blasted with inspiration

So...hey just a little rouge readers!

My apologies for not posting as often as I have been in the past...in truth, I've been suffering from a lack of inspiration. Yes, there are things that "inspire" me almost every day, but I mean it's been a little while since I've been INSPIRED.

Well...I just went to Montreal for a few days and was literally BLASTED with inspiration.  

Beautiful old buildings that are incredibly lit at night, the modern boutique hotel we stayed in, the crazy window displays in Chinatown, the beautiful public art on practically every downtown corner and in the lobbies of corporate buildings, and of course, the interior design of restaurants, resto-bars, bistros, diners and practically every place that offers delicious food.

Just the whole feel of the city is bursting with creativity, art, enthusiasm and energy. Suffice it to say that my batteries are recharged.

Excited to show you some of what I saw...especially at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the interior design of the Hotel Zero 1.

First though, enjoy a few random Montreal pics...

Check in for the next post for more of my Montreal adventure.

xx rouge.

steal this idea

I found this amazing DIY project on one of my favorite blogs -- design*sponge -- and I had to pass it along it on to you.


A vintage suitcase charging station. How brilliant is this??


http://www.designsponge.com/2012/02/diy-project-vintage-suitcase-charging-station.html

With my love of mixing vintage and modern -- and of course giving an old object a new life -- this one just blew me away....I absolutely love it.

I love that it could be very pretty, but also be modified to be very handsome for the man in your life...all depending on the suitcase you find.


As you will read, these are also available for purchase by the ladies at SugarSCOUT, who's project this is. Way to go! Fabulous idea.


But I'm a brave DIYer and intend to do this myself. Especially with such detailed and easy to follow instructions and photos.


Now, I'm on the lookout for a vintage suitcase...I can't wait to tackle this project!!


I’ll let you know how I make out…but in the meantime, feel free to steal this idea. (I did!)




For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

inspiration boards

I thought I’d show you a couple of inspiration boards that I’ve recently done for a client.

After purchasing a new home, the client’s design challenge was to use all of the existing furniture and accessories from the old home and give the new house a refreshed and new look and feel.


rouge was hired to tackle the kitchen, dining room, living room, master bedroom and master bath.

New paint colors go a long way to achieve this goal.

Furniture placement in each room is also different from the old house as each room is a different shape and the flow of the house is also different.

This was also a great opportunity to use existing pieces in new way…for example, the buffet that was in the old dining room was placed in the new living room and now holds the TV and other electronics. One of the sofas from the old living room is now placed in the new master bedroom.

I can’t wait to see the finished rooms...I hope to show you some before and after pictures as soon as the client finishes all the painting I left her with!


The inspiration boards should help keep her focused and help her achieve her ultimate goal of creating warm, inviting and refreshed spaces to enjoy.





 For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

uninspired?

Are you feeling uninspired? Stuck for ideas? Facing a room that needs a little something, but don’t know where to begin?

It happens. And it’s ok to admit it.

In fact, it happens to me too. It’s happening right now. So I was thinking about all of the things I do to get inspired and I thought some of these tips may help you too.

Here are some tips and tricks to inspire:

• Don’t worry about having a plan for an entire room right away. Start small…with one item and slowly build on it. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed and give up!

• Look for inspiration in obvious places – don’t over think it!
o Flip through design magazines. Even flip through a fashion magazine or two.
o Watch a couple of design shows…HGTV offers a bazillion.
o Visit a couple of design and décor websites and blogs.
o If there is a paint color you love, grab a bunch of the paint chips to have on hand while you start to develop your ideas and look at accessories.

• Look for inspiration in the not so obvious places, too. This is my favorite way to get inspired!
o Visit home décor shops…both the big box and the smaller boutiques to slowly browse.
o Pay attention to colors, patterns, shapes and styles.
o If any item speaks to you, that may be your starting point. It could be something big or something small. Consider a lamp, a vase, dishware, a piece of furniture...anything, really.
o Don’t forget to look at fabrics and textiles…these often trigger something and are excellent jumping off points that lead to an entire room inspiration!
o Look at bedding, rugs, pillows, table cloths, and curtains. And don’t forget wall paper and wrapping paper, too!
o Go to your closet. Pick out your favorite dress or outfit. Think about how it makes you feel and why you like it so much. Translate that into an idea for your room décor. Keep those elements in mind while you start to build your plan for the room.

• Don’t fall into the trap of looking for a complete room – either on display or in a magazine – and feel like you have to go out and buy everything exactly as it is to replicate it in your space.

• Make it personal. Good, complete design that you will want to live with should reflect elements of your own personality.

• Build it up over time and add in layers as you go. No pressure to do it all right away. But it’s important to have a general plan and stick to the overall idea as you go. Great, inviting rooms should evolve as you do!

rouge is going to go out tomorrow with these things in mind and do a little slow and easy Sunday window shopping …maybe I’ll see you on my travels!

And send me a note about something that inspires you, would you?

Wishing you a week full of creativity and inspiration…



For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com