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Tag: interior

  • Decorating the Heart of the Home from the Heart of Haiti

    Decorating the Heart of the Home from the Heart of Haiti

    I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with product for this post about Macy’s Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.


    Hi, and welcome to my home. Today I get to show you some beautiful pieces of interior design made from artisans in Haiti and Rwanda. Through Macy’s Heart of Haiti initiative and Rwanda Path to Peace, you can help people the artisans make a living to provide for their families. 
    The Heart of Haiti initiative has provided some of the first sustainable work since the January 2010 earthquake. Each artisan receives half of the wholesale price, and also gets to connect through Macy’s program to US artisans. This helps broaden everyone’s artistic energy and inspiration. 
    The Rwanda Path to Peace has been doing a world of good for the country. Helping women lift their families and even whole communities out of poverty, providing a safe place for those affected with HIV/AIDS and bring women from 2 previously opposing sides together – I couldn’t be more inspired by this collection of hand woven baskets. 
    Before I received pieces from these lines, my decor was, well, not so very pretty. It was really more on the side of, we just moved, I got rid of most of my decor before, and this is a good place to set stuff for now.
    The Heart of Haiti pieces were just the right inspiration I needed for the top of the piano. The Papier Mache vase with Cord matched our set of snake skin drums perfectly. 
    I decided to keep our little Jazz Band as well, since the style just fit right in. The kids and I went shopping for some fake flowers, and found this gorgeous, yet so simple arrangement. The orange adds just another perfect pop to the vase. 
    It just didn’t feel complete until I added some of the gold leaf candlesticks and our chalkboard JOY sign. It’s a wonderful reminder to find joy in everything we do. From our home to our family, there should be joy in every aspect. 
    I couldn’t very well stop there so I headed to the kitchen to do some more decorating. Ever since we’ve moved in, there’s been this one wall – so empty and sad looking. 
    As I was looking at the Sunflower metal lantern and Blue Papier mache vase from the Heart of Hait collection, it dawned on me. I would need chalkboard vinyl, and a cute little table. I found the table at a yardsale, and ordered the vinyl from amazon. 
    Would you believe that’s the same space? OK, yes obviously…but the chalkboard just completely changed it for me. The kids are loving it as well, and since the the vase is papier mache, I don’t actually care if the kids play around it while coloring with chalk. I even used the Sunflower Wall hook to hold a piece of chalk for quick notes.
    I can not tell a lie, this basket is probably my favorite peace out of both collections. You can find it in the Rwanda Path to Peace collection. I think bread baskets are one of the most subtle ways to add style to a dinner table. When not being used for bread, I’m displaying the cutest little measuring cups my sister was getting rid of (so I gladly took them off her hands). 
    I still had a few more pieces, including my favorite from the Heart of Haiti collection – a hand hammered metal tray. With some more baskets from Rwanda, a soapstone dove (that the kids are convinced is actually toothless), and a few more gold leaf candlesticks, our decorating was finally complete. 
    The beautiful thing about using a tray on the table, is that when you sit down to eat, it’s easy to move all the decor at once – and equally easy to put it all back after eating. 
    What’s your favorite piece? Let me know in the comments.
  • 4 Smart Ways to Make Your Design Classy with Wrought Iron

    4 Smart Ways to Make Your Design Classy with Wrought Iron

    Many of us are always looking for a way to spruce up our homes with innovative decorating ideas and unique interior design elements. But sometimes it is tricky to tell if a trend is classic or just a passing fad that will soon make the interior seem outdated. Today’s trends range from hipster to bohemian chic to vintage styles.
     
    A good way to incorporate current trends in a sustainable way is to look for materials that prove timeless and can be used in a variety of decor styles. One popular but classic element is wrought iron. The clean and decorative look of iron can be added to your interior in numerous ways. As blacksmithing rapidly expands as a valued craft, handmade iron pieces are highly sought after to use in both exterior and interior decorating.  If you are looking for a long term, lasting design feature, here are some ways to implement wrought iron into your home.
     

    Make Iron Your Focal Piece

    When it comes to design, adding whimsical touches that reflect your personality and taste is important since you are the one who ultimately sees your decor everyday. Allow your creativity to come out and play with design features that are unique but beautiful. Consider different spiral staircases to showcase your wrought iron design or choose a wrought iron focal piece by the front door that doubles as a coat rack.
    wrought iron staircase
    image source
     

    Lighting

    Changing out your light features for new wrought iron pieces is a great way to class up your home. Have fun finding a wrought iron chandelier that utilizes faux candles for light, or hang lanterns and sconces on the wall. Decorate with wrought iron candlesticks for a spin on a traditional classic. With lighting fixtures and candle holders, you can range from a serious statement piece to a simple touch of this classic element.
     

    In the Dining Room

    Wrought iron furniture can bring a subtly industrial look to your room’s design. Coffee tables that are wrought iron with a glass table top surface or an iron table with a granite slab attached can both be unique ways to incorporate the look of black iron which matches almost any style. Different from traditional wood, wrought iron can be used in conjunction with wood for an alternative spin in your dining room.
     

    Wrought Iron Accents

    Accent pieces like wrought iron clocks, door handles, fireplace details or ornate wall pieces such as mirrors add eye catching detail to high-visibility areas. Simple iron pulls on cabinet doors can beautiful a kitchen, bath or bedroom. Doorknobs add a distinct style against wood. Using wrought iron for cabinetry hardware or as door hinges and locks enhances the appearance of natural wood without dominating the room’s over all design.
     
    When it comes to decorating your home, think outside of the box using different materials to improve your home’s style. You might even fall so in love with wrought iron that you’ll start using it everywhere. 
    wrought iron car
    image source
     
    Author Bio
    Jessica Socheski is a freelance writer who loves researching home remodeling projects and finding new ways to decorate. You can connect with her on Google+
  • Home Essentials for the Fall

    Home Essentials for the Fall

    Have I told you how much I love fall? yeah, I may have mentioned it a time or two, or three, or every post. I just love this season!! Something about the cool crisp air is just so refreshing, and brings out the ambition in me.

    Every home needs these essentials when Fall weather hits
     
    Warm blankets, scattered all around the house. My kids are sleeping with up to 6 blankets each the last few nights.
     
    Great reading materials and a mug of hot cocoa or apple cider
     
    And lastly you need a place to enjoy it all.
    I love my couch and huge picture window. On sunny days I enjoy letting the sun shine through and just basking in it’s rays.
     
    I hope you are all enjoying fall, where ever you may be.