Loving my FOUR FEET candelabras I found last weekend at the Rose Bowl Flea Market!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling
Cortney
Follow me on Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Tag Archives: Tips
Splash of Glass!
Want to make the ultimate splash to your Wonderland kitchen backsplash? Consider using glass!
For the past few years, white subway tiles have been all the rage in kitchens. While I still love the all-white look and absolutely adore subway tiles, the newest trend for kitchens is glass! Designers and homeowners are taking the leap in using more exotic backsplash finishes as they are becoming bolder in expressing themselves in their kitchen design. Some are even starting to use stainless steel and brick!
To help you achieve the exact look you want, the glass tiles come in endless shapes and colors. Even if you do not want to bring in a vibrant color into your kitchen you can choose a neutral glass palate. Remember, using a decorative backsplash is a safer choice than painting kitchen cabinets a bold color. If you are looking for a non-risky way to update your kitchen I would recommend a glass backsplash as it will instantly modernize your Wonderland.
I would love to hear about your favorite kitchen designs! Leave me a comment below or send me a photo!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling!
Cheers!
Cortney
Traditional Seating Turned Playful!
Sometimes a space or Wonderland needs a little punch of playfulness! For example, a traditional room may need just one piece of non-traditional “something” to help it have a touch of flirt and not be so serious. This can easily be done by adding a small accessory that is barely peeking out of a bookcase, or – if you dare to be a tad bit bolder – upholster a modern fabric to a traditional chair! I suggest taking a black and white sassy print and using it on an accent chair for a desk or extra seating.
Here are three examples of black and white playful prints used on traditional chair forms:
I’d love to hear your ideas or see your photos of modern fabric on a traditional chair. Leave me a comment below!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling
Cheers!
Cortney
Burlap Knows No Boundaries!
No matter if you are a total Bohemian at heart or live the glamorous life of “The Bold & The Beautiful”, you can stretch your boundaries with burlap! Originally known for its utilitarian purpose, Burlap has evolved into a versatile textile for home décor. It looks amazing in an eclectic environment and adds a touch of soft reality to space that otherwise maybe too bewitching. The fabric now comes in a large variety of weaves and blends, textures, colors and even prints!
Here are a few tips on how you may want to incorporate basic Burlap fabrics into your space:
Window Treatments: A loose weave of burlap will work best as it will let light filter into your space, yet you will still have the necessary privacy you need.
Upholstering Furniture: When upholstering your furniture with burlap look for a blended yet tight weave. This will give you a sturdy fabric that will be long lasting and most importantly comfortable to the touch. Look for linen-like burlap that will provide comfort, yet will give your room a more polished look.
Wall Covering: Just like wallpaper, burlap can be used on your walls to create a cozy and warm environment. The fabric is laminated to paper before being applied to the wall.
Accents: From ottomans, pillows, place mats, to lamp shades, cork boards and bed skirts … the sky is the limit when it comes to how you can use burlap. If you just want to incorporate a hint of burlap in to your space, small accents are the way-to-go!
I would love to hear how you use burlap in your space! Post a comment below or send me a photo!
Keep Dreaming, Designing and Dwelling
Cheers!
Cortney
Stripes make a Statement for Summer!
Accessorizing your backyard for the summer can be done endless ways but why not pick a stripe to make your backyard sizzle! No matter if you are daring and want to use a bright color or if you want to keep it muted I have found three fabulous options for your wonderland out back and they are all at various price points!
First is the Dedon Fedro Chair designed by Lorenza Bozzoli. The armless and legless chair is beautifully crafted and easily stacks for portability. It also comes in three color themes to mix-and-match or you can pick one to add a single splash of boldness to your backyard!
My next selection is Horchow’s Striped Beanbag Chair and Ottoman. This charcoal and natural stripe furniture set is the perfect selection for someone who wants to be surrounded by comfort and kick up their feet to relax! Also, if you want to add a punch of color with beach towels, throw pillows and table wear these neutral colors give you the freedom to do just that.
The third choice is Crate&Barrel’s Stripe Folding Chaise Lounge. The playful colors of this lounge chair will add pop to any backyard and the variety of colors give you options to accessorize. Since the chair easily folds you can transport it from your backyard to the beach or park effortlessly. This is a great option for the person who is on-the-go!
I would love to hear how you have incorporated stripes for the summer! Leave me a comment below or send me a photo!
Keep Dreaming, Designing and Dwelling.
Cheers!
Cortney
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Pop – of – Paint!
Who loves COLOR? I do, I do!!! Did you know that color can affect your mood, your friends’ mood and members of your family’s mood as well? How fascinating is that!?! (I will address this subject more-in- depth on another blog.) Therefore, it is very important when choosing the correct color of paint for your home, your wonderland, to make sure it affects you and your loved ones in a positive way. Here are four tips to remember when choosing your pop-of-paint:
1. What type of environment or “Wonderland” do you want to create? Are you painting a small nook for your own “me” time or are you painting your dinning room or maybe a cheerful place for your kids to play?
2. If you already have invested in furniture and fabric, does the paint you want to use compliment them? Paint is much easier to change than buying new fabric and furniture.
3. Are you planning on painting an entire room or just an accent wall? Consider this: a Hot Pink accent wall is easier on the eye and mood than an entire room painted Hot Pink! Sometimes painting just one wall is more of a statement than painting an entire room.
4. How will the paint you choose look as the light changes throughout the day? I would highly recommend either painting large, think one foot by one foot, swatches of color on your walls or poster board and determine if you like the color in the morning verse the afternoon verses the evening light. Remember the tiny swatch on a paint color stick looks very different on a LARGE wall and the color will change as the light hits it.
All-in-all your choice of paint should reflect a piece of you. There is no wrong choice when it comes to paint; that is why paint stores are filled with thousands of endless options. Just make sure you take the time to dream of what environment you ultimately want to design because that time is much better spent than repainting a wall over-and-over!
Take time to Dream, Design and Dwell.
Cheers!
Cortney
Dream Design Dwell 
