Dark Chocolate.. (No, Not Your Favorite Bar!)

You got me. I am sitting here at my desk nibbling (ok..devouring a dark chocolate bar with cherries). I'm thinking about what to post tonight and given my chocolate indulgence, let's go with gorgeous, dark brown rooms.
XOXO
Jennifer

My daughter's room. Paint is Ben Moore Classic Brown! Custom headboard my design

From Creamylife.com  LOVE LOVE LOVE this room

From one of my fav blogs.. www.cococozy.com

Best media room EVER! I want mine like this!!  It doesn't get any more glamorous than this !!  From Decorpad.com

Loving West Elm Right Now

I was in West Elm a few days ago and am loving so many of their textiles! Be sure to check out their pillows, throws, and bedding right now. They also have some fun designs for rugs.

XOXO
Jennifer

Hot Little (Red) Number.. And Red Rooms

As I was looking on Pinterest, I came across this hot little vase corset from Social Couture! How clever!  What a way to dress up a bouquet of flowers! And, check out these ruby-hued rooms :

XOXO,

Jennifer

Room by Windsor Smith

BHG

Ryan Brown Design

Beautiful Table ...Look for Less

I am always on the hunt for pretty furniture that doesn't cost a pretty penny. So, when I came across Wisteria's "All Purpose Shelf Table and Table Top with Glass Shelf," I got a little excited.  It has cleverly concealed storage and a pretty flax colored tablecloth. Check it out here. Only $249. Glass top is $79. There are a million places you could use this piece and still have money to spend on something else!

Coffee Table Vignettes

So, you presumably have a coffee table in your home... and hopefully it looks great! But, if it could use a little sprucing up, check out these inspiration pics on "dressing up" your table... Keep in mind that varying heights (not too high) and interesting, textured pieces can really update your table.

XOXO
Jennifer

love this..just a stack of book and piece of glass! Voila!

Always loved the green moss ball or similar greenery

Nothing makes a more beautiful statement than flowers

Mercury glass grouped together always looks great

A little of this and that...eclectic goes a long way!

all pics via pinterest and google images

Thanks.....To My Readers

Hi everyone!
I just realized that today I hit 100 posts--more than 8,000 page views-- and 91 Facebook fans! I've been blogging for about 4 months and am loving every minute of it. There is so much design eye candy out there and it's great sharing it with all of you. Thank you so much for reading Affordable Luxury and keep your comments coming!

XOXO
Jennifer

The Making Of A Room....

What makes a room? Everyone has their own opinion.....there is not a lot of science behind design. Sure, there are certain standards-- such as how far a sofa should be from a coffee table-- how much space to leave behind a chair for ease of use-- and more.... But, every designer has their own 'take' on what makes a room. Here are several ideas I thought I'd jot down and share with you from my perspective.

XOXO
Jennifer

Solid or Patterns?
When thinking about upholstery, I typically go for solids for sofas and chairs. I think they can stand the test of time and it is easy to update larger upholstered pieces with patterned accessories such as pillows and throws.  When choosing patterns, it's nice to include a small pattern and a large pattern to play off one another and mix things up a bit.

Texture
Adding in texture is important too. Including embroidery, faux fur, mohair, velvet, etc. can help elevate the interest in a room.

Wood Tones
This is a question I get often--do I have to match all the wood tones in my room? My answer is no! I love matching darker espresso colored woods with lighter ones..even white lacquer! What about metal too? This adds interest and makes a room a little more eclectic. If you are a traditionalist, then you probably prefer keeping wood tones the same and that is ok. My taste is more transitional, so I personally like to mix things up.

The 5th Wall (aka your ceiling)
Don't forget about your ceiling, especially if you have a standard "plain Jane" white one!  Think about painting it a darker color (or stripes if you are feeling really confident!)  for a dramatic effect. Another idea is to add a gorgeous pendant, chandelier or other light. You'd be surprised how adding a ceiling lighting fixture in a "regular old"  family room can change it completely!

pic via pinterest

What's Your Style?

If you have a few minutes, check out these links from Better Homes & Gardens and Real Simple and see what your decorating style is...you may even surprise yourself!

Better Homes and Gardens
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/quiz/?ordersrc=google1decoratingstyle_app&s_kwcid=TC|5599|decorating%20style||S|b|7295501818

Real Simple
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/decorating-style-quiz-00000000030420/index.html

pic via pinterest

Pale Pale Pink

Unrelated to design, I keep seeing gorgeous photos of fashion models with pale pink makeup...it looks so simple, fresh and pretty. Translate that pale pink look to interiors and you get fresh, feminine and pretty spaces. Check out these beauties.

XOXO
Jennifer

all pics via pinterest

A Girl's Room

I have been busy designing twin girls' (separate) rooms and am loving every second! I've come up with the color palette for one room already, and am now researching the fabrics, accessories, etc. I want to use.  So, here are some pretty pics of little girls' rooms:

XOXO
Jennifer

Perfect symmetry

wow..look at these ceilings

This has always been a favorite room of mine

Love, love, love the coral color

all pics via pinterest

A Little Inspiration...

For all of you..... And, thanks to my Dad whom is a constant source of all things positive! Thanks, Dad!

XOXO
Jennifer

Happy Friday Everyone!

Where has this week gone? It has been crazy here, but good crazy! I've been productive--working with two new clients (Hello, Anne & Michelle --if you guys are reading this!), got other client work done; managed to bake cookies and help my sister out too......So glad it's Friday. I typically shop for fabrics for my projects on Fridays, so today will be a fun day for me!  I hope your week has been productive too.

I was thinking about what I was going to post for this morning as we head into the weekend, and all I could think about was cozy spots for reading and relaxing. So, here are some gorgeous pics of those places where we really want to be:

XOXO
Jennifer

How romantic is this?!!!

All pics via pinterest

Don't Forget About Pinterest!

As many of you have already (blissfully!) found out about Pinterest, the online pinboard with thousands of inspiration photos, don't forget to stalk JWS Interiors!

You can find my favorite pins and pins of my own designs at http://pinterest.com/jwsinteriors/

Accessories I'm Loving

Accessories can MAKE a room.  They are an important part of good design. Whether your style is  eclectic, traditional, transitional or modern, accessories can instantly elevate a room from good to great.

Here are some of my favorite accessories for home:

XOXO
Jennifer

Serena and Lily's Senegalese Storage Baskets

Etsy's SimplyDevinebyJoann pillows

ZGallerie's Boot Umbrella Stand

Urban Outfitter's Glass Wall Bubble

Anthropologie Vase

New Products For The New Year: Updated

Morning Everyone! I've been catching up on my catalog reading to find out which manufacturers are offering new products for the New Year. I'll be posting throughout the day but here are two--one from Pottery Barn and one from CB2.

XOXO
Jennifer

I was excited the other night after reading the latest catalog from Pottery Barn. Pottery Barn is finally offering natural-fiber (sisal) CUSTOM rugs. I have secretly been waiting for them to offer custom rugs as they have great sisal flooring. At only $9/sq. foot, you can choose from three ground colors and five binding colors. Now those of you who require a custom rug have an affordable and beautiful option!  I love the Silver Topaz lining..gorgeous.

CB2's new catalog is chock full of bright options and I am crushing on the Club Chair with Atomic Piping. Very modern with clean lines and that piping! At $799 it isn't rock bottom inexpensive, but certainly a better price than some other stores who sell such large chairs.

One more...LOVE this West Elm wide-striped shower curtain! And on sale now for $31!

Coral.. The IT Color

I just bought a gorgeous coral dress with an exposed zipper a few weeks ago and it makes me happy  just seeing it in my closet. Coral is such a happy color to not only wear, but decorate with. Take a look at these beauties..

pics via pinterest

Front Entry Mood Board

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I've been working on a mood board for a client's entry. Check out what I have thus far! Still need some additional table accessories, but don't you just love that pop of yellow? 

I've given them two choices (at the bottom of the image) for wood tones for hardwoods; carpet sample is for a stair runner; the mirror they already own and we just ordered the gorgeous console table. 

XOXO

Jennifer