Winter Solstice Antedote

Seeing that tomorrow is the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, what better time than now to warm up these long dark days and nights than with some beautiful lighting.

I stumbled across this gorgeous outdoor lighting arrangement via dolak.
 
Although many of us might string lights from the eaves, there is more to lighting up the night than that. After you've hung up the wreath, don't forget to light up outside entrances, porches, and decks. I have on my to-do list making my own wine bottle outdoor lamp and this one from etsy is my inspiration:

Outdoor lamps are not just for the summer. If you are having guests over for the holidays, light up the entrance for a warm welcome. You could spray paint them a glittery gold or silver and stencil with some Christmas greenery, bells, angels, or whatever else your imagination can dream up.

Or how about this gorgeous outdoor room I found posted at enchanted home:

Who wouldn't want to hang out here for a holiday party? If you aren't lucky enough to have an outdoor fireplace but have a deck or patio, don't neglect it, deck it!

 

via outdoor lighting

via imparting grace

via between naps on the porch

Lighting definitely sets the mood this time of year. I mean really, who wouldn't want to come to a party at this house?

via diy network

Do your part to dispel the dark!

Sumpen Out of Nuten

My bathroom needs serious help. I currently have nothing, nada, zip, zero hanging on its forlorn walls, that is until now.

 

Excuse the glare, but it's a small bathroom on vanity light steroids. I picked up two of these beautiful frames and mats for $1 a piece at a local thrift shop. They were originally a matching art "set," I'm guessing circa 1985 because of the ugly mauve color scheme.

The moral of this short story is, don't overlook ugly. Take a look at the bones and determine what you can makeover. Heck, us girls do it all of the time! The frames were a solid wood painted ivory with two beautiful and contrasting mats. Though this photo doesn't show it, the frame, the glass, and the mats are all excellent quality. I printed out two art photos I found on the internet that I really loved and framed both prints. I can now at least relax a bit until I paint. Bare walls screaming at me? Yep, they honestly do.

2012 Color of the Year

It seems that the Pantone Color of the Year for 2012 is Tangerine Tango. I am already using an orangey red color in my own decor, but it is nice to have some of my design choices validated.

 

This summer I spray painted my lamps a color called Georgia Clay. And the prominent color in my patterned drapes is orange. I have been in love with the orange-turquoise combo for some time:

And my living room and dining room already has a mix of blues, turquoise, reds, and tangerine splashed about. 

I don't decorate based on trends, but I do get infatuated with new and interesting fabrics and colors. I will often times try to incorporate a trend I like when I can do so without compromising the overall design. I suspect a lot of people who enjoy pattern, textiles, and design in general, such as myself, just get caught up in seeing something different as well. As someone who loves art, patterns, and color, I would feel deprived if I couldn't indulge in something that catches my fancy. How about you, do you get swept away with trends and eye candy?

Breakfast via Pinterest

If you have not yet discovered Pinterest, you must check it out.  It is full of ideas for the home, recipes, fashion, interior design, crafts, photography, art--just about everything I love and can't get enough of.  I repinned this time-saving idea of baking eggs in a muffin pan for my weekday breakfast and it was as easy as they said.

I now have breakfast for the next six days. You could add any ingredient you like. I made mine on whole wheat bagel thins sans cheese to save a few calories. They were delicious!

Seriously, if you have not checked out this site, you are missing out. Follow me and visit my board "Cool Stuff" at http://pinterest.com/laflaherty/.