make it pretty: sparkle

logo, photography and styling by Corrin Acome

photography and styling by change of scenery

tip: Use sparkle to add some drama to any composition. To keep from being too feminine, pair with more rustic objects to balance out textures. 

More styling adventures found here. 

Exposed brick makes me smile.

I've been crushing hard on rooms with exposed brick since, well, ever. But after searching for inspirational pics during the bedroom redo extravaganza (which I'm changing up AGAIN btw), the crush grew even larger than I'd ever imagined. So much so that I think I'm going to make it a requirement the next time I'm on the apartment hunt. Along with a porch, good water pressure and a claw foot tub.

And let me just tell you, fantasizing about things that you don't have, really helps get things done and find solutions for the things you are working with. In other words, apartment redecorating project, you are put on hold again.

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Almost used as an accent wall to break up the white on white in this bedroom.

Natural wood side table used to balance the exposed brick on the opposite side.

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This is my absolute DREAM bedroom.

The worn white paint and loads 'o pattern makes my heart go pitter patter.

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Painted white in the bedroom makes it more subtle but still enough of a statement. 

Requires little artwork for depth and visual interest for the brick wall to still pop.

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I love how they used the exposed brick wall as a backdrop for artwork and book collection.

Creates a raw composition that makes the living room feature a bit more casual.

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Love the juxtaposition of modern bathroom accessories and fixtures with an old, chipped brick wall.

Adds depth to the space without it looking old, out of date or drab. 

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Having brick in an entryway sets a casual tone for the rest of the home.

Not too excited about the wood to tile cutoff on the floor but the brick does a nice job at keeping the eye upward.

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This kitchen makes me want to learn how to cook.

The white keeps the kitchen looking pristine and the window set in the brick helps let light in and offers great reflection.

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The painted white in this kitchen capitalizes on the brick's texture but keeps the space looking fresh and clean.

Minimal accessories add a modern yet functional touch.

An entryway with a side of yawn.

The more I stare at my front door, the more I realize how badly I am in the market for a rug. As mentioned in an earlier post, although extremely important for setting the overall tone, entryways are often overlooked when decorating your space. And, in my case, there are plenty of other things I'd like to do to my space that the entryway continues to fall to the bottom of the list.

With such a small area of rented space, I am really limited in what I am able to do/put to help make an impact. I am looking to eventually refinish the light blue barrel I got from my grandma (stay tuned for that later) and adding a few more hooks to fill out the wall a little bit more, allowing more space for guests' jackets. The only other space available to make an impact is the floor. Hence the rug. And with all of the salt being tracked in these days, I couldn't get one soon enough.

DIY: As always, I am light on funds and have not come across a rug I simply had to have. Liking the look of the woven rugs along with the ability to choose my own fabric, I started taking a look at some DIY options. I came across a no-sew option that looked kind of interesting, a crochet tutorial which would add a significant amount of texture and a simple braided rug that could do the trick just the same. I wonder if I could braid into a chevron pattern, forcing the shape by sewing together...

Here are some lovely inspirational rugs - all the wrong colors of course - courtesy of the love collage. These are a little more unique from the typical chevron pattern of white + color block which can add more depth and drama to a space without being too over the top. A simple, chic, soon to be classic.

Hook line and sinker.

Nothing screams "I'm home" like hanging up your coat after a long day at work. And lately, the coat hooks  seem to be getting cuter and cuter. Now, I've talked about the need to create an entryway in the past, and feel that one, two or all of these could be the perfect start. Try taking a more unconventional approach by pairing 3-5 different hooks in a single line or artistic composition on an empty wall by or across from the door. Choose similar styles or colors to make the look seem cohesive. Anthropologie has, by far, the most interesting and beautiful hooks and knobs I've seen to-date. For example, I chose white to be the primary theme with a bit of nature to bring the look together. I'd put the two branch hooks in between the three different looks to create a cohesive look. Experiment to find the right look for you.

left to right: anthropologie, urban outfitters, anthropologie, anthropologie

Location Spotlight: The Grand Antique Mall

Feeling down in the dumps one day, my boyfriend thought that the perfect way to cheer me up was to head out the the Grand Antique Mall. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first but went along with it because he's never steered me in the wrong direction before. As soon as we walked into the building, I was immediately overwhelmed with excitement. As seen in the pictures below, the overall decor of the building is not much to look at (unless you like clutter and pegboard) but the treasures that are displayed are absolutely gorgeous.

The mall is set up with 4-5 primary aisles that are thousands of feet long and hold numerous booths that contain anything from side tables to Nancy Drew books. Each booth is designated a specific collector and they can display the antiques however they would like. As mentioned earlier, it seems as though everyone's decided on throwing as many things as possible in the space and hoping for someone to dig out what they'd like. The prices are not yard sale-esque, but if you go in there looking to make an investment, you will not be disappointed.

Along with furniture and home decor, the place is filled with jewelry, purses, hats and clothes that will keep you searching for days. Sharing a love of vintage... well... everything, I took my friend Steph there a couple of weeks later to enjoy the eye candy. Here are some of my favorites. I apologize but I did not get a close up of the price or the vendor for purchase. 

A few things that would look great in an entryway. As mentioned in an earlier post, it is the first impression so you need to make a statement.

Some amazing sofas and chairs that don't even need to be reupholstered! Incorporate into your current living room arrangement to get that eclectic style that gets talked about.

DIY OPP: Sand, prime and spray paint any of these side tables a bright color (coral, aqua, lime green, etc.) to add some excitement to an otherwise neutrally designed room. Use that color as a guide when picking out throw pillows, artwork and other miscellaneous accessories to tie the room together.

A gorgeous TV console with timeless details neutral enough to go with any style. A very lengthy piece, position along a bare wall, hang or stand your TV in the center and pair with some artwork to help make your media center a beautiful composition.

Some miscellaneous pieces that can breathe life and add character to any room. I would use the library card file as a jewelry and hairpiece organizer, make the suitcase into a shelf and use the barstools for a kitchen island.