Small changes, big impact

So here we are in February and even though winter doesn’t seem to want to loosen its icy grip, Team Bliss is setting its sights on spring! Last month we talked all about home renovations but maybe something major isn’t in the cards for you at the moment. Does that mean you need to spend the foreseeable future staring at the same space day after day? Absolutely not! Restyling some of the surfaces in your home is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to change things up with very little commitment.

Coffee or entryway tables, mantels, kitchen islands, ottomans…these are all prime spaces on which you can focus your efforts! Because any change you make won’t be permanent, this is most definitely the time to experiment and have fun with trends or colors you’ve been wanting to try.

If you’re styling a larger surface, you’ll need to decide if you prefer a symmetrical appearance or a less structured effect. After putting away her holiday decorations this year, Katie wanted a fresh look for her mantel and we decided to go for an eclectic style tied together with gold accents

We selected pieces with varying heights to create interest and made sure to incorporate diverse textures. Soft feathered plume reed, a vase with intricate carvings, and a beaded gold frame come together to create a richly layered appearance. If we’ve got you motivated to update some of your own surfaces, read on for our pro tips!

Pro Tip #1: First and foremost, keep in mind that a green is always a good idea! Any space can quickly be upgraded with a splash of green—real OR faux! If you’re not confident in your ability to keep real plants alive (no judgment!), you could invest in a high-quality silk option or keep it budget-friendly with beautiful dried bunches (We love the selection at Afloral!) An important thing to keep in mind when styling surfaces: always measure your space and note the dimensions of anything purchased online! It is easy to overlook but if you aren’t careful you’ll end up with a vessel that hangs over the edge of a mantel or a tray that’s too large for your tiny end table!

Pro Tip #2: Your surfaces are the perfect place to take a chance and let your personality shine! Why not incorporate a favorite accent color that might be a bit much for for, say, a wall color or furniture upholstery? Bring on the bold fuchsias, vibrant yellows, and brilliant blues!

Pro Tip #3: Surfaces are also a wonderful place to incorporate meaningful objects like family heirlooms or pieces collected during travels. Don’t have anything that fits the bill? Go shopping for cute, quirky items that catch your eye. (We simply couldn’t resist the adorable sulky bird that reminds us perhaps a bit too much of our own moody toddlers!) These pieces don’t have to be expensive to make an impact….World Market, Target, and At Home have plenty of fun options!

Pro Tip #4: Don’t forget to add in art that makes you smile! Team Bliss has been enchanted by the adorable miniature oil paintings all over Etsy, and it is there that we stumbled upon a wonderful local artist, Tisha Marks. Katie selected one of Tisha’s pieces for her mantel, and we used another—a seascape of a beach in Cape Cod—for the living area of a client whose family often vacations there. With so many artists and styles to browse, you’re certain to find something that speaks to you.

We hope these tips inspire you to restyle some of your own surfaces and give your home a fresh look for the coming season! Don’t forget that we absolutely love hearing from you and seeing how you use our tips to bring a little bliss into your own homes. Hang in there, everyone—spring is surely on its way!

~Team Bliss

Icing on the Cake: Let's talk accessories!

Sometimes it’s all about the little things, isn’t it? Of course a home needs the basics—a comfortable sofa, paint colors that sooth, the right lighting—but it’s the accessories that have the power to bring a room together and add that wow factor. Whether it’s an heirloom that has been in your family for years, a piece you picked up on your travels that brings back fond memories, or just something interesting that caught your eye on a recent Target run, accessories tell the stories of our families and bring out the personalities of our homes.

Recently I had so much fun helping a client accessorize her husband’s new home office. Like many of us, he started working from home in the spring when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and needed a permanent space that would look professional for his many daily Zoom meetings and interviews.

The space my clients chose for the office actually used to be a nursery! Their children had moved into “big kid” rooms and the space had built-in shelves already, making it ideal for a home office. After selecting a paint color to replace the baby-friendly wallpaper and moving in a desk and drawers the family already owned, it was time to focus on the fun part—accessorizing, of course!

The first step was selecting a large piece of art to hang on the barn board shiplap wall. We knew we wanted something with bold colors and this lovely piece fit the bill perfectly. We had it framed in gold with the intention of bringing in gold-toned accessories to display on the shelving.

Then, we went crazy shopping for office-friendly accessories that could stand out on the shelves and create a professional but fun Zoom background! Some greenery was a must, and I have been obsessed with the cute and affordable plants from The Sill. A miniature globe, clock, and various frames, vases, and other accents helped pull in the rich tones in the art.

The best part? I never even set foot in the client’s home for this project! Isn’t modern technology great?!? The client sent me photos of the space, and we communicated about the items over the phone and via email. When all the items had been delivered, we set up a FaceTime call so I could direct her where each piece should be placed on the shelves. Even though accessorizing.a room can seem daunting—the options are truly endless!—it’s actually really fun! And although choosing accents for a kitchen is different than doing so for a living room or a bedroom, there are still a few basic rules I like to follow for all of the spaces I style: .

1. Add some interest

This is the place to really let your personality shine through! Don’t shy away from the quirky, fun pieces that will set your space apart. If you see something unique that strikes your fancy, just go for it! Remember, if you get bored of something, accents are far easier and cheaper to swap out than, say, a sofa or window treatments.

Seal Bookends, $38 at Anthropologie

2. Shop one-of-a-kind

This is the perfect opportunity to add gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces to your home without breaking the bank. Etsy is full of hidden treasures from talented artists in every medium and style.

Crushed Speckled Ceramic Pitcher, $70 on Etsy

3. Go green

Plants are a must! If you aren’t feeling confident in your ability to keep a green friend alive, there are plenty of beautiful faux options out there too.

Aloe Plant in Terrazzo Pot, $54 at Terrain

4. Mix it up

Mix textures and materials in your design scheme to achieve an elegant, upscale vibe.

Marble & Wood Geometric Objects, $40 - $50 at West Elm

5. Get lit

Cute miniature lamps do double duty by adding a soft glow to a space while also serving as stylish accent pieces.

Joelle Mini Lamp, $262 at Regina Andrew

I hope these tips inspire you to accessorize your own spaces with confidence and flair! But, if you’re still feeling unsure and want that designer touch, you might want to check out my latest offering, a flat-rate design package (done completely virtually) focusing on accessories.

The package can be purchased on my website by clicking here, and don’t forget that I also offer gift cards (for all of you last-minute holiday gift-givers out there). Give the gift of great design to yourself or someone you love!

I wish all of you a wonderful and magical holiday season filled with joy, love, and laughter. I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss