It's Not Easy Using Green

As a very famous frog once said, "it's not easy being green!" 

Well, around here we say.. It's not easy using green!! 

Sometimes it can be hard to incorporate color into your home. Not to fear, Lisa is here! 

Rule No. 1: Listen to Nature 

Often, we see spaces that are too dark, or too light. By listening to Mother Nature, you can replicate the color values that you see right outside your window. Choose darker values of color for the floor (ground), medium values of color for the walls (trees and mountains) and light values of color for the ceiling (sky). If you divide your colors by value, it send your eye "vertically" in the room, you’ll get an interior that looks good every time.

This pool house in Central Connecticut is a perfect example. Lisa used the dark floors to off set the light walls, which makes the medium tone coral sofa POP! 

Rule No. 2: Get Emotional 

It's your house, choose colors that you love! Use your emotional associations to their greatest effect in a space by deciding on what emotional impact you want the room to have. Would you like it to be lively? Choose reds and yellows. If you prefer subdued, try blues and browns.

This Florida remodel uses color very specifically. It livens up the minimalistic brown couches, and draws your eye to the modern art that was displayed throughout the house. 

Rule No. 3: Don't Forget Black

A maxim in the interior design community, by adding a black element, you ultimately enhance all of the other colors in the space. 

  In this HOBI award winning house, the master suite utilizes dark furniture to draw contrast against the light textiles and walls. 

Happy St. Patty's Day! May the color be ever in your favor. 

An Evening of Collaboration

“As clothing wears, fades, stains and stretches, it becomes an intimate record of our physical presence. It traces the edge of the body, defining the boundary between the self and the outside world."

Does your closet have you feeling a little "Carrie Bradshaw pre-wedding to Big"?
Have you diagnosed your self with a closet full of nothing to wear syndrome?  Does it feel like every time you step foot in your closet you fall down a black hole of digging, tossing, and mis matching? There's no question that an organized closet can make for better dressing, but there's a distinct difference between an organized closet... and a dream closet. 

The keys to having it all in your wardrobe and the space it lives in are organization, light, and to have some fun! It's all about you and your personal style! 

Tomorrow, I'll be teaming up with Amy from W By Worth for a Night of Collaboration.. So let's get this party started! I've paired some of my favorite pieces from the W By Worth spring line and drool worthy dream closets to showcase just how much your personal style can make a difference. 

Classic, comfortable neutrals come together with a light filled faux finished wood floor. 

Glamor radiates with this chic tweed and lace slip dress and equally chic wall of mirrors. 

Take a walk on the wild side with this eclectic dressing room that would perfectly compliment this jacquard over blouse. 

Texture is key! Even small hints, like a blouse or a rug can make all the difference.

I can't wait to tell you all about what Amy and I scheme up over  Davenport Bellinis and the company of fantastic ladies. 

Shake it off, Love is in the air!!

Shake it off!

Just when you're "getting down and out" about all of this snow, 

Valentine's day is the perfect excuse to spruce up your home and "shake off" those winter blues! 

We've rounded up a few cute ideas full of  romance and spontaneity, just for you! 

Parisian Pillows

La Carte, Knot Garden, and Lumiere pillows from Eastern Accents add the perfect touch of paris romance. Throw together these perfect pillows with some wine and fairy lights, and you've got yourself the perfect date night in paris. 

Kitchen Whimsy 

Fishs Eddy is by far my favorite place to find dish ware! These dishtowels have adorable ric rac ribbon edging, reminiscent of tiny doll clothes. The Heart cutting board would be a perfect platter to display your favorite cheeses, while the Admit One Tray holds your drink of choice. Pop in Roman Holiday or Love Actually, and you've got yourself a great night!! 

 My Funny Valentine 

These coasters from Etsy shop Bright Beam Goods are too funny!! Be a modern day John Cusack and present your love with these Misheard 80's song lyrics. 

Happy Valentine's Day from Lisa Davenport Designs!! 

Pantone 2015

Every December, Pantone graces us with the color of the year-- The color that will set the mood for the next 12 months.  This year, the color is called Marsala, and is described by Pantone as...

 "A tasteful hue that embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors." 

The press release that declared Marsala as the color for 2015 was accompanied with images of carefree, yet collected youths smiling at dinner parties in cowboy boots, and playfully cooking berry tarts. 

While some may disagree with Pantone, I think that this color invites the use of plush texture and luxury. Dramatic, while still remaining earthy, Marsala would be a dream to pair with a matte finish to bring out a folksy, down to earth feeling. However, if packaged with a sheen, the image becomes one of richness and sumptuousness. 

Marsala pairs well with neutrals, including warmer taupes and grays. With burnished undertones, amber, umber, golden yellows, and even a variety of teals sit alongside Marsala with ease. 

Welcome to 2015, Marsala. 

  

Summer Dish on Fish

It's summer in New England. Here in Connecticut, that means a lazy day enjoying the cool water of the Sound and nights taking advantage of the fresh seafood that the coast has to offer.

So jump on board today as we explore some fishy fixtures for your home.. and some for your stovetop too!

In the past, I've designed plenty of pool houses, but last year was my first yacht!

Indoor/outdoor fabrics today are a dream, maintaining a natural texture while still being durable enough to stand up the weather. Sometimes I even use them in kids rooms! The bright colors and enduring quality of the fabric make it perfect for messy little hands.

This fabric from Duralee is also Indoor/outdoor. I could totally see this pattern embracing a deck chair.. especially because it comes in three other fantastic colors! 

These color combonations are a delightful break from some of the other outdoor fabrics that are on the market today. 

This fish lamp from Jonathan Adler is just too adorable.  

While not indoor/outdoor, this Kravet fabric has dainty seashells that can bring the magic of the ocean into your home every day. I might use this linen fabric for some window treatments! 

These swordfish pillows from Eastern Accents are a great accent piece to any couch! Throw one on either end with a colorful solid in the middle and you'll have a whole new aesthetic! 

As a New Englander,  I just love a good mussel. My favorite way to make them is to steam them with some white wine... That way there's plenty left over to go with dinner. 

Steamed Mussels with White Wine

• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1/4 onion, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" cubes
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 4 1/2 pounds mussels, scrubbed, debearded
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Place shallot, onion, wine, butter, and vinegar in a large heavy pot. Add mussels, cover, and bring to a boil. Cook, gently shaking pot once or twice, until mussels open, 3-5 minutes (discard any mussels that don't open).

Set a strainer lined with a double layer of cheesecloth over a bowl; set aside. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mussels to a large bowl. Pour mixture in pot through prepared strainer. Season broth with pepper and pour over mussels. Sprinkle with parsley.

Fourth of July: The Most American Things EVER.

This Forth of July, like all Fourth of Julys, we celebrate what makes America great. 

Take a look at the list we've complied!! 

Apple Pie

Pillow from Eastern Accents

Patriotism 

Fabric from Andrew Martin

George Washington

Sculpture from Jonathan Adler

Rodeos 

Bull from Global Views

American Made

Montclair and Bedford chairs from Thibaut, all american made. 

Red, White, and Blue

Honfleur Stripe from Ralph Lauren Home

Have a safe, happy (And dry!) Fourth of July. 

Rockin' 80's!

While the 80's were hot for toys, clothing, and pop culture, 80's home decor hasn't yetcome into its revival like past decades. However, it does invoke a sense of nostalgia. 

And of course, the hair.. 

Pastels, pastels, pastels! Pastels and stripes were both on trend. I love the stacked baskets at the end of the bed. It reminds me of the stacked suitcases that you sometimes see today. 

Why choose one color when you can have them all? 

This painted rainbow around the bed is a cute, creative touch. 

Pinks around this time tended towards the dusty mauve, along with the pastels. The dainty florals are also a stark contrast to the large prints from the 70's. 

Who ever was in the ruffled pillow business was very, very rich. 

There's nothing I love more (besides floral) than a cheesey lamp. This one takes that cake. 

Of course, I couldn't do a 80's post without throwing in some Ferris Bueller decor. Metal headboards were huge during this time, and this one is so cute!! 

That's it for this week folks!! Next week we travel to the 90's!!

Happy Spring!

It's finally here!! Tulips are sprouting, birds are chirping, and the sunshine is warm! 

We're so happy we could jump for joy.. much like these adorable Holsteins. 

I'm  taking a break from Ashley's teenage time travel to bring to you a few fun ideas for spring.

Just a little something to make you smile :-)

Nothing says spring to me more than the Forsythia bushes in bloom. Try filling your vases with wine corks, sliced lemons, or colored glass beads for a fresh effect. 

Speaking of lemons...

I love how this brings the sunshine in!

Nothing to fill those jars & vases? Lemons. 

They'll brighten up your kitchen and last a bit longer than flowers. 

Oranges and limes are also wonderful for adding bursts of color! 

These lidded hurricane jars are a staple for me in my sesonal decorating. 

Mason jars are one of my little design secrets. They're incredibly versitile!! 

I love the blue glass ones, but if non are to be found, they're also incredibly easy to paint with some fresh pastels. (Also very easy to paint old pasta sauce jars!)

I love this adorable moss terrarium idea. Perfect for a kitchen table or mantel top.  

Instead of tossing your bygone blooms in the compost heap because you think they won't flower again, wait for the leaves to die back naturally. Then, plant them in garden and feed them an organic fertilizer. (Narcissus and daffodil bulbs are more likely to respond, and bloom again)

Check back next week as Ashley continues our wild ride through the ages! 

(You won't want to miss our 80's decor!)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bedrooms (III) ...Sweet Seventies

Every era has a defining characteristic, something that rewinds you to the days gone past. 

For me, it's a teenage girl's bedroom.  
Maybe I'm just missing having Ashley home!  


Really, if you want an accurate portrayal of the trends today,  you should just take a peek upstairs, after all aren't those beautiful babies (hardly babies ...) our future?

Over the next few weeks, Ashley (no longer my brilliant teenager) is going to take you on a journey through the decades via the bedrooms that shaped generations. 

Enjoy my guest blogger.... 
All my best,

Welcome back! 

Get ready to be accosted with bright colors and patterns galore, 

because bedrooms this week are straight from the 70's!! 

This room has everything I love about 70's decor. Pattern, texture, and bold colors! The sassy bejeweled jungle cat is just a bonus. 

Don't you just love when your dress matches your duvet?

Once you get past the bright traffic cone orange, you may notice some delish built in shelving. 

(And another bejeweled jungle cat)

This room is by far my favorite. Nothing like taking a theme and sticking with it! You can even catch a glimpse of what must be an amazing peacock rug! 

Until next week... Stay fab!