Good Style

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

DIY Grown-Up Piggy Bank

Recently my boyfriend Ryan and I decided that we wanted to start saving for a vacation to somewhere that we haven't been before. The desired destination might be Hawaii or somewhere in Europe. With both options being on the pricier side, we decided to start a place where we can save money strictly for our vacation. We could've started a savings account, but we ultimately decided that it would be more fun to literally watch our savings grow, so we settled on a piggy bank.

One trip to Micheal's and about $8 later, we had what we needed for our travel savings to begin. We decided that the bank itself would be a mason jar (perfect for watching our savings accumulate), and found large, durable stickers in a travel theme to decorate the outside. After determining where each sticker was going to go, we placed them on both sides of the mason jar, and that was that!

We made sure to put our piggy bank in a place where we'll see it often. You'd be surprised at how quickly pocket change adds up! Awesome vacation here we come!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Homemade Valentine's Day Cards

Being that it is almost Valentine's Day, making cards for the occasion has been on the to do list. Instead of opting for the store bought kind, we gathered some crafting materials and made our own. First, we cut colorful construction paper into hearts (four hearts per sheet), and decorated each heart with patterned Scotch tape. The tape dressed up the simple hearts and turned them into something more unique. Then we added a little note to each card. I love how they turned out!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Red Home Decor

You might be looking at the title of this post thinking, "Red home decor?", with a skeptical feeling. Yes, red is a bit bright, but in small doses it can add a new life to your home. I like to treat red as a "neutral" of sorts. It coordinates with just about anything, and can be incorporated into any type of space (living room, dining room, bedroom, etc.). Incorporate red into a neutral room through pillows, throws, small accent furniture, or accessories. Or offset it with a complementary color such as navy or aqua for a more active color scheme.

Photo: Flickr

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Katrin Cargill Interiors

Photo: Lucky Art Studio

Photo: Sarah Richardson Design

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Pillow Collection Additions

I would like to introduce the first four throw pillow designs for sale through Carly Ahlman Design (www.carlyahlmandesign/store). All throw pillows will be sold in pairs and are "two-of-a-kind", so once they're gone, they're gone! Pillow fabrics are high-end, designer quality. All pillow backs have envelope openings so that pillow inserts can easily be removed if necessary. Mix and match different pairs of throw pillows in coordinating colors for a more eclectic look, or keep things simpler with a single matching pair.

Additional designs will be added on a regular basis, so stay tuned!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Four Poster Beds

Even though your bedroom isn't one of the "public" spaces in your home, its decor shouldn't be any less important. Build your room around the main piece of bedroom furniture, the bed. Accentuate this focal point by opting for a dominant four poster bed. It'll give the feel of a high-end hotel and create a space that will provide a nice, relaxing escape. Four poster beds can be found in a variety of styles and materials. Select a style that is more decorative to give your bedroom a more traditional and romantic feel. Or opt for a bed with simpler details for a more contemporary look.

Photo: Anthropologie

Photo: JC Penney

Photo: On The Bright Side

Photo: Overstock

Photo: Pottery Barn

Photo: Restoration Hardware

Photo: Room and Board

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Introducing: Pillows!

My latest endeavor is developing a line of one-of-a-kind (or sometimes pairs-of-a-kind) decorative throw pillows. Made with high-end designer quality fabrics, they are the perfect addition to almost any space. Select pillows in different patterns but the same colorway, or opt for multiple coordinating colorways for a more eclectic look. All pillows have a patterned or textured decorative front and a coordinating solid back with envelope opening (easy for getting inserts in and out when necessary).

Below is a sneak peek of two of the first pillows in my line. All items will be available for sale through my website, www.carlyahlmandesign.com. Keep checking back with the site for new product additions and pillow options!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Pantone 2014 Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Another year, another beautiful color. Pantone has named its Color of the Year for 2014; Radiant Orchid. It's a fresh, light purple with subtle a touch of pink. If you're anything like me, then you're constantly looking for ways to update your home's decor. Try incorporating Radiant Orchid into your home through a new piece of furniture, light fixture, or a few small accessories. This color pairs beautifully with a rich teal, bright coral, or bold yellow. Or simply let it speak for itself against a simple palette of white and gray. Face the new year by giving your home a bright new look!