired table.

Dransfield and Ross have been trendsetters for years in the world of bedding and pillows. Their “Flagship” line of pillows just screams Nautical Chic. The “knot board pillow”(below) would be great in a little boy’s room by the beach.

I love to use a trunk for pretty much anything besides travel.  Trunks are wonderful because they are add beauty and storage! The perfect combination of art and function. Place one at the foot of the bed; between two chairs as a table; or stacked in the corner.

These striped Vintage Linen cubes by Dan Marti Design are one of our favorite new finds.  The parchment edging is one of my favorite parts.

Tommy Hilfiger uses his Antique Louis Vuitton as the perfect coffee table.  

Goyard and Louis Vuitton trunks are some of the coolest collectors items. Depending on their condition, they can be worth a pretty penny.

At a golden globes pre-party, they Aaron Thomas placed trunks under acyrlic covers that protected the prized possessions from spills. A very innovative idea.

One of my favorite fixes for sprucing up a room is adding some candles or reed diffuser sticks. Who doesn’t want their home to smell nice and inviting for everyone who walks in?

It’s surprising how big of an impact sense of smell can have on our mood. Senseofsmell.org says “Fragraces can have a beneficial effect on irritation, stress and depression and can further enhance the positive factors of happiness, sensuality, relaxation and stimulation.”

I love to have candles burning whenever I’m home to set the mood and scent the air. At Blossom, we carry a few lines like Voluspa, Thymes and our newest edition Dayna Decker! Dayna Decker is my favorite line of candles because its an overall sensory experience. Their candles are made of a vegetable oil blend and feature a super cool Eco-wood wick which makes a soft crackling noise while it burns. I am obsessed!

If candles don’t really do it for you, then try an oil diffuser! They are really low maintnance… all you have to do is flip the sticks every couple weeks to strengthen the scent in the air. My favorite scent? Leila by Dayna Decker.

LEILA: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Dewberry, Lemon Flower, & Amber Musk

the astounding work of Michelle Nussbaumer

In these economic times, there aren’t too many people “throwing caution to the wind” when it comes to shopping for their home. Each purchase must be made carefully, taking into account whether or not it is a good value.

In the latest issue of Elle Décor (November 2009), they ask four women who are major players in the design world this question:  “What does value mean for you?”

Two of my favorite responses were by Josie Natori and Michelle Nussbaumer. They say,

“It’s not about doing something just to be inexpensive. It’s about craftsmanship. Our fragrance is not only a fragrance, the bottle is a collectors item.”(JN)

“I sell antiques and furniture of provenance. Something to be passed on or something that will work in a future home. It’s a onetime investment that pays innumerable dividends.”(MN)

When it comes to choosing the pieces that will define the space you reside in, its important to realize when to splurge and when to save. Its vital to think of the long-term benefits vs the drawbacks of spending a few extra bucks.

A quality piece of upholstery can cost triple the price of a piece that lacks in craftsmanship, but it will definitely outlive the latter. I say, if its going to get a lot of use, or it is going to be a focal point in the room, don’t be afraid to make the investment. Sometimes those pieces we fall in love with are worth every penny for the feeling they evoke when you walk into the room.