17
Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway this week! I read each and every one of your responses. I'm going to try to put together my FAQ page next week with answers to your questions (you asked me some good ones!) and I definitely want to incorporate the feedback and suggestions you gave me into future posts. So many of you asked to see more of my own home! Which is good, I need some motivation to keep working on the house. I have so many ideas but they keep getting put on the back burner (we've been having great weather in Seattle, so clearly spending time outside has been the priority). While I definitely don't feel like the whole house is ready for a tour, I am going to start sharing little corners of it, plus in-progress pictures of projects I'm working on. I'm a little bit of a perfectionist, so I have a hard time with in-progress pictures...there are still parts of every room that I really don't like. But hey, maybe you guys can help me figure out what to do with those areas! Let's start small, with a decision I've been thinking about for our living room...
If you remember from this post, last month Ben and I bought a new armchair (the one above). I really like this chair. It's probably not the color I would have picked if I had gotten it upholstered myself, but for $90 with all those tufted buttons, nailheads, and velvet in really good condition, I wasn't about to be picky. As a side note, pictured in the back of this photo is my least favorite part of our living room--the front door. I hate that brick red color and would really like to paint it something bright and cheerful...but I'm not sure if our landlord would allow it. Ben says it's probably not worth it. I think it is :) But back to the chair decision! We'd like to get another armchair so we can have a pair of chairs across from our sofa, which is a stone-colored linen. My question is...what kind of chair should I get to pair with the velvet one?
Should I go for another tufted wingback, in a different color? (I love this blue one...and that whole room, really).
What about something that is a similar shape, but a different material? Like this leather wingback...or maybe a patterned one!
I do love floral...
Or should I go for something totally mismatched--a different shape and a different color?
I do really like the mismatched look, especially with a chic floral armchair like the one above. I like how the pink flowers pick up the pink in the armchair, so they work together...but in a subtle way. Then again, I'm also digging the half and half chair below, with the cushion a different pattern than the rest of the chair!
I'd love to hear your opinion--what do you think I should do? I'm going to try to take more photos of my home over the weekend so I'll have more corners of my house to share with you all!
Aaaaand as I promised on Monday, it's time to announce the winner of my giveaway! I just used a random number generator, so there was no bias or picking favorites...but I think it's pretty cool because it the winner has her birthday today! What? How crazy is that! Congratulations to Maria Malaveci...and happy birthday!
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There used to be so many fashion "rules" we were supposed to follow: don't wear black and brown together (or black and navy), no white after Labor Day, no mixing different metals, never wear socks with flats (or open toed shoes), and of course, don't mix patterns. Well, I think I've broken all those rules now, except maybe the socks with open toed shoes...and I'm not sorry at all! Mixing patterns, in particular, is really fun--and very trendy right now. And it looks just as good in your home as it does on your body! Check out the inspiration below and let me know what your favorite is. If you have any tips for pattern mixing (or favorite combos), I'd love to hear those too!
I just love all the patterns (and colors) in this cheerful kitchen!
Skeptical or nervous that you'll look like a crazy person? Ease into this trend by pairing a small scale print with a bigger one. The tighter print will act like a neutral (think thin stripes + a big floral print). Or, pair two different patterns in the same color family. Black and white always looks chic.
If you're really, really skeptical, try pairing a patterned scarf with a striped top. It's super low commitment--you can always take the scarf off if you feel silly later...but I promise you won't.
In the home, the safe way to mix patterns is with textiles, like pillows, which can easily be changed out. This room is really great, don't you think? Those pillows, that rug, and the fabulously styled shelves in the back. Plus all that natural light! I could live there...
Another idea when it comes to pattern mixing is to pair like with like--ie: polka dots with polka dots, stripes with stripes, floral with floral. I love this look! It's good to vary the scale of the prints to break your outfit up visually.
I love this mix and match patterned bedding. It reminds me of the Princess & the Pea. Speaking of which, you should check out our anniversary photos (we did a Princess & the Pea theme!)
This outfit is full of fashion no-no's, yet it totally works! I actually love her socks + flats combo, and all the different patterns are great. The overall peachy-pink palette helps unify the look.
So go forth and mix your prints without fear! Let me know how it turns out. Also, have you entered the Anthropologie giveaway yet?? If not, today is your last day...so you should definitely do it now!
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One detail that I've been noticing in a lot of kitchens is wooden cutting boards, especially ones with handles and worn, beat up wood. I love them!! They're not only beautiful, but also practical--not just for cutting things, but also as rustic serving trays for bread and cheese or fruit, etc. And they look so good on display.
I love the cutting boards leaning against the backsplash--but even more so, I love those rustic open shelves! Gorgeous--and totally DIY-able.
Storing wood cutting boards in a vintage locker basket is a great idea. I love that crock too. I've been looking for the right size crock to hold utensils in.
This entire kitchen is dreeeaamy. The cutting boards displayed on the wall, the splashes of emerald green, the tall turquoise pepper mill, the pale wood floors, and all that light streaming in! I wouldn't change a thing.
See? Wooden cutting boards are perfect as serving trays, for tea or whatever you please.
Another adorable kitchen, full of great colors. See more of my favorite kitchens here!
Yes indeed, I think I need to start a collection of vintage cutting boards. Do you have any? If so, how do you store/display them?
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I mentioned in this post how much I love the trend of leaving layer cakes unfrosted. It looks sweet and simple, unpretentious yet oh-so-pretty, especially when topped with flowers or fruit--or perhaps a cute bunting cake topper. Plus, you save calories (and time) by not adding all that frosting...and it's easy for guests to tell which kind of cake they want!
If you're trying out the ombre cake trend, it makes even more sense to leave it naked, so everyone can see all your hard work! Look at those pretty pink layers...
I love those wooden hexagons around the potted succulents!
Naked red velvet cake...yum!
Have you tried this trend? What do you think of it? I usually end up scraping some of the frosting off my cake anyways, so I think it's just perfect!
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Today is my birthday!! I can hardly believe I am 24--that used to sound SO OLD to me. They say that it's better to give than to receive (whoever "they" are), so since it's my birthday I thought it would be the perfect time to do my first giveaway here! The winner will get a $25 gift card to my favorite store, Anthropologie. If you think you can't get anything from Anthro for under $25, you've never gone shopping with me :) Not only are they always having sales, but their home section is the best. I always find something I want (like every single item in the collage below--yep, all are under $25!)
So, would you like to the enter the giveaway? Here's how:
1. Like At Home in Love on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Bloglovin. Leave a separate comment for each one. If you already like/follow me, that counts too!
2. Tell me what you think of At Home in Love so far and what you'd like to see more (or less) of. I'd also love to hear your suggestions/requests for future posts! Leave a comment with your feedback.
3. I've neglected by FAQ page so far...leave a comment with a question you have for me and I'll update the page soon, including the answers to questions that some of you have already emailed me.
You don't have to pick one way to enter--if you really want that gift card, there are a total of seven possible entries per person. Then again, if no one enters, I guess I'll just have to go shopping myself... ;)
This giveaway will be open until Thursday May 16th. I'll announce the winner in Friday's post!
Cake image via Sweet Lemon, all the rest from Anthropologie.
