Calling All Fashionistas: Transitioning Fall Trends Into Your Home

As I begin transitioning my wardrobe from summer into fall layers, I’m always looking for ways to incorporate fall trends into my home, too. Although this year it’s a wee bit more challenging with maternity wear… anywhoo.

This year’s trends are deliciously bold and full of detail. We’re talking plaids and knit tweeds, blocks of black and white, earthy hues, reds, oranges and embroidery. Fashionista or not, how about incorporating these details into your home this season? 
 
Here are a few suggestions:
 
Start by picking an accent wall and painting it poppy red. This instant color burst will energize your room. It works best in a living room, foyer, or powder room. 

Photo by Paul Davis Architects. See more modern entry designs

If painting a wall seems a bit too adventurous, try revamping your kitchen. I will spend a lot of time in the kitchen this fall as I’m obsessed with the farmer’s market. I tend to buy a ton of colorful veggies and fruit and then spend my weekend cooking up delicious, healthy meals. A low-key way to give your kitchen a fresh fall look is by simply filling a bowl of red fruit (such as pomegranates or pears) – plus, it’s a healthy snack! Then, bring in a big gorgeous bunch of cockscomb for texture and color. For a more dramatic use of color, you could add a bold color in with counter stools (check out my kitchen makeover that was featured on NBC). Stools + a vase + flowers = dramatic transformation.

Photo by Aviad Bar-Ness. See more modern kitchen designs

 

Next, revitalize your sofa with fresh new pillows. Invest in several pillows with different fabrics while keeping an eye on trends — tweed, embroidery or plush color blocked pillows will bring texture and color to your room. I love the tribal embroidered pillows I’ve been seeing lately. The fabulous thing about pillows is that you can easily change their covers with the seasons. It’s a minimal investment for a dramatic improvement.

 
Toss a plush cashmere throw over the couch for cuddling under when cool air arrives. Pick a plaid that works with your pillow color scheme, or what about faux fur? This animal-loving solution is another hot trend for fall. In fact, I just added one to my bedding collection. It’s the plushest, thickest, most decadent faux fur throw I’ve ever seen, and it feels great on the sofa, the bedroom, or even outdoors on a brisk autumn evening (check out how I used this versatile throw in a bedroom makeover featured on NBC).
 

 
Next stop, the dining room. What a great excuse to throw a fall brunch and show off your new decor! I love the thick earthy hues of linen for a table-cloth with tonal cloth napkins to compliment the look. Additionally, try out new tweed chair cushions for dressing up the dining table.

Photo credit: Design Heaven

So what are you waiting for, fashionistas? I’d love to see how you incorporate your favorite trends for fall into your home!

Start Stripping!

“Begin by thinking of your rooms in the nude.” — Dorothy Draper

Whew! Is it hot enough for you? As I think of ways to stay cool and beat the heat this summer, stripping down doesn’t sound like such a bad idea! In terms of your home, let’s discuss how to strip your home to make it feel really, really good. And I mean strip down to the barest bones.

First, envision your room completely bare – “see” its bones and find its curves. Discover the pockets of sun that make a room feel expansive and cheery, find that corner that was hidden by a large, domineering armoire and empty it so that the room feels balanced and graceful.

My definition of cheerful: a kitchen with just the essentials.

Simply put, the more stuff that’s lying around, the more claustrophobic a room feels. When it’s too hot in the afternoon sun, here’s a lil project with instant gratification: Strip your kitchen of tired utensils, dirty-bottomed pots and pans, and dishes in the sink. Make your floors shine so they reflect sunlight and rays will bounce happily around the room. Head into your bathroom and hide excessive grooming products. Discard dingy towels. Dress your shower with a new curtain and hooks. Pull out the paper towels and make your mirror sparkle.

Natural light and a sparkly bathroom mirror do wonders.

The stripping continues in your bedroom (woohoo!). Get rid of all those piles of clothes, books and bottles of perfume. Bedrooms should evoke feelings of love and intimacy, sleep and peace. Whenever I make over a bedroom, I think about how I’d like to feel – safe, relaxed, free and calm. Make your bed look neat, clean and inviting. Invest in a gorgeous pillow and plush linens (see link to JV products) that pull together the room’s appeal. I don’t like to see dirty laundry, threadbare sheets or shoes lying about. Who does?

This stripped down bedroom says “Serenity Now…”

Declaring Independence From Clutter

Happy July 4^th!  Whether you’re barbecuing with friends, ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over sparkly fireworks, or picnicking at the beach, there’s a lot to be thankful for on our nation’s birthday. In terms of your home, I have an idea – how about declaring independence from clutter?  Today, while we celebrate our freedom and everything that makes America great, I’d like to share some tips to give you freedom against the piles and piles of STUFF that can so easily overpower your home.  Freedom from clutter – yes!  And if your house is on the market, you’ll be thanking yourself when buyers come calling.

The closet. The more stuff lying around, the more claustrophobic a space can feel. Organizing a closet is a great way to freshen up your home. Go through old clothes and get rid of items you haven’t worn in more than a year. Take the rest to the dry cleaner. By the end of the week, you should have some room in that closet, and your favorite wardrobe staples will finally be front and center.

The bedroom. And oh-so-easy place to let the piles grow. Start by getting rid of all those mounds of clothes, books and bottles of perfume with a few remaining drops. Bedrooms should evoke feelings of love and intimacy, sleep and peace. Whenever I make over a bedroom, I think about how I’d like to feel – safe, relaxed, free and calm. Make your bed look gorgeous. Invest in plush linens that pull together the room’s appeal. I don’t like to see dirty laundry, threadbare sheets or shoes lying about (and buyers don’t either).

Your haven for peace & quiet. And maybe a little romance?

The kitchen. Strip your kitchen of tired utensils, dirty-bottomed pots and pans, and dishes in the sink. Make your floors shine so that they reflect the light and bounce it happily around the room. Then, tackle the refrigerator. Throw out bottles of sauce and condiments you haven’t used in months. And toss out anything crusty or caked. Wash off the shelves with hot water and vinegar. You’ll love how fresh and clean your refrigerator looks the next time you open it! If you’ve still got some energy left, clean out your cupboards.

A streamlined kitchen leaves more room for preparing meals and catching up on the day with your family.

The living room. Vacuum your chairs and couches — and don’t forget under the pillows. Move furniture and vacuum underneath. Throw out those old pillows and buy some new ones! Check out ABC Carpet & Home for luscious selections, or visit Tiny Living for fun ideas to organize your possessions. Dusting out and organizing your living room will make it seem fresh and new.

This 1 bedroom apartment had tired furniture and was overflowing with papers.

We cleared out the living room & brought in fresh furniture from the exclusive JV Collection. The result: these furnishings maximized the property value. Now it’s ready for buyers to make that immediate offer!

Summer blooms: I used to work in the heart of the flower district, and fragrant blossoms were always on my mind. To bring that sweet smell into your newly cleaned-out and organized home, go buy some tulips or lilies or an arrangement of summer wildflowers. Place them in a nice window planter and voilà, you’ve got a flower garden on your sill. Wheat grass planted in little black square bowls is another way to bring the best of the outdoors inside.

Bringing the outdoors inside.

Last steps?

Relax.

Be thankful.

Celebrate your new-found independence in your very own home.

Lovely Gathering to Learn all about Emerald Paints from Sherwin-Williams

Me with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan from Apartment Therapy. Check out the view!

I’m a paint fanatic simply because it’s the easy, fastest way to change the vibe of any room. So when Sherwin-Williams invited me to a luncheon to check out their latest paint selection, I was thrilled. I have to admit that Benjamin Moore is my fav — I use their palette daily to reference colors and get inspired. I love that it’s non VOC (meaning it doesn’t smell or release harmful toxins into the home) and always looks gorgeous. However, after seeing this new Sherwin-Williams nonVOC line, I have to check it out and will keep you posted on how it works.

More of the view – gorgeous!

The event itself was stunning. Set amidst the backdrop of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral (check out the gorgeous picture below), I learned more all about their new Emerald interior and exterior paints, the highest performing, environmentally responsible colorants in the industry! Now, that has my attention! Here are some more details on these amazing new paints.

Setting an Industry Standard:

I loved that this paint prevents stains and provides an easy clean up of surfaces. It also resists streaking and spotting and it doesn’t emit much odor indoors! There are also some anti-microbial properties that inhibit the growth of mold and mildew and the best part yet: it is backed by a lifetime warranty!

It Delivers Color Consistency without VOCs”

Emerald features ColorCast Eco Toners that is essentially a tinting system that does not contain any add VOC’s aka chemicals to your walls. This also delivers a full body, thick coats of paint and rich color.

An Environmentally Friendly Paint Company:

I love hearing about companies that care about the environment and do their part by creating products that aren’t harmful or toxic. At the event, I learned more about the Sherwin-Williams green commitment that extends throughout its laboratories, manufacturing facilities and distribution systems. Some interesting advances include using sustainable raw materials such as soybeans and sunflower oils, increasing the use of sustainable paint containers, recycled labels and biodegradable shopping bags and discovering new techniques to reduce non-recyclable waste and introduced energy efficiencies.

Now, that I have a new paint I wonder what projects I will create with the awesome line from Sherwin-Williams. The possibilities are endless…

 

The new Emerald Interior and Exterior acrylic latex paints and ColorCast Eco Toners will be available in Sherwin-Williams stores nationwide on July 1, 2012.

 

Back to School with Speed Decorating

You'll learn how to freshen up your living room with my fun online course!

I’ve heard the excuses – my house is too small, I don’t the time, I’m uninspired, It’s too expensive…and on and on. Look, I hear you – life is hard but decorating doesn’t have to be. Your home should be your sanctuary, your place of rest – not a dumping ground for your stuff or a place that has no creative life. To help you out and to get you decorating fast I have started my first-ever online decorating course so that you can master solutions for every room in your house. Called the School of Speed Decorating, this fun class will teach you the ins and out of home décor in just four weeks! No more excuses – isn’t it time you had the home of your dreams?!

I'll provide you with the necessary tips to truly make your home a sanctuary.

Here is what you’ll learn:

Learn the Seven Steps to Decorating Success: These are the building blocks for every decorating project. Think calm, condition, style, arrangement, light, color, and details. This last step is vital because it will give your home instant personality.

Acquire quick and dirty decorating tips that design genius Jonathan Adler gives two thumbs up, “A must for anybody who is impatient and loves decorating.” he says. “Jill Vegas finally brings decorating up to speed with the rest of life.”

Get practical and fun guidance including tips and ideas on how to create “a bombshell bookcase” and get “lighting that’s inviting.”

Discuss the latest in customizing your kitchen and optimizing space.

Gain the confidence to revamp your living room so it’s bright, warm and inviting.

Get inspired with fresh ideas on how to update your bedroom so it feels like a 5 star hotel.

Learn to work your magic and transform any blahzay room into a cinematic masterpiece.

Accessorize, organize, and select paint colors and fabrics with the confidence of an interior design legend.

Nail your personal style and showcase your fabulous personality through the rooms you live in.

The course starts in June, so be sure to sign up today! The course is only $149 and you can master these quick and easy design skills from the comfort of your home!

Tips for Brightening and Changing a Big Living Room

A bright and inviting living space.

Do you have a party in the works, but are at a loss of how to transform your home from drab to fab? Or do you have a large living room that has left you uninspired? I recently transformed a huge room for NBC LXTV where I made it colorful, inviting and fun for the Superbowl (check out the video here). With some artistic creativity, rearranging of furniture and an emphasis on the rooms’ focal point I created a modern twist on the tailgate party. Here’s how you can you brighten and change up your own living room.

1. Pick a Focal Point. In the video, the obvious focal point was the staircase but then right next to it was a huge blank wall. I decided to get creative and incorporate an art installation. I loved using the wall as a blank canvas where I created blue cloud-like shapes out of plaster. This really brought texture and visual interest to the wall as well as created a fun focal point that is original and inviting.
2. Have Fun with Art. I love adding art into my living spaces – especially art of different sizes and textures. For art with different sizes, I like to hang them on the mid-line and center them on the wall for a balanced even look. If you have a big room, pick artwork that is huge! You can make a graphic statement if you keep the color palate simple. I picked black and white with a little bit of color for some personality.
3. Accentuate What You Have. In the video, the living room was bare, except for some sofas and a table. I really wanted to define the space so I moved around the sofas (with the help of some sliders) – making it easier to talk to each other. I also threw in some quirky decorative objects and organic shapes to soften the angular architecture of the room.
4. Add a Rug. This room was practically bare, so I picked a huge striped rug that really tied everything together and also created an optical illusion to make the room feel more expansive. I also added some floating furniture that is colorful and versatile for a bold graphic statement.

In just one day I transformed this gorgeous, but very bland room into an expansive and vibrant living area with depth and color. I hope this will help you get creative and change-up your own living area.

How to Makeover a Dull Living Room

The living room is meant to feel vibrant and full of life. This is the cozy place where everyone gathers to hang… watch Modern Family, play Monopoly and entertain family and friends.  If your living room is lacking inspiration, well tis’ the season to change and I’m amped to share some ideas on how you can do this, easy-peasy.

Paper lanterns can add a romantic and dreamy feel to any living room!

Check out this living room makeover I did in one day which was featured on NBC’s Openhouse (see video here). Whether you have a small or large space, you can re-invent your living room with my speed decorating tips.

Bright, open and airy - the perfect living room!

The Right Arrangement. The key to creating a cozy space is to define the room – when you have a wide-open space you want to break it up into two gathering areas. First, pick a focal point. In my NBC segment the fireplace was the first thing you saw when you walked into the room, so I accesorized it with two ceramic lions to give a playful vibe. To brighten up a dark nook next to the fireplace, I installed an antique chest, some books, a glitter skull and mercury glass to bring in the sparkly reflective light.

Play with Lighting. For rooms that have amazing natural light but lack depth, I love to add a stunning light fixture. For the room in the NBC segment, I created an art installation by hanging a bunch of of paper lanterns at staggered height. For your own living room think of lighting in the following categories: overhead, floor lamps/table lamps, uplights and natural to determine what’s the best solution for your space.

Curtain Call. High ceilings can make a room feel desolate and cold. In the NBC video the ceiling was 18’ high so I installed white flow-y curtains  that puddled on the floor. I really love how this shows good tailoring and drama. It also creates a dreamy and romantic vibe that warms up the space so it doesn’t feel institutional.

Bringing it all Together. Of course you’d never dream of buying a “living room set” or even all the essentials from the same store. BORING. Now that it’s spring, have fun exploring Brooklyn Flea or other design stores and select pieces that you love. Stroll West Broadway on the weekend and pick art from local artists. Missing a side table? Stack books  or pile records to create your own DIY table. No rug? Scatter sheepskin throws for a simple solution.

There you have it – my simple steps to creating the living room of your dreams! Remember to plan, get organized and have fun with your concept.

How to Create a Romantic Modern Dining Room

A dreamy and romantic cloud light fixture can complete any room.

Do you have a blahzay dining room? Does the thought of having a dinner party stress you out? Do you feel unmotivated/bored/clueless about how to improve this bland room? I recently encountered a dining room that had very little architectural detail so I transformed into one that personified modern rustic glamour!

Featured on NBC’s LXTV and Taxi TV in NYC (see video here), I made-over this plain space in just one day thanks to my very own barnwood wallpaper and cloud light fixture and some signature accents like hot pink flowers, blue water bottles and artwork to create a room that screams for a dinner party. Here’s how you can transform your dining room in a day or less.

Barnwood wallpaper makes for the perfect accent wall!

1. Create an Accent Wall. Wallpaper creates dimension, texture, and spaciousness to a room. For this room, I used faux barnwood wallpaper with vertical lines from my product line that gave the room depth and made it feel longer since it spread across an entire wall. It also gave the room warmth and coziness that couldn’t be achieved with regular paint.
2. Add Dimension with Flowers. Flowers are an easy, affordable way to brighten up a room. To make your arrangement unique, pop them into a white ceramic vase to bring personality and color on the tabletop.
3. Soften Hard Corners with Art. Artwork can really make a room vibrant. To soften a room, add large colorful artwork for a dramatic statement. For this dining room, I rolled in a fun and flexible bar cart with wheels that provided visual harmony and grounded the room while also being functional. For added décor, I included an assortment of bottles as well as blue water bottles.
4. Let Nature Be Your Teacher. Having the right lighting is critical to set the mood. For the light fixture, I wanted something that looked like a big cloud floating above the table to create a dreamy feeling. With some help from my friend Vince, my cloud light fixture was created, which gave the room an amazingly romantic and ethereal feel.
5. Mix and Match Styles. Design works best when you mix and match styles. For this segment, I had to work with a rustic dining table that I decided to pair with modern white chairs for the perfect mix of modern glam.
6. Keep it Simple. Decorating a room isn’t about buying a bunch of stuff  – it’s about refining and placing just a few key things to set the mood. You don’t have to over-stuff a room with a clunky sideboard. For small rooms, I love to open them up by hanging a large mirror to create a more expansive and brighter room.
7. Use Decorative Accessories. For this piece, I had a very boring door to transform. I gave it life by installing whimsical decorative accessories to bring the idea of nature inside the room. I choose an antiqued brass oak leaf pull and an acorn pull that can be easily mixed up – depending on the season.

It's all about the details! Check out these amazing oak doorknobs that can given any room a "back to nature" feel.

For more information about ordering the Cloud Light Fixture and the barnwood wallpaper, please email me at jill@jillvegas.com I’m in the process of enhancing the features and tweaking production.
I’ll email you when it’s ready.  

 

Shape up Your Space in 5 Easy-Peasy Steps

Brainstorming with the young family to help them maximize their space.

Our homes reflect who we are. We showcase our memories, hopes, values and of course, our style where we live. If we live in a chaotic messy home, we can truly feel discombobulated as we try to “figure out” what is wrong, when really the answer is that we need to organize and de-clutter our space. I recently met with a young family who felt extremely challenged with their awkward layout and large furniture (watch here). They wanted their home to feel sophisticated, warm, inviting and homey. They didn’t want to feel embarrassed to have friends over and they really just wanted to feel relaxed and enjoy time at home. Their furniture was a hodge-podge mix that had been following them from apartment-to-apartment and really didn’t work in their space, especially with all the baby stuff. I suggested 5 easy steps to help them take back their space that can be applied to make any space livable and clutter-free. Here are my tips to make any room feel warm, personal and cozy.

1. Pick Priorities: Walk through your home, room by room, and take notes. Notice what you love, and what you detest. Do you like the art? The furniture? Are there repairs that need to be addressed? Depending on your timeline, there are some things to tackle right away, and others that can wait.

2. Write Out Your Plan: Armed with sharpies and some post-it notes, write down whatever pops into your mind to get you focused about your space. I suggest that you write for 30 seconds – this really helps to stay focused with the task, obstacles, worries, fears and most of all: what your intention is and the feeling you want to have in this room. Write down how you want to feel, what you’re afraid of, what you know must happen. Focus on one room at a time.

3. Believe: Clarify which room you’d like to start with and begin. Believe it will happen without any attachment as to how it will come together. That means getting rid of any preconceived ideas and doubts like, it’s too expense or you don’t have time to commit to the project. I’ve heard this hundreds of times and the bottom line is: these are excuses and aren’t true. Don’t let them get in the way of your dream room.

4. Take Action: Put it out there and take the necessary steps to accomplish the task. This also includes recruiting people to help you. Want to rearrange your living room? Just start moving things around and see what you like.

5. Joie De Vivre: By this, I mean imagine the joy you’ll experience when you’re sitting in your newly decorated room and how amazing you’ll feel. Pretty good, huh?

Now that you have a clear-er picture in mind of what you want to accomplish, it’s time to get to work. Begin de-cluttering, measuring and shopping. Start small — a kitchen is always a great place to begin. Tackle your cabinets, shelf by shelf, tossing out anything you haven’t used in a year. With some perspiration, focused effort and a lot of positive thinking you will have the room of your dream in no time!

Pushing Positive

Pushing Positive

There never was a house so bad that it couldn’t be made over into something worthwhile. – Elsie de Wolfe

The Inspiration.
The fabulous Elsie de Wolfe wrote, “I think it will give you as great a satisfaction to re-arrange your house with what you have. The results may not be so charming, but you can learn by them.”

The Challenge.
Last Saturday my friend, Barry, the miracle worker, came over to help gussy up my home working with what I already had. Even a PRO needs help seeing a room with a fresh perspective, and that person should not be your spouse. Just saying. We completely transformed my space in a day and the only thing I spent money on was $43 at the hardware store for bulbs, light, globe, extension cord, and closet rod. Ah-mazing!

living room before— what a sad, chaotic, space.

The result.
So I was all revved up to share all the photos (before and after) and then when I went to download them on my computer (I decided to use my fancy camera instead of my iphone) and accidentally deleted all the pics. Nuts! Okay so I’ll just list all the projects that I highly recommend tackling because seriously, you can do them in a day. One. Day!

living room after - cozy, bright seating areas in a warm, welcoming space.

One Day.
This is it! It’s time to j’love your home, no matter what. No excuses. Never complain, never explain. I’m pushing the positive so that everyone has a home that they love. Just because you don’t live in your dream home or whatever silly excuse you have, doesn’t mean you have to live in squalor (clutter!). Create beauty with what you have right now.

Here’s a list of things that can be done in ONE day:

1. Go shopping in your house. We “shopped” the other rooms in the house to create 3 areas. #1 “social” seating area with white sofa, coffee table, rug, floor lamp, side table. #2 “lounge” seating area with Eames lounge and ottoman, hung a brass light fixture. #3 kid’s play area with a rug, play table, and just moved all the toys into this space.
2. Park the toys in a “garage.” Toys should not dominate the adult areas of the house. Clear out a utility closet, outfit it with fun posters, hooks to hang toys, and install an inexpensive LED closet light w/a five-minute timer to create a space just for the toys. At the end of the day, simply make sure the toys are all put away and shut the door. Bam. Children love small spaces and will have fun hiding out in their “garage.”
3. Hang a mirror. My favorite places to hang a mirror is in a dark corner to bring in natural light and also make the room feel more expansive. Another great place to hang a large mirror is in the dining room right by the table. It’ll pick up ambient candle light for a romantic feeling whether you’re having a dinner party or dining solo.
4. Re-hang (or hang) all the artwork. Take down all the art and see what you have. You might be surprised and find something you really love and decide to hang it in a new space. Get rid of artwork that you don’t like. Hanging artwork brings character and personality to a room.
5. Go for small. Instead of hanging a large statement piece in the foyer try a series of smaller prints installed as a horizontal line to make the room feel bigger. In this foyer we hung 12 small paintings on 4 walls at the same height.
   

   foyer installation. hang a series of smaller paintings instead of one large statement piece.