Studio 5 : Spruce up your Staircase

Decorating our homes for the holidays never stops at trimming the tree. Most of us carry the festive decor throughout our homes and into as many rooms and spaces as possible. To me, the second most eye-grabbing feature after the tree is a tie between the mantles and the banisters. Banister decorating can be just as beautiful as any mantle out there, and there are many different options, so think beyond green. Here are five ideas to spruce up your banister this holiday season: 

The Traditional Green Garland Fresh or fake, green garland is rich and beautiful even on its own. Add lights, ribbons, extra ornaments from the tree and you have a beautiful swag that is graceful and festive. I love the garlands that are full, fresh, and trimmed with lights. It creates a timeless holiday look that is classic every single year. 

Non-Traditional, Non-Green Garland Many people put their decorations up early and want them to look great for nearly six weeks. Fresh garland can't always look good that long. I love the idea of doing a non-traditional garland and giving it a fun theme. You might have a back staircase or secondary area that would be a perfect spot for a kid's garland. Create something that conjures up the magic of Christmas in bright, whimsical colors. 

Tied Swags on Baluster One of the easiest ways to green up your banister is to create bunches of greenery and tie them directly to the balusters underneath the banister. It can take the stress off creating the perfect garland and is a great solution for both long and short staircases. Simply take cuttings from outside of various evergreen and sticks and bind them with a little spray of ornaments that matches your tree's decor. 

Stairway Lights A great mood-enhancer for indoor and outdoor spaces is a line of luminaries or hurricanes filled with candles on the staircase. This is a fabulous and sparkling display for evening parties. It epitomizes a warm welcome for guests. 

Stairway Collectible Display If space on console tables and bookcases is limited - consider displaying holiday collectibles on your staircase. Disclaimer: this may not work in a household with small children; however it can be a fun and sentimental display. I have a family friend who owns dozens of nutcrackers that she sets up on a stunning open staircase that is in her entry. It is nostalgic and appeared as if they were standing sentinel, saluting guests as they enter the house. 
{photo credits : veranda, house beautiful, bhg, traditional home mag, houzz}

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Studio 5 : Mantle Decor in Minutes

Today we talked about ways to dress up your holiday mantle using pieces you may already have in your home. Click below to watch the segment and read my article, or you may redirect to the Studio 5 page using this link.


Whiteware : Take a trip around your house and collect everything that is a shade of white! It can be a platter, a cake stand, dinner plate, vase or soap dish! The idea here is that you are displaying a collection, so more is better. Use filler like fresh seasonal plants or flowers, extra ornaments, tall branches or even holiday figurines to tie things together. This look adds a lot of interest but not a ton of crazy color - it is a fresh, crisp look for your mantle. 

Candlesticks : Don't be afraid to mix and match here. The unifying theme will be the color of the pillar candles that you place on the candlesticks... add variety by mixing black with sterling silver or mercury glass or try white candlesticks with clear glass candlesticks. The beauty of this look is the layers of height and the glow of the candles when every last one of them is lit.
* Design tip: This display works great for homes without mantles or fireplaces, simply set up a large console table or sofa table as if it were a mantle. Place a mirror behind to double the glow. 

 Picture Frames : I love the idea of layering frames in with your mantle garland or decor. Just like the candlesticks, these frames don't all have to be the same color, but make sure there is some rhyme or reason here. (Keep it to three colors max.) Some of these frames might be stored with your holiday decor and only come out in December; other frames will be pulled from other areas in the home to fill in the gaps. Some of my favorite memories are immortalized in photo frames that my Mom brings out each Christmas. The holidays are about being together as families and are so sentimental. Old photos are a perfect fit for holiday decor... it doesn't get any more personal. 

photo credits: bhg.com, petalandkettle.com, theyellowcapecod.com

Studio 5 : Trend Alert - Black and Brass

 thibaut wallpaper

* Why it is so chic
The use of brass is re-emerging as the new super chic metal to use.  This is not your grandmother's brass, I repeat, this is not your grandmother's brass!  Ok, it actually might be.  Home accessory companies are introducing everything from brass drapery hardware, lamps and vases to accent tables, gilded mirrors and little accessories for bookcases and nightstands.  BUT, some of the best looking brass is the vintage stuff circa at least 1980 or earlier!  Just like women are wearing more and more gold jewelry, brass accents in the home add a warm, rich detail when used in the right space.  How to make it chic? Black is the dominant feature and the brass is the jewelry.  An even bigger tip? You have to use a LOT of white to freshen up the look.  It's what makes the trend work today.

jamie herzlinger

* Who it works for
It is my job to bring you the trends, but it doesn't mean every trend is for everyone.  Those who love the shabby chic or country french look will not be able to pull this off, and they're probably thinking I'm crazy for highlighting the trend.  Black and brass works best for the funky, modern or art deco loving homeowner.  The good news is, many people have a lot of black furniture pieces in their homes.  With the right tweaks to walls and a lot of 'editing' - you can reuse those black bookshelves, console tables and bathroom vanities.   Nate Berkus loves black and especially brass - along with some of the top designers in the world.  It looks time-worn, 'deco',  sophisticated and collected over time and with enough added white, it becomes timeless and fresh.

via rue magazine

* How to pull it off
First, pull everything out of the space you're working on.  Clear it all out.  Neutralize everything.  Either paint your walls white - or use black as an accent wall.  The key here is no color - other than black, brass and white.  Pattern is definitely allowed though.  Wallpaper, backsplash tile, drapery, pillows, area rugs, etc.  Pattern will keep things alive and showcase your personal style.  Then add the brass touches.  Gilded detailing on a mirror, a gold faucet or wall hooks, brass drapery hardware and the finish on a chandelier or lamp injects the warmth and shine that makes this look so glam.  Be careful to finish the styling with just a bit more white or black... this look is best achieved when carefully edited.

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Studio 5 : Trend Alert - Rose Gold

Today I weighed in on a trend seen in both fashion and home decor, Rose Gold.  Watch this quick spotlight and tell me what you think about it.  Agree or Disagree?



I'll be on again tomorrow - highlighting a new trend I am crazy about.  You'll have to tune in to see what it is.  Watch Studio 5 on KSL tomorrow at 11.

Halloween Festivities

Between our ward's Trunk or Treat, Grandma Kathy's annual Halloween party and the actual Trick or Treating... we were all pretty exhausted after the holiday was over.  I don't want to look at another piece of candy or see that red wig one more time. Why is it that she only wore it a handful of times and it looks totally trashed?  They just don't make things like they used to.

Here are a few pictures from our Halloween festivities with our Little Mermaid.  (ps I will never buy a toddler costume without an accompanying wig ever again, it's just TOO good.)

 

the above pictures are about as Halloween-ie as it gets at our house

 

 we were having fun with the camera after taking off her wig... her hair is one of a kind!

  trick or treating with her buddies Sienna and Jett

Studio 5 : West Elm SLC Sneak Peek

I was thrilled to get out of the studio today to go to the new West Elm at City Creek. Brooke and I were there bright and early (7 AM!!) to get a sneak peek and share our favorite finds with S5 viewers. What a treat for me. You can watch our segment here or redirect to S5's page by clicking here.



Tonight I was invited back to attend their 'invitation only' pre-opening event for designers and bloggers. It was a madhouse and a really fun event. I grabbed some girlfriends and we enjoyed 'mocktails', a photo booth (via smilebooth.com), some loud music and rubbing shoulders with some pretty fashionable people... we fit right in, right gals? Oh, and we did a little shopping too.  Here is our photo booth fun... the cameraguy wouldn't say "1, 2, 3...cheese." He was taking candid photography to the extreme.

Studio 5 : Online Design Tools

What a fun opportunity to step outside the studio to help Halli and show her some of my favorite online resources.  We had a lot of fun together and I'll be excited to see what Halli does with her space going forward!  Click here to redirect to the Studio 5 website or you can read my article below and watch the clip here.




Once you start having fun with these online tools... here are my suggestions as you get started. These tools are to have fun with, but if you want to get anywhere in terms of really helping your spaces, keep these things in mind.

Online design tools can only take you so far.  For a kickstart.. here are the five things I think every room needs :

1. Good lighting 
Lamps are a MUST on every room I design. A combination of table and floor lamps and hard-wired lights with dimming capabilities are the only way to go. No one wants to rely only on overhead lights.  The only way to achieve that moody feeling is with incandescent lights.

2. Area rugs
Area rugs are a great way to finish off a space.  If you are dealing with old, boring carpet or tile flooring that you aren't going to replace, use an area rug to add a layer and great pattern or color to a space. MAKE sure you don't under scale the rug.  It will look like a postage stamp and be more distracting than helpful.

3. Art
Art is a great way to personalize and ground your space. Remember, most people err on the side of hanging art and pictures too high! Bring them down into the space where they can relate to your other pieces (sofa, console table, etc).

4. Greenery
These pieces add life! Every room needs fresh plants or something green. They can also add a great sculptural quality to your space as well which appeals to me.

5. Drapery
This is the ultimate finishing touch! Drapes are often the last-thought-of element and one that can't be substituted in any other way.  Vertical panels add a sense of luxury and texture that beautifies a space.

Studio 5 : Global Chic

This is a very fun topic and very fashion forward! Click here to redirect to the Studio 5 website, or you can watch the segment and read my article right here.

One of the most successful ways to make our homes look more lived-in and less like a model home is by layering our most loved objects, treasured collections, and pieces with a little age.  A total departure from the clean-lined, colorless rooms featured in some magazines, designer Lauren Oviatt highlights a trend she calls “Global Chic”and says it’s as easy as looking at four key ideas.

Mixed Metals
Many of the treasures we bring back with us from our travels are jewelry or fine crafted metalware... think bowls, sculptures, objets d’ art.  Updating your spaces from 'global' to 'global chic' means bringing out more bling. Don't be afraid to combine silver tones with gold and brass tones.

Eclectic Displays
Most people who have traveled globally have the most wonderful collections... most don't have room to store it nor do they want it hidden in cupboards and closets.  Attaining the 'global chic' look means taking the time to create vignettes or conversation pieces that make our gathered treasures look beautiful instead of looking like we belong on a hoarding reality show.

Modern Art
One of the quickest ways to bring a global look to your home is by exchanging your traditional landscapes and heavily-framed giclees to more open, modern art.  It doesn't have to be an expensive oil painting, it can be a wide-scale abstract piece that looks like brush strokes on canvas. It can be a black and white photo of a far off place.   In my opinion the bigger the scale, the more successful the piece comes off. 

Time-worn Textures
Who isn't intrigued by the textiles and fabrics that come from other countries?  Hair on hide rugs, chunky knit throw blankets, crewel embroidered wall hangings and punchy tribal patterns instantly infuse the global look into any space.  This is a place where layering is key.  Don't be afraid to combine textures and patterns... this is one of the only design areas where you can get away with being 'funky' and it won't come off looking like you’re color-blind.

Studio 5 : Backsplash Trends

Click here to redirect to the Studio 5 website or click below to watch today's segment and read my article below.

You may not realize it, but your backsplash says a lot about you!  Most kitchen cabinets are a standard stained or painted finish but your backsplash presents an opportunity to make a statement, add some individuality and completely enhance a space where you and your family spend a lot of time.  Today designer Lauren Oviatt shows us her top backsplash picks and is helping you find out which style is right for you.

For the Color Lover:

What more fun place to inject color than a backsplash?  There are TONS of colorful options in ceramic and glass in nearly every color of the rainbow and any shape you can think of.  By setting simple brick or square tiles in an offset pattern you can create an arts and crafts look.  Take more linear tiles and stack them and you’ve gone contemporary.  Play it a bit safer by just choosing one color and setting it into a more traditional arrangement of whites or cream tiles. 

For the Traditionalist:

It doesn’t get any more classic or traditional than a simple white glazed ceramic subway tile.  It will never go out of style.  If this is the look for you – update it by taking the tile up the wall to the ceiling or choosing an updated ‘pillowed’ or beveled subway tile.  Traditionalists always gravitate toward enduring patterns like herringbone and basketweave.  In porcelain, travertine or slate these patterns create a timeless look that really enhances kitchens that have deeper cabinet colors.

For the Trendsetter:

For those who are into the “now” in their home décor, there is SO much fabulousness out there in tile trends.  Technology has allowed tile companies to create the most intricate shapes and patterns in natural stone and glass for a truly artistic result.  The keywords here are “carrera marble”, “fretwork”, “mosaic”, and “fine detail.”  Due to how expensive these intricate tiles can be both to purchase and install, an inset frame over your oven range or horizontal detail running through a larger-format tile might be the best way to get the look without breaking the bank.  Any way you install it, these trend-setting tiles are showstopping.

Studio 5 : Wrapping Up the Rope Trend

The rope trend is "SO hot right now" - it is popping up everywhere, in fashion, jewelry, and of course it has even trickled into our homes.  No matter if the words preppy/nautical, bohemian or rustic define your decor style, the rope trend is for you.  Today designer Lauren Oviatt gives us her take on all things rope.



Standouts:
Using the rope trend as a standout is taking a totally theatrical approach, using large impressions almost like a set designer would on stage.  No accidents, no excuses!  Going big and bold with rope can translate into the following : large wall hangings, a chandelier that appears to be made of solely rope, a banister made of rope (!), substituting drapery hardware with rope, and so much more.


Staples:
Staples can be defined as everyday items that won't necessarily call too much attention to themselves but are an integral part of the decor statement in your room.  These are foundational pieces that have classic appeal.  Think of a hyacinth basket that keeps magazines or toys,  a pair of seagrass barstools at your kitchen island or even a jute rug updating your family room floor.  These items conjure up the rope trend due to their color, texture and braided quality.



Details:
Along with the overall feel of a room, designers often find most success and positive feedback in taking care of the details… they are what "make" the room.  Incorporating the rope trend into the details of your space could be as simple as rope coasters, a jute table runner or placemat, trim on your sofa's pillows or the updated hardware pulls in your powder room vanity.  You may rehang the pictures in your playroom by suspending them from rope or use a cool nautical knotted door stop.  Using the "detail" approach doesn't mean you're shying away from the trend, it says that you have a refined eye for embracing the small things.