Outstanding Ottomans

Ottomans are great multi-functional pieces of furniture.  Pouf ottomans are perfect for smaller spaces like apartments and bedrooms.  We use ours for a table, footstool and a seat.  My cat thinks it's a perfect spot to sit and demand attention from us.
A friend sent me a link to House Beautiful's website which featured some great pouf ottomans.  I would love to get a few of these to rest my feet on at the end of the day.  These are some of my favorites from what they featured.

Images from House Beautiful

Magazines!

Yesterday I posted about House Beautiful magazine's May issue being a must-have.  Now I have made it easier for you to get at this magazine and an even easier way than that!
I now have available on my bookstore a magazine section.  I've added the ones that I am currently subscribed to, including House Beatuiful and others I recommend.  (BTW, I just notice that Amazon has an amazing deal right now on Dwell Magazine!  Only $5!!)
So now you can go the easy route of ordering through my bookstore, or....
You can win a subscription to House Beautiful through this blog!*  Starting today, tax day (a day we all need something to cheer us up) you can now enter to win a one year subscription to House Beautiful.  Contest ends April 30th.  A winner will be selected using random.org.  There are up to 3 chances to enter and get your name in the drawing:
1. Leave me a comment on why you would like to win a subscription to this magazine
2. Become a "follower" and leave a comment that you are now a follower
3. Blog about this contest and leave a comment with the link to your blog

Good luck!

*Only US domestic (48 states). My apologies international readers!

Advice You Need to Have

I notice that I am quite often bringing to light the great inspirations that can be found in House Beautiful Magazine.  I really recommend you should just go out and subscribe, if you haven't already. At the very least, pick up the May issue!  It's titled "The Big Advice Issue", which you know must be loaded with some gems.  I have provided some as proof!

To start off with, we have this yummy room from the cover.  The greys and cream upholstery peices (LOVE the sofa!) are kept fresh with orage, tourquoise, green and dark pink accents.

The advice being mentioned for this room is to double up on the accent pillows and make sure they are contrasting in color and texture or patterns.  Also, put some skirts on your upholstery to avoid too many legs in the room.  Skirts help to "ground" the room instead of making it appear "nervous"

Here's some creative advice to wallpaper you sliding closet doors!  Presto chango you have an exciting feature wall for very little effort.

This photo shows how unlimited we can be in our outdoor spaces thanks to new fabrics and finishes.

This photo is highlighting a common misconception that my clients find hard to believe when I tell them: Dark walls will make the room feel bigger! The edges of the room will get lost in the shadows.

Really, just go pick up this issue and discover all of the other great tips that House Beautiful Magazine has so wonderfully compiled.

Reclaiming Wood in Interiors

I am loving the look of reclaimed wood furniture and flooring.  It's so natural and "green" that it makes me happy to simply see the wonderful pieces cropping up everywhere.  I noticed the reclaimed wood being featured all over the Las Vegas Winter Market this year.  I particularly loved everything in the Dovetail Showroom, which featured much of this style.  Some of it is very rustic and provencal while others look cleaner and washed in the Scandinavian style.

Image from Dovetail

As I looked through my magazines this last weekend, I especially liked the spread in the April issue of House Beautiful called "The New Look of Wood" with categories of reclaimed, washed, tinted, graphic, and white.  The pictures are so inspiring and exquisite that I recommend picking up this issue.  I give you just a sampling here to whet your appetite.

Images by Rebecca Ward

Circular Seating

I saw this living room in this month's issue of House Beautiful and found I had to share it. The semi-circle or horseshoe of seating within the window bay is so charming and inviting. It looks like a good place to curl up with a book or socialize during an evening party. The fresh green fabric is nicely complemented by the medium stained wood floors and chocolate pillows. The dark lacquered trim around the windows disappears as you look out to the lovely view. This seating area gets high marks in my book.