Check out the new wall in the J.Crew Rockefeller Center store. The wall was designed by artist Christopher Bettig, a Los Angeles-based artist and founder of the Mountain Label Design Studio.

Here is what Christopher said about his artwork:

“Djed is the name of my newest permanent installation which is at J Crew / Rockefeller Plaza, in NYC. In Egypt, Djed is a reference to stability, and the installation features a series of diamonds all imploding into each other while hovering in midair.. so, it’s a play on that. The installation is also shaped like half of a heart because one of my oldest friends, James Chard, recently passed away.  Hope you guys like it.”

I love the personal meaning behind the installation, it really makes me look at it differently. And now that I see the half heart, well my heart changes. I love it.

 

Don’t want to do the same old framing project to spruce up your walls? Ready to mix things up a bit? How about using multiple frames to cut up your art and give it this great look featured on re-nest.com.

Obviously keep in mind the art that you are using, this look will look better with some pieces then others. I think that this map looks amazing on this golden wall.

 

I feel like I’m looking into the future when I see Toronto designer Sabrina Linn’s inspiration corkboard. I want something just like that in my future office! Even clutter can look pretty.

Photo from House and Home

 

Funky patterned accents are a great way to bring some life to a room. Matching pillows and curtains bring life to this room designed by Jonathan Rosen.

 

Glamour done right. Deep gray colors with bright turquoise and purples. Fit for a queen. Seems very Carrie Bradshaw-esque to me.

 

These shelves are adorable. And that’s probably not something you would say if you saw them bare, but the colorful bowls, mugs, glasses and flowers really bring life to them.

Need storage space? Check under your stairs!

 

I pinned the above photo on Pinterest awhile ago and since then I've been seeing so many cool storage options for under your staircase. So we'll hit on those here, but first - can I get a swoon over these stair bookcases?! 

*SWOON*

The bookcases below are nice if you don't have the option of creating a built in bookcase. Just hang up some shelves and you're set!

 

Now take one of those books from your bookshelf and cozy on up here under your staircase on this bed. Seriously, how great is this. It's such a nice little nook, and a very functional use of space.

 

Not everyone has the luxury of having a fully functional and spacious entry way where they can keep coats, boots, bags, all that jazz. So what about using the space under your stairs as storage space? Talk about using your space wisely. I love this idea.

 

And finally, I can't help but have a little longing for my dear Harry Potter and his under the stairs room when looking at this photo - although this is a bathroom, and not a bedroom, but you get the idea. A whole room under your staircase?! Genius.

 

Summer is winding down, so I only have a few more weeks where I can really post beach house inspiration photos without you guys thinking I’m completely crazy. So here we go! Beach house inspiration photo one of many until the weather starts to cool down (and no, going from an average of 100 degrees each day, to 85 degrees is not a cool down) - rope stairs! I’ll let them do the speaking themselves, but talk about an amazing detail. Rope stairs for the win.

 

This photo was featured in Traditional Home and it caught my eye immediately. How different is this dining room seat? It’s elegant yet comfortable and it flows with the staircase just perfectly. Not to mention, it makes a statement in this room. I love it.

Home designed by Amy Bergman.

 

My amazing co-worker asked me to help her redecorate her bedroom. Nothing a new paint job, linens, and window treatments can’t fix. The biggest upgrade? A new bed. She really wants a King sized bed, and I really want to get rid of her four poster frame bed because it’s really making the size of the room feel a lot smaller. It’s time to open things up, lighten up the color and make this her sanctuary.

Also, everything needs to be gender neutral, as she shares the room so this duvet cover and these shams are where I want to start. Of course, with her approval first.

What do you think?

 

You have to appreciate an artist with a sense of humor. I think this is hilarious. I hope someday to have a client with this edgy sense of humor because I would love to decorate with something like this in the future.

Check out artist Ian Stevenson’s other work here.

 

This sparkly gold wall certainly is not for the faint of heart, but I think it’s pretty amazing. I see something like this in Betsy Johnson’s home. But really, I think this wall is best suited in retail. I know that if I walked into a store and there was a wall like this facing me my socks would be knocked off!

Photo via Glitter Guide

 

Beach house bliss - how funky is this starfish mirror? I love it!

Pretty storage

 

Let’s face it, bathrooms can get cluttered and messy very quickly. It usually takes an army of products and supplies to get us out of the bathroom, but what do you do with all of that stuff so that it looks somewhat presentable? Check out some of these pictures that I found in my research, hopefully you can get some fun ideas to make your bathroom look just as pretty. Trays, wicker baskets, and even ladders - have fun with it!

 

 

 

 

My imaginary future beach house will definitely have a room like this. Love the coral accents with the light blue and white.

 

This photo is part of the promo for West Elm’s collaboration with online art gallery 20x200 to produce a collection of ten new prints by popular artists. Check out the information for the collaboration here.

What really drew me to this photo though was the hanging frames on the bookshelf. What a great way to spice things up on your bookshelf!

 

How great are these chairs?! I saw these featured on Glitter Guide with the announcement of the new lifestyle line Society Social.  I’m so excited for Society Social to launch this week and from the previews on their site I can tell that I will be featuring them quite often here on Life Made Pretty. So stay tuned, and congrats to the Society Social girls!

HGTV’s Design Star: Light envy

 

Last week’s episode of HGTV’s Design Star featured a kitchen challenge. And out of everything in the challenge, I found myself drooling over lights that Mark and Leslie used. The lights picture above and below were found and used by Mark, and they looked very cool in the kitchen. However, I’m not exactly sure why he left the price tags on. I hope it’s because he wanted to show off a great deal!

 

 

 Next up is the large rectangle hanging capiz pendant light used by Leslie.

 

My mom is currently in New York City for the gift show and saw the light there. She asked the sales person and he told her that they’re from West Elm. Who knew?!

 

 

So pretty. This color gives the room such a light, airy feel. Do you guys watch Design Star? Any favorites?

 

At this point on Monday morning I’ve been running around like a mad woman. I finally sat down and realized that my stomach is growling. Then I saw this picture of this beautiful kitchen and sighed - I really wish that I was sitting here sipping on some orange juice.
These floors are amazing, and I think that light is a must have for a kitchen.

Weekend inspiration: the barn wedding

 

This weekend I was back home in Pennsylvania for my dear friend Lauren’s wedding! She and her husband Christian had their ceremony and reception at Friedman Farms in Dallas, PA. The ceremony and reception were inside the barn - and it looked absolutely amazing. Just look at the picture above! My breath was taken away. I wish them both the best of luck in their future together. I know that they love each other very much, and I’m truly honored that I was able to be standing next to Lauren as a bridesmaid on her big day.

 

I love bulldogs. I love stripes. I love comfy places to sit. This photo can do no wrong.

 

This tangerine-turquoise color combo had me at hello. This photo is from a room designed by Tobi Fairley, featured in Traditional Home. I can’t get enough of the print on the curtain, fun yet chic.

Etsy favorites: Go Jump In The Lake

 

I first saw the above picture on Pinterest (shocking, right? haha) and was immediately drawn to the “This is the Life” sign sitting on the mantle. I knew that I had to find it, and after some digging I discovered the Etsy shop that sold this wonder - and so many other great signs like it.

The Go Jump In The Lake Etsy shop is a treasure trove of fun signs like the This is the Life sign.

It turns out that Lee and Laurie Dayvault began making these rustic signs in 2005 for fun, and while attending their first craft show the demand for other signs was so large that they started producing more. Now we are graced with Go Jump In the Lake, and their website, The Maple Drive Workshop. 

Lee and Laurie hand make each sign with 19/32 inch plywood and water resistant paints-latex house paint and acrylic art paint. And because these are handmade, each is completely unique.

Below are my two favorite signs. The “This is the Life” sign measures 18x17. The “You are my Sunshine” sign measures 34x34.

 

 

 

So what are you waiting for? Check Go Jump In The Lake out!

 

I love the idea of taking an old trunk that you love and putting it up on a stand with legs to make a bar. The rustic look contrasting with the softer look of the mirror and flowers on top really pull this look together. And the bottles aren’t such a bad touch themselves ;)

Photo from Delight by Design

A twist on storage space: the fireplace

 

Not everyone has a fully functioning fireplace, and even if they do, not everyone uses it. So why not use that extra space and do something fun with it?

Now we all know that fire wood belongs in a fireplace, but how cool does it look when you stack it up without any plans of burning it? I love this look, it keeps the true feel of the fireplace while giving it a different twist.

 

Better Homes and Gardens featured this fireplace idea and I have to admit that I wondered why I don’t see this more often in homes. What a great way to add some more shelves for storage, not to mention that this fireplace now has a completely different look. Very fun for the homeowner looking to do something a little different.

 

How about using your fireplace as a different kind of bookshelf, as shown in the next two photos. The first photo is from the Kate Spade Pop-up shop in London. And even with so much going on around the fireplace, the books are definitely a focal point.

 

I saw this fireplace in Country Living and loved that the books were stacked to the tippy top. The use of color is great too.

 

So what do you think? How about using that fireplace from now on!

 

The writing isn’t on the wall anymore - it’s on the stairs. Well, the lyrics are on the stairs - and I want to sing “Hello, I Love You” to them. These red stairs are painted with The Doors “Hello, I Love You Lyrics” and they certainly make an impression before you even make it to the top of the staircase. Ever think of having some fun with your stairs?

Mixing it up: ombre

 

I’ve been seeing a lot of the ombre trend lately, but it wasn’t until I saw this staircase featured on Martha Stewart.com that I knew I wanted to feature it here on the blog. Then I remember that I actually have featured another ombre design here before - do you remember the Anthropologie Flamenco shower curtain? If not, check it out here. 

Turns out, Anthropologie seems to have a thing for ombre. Below is their Windsor Love Seat. A very fun piece, although it comes with a hefty price tag (not exactly sure I have $1,500 sitting around to buy this, but if you do, by all means go for it!) I do think that this is a great inspiration piece to make into a DIY. Someone has already probably done it, and if I come across it I will definitely share with you all.

 

Also in Anthropolgie’s ombre closet - or should I say, on their windows, is the Wavering Ombre Curtain. It comes in four different colors, so you can match these dip-dyed draperies with the color scheme in your room.

 

Matching the Anthropologie Flamenco shower curtain, is Urban Outfitters Tonal Waterfall Ruffle Duvet Cover. The cascading ruffles add a whimsical feel to this bed, and certainly can be the pop in any bedroom.

 

And for a more subtle touch of ombre, this light. The different shades of pink illuminate when the light is on, a fun play of colors added to any room.

 

So what do you say? Ole to the ombre, or no?