Scheming Archives - Page 3 of 5

Scheming: Patio Makeover by Robin M. Anderson

What do you do when you have a decrepit screened porch that you just don’t need? Robin M. Anderson counseled her clients to dismantle it and transform the square footage into an outdoor room. I wrote about this patio makeover by Boston designer Robin M. Anderson for Boston Globe Magazine this summer, and have been meaning to share it.

Tonight my husband and I cranked up the gas fire pit and shared wine and ginger flank steak rice bowls on our patio, thus reminding me to get this online already. I’m guessing Robin’s clients are getting cozy by the outdoor fireplace right about now. That fall chill is definitely in the New England air.

Covered Patio Outdoor Fireplace Outdoor Room Photo by Sabrina Cole Quinn

Collaborating with Boston architect Diane Lim of Lim Design Studio, Robin transformed uninsulated, little used indoor space to an often enjoyed outdoor haven. Removing the walls had a bonus effect too—sunlight now streams into the home’s entry.

While the brick of the patio was pre-existing, Robin filled in the area under the roof with bluestone pavers, creating an outdoor rug. The beadboard ceiling stayed in place (there’s a room above).

For furniture, Robin channeled her bohemian tendencies with the client’s traditional New England tastes for a coastal california appeal that is as stylish as it is family-friendly. A piece of salvaged wood from Fan Pier in Boston adds age to the chimney and hanging ferns make the whole tableau look lush.

Shop this outdoor room to create a patio getaway for yourself. Here are Robin’s top sources for outdoor furnishings and accessories:

Morocco Armchairs & Morocco Armless Chairs
Madura Woven Coffee Table
Renee Patio Rug
Campania Pillows
Seeded Glass Wall Lanterns
Flynn Round Rattan Mirror (similar)
Artificial Hanging Ferns (similar)

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Get your garden gorgeous with outdoor accessories from Terrain>

Scheming: Primary Bedroom Refresh from Serena & Lily

Ok, last post about Style Carrot’s partner in design Serena & Lily. It’s a big deal, so it’s worth the effort, for me and for you. If there’s anything you’ve had your eye on, now’s the time.

During the Serena & Lily Thank You Event almost everything is 25% off (Sale items, gift certificates artwork, and bikes are the only exclusions.) This is the brand’s biggest and best sale of the year. Just use code THANKFUL at checkout.

In addition to the items I posted on Thursday and Friday (books, tray, towel), I ordered a few larger pieces, including the Granada quilt for our bedroom in Boston. We just got back from Connecticut and spread it on the bed. It immediately brightened the room, which is mostly white with neutral carpet and wallpaper. If I were upgrading everything, I might do something like this:

Serena & Lily Neutral Bedroom With Green Fern Print Bedding

S H O P P I N G
1 Mirror / 2 Lamp / 3 Dresser / 4 Bed / 5 Rug / 6 Pillow / 7 Quilt / 8 Shams / 9 Pendant / 10 Hurricanes / 11 Table / 12 Natural Wallpaper

Scheming: My Spring Inspired Living Room

When Wayfair asked me to create a post touting spring style, the sun was streaming through the bay windows in the living room, and I had just received the new May issue of HGTV Magazine which happens to feature our Boston condo. My favorite photograph is the one of our living room. It looks so bright, cheerful, and well, spring-like. So yes, this post is about my spring inspired living room.

Our walls have always been a spring-y shade of green. We first used this color in our dining room in Chevy Chase, and the first thing we did when we moved to Boston was paint our living room a similar shade. We’ve been here 13 years and I haven’t tired of it. And given that my office is in here, I spend a lot of time in it. That it is spring inspired space is important to me. It lifts my mood, especially during the long, gray Boston winters.

StyleCarrot's Art Filled Living Room In HGTV Magazine Photo by Annie Schlechter | Styling by Elizabeth Demos

The plush, sculptural rug by Angela Adams grounds the space (we are blessed with high ceilings) and renders a lush, garden feel. The sofa is ivory, as is the woodwork; the pillows, books, accessories, and artwork add the color. Yes, I realize the palette is somewhat limited. Flowers and planters add an occasional jolt. I don’t really subscribe to the idea that the room needs a spot of a complementary red. It’s more of a busy monochromatic effect.

Rather than start from scratch creating a spring inspired space for this post, I decided to be (I hope not too obnoxiously) self-referential and create a scheme that echoes the look and feel of my living room. And now that I have a professionally styled and photographed image, life is grand.

Finding similar pieces on Wayfair to create this spring inspired space was simple, given its array of decor and styles. My son confirms that I did a really good job, especially with the rug. Here is my scheme that recreates our spring inspired living room using items sourced on Wayfair. (Links below or in Spring Inspired Style Idea Book on Wayfair.)

G E T the L O O K

StyleCarrot's Living Room As Seen In HGTV Recreated With Wayfair Products

S H O P P I N G

1 Parvez Taj Canvas Landscape Print

2 DwellStudio Indigo Arches Artwork

3 Gustav Klimt Female Nude Print

4 Jonathan Adler Brass Table Lamp

5 Cast Iron Modern Bird Candlestick

6 Brass Candlesticks

7 Cactus in Cement Planter

8 Blu Dot Strut Table

9 Jonathan Adler Tufted Sofa

10 Aqua Bloom Water Blends Rug

11 Pineapple Throw Pillow

12 Round Coffee Table

13 Faux Cactus Plant

14 Copper Geo Tray

15 Angela Adams Soy Candle

16 Iittala Nappula Candlestick

17 Jonathan Adler Upholstered Bench

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Scheming: Neon Bedroom Decor

A friend, fixated on a khaki linen pillow with neon trim that she saw a while back, has been searching for neon accents to decorate a bedroom in a summer house. (No, neon decor isn’t dead.)

She enlisted me on a hunt for said pillows. In my guilt of being unable to produce (they’re no longer made), I assembled an alternative scheme. Here is an array of neon accents for the bedroom from StyleCarrot partners and others that are bright, fresh, and cheery.

Neon Accents For The Bedroom Decorating A Summer House

S H O P P I N G

1 Neon Heart Print by Mareike Boomer Graphics, starting at $20.

2 Safavieh Love Knots Pillows, $71.99/pair.

3 Safavieh Boho Chic Neon Tangerine Pillows, $93.94/pair.

4 Marrakech Geo Neon Basket, $68.

5 Textured Duvet Cover, $169.95.

6 Gold Metallic Dot Sheet Set, starting at $79.

7 Fluoro Fringe Throw, $75.

8 Vasteron Outdoor Bench, $24.99.

9 Heart by Ieva Baklane, starting at $68.

10 Neon Geometric Area Rug, starting at $87.60.

Scheming: Family Room Makeover

Earlier this month Paintzen (the Uber of home painting) sent over a totally adorable husband and wife team to paint our family room in Boston. Ever since our renovations a few years ago, the walls back there have been this taupe-y shade that I really didn’t like. When a press release for Paintzen popped into my overstuffed inbox I took notice.

Paintzen is a digital paint company that handles all aspects of a paint project, big or small. The simple site walks you through the process and provides a quote. If you decide to move forward they handle everything, from getting the paint (all Benjamin Moore, and they’ll even do a color consultation), to scheduling and managing the job. The money goes through them too. The painters show up, do their thing, no fuss, no muss. I was thrilled with the entire experience.

Now that the family room is grey, Benjamin Moore Steel Wool to be exact, I feel like I can motivate on sprucing up the other elements. The enormous grey velvet sofa will remain (all four of us fit to watch TV), but we desperately need a new rug, ottomans, a chair, and perhaps additional lighting. We have plenty of art, and worked on a new gallery wall arrangement last weekend (photo below).

So when Wayfair offered me the opportunity to participate in its #NewYearNewRoom campaign, obviously I opted in. The directive was to choose 20 pieces from Wayfair and its other brands, which include AllModern and DwellStudio, that would breathe new life into an old space. I’m so inspired by this scheme I worked up that I think I will use my $100 gift card to start on a refresh right away.

F A M I L Y R O O M
MA K E O V E R S C H E ME

Sconces / Clock / Portrait / Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Diptych

Sofa / Pillow / Pillows / Drawing / Glass / End Table

Rug / Chair / Ottoman / Coffee Table

Vase / Tray / Candlesticks / Floor Pillow

I N P R O G R E S S

Here’s the family-size grey velvet sofa, a glimpse of the new grey walls, compliments of Paintzen, and a few of the artworks we considered hanging.

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