P l u s h R u g s

My roommates and I are in the ever-constant battle of getting our house together. We live in a rental, so there isn’t a whole lot of permanent options, but it’s always helpful to know whats in. After scrolling through endless pictures on my dash, and Pinterest, and just generally being a huge internet nerd, I have compiled a list of trends in the past year.

Wallpaper tends to conjure images of stuffy studies or dated dining rooms but wallpaper seems to be making quite the comeback. Instead of those stuffy beige’s and browns peppered with meek little flowers designers have been favoring intense colors and large graphics. So neat!

Faux Bois has been a huge hit for a few years now. We have a natural inclination toward the dirt and trees, despite our shiny buildings and our lighty soundy boxes. It is no wonder it makes sense to bring outdoor elements inside. Here what is probably an eternal interior no-no (wooden walls) becomes modern and sleek with a faux bois paintjob.

Outdoor spaces are popular with everyone. It’s not necessarily in everyone’s budget, and Kansas summers are really rough but having a comfortable outdoor space will encourage you to get some fresh air every once in awhile. Simple patio furniture, maybe a stationary water element can make any area peaceful.

Let there be light!  More and more, lighting elements are becoming less of a utility and more of a statement. There are so many great DIY lighting ideas, but I personally love suspended, modern light fixtures.

The days of using one set of dining room chairs are done! Bring an eclectic twist to  your dining room by collecting different types and styles of chairs. Patterns were meant to be broken!

The color purple! David Bromstad of HGTV’s color splash predicts that it will be a good year for purple in all hues from warm to cool and from dull to bold! Pull a Jane Schrader and just go crazy with it if you want.

Pictured is a woman who loves two things: purple and open houses.

I love outdoor chill spots. Summer evenings come and go. I’ve been a student my whole life, it’s the only thing I know. Complete nine arduous months of continuous education and then two and a half glorious months of total freedom. Now, what I do with those summer nights has evolved throughout my life, but there’s always the common thread of just sitting outside when the sun is going down and breathing the air. When the pale blue of the afternoon gives way to the rich amber and pink so familiar to Kansas skies it is time to gather a friend or a cool beverage and retreat to the backyard. Honestly, I woke up feeling sick as a dog, pessimistic about the course of my day and angry that I was wasting time laying in bed. 

But this is what I’m going to get to enjoy tonight. And that makes everything worthwhile. What do you love about summer?

And to bring that calm and relaxed vibe the sunset gives me, I could always get a rug with similar colors!

This is an Oriental Weavers Andy Warhol Factory 14113 Horizon in red orange. The abstracted suns create an interesting juxtaposition. The sun rises and falls, broken and distorted by the landscape. Nice!

Jaipur Midtown Raymond Curled Up in dark amber gold reminds me of those amber waves. They had it so right in that song, driving out in the country you will see endless miles of grains in rich, warm colors. This rug is reminiscent of the sensation of those wheat stalks being whipped by the low Kansas wind.

The Magnolia looks like the wind pulled some flowers off their stems and sent them careening toward the sky.

Also, a great sunset song!