Elements of Style- Designing A Home & A Life, by Erin Gates is filled with pretty photos and ideas that will get you motivated to brighten and modernize. I don’t know about you, but now that I am finally have a chance to step back and look at the house, I realize there is so much we don’t need and a lot of pieces we have just taken on from family, and also dragged with us from other homes. Some things that worked great in our other home never really worked here, but we kept anyway. I added a few new things when we moved here 5 years ago, then we went through our start-up years and we didn’t do much else after that. Now that we once again are to add some home upgrades, I want to focus on getting our home the way I really would like it. Up to it’s potential is how I like to think of it…
Erin’s book, like her amazing blog, which you have to visit, is like a breath of fresh decorating air. She has great practical ideas, but a modern sensibility which I really like. Throughout the chapters Erin weaves little bits of her life story which makes her so likable and relatable. She comes off as a someone who wants to share her knowledge, but also someone you’d love to have a glass of wine with! So far, thanks to Erin and her book, I’ve added two new pieces to the home…
This wool HomeGoods rug which is modern looking with it’s geometric pattern. It makes the family room look a tiny bit hipper with our white couches, leather accents, oversized denim pillows and grey accents.
LOve this post!!! I just got two new FRESH sofas for my living room- Changed the whole feel-Less comfy Cozy-More sleek- I get this POST! Hard to do,,,,shake things up….But so worth it! Now….the dining room chairs look dated! LOL
Kath, I so know what you are talking about. Feels a little more modern right? Isn't it funny though how everything else looks dated? I want to get rid of one couch I have here which is of the Shabby Chic era and it's got so many cushions…The thing is car size and takes up a whole room..! I love the look of a more sleek looking sofa!
Kim I must get Erin's book now, she is so talented and creative ( so are you of course!)
It is all in the details! Here's another I think you will love…
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring Sharon Santoni
I love your new table!!!!! So chic! That book is drool-worthy eye candy! I refer to it all the time!
I so enjoyed the beauty and style of this post, Kim. Isn't it fun to freshen up the look? I've used wall paper in our master bedroom and a small powder room. It definitely adds a touch of style. This book looks gorgeous–must check it out. By the way, fantastic score in the lucite from Homegoods. I've been looking for a lucite coffee table for my home office.
Thanks for your kind words on the blog. I am so busy with work now that my programs are back in school. 🙂 My sister is on her way up from Newport for the weekend but I wanted to pop by and say 'hi'. Have a wonderful long weekend, dear Kim!
xx, Heather
PS-our lifestyle linkup #5 is live again this morning!
Hi Kim,
I bought Erin's book awhile back and have it displayed in my bedroom…did you read the part in her book about the huge fight she and her husband had over Lucite? I love her blog too, read it every day!
You really scored…I never see anything like your rug or table at the Home Goods near my house. 🙁 The last thing I bought there was a dog bed! There is another HG store a little further from my house that seems to stock a better selection. Maybe I will try that one again next time.
Have a good weekend!
Linda
xo
Oh I love your new table! My whole house is feeligs stale to me. Time to purge and refresh. This book looks like a great place to start! Thanks for sharing with us on #stylefocus. I'll be hounding my Home Goods looking for treasures.
Kim, you have such style!! Everything at my place seems to be falling apart and needs replacing. I think that my big change this year is getting new sliding glass doors. We have to start somewhere…right?
Kelley
Kelley I think my things are all on their last legs here too!! I only have the table!! This may be a slow process…I would like new sliders and frankly they let whole lot more light and air in than French doors. I won't ever change my sliders out in my bedroom. Plus now they look modern again! xo
Jennifer thanks! I think Home Goods is really hit and miss..Sometimes it's great!! Other times I can see one thing I would want. Guess you have to go regularly.
Linda isn't it a lovely book? Yes that part about the lucite table was funny! I like how honest she is! I know what you mean about HG..Yes they always have a lot of doggy stuff! I think its just a matter of going a lot.. Know what you want or you can end up with a lot of stuff you may not need! You know?? xoxo
Thanks Heather and I adore your wallpaper. I hope you had a great weekend!! xo
Thank you Wendy!
Thank you so much Karena. I do want Sharon's book! Yews I so agree the details are everything! xo