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Written by Chrissie Haim

How I transformed the office from Drab to Fab

Dec 03, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

How I transformed the office from Drab to Fab

Once upon a time there was this room that was neglected. It was storing "stuff" in it all year long. You know the room I'm talking about, so many people have one! It used to have a bar in it, but the space was never utilized to the fullest. We decided to transform it into a space that is functional for work and play. It is at the far end of the house and has pocket doors, so it seemed like the best place to get away. It's also off of the dining room so it now also became a place to relax after dinner with friends and family. The inspiration for this space was to be dark, swanky, masculine, and showcased something different from the rest of the home. It looks like a jewel box when you look in. Blue walls, lucite, brass and needlepoint brought this room together. I will show you a few shots of the newly transformed space, including a before photo at the end! I hope you enjoy it and thanks for stopping by.

The Before...

Written by Chrissie Haim

Make your Own Hydrangea Wreath

Aug 01, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

Homemade Hydrangea wreath

I found so much relaxation while making a wreath the other day and I wanted to share it with you all. It was so easy, and free! I made it entirely from my garden without a trip to the craft store. And I want to show you how! This took 30 minutes, and all I needed were scissors and my garden.

Vines to cut and use for the wreath

You can find any kind of vine or stems in your garden and turn it into a wreath. I found vines, ivy, and miscellaneous greenery. The longer you cut, the easier it is to make a larger wreath.

Vines used for the wreath

Stripped Vines

After cutting, I stripped the vines of their leaves. You can leave some small leaves for character if you want, but they will dry up eventually as the wreath hardens and ages

Wrapping the vines

To form the ring, you want to intertwine a couple of the vines. Bend and break up the vines a little bit with your hands to make them more malleable if necessary. It will be tricky at first to get them to stay but don't give up. You can either take one long vine and loop it to itself, or do what I did above and combine two vines until they meet each other (this will allow you to control the circumference of the wreath).

Wreath almost complete

Continue to wrap the vines around each other keeping each side as even as possible.

Adding curly vines for character

Don't be afraid to add some curly vines or older browning vines. This will give your wreath some visual interest.

Hydrangeas that have already begun to dry

This is the time of year to start thinking about cutting your hydrangeas. You want to consider cutting them off and taking them in to dry when they begin to feel papery. I grabbed a few that have already begun to dry. This will allow them to hopefully keep their shape on the wreath. You can always change out the flowers seasonally.

Adding flowers to the wreath

Whatever flowers you choose for your wreath, be sure to cut a long enough stem so you can intertwine the stem into your wreath. Wrap it in and out a couple of times to get it to stay looping the end into the wreath, and trimming any excess. If you feel more comfortable, use some floral wire to get it to stay. I added Hydrangeas to just one side of the wreath but you can do the whole wreath, or add a bow/accessory.

Hydrangea wreath complete

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on making a wreath at home. It will look lovely on your front door, or even inside! They make wonderful gifts as well, as there is nothing like a homemade gift. I encourage you to look through your garden at home to find these hidden materials. Have a happy day!

Written by Chrissie Haim

Bar Cart Styling Ideas

Jun 13, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

Calling all Bar Cart lovers...how obsessed are we?!

Serena & Lily South Seas Bar Cart

A trolley bar cart is exactly what you think: a mobile bar on wheels that holds all your happy hour items. They graced airplane aisles and house parties in the 50's. Once builders began creating wet bars in homes, the bar carts took a back seat. But alas they are back in, and for all the right reasons. Today, unique and versatile bar carts are gracing living rooms, dining rooms, small apartments, and even bathrooms. Function meets design with these chic carts that are not only pieces of furniture, but conversation starters that are so much fun to style.

For the last couple of years I had wanted a bar cart, and I finally splurged on the South Seas Bar Cart from Serena & Lily. It fit my comfortable coastal design but was still chic enough to add some sophisticated items. Here I will show you some styling tips, and how you can dress up your cart for function and design. I will also leave you with inspirational photos of bar carts, suitable for all budgets.

1. Add The Essentials:

The first thing to remember is that the bar cart should be functional! You should be able to really use it as opposed to just staring at it in all it's glory (I get it!). First, I added glasses and some water; something just about everyone will ask you for. Pellegrino bottles are a pretty alternative to plastic bottles; but use what you have. Next, display the popular alcohol choices (vodka, gin) and keep other bottles you may have in a cabinet.

2. Showcase your items:

I added my husband's humidor on the bottom shelf. This is a long cart and I have space to fill. However, when grabbing a cocktail my husband probably wouldn't mind grabbing a cigar as well. It was otherwise on a shelf somewhere, and now we can showcase it.

3. Add Your Cocktail Accessories:

You will need straws, napkins, a corkscrew, and the necessary items to make a drink such as a shaker. I combined all four to save space. I usually go for stainless straws these days, as plastic seems to be wreaking havoc on our environment. This ceramic monkey was added as a whimsical way to display my citrus. He creates a fun element of surprise while making a drink. He's so cute right?

**Tip: add straws to a small ginger jar if you have one. A ginger jar doubles as function and style.

4. Ice Bucket for Function and Style:

To save space, this stylish bowl doubles as an ice bucket and a beer bucket. Local ingredients add a little character and may even become a conversation starter.

5. Spills Will Happen:

A small towel should be somewhere close in case of a red wine accident! Draped over the side keeps it out of the way, but accessible in a moments notice.

6. Styling:

I saved the best for last. Have fun styling your cart with items that bring you joy! For me, this includes greenery, chinoiserie and coastal decor. This will allow your bar cart to be placed virtually anywhere in your home.

**Tip: Add a lamp to create ambiance.

I hope this gives you some inspiration to style a bar cart (or small console converted to bar cart!). The possibilities are endless with this piece of furniture. I will leave you with some fun carts I found to let your mind wonder. Thanks for stopping by! Clink Clink!

Society Social Sedgewick Cart

Thanks for reading! Leave any comments below!

Written by Chrissie Haim

Floral Ice Cubes for Mother's Day!

May 11, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

These stylish ice cubes are going to take your drinks for Mother's Day to the next level! Your Mom, or special woman in your life, is sure to love and appreciate them. They are perfect for Iced Tea, Lemonade, Seltzer, or even your spiked beverages. Great for alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks (Hello all the Moms-to-be, we see you!). Best of all, it will look like you spent a lot of time on them and to be honest, it's really quite simple! Let's turn your ordinary drinks into something fit for a queen...

NEED: ice cube tray, water, a knife, small flowers or herbs of your choice

STEP 1: I gathered some outdoor inspiration. If you don't have "edible flowers", you can use whatever you'd like after a good rinse (just don't eat them and be sure to dispose of them when the cube is done). I chose flowers from my own garden which I knew were pesticide free. Then, I designed my ice cubes around 3 drinks and matched them up accordingly. Iced Tea had mint leaves, Pink lemonade had strawberries and Azaleas, and seltzer had blueberries and Lilacs. Cut the fruit you chose into a small enough pieces. You want to be able to fit more than one piece of fruit or herb into one cube, and have room to spare as the water freezes.

STEP 2: Fill the ice cube tray roughly 3/4 of the way with water. Using distilled water is an added bonus to ensure a clearer cube in the end, however tap will work just fine. You want to leave some room for the additions. Push the items into each cell. Try to submerge them until they sink. Some may float, and that's ok. Top off with water if needed.

STEP 3: Freeze the ice cubes for at least 2 hours. The longer they freeze, the more they will turn white. You can remove the ice cubes before they have completely frozen. Alternatively, you can work in layers by freezing a small layer of water in the tray, then adding the flower on the frozen sheet with more water, freezing again, adding water and freezing a final time. For the sake of an easy project, I just gave it one go all at once and it turned out lovely.

TIP: If you find they turn white, you can give them a quick rinse before going into the glass to get rid of the frost. And the white color will fade as it melts in your drink.

STEP 4: Assemble your ice cubes into the glass and garnish. Ideas for garnish are a sprig of mint or rosemary, or a slice of strawberry or lemon on the rim! I even sprinkled some fruit in the drink itself to really pack a punch. Enjoy with lemonade, iced tea, seltzer, juice, or even sangria!

This super easy and fun project shows you went that extra step to make someone smile. It will not only brighten up their drink but it will also brighten their day. And Shhh, the secret is safe with me that it only took a few minutes to do! I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day! -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

How To: Chinoiserie Easter Eggs

Apr 18, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

It's that time of year again! We've been waiting for spring for what seems like ages. And now that it's finally here, it's time to decorate for Easter. Many of us grew up dying Easter eggs, and if you're like me, it's now something you do with your kids. I have always admired Pysanky eggs. But if you've ever tried them or learned about how they're made, it would send your mind into a tailspin! I'm going to take it down a notch with these simple decoupage eggs that you can do at home, with or without your kids.

Supplies:

Favorite Paper napkins (2 ply or 3 ply)

Mod Podge, or Elmer's Glue

Eggs (wooden, plastic, or any)

Scissors

Paint brush

Step One:

Cut out whatever shapes you want to glue on the egg. The smaller the pieces the better so they don't crease on the curvature of the egg. You will end up gluing many different shapes and piece them together to make new and fun patterns. If you have 3-ply napkins, remove the bottom layer of tissue. And if you have 2-ply napkins, keep them intact. I experiemented with just one sheet from the napkins and it was too fragile and ripped upon application.

Step Two:

Paint the Mod Podge, or Elmer's Glue alternatively, on the egg (Gluing directly onto the napkin and then placing the paper on the egg was too messy). Place the pre cut shapes on top of the egg and assemble them into your own new pattern. If you are using white eggs, you can have negative space if you'd like. If you are in a pinch and using colored, plastic eggs, you may want to overlap the pieces to cover it. The best part is that anything goes and you should have fun and be creative!

Step Three:

Try doing a couple of eggs at one time, allowing one to dry while you're working on the other. If you are painting your glue on top of the design after you have placed it on the egg, it may take longer to dry. But the texture will be fabulous!

Step Four:

After your eggs have dried, consider adding a small loop of ribbon to the top. This will give you the opportunity to hang them from an indoor branch or tree display. Or simply display them in a bowl with your favorite Easter and spring decor.

I hope you enjoyed this fun tutorial. Have a Happy Easter!

Written by Chrissie Haim

Spring Makeover ideas for your Front Door

Mar 23, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

Spring Makeover ideas for your Front Door

It's officially Spring! It seems like we have been waiting a long time for it to arrive. It's time to shift gears and do some spring cleaning, but not the kind you think (hello garage spring cleaning when you were a kid!) Our front doors need attention too. Curb appeal is so important when you are coming home after a long day, welcoming guests, or if you are selling. Having curb appeal is a sure fire way to increase the value of your home, and regardless of what it looks like on the inside-people will assume it looks just as beautiful as the outside. It's a great start to getting organized and decorating to fit your style and personality within the season. Here are a few beautiful examples of front doors this spring and how you can emulate them in your own home. Happy shopping!

SOPHISTICATED FARMHOUSE

Studio McGee

Get the Spring Sophisticated Farmhouse look:


1. Joann	2. Shades of Light	3. Terrain	4. Target	5. Target

BEACH HOUSE

The Happy Housie

Get the Spring Beach House look:


1. Target	2. Bed Bath & Beyond	3. Balsam Hill	4. Lowe's	5. Pottery Barn

CHIC COASTAL

Get the Spring Chic Coastal look:


1. Amazon	2. Target	3. Wayfair	4. Hayneedle

TRADITIONAL

Frontgate

Get the Spring Traditional Look:


1. Williams-Sonoma	2. Frontgate	3. Pottery Barn	4. Wayfair	5. Frontgate

COASTAL HAMPTON STYLE

Get the Spring Coastal Hampton Style look:


1. Frontgate	2. Mark & Graham	3. Target	4. Target

Have fun sprucing up your front door to make it look more inviting for you and your guests. Welcome Spring! Thanks for reading!

Written by Chrissie Haim

How to add Character to your White Bathroom

Mar 15, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

How to add Character to your White Bathroom

White bathrooms are still taking the interior design field by storm. It's almost as if they look so clean and neat without even trying. From basketweave floors, to marble showers, it seems as though the trend isn't fading. It's classic, timeless, and probably here to stay. We're not mad!

When decorating your white bathroom, there are steps you can take to add a little character along the way, and make them totally swoon worthy!

Image via Chrissie Haim

1. Texture

Adding texture prevents your white bathroom from looking sterile. A wicker basket creates a fun space for towels, or a natural weave X stool near the tub adds dimension. Plants can add a ton of life and texture to your white bathroom. Ferns and orchids are great choices because they do well in humid spaces.

1. Image via HGTV

2. Serena & Lily

3. HomeToZ

This Crate and Barrel Basket is perfect for towels!

2. Pop of Color

Just because your bathroom is white, doesn't mean you need to start adding color everywhere for contrast. Sometimes the white can speak for itself. Adding white towels may seem boring, but the texture of the towels will actually create depth instead of getting lost. Sometimes all you need is a vase of pink flowers, a blue garden stool, or an oriental rug to take it up a notch and set yourself apart from the rest. Here are examples of simple white bathrooms with just that one element of color:

Photo from DecorPad

Image Via Studio McGee

3. Paint

Believe it or not there are a gazillion "white" paints out there. But some will convey warm tones while others will bring out the cool. Be sure that if you use a cooler white, that you are matching it with chrome details. If you use a warmer white, brass and gold works well.

1. Image Via Studio McGee

2. Acrylic and Gold pulls via Etsy

3. Brushed Chrome pulls via Etsy

4. Details, details!

A great way to bring your otherwise boring vanity up to speed is to change out the hardware. Or, add a chandelier! If your budget is limited on installing a new light fixture, try a hanging plant from the ceiling near a window. A reasonable lighting alternative are sconces. You can find candle holder sconces that you can hang yourself next to the mirror and it will really create that wow factor.

1. Pineapple via Marcus Redden

2. Antique via World Market

3. Cirque via ZGallerie

5. Simple

When all else fails, keep things clean and simple. If you are having troubles keeping the counter space free of clutter, try drawer organizers.

These acrylic drawer organizers help keep your materials off the counters

And lastly, I will leave you with swoon worthy bathrooms for added inspo! Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!

Image via RLH Studio

Image via Veranda

Image via Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath

Image via Luxe

Image via Fox Group

Written by Chrissie Haim

Coastal Decorating, without being overly themed

Mar 13, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

Coastal Decorating, without being overly themed

A coastal style home seems to be the fastest growing trend in the world of decorating. It is so relaxing and appeals to so many. When you walk into a coastal home you immediately get that easy breezy feeling that you get while on vacation. It's fresh, clean, and calming. Who wouldn't want that?

However, there is a fine line between walking into that coastal home that looks like its straight out of a magazine, and that Florida house you rented with your family back in 1995. Let's talk about how you can give your home a sophisticated coastal vibe without being overly themed.

1. Color

White is a great anchor color. This could mean either white walls to create a blank, fresh canvas, or white slip covered couches to give that clean, beach look. Having white (or light earth tones) as the anchor allows you to play around with blues and your accent pieces. White, blue, and natural colors seem to be 3 colors that work well together when creating a coastal home. Natural colored jute rugs provide a base without taking away from the coastal elements of the home. Incorporating cool blues into your home visually brings the ocean inside. Blue pillows, throws, and decorative accents give a pop of color but keep it coastal. Be careful though, the blues should compliment each other and not compete. See below for possible color palettes.

1. Image from Pinterest

2. Image from Seeds

3. Image from Pinterest

2. Decorative Accents

Sometimes one buoy on the floor, in a corresponding color, as a door stop is all you need for that little nautical nod as you walk out the door. That basket of collectible buoys could mean trouble if there's too much of it throughout your home. If you have something you like to collect, pick it as your one statement piece, without seeing it in every corner of the home. I like sea shells as accent items on top of books, but you won't see one on each of my tables. One table could have a decorative shell, while another could have a small jar of sea shells you have collected. Part of what makes coastal homes so appealing is that that are usually clean and decluttered. Often times collectible sea shells in many different places create clutter. If you like to collect sea shells, try putting all the shells in one decorative vase as a statement piece for you to continue to enjoy. Glass hurricanes and lanterns also provide wonderful coastal elements.

1. Houzz

2. Amazon

3. Pottery Barn

4. Wayfair

3. Furniture

Slipcover couches are my go to for that coastal vibe. While seemingly unpractical, they are made nowadays to do well in the wash and hung to dry. Alternatively, Sunbrella makes a variety of slipcovers and they are to die for in terms of removing stains and holding up over long periods of time. If you're feeling bold, go for that one focal point/statement piece that will instantly scream coastal such as a driftwood glass top coffee table, or a pair of navy stripe club chairs. As for lighting, the key to any coastal home is natural bright light. But if you are adding any lamps, mother of pearl or inlaid bone lamps can give you a very coastal feel because it looks like seashells without being a lamp made of shells. This ties the look together quite nicely!

1. Wayfair

2. Target

3. Birch Lane

4. Serena & Lily

I will leave you here with photos of beautiful coastal homes for inspiration. Happy decorating!

Image from Chrissie Haim

Image from Coastal Living

Written by Chrissie Haim

3 Ways to Decorate a Chic & Functional Coffee Table

Mar 07, 2019

Written by Chrissie Haim

3 Ways to Decorate a Chic & Functional Coffee Table

The main focus of most living areas is the coffee table. It is usually centrally located in the room and surrounded by couches and chairs. Let's face it, we stare at it a lot! Coffee table decor is my absolute favorite thing to arrange, and rearrange, and arrange again. Taking items from around your home and placing them in new spaces can breathe new life into them again, creating a new look for the entire room! Here I will show you 3 easy ways you can decorate your rectangular shaped coffee table so that it can be both chic and functional!

1-USING A TRAY:

My first tip is to use a tray as a vignette. The key to coffee table decor is grouping your items by using trays or baskets in such a way that it appears balanced and deliberate. Trays allow you to group items and visualize whether your coffee table decor appears balanced or not. You do not want too many items on one side, and nothing on the other. But you don't necessarily need to be perfectly symmetrical either. To offset the tray, on the opposite side of the table I love to use a small stack of books. On top of the books you could add an accent piece. Think of the colors and decor of your home and choose accordingly. I like a shell or small brass figure. Using these two groups, a tray and stack of books, will allow you to decorate your table that is both pleasing to the eye and also functional. You will have room for drinks and coasters on the perimeter of the table.

This coffee table is styled with a tray on one side and your favorite books on the other. An accent piece looks nice on top of the books. It can be a small special figure, coastal element such as a shell, or slim box for remote controls. Pro Tip: remove the book covers for a cleaner look!

Your tray should contain an odd number of items and be of varying height. You could incorporate a plant, candle, and decorative accent piece that is special to you. I like to sometimes add a small box for trinkets so they don't collect on top of the table

2-CENTRALLY LOCATED FOCAL POINT:

If you have a statement piece, or item that you love, let it steal the show. Here, I showcased my chinoiserie potted hyacinth plant by putting it in the middle of the table. And, because it is the biggest piece, it works in this particular setting. A plant is a great piece to put in the middle. In order to make this look relaxed and chic, instead of prim and proper, the outside items need to look different but also be in harmony. I placed similar color books on both sides but changed the accent items on top. I like one side to be some type of box or catchall so you can still keep remotes, pens, or reading glasses nearby.

Your focal point should be in the middle. It should also be the largest item without obstructing the view of someone across from you.

3-GROUPS

You can have many groups of items on a rectangular (or square!) coffee table. But for starters, let's keep it simple and work in 4 sections, with each section having one or two items. First, create an imaginary square and separate the square into 4 sections. One or two sections could have books with an accent figure on top (think of it like a paperweight, something simple and low in height) while the other two could be decorative boxes or bowls. Here I added a plant in the middle because this particular rectangular table is so long.

I kept the books in diagonal corners so one side of the table wouldn't be too heavy. It balances the table decor and visually keeps the flow.

I hope this blog helped inspire you to style your coffee table like a pro! Feel free to tag me in your coffee table photos on instagram, I would love to see! Happy styling!

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Posts & Pages

Blog

How I transformed the office from Drab to Fab

Make your Own Hydrangea Wreath

Bar Cart Styling Ideas

Floral Ice Cubes for Mother's Day!

How To: Chinoiserie Easter Eggs

Spring Makeover ideas for your Front Door

SOPHISTICATED FARMHOUSE

CHIC COASTAL

COASTAL HAMPTON STYLE

How to add Character to your White Bathroom

Coastal Decorating, without being overly themed

3 Ways to Decorate a Chic & Functional Coffee Table