Designing the Life: A Blog by Uma Stewart and Friends

Party Plan: Spring Bridal Shower

Posted on April 8, 2013 by jill

Wedding season is almost upon us and so I put together a party plan to help you throw the bride-to-be a beautiful and special Bridal Shower. Take a look below to get some ideas on how to create DIY floral arrangements, personalize your sweet treats and give your guests a favor that is both beautiful and delicious!

1. Dress your table with some pretty DIY floral arrangements. Gather up some wildflowers, pair them with your favorite florals and throw them in a mason jar tied with some ribbon.

2. Let your guests enjoy some fruity and fun beverages that coordinate with your theme. For this pretty in pink shower we opted for sweet pink lemonade served with a pink and white straw and a lemon slice for a pop of color.

3. Add a personal touch to your sweet treats by creating cute toppers and wrapping your cupcakes in a decorative fabric such as lace.

4. Give your table a vintage and romantic look by layering plates and fabrics at each place setting. This is also a good way to add in pops of color with table linens and ribbon.

5. Give your guests a thank you favor that is both beautiful and delicious. Pair a few macaroons with a bottle of nail polish and tie up with a pretty ribbon.

Interior Inspirations: Color vs. Black and White

Posted on March 31, 2013 by uma

I am truly mesmerized by this pic I happened upon on Pinterest this morning. I kept going back to look at it. The sleekness of the photography juxtaposed against more ornate furnishings and rich colors is kind of riveting, right?! The arrangement is symmetrical and organic at the same time, which I love.

Hope you are having a good holiday weekend. See you with a dreamboard tomorrow!

Saturday Snapshot: A Good Egg

Posted on March 30, 2013 by uma

Hi Everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic weekend! Last night Aadi and I colored eggs with a Paas Tie-Dye kit. So fun. I learned so much from my son. I was trying so hard to put together pleasing color combos and neat patterns on my eggs. Until I saw his super cool scribbled, multi-colored pieces of egg art. They were gorgeous. I tried his technique and my eggs improved but none quite matched his artistic genius. Children express themselves from such a natural place.

I’ve been trying to do the same with my interior designs these days too…forget the rules I’ve set for myself and go for what feels right instinctively. So far so good! I like shaking it up a bit. Check in tomorrow for some interior inspiration.

Updates for Less: Threshold for Target

Posted on March 28, 2013 by jill

If you have been to Target in the past couple of months you may have noticed their new Home collection, Threshold. I (Jill) immediately fell in love with this brand. Many of the pieces combine my two favorite looks, clean lines and rustic wooden elements. If you are looking to update your home for Spring and don’t have a huge budget check out the collection at your local Target. Here are a few of my favorites that I think would look great in my Living Room.

1. Rustic Wooden Picture Frame: It has a look of reclaimed lumber without the high end price tag. Would look great on any side table or mantle.

2. Starburst Mirror: Add a touch of glam to your space with this antique gold finished wall mirror.

3 & 4. Teal Trellis Shade: This lamp shade will add a splash of color to your room with it’s bold and modern pattern. Pair it with a neutral base like the Buff Beige Base that is part ceramic and part wood.

5. Wood & Metal Accent Table: I love everything about this table. It is a perfect marriage between modern and rustic with its sleek metal base and raw edged table top.

6. Blue Square Vase: Vases are another great way to add a pop of color to any room. Pop some white or pale yellow blooms in and see how it instantly brightens up your room.

7. Brass Cage Hurricane: Add a metallic element to your room with this pretty hurricane. Get a few and group them in your fireplace to create a lovely romantic feeling in your home.

8. Ikat Toss Pillow: In my perfect world every room would have a touch of Ikat. Pair this beauty with a few solid or striped pillows on your couches. Patterned pillows are a great way to tie all of the colors together in your room.

Etsy Uncovered: Uma’s Art Picks and Tips

Posted on March 27, 2013 by uma

After Jill’s post on art on Etsy, I found myself lost in search for wonderful finds for my clients and myself. We occasionally source from Etsy, but I have to admit I have been under-utilizing it. It is a great way for me to get clients started with their own collections of original art. We thought we would share a few more Etsy artists with you, along with some tips for how to select art for your own space.

Mossmottle (above) features bold abstract paintings by Amanda Collis. I love the colors and the textured feel accomplished in these contemporary oil on canvas works. TIP: Boldly colored abstract art is a classic way to add a pop of color to a neutral space. You do not need to match colors to your interiors, but think about what colors would make a good complement to your wall color and furnishings. I personally like to use abstract works as stand alone pieces on accent walls or over sofas. Shop Mossmotle for great options.

Michelle Armas features paper and canvas prints of her beautiful abstract pieces. Her color palette is light and whimsical. TIP: If you are on a very limited budget signed prints of art are a great way to go. Frame them and display as part of a grouping rather than as a stand-alone piece. Shop Michelle Armas for lovely options.

Jane Heller is a Montreal based photographer who has a wide array of animal, nature, and vintage-inspired fine art prints. I love the boho and rustic vibe of many of her pieces. TIP: I love to mix arrangements of different styles of art into an interesting gallery wall arrangement. A piece of fine art photography with white matte and a simple frame always makes a good addition to a collection. Shop Jane Heller for a great selection of pics.

Lam Art Studio features a nice selection of affordably priced original watercolors embellished with metallic acrylic paint. Like Jill, I am a sucker for watercolor paintings. The wash of color is sophisticated and subtle and a very good match to my personal, understated style. TIP: The use of metallic paint to accent works of art is one of my favorite trends in fine art today. Shop LamArt for your own one-of-a-kind piece, as artist Laura does a fantastic job with this.

Silver Ridge Studio features Cate Parr’s original watercolors and archival quality prints. Her subject matter is primarily fashion images. I am particularly smitten with the few pieces she has done of Indian brides, as they are a nice modern complement to the miniatures, court paintings, and batiks I have featuring Indian women. TIP: In addition to varying the styles of art you feature in your home, also pick a few different subject matter themes that really appeal to you. Shop Silver Ridge for fabulous fashion images to mix in with abstracts and other pieces.

Paula Mattson is a Chicago based watercolor artist whose paintings start with the forms of nature, but take on a more abstract form. I am absolutely smitten for this style of work and her earthy color palette. TIP: Pieces that feature soothing colors and soft organic forms are great for rooms where you want to keep the mood more tranquil, like bedrooms or studies. Shop Paula Mattson for a perfect mix of grounded yet ethereal works.

Veedon Ventures features the mixed media works on paper of Jennifer Jones. She has pieces that are bolder and splashier, as well as quieter more neutral pieces like the one shown here. TIP: Drawings and mixed media work are an oft forgotten style to shop for. They do not have the cache of paintings but they show a real love of art and add depth to salon style hangings and personal collections. Shop Veedon Ventures for an affordable and interesting array of artist studies.

HellenaLuna is an Etsy shop featuring the works of fantasy by Jurgita Jankute in Lithuania. I particularly love her mixed media drawings that capture fairytale moments that are poignant and moody. TIP: Whimsical pieces are not just for kids! I particularly love to hang them in rooms with more serious decor to play moods off of one another and make the whole feeling more approachable. Shop Hellena Luna for the perfect pieces of whimsy.