Momeni Lil Mo Kids Rugs–On Sale at OKL

Known for their exquisite handmade Persian carpets, Momeni also offers a whimsical children’s rug line named Lil Mo  that I am sure you will adore. A friend who purchased one for her baby boy’s nursery recently introduced me to the darling collection. The playful characters and muted color scheme was important, but she was most impressed with the softness of the hand-hooked pure cotton and texture of the cut-loop construction.

I too am impressed by the quality and variety of styles and colors… perfect for all types of nursery and children’s rooms. 

And if you have been searching for an area rug for your child’s room, you are in luck because Lil Mo rugs are now on sale at One Kings Lane. Hurry – the sales end April 1st at 11am EST.

Simple Handmade Flower Garland & Chicks!

Last week we experienced a huge rain storm and the kids were going a little crazy inside. So, I decided to have them help me decorate for spring by creating flower garland to hang in a window.

Using pre-cut paper flowers, pastel water colors, pom poms and grosgrain ribbon the kids created some beautiful flowers. 

I was impressed with the different color schemes, textures and patterns. It was a simple project and such a fun, inexpensive way to decorate for spring.

And what better way to celebrate spring than with some baby chicks? You may recall that we’ve been thinking about raising backyard chickens for sometime. The chicken coop hasn’t been built yet, but the chicks have arrived. Their names are Fluffy and Chipmunk. Can you tell which one is which? {wink, wink} We are crossing our fingers they are both hens. A rooster would have to be sent to a farm.

If you have raised chickens , I’d love to hear your advice!

Linking up to Centsational Girl's springtime party too!

Friday Find: Colorful Iron Garden Chairs

A week of non-stop rain has me longing for sunshine and outdoor entertaining. Wouldn’t these colorful iron garden chairs by British designer David Le Versha be delightful on any patio? This playful collection was inspired by wrought iron fencing would be great paired with traditional, contemporary or modern outdoor furnishings.

 

This turquoise beauty would be my first pick! All are available at Anthropologie.

Happy Friday!

Outer Space Boys Rooms and Oopsy Daisy Art Winner…

Any guesses on where this image was taken? Let’s just say we spent more time chasing down princesses than riding rockets. However, the swirling planets and rockets got me thinking about how fun it would be to design a boy’s bedroom with space exploration in mind.

Here are just a few items from Rosenberry Rooms that would be darling in a boy’s “outer space” bedroom. The digital clock is the best!

Also, I wanted to thank Rosenberry Rooms for sponsoring the Oopsy Daisy art giveaway. Selected at random, Alisha {lucky comment #46} has won this playful & colorful Favorite Things Alphabet - Girl Canvas Reproduction by Oopsy Daisy.

Congratulations Alisha! Can’t wait to hear {or see} where this beautiful artwork will be hung.


Have you guessed where I was last week? Perhaps this giant teacup will give it away … and let's just say it may be been the "busiest place on earth."

Interview: San Francisco Interior Designer Scot Meacham Wood

Today I am thrilled to be interviewing the very talented San Francisco-based interior designer, Scot Meacham Wood. I had the pleasure of meeting Scot last year while seating on a social media panel discussion at Kravet in San Francisco. Immediately, I was charmed by his smile, humor and positive attitude. His beautiful design projects have appeared in several publications including SF Examiner, Rue Magazine and Style at Home. Scot also is a fellow design blogger {The Adventures of Tartanscot} and I encourage you to drop by to find out what’s inspiring him today.

Simplified Bee: Scot, your designs are sophisticated, inviting and timeless. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Scot Meacham Wood: There was a gentle hint at my future in design when I was still quite young and would rearrange my bedroom at the age of 10, almost monthly. “Mom, can I move my bed to this wall?”  “Mom, could I have new lamps for my side tables?”  “Mom, I want new bedding.”  But, I really began to understand the power of design while working for Ralph Lauren.  I was with Polo for over 13 years - working in the Northern California stores - and it was amazing watching these beautiful spaces re-imagined each season.  The same space that was a New York loft one fall would be a French chateau the next.

SB: Your portfolio is beautiful and includes a range of styles. Which one is closest to your personal style?

SMW: I always find the greatest inspiration for any one of my projects from my clients themselves.  I’ve been incredibly lucky to have worked with some truly amazing people on the transformation of their homes. People always seem to be willing to transform their lives - and being in the front row (as it were) seeing people discard unneeded things from their pasts and seeing their lives from a fresh new perspective – never ceases to inspire me. I guess the space that most represents me is my own home.  But it is also the space that is in almost continuous evolution.  Furniture is constantly on the move.  Paint colors get changed.

SB: Who are your favorite designers?
 

SMW: Michael Smith.  Charlotte Moss.  Miles Redd.  Ralph Lauren.  Joe Nye.

SB: What are you favorite design magazines, books or blogs?

SMW: On the magazine front - I’m a huge fan of Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Arch Digest, Rue, and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.  For blogs – I love All the Best, Tobi Fairley’s blog, Grant Gibson’s blog, and the beautiful writing of Mrs. Blandings.

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

SMW: Paint colors are part of such a delicate dance.  So much depends of the orientation of the house, and the quality of the light, I try not to have any pre-conceived ideas about specific colors.  What I DO love are people who are willing to go dramatic.  Dark colors.  Saturated colors.  And, frankly, I love using wallpapers.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

SMW: “Trends” in design are somewhat of a misnomer for me - maybe because I gravitate towards more classic designs.  But, because most interior design installations have such lengthy time span - sometimes 18 months to 2 years - most ‘trends’ have come and gone over that time period.

SB: Your designs showcase beautiful textiles, furnishings and home accessories. Would you share some of your favorite collections or resources?

SMW: I really love to shop. Really. I firmly believe that it’s a genetic marker from my mother’s side of the family. For textiles, I love Jim Thompson’s textiles, Lee Jofa’s collections, and the bright fabrics from Carleton V. When in New York - you’ll find me shopping through Thomas O’Brien’s shop in SoHo - and well as several places along Lexington Ave.

SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?

SMW: I love my drawing room.  It’s the room where I entertain guests, the ‘heart’ of my home.  It also contains many of my favorite things.  My custom tufted silk-velvet sofa.  My Chinese needlepoint botanical rug. And most of my collection of portraiture is displayed there.

* all photographs published with permission from Scot Meacham Wood

Friday Find: Chic Lantern Lighting by Urban Electric Co

I’ve been on the lookout for just the right lantern pendant in an entryway. The selection of fabulous lighting at Urban Electric Co. has always been impressive, but I am loving the variety of lantern lighting currently available. I’ve selected some of my favorites to show you. 

Urban Electric features several lighting collections by designers such as Mark Maresca and Michael Amato. Some of my favorite lanterns they designed appear above.

Another remarkable lighting collection represented by Urban Electric is by designer Amanda Nisbet.  She brilliantly infuses some bright, playful color in her lighting collection. Gorgeous!

Simplified Bee has been nominated for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Design Blogs! Thank you to everyone that has voted so far! And I realized you can vote once every day until March 21 - just click on the thumbs up. Thank You!

The Best Ways to Organize Kid Rooms at Centsational Girl

{Designer Katie Ridder}

Much of my organizing & design business focuses on helping young families de-clutter and organize their homes, while still being style-savvy. So naturally I was over-the-moon when Kate  of Centsational Girl asked me to guest blog and give her readers tips on keeping kid rooms organized. Being a stylish & organized mom herself, Kate’s throwing in a couple more tips of her own. Be sure to stop by - 'The Best Ways to Organize Kid Rooms'.

 {images via Polka Dot Peacock}

 

Here’s a more important reason to stop by Kate’s blog. Wanting to ‘fixing up spaces for those who really need it, not those who can afford it’, Kate recently announced she has teamed up with Committee on the Shelterless (or COTS) and has adopted a house in need. The project’s name is the Alma Project. Here is a brief description:

“We called the The Alma Project is the transformation of a fixer upper house into a comfortable functional home for women who desperately need it.  Living inside the Alma House are three single mothers, previously homeless, who reside for free on the condition that they are learning skills, stabilizing their lives, attending counseling, and remain drug and alcohol free.  These mothers are saving their money from their part time jobs and raising their children as best as they can.  They have no time or money to fix up this house.  They are real women with real needs who need real solutions. “ 

If you would like to donate money or materials to this wonderful project, please visit The Alma Project.

Keeping the people of Japan in my prayers,

Top Home Design Blogs by Moms

Circle of Moms is looking for the Top 25 Home Design Blogs written by moms for moms and Simplified Bee has been nominated. If you are a fan of this blog, I would appreciate your vote. {and would give you a big hug if I could!}  Voting is quick & easy – just click on the thumbs up next to the Simplified Bee listing on Circle of Moms. Many thanks for your on-going support! It makes it all worth it!

Also, my thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Japan. Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by this disaster.  

Oopsy Daisy Art Giveaway

It’s no secret that Rosenberry Rooms is one of my favorite resources for chic baby nursery décor, so I was thrilled when they offered to sponsor a giveaway on Simplified Bee. Rosenberry Rooms features a huge selection of furniture, bedding, art, rugs and lighting – all perfect for decorating a child’s or baby’s room. In addition, many of their products are hand painted or crafted. Gotta love that!

Rosenberry Rooms has graciously offered to give away this playful & colorful Favorite Things Alphabet - Girl Canvas Reproduction by Oopsy Daisy – it retails for $159 and I think it would look darling in a little girl’s room. 

Here is how to enter:

• Leave a comment. {provide your email if I don't have a way to contact you}.
• Extra Entry - become a new follower of Simplified Bee's Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page.
• Extra Entry - mention this giveaway in a blog post, FB link or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.
• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.
• Entry period closes at 9 pm PST on Monday, March 21, 2011. The winner will be chosen by Random.org. 

Good luck!

Friday Finds: Fun & Vintage Organizing Products

I am always on the lookout for fun products to help organize our homes. So when I came across these vintage-inspired reproductions at Urban Outfitters, I knew they would make a great Friday Finds:

1. Industrial Metal Wall Shelf – great for organizing magazines, files or dishes.

2. Tote-All – perfect for holding kitchen utensils, art supplies or pens & pencils.

3. Stacking Wire Baskets – would be a great addition to a mudroom to store hats, mittens and scarves. 

4. Public Transit Authority chalkboard – excellent for centralizing communication in a busy home.

Happy Organizing & Happy Friday!

Coffee Table Decorating and Styling Tips

{Designer Ken Fulk}

Tucked between sofas and chairs, the coffee table can help a space achieve equilibrium. Although known as a staple in living or family rooms, coffee tables are also found in other areas of the home such as bedrooms, offices and sunrooms. Regardless of the location, decorating a coffee table’s surface is an essential element in completing  the room’s overall look.

{Designer: Tobi Fairley}

It may seem elementary, but artfully styling a coffee table takes careful consideration.  It’s easy to plop down some coffee table books, fresh flowers and a tray, but it may not be pleasing to the eye. When selecting items to decorate the surface, keep in mind basic principles of design including scale, balance, rhythm and harmony. Taking these design principles into consideration, here are some tips for decorating a coffee table:

{Designer: Palmer Weiss}

Evaluate Scale. Take into consideration the scale or visual weight of your coffee table and the other furnishing that embody the space. The example above, by interior designer Palmer Weiss, incorporates a round glass coffee table, which has less visual weight than the surrounding furnishings. To compliment the table’s scale, shape and material, Palmer selects three groups of items; a decorative plate, fresh flowers and a couple books – all heavier in visual weight than the coffee table itself. Notice the coral & white fresh flowers subtly pick up on the pillow’s hue – this is not an accident. The floral arrangement also adds height to the grouping without blocking the view of the TV, fireplace or guests’ faces. The round plate picks up on similar colors in the space, but more importantly repeats the circle patterns throughout the space. The magnifying glass placed on the coffee table books adds a touch of whimsy and that magical third element to the grouping. One design trick, which Palmer uses here, is to arrange accessories in groups and multiples of three.
     

{Designer: Hillary Thomas; Photo credit: Patrick Cline via Lonny Magazine}

Strike Visual Harmony. Designer, Hillary Thomas also used a trio of compatible items to create a harmonious look on this square coffee table. Again, fresh flowers in various shades of pink and red pick up on pair of ikat pillows {keep plants. A small round tea light breaks up the straight lines of the table and adds a romantic touch. {If you have small children or pets, please be careful when lighting candles on a coffee table – for safety reasons candles should be kept out of reach.} This time a pair of coffee table books are grounded with Foo Dogs. The Asian figurines compliment in style, texture and color the garden stools placed in front of the sofa.
    

{Designer: Tobi Fairley}

Achieve Balance. In the formal seating room above, designer Tobi Fairley creates a symmetrical balance by placing matching chairs, side tables and table lamps on either side of the sofa. The pair of books and glass art accessories selected to decorate the coffee table breaks the room’s formal symmetry, creating visual balance and interest.    
  

{Designer: Hillary Thomas; Photo credit: Patrick Cline via Lonny Magazine}

Above designer, Hillary Thomas using a large square tufted ottoman as a coffee table in this family room. A contrasting black lacquer tray is the perfect accessory to unify and showcase other decorative items. The asymmetrical arrangement of the stone horse figurine, book and succulent plant creates a visual balance. This informal balance can be difficult to achieve for some and there are no set of rules as to what is right or wrong. Many times it requires patience and plenty of trial and error to get it right.    

{photo credit: Thibault Jeanson via House Beautiful}

Create Rhythm.  Here designers, Hattie Wolfe and Abby Rizor place a large Indonesian bowl on a stout wooden coffee table. While some may argue the scale of the bowl is too large, it works not only because the repetition it provides in color & texture, but its contrasting round form creates rhythm in the space. I am not sure how this bowl was acquired, but showcasing treasures from your travels is always a wonderful way to make a space personal and act as a great conversation starter.

What do you think are the most important design principles to keep in mind while styling a coffee table?

Are you looking for more design advice on styling your home? If so, you may enjoy reading: 

Tips on Decorating the Fireplace Mantel,  
Tips on Styling a Bookcase Like an Interior Designer or  
Tips for Styling a Living Room.