Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Open Your Eyes To Get Inspired!

Inspiration for decorating is all around us...If we stop and really look at the beauty that surrounds us...In magazines, online, store displays, on TV...whether it be a sitcom or HGTV...We can be inspired to break through and create a more beautiful space, if we just OPEN our eyes...

I am inspired by so many things...PB, Anthropologie, store displays...even the crazy and fun stores my sons' shop at...I love them all...because it widens my horizons and makes me want to break the mold and take it to the next level...

Here are some inspiring photos and my take on why they inspire me...I hope you get inspired and want to break your mold...Let's all take it to the next level and make our homes as beautiful and inviting as these lovely spaces...




I love to decorate with things I use...San Pellegrino bottles (we love this stuff...and the bottles are pretty enough to display), silverware, napkins...It makes a house feel warm and cozy...



Blow up something that makes you smile...A love letter, a piece of art your child made, anything that inspires you...I once cut out a vintage painting from a magazine and got it blown up and mounted on foam board...I framed it with a old frame...It was so beautiful and inexpensive to do!



I love the idea of using unlikely things to window treatments...You can use burlap and roll it up like a shade...The shutters here are so fun! Don't you think?




I love tall wainscoting...I think it adds character and charm to any space...I have a painted harlequin wainscoting in my entry that is tall...I think it breaks up my super tall entry and makes it more warm and welcoming...



I have always loved fun doors that surprise you...Whether it is a sliding door or a painted door with a pop of color...I think it is fun to incorporate into any space...




I love display walls...A place to hang treasures and old family photos...It is a fun way to show your favorite things off...



I love decorating with white plates...and adding real flowers makes it even more beautiful...



I love butcher block...It warms up a kitchen...Add it to an island or one side of the counters...



Did I say I loved white dishes...;) I love the idea of using a few old pitchers to house your favorite utensils!




I love the faux painted fireplace...it jumps out even more with white walls, huh? I love the striped woven rug and the old cabinet holding blankets...I love white quilts and that would be a fun way to display them!




Slip covers...I love them...I sew them and I can't get enough of them...:) I love the mirror collection on the stair wall...I love anything that you repeat over and over again...It makes an instant statement!



I love umbrellas, canes and anything that makes me feel la~tee~da...Again collecting and displaying in repetition makes an instant statement...(A FLEETING THOUGHT...I would love to wear old fashioned gloves and walk outside under a beautiful umbrella...I know...I think I was born in the wrong era...;)...Okay, on to the next photo)



Anything that is whimsical and makes me smile...I think this whale is so fun and makes you want to relax and enjoy yourself...Adding whimsy is so important in every home...



The old chalkboard...I love them...I think this is whimsical and easy to do! I am planning on making a huge leaning chalk board for my kitchen...I hope to have it done soon...Check back soon to see it!




I love the chandelier pendent in this entry...I think it makes the whole space...Think about adding one to your entry or dining space!




I am still am in love with this chair after all these years...And don't get me started on the ottoman slip cover! This chair was plain until she added a fabric bunched up behind the original buttons! Fun idea!




I love the idea of adding curtains in unexpected areas...Where can you add curtains in your home?




I love faux painted walls...It is a fun way to get the look of wallpaper without all the mess of changing it out when you are done! I am in love with padded or slip covered headboards...I am going to get rid of my beautiful cottage bed and do one of these as soon as I can...I HATE my foot board...It takes up too much space and I can't jump in and out of bed very easily...;) We went on vacation and stayed in a little cottage that had no foot board...I had soooo much fun running and jumping into bed...lol




Speaking of headboards...I love this mantle headboard! And the bedding is so beautiful and easy to recreate!



I love the simpleness of the entry...The wide framed mirror, which brings in more light...White walls, make it look so clean and refreshing...The cottage shade, so easy to do! The whimsical boots and flowers are the jewelry to this simple space!


I hope you enjoyed my inspiring photos...What inspired you to create a beautiful space? I would love to know!



XoXo, Screaming Meme

24 comments:

Alyssa said...

Dear Meme,
Love your photos! Ahhh, as the seasons begin to turn I am feeling like need to change my living room more and more as I never know what to do with it! I am inspired by blogging, when people like you share, and by nature and cozy spaces. Alyssa of Boston Bee

Amy Kinser said...

What fantastic inspiration photos. I love your taste...

Connie said...

I LOOOOOVE this post, sugar!!!! I've been trying to tell people to use unexpected things in unexpected places for years. Why don't they listen?! Great photos.
xoxo,
Connie

The Kramer Angle said...

I love all of your inspiration photos!

Melissa Miller said...

I love these amazing photos! They are sooooo gorgeous and inspiring for sure. I use blogs for inspiration and HGTV!

*Smiles* ~Melissa :)

Kimberly said...

thanks for stopping by tonight at my blog. I am already follower of yours. I love your ideas! have a happy Wednesday!!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

What wonderful images! I am a huge fan of Heather Bullard! She has such a wonderful sense of style!

Thanks for stopping by earlier! I am so glad that you found me! I hope you stop by often!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Jemsmom said...

Your blog is just beautiful and these images are stunning! I am so glad you stopped by mine so I could find you!

I am inspired by blogs and by RMS (crazily enough!). I love magazines for inspiration. I actually have a file of magazine clippings that I tear out, but when I start decorating I don't really use any of them, but maybe I kind of use all of them!!!

So glad to meet you and look forward to following!!

Anonymous said...

Love all the pictures! They are very inspiring! Thank you for visiting my blog. I really appreciate it.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Those are great inspiration photos. :) I love the giant chalkboard! Thanks for the visit today. :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Those are great inspiration photos. :) I love the giant chalkboard! Thanks for the visit today. :)

Heathahlee said...

I have been trying to figure out where I can use curtains in my house...and haven't come up with anything yet.

Love this post, girlie!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love all those photos you shared. I was reading your blog back when I started and then for some reason I thought you had quit or took a long break. Glad you are back.

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Meme...

Well my friend, I just love each and every photo...you're absolutely right...very inspirational indeed!!! I love the design styles of each of those rooms! Wowzer...I love that mantel used for the headboard of the bed! I've had my eyes peeled for sometime...looking for just the right mantel! I would really like to do this in my master bedroom! Thank you for sharing all of these beautiful rooms with us...I loved them all!

I also wanted to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my Summer's Tea on the Veranda! I really enjoyed your visit and sweet note, Meme! Just wanted to let you know that I went hunting for the slip covers that you spoke about in your note...and found them! They really are beautiful...what a creative and talented lady you are!!! I loved the pretty floral that you did for your client...gorgeous!

I am adding your delightful blog to my list of blog follows. I'm really looking forward to your upcoming posts...as well as going back through your past posts! It's so very nice to meet you too, Meme!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Oh, I just came across your blog and love it!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

1 Funky Woman said...

Oh my gosh these photos are so amazing and very inspiring. My sister has beding like that and it is more beautiful in person! These pictures make me want to box up everything and just start over, ok it sounded good but the thought of it makes me tired!

Hey stop back over I am having a giveaway!
1funkywoman.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful blog...thank you for visiting at GGH and leaving me a sweet note...now following your fantasticness!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Love all the photos girl..I also love white dishes to pieces...Hope your having a GREAT day my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

you have a beautiful blog! and such talent! i love the blown up letter/envelope idea- i might try painting that on wood! thanks for the inspiration!~decorating diva

The Style Sisters said...

Meme,
I am in love with all those photos. I have some of them in my own collection to inspire me. Fabulous ideas!! I need to know your secret of sewing all the time without any back trouble. I can only sew for so long and then my back kills me. Do you use a special chair or something?

Karin :)

Lori @ Projects Plenty said...

What a great post! I am glad I have found your blog... you have great style.

Design Love said...

Hi!
What great pictures....just found your blog, love the name!
I never thought of blowing something up that large, always thought it would be very expensive! But what a great idea!

Cindy

KJJ Houston said...

Hi Meme,
Thanks for finding my blog. Yep we are in Houston, living inside the loop in Afton Oaks. Im from Austin but I have grown to love Houston :) Your blog is aaamazing! I'm all about french country chic!
JessLeigh

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Wow, thanks for featuring my gate screens. :) I heard from another that they were online here.

I'm honored to be within such a lovely collection. I'd also love to know where a few more of those photos come from so I can go snoop! :D

Donna