Halloween Decorating Inspiration

I'm always torn between Halloween and Christmas. Both involve candy, decorations, feasts, weather to suit the mood, and fun. Both can even include costumes: witches and ghouls or Santa and his elves. You can go trick-or-treating or caroling. You can give out candy or presents. So, you see why I can't decide which holiday is my favorite?

It makes me very upset that the people on my block do not celebrate either holiday (decor-wise). It doesn't matter if you're religious or not, it's just fun to celebrate stuff, especially for the kids. Even if you "don't believe" or question the origins of the holiday, celebrate the day like you would Thanksgiving, as a time to have fun, eat, and be with family. That's my opinion, anyway.

Trend Hunter via Decorology

TraditionalHome.com

Birch and Lily

MarthaStewart.com

Image source unknown

Pottery Barn

Country Living

And from my own home:

If only I had outdoor electric sockets I could decorate outside, too.

Finding Space Where There Is None

My mother actually gave me the idea for this post.

How to find space when you think there's none left.

#1 Use shelving within shelving. For example, kitchen cupboard organizers. You can use these for dishes, glasses, pot lids, aluminum foil and plastic wrap, spices, pans, soaps and plastic bags...everything! I think they're especially helpful for very small things, like samples, tea cups and short glasses.

Above images from www.organizeworld.com

#2 Use extra pillows and blankets instead of storing them. It's much easier to put five blankets and four pillows on the bed just to take them all off before going to sleep than it is to find a permanent hiding place for them, taking them out only when you have guests over. Besides, a lot of people like the cozy, layered look. If you're not up for it, drape a blanket over the footboard.

Houzz

Country Living

#3 Use furniture with storage inside, like a storage ottoman, a storage bench, a storage chest or trunk as a coffee table, or a dresser instead of a console table, side table or dining buffet.

A dresser in the dining room, Design Sponge

A storage ottoman, Elle Decor

A vintage trunk used as a side table, Design Sponge

#4Think vertically. Use storage towers in closets and shelves at the very top to utilize space. You could also use slim, low boxes to hide things under the bed.

Source unknown 

#5 Scan important papers so that they don't get ruined, thrown out, or clutter your space. Consider storing a file on your computer before printing it. Every new piece of paper you want to save or print out needs to find a home, and you may not have space to keep it. For the same purpose, put all mail in an in/out box. This one can go right above or below the place where you put your keys.

Notice all the random papers in the image above...



Changes to Our Guest Bedroom

Due to my mother's suggestions I finally switched some things around in my house.

Moroccan guest bedroom before:

And the guest bedroom after:

As always, there are little bubbles in the pictures and I have no clue why.



Black Headboard Roundup

Jason Oliver Nixon via Houzz

Shelter via Pinterest

The House Home via The Decorista tumblr

http://thedecorista.tumblr.com

Rue Mag via The Decorista tumblr

Out of Curiosity & Painted Ceilings

Just out of curiosity, what color would you paint my ceiling above the molding?

And for that matter, what color would you paint the walls?

Doesn't it just seem too plain?

Insomnia has me thinking about painting the walls and leaving the ceiling white, or painting the ceiling and leaving the walls white. It has been done before! (And I'm not talking about color on the walls and ignoring the ceiling, like most people do.) I am not crazy.

Check this out:

Shannon's Eclectic Bay Area Home via Apartment Therapy

http://maisonboheme.blogspot.com

McGill Design Group via Desire to Inspire

So what do you think? Dark indigo? Heavy cream? Gold? Burgundy? Pastel green? Pale buttery yellow? Creamsicle?

Keep in mind the two end chairs will be slipcovered in off-white/cream and the brown chairs will be replaced with cream colored chairs, and of course, the orange tablecloth is only seasonal.

My New Dining Room Chandelier

My mom bought us this chandelier as an anniversary gift, and my husband put it up. He and my dad had a rough time trying to get the medallion to stick to the ceiling with liquid nails, so in the end he just put a couple nails in it.



A Beautiful House Tour

One of my absolute favorite posts on Apartment Therapy was this lovely home of Isabelle and Brandon. I just love the outdoor fireplace, string lights and movie screen, the indoor swing, and the chicken coop.

Check it out here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/house-tours/isabelle-and-brandons-lovely-cottage-house-tour-152061