Rustic + Modern Mix {Guest Post from Design Shuffle}

Hi, all! It's Mari here from Design Shuffle, a fabulous online place for interior designers and design enthusiasts to upload their work and receive lots of exposure. One of the best things about writing guest posts for Design Shuffle is getting to visit great design and decorating blogs like The Pink Peony (love the name and the gorgeous flower) to share some of my favorite decorating ideas. Today, our topic at hand is blending modern style with rustic elements to create a lovely mix. There's something so appealing about the contrast between the clean sleek lines of modern style and rustic architecture or furnishings. We're excited to bring you these eight "modern + rustic" rooms. Enjoy!

   

 What a great blend of modern and rustic in this contemporary living room. I love the contrast of wire, reclaimed wood cubes and comfy upholstered pieces.

   

 This rustic bathroom setting seems to be the perfect environment for a large sleek soaking tub. How amazing are the tub's plumbing fixtures? 

   

 The architecture is rustic, the furnishings distinctly modernóthis is indeed a lovely mix. I am fascinated by the sculptural chairsóform, color and material. Are you getting any living room design ideas?

   

 Who would guess this rustic and modern interior design is the stunning result of a Manhattan brownstone renovation? Rustic beams, Panton chairs, reclaimed wood dining table, modern sculpture above the ornate fireplaceóall contribute to this lovely mix.

   

 Reclaimed wide wood boards are used to create this rustic table surrounded by slim modern seating. The lighted cabinets are beautiful against pale green tileóthe perfect backdrop for an informal dinner.

   

 Modern chairs, contemporary lighting and rustic table are a lovely mix in this inviting eat-in kitchen. I adore the unexpected cotton boll decorative element.

   

 In a nursery or child's bedroom design modern and rustic can create a happy space for sleeping and playing. Rustic woods and modern furnishings seem to be made for each other.

   

 Lastly, here's a lovely mix of modern neutrals with rustic wooden elements. This one might be described as understated eleganceóso appealing. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Don't you just love rustic and modern designs? Visit Design Shuffle where you can explore both! While you are there, you can learn about the history of interior design and browse through the portfolios of Boston interior designers and more!

Fall is in the air, and these light fixtures are fabulous!

Happy Saturday!  A happy Saturday it is indeed....fall has finally arrived here in the south.  We slept with the windows open last night (that only happens a very few times a year) - it was glorious!  Nothing better than waking up to the fresh aroma and crisp coolness of fall.....oh and my neighbor's barking dog (at 6:00am...that's another story, for my neighbor's sake, we just won't go there).

I always wake up to my 15 emails from Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, CB2, & other various stores (from my wedding registry...can't I remove myself from their list?  It seems almost impossible), anyhow I actually opened the Pottery Barn email for once and found a fantastic sale on their lighting and dining products.  My mom's been looking for a cute little light to hang above her front door in her entry way, so I thought I'd take a glance.  I found some of the cutest light fixtures!  If you're in the market for a pendant light, chandelier, or something of the sort - check out their sale, I think it's all 20% off.

Here are a few of my favorites...

{This is the one I chose for my mom's entryway.  She seems to think it'll hang too low, but I LOVE it!  It goes perfectly with the decor in her home.}

{I like how they doubled them above this table...brings a touch of the industrial look.}

{I liked the teardrops - this chandelier is whimsical to me.}

{The classic mason jar light fixture...like how it adds a little shabby chic to this cottage dining room below.}

{This one is just glamorous.  Reminds me of old New York - fancy hotels and show lights.}

{This is just sweet.  

I can imagine it in a kids room, or in a reading nook - like the last photo.}

You can view all of PB's lights here.  Which one do you like best?  Where in your home would you put it??  I'd love to hear!

Well, that's it for me - I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  I'm off to enjoy some time outdoors (and if I'm lucky....a pumpkin spiced latte with my man ;)!

Pendant Lights - DIY style...

It's probably not something most think of when walking into a room, but lighting, whether it be bright, dim, hanging or standing, sets the mood.  The house we live in was built in the 50's and lighting in every room hangs from a fan fixture - yuck!  In my opinion, fan lighting is bright and intrusive.  While this FL girl is all about a fan in each room, she is so not about the stark lighting that hangs beneath.  So, to fix my light problem, I've been researching various pendant lights.  To my surprise, I've found many adorable DIY lights.  I'm all for a good DIY project - only, my problem now is to decide which one to make & which room it deserves to shine in. :)  I'll be sure to post before and after pics once I make mine and figure out where to put it.  Below are a few pics of my lighting inspiration, and the links to the DIY instructions.  Enjoy!

{Faux Capiz Chandelier Tutorial}

{Mason Jar Light Tutorial}

{Anthropologie Inspired Light Tutorial}

{Coffee Filter Pendant Tutorial}

{Yarn Pendant Light Tutorial}