A New Year, New Beginnings

Happy New Year, Ya'll!

{Real} Little House :: Moving Day!

Today is Moving Day! Hello, Little House! Give us the weekend to get settled (and get our internet transferred) & we will be back next week :)

Happy New Year!!!

Mood Board :: Pantone's Sodalite Blue

You can't go wrong with this classic shade of blue. Just a little bit brighter than your average navy, Pantone's darkest color of Spring 2012 grounds & delights. This shade of blue can go modern or traditional and is beautiful either way! 

Top Row :: {Dress, Blue Wall, Ring, Modern Art}

Bottom Row :: {Formal Living, Placesetting, Sandals with Socks}

Inspired Party :: New Year's Eve

Just in case you are throwing together a last minute NYE party, here are three theme's to inspire you. We are moving NYE weekend so there will be no parties in our little house this year... {sad}.

Back to Basics | Classic Black & White

Top Row :: {Tuxes & Balloons, Clock Cake, Headpiece, Star Garland}

Bottom Row :: {Star Stirs, Champagne Tower, Lights}

Sparkle & Shine | Metallic Glamour

Top Row :: {Metallic Escort Cards, Martinis, Gold Headpiece}

Bottom Row :: {Sparkler Sundaes, Metallic Centerpiece, Numbered Champagne Flutes}

Girls Only | Sprinkles & Sweets

Top Row :: {Ball Drop Cookies, Sprinkle-tini, Blingin' napkins}

Middle Row :: {Sprinkled Whoopie Pies}

Bottom Row :: {Sprinkle-feti, Cupcake Fondue, Table Numbers & Decor}

Trendy Tuesday :: Chalkboards

Chalkboard paint - it's all the rage these days. But lately, I'm seeing tons of uses for it other than your typical kitchen wall. It's a great storage / organization solution and you will also see it on furniture, used for entertaining, gift giving and in wedding decor. Here are some of my favorite chalkboard uses:

{Cheese Tray, Headboard, Bathroom}

{Refrigerator, Dresser, Cart}

{Wedding Program, Gifts, Placemats, Wine Number}

{Storage, Table Number, Organizing Kids}

Mood Board :: Pantone's Cabaret

Pantone's next Spring 2012 color is the vibrant hot pink, Cabaret. Cheerful, fun, and girly this board will no doubt make you smile & brighten your day. Pink lover or not, I think you will enjoy! 

My favorite picture on this board is the adorable pink print console with matching lampshades. The gray wallpaper behind it is so beyond lovely - I'm a huge sucker for gray!

Top Row :: {Console, Quotes, Centerpieces}

Bottom Row :: {Wood Door, Gown, Pink Wallpaper}

From Little House :: Merry Christmas to All!

May your Christmas be merry & bright! 

Mood Board :: Pantone's Bellflower

This might be my favorite of the 2012 Pantone colors. This soft purple hue adds an elegant & sweet element to the photos below. There is a night & day difference between it and 'solar power' (Wednesday's color) but with all the colors together they work harmoniously together to create the full Spring palette.

Happy Friday, Lovelies!

First Row :: {Door, Bathroom Walls, Dining Table}

Middle Row :: {Purple Chandy}

Bottom Row :: {Bellflowers, Ring, Horse of a different color, Gorg}

Old = New :: Crafting with Wine Corks

If you are a Pinterest addict like myself I'm sure you've seen some great uses for used wine corks floating about... there are a few perks to crafting with corks:

3. If adds a fun textural element to your decor & it's something different
2. You are recycling and that makes Mom Nature pretty happy
1. You get to drink a LOT of wine!!!!!!....

... really that's enough of a reason for me but just in case you needed more encouragement to get your cork crafting on, there are those other two up there.

Now, these diy items should be used SPARINGLY in your home. You should not go crazy with the corks around the house, just do a few projects that you love. Here are my faves & don't worry I included some ideas not for the home in case you really do want to go cork crazy. You're welcome.

{Cork Planters}

{Cork Stamps}

{Cork Herb Marker}

{Cork Place Card Holder}

{New meaning to 'cork board'}

Cheers! 

{Real} Little House :: Home Office Inspiration

Since announcing my occupational change {remember?} I've been pouring over home office photos to see what I would kind of environment I would want to work in day in & day out. This is the photo that just basically made me want to walk through my computer screen, sit down, and get right to work!

Now this particular photo is a little more modern than I usually go for so I will take a vintage spin on it (I have this fabulous antique table that will make a fabulous desk with a shape similar to the one pictured). But overall I love the fresh, clean feel of this photo. I've been dying to take my chances on a dark paint color so here's my opportunity!

Since a girl's gotta work this is project numero uno on the Little House agenda once we move in (the kitchen is a very close second). So stay tuned for pictures of the real thing!

What is or would be a must have for your home office?

Mood Board :: Pantone's Solar Power

Solar Power is a warm, bright yellow hue that instantly makes you happy. The brightest of the Spring 2012 Palette, Solar Power can be used in small doses or in full saturation. My favorite is the tile detail on that bathroom wall - so unique and gorgeous!

I hope this board brightens your day!

First Row :: {Doors, Centerpiece, Bathroom}

Second Row :: {Cake, Drawers, Dress, Adobe}

{Quickie} :: Hot Cocoa 'Flakes

Found these sweet treats from my hero Martha, via this blog.

Perfect for Christmas Eve cocoa, don't you think?

Trendy Tuesday :: Ombre

By definition ombre is a shaded or graduation of color. Lately, I've been seeing it everywhere from fashion, to interiors, to event decor. It's commonly seen in bright or pastel applications but I tried to include a few neutral ones but I'm more drawn to the bright colors :)

BTW - I totally plan on painting a dresser like the one below in the very near future!

{DIY Dresser, Nails, Placesetting}

{Cookies, Glasses, Bag}

{Cake, Placecards, Throw, Pendant}

{Fondant , Shower Curtain, Stairway, Florals}

{Ruffles, Invitation, Bedding}

Pantone Color Trends :: Spring 2012 & {Real} Little House :: An Update

What, Spring?! Well, I don't know about you but I'm done with Winter & Spring will be here before we know it! So let's celebrate some Spring colors to warm us up a bit. Pantone announced it's 2012 color of the year, Tangerine Tango....

But, they also released a whole palette of deliciousness in honor of fashion week with the creme de la creme of Spring colors!

So, of course we need a mood board for each one! Expect the first one this week: Solar Power!

Meanwhile in 'Little House Land'...

- We are doing a walk through this week to make sure permitting is in order...

- We are starting (and a use the loosely) to clean out & pack up for the big moving day - December 30.

- We are so excited for our first Christmas together!

Last week before Christmas - make it a good one!

xo

{Real} Inspiration :: Orchid + Silver Bedroom

Lizzie + Jason are native Oklahomans (turned Texan) living in Taiwan. Lizzie is a commercial interior designer and a fellow TCU alum. She asked me to create an inspiration board for their Master Bedroom. Well, only criteria I received was purple, silver & orchids. That, and she had minimal flexibility with painting & hanging things on their walls. Since, I can't see her existing space (it being in Taiwan and all) this was a bit of a shot in the dark. So, I just went for it ... hope you like it Liz! :)

{Design Details}

1. Painting a simple pattern like this on cork (as shown) would be a unique & inexpensive option for a headboard

2. A large mirror (this particular one has a fab Asian influence) leaned up against the wall prevents you having to actually hang it

3. If you only get to paint one wall - you might as well add a little artistic detail like the one pictured :) 

4. An easy way to jazz up some simple accessories - just dip them in silver paint!

5. This picture proves that with the right accent wall and some big beautiful lamps you don't need art! Adding the cork headboard & orchid paint detail would be just the cherry on top :)  

Follow Lizzie & Jason in Taiwan on Lizzie's blog. She has more sense of adventure in her pinky then I have in my whole body! 

All photos were found on Pinterest. I do not claim ownership or credit of these photographs.  

{Real} Little House :: BIG NEWS!

Well I've been harboring a little secret and now it's time for it to come out! I have decided to leave my wonderful & rewarding career in kitchen & bath design and start a new adventure. So I would like to introduce my very own event + interior styling & design company:

Jen Rios Design

We are under construction around here at Jen Rios Design but in the meantime you can view or Facebook page or contact Jen for inquiries!

WOW! A new marriage, a new home, and a new business - 2012 is sure to be the best year ever!!!

Mood Board :: Winter Whites

While you are dreaming of a 'White Christmas' ... you can dream about these winter pretties as well. Nothing is lovelier than a crisp, white scheme. Don't you agree?

Top Row :: {Cupcakes, Birch Trees, Lace Dress, Baby's Breath}

Middle Row :: {Rose Centerpiece}

Bottom Row :: {White + Metallic, Martinis, Bedroom, Shining Stars}

Just for Fun :: The ME List

This post was inspired by the fabulous Rayven, author of one of the blogs I follow, Stylishly Write.

One of her client's asked her to write a list of 20 of her favorite things to get to know her better. As I approach 2012 I had already decided to celebrate what makes "me", me. With a new year approaching and new adventures in the horizon I decided to develop my own ME List. You should to :)

Here we go!

1. My amazing new husband & the life we are building together

2. Beagles. Especially my beagle, but I'm obsessed with all beagles - puppies, fully grown, fat, little... If I had all the money in the world I would own a beagle farm.

3. My fabulous family - my Mom & Dad are incredible, my Grandmother pretty much is my hero and attributes to a lot of who I am (see below), my brothers & sister are amazing, my niece & nephew are just the cutest kids ever made and my new family - in - law are the icing on the cake.

4. Sweet friends. I have friends I couldn't live without - they know who they are.

5. Color & patterns. I could look at fabrics all day - I think I get it from my Grandmother. I love picking paint colors and just celebrating color in general.

6. Hosting parties. I don't do this enough but I can't wait until I can do it more. I love coming up with themes, decorating, creating.... maybe it was too many tea parties with my Grandmother as a child :)

7. Dishes & serving pieces. Collecting plates, little bowls, glassware. Especially if they are old or unique. I share this love with my Momma.

8. If it takes place on a stage I love it. Ballets, musicals (especially musicals), opera, plays, etc. I miss my days dancing & being on the stage more than I could ever express. I'm lucky I married a man who loves to go to the theatre/ballet/opera as much as I do.

9. The Hill Country. I never thought I would love my home town as much as I do. I couldn't wait to leave it when I was 18. I love going back to visit. Who knows, maybe I will end up there again someday.

10. Vintage finds. I love all things antique, vintage, old and awesome.

11. Food & wine. I love to cook, sit down with a glass of wine (especially with the Hub or a good friend), try a new restaurant, etc.

12. I L-O-V-E cupcakes. Everyone knows this. I have a few favorite flavors but basically if you want to make me happy it involves a cupcake, the prettier the better.

13. TCU! I am a Texas Christian University Horned Frog through & through. The best 4 years of my life took place on that campus. I love cheering on my Horned Frogs as all the home football games now :)

14. I love to get mail - another thing I get from my Grandmother. I believe handwritten thank you notes are sadly a thing of the past and I try to write them as much as possible.

15. Crisp, cool weather. There is nothing like it!

16. I live for date nights. Whether they are as simple as cooking at home or getting dressed up for a night on the town I can't get enough of them.

17. I love to laugh & be silly. You are never to told to be ridiculous. Especially with your girlfriends.

18. I love to look at pretty pictures, especially of parties & weddings. I wouldn't change a thing about my wedding day but I love to spend hours looking at other peoples.

19. I love to day-dream. I am 100% a full on dreamer and I can't wait to make my dreams come true!

20. I love my career. I love designing, creating, brainstorming, problem solving, building relationships, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. My 3.5 years designing kitchens & baths has been a dream - I can't wait to see where design takes me down the road!

Now... what makes "you", you? Thanks for the inspiration, Rayven!

Disclaimer: All of these photos were found via a Pinterest search.

{Real} Little House :: Our First Purchase!

Last night The Kitchen Source showroom in Dallas hosted the NKBA Christmas Party. There was a silent auction to benefit Friends of the Family - Denton County and I bid on this cute little bathroom faucet:



It's a Provience Classic Faucet by Brizo. The particular one for auction had poreclain handles instead of the solid nickel shown. It retails for $550 and we won it for $35!! I am so excited to install it in our remodeled Master Bathroom! 

Check out the link to this great cause above :) Happy Holidays!

{Quickie}: DIY Yarn Garland

Couldn't resist sharing this adorbes DIY yarn garland. It would be the perfect addition to your winter & holiday decor!

Get the how-to here.

I mean, seriously?! Drool.

Get more yarn & other presh details in photos of this winter wedding via Green Wedding Shoes.

Trendy Tuesday :: Chevron Pattern

Okay, okay I know it's technically not Tuesday, I missed the boat by a day - but let's pretend :) I just couldn't wait to share Amanda's Christmas decorations with everyone so today is 'Trendy Wednesday' instead, but that just doesn't sound as good!

Today we are loving the chevron pattern. Tone on tone, black & white, bright colors - it doesn't matter we can't get enough!

Disclaimer: This TT isn't in my usual 'mini board' format because I can't get to photoshop on my laptop - but with all this beautiful eye candy hopefully you won't even notice!

{Black & White chairs}

{Sweet Little Cookies}

{Dessert Bar}

{Dress}

{Metallic Nails}

{Notecards}

{All of our Favorite Things - Chevron, Metallic, Monograms?!?}

{Sofa}

{Table Numbers}

{Christmas Wall}

These little stools are just too presh!

{Tone on Tone Ceiling}