ColorBlocking

Color blocking is really in right now with both fashion & interiors.


It is a trend that pairs large swatches of bright, solid colors together. Color blocking is usually applied to fashion, but the same bold design can transfer to interiors for a clean & modern look. I am a big fan of yummy color & I think there is definite place for it among the whites & neutrals. In fashion, people are wearing different solid colors together; mixing & matching the colors with accessories, too. Blocks of colors can also refresh your home, bringing energy & positive, playful vibes. You could do color blocking by taking a worn piece of furniture, paint it a bold color, & then place it in the room with lots of other colorful accents.


Look below at some ideas for using shots of color beautifully either in your outfit or space at home. All of these items are simple, but the perfect pop of color provides a delicious sense of style.

Are you inspired to capture these trends in your home? Executed with a wee bit of restraint, they could make a fresh, definitely not-boring statement in any room!

peace & love,
Lynz

DIY: Neon Toe Shoes

Look at these yummy little treats I just found!

 

*All Photos via Green Wedding.com & Concrete&Honey Blog

This is a great way to incorporate some neon color without seeming like a highlighter! Plus, it is an easy DIY & it gives old shoes that have gotten scuffed up a new life...I know a few shoes in my closet that could use a new life!

 

Materials:
Nude (or any color you would like a like pop on) Patent Pumps
Pink Fluorescent Neon Spray Paint or even better Floral Spray (color even less likely to chip)
Packing Tape
Old Towels (to protect your shoes when you spray)

  

The first step is taping you shoes. The area you don’t tape is where the color will be. Don't forget to tape the rubber sole also because you will end up with a clean edge & it won't look like a DIY. You don’t have to tape the inside of your shoes, since you will cover them with one of the old towels.
 

Next you need to cover your shoes & take them outside to spray about 2-3 coats of paint. They mentioned they would also recommend sealing the color with some type of sealer so it will last longer. Her is one that they reccommend.

 And that is all! You are done. They said the hardest part is making sure you do a good job on the taping step, but otherwise it is pretty easy. Now you can take off the tape & enjoy your delicious new shoes!

These would be perfect for a wedding, party or everyday. I love the bright pop of neon color on these, but you could use any color you would like. I prefer the pink (of course), but the yellow is tasty too! I can think of a couple shoes that need an extra pep in their step, so I think I might be doing this DIY this weekend! 

 

peace & love,
Lynz

Veritcal Gardens: Living Pieces of Art

 I know I have expressed my love for any kind of living wall, art or garden (see some here), but I thought I would spread the green & share some more of my favorites since St. Patty's day is tomorrow! (Side Note: the Greenville St. Patty's Day parade down here in Dallas goes on right outside my office building & people are already parking their cars along the street...already!)

So many pretty colors on the wall full of succulents! Photo via Pinterest

I love the variety you can get with succulents- Photo via Pinterest

Patrick Blanc Vertical Garden in Madrid

I love how buildings can be outside pieces of art & eco-friendly! Photo via Pinterest

Vertical Vegetable Garden Photo via Pinterest

Indoor Living Wall at a restaurant- Photo via myfurnitureshowroom

I love succulents! Photo via Pinterest

Succulent Air plants- Photo via houzz

Outdoor herb & veggie garden! Photo via keepitgreen

Your own personal herb garden indoors! Photo via Pinterest

Also, I couldn't resist sharing this DIY with you so you can have a different type of a living wall!

via sugar&spice blog

All you need is to combine the following into a blender & blend it until the mixture is smooth!

Contents of your fun time:
One can of cheap beer or 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
A few handfuls of moss
One teaspoon of sugar
Your imagination

Now comes the fun part (or maybe you really like to blend things up & that is your fun part...) you get to start painting! You can use a brush or maybe your own hands to paint the moss mixture onto concrete walls, rocks or brick. You only need to mist the moss once a day to help it thrive. Before you know it you will have your own living green graffiti wall!

Let me know if anyone decides to try this & send me pictures of your backyard creation!

Happy St. Patricks Day!


peace & love,
Lynz

Salvage Style

I have noticed re-purposed wood getting a new life across all styles of design from traditional country to sleek modern. I think salvaged wood can go with all styles because a cozy, great looking piece or design aspect isn' always new. It seems that more character can be found in things with a history. With a sense of history comes imperfections in the upcycled wood, but that always infuses a piece with a soul. Incorporating such pieces into a space always creates a unique energy & gives a room personality.

People are finding inventive ways to reuse wood & I have gathered some ideas to share with you- maybe it will inspire someone to reuse those old pieces laying around! 

A Burled Wood Wall is a nice modern backdrop for this eat in kitchen- photo via Pinterest

Jen Ramos' Love Print pops with this Aged Wood Wall- photo via MadeByGirl blog

Stacked Salvaged Wood Wall- photo via Houzz

Lumberjack Log Wallcovering by Andrew Martin

Wine Aged Wood Floors- photo via Dornob

Sliced End Cut Wood Circles act like a mosaic flooring in this room- photo via  Pinterest

A Distressed Barn Door fits in great as this Bathrooms door- photo via Pinterest

These Sliced Wooden Circle Mirrors provide a great focal point- photo via Palecek

Re-purposed Barn Wood is put to good use as the frame of these two Bathroom Mirrors- photo via Pinterest

A great Chunky Countertop does double duty as a table too- Photo via Pinterest 

The Lipstick Side Table from Hudson Furniture combines solid wood, gloss nickel,
polished bronze, plexiglass, black & gray lacquer

Timber Side Tables from CB2 incorporates both Solid Sliced Wood Circles & sleek white bases

Suar Table from Chista makes the salvaged wood the centerpiece of any room!

This dining collection brings the raw outdoors feeling inside- photo via  Pinterest

Contemporary Swivel Chair from Wisteria

peace & love,
Lynz

Making the Design Leap of Faith

Happy leap year day!

With today being a leap year day, I was inspired to think about designs that seem to rely on a leap of faith. Whether good or bad, these designs are captivating & cause a second glance.

Sculptures in the home can be a compelling accessory with texture and personality. These branches certainly do all three

The designer and client was likely aiming to conserve visual space while making a contemporary impact with this glass staircase

the Art Nouveau staircase

This room has a serious wow factor that has made it popular on Houzz It has a floor that looks down to the basement wine cellar

Walls filled with artwork and photographs make for focal points that truly personalize a space

No need to accessorize a fireplace with artwork when the fireplace is a piece of art itself

u ever considered a waterfall in place of ur sink faucets- The designer had a unique vision here, and I think it works

A shower smack dab in the center of the bathroom is definitely a design leap of faith even if a clear enclosure ensures that it doesnt visually impede the flow

Marrying a waterfall and a table kills two birds with one stone, particularly handy if you’re short on space

The NHOW Hotel in Berlin went the extra mile to catch guests attention with bold color choices.

unusual seating captivates you as you walk into this room
photo via a lovely being blog

Do you think these designs were fascinating or should the designers have looked more carefully before they leaped?


peace & love,
Lynz

DesignCandy's 1st Year Anniversary!

 

photo via MadeByGirl

Well, today marks the 1st anniversary of DesignCandy! I can't believe it has already been a year. It went by so fast, but I enjoyed every tasty minute of it!

I am so excited you all have followed me the past year, Thank you from the bottom of my sweet little heart! I know it has been a learning experience for me & this will only get more sweeter with time, kind of like a good bottle of wine!

So to celebrate this anniversary, I am doing a giveaway! One special reader will get
something to celebrate any yummy occasion (see below), plus another surprise treat!

Cupcake Memo Pad by Perptual Kid

You ask how do I get this fun little treat & the surprise treat? Just comment on any of my posts with your address at the end & then share my post you commented on either Twitter (RT @designdolci), Facebook, or Pinterest! The deadline is March 23rd, 2012, so you better snag the treats up before all the sugar is gone!

Again, thank you to all my delightful followers & any other reader that has ever enjoyed a candy!


peace & love,
Lynz