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Grasscloth Wallpaper
I’m sure it’s not exactly news breaking that wallpaper is back in a big way. It seems like just yesterday, our painting company was spending more time REMOVING wallpaper and retexturing than anything else. Builders loved using wallpaper because it was an easy way to cover flawed walls while adding texture and pattern but as tastes and trends changed, it became very taste specific and eventually, dated. So what’s the trick to selecting a timeless look when using wallpaper? One word: GRASSCLOTH With origins dating back more than two millennia, grasscloth wallpaper has its roots firmly planted in Asian culture. This all-natural decorative covering is created by weaving together natural…
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Living Room Redesign
Fall has finally arrived which means here in Houston, it’s been a cool mid to upper 80’s. Given the fact that the AC in my car went out last week and the parts needed to repair it won’t be in until sometime this week, I’m pretty much living with my head hanging out the sunroof but I’ll take it over the 90+ temps and high humidity we’ve had prior to now. It’s a subtle change but a pleasant one and I’m really looking forward to it cooling down even more now that October has arrived! I’ve been living for the fall colors lately too. Rich jewel tone velvets and soft…
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Rustic Dining
How often do you use your dining room? This is something I always ask during the initial consultation with clients mostly because it’s very much an either or answer. For some people, their dining room is nothing more than a room they walk past on their way to somewhere else in the house. Others love to entertain and their dining area is a focal point in their lives. Personally speaking, when we moved into our previous house, it struck me that there wasn’t a dining room but I really didn’t think I’d miss it. I was SO WRONG. I missed having a dining room so much and often had to…
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Organic Elegance: Virtual Design
The term “Organic” has experienced some broad transformations over the years but ultimately, translates to something being in its truest form. Be it wood or fabric or food or livestock, to be organic means to be as close to the way nature intended it as possible. So what does that mean for interior design? Most of us don’t use tree stumps for chairs or hay for mattresses (thankfully!) but living in an environment that evokes the feeling and atmosphere of nature while incorporating modern comforts has become less of a last resort and more of a state of mind. In a world where we’re constantly surrounded by media and technology,…
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Modern Glam Bedroom Design
Isn’t if funny how the main bedroom of the house is usually the last room to get done? Is it because it’s the least seen room in the home? Is it because we don’t prioritize the importance of the space the way we do the living room or the kitchen? Probably. I know for myself, I’ve been in my home for 2 1/2 years now and it’s not even CLOSE to where I’d like it to be. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good enough but man, do I have a vision for what I want it to look like and well, there just always seem to be other projects that…
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Summer Swimwear I’m Loving
They told me it would happen but I didn’t really believe it. They told me someday I’d look back at the visual of my life and realize I was WAY too critical of myself. I would wish I was as thin now as I was back then. They told me I would realize someday that my hips were fine, my hair was healthy, my youth was wasted on the young version of myself who, at times, couldn’t get out of her own way. I would spend entirely too much time breaking down my imperfections rather than complimenting the things I liked about myself. No other experience brings this more to…
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Date Night Summer Outfits
Who doesn’t love a good date night with your significant other? Personally, I just love a good reason to get dressed up even if it’s casually dressed up. Even though it’s hot hot hot here in the Woodlands right now, I still love an opportunity to drink wine on the patio of my favorite restaurant accompanied by light bites and good company. Bonus points if I look good doing it! These are some of my favorites in my closet right now. Everything here is light weight and loosely structured which keeps me cool and comfortable. They can all be dressed up with heels or casual with flip flops or sandals.…
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Boho Summer Style
It’s hands down my favorite time of year. Despite the often oppressive heat we endure here in Texas, summer has always been my favorite. I grew up in Huntington Beach, California and spent my summers riding my beach cruiser to the beach every day to find whichever group of friends I could locate. Each group had a designated lifeguard tower you knew you’d find them at. Tower 1 in Sunset Beach was always my favorite because it was the shortest ride for me and it was also the most diverse group of kids. The Bolsa kids hung out on the Huntington side and if I wanted to find the biggest…
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Office/Guest Room Virtual Design
There’s been a whole lot of new, wonderful things happening in our world lately. In case you haven’t noticed, the website got a long awaited makeover and we’ve added some new and exciting services to Stephens Style! I can’t wait to get further into the details in the coming weeks but in the mean time, feel free to check out the services tab if you’re interested. In addition to our new look, we’ve also got a new addition to our work family, someone who actually IS FAMILY! My lovely mother in law has moved back to Texas after several years of living in Missouri and we’re so thrilled to have…
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Living with an angled fireplace
Styling a room with an angled fireplace can be challenging. Here's what we did.