Breezy Coastal Rooms

Many of us wish we lived on the coast, near a beach and water.  We fantasize about the cool breezes, the sand between our toes and the sunny days and pleasant evenings.  But the reality is that we live in the city, in a style-challenged suburb or in the baked southwest (me!).  Even if you don’t live near the water, you can capture the casual, fresh appeal of the coastal style very easily.

• Color schemes use lots of white and blue – either crisp navy or the lighter spa colors
• Casual and comfortable furniture styles
• Touches of rattan
• Accessories are often nautical or relate to the sea in some way
• Simple window treatments to let the light and breeze in
• Wood side tables painted in soft sea colors
• Light wood tones, especially if bleached or pickled

Designed by Georgia Carlee via House Of Turquoise.com

Choosing the restful spa colors of shades of light blue, green and sand, this room is restful and casual.  The rattan coffee table, bamboo shades and natural area rug add texture and increases the feeling of summer.  (Love the wide stripes on those extra long drapes!)

Photo via BHG.com

Don’t be afraid to be bold!  Bright turquoise really stands out in this room and just look at that big expanse of naked windows.  A nod to the sea is evident in the battered oar and vase filled with seashells.  A couple of weathered chests/tables and this room feels like it belongs right next to the dock.

Room by Samantha Pynn via House of Turquoise

A softer interpretation of a seaside room uses the expected blues and whites but the wall color appears to be a light aqua.  To me what sets this room apart is the excellent mix of texture:  woven bench, basket on the coffee table, ceramic side table, wire balls, brick and area rug, etc.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com

The coastal look is established in this room with the extensive collection of seashells.  The fact that they painted the back of the shelves a light blue enhances the shells and reinforces the color scheme.

Room designed by Meredith Hutchison

Relying on the tried and true blue/white color scheme, this room embraces the coastal theme with some overt accessories (the large model boat, the light hearted lobster pillow, ship plates) but stops short of going over the top by anchoring it with large expanses of white, a textural sand colored area rug, a distressed chest (in a different shade of blue!) and the use of simple woven shades.

Designed by Meredith Hutchison

A softer version of a seaside room uses the 2 oars to draw your attention to this seating nook.  Light colored striped chairs feel nautical and again the play of texture enhances the room:  woven blinds, baskets, nubby pillows, polished wood floor, even the large rope knot on the floor.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com designed by Colleen Duffley

This soothing bedroom might not feel overtly coastal, but it fits the feeling….light, bright, comfortable and casual.  I love the use of strung sea glass behind the bed (see other headboard ideas in this recent post) and the horizontal boards on the walls and ceiling is charming too.  I like the mix of teal (lampshades, pillows) with the cobalt/navy throw as well as all the dark wood trim to keep the room from feeling too ethereal.

Use Caution With Themed Rooms

Themed rooms are fun and easy to decorate.  Once you establish the theme it helps focus your attention on the details and you keep finding more and more to add.  There’s the problem….knowing when to stop.  Whether your theme is tropical: palm trees, shells, bright tropical colors; or 50’s diner: vintage art, chunky white crockery dishes, red/black/white color scheme; or an animal theme: horses, dogs, cows, roosters, etc., you run the risk of letting your theme dominate the room.  Use restraint, be subtle, be tasteful and add just the best of accessories to reinforce and build your theme.

The best place to see themes in action is in model homes.  Designers often use a theme to showcase a home and you can borrow and adapt their ideas to your home.  However, remember that model homes aren’t designed as real people live, so pick and choose carefully.

Photo via HomeWallColor.net

With the art or wallpaper panel behind the bed imitating a view out the window, you can really imagine yourself at the beach.

Photo via Sunset.com

Bright citrus colors make a statement in this tropical room and the wallpaper really sets the tone.  Fresh and not overdone, this themed room would be in style for a long time. 

I pulled a few model home pictures from my portfolio to illustrate how themes can go too far – in a model home it’s fun, in your home it would be “over the top”.

From my portfolio.

There are so many themed elements here:  rattan chair and chest coffee table, palm patterned cushions, palm tree/beach art & lamps and even candle holders.

From my portfolio

In a model home every detail is often themed, even the dishes and table setting decor.

From my portfolio

The tropical theme was carried into the child’s room with this whimsical beach hut, 3-D fish on the wall and fabric for the valance.

From my portfolio

From my portfolio

This bold condo model was designed with the idea of appealing to a younger, single person.  Apart from the striking color scheme, the theme of circles was carried throughout the unit from the drapery fabric to the wine glasses on display in the dining room.  This design actually started from the large painting behind the sofa and grew once I decided on the circles for the drapery fabric.  Suddenly I started seeing red/black/gray circles everywhere!

Personal Note

I SO enjoyed my little work-vacation with Cindy!  We had a chance to talk face to face (for hours and hours) about life in general but also lots of planning for YDH and how we want it to grow.  We have lots of exciting ideas, so we hope you’ll keep reading and enjoy what we’ve got planned for our 2nd year.  Cindy, thanks again for opening the door to your lovely casita for me and all the great conversation.  We’ll have to do it again sooner rather than later!

Mission: A Time Honored Style

The guiding philosophy behind Mission, or Arts & Craft, style is that beauty is not found only in elaborate or ornate design.  It came about almost as a backlash against the much more formal, overstuffed and frilly Victorian rooms.  There are a couple of famous names that are associated with this style:  Frank Lloyd Wright and his prairie style homes came to epitomize the style; Louis Comfort Tiffany for the distinctive glass and lamp shades of the style; and Gustav Stickley whose name became synonomous with Mission style furniture.  This comfortable, casual style has some very distinctive elements. 

• Strong use of wood (usually darker tones) in flooring and furniture, lots of oak
• Furniture profiles with straight, angular lines and the use of slats and exposed wood frames
• Leather upholstery or dense woven tapestry type fabric
• Warm, earthy color palette using browns, burnt orange/rust, deep golds
• Built-ins throughout a home
• Stained glass with angular patterns rather than floral or organic shapes in windows, lamps, etc.
• Stylized depictions of nature, both floral and animals

Photo via ElleDecor.com

Wood trim and built-ins with no extra embellishments keep the focus on the function and beauty of the wood.

Photo via ElleDecor.com

Notice the extensive use of wood trim, simple cabinet fronts, warm golden mica lighting, wood floors…all fairly screaming Arts and Crafts style.

Photo via ElleDecor.com

These photos are all from the same home (found at ElleDecor.com) and the bath is another faithful reproduction of Arts and Crafts style.  The windows  and wallpaper border are striking and such important Mission style elements.

Photo via Marie Burgos Design.com

The deep rust wall color, graphic rug pattern and traditional Mission wood furniture pieces showcase lots of elements of Mission style.

Photo via Western Interiors magazine

This room illustrates how Mission style might be interpreted in a more recent home and blended with furniture of other styles.  The extensive use of wood window trim, the natural stone fireplace with heavy mantel, the wood frame accent chairs and wood floor all speak to Mission style.  However, the softer sofa, modern orange accent chair, bamboo blinds and southwestern rug soften the rigid lines of a true Mission style room. 

Robie House, Frank Lloyd Wright

These stained glass windows designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Robie House in Chicago are very typical of the style – angular, graphic, simple, often with no color.

How Old is Antique?

I discovered the term “antique” is open to interpretation.  For things like tools or equipment that are heavily used, it might be as little as 50 years.  A more generally accepted timeframe is anything over 100 years old.  Antique has also been defined as anything made prior to 1830, which was roughly the beginning of the industrial age and mass production.  Items that are from a different era but don’t quite qualify as antiques are considered vintage or if they’re not even that old, just a collectible.

As a designer, period design is my least favorite style.  I discovered I have no interest in which Louis era a chair or table originated; I can’t keep Edwardian furnishings separate from Tudor.  French, English, Baroque or Rococo - if it’s hundreds of years old, I’m not a fan.  However, what I DO like is one or two vintage or antique pieces in a home to add character, contrast and interest to any other style.  Each antique period has it’s own characteristics, but some generalities exist.

• Elaborate embellishments or decorations on furnishings
• Formal finishes and furnishings
• Oversize tapestries and paintings on the walls
• Silks, satins, mohair, wool
• Jewel tone colors, deep and rich
• Gold gilt on furniture, picture frames, everything
• Curved furniture legs, carved frames

Designer Juan Pablo Molyneux in Architectural Digest '09

A period room with French stylings – note the ceiling trim gilded in gold and the elaborate carvings on the furniture. 

Designer Juan Pablo Molyneux, Architectural Digest '09

By the same designer, another French inspired room of antiques (or reproductions).

Designer John Fowler, Architectural Digest '08

The article said the designer loves working with Louis XVI elements and the ruffley drapes are one of his style signatures (these inspired by a wedding dress). 

Designer Diane Burn, Architectural Digest '02

Another French inspired room with a gilded mirror above the fireplace, period mural-like wallpaper and needlepoint fauteuil chairs.  (A fauteuil is a chair with exposed wood frame and open under the arms {like a dining chair}, usually with a padded fabric piece on top of the arms – pronounced fo-te-ay.)

Photo in Southern Living via MyHomeIdeas.com

Pastel palette, deep carved moldings, elegant curved furniture legs, hand painted screen, crystal chandelier, gilded mirror all combine in this successful French period room.  I’m sure it belongs to a Louis somewhere…….

Photo via Architectural Digest '09

This room is Louis XIII (who knew?) and looks sturdier and less formal than later Louis’.   It seems more English to me.  But, period pieces are not my strength.

Opposing Styles

Today featured two very different styles – the simple lines and plain woods of the Arts and Crafts (Mission) style and the much more elaborate and formal period or antique style.  Can you see incorporating elements of either of these styles into your home?

Be sure to check back next Monday as I continue our exploration of design styles.

Continuing my exploration of design styles, today is all about eclectic and transitional styles.  Most of you probably are familiar with the term eclectic and think of it as a catch-all word to mean mish-mash.  In fact eclectic does encompass a mix of elements, more so than any other style, but pulled together with purpose.  Transitional, on the other hand, is a less familiar term – often my clients have no frame of reference for this style.  Transitional is a gentle blend of contemporary and traditional elements that results in a comfortable, liveable style. 

If you’re just picking up the series today, previous articles covered Country/Shabby Chic (click here), Modern/Contemporary (click here) and Traditional (click here).

Eclectic Design Elements

What is meant by eclectic design and do you fit the style?  Eclectic design is usually perceived as a free and easy, vibrant and unrestrained style.  It is not a random jumble of thrift store finds and hand-me-downs but a thoughtfully gathered collection of interesting pieces that work together in scale and proportion – and sometimes are found at thrift stores and family garages.  Some of the common elements of ecelectic design are:

• Mix of period pieces
• Mix of styles – a little contemporary mixed with an antique and a splash of Asian or some country blended with traditional and a lovely Moroccan piece thrown into the mix
• Use of the unexpected in unexpected ways
• Combination of art styles:  a little modern abstract with a traditional landscape with a little ethnic art thrown into the mix
• Daring desire to have your home “be different” and take risks

Photo from MyHomeIdeas.com, designer William Waldron

This room has a classic fauteuil chair (far right), a modern zigzag stool, an art deco type mirror, a slipcovered chair and a period sofa (I have no idea which period!).  This room works because the chair and sofa are similar in style, the red table and zigzag stool are similar in modern feel, the color palette is very neutral and the scale is compatible between all the pieces.

Eclectic dining room via Style@Home.com

This room is anchored by a kind of country or French Country table and chairs on a plain textured rug (which is too small by the way and Cindy tells you why here).  But the dining set is paired with modern simple drapery panels and a very formal crystal chandelier.  Yet, it’s very comfortable, isn’t it?

Photo via StyleAtHome.com

Take a moment and really LOOK at this room.  Appreciate all the disparate elements in the space.  The classic lines of the sofa, the modern fabric pattern on one accent chair and very traditional lines on the other, a cow hide rug, a distressed Asian styled chest coffee table, interesting lamps (from what style?) and a more contemporary collection of art pieces and pillows.  My goodness, what’s missing?  Maybe a tribal mask somewhere?  And yet all these elements work together to create a harmonious, surprising room.

A fun, energetic room from someone brave with their color and style choices: classic furniture profiles but in very untraditional fabrics, a traditional architecture updated by a bold teal wall color, etc.  What other opposites can you find?

WHAT in the World is Transitional?

Transitional is:

• Blends the best of traditional and contemporary design
• Softens the sharper edges of contemporary decor; mixes in a few turned legs or a plaid
• Furniture profiles are simple but sophisticated with gentle curves
• Using fabrics like chenille, corduroy, ultrasuede or microsuede, leather and even smooth cottons
• Usually transitional decor is marked by a restrained palette enhanced by pattern and texture
• Use of woods like maple, birch, mahogany in natural finishes; liberal use of glass and metals
• Like contemporary decor, transitional frequently uses minimal accessories

Transitional room designed by Velvet Hammerschmidt, HGTV.com

This home showcases both traditional and contemporary elements.  Simple dining chair profiles paired with a rich wood table and light wood floors speak to contemporary design but then the chandelier, mirror and chair in the entry hall have much more traditional leanings.  Even looking into the living room I see a traditional accent chair but modern glass and metal stacking side tables.

Transitional living room designed by Teal Michel, HGTV.com

Can you identify the blending elements in this room?  Traditional:  spindle table leg, fauteuil side chairs, mantel and window treatment.  Contemporary:  sofa profile, stripe pattern on fauteuil chairs, accent chair next to sofa, color palette.

Room designed by Kenneth Brown, HGTV.com

At first glance I almost didn’t pull this as a transitional room because it seems much more contemporary to me.  Then I realized that most rooms are rarely a perfect depiction of only a single style.  This softened contemporary room could be considered transitional due to the sofa profile and fabric as well as the side chairs which are not typically modern nor are they classically traditional – or because Kenneth Brown says so.

Designed by Baylor Anne Bone, HGTV.com

How would you classify this room?  Is it transitional?  The color scheme doesn’t fit the neutral criteria, but look at the blending of furniture, the soft curves, the traditional plaid and florals.  Or could it be eclectic?  A little country plaid, a casual sisal rug , a comfortable color palette, contemporary lines in the side tables and pink bar chair.  Whatever style you label the room, it’s certainly inviting and I’d enjoy hanging out here.  (again, rug too small for the space!)

Blended Designs

Both of these styles exist for those of us that like to mix and match.  We don’t like to have to conform to a rigid set of “design rules” telling us that a certain chair style doesn’t work with our sofa.  We prefer to be mavericks, adventurers, trail blazers of home decor.  Go forth and be eclectic or transitional or create your own style label (and tell us what it is!).  Do these styles suit you?  What appeals to you, or not, about these looks?  Let us know below by clicking the “Comment” and tell us about your style preferences.

Anniversary Celebration Spotlight

Our third contributor to the One Year Anniversary that we’re celebrating on Wednesday is ETSY store Autumn Letters, a photographer.  Shannon Marie says, “I love to photograph nature and use my macro lens a lot.  I like to experiment and play with bright, bold colors.”  Take a look at a couple of her lovely prints and you’ll see her experiments turn into lovely prints suitable for your home.

Summer Strawberry Basket from AutumnLetters, ETSY.com

Tulip from AutumnLetters, ETSY.com

 Take a moment to visit Shannon Marie’s store (link above) and think about which prints you’d like to have if you win.  In order to win, all you have to do is visit us on Wednesday, July 7 and leave us a comment.  Tell us your favorite features of Your Decorating Hotline; tell us what you’d like us to cover; tell us your biggest decorating dilemma; tell us anything you’d like to share.  Then we’ll have a random drawing and 3 lucky readers will win gifts.  Our anniversary, your party.  See you Wednesday.

This is the third in the series of Exploring Style.  If you’d like to read the earlier articles click on Country/Shabby Chic or click on Modern/Contemporary.

Defining Traditional

Some of the defining features of a traditional decor are:

• Beautiful leather, showing it’s age with scuffs and scratches
• Cut crystal vases, glasses, chandeliers
• Polished woods, sometimes with an aged patina
• Classic camelback sofa, wing back chairs
• Gilded frames
• Nubby silks, luxurious wool, velour or even a cotton chintz
• Damasks, tone-on-tone stripes, plaids, rich deep colors

Photo via TraditionalHome.com

Traditional details abound in this room:  pleated skirts on the seating, chair profile, pleated drapes, gilded and elaborate frame (over the fireplace), crystal chandelier and subdued patterned rug under foot.

Photo via Traditional Home.com, designed by Joan Behnke

Another great example of a more formal traditional look –  the fireplace surround, classic; the symmetry of mirrors and tables flanking the fireplace; cabriole legs on the coffee table; pleated drapery panels; even the color palette, all speak to traditional style.

Photo via Coastal Living, designer Dominique Vorillon

A wing back chair whether in the usual leather or this more casual slipcovered version, is a hallmark of traditional design.

Photo via MyHomeIdeas.com, designer Roger Davies

This comfortable room mixes traditional elements in a casual way.  The large scale damask on the sofa is very traditional but the higher back is a nod to a more modern look.  You can see the edges of a wing back chair on the right.  The large, chunky armoire, traditional.  The visually lightweight coffee table, a little more transitional.  The addition of the small rocking chair plays with scale but is probably a useful piece of furniture for this family.

Photo via Southern Living.com, designer Laurey Glenn

What are the traditional elements in this photo?  Symmetry of 2 matching chairs flanking the fireplace, the style of the fireplace surround, the skirted & trimmed hem of the chairs, the use of finials combined with the carved frames on the mantel.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com

This photo showcases a more casual traditional aesthetic.  The wood finishes and accessories are definitely on the casual side.  However, traditional elements are still present in the tufting on the piece in the right corner, the floral print on the armchair, the window treatments.  Could this room cross over to the country side?  Compare the look to some of the country rooms in the earlier article and see what you think.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com

Dining rooms are often a more formal space in a home and you’ll notice a few formal touches in this traditional room.  The velvet chair upholstery, the oval cherry wood table, the period console table topped by a gilded mirror, and, of course, the crystal chandelier hanging from that beautiful ceiling.  To me all it needs is a fabulous area rug.  The dining room below has a similar vibe with all that gorgeous warm wood.  The addition of the drapes with a traditional pleated valance completes the room perfectly.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com

Photo via GoodHousekeeping.com

 As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, the tone of your home is established in the entryway.  This one clearly speaks “traditional” with the use of wood on the stair treads and bannister, the table styled with flowers and the crystal chandelier.  A little formal perhaps, but definitely traditional.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com, designer Joan Behnke

Photo via GoodHousekeeping.com

Photo via TraditionalHome.com, designer Tom Stringer

This family room boasts a large leather ottoman/coffee table which is a current interpretation of a traditional piece.  I like the warm mocha color, another nod to more current trends.  However, the seating profiles are strictly traditional and the grid of framed bird prints is a distinctly traditional art treatment.  The rug and drapery patterns are the finishing touches on this space.

Photo via TrendsIdeas.com, MJ Berries Design

I don’t think you could find a more traditional bedroom.  From the carved wood bed and chest to the crystal chandelier, from the color palette to the window treatments, everything says elegant and traditional.

Photo via TraditionalHome.com

While this kitchen works as an example of a traditional kitchen with its white paneled cabinet doors, lantern-like lighting, and cane back chairs, I think some of those features also would work well in a country kitchen.  What style do you see when you look at this kitchen?

A Style Quiz

I’m thinking that at the end of this style series I’ll offer a short quiz to see if you’ve been paying attention.  Hmmmm.  For today though, just a wrap up on traditional decor.  It’s a warm style, full of warm colors and textures and comforting furniture shapes.  As I’ve shown, it can be quite formal with polished woods, silks and subdued patterns or bolder and casual with slipcovers, ruffles and drapey window treatments.  Are you like me and consider traditional decor a throwback to my mom’s style or do you embrace it and incorporate it in your home?  Give me some feedback on how you perceive traditional home decor.  What items did I overlook in the definition at the top of the post?

ONE YEAR

We’re approaching the one year mark for Your Decorating Hotline and have some fun stuff planned.  Hope you’ve subscribed so you don’t miss any of the freebies and things we have planned.

Modern Decor Defined

A few very specific elements set modern design apart:

• minimalist decor with few furnishings and even less accessories
• use of industrial elements
• few colors, usually neutral based
• sleek, strongly rectilinear shapes
• can feel cold or harsh
• usually smooth textures like glass, metal, leather, or silk for the luxe factor
• wide open spaces

Kitchen from RemodelingMySpace.com

This ultra modern kitchen is sleek, clean and only slightly warmed by the touch of wood.  That’s a lot of stainless!

Photo via WindowBlindsTips.com

What elements make this a modern room?  Very rectilinear furnishings, essentially monochromatic with the pop of only one color, and no accessories. 

Photo via FreshModernHouse.com

Simple with no pillows (how do you DO that??), low backs and bench, a plain flat weave rug, storage hidden behind sleek metal looking doors.  The very definition of modern. 

Modern decor via HomeWallColor.net

I’m pretty sure this is actually a rendering, but the depiction of modern style is spot on.  Low furnishings, simple forms, blocky tables, neutral palette, and whatever flooring is represented, I’d say painted concrete would be a perfect fit in a modern home. 

Not long ago Cindy and I did a Thumbs Up/Down about minimalist design where you find our opinions and more photos of the pretty and ugly of this style.  (you can read it here) 

Contemporary Decor Defined

A softer, more liveable look than modern, contemporary actually encompasses:

• clean shapes and slim furniture profiles (rather than overstuffed), but with an occasional curve or swirl
• use of stronger colors and a little pattern
• restrained use of accessories
• mixing of textures like nubby wool, flotaki rugs,  or shimmery silk, cotton or linen
• usually light woods like maple or birch, but occasionally a black piece can find its way in

A contemporary room via FreshModernHouse.com

Soft, rounded edges to the seating, a few key accessories, a textured rug all contribute to turning this room from stark and modern to contemporary.

Contemporary dining via TheFurniture.com

The difference between this contemporary dining room and a modern one is:  the open display shelving in the hutch (contemporary has a few well chosen accessories while shabby chic would have it chock full of collectibles and modern would have sleek doors so it appeared built-in); upholstered chairs with a little curve to the backs; a patterned rug under foot and lots of wood.  I think a good addition would be some long sheer panels to soften those windows – and it would still feel very contemporary.

Photo via Freshome.com

Photo via Freshome.com

Photo via Freshome.com

The above 3 pictures show a range of contemporary rooms – note the flokati rugs for extra texture, the use of color, just a few accessories and furniture with slim profiles, curves and even a little pattern.  All those elements pull the rooms away from starkly modern and into the pleasant contemporary mode.

Is This Style For You?

Modern or contemporary or a little of both?  What suits your style?  In upcoming weeks I plan on sharing transitional, traditional, coastal, mission and more.  If you have a particular favorite you’d like me to cover, be sure to let me know.  Or, if you want to learn about a style to see if it might fit you…..let me know.  I’m always happy to hear from readers and try to be responsive to what you’d like to read.   The easiest way to stay on top of all the great information Cindy and I share every week is to subscribe – you can do that at the top of the page – just give us your email address and you won’t miss a word. 

Star Struck Rooms

When I was looking for room decor featuring stars, the bedroom proved to be the most prevalent.  Wonder if that has to do with going to bed when the stars are out – starry, starry nights? Hmmmm….

Photo amazon.com

Photo lonestarwesterndecor.com

Photo amazon.com

Photo overstock.com

Photo amazon.com

Lots of stars on bedding for both big and little people.  Sweet dreams until the sun rises….

Photo countryliving.com

A large metal star rises over the sofa, replacing the standard “framed art” and adding a big graphic  punch to this living room.

Photo lonestarwesterndecor.com

A star studded bakers rack serves a dining room with a casual style.

Photo countryporch.com

Stars are joined by stripes to create a patriotic kitchen table setting.

Photo costal-style-living.com

Starfish beautifully frame a large mirror, providing quite a conversation starter in the entry to this home.

 Stars Shine On Accessories

Although perhaps not as prevalent as the other decor graphics we’ve recently explored, stars appear on accessories for almost every room in the house.

Photo countryporch.com

Photo lampsplus.com

Photo bellacor.com

Photo bedbathstore.com

Star light, star bright…lighting options range from a red, white and blue country styled star table lamp – to a sleek, contemporary, stylized star pendant – to glistening, romantic, glass star votive candle holders – and finally to a twinkling star duet nightlight.

Photo nordicfusion.com

Photo fhshop.co.uk

Instead of stars overhead you’ll have stars underfoot when you use either this runner or area rug.

Photo burkedecor.com

Photo potterybarn.com

Photo amazon.com

Photo gumps.com

You’ll garner 5-star reviews when you deck your table in stars like these:  red ceramic star dish; embroidered star napkins; multi-star table runner; and a silver starfish napkin ring.

Photo lonestarwesterndecor.com

This copper sink will take centerstage as the star of any powder room or wet bar.

Photo onestarwesterndecor.com

Give any piece of furniture, cabinet door or drawer star status by adding iron star pulls.

Photo sofagarden.com

Photo sofagarden.com

Toss a few stars onto your sofa or bed with pillows like the velvet embossed star or the two color patchwork star pillow.

Photo bedbathstore.com

Add a little star power to your bath by topping your shower curtain with these shower hooks.

Photo ballarddesigns.com

Stars and rings team up in a wall decor set that lets you create your own design – pair the stars with the circles or let them shine alone.

Photo countrystylehome.com

Treat your guests like stars and welcome them with this red wreath  at the  front door – just a hint of the fun waiting for them inside.

Are You a Star Decorator?

So, are you decorating with stars?  Do stars shine in your home decor?  Did you see anything in this post that inspires you to reach for the stars?   If so, what was it?  As always, I love to hear from you and hope you’ll chime in by using the “Comment” link that follows the ads at the bottom of this post. Or, if you prefer, email me at solutions@yourdecoratinghotline ,