GO USA! Happy 4th of July!

There is so much USA pride right now between the World Cup and the 4th of July approaching this weekend, one can not be thankful enough to live in this great country!

The Fourth of July is best known as Independence Day and commonly associated with family & friends, BBQ’s, fireworks, beaches, pools, picnics, concerts, parades and so much more! It is a summer tradition that we wait all year for, primarily because its FINALLY SUMMER!

If you are celebrating USA in the World Cup & the 4th of July this weekend…have fun, loosen up and enjoy all that quality time with family and friends!

But like Bella B always says, show off your great assets…SIMPLE & EASY ways to make your home, party, and get together a blast without breaking the bank!

Let’s start with some fun foods. Who isn’t having a BBQ or a Picnic this weekend?

Here are some really simple and easy fun foods to incorporate into the weekend, that will have your guests wanting more, more, more!

Grab a few glasses from your cabinet in your kitchen, layer ketchup at the bottom and throw french fries on top! One of the best ways to display fries for a BBQ kinda weekend!

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Try making this sweet and refreshing Salsa to show some 4th pride and knock the socks off of your guests!

Its a Blueberry, Strawberry, Jicama Salsa – add in some mint, dash of olive oil, hint of honey if you want it a little sweeter and a touch of salt and lemon and you are on your way to deliciousness!

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What party isn’t complete with sweets? Here are a few great ideas for that touch of sweet on a warm summer night! Nothing too heavy, just a touch of sweetness that is a must after any meal!

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What comes after FOOD…DRINKS! You must have a great refreshing drink for your guests!

This is a great way to bring some color to the table and to your party.

You can make either one of these drinks below with or without alcohol and all it requires are simple ingredients!

Ingredients:

  • MASON JAR
  • ICE
  • BLUEBERRIES
  • MINT
  • STRAWBERRIES
  • Both Cranberry Juice & Lemonade – 1 drink can have one juice, the other drink can have the other

ALL DONE and you instantly have a variety of drinks for your guests.

Hint: you can add sparkling water to jazz up the bubbly taste or one of your favorite sparkling wines like Prosecco!

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If you want to add a little more fun to the drink and get fancy…this is a really fun drink to make and again…simple and easy!

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Pineapple and Berry Sparkling July 4th Refresher!

Makes 1

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces sparkling water or white wine

  • 1 ounce pineapple juice

  • lemon wedges

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • Pineapple

  • Raspberries

  • Blueberries

Directions:

  1. On a small plate, combine sugar. Run a lemon wedge along the rim of a glass, then dip rim into sugar. Carefully fill glass with ice.
  2. Pour sparkling water & pineapple juice into the glass. Squeeze remaining lemon wedge into drink & stir to combine.
  3. Add raspberries, blueberries and pineapple.

Next comes decor…

It’s a great time to feel the pride, so why not show off the RED, WHITE, & BLUE!

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And hey…if you don’t have any Red, White, & Blue….you can still have an amazing 4th with a great classic picnic with loved ones!

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Liveable Elegance

We recently finished a project of a sitting room and living room that brought two rooms to life!

Bella B Home offers six decorating packages. For this particular client they decided to go for our Never-Lift-A-Finger Concierge Package! Part of this package includes a free consultation, presentation of space layouts including; 3D models, furniture selection within the clients budget, window treatment fabric shopping, accessorizing, shopping, & staging!

When we first got to our clients home we saw a family who is very warm and filled with love! Within minutes we knew that we wanted to work with a family just like this! They had a sitting room and a dining room that they wanted to make into a space where family and friends could be comfortable but also a place where parents could feel like adults in their home. With busy work schedules, children and a dog we knew we wanted to bring out their personality within the room but also give them a piece of adult heaven within the two rooms!

Before they had some window treatments, white walls, and were using the space to work on other projects within the house.

Before 1

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Our next step is to go back to the office and come up with an initial color theme! We decided on browns, creams, tans, greys, with a dash of a breathe of fresh air!

Next comes the space planning and 3D layouts on how we believe the room should look and feel.

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In this process, which is really just “ideas” so we know the size of furniture that can actually fit in the room. We usually do a few versions of the rooms; put them up on some cork boards and after a few days of walking past them, we pick which one we HAVE to HAVE! In this particular case we knew we wanted a great adult sitting area but furniture that was KID FRIENDLY! We also knew we wanted to find a dining room set that was not common and different then what is in every other person’s house, yet still traditional for big family dinners!

We usually take about 2-3 weeks to shop, find options and pull our entire game plan together which resulted in these presentation boards! We shopped color on walls, chairs, rugs, cocktail table, side tables, round ottomans (particularly for the kids to lay on) and a great storage unit for the sitting room. For the dining room we found an amazing Hooker Furniture set that was to die for, but added our own twist with customized chairs of fabrics we knew our client HAD TO HAVE!!! We also framed out both windows and shopped for fabric and hardware to pull both rooms together! ON top of the two rooms, our client also asked for just “ideas” for their two story living room as well, so we pulled together some of our favorite inspirational ideas to share with them!

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Once hired, that is when the fun begins!!! We got to work as soon as our client was ready! We went to check out all of the furniture in person to assure they LOVED everything, which they did! THEN accessorizing all the final touches begin! We found so many fun pieces to accessorize with and knew it would be great in the room.

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Back at our clients home…Painting BEGINS! It really is amazing what paint can do to any room, not only do these two rooms look bigger but they are warm and all of a sudden very cozy and comfy!

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Window Treatments are next on the list! We chose to customize the window treatment so we could pick the fabric, the rod and finials!

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While waiting for the furniture and the window treatments to be done, our client wanted us to spruce up their kitchen! We just added some great fun accent pieces to counter tops and walls and a play on of one of their favorite pastimes…cooking! We found a few great salt and pepper shakers, cool rustic long wood piece for bananas and lemons, a great off the wall holding rack for olive oils and vinegar and a great way to display wine glasses!

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A week later, the time had arrived!!!

It was time for all the furniture to be delivered and to stage the home!

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Thanks to Kroungold’s Furniture, Summerdale Mills, West Elm, Arhaus, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Wayfair, Ballard Design’s and Home Goods for making this room come together into a Liveable Elegance space!

Always a pleasure,

Bella B Home

Walls of Art!

If you love a wall of wall art, you will LOVE this!

One of our clients that we are still working on wanted to use photos that she has taken over the years and display them in a way that she would be proud of and also wanted to add in a punch of wallpaper on just one wall!

What looks like it was a lot of planning and effort, really was simple and easy!

We just needed to find the right wall, pick the right photos, and then create the fun!

When doing a wall art it is first best to decide what you want to get out of the space. What types of photos do you want to display? What color theme? Do you want to add mirrors or other pieces of art to the mix?

Below are the two walls we had to work with….

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We decided on a Black, White, Grey theme for the walls!

First, we found a really great wallpaper that would take an older looking staircase and make it look brand new!

Next, we took her existing mirrors that were going up her wall and wanted to add them into the mix of frames. We took a trip to Home Goods and found all of these great frames. We decided to go with black and just one white! We added rope to give it a rustic look and too add texture to the walls.

We also add in some fun silver ottomans to round the wall out, some existing photos, a piano and a yellow metal chair!

Here are some of the afters….

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Simple & Easy!

Bella B

Before & After: Cream & Navy with a pop of Rust!

Jump into Spring with an updated look from Bella B Home!

I get so many questions on how we come up with ideas for Bella B Home and what the steps are to making a successful room.

Here is a small example of how we can bring life to any room in your home!

After meeting with clients for the first time, we like to take time and come up with a full presentation to show the client. In that presentation we bring boards filled with furniture that fit into budget, a ton of inspiration, fabrics for either window treatments and/or custom furniture, and overall layouts/3D plans!

Here is a sneak peak of an idea we had for this particular room. This client wanted new window treatments so we also gave a few ideas on what we thought would be a great option in the room.

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Next comes SHOPPING! Who doesn’t love to go shop for a new room once a plan is involved.

We decided that the client wanted to go with neutral colors, navy, silver, golds, browns and a pop of rust!

After shopping at various stores, fabric mill house for windows and for custom chairs we ended up with a room that is now used a great gathering place for their family!

Before-After #1:

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Always a pleasure!

Bella B Home!

 

 

Breath of Fresh Air!

Benjamin Moore recently announced their 2014 Color of the Year: A Breath of Fresh Air (number 806).  As part of both the 2014 Color Trends Palette and the Classic Colors Collection, A Breath of Fresh Air is a timeless hue.

After a long Winter, this is exactly what us east coasters need; A Breath of Fresh Air. This color can go with just about anything in your home to bring some life to a spring that is so close!

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Mix it with neutral palettes that you have in your home; with the grey’s you added last year or that pop of wallpaper that you will be putting in your home this spring! It is a color that is not only beautiful but will remind you of warmth and a spring-summer we all are looking for too!

Some fun ways to use the color this spring, means there are NO rules in painting:

1. Use the pop of color as trim instead of white! Reverse the paint; white walls, breathe of fresh air trim in your bed homes!

2. Paint your front door in Benjamin Moore’s “Breathe of Fresh Air”!

3. Use just one wall of paint and all other walls with decorative wallpaper.

4. Paint old existing chairs or table or stools, bring something old back to life.

5. Make your bathroom and kitchen FUN, add color!!

Enjoy the Breathe of Fresh Air in some photos below for inspiration!

Light Blue Wall Trim

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Bella B Home!

 

 

Four Chairs & a Table!

One of my favorite’s things to do in interior decorating is put items in a room that you think will not go together! Even though this is an older idea, I’m starting to see it everywhere! So simple…4 chairs, a table add in some fun accessories and your room is done! This look is everything to me right now! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I think in today’s world at times people feel very disconnected, having a room like this in your house can really bring the family together. It can be a game room, reading room, sit and have tea and discuss the day room! You can make it anything you want, as long as the family is together.

It can even be done in a doctor’s office or waiting room to add a little spice and style to an appointment!

My all-time favorite is to have it around the fireplace! Sit and cuddle up on a chair with your favorite book, cocktail, or hot coco and enjoy being at home!

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Home Decor Holiday Gifts!

There are 13 days left until Christmas!! Are you shopping for someone and don’t know what to get them? A home décor gift is always different, fun, and a great way for them to remember you when they see it in their home. I shopped six of my favorite stores for home décor gifts under $100 and links for where to buy them. Happy Shopping!

If you’re buying for a friend, that girl who has tons of jewelry, or a way to surprise your significant other with a new piece of jewelry already on a branch, this is the way to do it. Anthropologie has a “Wish Tree Jewelry Holder” that is special and designed so well, you want to leave it out in your bedroom for everyone to see!

Jewelry Holder

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopgifts-under-hundred/21187893.jsp

Do you have man in your life that has everything but you want to get him something small, cool, and something he will display? This is definitely the “IT” gift! Pier 1 has this fun vintage Red Motorcycle that can be displayed in his office for him to think of you whenever he sees it!

Motorcycle

 

http://www.pier1.com/Red-Motorcycle/2733094,default,pd.html?cgid=gifts_splurge

What is winter without a soft, comfy throw! Are you in a holiday Pollyanna at work? This is a great gift to give to anyone! West Elm has this Soft Throw in various colors and patterns! Cuddle up and get warm!

throws

http://www.westelm.com/products/gift-softest-throws-d1993/?pkey=cgifts-50-under&

Another great gift for that man in your life, an iPad case! This isn’t just any iPad case; it’s a case that is sophisticated and manly! West Elm is offering is great “Gentleman Hardware Case” for that special guy in your life!

Ipad Holder

http://www.westelm.com/products/mrk-gentlemans-hardware-ipad-case-d1921/?pkey=cgifts-50-under&

Are you taking a gift as a house warming gift? Or want to spice up your home bar or fancy up your oil and vinegar in a kitchen? This is a classic way to do so! Glass Bottles with Wood Stoppers! West Elm has this great idea and offers custom monogrammed items for the stoppers!

Glass Bottle Wooden Stopper

http://www.westelm.com/products/glass-bottles-with-wood-stoppers-c434/?pkey=cgifts-50-under&

Do you have a cook in your family? Pinch Pots are all the rage right now! You can fill them with spices, herbs and salts to add to any dish, or display on a table for when guests come over! Its simple, easy, and a great way to explore new tastes with your foods!

Pinch Pots

http://www.westelm.com/products/mrk-universal-expert-pinch-pots-d1686/?pkey=cgifts-50-under&

Have you been to this store recently…because it is quickly becoming one of my favorites! ARHAUS pronounced “our house” has great one of a kind pieces with a twist! Get there great “Faux Silver Lync Fur Pillow” for that special person to display in their living room or bedroom at a great price!

Fur Pillow

http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/accessories/pillows-and-throws/faux-silver-lynx-fur-pillow/

Looking for something special to take to a holiday party as a house warming gift? This is it! This 6 piece Barware set from Pottery Barn is classic, elegant, and makes for a great conversation piece. Add in a great bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage and enjoy an old fashioned elegant night with friends!

Barware

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/library-glass-barware/?pkey=cgifts-below-one-hundred&

I love these; I want one in every size possible! Wood Pedestals for entertaining is everything right now! So many great ways to display foods when you have guests over! PS…You can get these monogrammed as well! YAY!

Wood Petastal

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/blond-wood-paddle-pedestal/?pkey=cgifts-below-one-hundred&

This is not only fashionable for your home but mixes old school and new school styles! Anthropologie is offering a “Vintage Book IPhone Charger”; this is so cool on so many levels!

Ipod Book Holder

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopgifts-under-hundred/26074948.jsp?cm_sp=Fluid-_-26074948-_-Regular_47

This is a wonderful coffee table book to give anyone who loves fashion. Its takes you from the jazz age to our age! It’s a wonderful book filled with gorgeous photos and nothing short of a show stopper! Gather around the table with loved ones and look at styles from the past to the present!

Vanity Fair Book

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopgifts-under-hundred/30235121.jsp

Every time I walk past Restoration Hardware, I want to buy SOMETHING, ANYTHING, & EVERYTHING! They have these wonderful Winter Home candles that make you feel like it’s the holiday season!

Winter Home Set

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1770014&categoryId=cat1640042

Bring back an old school game with a special twist. Pier 1 is known as Cheer 1 for the holiday. So cheer on your family members in playing Chess and Checkers on this great game set! Check-mate!

chess game

http://www.pier1.com/Black-Dragon-Chess-Checker-Set/2518901,default,pd.html?cgid=gifts_splurge#icid=cat_gifts-main-gifts_splurge&start=1

Enjoy the gifts that will bring smiles to anyone’s face!

Have fun during the gift giving season!

Bella B

Home Decorating for the Holiday Season!

How does that song go? “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” just hearing it played, makes you want to put up your tree, get the lights out, candles, and have hot coco by the fireplace. 

It’s the holiday season, so many people have busy schedules and so much going on during the holiday, but make sure you take the time to find your inner decorator from within and make your home feel like it’s the holiday season! You don’t need to do your entire home; you can have that one special room or that one area of your living room. With a few simple tips it can be easy, warm, and take you right back to Nat King Cole singing!

For a simple, elegant, and easy way to decorate your home…don’t over complicate things, simple and easy works in every aspect of our life, so it should be applied to decorating your home for the Holiday season.

Some essentials that are a must! A tree (if you don’t have time for a real tree, artificial trees look more real today, than they ever have). You can get any color your heart desires! White, Green, Gold, Silver, Red…anything goes! 

Now you’re going to need lights, ornaments, & tinsel/garland. You don’t need to spend a fortune to make this happen. Simple ornaments or ornaments from years past, some frosted snowflakes, string cranberries as a fun family activity, again…anything goes!

Don’t forget the main ingredient…the tree topper! Add in some pine cones that smell like apples roasting in the oven & candles that smell like a Christmas tree and you’re almost there.

String lights going up your staircase, on the wall, anywhere…there are no rules to decorating for Christmas, just make it yours, make it memorable and make it special for your family!

The best part, once done, shut off all the lights in your room and see the beautiful showcase your just displayed! The colors that come off of the tree, the ornaments, the tinsel, the garland and your wall color will make your home look like a fairytale.

Put on the fireplace or light some candles, get our big cozy faux fur blankets our and your almost set!

Go into your kitchen, put some milk on the stove, add in some hot chocolate powder, warm it up to a nice boil, get the largest coffee cup you have in your home and pour the hot coco in there. Add whipped cream and dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg and you’re ready to go!

Get on the couch; enjoy the gorgeous tree, the decorations, the fireplace & candles, the cozy blanket and your loved ones!

It’s what makes a perfect night & a wonderful holiday season!

Home Decorating Ideas