Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Crazy for Blues and Oranges: Family Room Re-Do

It is time to say goodbye to our green family room rug.  Greenie proved to be very durable (endured baby-to-toddler life cycles of 3 children), versatile (resided in 3 different rooms in 3 different cities: Charlotte (master bedroom) Atlanta (living room) and Cleveland (family room)), and ultimately gave us a nice long run.  

Luckily, we were able to relocate a beige rug into this room, and with a neutral paint color and furnishings, we can easily change up the color scheme.  With minimal investment and a few new or re-purposed accessories, it should (hopefully) come together very easily without breaking the bank.  I have decided to go with blues and oranges/corals.  I have always loved blue rooms (specifically navy and indigo tones) as they are refreshing, soothing, and calming.  And a few splashes of orange/coral accessories will provide an energetic and fun vibe.

Some of my accessory pics thus far...


Pottery Barn Kids Rugby Stripe Panels

Pottery Barn Kids Rugby Stripe Panels
Haymarketdesigns.com

Haymarketdesigns.com

Indigo Block Print Pillow OKL

'Modern Orange' Lamp from Lamps Plus

Ikat Ottoman from OKL

Greek Key Pillow Target

Considered these from Etsy shop Sprucehome, but passed...buyer's regret?
LOVE this chair found on OKL but really prefer a pair and there is only one ; / 
I inquired about Coastal Living's recent cover photo...these amazing spindle wood chairs with Ikat upholstery, but sadly they were NOT too budget friendly...

Some additional blue and orange design inspiration pics....Love these rooms!


















































Ready to Travel?

Last night, my Mom sent me a forward (which happens rarely), so I knew it had to be good.  The following is a series of incredible photographs from around the world.  Each one is more breathtaking than the next! Unfortunately, there were no credits attached to give proper thanks to the talented photographers who took these photos.  Nevertheless, if these pictures don't inspire travel fever, I am not sure what will....Enjoy!


Vietnam .. Family boating on the Canal River through a paddyfield.



Spectacular New Zealand 

Facing a Giant Manta Ray in an Aquarium.




Enchanted River is found in Philippines . It Named “enchanted”
because no one has ever reached its bottom. Many people,
including scuba divers, have tried reaching for the bottom but
have failed, hence the legend of its bottomless pit. Moreover,
locals share that NOBODY has been successful in catching the fish
in this river, whether by hand or by spear. They say its bluish
color is a result of its depth and the water clarity changes
throughout the day. At around 12:00 pm, the water
becomes clearer and even more majestic.  



Under the clear blue water of Lake Huron in Michigan/Ontario. 

3 D Street Art, Rennes, France.
Tree house, Philippines.



A stone path across a lake in Poland.



Ausangate mountain, Peru. Want to go on a trek? 

Elakala Waterfalls ~ Blackwater Falls
State Park, West Virginia.

Zhangjiaje Stone Forest - Hunan, China.
It was the inspiration for the floating
mountains in the movie "Avatar."

Hong Kong at night



Purple and Orange Starfish on the Beach.


Greenland.



 A forest of bent pine trees in Poland (Crooked Forest).



Christ the Redeemer Statue overlooking all of Rio is spectacular!
It can be seen from everywhere. The majority of people who
live there know exactly who it is and respect it for what it stands.


Annual Red Crab Migration.
Each year millions of bright red land crabs leave their burrow
homes on Australia 's Christmas Island and start a long, laborious
trek toward the sea. They descend cliffs, climb banks and maneuver
around obstacles to reach the shoreline and lay their eggs, eventually
returning to the island's central plateau with their offspring in tow.
The synchronized migration resembles a crimson-colored river
undulating across the island and can last up to 18 days. The event
typically lasts over two weeks in November or Dec(the crabs will only
move when it's raining) and coincides with the turning of high tide
and the arrival of the waning moon.    

Unbelievale!The Inhabited Volcanic Island of Aogashima, Japan. 



Guelta d'Archei Oasis, Sahara Desert.


Victoria water lily. Native only to the Amazon river. 



Gudvangen, Norway.


Tibetan Bridge in Claviere, Piedmont, Italy. 



Awesome Lighted Cherry Blossom Lake Sakura, Japan 

Prskalo Waterfall, Serbia.



Giant Redwood Forest, California  


Cave Hotel - Cederberg Mountains, South Africa.



Vanishing Underwater Roller Coaster in Japan



Amalfi Coast - Italy



A Bougainvillea Patio Garden, Spain



Gorgeous reflection. 


Voringfossen waterfall, Norway



Preikestolen, Norway.



The Great Articulated Elephant, Nantes, France.