INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - Dining Nook Update!

After several months of silence, I have much to report about our Dining Nook Decorating Challenge. As anticipated, this process has been very gradual – first, gathering visual inspirations to draw from and then searching for furniture that corresponded with our budget and design scheme.

THE MAIN INGREDIENTS

Finally, we have all of the “main ingredients” purchased including the Saarinen-style table that I previously posted. Later, we bought two, affordable French square side chairs that are near replicas to Restoration Hardware’s pricier versions and look quite similar to those in the Southern Living inspiration photo.

After multiple failed flea market attempts and several months of flip-flopping, we finally settled on buying this settee. While we didn’t choose our ideal piece, we agreed to save money and spend more on transforming it with beautiful fabric, possibly paint, and some DIY love.

From Left to Right: Our New Chairs (Replicas of Restoration Hardware's French Square Side Chair, found at Overstock), Our Saarinen-Style Table, Our Blue and White Vietri dishes (wedding gifts), & Our New Settee

CHOOSING FABRICS FOR THE CHAIRS & SETTEE

This week, I have been searching for bright fabrics in my favorite stylish patterns such as ikat, chevron, and other geometric prints. I absolutely love Quadrille fabrics, so I have been searching for more reasonable options that possess the same gorgeous, playful quality. As you can see, I haven’t settled on a color scheme or started seriously pairing fabrics together, but this is a start!

Row 1: Calico Corners, Row 2: Calico Corners, Row 3: Mood Fabrics, Row 4: Calico Corners, Calico Corners, Lewis & Sharon Textiles, & Calico Corners

STAYING FOCUSED ON THE VISION

Working on this decorating project, I have realized how important it is to stay focused on your vision. Here are a few of my reminders! 

From Left to Right: Annesage.com, Southern Living (via mydesigndump.blogspot.com), Quadrille Fabrics, & joannagoddard.blogspot.com

WALL DISPLAY IDEAS

This week, we have also been thinking more about piecing together our wall display. I like the current trend of using 3-D faux antlers to add some dimension. Evan and I also really enjoy fine artwork, so we’re exploring beautiful prints of lesser-known works by renowned artists. Finally, I found this Austin Cityscape on Etsy. Since Evan is gifted at graphic design, I thought he could use our own photos to make similar prints of all of the cities we have lived in thus far.

From Left to Right: Paper Mache Antlers (West Elm), Boats in the Port of Collioure by Andre Derain (Art.com), & Austin Cityscape (Etsy.com by birdAve)

Once again, feel free to send me your design ideas, frugal finds, or inspirational photos for this project or your own decorating challenge, and you just may see your input posted here!

MERRIMENT MOMENTS: Weekend DIY Wreath

Inspired by the lovely, DIY wreaths I featured last Tuesday, my husband and I caught the crafting bug and decided to create our very own whimsical, spring wreath. After a quick trip to Michael’s for a wreath, some ribbon, and a hot glue gun, we returned home to begin construction. (As we didn’t even own a hot glue gun, your assumption that we are crafting novices would be correct.)

I must confess that, in my typical fashion, I contributed more to the design and purchasing of materials than to the actual crafting. Something in my DNA makes me embarrassingly inadequate at pre-school art tasks, not excluding cutting, gluing, and forming straight lines. While I must give Evan primary credit for this wreath, I pat myself on the back for thinking to add the cute button at the end. Overall, I’m happy with our very first wreath attempt, and I enjoyed spending a relaxing, artsy Sunday with my husband. I encourage all of you to do the same and email me your photos at merrimentstyle@gmail.com!    

WEDDINGS/EVENTS - Tulips!

If you want your wedding or event to radiate the cheerful, lightness of spring, consider adding some tulips into the mix. Whether cascading down with whimsy, tightly grouped in a romantic bunch, or complementing other flower varieties, the tulip will brighten your occasion with its playful exuberance and unexpected elegance. I drew inspiration from Photos 1 and 7 while creating the floral design for my own wedding.

From Left to Right: Martha Stewart Weddings, theknottybride.com, Style Me Pretty, MSW, MSW, MSW, The Knot, Brides.com, specialmomentsweddings.com, Style Me Pretty, The Knot, & epicurious.com

INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - Valentine's Day Wreaths

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by decorating your house with one of these lovely, DIY wreaths. Send me photos of your creations, and see them featured here. Merry crafting! M7JPNMP7SN9D

From Left to Right: Etsy.com, BHG.com, thestir.cafemom.com, jenniferjohner.typad.com, myvickiliciouslife.com, meohmymama.blogspot.com, strictlypaper.com, materialgirlsblog.com, & Martha Stewart

FASHION - Spring Dresses!

Lately, I have grown bored with fashion, frequently asking myself, “Am I just less interested or are the clothes, in fact, more blah?” Then, I came across these fresh spring dresses, and I felt the fashion bug bite again - with force. Boasting bright colors, sophisticated florals, and vibrant prints, spring’s collection of classy yet playful day dresses finally alleviates the 'blah' problem that has been so prevalent in recent seasons. 

If you’re looking for the perfect investment piece for your buzzing spring calendar, then these options are great for you! However, if you’re looking for something more affordable, draw from these looks while completing your shopping. Think bright, simply structured solids (Photos 6 & 8); wide stripes with a high, short sleeve (Photos 4 & 9); tailored, colorful prints (Photos 7 & 10); and flirty floral (Photos 1 & 3). For a highly trendy look, go for color blocking, bold prints, and tangerine (Photo 6). More cheerful weather to come! 

From Left to Right: Alice+Olivia, Rachel Roy, JCREW, French Connection, Tory Burch, & Diane von Furstenberg

From Left to Right: Kate Spade, Diane von Furstenberg, Kay Unger, & Shoshanna

FASHION/INTERIOR/EVENTS - Pretty Peach

For the past few weeks, I feel like the world has been digging in its heels – stubbornly reminding me through others’ hardships just how painful this life can be. During times like these, writing about sleepovers and bow bikinis feels glaringly shallow and often pointless. My greatest fear in this endeavor would be for my readers to view Merriment as an oversimplified slap in the face. I understand that “celebrating the simple joys in life” is often a struggle, a battle even.

On this Friday, as I present “pretty peach” ideas for your wardrobe, home, and wedding, my sincerest hope is that you will take a breath, enjoy the distraction, and recall something simple yet meaningful from your life. For me, peach reminds me of the colossal peach tree in the backyard of my first house – hours of carefree play under its shade, sweet homemade peach ice cream from its fruit, the glimmer in my sisters’ eyes when they bragged to our neighborhood friends about its size. When it comes down to it, I sincerely believe that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It might sound irritatingly simple, but I hope that you will explore its deeper meanings for your life. Sometimes, a peach is more than just a peach.

From Left to Right: theglitteringguide.tumblr.com; laurenconrad.com; littlewishjar.tumblr.com; burn-that-dress.tumblr.com; etsy.com; bridalmusings.com; etsy.com; apartmenttherapy.com; & vi.sualize.us (all via Pinterest)