Living Rooms

Shelter Loves

Here is this week’s round up. We are in need of some serious pretty and color up in here!! The snow, don’t get me started on the snow!! The 100+” (no joke) of white stuff we have around here is starting to get to everyone. I’ve been trying to keep a very positive attitude this winter. In fact, I’ve been beginning my day with a few daily affirmations. They actually seem to be helping. With that said, I could STILL use a little color and warmth in my life right about now! How about you??

1. Loving Tory’s latest spring bag collection. Look at all that color!! These would pair well add the perfect pop of color with a neutral outfit..
2. This yellow trench from J. Crew is adorable! Yellow is a hot color this Spring. You’ll be seeing lots of it.
3. PEACE – we all need a bit more of it…
4. I am going to a fund raising gala next Saturday night and am going to wear my hair up. I want to incorporate a braid into the look. I feel younger in braids. 🙂
5. Kelly Klien’s Palm Beach house is gorgeous and yes peaceful.
6. My skin can’t get enough moisture this winter. I wash my face and moisturize every night…I thought I’d give this Dior cream a try! I tweak my routine every six months or so. It has great reviews!!
7. How about this watch? The tortoise is pretty cool!!

Cottage Love #16

My goal at Shelter (my blog) is to inspire and get my readers thinking! I aim to do this by sharing ideas for your home, life, and personal style. I’m always thrilled when I come across a home that appears to be accessible, hence today’s post. Emily A. Clark is a blogger and mother of five. I’m sharing her adorable home. It is filled with ideas that you can easily accomplish on your own with a bit of imagination and elbow grease. Images via Emily’s site and Style Me Pretty.
Side note: My own home design is coming along…..I hope to get lots done this Fall and have it photographed for a reveal this winter! The last image is a peek of my fireplace. I applied one coat of primer to the bricks and plan to apply two coats of a warm white color this week. I can’t believe how much the white paint has already brightened up the room!

I think this little bathroom is my favorite aspect of her home.
And a small peek at my mantel, I’m adding a piece of art above the mantel.
Colors used: 
Brick: Don’t Touch My Tutu – an amazing white
Walls: Smokey Eyes N-C22


Clark+Kensington paint

Natural living….

I just returned from my trip to Bermuda. We had a fabulous time! Technically I’m still on vacation (because I promised myself a full week off – I take about seven days in a row off about once a year)

It’s hard to believe that a two hour plane ride can transport you to paradise. I’m always inspired when I travel….This home isn’t in Bermuda but it does share some of the traits I did see…which include textural fibers, mixed finishes of natural and painted woodwork in the same spaces, pops of color and graphic stripes. The interiors appear more peaceful, while the exteriors were colorful and bright. I’ll be sure to share some photos of my wonderful trip, I just haven’t gotten that far yet! 
 images and design by Phoebe Howard


These textural rugs from Serena and Lily will instantly add island charm to your home. Be sure to use the code SUNNYDAYS  when checking out to receive their summer sale discount. 




Traditional Home with a twist!

Hello all! I just arrived home from my very successful business trip to Houston. My collaboration with ACE Hardware is going so well. I have a number of exciting developments to share in the months to come, including the peeks of my holiday vingnette for their Spring Trade show. In the meantime I wanted to share the photos of a home I designed for a great young family in a suburb just west of Boston!! I designed a number of the furniture pieces including the living room ottoman, foyer settee, living room sofas, and the family room ottoman. Hope you enjoy it!

You can also see more details on Style Me Pretty’s home tour!

**See product sources on Style Me Pretty.
LOVE print: Isabel Harvey

Relaxed Living….

I’ve had a tile installer at my house for the past two days! He finished up my back splash and the little bathroom off of my bedroom. He was efficient as hell and I’m pretty happy with the results. (I’ll be sharing a kitchen design board with you next week!) I need to select the cabinet hardware this weekend. I’m pretty sure I’m going with brass. Speaking of renovations…. I came across this home renovation in Traditional Home yesterday while I was picking up the tiles. I usually use a little more color in my designs but I’m drawn to the relaxed feel and mix of modern and traditional elements. Life can get so chaotic sometimes, I dream of coming home to a finished, beautifully decorated home!
I love this entire dining area!!
I’d also love to powder my nose at this vanity table! Beautiful!