home office Archives - Emily A. Clark

Shades of Summer Home Tour: Black & Brown

Jun12017

When I think of the colors of Summer, brown and black aren’t necessarily the first ones that come to mind. But I’ve noticed that more and more neutrals seem to be creeping into our home, specifically the living room and office, and somehow, it all feels lighter and more summery.

Today, I’m joining some other blogger friends for a “tour of homes.” We’re all sharing how we’ve added touches of Summer based around a different color scheme. (Welcome to those of you who are visiting my blog from Four Generations One Roof!)

The thing I love most about Summer decorating is how little “decorating” it actually requires. A few pieces with great texture (I added new pillows) and some fresh flowers or green branches can make a room feel alive again.

This DIY art really kicked off the changes in our living room. (I kept the rest of our mantel simple with driftwood and candlesticks.) I layered the striped rug over our existing jute one and love the change for Summer.

More texture on the coffee table with a small grouping on a rattan tray. (You can find more of my coffee table decorating tips here.)

(“The lazy mom’s photo album.” I do actually love having bowls full of printed pictures.)

Notice I brought the brass and blue lamp in from our porch. It’s visiting here for a while. . .

I wish I could tell you I found the coral on a tropical vacation. I bought it at a consignment store, but it’s the perfect Summer accessory. ;) The crazy wisteria from our backyard also comes in handy for a quick centerpiece:

And as much as I may think I’ve added neutrals, you know I’ll never quit the blue and white.

Thanks for taking time to scroll through my Summer home. Next up is Kris’s tour from Driven by Décor. (You’ll love it.)

More Furniture Rearranging (Adding Bulk)

May232017

A while back, I promised more simple decorating posts, so here you go. I moved some more furniture—and I thought you might want to see how adding a piece with “bulk” can make a big difference.

Now. . .

This is the corner of my office where we keep the printer, paper and kids’ art stuff. I like both looks but I think the black chest (my dad found it for $30 at a yard sale!) looks and functions better. And, I love being able to tuck the printer underneath.

This may not be a breakthrough design idea, but there’s nothing that thrills me more than figuring out how to use a piece I already own in a better way. It’s like solving a puzzle. These ideas usually hit me out of the blue and my husband, always thrilled by my brilliant ideas that almost always occur during a ballgame, gladly jumps up to start moving things around. (The same at your house, I’m sure.) My goal in sharing this is that you might think about pieces in your own home in a different way.

This has also become one of my favorite little corners at night. . .

By the way, I moved the gray console into our breakfast area in the kitchen. I’ve also had it in the powder room and as a console under our TV. It works everywhere. My favorite kind of piece!

PS—Voting has begun for the FrogTape Paintover Challenge. Help me win $5000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by casting your vote (once daily!). It also enters you for a chance to win a $1000 gift card. (You can see my porch reveal here, in case you missed it.)

The Lost Art of Printing Our Pictures

Sep82016

Without a doubt, one of the kids is assigned an “about me” project at the beginning of the school year, and I always end up scrambling the night before for enough photos to send with them—or making a late night trip to the one-hour photo desk at the nearest pharmacy. Every time, I think how ridiculous it is that I never actually follow through with the good intention of printing the photos from my phone on a regular basis.

So, I thought I’d share my recent (mini) accomplishment with you. I printed some of my favorites and am enjoying them so much. I used an app called Free Prints that lets me upload and place an order directly from my phone. (Not a sponsored endorsement, by the way; my hairdresser told me about it so I’m telling you. . .) You get 85 “free” prints a month, and you only pay shipping. (It was around $8, I believe.) It’s a great mindless activity to do while I’m waiting in car line or at soccer practice, which is the only way I’m going to get this done. (If you want to use my invite code, feel free: eclark125)

family_pics

I’ve given up on the notion of putting them in albums, printing photo books or even organizing them in boxes. I’ve just been sticking them in a pretty bowl on the coffee table or displaying a few in my office. The kids love going through them. There’s just some satisfaction from holding pictures in your hand that you don’t get by swiping a screen, don’t you think?

It’s funny how this is such a novelty for our kids now. My mom and dad have a big trunk full of family photos, and I still love going through it from time to time. Of course, some I’d like to burn (think spiral permed hair and oversized glasses circa 1989), but they’re fun for the most part.

family photos-2

paint color // mirror // console table // lamp (similar) // basket (similar)

Hopefully, this will be the reminder you need to print a few (hundred?) for your viewing enjoyment. . .