How to style a leather sofa

I'm loving bright, crisp, airy design style these days.  I know I'm not the only one.  Think linen tufted sofas and bright white woodwork.  But light colored linen sofas are just not realistic for many of us.  People with kids, dogs, or people who just like to put their feet up or wear dark wash jeans may not want to invest so much money into a piece that just can't stand up to the wear and tear that happens in their homes.  There are several options that hide some stains and wear, but a favorite with many is leather.  But how do you fit a big, often dark, leather sofa into your new bright, fresh room?  I have some help for you.  

1. You NEED pillows.

Leather is often dark and quite masculine looking.  Pillows will bring softness, give you an opportunity to add color, texture, or pattern, and visually break up the big dark sofa.

Picture from http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/out-in-country.html

2.  Balance out the dark with a lot of light textures and colors.

If you have a dark floor, use a lighter rug.  Use throw pillows and throws.  Consider a lighter painted finish or lighter tone on your wood coffee table, or even glass or something else.

Room by Lori May Interiors  found on http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/organize/3-creative-storage-solutions-for-the-family-room.html

In this room, the dark sofa is brightened with light colored pillows, a white stone top coffee table, light toned rug, and light walls.  However, don't make the sofa be the only dark piece in the room. 

This room has small bits of dark scattered around the room to ground it.  Note the dark turtle shell in front of the fire place, the dark base of the coffee table, candlesticks on the fireplace, and the black picture frame.

3. Don't buy the entire "set" of leather furniture.  

I'm talking sofa, love seat, matching chair and ottoman.  This is just TOO MUCH big, dark leather.  I don't do matching "sets" of anything anyway, but a leather matching set is particularly bad.  If you already have one, break it up.  Use the pieces in other rooms.

Do, mix a mis-matched love seat and chairs with your leather sofa.  

This leather sofa is balanced by the similarly colored chairs across from it.  These ones happen to be animal hide - not really my thing.  But any fabric in a similar color would have the same effect.

4. Give colored leather a shot.

Leather comes in almost any color you can think of these days.  You can do it in a lighter neutral color like this one.

Found on Alicelanehome.com

Or, go bold, like these rooms.

Found on Ethanallen.com

Found on bhg.com

5. Not ready to take the plunge with a leather sofa?  Try a smaller leather piece.

A leather ottoman or chair will add texture and interest to your room and can be easier to work with.

Via Alice Lane Home Collection

So don't be intimidated by that big, manly looking sofa.  You can still get the look you are after!

My Parade of Homes Winning Home!! #6 by Steven Dailey Construction

I've been mulling it over for a couple of weeks and I finally picked my winning home for the 2014 Salt Lake Parade of Homes.  I'm sure you've all been up at night wondering, so wonder no more.  Here it is!  It's home #6 by Steven Dailey Construction.  Interior Design by Megan Rae Interiors.

Now, to call this a "house" is a bit misleading.  It's practically a neighborhood unto itself.  At 18,688 square feet, this is indeed a monster of a house.  In fact it's so big, it almost turned me off a bit, but I was won over by the lovely details and exquisite decor.  I'm sure the (seemingly) limitless budget didn't hurt.  The price was not listed.  I think it's one of those, if you have to ask, you can't afford it, situations.  

Here is the front of the house.  I had to take it in two pictures because I couldn't fit it all in one shot.  Seriously.

The little blue thing is a play house being shown in the parade.  It is not part of the home.

Right when you enter the home, there is a lovely entry way looking into the living room.  I loved the finish carpentry details on the posts (see the post on the left of the picture), the built in book cases, the light, airy, neutral color palette, and the fact that they used drapes.  This was one of the few homes that had any window treatments at all.

Here are some of the lovely details that I'm talking about.  Notice all the wood work around the doors and the transom above the door.  This little alcove leads to the master bedroom.

I also loved that they used WALLPAPER!!  I'm telling you, wallpaper is making a come back.  I love the diamond pattern one they used on three walls of the bedroom.  The one behind the headboard isn't my favorite, but over all, it's a lovely room and I love that they went for it.  

The master bathroom was elegant and airy.  White cabinets and sparkling light fixtures create a light filled sanctuary.  And then they stuck a TV in there.  I hate it.  Oh, well.

This shower is big enough for 5 people.  I'm not sure why you'd need a shower big enough for 5, but that's not my concern.

The basement was kept bright by using a lot of white painted board and batten, light gray painted walls and glistening chrome and glass light fixtures.  I've loved the barn doors that have been around for several years, but they were EVERYWHERE in the parade this year.  I STILL love them.

This basement includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full sized kitchen, a full sized laundry room (one of 3 or 4 in this house.  I literally lost count.), a craft room, theater room, rec. room, billiards room, workout room, and....

a freaking full sized indoor tennis court.  Because who doesn't have one of those, right?

Back up on the main floor, the dining room is totally chic, but maybe a bit small for such a large house?  Please ignore the dude in the mirror.  It's nearly impossible to get pictures without people in them during the parade.  I love the cabinets flanking each side of the mirror, the mix of metals (chrome on the light fixture, brass on the mirror, silver on the furniture tacks on the upholstered chairs and bench).  I love the mixed seating and mix of patterns on the fabric.  The seat on the bench was kind of a menswear inspired plaid that played off the cabana stripe on the drapes.

The family room is open to the kitchen and dining room.  I loved that they brought a little bit more color in here.  The windows and views were really breathtaking in person.  They used a lot of pattern in the fabrics in here and they all work together very well.  Can I convince everyone to please STOP with the TV's above the fireplace, though?  Please?  It's not an ideal angle for television viewing and it's just too prominent of a location for the TV.  (IMHO)

This kitchen was gorgeous!  I love the white cabinets, warmed up by the wide plank wood floors.  The subway tiles and light fixtures add the perfect bit of sparkle.  

Here is one of the laundry rooms.  I liked the painted finish on the cabinets and the bright coral light fixture.

The upstairs area was one of my favorite parts of the house.  It basically consists of two little girls bedrooms, a Jack and Jill bathroom, another full sized laundry room and an adorable play area.  Basically the entire area is broken up into the "blue" side and the "pink" side.  You'll see what I mean.  It's so fun.

So we'll start in the "blue" bedroom.

From here, we go to the "blue" side of the Jack and Jill bathroom.  This wallpaper.  I DIE!!  I'm SO in love!!

Here was another detail that I think a lot of people didn't even notice.  On the "blue" side of the bathroom, the tile inserts were blue, then they phased into taupe in the shared shower area, then turned to pink on the pink side.  Clever.

Here's the pink side.  LOVE!!

And then comes the pink bedroom.

And then....  the neighboring blue and pink play rooms.  Have you ever seen anything so fun?

Here is the main floor hallway.  I think it might just be one of the prettiest hallways ever.

And of course there is a mudroom to die for.  There is a small bench to sit on while you take off your shoes and then...

And then there's this entire wall of enclosed cabinetry.  For someone like me who doesn't like a lot of visual clutter, this is a dream.

So, there you have it.  My favorite home of the 2014 Salt Lake Parade of Homes.  This was just a nibble.  I couldn't begin to show you every room, but believe me.  It was spectacular. 

Salt Lake Parade of Homes Teaser

So, I've been busily running around trying to see as many parade homes as possible.  It's hard to work it into my schedule when they aren't open in the mornings.  So far, I've had to drag my kids around to all of them, which is not ideal.  Lucy hates the booties, but she sure looks cute in them.

So far I'm definitely noticing some continuing trends like white kitchens, gray, and fresh, bright interiors.  I'm also noticing that exteriors are favoring the cottage craftsman look more and more over the faux european look from a few years ago.

Here are a few pictures of some of the exteriors and a room or two from each home.  This is home #27 by Tailor Built Homes.  Interior Design by Osmond Design.  This home was bright and airy, beachy, and transitional in style.

This modern stunner is by Emerald Homes.  Interior Design by Prickley Pear Interior Design.  The design of this home is refreshingly different from all the others in the parade.  The views are spectacular and the interior is mid-century modern.

This is home #8 by Cadence Homes.  Interior Design by Four Chairs Furniture.  This may be one of my favorites so far.  It is surely on trend with the color scheme and bright, airy feel, but stays away from being too "beach themed".

Home #10 is built by Steven Dailey Construction and decorated by Red Door Design.  This lovely is loaded with traditional Craftsman/cottage detail and features incredible views.

Have you been to the parade?  What have been your favorite homes so far?  I'm still compiling my final list of trends for the year and also my pick for best overall house.  Can't wait to show you!

Door of the month for August

Is it August already?  My kids (well, one of them) starts school in just a couple of weeks!  I'm feeling the pressure to check off our remaining summer bucket list items.  I'm also totally ready to get back into the groove.  I admit, I thrive on the routine that fall and school bring.  Now that July is over, it's time to take down all my July decor.  I could do a back to school themed door, but it just seems wrong in August.  It's still summer and I need a summertime door.  Maybe I'll think about adding some back to school stuff to it in a couple of weeks.

For my summertime door, I use my bright and lovely red berry wreath that I got at Rod Works.  I switched out the blue ribbon for a yellow one and substituted a cute little bird for the flag in my flower pot.  I put my red table back on my deck and pulled my orange World Market table back out.  The little wooden "Blossom" plaque is from Rod Works and the yellow lantern is from Tai Pan Trading.  In only a few minutes, we are ready to welcome the rest of summer.

I can make it two more weeks, I can make it two more weeks, I can make it two more weeks...

Color Spotlight - NAVY!!

I have always loved the color navy.  It's so classic.  It will never go out of style.  It's rich and yet more interesting than black.  It's a neutral and a color all at the same time.  It's appropriate for any season and it's totally having a moment right now.

I'm using navy in my master bedroom (can't wait to show you) as the color pop against all the neutrals of gray, tan, white, and cream and I love the richness it brings to the room.

Neutral Navy Color Scheme by lindy-kingdon on Polyvore

Navy can also be the neutral that grounds brighter colors like in this fabric pictured below or in this fun girls bedroom done by Rhoda from the blog Southern Hospitality.  http://southernhospitalityblog.com/feature-friday-my-old-country-house/

Navy can also make softer colors like pink and peach look more grown up and less "sweet" like in the fabric/paint combination by Caitlin Wilson below.  http://caitlinwilson.com/paint-suggestions/

Of course we can't forget one of my favorite traditional color schemes or red, white, and blue.  This room was done by Darci Goodman Design.  

I really can't think of a color that doesn't look great when paired with navy.  Orange, tangerine, teal, light blue, all shades of purple, green...  They all work great.  

Designing the Life I Dream Of

So, in my "About Me" section, you might have noticed that I said I post about "my quest to design the life I dream of."  Mostly I've just posted about design stuff so far, but today is the day.  I had a little bit of an epiphany the other day.  I'd been daydreaming about living on a farm (not WORKING the farm), having a little garden, animals, a slower pace...  I'd still love to do that, but here is the epiphany.  Why wait to have the life I dream of?  So, I don't live on a farm and my garden gets eaten by deer.  What else can I do to be happy NOW and not in some dream of a life I may never have?

I've been thinking about it and I've found a few things that are important for me to be happy and stay out of the day to day rut.  You might need different things.  Here are some of mine.  I'm sure I'll come up with more the more that I think about it.

1. Me time.  I need me time.  Not a lot, but some.  EVERY DAY.  It might be a 25 minute workout in front of the TV (T25 anyone?), maybe a trip to the gym, yoga, maybe even a pedicure.  It doesn't really matter what it is, as long as I can focus on it for a little while and feel recharged after.  Quite often, this is easier said than done.  Me time does NOT include folding laundry, going to the grocery store (especially with kids), work, or cleaning.  It's nice if I can combine it with something active, because I surely need more of that.

2. A creative outlet.  I need to be doing something creative.  Sometimes this includes designing new rooms for me or my friends.  Sometimes it might be sewing a quilt.  (I've done that twice now.)  It could be putting Hannah and Lucy's fall wardrobes together on Polyvore.  It's so much more fun to dress them than it is to dress me.  This creative outlet happens for me automatically.  I can't help designing things in my mind.  Thinking about how I would change or improve a place that I go, or how I can incorporate great details that I see into my rooms.

3. I need to get out of my comfort zone.  This is more for the "stay out of the day to day rut" part.  I have a hard time with this.  For one, I'm super busy with two kids, one who is still a toddler.  I work, I have a blog (maybe you've heard of it?), I try to exercise regularly, I attempt to prepare healthy meals for my family THAT THEY WILL EAT.  But it's also difficult because I'm not really a dare devil type of girl.  I've always been more of a watch from the sidelines type of girl.  But you know what?  That is lame.  I'm missing out on a lot of fun just watching from the sidelines.  You gotta get in there, you know?  Get your hands dirty.  So I've been trying to say "yes" to things that might sound like too much effort or might seem a little bit intimidating.  It's been fun!

Today I did SUP yoga.  What is that you ask?  It's yoga on a Stand Up Paddleboard.  I have a friend who is really good at getting her hands dirty.  She's super active and doesn't seem intimidated by much.  She has her own Yoga and Pilates company that does SUP yoga.  It's called Wasatch Yoga and Pilates and she's on Facebook.  Look her up there.  I saw some pictures she posted and I thought, "Ohhh!  That looks like fun!"  But then I thought, "I can't do that!  I've never even done SUP before.  What if I'm terrible?  What if I spend the entire time in the water?  What if everyone can tell what a dork I am?"  And then, I signed up.  Guess what?  It was fun!  I only fell in once and it wasn't so bad.  I wasn't the only one who fell in either.  Don't know if they could tell what a dork I am, but who cares, right?  I think I'm going to go again!

Here's another thing I might not have been THAT psyched to do.  Go on a hike with my family for Pioneer Day.  We have two little girls that fight a lot in the car, they make it hard to get up and do stuff.  And they MIGHT complain a bit while hiking the 1 mile trail up to Cecret Lake.  But...  we did it!  And it was fun!  And I think maybe they learned something about getting off the beaten path.  About the rewards of going out of your way a little bit to see something not everyone gets to see.  That it won't kill you to get out of breath and to feel your leg muscles working.  At least I hope they did.