Favorite Shop: Serena & Lily

No doubt, if you're a frequent shopper, you're getting the Serena and Lily catalog in the mail. If not, you're missing some fabulous style ideas. It's one of those catalogs you get and hang on to for an intense study with a glass of wine or coffee. Chock full of colorful style, this shop is a designer fave for product and inspiration in every little detail.

This weekend, we had the opportunity to check out the new store in Westport, Ct and wow, it did not disappoint. All I can say is "You had me at hello."

Take a peek into one of our favorite shops and see for yourself. Here we go to Serena & Lily...

{Shop the Look}

My favorites in this space

Not a great shot of these vases but they are so fabulous.

The artwork is amazing.

Every detail is full of beauty and color.

The gorgeous gallery of sea artwork along the stairs. 

And this stair detail. Such a great idea and easy way to add a punch to wood stairs.

You could easily take a stylish contact paper and recreate this look.

Of course, the powder room is adorably chic.

Shop wallpaper

The bedroom is serene and stylish of course. I'll take all of it.

{apologies for the poor photo quality!}

Love the vintage frames with modern artwork.

Seriously. If you can visit Westport, CT, you must pop in and shop.

It's walkable, right off of Main st. where it's all happening for a fun day of shopping. 

{And make sure you eat at The Spotted Horse, my fave dinner spot. 

For lunch, head down the road to Terrain and eat in the cafe. }

And if you can't make it in person, check Serena & Lily online.

MEMORIAL DAY SALE!

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*Sponsored post

Two Design Trends with a Twist: 2016 and Beyond

Welcome 2016! Let's face it, whether you buy into "new year, new you" or not, we all have a room or space in our home we'd like to rejuvenate. For some of us, a new house build, a full remodel, or a new kitchen is on the books. Regardless of your budget, it's important to find a design that has some longevity (at least 5 years), otherwise you'll find yourself re-visiting the same space before you know it.

How do you sift through the short-term trends and decide on a scheme that merges your personal
style and functionality with the excitement of new design elements? In order to successfully navigate these design waters, you'll simply need to find your inspiration and then ask yourself a couple of questions;

• Does this design have a neutral backdrop(walls/tile/floor) or is the backdrop on trend for today's style? {You may need to tweak a couple of your ideas to ensure longevity with your new design. Be careful of creating permanence with trendy elements. Keep trends in the forefront of your space, with neutrals as a backdrop.

• Does this design accomodate how we use the space or does it exist as "that's the way I always see it in other homes." {Try to pay attention to how much function your new design has in your real life. Simply because everyone else is doing it, doesn't mean it works for you. Put your money in smart functionality with great style.

Here's a look at a strong trend for 2016 and a stand-out from 2015 that may need some tweaking to avoid wearing out its welcome.

KITCHEN APPLIANCE TREND
Say "good-bye" to the standard stainless steel package in the kitchen. Forward thinking kitchens are mixing metals and still looking strong with copper and unlacquered brass. If you're all set with your appliances, you can mix in some metals through lighting, cabinet hardware and barstools.

Obviously, a 10-20k price range is not in everyone's budget however, this kitchen trend is coming in strong with most manufacturers. Whirlpool is launching their Sunset Bronze color,.
This one under $700 from GE Artistry has a sleek black look with a simple clock on the back splash.

Upfront controls on a range always give a more expensive look. The key to longevity here is sticking to a neutral backdrop and mixing it up with accents in the forefront (rugs, accessories, island color).

Brass faucets, oil rubbed bronze, stainless, industrial lighting and sleek marble. All used in harmony.

{With 2016 a TWIST}

Via

RECLAIMED WOOD TREND

Sliding barn style doors were one of the hottest PINs going for 2015 and many people have an install in progress however, (I say that quietly so not to get snowballs thrown at me) in order to keep this trend going strong, use this style of door sparingly and on low traffic doors. If you have small kids, need privacy or lack wall space, this style of door is probably not going to be a great choice. 

Here's a great example of a sliding door functioning in a tight space.

The 2016 spin on this rustic vibe is to continue using beautiful aged wood, industrial and unique architectural elements, mixed within a polished and updated home. Here are some inspiring examples

If you find a fabulous antique door, I suggest you snatch it up and find a fit. Talk about adding character that you'll never tire of! And no worries about a knick or scratch. 

Such a smart idea to use natural wood shutters and paneled doors on the exterior. For walls that have an awkward amount of blank space, simply installing a faux door or panels creates a great look.

 

Many of the above photos are from the website portfolio of Vintage South Development. They are a firm out of Nashville, quite killing it with amazing homes, chock full of inspiration. Follow them here on Instagram and make sure to look through all of the houses on their site. Seriously, it will get you so jazzed for decorating in 2016.

Cheers to a new start and creating spaces filled with meaningful people and thoughtful decor.

For starters, I just might add this in the office.

xoxo Cheers.

America's Top Model {Homes}

The new home arena has taken home design to a new level this year. Model homes used to be jam packed with heavy custom drapery, tons of knick-knacks and plenty of painted focal walls. Buyers today are taking design cues from social sites like Houzz and Pinterest and coming to the showing with big expectations. What are the trends for new construction? As professional merchandisers, we stay on high alert for new home trends in design. Based on buyer feedback, we take copious notes on short term vs. long term design trends. Regardless of budget, I like to look to America's most gorgeous model homes for the best examples of these trends. And with some creative due diligence, we can all take this major inspiration with us when creating our own fabulous home.

Here is one of my absolute favorite homes of 2015. In fact, it's in my top 10 favorite homes ever. From the amazing Utah Valley Parade of Homes, this home, built by McEwan Custom homes, was decorated by Alice Lane Home. This unbelievably gorgeous home shows off some of today's top trends in home design. Here's a look inside and out...

{via}

Black windows are a strong trend in new homes. Taking inspiration from steel windows, fiberglass and vinyl windows trimmed in black with untraditional mullions are a budget friendly alternative.

Custom stained wood floors are a popular request for today's buyer. There are plenty of alternatives to expensive custom flooring and the good news is, from dark stains to light, the trend is to make your own own style.

Mixed cabinet colors are a hot topic in kitchen design. Grey and white are a safe bet and if you're investing in a new kitchen, you should get on board with unlacquered brass finishes. If you're still not ready to commit to the brass vibe, make sure you design with the ability to switch your hardware later.

 {shop this wallpaper}

Wallpaper has made a huge comeback and shows itself most in small bathrooms and unexpected places like the laundry or pantry. It's a great way to add personality to your space without creating a big removal project when it's time to make a change.

 {shop hardware}

Unique hardware is coming on strong. This is great way to give big box cabinetry a custom look.

Free standing tubs are replacing the big jacuzzi tubs. Those big jacuzzis seemed like a great idea until you had to fill the tub. I love how the decorative screen in this bathroom creates a major wow factor.

Not ready to go all brass? Mix it up with a combination of gold, silver and black. 

Don't forget the ceiling! As if this room wasn't fabulous enough, the wallpapered ceiling takes it to a new height!

Decorative framed mirrors are the way to go in every bathroom. From Homegoods to Horchow, the options are endless for a great mirror. I also love this example of simple staging in the bathroom,

I love how a simple striped towel can go a long way in styling a space. 

 {Shop this towel, and hook}

Built ins have never looked so good. I just love the white on white with book styling and pops of brass. Simply stunning.

All photos via Alice Lane Home Blog.

And last but not least, the most amazing backyard ever. That slide is the icing on the cake.

To see this home with details, visit the blog of Alice Lane Home. It is so impressive and chock-full of ideas for the home. They also have an amazing store where you can find the most stylish decor. Some truly talented people there.