design. simplified.
When I asked which “Fast Favorites” you’d like to see, several readers requested a post on flush mounts. I’ve had to shop for several since this house has lower ceilings than our last, and there are actually some really pretty options. The scalloped one I used in our living room is my favorite–just dressy enough without overtaking the smallish space.
See all of our living room sources here.
And, more Fast Favorites.
This post is sponsored by Behr. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our boy/girl twins are still sharing a room (and will be for as long as possible!), but I had quickly painted it after we moved in and didn’t really ever finish the rest of it. I used the framed animal prints from our last house and my daughter insisted they scared her into getting up and coming into our room every night. . . (I personally think this has been her most creative excuse so far.) So, it felt like the perfect time to call her bluff and give their room an updated look with a new color palette.
This is how the “very scary” room looked before: 
And after a new wall color (I used BEHR PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA® interior paint) and some fresh accessories:
The room doesn’t get a ton of natural light so I wanted something lighter and brighter. I love the soft quilts they already had on their beds and pulled my main wall color from those. An all-American red, white and (shades of blue) color palette felt like a good, classic choice for a boy/girl bedroom.
In case you’re up to your eyeballs in swatches. . .
A few of my best tips for choosing paint colors:
Choose your paint color last. This is such a tempting place to start for a lot of people, but it actually makes a lot of sense to choose your furniture and accessories for a room first. Then, pull out a main wall color and complementary accent colors from fabrics, rugs or art, for example. My palette for this room: Tranquil Sea PPL-73, Red My Mind MQ1-10, Basswood MQ2-46, Compass Blue MQ5-54 and Snowy Pine PPU10-13.
Take advantage of paint samples. For just a few dollars, you can pick up a sample of the color (and sheen) you’re considering. Painting a large swatch—on a board or the wall—can save a lot of time and effort.
Use the leftover samples to have your kids create art for their space. Even if it’s very “abstract”, the palette will work perfectly and it’s a sweet, personal touch.
Need more help with choosing a color? Join me for the Behr Color Clinic on Thursday, May 16th where I’ll be joining a Q&A session on the Behr Facebook Page from 10a.m. to noon EST.
This post is for those of you who feel stuck when it comes to “finishing” a room. You may have neutral sofas and neutral walls but the rest of it just isn’t coming together. It’s easy to pick up a piece here or there but sometimes it helps to have an overall plan for where you’re headed. I like the idea of putting together a grouping of can’t-go-wrong accessories to use as a first layer. (There’s always room to add your special touches over time.) This is the first in a series of “Styling Simplified” posts where I’ll focus on a specific style and recommend my go-to accessories for that space. I started with what I know best: cozy traditional.
All of the product images are linked but this is also meant to be a guide. Pin it, email it to yourself or screenshot it so you have it on your phone the next time you’re shopping and can’t remember what it was you were looking for in the first place. I also included a paint palette (all of these are Benjamin Moore colors) inspired by the accessories.
Is this helpful? What other styles would you like to see?