Good Style: July 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Outdoor Wedding Decor

There are few things more romantic than an outdoor wedding. Nature provides a beautiful backdrop, so any added decor can be relatively simple. Hanging string lights or garland from branches is one way to make the most impact. When the sun goes down, lit trees make for a cozy and inviting event space. Add fun touches such as handmade signs and haystack seating. Keep table settings simple and save room for floral centerpieces and plenty of candles.

Photo: Daisy Chains

Photo: French Wedding Style

Photo: My Yummy Cupcake

Photo: Simple Registry

Photo: Style Me Pretty

Photo: Weddbook

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Painted Walls: Stripes

Give your walls a stylish update by painting stripes. Stick with evenly spaced stripes in the same size, or mix it up by painting stripes in varied sizes. Keep this look simpler by selecting two colors, or get a little more creative and select three, four, or even five colors. Striped walls can provide quite an impact on a space. If you're hesitant about this look, start by painting one wall and paint the rest of the walls in that room with a coordinating solid. The one striped wall will act as an accent wall and provide a focal point for the room.

Quick tip: Try Frog Tape for a clean paint line - it does the best job!

Photo: Architecture Art Design

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: Little Nudge

Photo: Remodelaholic

Photo: Sally Spins

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Beachy Bedrooms

No matter where I end up settling down, I will undoubtedly create a home that has a beachy feel. I have always loved the light colors, natural materials, and laid-back look of beach house decor. These beachy bedrooms are stylish spaces that serve as a calm retreat.

Want to achieve a similar look? Keep these things in mind:

Stick with furniture that is white, wood (distressed or white-washed is best for this style), or rattan.
Create a calm color scheme with a combination of pale versions of blue, teal, yellow, and tan.
Select fabrics that are cotton or linen based.
Nothing says "beachy" quite like a jute area rug.
When in doubt, add white. Bright white ceilings, molding, furniture, and accessories will keep the look fresh and clean.

Photo: Desire Empire

Photo: Luxe Source

Photo: Monograms and Margaritas

Photo: My Home Look Book

Photo: My Paradissi

Photo: Veranda

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

5 Summer Party Ideas

Summertime and parties go hand in hand. Whether you're hosting a large family reunion or a small dinner party, kids of all ages are likely to be involved. Set up fun and easy decorations that guests will love.

1. Lay down large sheets of paper as table cloths, use jars of crayons as your centerpieces, and let guests color away! This is just as much fun for adults as it is for kids. Let your guests tear off their creations and take them home. Then throw out the rest for easy clean-up.

Photo: A Little Sussy

2. Put simple white flowers in clear vases and add a drop of food coloring for a bright, fun look.

Photo: Decorismo

3. Dress up your silverware (or plasticware) with patterned or colored napkins and keep it all together with colored ribbon, string, or anything else that you can think of.

Photo: Martha Stewart

4. Tie a spoon or fork onto individually portioned snacks so that guests can easily navigate through your party and still be able to enjoy a bite to eat.

Photo: Little Elves

5. Remember making paper chains as a kid? They are just as cute now as they were then. Coordinate your paper chains with the rest of your decor. If you have kids, let them help you put them together for a fun family activity.

Photo: Babble

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

July 4th Decor

Summer is officially here... July 4th is tomorrow and it's time to celebrate! Whether you are the host for this weekend's festivities and responsible for decorating, or the guest who is looking for a gift for the host, these ideas will come in handy. The key to a great-looking July 4th party is adding red, white, and blue wherever you can. Decorate with seasonal garland, paper lanterns, and table cloths to incorporate large areas of color and pattern. Add small touches like confetti, festive napkins, and paper straws for fun details that everyone will enjoy.

Stay safe, eat up, and have an amazing July 4th weekend!