Beautiful mantel ideas for the holidays

 Mantels are very prominent in our holiday decorating.  We wanted to provide you with a few photos of our favorite mantels this season. Maybe you will find an idea to bring into your home.

This is one of our favorites this year.  The evergreens and grapevines are such a nice mix of textures.  Of course, the use of traditional Christmas colors is timeless and so appealing.  A wreath placed over a mirror always looks great, don't you think?

Magnolia leaves are an excellent addition to traditional evergreens.  This mantel caught our eye with the sparkling trees in varying heights. 

The large pine cones and pine needle garlands are a perfect choice for the den or study mantel.  This room says - "come  in, curl up and read your Kindle".

If you want to bring in as much greenery as possible, look to this photo for inspiration.  The greens are placed on top of the mantel as well as swagged, reaching to the floor. Love all the ornaments and ribbons. So pretty! 

If just a touch of green is more to your taste - take your queues from this mantel decor.  The mercury glass urns, pine cones, magnolia leaves and white stockings look so peaceful on the white fireplace.

Simplicity. . .quietly brings in the season.

(most photos courtesy of Traditional Home)

We hope you enjoy spending time in your home with your family and friends over the holiday season.

It's time to bring the holiday spirit into our homes

It seems we no sooner rest our forks after enjoying Thanksgiving favorites than our thoughts turn to the upcoming holidays and decorating our homes. If you are like us you are continually keeping an eye open for inspiring new ways to add the holiday spirit to your home.  We would like to help you with that this year by sharing a few of our favorite photos. 

How beautiful is this?  We loved the idea of adding fresh evergreens and pinecones around the vessel sink in the powder room.  The intertwined lights add so much to the ambiance.  If you are having a party this year don't forget to decorate your powder room.

How many of us have great memories of sledding or ice skating as a child?  Maybe you are fortunate and even still have your sled or skates stores away.  If so, now is the time to bring them out and create a welcoming holiday statement for your front door or service door.  To us this just exudes warmth and comfort.

White porcelain accent pieces are being shown everywhere and they work wonderfully at the holidays too.  The greens, pinecones and white porcelain. . .simple and elegant.
(Photo courtesy of Elle Decor, photography by Anthony Masterson)

 We all love candles and why not dress them festively. Simply place your candle on a glass pedestal plate and surround it with walnuts, berries or candies -- whatever speaks to you.
(Photo courtesy of sweethomesavannah blog)

Tobi Fairley shared a tree she decorated for her daughter.  The colors are so vibrant and fun.  Maybe you want to decorate a tree for your child's room this year.  Look at the next picture for a fun surprise.

Sock monkeys!  So much fun.  Your children or grandchildren will be full of the holiday wonderment for a few short years, now is the time to make great memories.   Don't you think any child would remember the thrill of beautiful tree decorated just for them.  We loved this tree!
(previous two photos courtesy of Tobi Fairley)

We hope these photos inspired you and maybe you'll decorate a space in your home that you hadn't planned to previously.  If you are doing something new this year or have a unique decorating tradition please share it with us - we'd love to hear from you.

We will feature mantel decorating ideas in our next post!

Designing Your Peaceful Retreat

Why is design so important in our lives?  We often get so busy (our excuse for not blogging this summer) that we don't notice our surroundings until they don't serve our needs or provide a peaceful place to come home. It seems more than any other time of the year, the fall is when we take assessment of the environment we live in.

As an interior designer, one of my greatest joys is helping you discover your style and having you say how much you love your new space because you feel warm, comfortable and happy.

Interior design can be an afterthought for the chronically busy and priority-driven way we live today.  When you really think about how important it is to your well-being, it becomes more of a priority.

When you come home from work or from a busy day with the kids, stop for a moment and really think about how you feel when you walk in the door.  Do you feel an instant sense of calm and relaxation?  Do you feel happy and energized?

The bedroom shown above lacks any thought, personality or warmth - a room that would not improve my mood after a long day.  What about yours? Contrast this with the bedroom, below, where time has been taken to create a peaceful space, a place to renew.

Take an hour or so and walk around your home and really reflect and sense the space around you.  Do you have a place to retreat and rejuvenate after an especially trying day?

Does your home function well when you entertain?  Do you feel like an accomplished host or hostess, or do you feel slightly uneasy that some things just don't seem to work when you have more than your family around.  How does that make you feel?  Does your home reflect your personality, or is it a blend of ideas and parts and pieces that just don't seem to work together?

It's my job as a designer to help you create that perfect space that works for you in every single situation.  With today's stresses, your home should refresh you the minute you walk in the door.  Does yours? The following photos are rooms that do just that. . .they offer the right balance, they're welcoming and nurturing to the people that live in them.  Your home needs to do this for you and your family.

 

We'd love to share the latest trends and ideas for creating the perfect home retreat for you.  If you would like your transformations to be complete by the holidays you must call us soon.  We will do all we can to manage the timelines to make that happen for you.  Call us at 847.705.9569 or email kelly@interiorenhancementgroup.com.

It is time to expand our living spaces to include the outdoors



Summertime is almost here in Chicago, truly it just has to be! Soon we will be able to use our patios and backyards for barbeques, entertaining and relaxing in the warm temperatures.  Is your outdoor living space ready to enjoy with your family or friends? 

Today, there are many choices available to create inviting outdoor family rooms. Take a look at a what a few of our favorite vendors are showing this year.

 

Pillows  in the new all weather fabrics are a wonderful addition to our outdoor seating areas.  Today, there are many prints, geometrics and solids in all color ways.  The fabrics are soft to the touch just like your indoor fabrics.  Notice the addition of brush trims and cords designed for this use.  The lush greenery is the "perfect" accessory,  don't you agree?
(photo courtesy of Lane Venture - Harbor Breeze Collection)





 Area rugs are big for exterior rooms.  The rugs define your seating areas just like they do indoors.  We have a line of all weather rugs that provide many choices which we will show you in our next blog.  Again, the ferns are a great addition to the space. Wicker and rattan furniture is just timeless.
(Lane Venture -  Camino Real Outdoor Living Collection)



Very peaceful, I can just imagine sitting outside, sipping lemonade (okay, maybe a mojito instead) and visiting with a friend or two.  Details that make the interiors of our homes so inviting are used outside - a throw (in all weather fabric) on the sofa, area rug, decorative grasses and candles.  Back to the throw, think about how nice it would be to toss over your shoulders when the temperature drops a few degrees but you aren't quite ready to go back inside.

Bold prints in pool blue and grass green look fabulous made up on this outdoor sofa!  Yes, these are all weather fabrics.
(photo courtesy of Duralee Fabrics)



Isn't this sweet?  I love how the pinks and greys work together.  So many of the flowers we enjoy in the summer come in beautiful shades of pink, a pot of  bright pink geraniums would be perfect beside the chaise.
(photo courtesy of Duralee Fabrics)



Dress up your simple wooden folding chairs with outdoor fabrics and trims.  How simple is this and it takes the dining area to another level.

(photo courtesy of Duralee Fabrics)

Above and below are geometrics which are great as a companion fabric or used together as shown above and below. 
(both photos courtesty of Duralee Fabrics)

If bold prints and bright colors are more your style, below are a few of our favorites from Duralee.

(photos courtesy of Duralee Fabrics)

Are you inspired to start thinking "outdoor living"?  We are!  Let us know if we can help you create another living space, outside the walls of your home. Reach us at 847.705.9569.

In our next blog we will bring you more outdoor inspiration featuring Kravet's indoor/outdoor fabrics and furniture.  All weather area rugs and greenery/floral planting ideas from two of our vendor partners.

Luxury Linens, Spring Time and Giving to Others

Springtime is here. . . the time of year when we are thinking about warmer temperatures and using our outdoor spaces again (more to come on that subject in our next blog)!  Spring also is a time when we are ready to change our bed linens from the warmer, heavier bedding that was so comforting in the winter to lighter, airy blankets and comforters that are suited for summer nights. 

 

 

Seven Layers of Bliss - a third of our life is spent in bed.  How you feel during the day depends, in a great part, on how you sleep at night.  The mattress covers, featherbeds, pillows, sheeting, blankets, comforters and duvet covers make a wonderful sleeping experience.  Let us help you improve the quality of your sleep.

 

 



Our luxury linen line partner, Private Quarters, is providing an opportunity for us to give back to others when we purchase our new linens in the month of April. There are great summer weight items within the line.  Below we have listed a few of our favorites, but first, read about the "give back",  you will want to be a part of this! 

"Share The Comfort"  is April's give back program that provides Private Quarter's high quality products  to battered women's shelters.  For every dollar of your purchases, up to 15%, an equal amount of merchandise will be provided to Wings and Shelter, Inc. in our local community.  Just imagine the women and children living in the shelters being given cozy robes, fluffy towels and their beds being made in high quality linens.

A few of our favorites for you:



Our favorite sheets are the 600 thread count egyptian cotton for all year long.  They are a luxurious, crisp sheeting that will fit your bed perfectly.  Another option in sheeting material is the bamboo sheets.  They are softer and more relaxed than the cotton sheet. Think of a combination of cotton and silk and that is the feel of bamboo sheeting.  A very durable, summer weight sheet!



The bamboo blanket is a key to a perfect summer nights sleep.  They are soft, breathe well and provide that "just right" amount of warmth for the upcoming months.  The colors are beautiful and make a great top treatment,  your comforter can be folded neatly at the foot of your bed. 

Speaking of comforters, there are two levels of warmth available,  many people like to use the lighter option in the summer.  Changing the comforters (duvet inserts) seasonally extends the life while keeping you sleeping most comfortably all year around.




Our pillows are a big contributor to how we sleep - they break down over time, carry allergens, etc.  In short they should be replaced more frequently than we do.  If your pillows have been on your bed longer than you to care to admit, this would be an excellent time to replace them. In doing so, you would be helping to replace pillows at a shelter as well as on your bed.  Also, a note about "dust mites and other allergens" - when replacing your pillows and mattresses think about investing just a few more dollars with allergen barrier covers.  This will extend the life of your new purchases.  Studies are showing that many people with sleep disorders are actually experiencing allergy issues caused by dust mites, the covers eliminate these nasty little pests.




There are extensive towel collections offering a selection for everyone at affordable price points!    They are generously sized, incredibly absorbent and just so soft.  Bamboo is resistent to bacteria and a green product.  Tip: don't wash your towels with fabric softner, this is true for bamboo or cotton towels.  The fabric softner reduces the towel absorbency. 



 As you browse through the online catalog you will notice there are a number of decorative bedding ensembles offered.  Maybe you have a lake house or cottage bedroom that you will be visiting more frequently now that summer is almost here.  The quality is excellent making these purchases a real value.




 What a great way to give back - improve your own sleep experience and help someone else at the same time.  Go to www.privatequarters.net/IEG  then select "events and registries" this will take you to the online shopping link.  If you have any questions please let us know and we can assist you. 

Also, if you are thinking about updating your bedroom please contact us, 847.705.9569.  We would like the opportunity to work together to create a space that truly reflects you.  Visit our new website at http://www.interiorenhancementgroup.com/.

If you want to be sure to receive all of our blogs subscribe to the link and they will automatically be sent to your desktop.

 The link below is an informational video on the difference the merchandise that Private Quarters has given to the shelters has made in the lives of their guests -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DxWHn60RPE&feature=player_profilepage

Visualizing Your Interior Design Project



Master Bedroom Rendering Showcasing Thom Filicia's Fabric Collection for Kravet

It is exciting to share with you our newly, expanded rendering software. It is
an amazing tool we are providing to assist you in visualizing your new space. 

We have used Thom Filicia's fabrics throughout this bedroom,
the collection is a fresh take on time honored fabric patterns
and a great collection to showcase the softwares capabilities. 

Below is a closer look at the fabric patterns:



Ikat - "ee-kaht" is one of the most popular trends in interior design today.  It is likely one of the oldest forms of textile decoration.  This pattern is being seen in interiors of all styles: modern, traditional and transitional.  The Ikat fabric we used from Thom Filicia's collection is a linen,  dyed in the citron and grey coloration.  In the rendering we selected this fabric for our window treatment panels.  It works great!





Techstripe - this is a vinyl fabric that we used to cover our cornice boards.  It was the perfect textural compliment to the Ikat panels.   





Animal print, always timeless and this fabric is a very up to date take on it.  It is shown in Citron,  a refreshing color that we are seeing available in more and more fabrics and accessories.  We chose to use this fabric for our duvet cover. 





Introducing a geometric works well in our pattern palette.  The fabric is seen on both the chair and the accent pillow on the bed.  (all of the fabrics shown above trade only)


We have made an investment in our  design team to have the highest level of certification in this software which means we can include not only all the fabrics in your rendering but also import the furniture and accessory selections too.  When we work with you we will provide renderings such as this as part of our design service!  It is an incredible value-add tool.  Are you ready to get started on your next design project?  Call us. . .we will take you from rendering to reality!



2011 Color Forecast

The 2011 Color of the Year forecasts have been announced.  It is always interesting to see what colors the major players are naming as their color inspiration for the year. 




2011 ICI Colour Section of the Year - Citrus

 ICI describes the citrus yellow color as light and airy, symbolizing a freer spirit, sense of fun and positive energy.  Hope and optimism, new growth, relaxed fun and the goodness and vitality of sunshine.  In the psychology world yellow is often associated with:

*warmth and sunshine
*refreshing, cheering and uplifting
*promote communication and learning
*combat fatigue and depression
*engendering feelings of well being and positive thoughts
*enhance relaxation and minimise stress and anxiety

Sounds like a color that would enhance our lives in the middle of a cold, dreary January day in Chicago!
Look at the following photos showing the color used in different room settings and see if using Citrus in your home would be uplifting to you -

This photo shows both ICI's Citrus selection as well as a version of Pantone's Honeysuckle (discussed below).

Pantone has named Honeysuckle as their color for the year we are embarking upon.

They describe their color choice in this way - Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday trouble with verve and vigor.  A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.  Pantone Color Institute executive director, Leatrice Eiseman explains "in times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits.  Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues."

Pantone's color selection is also a color that is intended to lift our spirits. Which one do you believe would be most uplifting to you?  Below are examples of Honeysuckle -

Benjamin Moore's Color for 2011 is Vintage Wine - 2116-20 if you have their decks it is in the Preview deck.  They describe this color as a very rich hue with a deep brown base and hint of smoky violet. Fashion usually leads the way and this color was seen on the runways on New York, Paris and Milan.



Here Vintage Wine and Citrus are used together.



What do you think of the colors noted for our new year?  Our opinion at Interior Enhancement Group is that color is very important to how you feel in your home.  Color speaks to each of us differently and finding the right hue or shade of your preferred colors can provide you with a peaceful and tranquil home. The last couple of years have been difficult and it is not a coincidence that two of the three color selections were made for their uplifting, refreshing qualities.