Moody

Until recently our entranceway has been utter chaos. Ever since we moved in 2+ years ago this space became a storage area for junk to collect, every time I got home it sent shivers down my spine just looking at it!

I decided I wanted to go dark, camouflage any imperfections by using a moody deep shade of blue. There are shoe organizers on the wall, and this makes them blend it a lot more. I chose Farrow & Ball's- Drawing Room Blue as the inspiration and had my local hardware store mix it up for me in a semi-gloss- and voila. I LOVE it! 

I added in some art, and painted my pine framed Ikea mirror the same colour to blend in to the wall. 

Consequently I still get shivers up my spine- but for good reason! Here is the result- I put a before shot below- unfortunately I didn't really take a good before pic, I forgot!! Prior to that the idea of taking a picture of the space was not even in my plane of thought, so this one will have to represent. Note at this point all of the clutter has been put on the curb, or organized away!!

Sconce/ Metallic Bins/ Forrest Painting/ Lime Painting/ Pottery Print

BEFORE

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Chevron + Man Cave

Here is a project I worked on over the summer. I was finally able to schedule a time to shoot it for my portfolio. This is a bachelor pad, I was asked to take a pretty bare space and add a little lux. The budget was very tight, so the feature wall was to be the major "wow" factor in this space. It is still a work in progress, but a big departure from what we started with. It really is incredible what one can do with a few cans of paint, a different room configuration, and a few decorative objects!!

After the jump see a pic of before & more afters!! 

Green

Some Afternoon Inspiration

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

The Little Things

I am always trying to improve my home. Like many I have a budget and so I am always trying to come up with ways to refresh my home without spending a fortune. Here are a few ways to give your space a facelift, all of the tools are at your fingertips- time to get out there and be creative! These are all things I have done, and continue to do, you may have to go out and buy a can of paint, but it will be worth it! Have a great day!! xo

Flowers, as you know I am always changing things up with flower arrangements. It is such an easy way to experiment with color, to see it you can further commit to in a fabric, artwork etc. I truly believe that a small bundle of flowers will completely transform a room- and a mood! They are such pick me ups, they brighten a space, add sophistication, support the current color scheme. I love adding bright coral for a burst of vibrant color!! 

Revamp an old piece of furniture with a coat of paint. It is so worth it to customize a piece that you will love to spruce up your space. If you are looking to add a pop of color in a neutral room- paint an tired piece of furniture in a glossy cherry red. I am still a big fan of painted pieces, it is a very economical/great way to incorporate color into your decor. 

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Paint a Chalkboard! An easy paint job that will create big impact. Here are some pics of our old apartment where we painted a small portion of the wall- it really livened up the space, I would definitely do a chalkboard wall again! Check out more pics of our old apartment here.

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Bon Weekend

Happy Friday Everyone! I am so happy friday is here! One of my really good friends is coming up this weekend from Montreal. I am so excited for Brunch, Movie Watching, and I am sure lots of laughs! Here is a pic of my Sweetheart Bruce, behind him is the makings of what will be a fabulous Sea Urchin! I made two- if you recall I posted about them earlier this week. Sadly as I was spray painting them it ran out so I had to stop midway ;(!!! I am really happy with the result, it too about 15mins to make them, they are sculptural and retro-modern pieces and I think they fit into the space really well! make them, so easy!

Have a Great Weekend, I will See you Monday! xoxo

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Aquamarine & Emerald

       abstract by christopher stanton //running track print //annie leibovitz:pilgramage //agate plate //nautical pillow //duck egg-sand boxes//

Gorgeous color combination! Enjoy your afternoon. xoxo

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Turquoise & Gold

This weekend my boyfriend and I got away to shoot a wedding in Muskoka. The scenery was stunning, the weather gorgeous, and the food fabulous. Although it was a very quick trip I think that it is a memory that will stay with me. I love getting away to fresh air, lots of greenery and a beautiful lake as a backdrop. Ontario has so much to offer, as someone who lives in Toronto it is so unreal to know that we are only a very short drive away to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Of course it is always great to get home and see our little Bruce, I am always thinking about that little cuttie while we are away. Such a great start to the week, hope you all enjoyed your weekends. I will share picture of Muskoka with you later this week. 

Unrelated to our mini-vacay here are some picks of the front console, I am so pleased with all of the light and airiness this piece brings to our entrance. It is fun and modern and sets a perfect backdrop for all of the aquas and natural hues I so love.  With the addition of the new prints I feel it balances out the pieces and creates the height I was looking for. xoxo

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Client Rêve

Here is a project I am currently working on. I am so excited to share this with you and I can't wait to show you the before and after shots. We decided to go with a neutral palette and then add pops of coulour. She is naturally drawn to cool water colours so we went with pale aquas, jades, and striking turquoise!

The room is large enough to accommodate both a dining area and a living room , so I wanted to create something that flowed seamlessly from one room to the other!

Have a great day!!

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer. Always Stay Graceful, L.

Palm Beach Cart

Glasses/ Tennis Pic/ Palm Leaf Wallpaper/ Bar Cart/ Decorative Barnacle/ Beverages/ Pellegrino/ Lamp/ Pitcher

Brass Urchin/ Marbled Bowl/ Rug/ Black Lacquered Table/ Throw Blanket/ Burled Wood Box/ Shell Box/ Picture Frame/ Truffled Popcorn Recipe

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Blue Lagoon

Floral Napkins / Vintage Glass Pitcher/ Polish Fluo Blue / La Tartine Gourmande/ Blue Harbour Hoops/ Striped Bangles/ Green Leaf Pillow / Turqouise Tealight Holder/ Ikat Doggie Dish  /

  Printed Dinner Plates

I can't believe that Summer is already mid-way.... The days have been so warm I feel as though we are living in a tropical paradise. For the duration of the summer I want to try and eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, drink lots of fruity summer blends, and add touches of blues and greens to my wardrobe to create a sexy Mediterranean vibe. Summer please just stay all year long!!

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Mom is the Word

You can definitely call me a Mamas Girl. My mother has always had superb taste, and a sense of design and style. Her home is a beautiful reflection of her, and her classic approach to decorating. All of the clean lines are balanced with rich color, and fun twists. Some of the pieces in her home are that of my childhood and bring up feelings of nostalgia, others are new additions that sink perfectly into their surroundings. I think that my mom definitely had an impact on who I have become as a decorator. Although we have very different tastes, she has definitely inspired my evolution as a decorator and she continues to amaze me with her elegance. 

                                           

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Blue Lagoon

Heidi Merrick's home on the Glitter Guide

There is something so soothing about the color clue. Since I was a little girl I have loved swimming and being in the ocean, I think that has translated into a love of using blue, turquoise, and green in my adult life as a decorator. All of the colors that I love the most are cool and airy- I myself am an Aries(which is a fire sign), but something about the way that they pair with metallics and whites is most appealing.

   

               Is there a certain color that you respond to when decorating?

New pillows cases arrived at my clients the other day and boy do they ever make a difference. They look contemporary and chic in the space- now we just have to figure out what art to use above the sofa!

Really vibrant abstract piece of art I came across at a garage sale recently in my neighbourhood- usually I am not a huge yellow fan, but in this circumstance I am realyl diggin' it!

Love decorating with crystal and acrylic objects- there is instantly a really interesting amount of depth created. I love using paper weights too to add dimension. 

Chinatown- stunning elephant side tables- such a fantastic price- would add flair to any space.

Heidi Merrick's home on the Glitter Guide         

E DESIGN- Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.
Always Stay Graceful,

L.