I am working on a design project right now that has me thinking all about greens, yellows, and browns.
just like a fresh, new shoot popping up out of rich, dark earth…

enjoy the Spring beauty of greens, yellows, and browns,
brought inside through these beautiful designs:

{photos :: 1. coastal living; 2. anna williams photography; 3. martha stewart living; 4. jonathan adler; 5. garrow kardigian; 6. via decor pad 7. nate berkus}

a beautiful color combination, don’t you think?
-{darlene}

Here is a collection of miscellaneous pics that I would love to share from over here at Fieldstone Hill:

I finally, finally started my first vegetable garden. Isn’t she beautiful?
I think that even a vegetable garden should be designed with beauty in mind….
why ever not?

{see the fieldstone? it is true love.}

as promised in this post, here is a picture that our babysitter took after my big boy and I came home from the Symphony. Rhinestones, satin, sequined shoes, and velvet pants were nothing compared to how dapper my handsome little man was. And yes, I was most overdressed for a children’s matinee…

and, last but not least:
I could not pass up the opportunity to share this amazing bedroom with you, that features one of my favorite color combinations {that I posted about here}, Coral and Navy:

amazing room, no? those inky lampshades are so dramatic. and that headboard; SO classy.
And don’t miss the great closet-turned-desk built-in:

• white lacquer pulls it all together
• the built-in features make the most of every inch {love those shelves}
• and there is a fantastic piece of art with lips of coral, echoing the whole color scheme of the room.

I am inspired! I am definitely saving this one for my own files.
-{darlene}

in the rare event that you have a living room the size of a ballroom, this post is for you.
in the more likely event that you just love dazzling and balanced design, this post is for you, too.

{via merida rugs}

ditto :: {what I would steal from this room}:

1. the architectural elements. If you are going to have an exceptionally large room, you must balance it with tasteful architectural elements. Here, I think the designer has successfully accomplished balance by using huge, triple transoms above the repeating, double french-doors. But, my favorite method of balance is found in the hand-hewn ceiling beams. They bring the ceiling a bit more “down to earth,” while at the same time adding a pattern that divides the room up into smaller, bite sized, and symmetrical {yippee!} sections.
2. two huge sofas, facing each other. I love this design concept for a large room {it is not a great concept for smaller rooms however}. While I prefer smaller spaces to huge ones, I love how two sofas, with a huge presence, can fill up the room while providing perfect conversation spaces. Imagine lying down on one sofa, and chatting with a friend who is lying down on the other sofa! It is like a sleep-over party for grown-ups!
3. the tall backs on the sofas. Just wanted to point this out, since it is so different. Again, I think this adds further balance to the soaring ceiling.
4. tall urns flanking the door. Another fantastic way to bring the room down to size. These stately urns also echo the wood color in the ceiling beams, “grounding” the space even further.
5. those great Suzani pillows. Google the word “Suzani” and you will find some gorgeous things for your home. promise!
6. a train trunk as a coffee table. I have always loved this idea. It is a great alternative to a standard coffee table, and it works well for narrow spaces. Rustic? yes. But also adventurous. Just pack it up, and you are ready to go! And if your train trunk happens to have one of those fantastically interesting, and uneven, top surfaces, just use a grand tray to make it more useful.
7. plenty of lighting. When you have a room that is more like a grand hall, plentiful lighting is essential. Here we have four table lamps and a ceiling chandelier, as well as plenty of windows for natural light.
8. check out the cute little side table that simply sits, empty and waiting, in front of the sofa on the right. I love it! It sits there for the mere purpose of being useful – with the added benefit of being lovely. I will take a seat at the gorgeous sofa on the right, with a cup of coffee, please!

I am in the process of selecting bedding for our boys’ room. I am working off of the vision I laid out on my original design board, which you can see here. But right now, I am using some inspiration photos to hone in on what items I really want to purchase for their beds.

Below are a variety of bedroom pictures, with one thing in common: I love how the bed is made.
Let’s see what common themes crop up, shall we?
{I will place in bold any bed item that repeats itself from photo to photo}

Euro sham. Coverlet. Folded coverlet at the foot. Contrasting yet analogous patterns. Patterned bed skirt.
{ele decor}

Euro sham in the back. Contrasting regular pillow in front. Tucked coverlet with visible sheet. Casually folded duvet at the foot. No bed skirt. White sheets.
{tom stringer}

Euro sham in the back. Contrasting regular sham in front. Duvet covers bed. Patterned bed skirt that matches Euro sham.
{katie leede}

Double regular sham pillows, stacked vertically. Duvet covers bed. Contrasting coverlet folded at the foot. Bed skirt. White sheets.
{house beautiful. chad eisner}

Folded coverlet at foot. No bedskirt. Double pillows, stacked horizontally.
White sheets.
{house beautiful}

Tucked coverlet with visible sheet. Contrasting, folded coverlet at foot. White sheets.
{martha stewart}

Loose coverlet with visible sheet. Double regular sham pillows, stacked horizontally. No bedskirt. White sheets.

1. line up a bunch of your favorite photos that include the item to be purchased
2. then look for common themes, design techniques, materials and colors that keep popping up