Decor to help transition your home from the holidays to the new year.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone’s year is off to a good start. Have you taken down your Christmas decor and your house feels naked? Mine always does. You get accustomed to the extra festive layers, the greenery from the Christmas tree and garland, and the twinkling lights. When it all gets put up, it tends to feel bare. So, today I’m sharing a few items that you can add to your home to help transition from the holidays to the new year.

Designer - Brown Design Group Photographer - Matt Wier

Every year my Christmas tree goes in the corner of my living room where my sad fiddle leaf tree usually sits. That corner doesn’t get enough natural light to keep a plant happy but it needs something with height in that area of the room. When Christmas rolls around the Christmas tree fills that corner so nicely and makes me happy. So, I have decided this year to stop the struggle of trying to keep a real tree alive and purchase a faux one.

I love the look of this olive tree Brown Design Group used in the living room above and was able to find a couple of great faux options on the market. Many places sell faux olive trees with olives on them which to me makes them look less realistic. The two trees below do not have olives on them and are of good size. See the link under the photos. One thing to note, Pottery Barn sells a smaller tree (not shown here) and it does have olives on it.

This 86” faux olive tree is from Pottery Barn.

72” tree from West Elm is currently on sale.

I find adding something new to the home when it is feeling stale brings in new energy. It could be new throw pillows, new sheets for the new year, replacing towels that are starting to look worn out, or adding a new sculpture to my shelves. Here are a few that have caught my eye.

Linen pillow, CB2

Cheetah print pillow, CB2

Pink Suede lumbar, CB2

Linen stripe dish towel, Pottery Barn

Copper Stitch sheet set, CB2

Links sculpture, CB2

Prancing horse, Pottery Barn

Lastly, I don’t know about you but I find the lights on the Christmas tree so cozy and tend to miss it once the tree is put up. One way to achieve the same coziness is with several lit candles. I like to do a grouping unscented candles of varying sizes grouped together on a tray and have one scented candle in a favorite scent. One of my current favorite scents is Target’s Neroli which comes in a pretty ceramic container.

Brass tray, Ikea

Comes in several sizes. Target

Target

I hope you found this post hopeful in transitioning from all the holiday decor to a bare feeling house. If you find that you need help don’t hesitate to drop us a line. Until next time, Lovelies!

Cognac Leather

At 3A we love adding natural textures to our designs. Whether it is a jute rug, woven baskets, or an upholstered leather piece, it adds interest and warmth to a space. One of my favorite natural materials that is a hot right now, is cognac leather. It is rich in color yet neutral enough to go with just about any design scheme.  Not to mention, it is great material with kids as it can be easily wiped clean.

A recent e-design we completed, which we incorporated cognac leather pillows.

Here are a few inspirational rooms that have included a little cognac leather, along with, a few items to help you achieve the look at home.

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CB2 Roadhouse Bar Stool

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Pottery Barn Jake Leather Sofa

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RH Tufted Ottoman

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West Elm Mid-Century Bed

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Pottery Barn Leather Pillow

Until next time!

Eight Essentials to Creating an Inviting Guest Room

With the holiday season upon us, many of you will have out of town guest staying the night. To help your visitors feel comfortable, here are a eight essentials to creating an inviting guest room.

The White Company

1. A Comfortable Bed

Ensure that the pillows and mattress are comfortable. You do not want your guest getting up the next day soar from a poor night's sleep. A memory foam mattress pad can make the stiffest of beds more comfortable. If possible offer two types of pillows. One soft and the other slightly firmer, since everyone has different preferences.

Helen Green

2. Crisp Clean Sheets

You would think this goes with out saying but I have experienced staying in a guest room that had remains from the previous guest on the sheets. It was gross and uncomfortable to say the least. Everyone appreciates crawling into a clean bed at the end of the day.

Martin Patrick 3

3. A Room Free of Clutter and Personal Photos

Otherwise, your guests will feel like they are intruding on your personal space.

DTM Interiors

4. Storage

Have a few hangers in the closet for your guest to hang their clothes.  A couple of empty  drawers is nice too. Especially, for those that are staying multiple nights.

If you have decorative pillows on the bed, have a place for your guest to store them; such as a bench at the foot of the bed or a basket. This will prevent the pillows from ending up on the floor. A bench can also double as a luggage rack.

Helen Green

5. Side Table

A side table will provide a place for your guest to charge their phones and place their jewelry and other small items.

6. Hooks

Consider a couple hooks on the wall or back of the door to hang items such as their purse, coat, and towel.

BHG

7. Personal Touches

Personal touches are thoughtful gestures that make your guest feel welcomed. Here are a few to consider. Fresh flowers, a welcome basket with toiletries and/or favorite snacks, reading material. A couple water bottles, so your guest do not have to walk to the kitchen in the middle of the night if they get thirsty.

8. Fluffy Towels

It is also helpful to place towels in the room for your guests so that they do not have to rummage for them or come find you when they are ready to shower.

With these eight essentials you are sure to have an inviting guest room.

Thanks for stopping by!