Spring Refreshing: Living Room

With the first signs of Spring I always get the bug to start refreshing my house.  I think this is typical for a lot of us once the holiday decorations come down and everything starts to look so bare and uninspiring.  Each change of season I like to make a few small changes, all of which are budget friendly and add a lot of punch.  Today, I will start with the Living Room.  In the Spring it is important to fill this space with lots of color and a little bit of life.

1.  Add a little life. I always bring in extra potted plants.  With their wonderful green leaves and colored blooms they are great for any room.  I also love to put them in unique baskets and pots to add extra texture and style.  They work wonders on a windowsill, atop a stack of books on a buffet or even a large plant next to a sofa.

Succulent Sundae

2.  Bring on the prints.  I love rotating art prints. Often using the same frames but bringing in color and life with an uplifting saying or brightly colored piece of art is so refreshing.  An 8'x10" art print usually runs around $20 and at that price it is an amazing way to add personality to a space.

Good Morning Print

Live Love Print

Holding Carefully Print

Bird on a Bloom Print

3.  Lighten up.  Out with the heavy cable knit, fleece and heavy wool throws and lighten up your space with some airy throw blankets.  Spring is known for cool evening breezes and there is no better way to keep from getting the chills with a light cover up.  Not only are they functional, with a variety of colors and patterns they are great for refreshing any space.

In the Blue Throw/Blanket

Natural Bluebell Throw/Blanket

Natural Almond Thrown/Blanket

Do you have a favorite way to refresh your space for Spring?

Pinterest: What's your personal style?

It looks like our amazing and very busy weekend spent out of town with friends and family has come to a conclusion, it is 8:00 pm and my entire family is sleeping (even the hubby).  So, what should I be doing?  Unpacking, finishing laundry and getting ready for the week ahead, right.  What do I find myself doing?  Pinning! Yep, the oh so addicting website Pinterest has struck again and time seems to melt away while I am collecting home decorating ideas, recipes and exploring the world of unique art. But, while I am editing my boards, a light bulb comes on.  I begin to realize that there is a distinct style going on here.  I am actually realizing and honing my own personal style.  What a great realization for me because often my friends have commented on my style but I never was able to define what my "style" was.  I guess this is just another reason to love Pinterest :)

Check out some of my boards. 

Kitchens {Design Board}

Image by Better Homes and Gardens 

Stylin' {Natural Vibe} Board

Image via Wind and Willow Home

For the Kiddos Board

Image via Holly Mathis Interiors

Inspiring Decor Board

Image via Identicaleye

Oooh Ahh...Out of the ordinary Board

Image via Design Sponge

Products I Love Board

Image via Wind and Willow Home

Yummy {Recipes & Styling}

Image via La Receta de la Felicidad

 Do you see an overall style in your boards?

Plant Project: Succulent Sundae

It's Friday (yay, yipee, wahooo) so I thought I would leave you with a really fun and easy project for the weekend.  I found this cute little trophy dish at a salvage shop and thought it would be great for my son's room.  I have been trying to find a way to add some life to the kids rooms and this is how I posed to do it.  That being said, I couldn't leave my daughter out (hence, the pink dish)... what you do for one you have to do for the other or else... I decided to use succulents because they are quite easy to take care of as they don't need to be watered very often and they tend to be sweet and simple.
 

 Here is what you need:
Container ( any small dish, bowl, container will do)
Soil
Succulent/Plant
Moss
Rock or Decorative item
Water
Succulent Vitamins (optional)

First, I filled each dish with some cactus potting mix.

Next, I took my plants and placed them in the soil in my desired location (I always like them a little off center) making sure to be gentle but getting at least 1 to 1.5" of their base into the soil.  Then I firmly packed the soil around the plant to be sure it would stay in place.  I then added some water which I had mixed with some succulent vitamins (can be found at most floral shops, home improvement stores or plant nursery's) to ensure their continued health. 

I added some moss on top to add a little whimsey and finished it off with some sparkly rocks.  Voila!  A little life, small enough to add to any room!

What do you think?  Aren't they sweet? DO NOT EAT :)

P.S.  Be sure to read or look up the care directions for your specific plant.

Holiday Season ALREADY

Time flies when you are having fun.  Yes friends, that is exactly what I am doing, fun with friends, family and befriending some talented handmade artists and artisans locally, nationally and internationally.  My lack of posts is not due to lack of ideas.  In fact it is completely the opposite.  I have so many ideas written, pinned, saved and swirling around in this little head of mine it is difficult to keep from blogging about them.  But, I must wait...  until the official launch of  the Wind and Willow Home shop.
It is coming! When the days start getting longer and Spring is on our minds.  For now, please feel free to check out the Twin Cities Design Collective where I will be writing about fantastic local (Minnesota) talent.  You can also follow me on Pinterest where you can get a sneak peak into some the things you may see at Wind and Willow Home. Oh, and Make Sure you are a friend on Facebook for the newest updates!

Wonderful Wood Silhouettes| Oh Dier

What do you get when you mix a lovely local (Twin Cities) husband and wife team, a little wood and a bit of quirkiness?  Oh Dier!  For a little more on this dynamic duo check out my full article at the Twin Cities Design Collective.  Not only do they make wonderful words with wood they also make these beautiful, nature inspired silhouettes.   I just love them!

Images via Oh Dier

Deep Dark Africa: Shops that inspire

This shop is inspirational not only because of it's uniquely modern vision of Africa but also it's dedication to fair trade and Eco-friendly goods.  Deep Dark Africa promotes hand designed and made pieces created by or in collaboration with a diverse range of local artisans, designers & crafters.  It's unique mix of  modern designs shows that "this uniquely talented continent & its rich creativity, showing that African design is evolving whilst still holding firm to it's handmade root."
I personally love the contrast of the earthy wood and reed products next to bright, colorful globes, balls and toys.  Calming and pleasant with energy running through the entire shop.  Check out Deep Dark Africa for yourself, I am sure you will find inspiration in this shop.

 Images via Deep Dark Africa

Do you know of a product or shop you would like to see featured here?

Are you looking for a special gift that we might be able to help you find?

Please contact Wind and Willow Home

Butterflies on my Mind: Products you may see in the shop

I have had butterflies on my mind all Summer.  This year was a Summer filled with deconstruction at my house.  My husband and I had to remove all trees, weeds and overgrow bushes from our previously neglected yard.   As I look forward to my vision of what it will become I imagine a garden full of blooming flowers with butterflies feasting on them.  I have been doing research of which plants attract butterflies in hopes that next year I will be able to start fresh with flowers like the Purple Coneflower, Garden Phlox and the Comom Milkweed. So until then here is a collection of beautiful butterfly products for inspiration.
Enjoy!

Image via My Selvaged Life

Image via Sabiesabi

Image via SiboDesigns

Image via Anthropologie

Image via Sugar Robot

Image via Commercial Wallcovering.com

Do you know of a product that you would like to see featured here?

Are you looking for a special gift that we might be able to help you find?

Please contact Wind and Willow Home

Nature inspired pillows: Products you may see in the showroom

I have been thinking a lot about pillows lately because they are a great way to add personality to a room without spending a lot of money.   In many of my rooms the pillows define the space.  They add color, texture and shape to an otherwise neutral background.  I also change my pillows per season adding more texture in the fall and winter when I am feeling a little extra warmth is needed.  I soften up the texture and color in the spring and summer giving the space a more casual and airy tone. 
These amazing pillows pictured below are all hand printed and are full of personality.  Please visit the links below the pictures to see more styles and design form each artist. 

Image via helkatdesign

Image via Rustic Country Crafts

Image via Art Goodies

Image via Peris and Corr

Image via Button Grass

Image via Robin and Mould

Image via Erin Flett

Here is your chance to shape the showroom. 

Please give me your input on this product via the Reactions button below.  Do you Love it, Like it or would you Pass? 

Professional design services, for a cause.

Although my dream for Wind and Willow Home is to have a beautiful and unique brick and mortar showroom, I thought I should share that I am currently offering professional design services and cabinetry drawings in home (if you are in the Twin Cities Metro area) or via email if you don't live locally.  For the past 10+ years I have been working with clients to make their remodeling dreams a reality.  The purpose of today’s blog post is give you a chance to get friendly professional design service for any room in your home.  And by doing so, you will also be helping to start a local small business as all proceeds will go toward the start up costs of the Wind and Willow showroom.  In addition to the design service/design drawings, you will also get a special, personal invitation to the official grand opening of Wind and Willow Home including a special discount on any gift or homeware merchandise purchase.  For more information on this offer or my design services check out the Kitchen and Bath Design/Custom Cabinetry tab or contact Araya at wind_willowhome@hotmail.com.

This offer is good for 3 years from the date purchased so if you or someone you know are looking to update or remodel a room in your house in the next few years and need professional drawings please consider starting to plan your next project now, with Wind and Willow Home.