I can't think of a better way to start a new week then with an amazing Before and After by the phenomenal Phoebe Howard.

Before:

The room looks large, formal and a little intimidating with it's intricate moldings, wall to wall tile and dark heavy chandelier.

After: 

But take a look at how inviting and comfortable it is now! The walls were coated in creamy white and the floors were covered in a custom rug The clients wanted orange to be used throughout the home and it was paired here with many different patterns in periwinkle.  I love that the shape of the windows were left as a feature and not covered with curtains.  

Before:

After:

{images via Phoebe Howard} 

Have you seen Rue Magazine May edition? This online magazine is getting better and better! One of my favorite articles featured the home of the one-of-a-kind designer, stylist, writer, public speaker and blogger Valerie Hart.

How fun is the framed collection of the Hermes bags {etsy!} hung on the upholstered green walls in her bedroom?

On her blog, Visual Vamp, Valerie gives us a behind the scenes of her bedroom design and she shares the sources for the fabrics and furniture that she used {the rugs came from Wal-Mart!! She used 2 smaller ones to create 1 large one.}. High style on a low budget--who would have thought??

When I first saw the photos, my eyes went straight to those fabulous monogram pillows. I love, love, love the font she used and the clever interpretation using the '&'. 

No symmetry on this gallery wall!! It's whimsical and eclectic and just fun.

To see the article in Rue click here. And to see Valerie's post on her sources click here.

{images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 - photography by Sara Essex Bradley }

Emily recently moved into a house that she is renting. Lucky her, the landlord allowed her to paint everything her choice of colors {of course, she did win Design Star so she sort of knows a little bit about what's up} She decided that the green dining room wasn't working for her. Actually, she decided that the room would serve her much better as an office.

She decided on navy walls. Loyal Blue {flat} by Sherwin Williams, to be exact.

She then installed Ikea flooring {$150!! You couldn't find a rug that big for that price!} What a huge difference already, right?

And then all of the Emily wonderfulness made it's way in.

If you want all the dibs on everything in the room, go check her here. 

{all images via Emily Henderson}  

Do you remember the fantastic home of Charlotte Interior designer, Barrie Benson and her architect husband, Matt? i love it today as much as when I first saw it in Domino years ago. Barrie loves color and she uses it everywhere--on the walls, upholstery and large oversized artwork. It feels like my yard right now--just bursting with color! Not only is her house fantastic, but take a look at some of my favorites from her portfolio.       

 Barrie has also designed some beautiful commercial projects which are just as incredible and youthful and full of saturated happiness. Poole Boutique in Charlotte is gorgeous is one of Barrie's projects and it is one of those boutiques where upon entering, I would gasp a little and wouldn't be able to look at the goods until I did complete 360's many, many times.          

To see more of Barrie's portfolio, click here.  

{all images via Barrie Benson}