Faux Bois

Faux Bois, translated in French as false wood, is an imitation that is artistically made by with different media. This look is the perfect way to make your space look organic, or even more masculine. It would be the perfect touch for a little boys room, or even for a man's chic apartment. Here are some of my favorites.

From top:

Cushion- Clayton Gray Home

Candle- Branca.com

Towels- Martha Stewart

Wallpaper- (available in 12 colors) Nobilis

Tripod Lamp- lightsup.com

Caserole Dish- Turee

Acrylic side table- Style Garage

I love how Faux Bois is used n the form of Aspen trees in this wallpaper.

This guest house is stunning, the very neutral gray wallpaper really helps to bring out the different tonal colors in the surrounding furniture. Also that beautiful light pouring in reflects so well off the paper, creating a larger looking space.

This faux bois wall paper has a very retro essence to it, and so I think it goes perfectly with this farmer tub.

How beautiful would this be in a little boys nursery? I love the periwinkle blue, with almost chalky looking aspen trees.

1. Lazy Susan USA

2. Wisteria

3. The Cross Design

4. Bone Inlaid furniture

5. Kichler

6. & 7. Williams Sonoma

Today while browsing the stores in the nearby town Hanalei here in Kauai I came across an amazing decor store that has the most beautiful imported treasures. Amongst the hand woven blankets and rugs, the hand painted ceramic bowls, and the hand sewn kaftans, I came across a beautifully crafted bone jewelry box. I have been wanting a Bone inlaid piece of furniture for a while now, and where better to buy it than here in Kauai. I would show you a picture, however it was nicely bubble wrapped for my trip back tomorrow. Bone inlay furniture is made in the middle east and often imported to the western world as decorative pieces. They are the perfect object to really make the theme of any room.

Here are some spaces that are inspired by bone inlay furniture and accessories.

John Robshaw Fabrics for Duralee

Oh my, I swooned as soon as I laid eyes on these sample swatch's designed by the amazing Johnathan Robshaw for Duralee. Robshaw says to come up with the designs he "started with an Indian palette and added leafy greens and yellows that are soft, but not wimpy", when interviewed by House Beautiful. By using richly woven material, Robshaw believes it adds depth into the colors and patterns of the beautifully designed fabrics. Not only does this fabric come by the crazy amount of yardage for such a low price, they are also upholstered into bolsters, poufs, pillows and more! Amazing!

How to: Make your Own Scented Drawer Liners

Growing up I remember my Gran having every drawer in her house lined with the same matching rose paper, and every time you would open a drawer a waft of roses would fill the air in front of you. Now saying that, she bought the real deal drawer liners, and when creating my senior project: 'Tile Top Side Tables' (the big reveal will come tomorrow), I thought to myself I really need to fill this drawer with some stunning paper and line them myself. So that is what I did, AND I made my own little concoction to create that same rosie smell that I remember as a child. Here is how to...

Step 1. With warm water, steep a tea bag for 3 minutes (the tannins in the tea will help bind the essential oils)

Step 2. Remove tea bag and add three drops of clove oil, and any 4-5 drops of any essential oil of your choice (Lavender, Vanilla, Peppermint, etc) I used Rose Absolute

Step 3. Add mixture into a spray bottle, and put at a setting where it will mist the paper

Step 4. Choose a paper that you like. I chose two sheets of a thick cotton based wrapping paper that I picked up from our local art supply store. Then find a sunny and warm spot in your home and drape, or in my case hang your paper

Step 5. Shake spray bottle and spray down paper, holding spray bottle about a foot away from paper (you don't want to drench your paper)

Step 6. Allow paper to dry for a half hour, then cut pieces according to the inner dimensions of your drawer. Use a Xacto knife, cutting board, and ruler to get a nicely clean cut edge

Step 7. I used mod podge to glue down and seal the cotton paper, which also gave it a nice gloss

Step 8. Step back and admire :)

Sorry for the poor photo quality, however I don't want you peaking until the big reveal.

A Scent Can Make A Difference

When walking into any space a scent can make a world of difference. As humans we relate to smells, whether it takes us back to a fond memory, or has a relation to a time in your life, we make connections with aromas. So of course it is important when having guests into your home that they are welcomed with a warm cedar candle, or a freshly spritzed pomegranate room spray. Either way they will feel welcomed and warmed by a smell and your spaces smell will cue a memory. Smells have a profoundly positive affect on your happiness, so surround yourself with a good smell and you will have a happy, positive household. Here are some favorites!






Frederick Malle's Perfume guns are about as close as you can get to the scent of a cluster of lilies, with hints of rose, and jasmine. Created by Dominique Romion, this scent is sure to put the spring not only in your step, but in you home aswell.

$145

Fleurs de Fete by Voluspa is a mixed aroma of sweet roses, white narcissus, tuberose, and butter creme cake! (Sound delightful), with its sweet white decanter diffuser this scent gives off warm subtle hints and last for up to 6 months!

$48

Diptyque, a very well known Parisian fragrance line, carries some of the most glorious scented candle you may ever know. With an array of floral, spicy, and woody scented candles, this little candle alone can completely scent an entire space with its rich aromas, and last for hours after blown out. This particular candle to the right 'Opopanax', holds extracted scents of resin with hints of balsamic. All around a very cedar-y and quite masculine finish.

$28

L'Artisan Parfumeur produces a lovely line of home fragrances. This fragrance to the right has hints of fig (my favorite smell), and gives off a very earthy tone, with very sweet notes.

$38

Jo Malone is a company I have fond memories of. Growing up my mother and aunt would douse themselves in Malone perfumes and creams, and dot their houses with candles. Malone fragrances typically hold very strong, and rich smells. This diffuser that has aromatic scents of lime, basil, and mandarin gives of a tangy citrus scent for the home, leaving a crisp and clean scent wafting through your space.

$75

Creed  Mimosa Soleil Spray has it all in the name. A bubbly aroma of sweet meets tangy smells mixed into an all natural concoction (alcohol free), this scent is sure to really give off the wealthy affect.


$150

Create your Outdoor Oasis

It's that time of the year, to begin thinking about how you can transform your back garden into a relaxing oasis. Instead of paying to go to the local sports club to relax, it is so easy and financially manageable to do it yourself! Here are a couple favorite themes that I love, and a costly approach on how to get this look. Just imagine kicking back in any of these gorgeous patios and reading a book, watching the kids play, or eating meals out here....so relaxing! 

1. & 6.- Zazzle

2. Laquered Tray- West Elm

3. Patio Set- Ballard Design

4. Seat Cushions- Overstock

5. Lantern- Candle Wares

7. Topiary- Ballard Design

8. Cabana- Z Gallerie

1. Cabana- Zeus Cabanas

2. Upholstered Chair- Ballard Design

3. Sofa- Bee Keepers Cottage

4. Lamp- J Covington Home

5. Chandelier- Currey & Company

6. Cushion- Target

7. Seashells- Crate & Barrell

8. Trough- Feature Deco

9. Fake Hydrangeas- J Roze

10. Coffee Table- www.belleescape.com

1. Shell Chandelier- chandeliers.com

2. Aspe Tree Curtain- www.thefoundary.com

3. Deck Chair- Hardy Lawn Furniture

4. Fire Pit- firepits.com

5. Rug- Liorre Manne

6. Papier Mache stalk- West Elm

House of the weekend

This beautiful house is an amazing arrangement of Botanical style, meets rustic spiritual abode. I absolutly am obsessed with the absolute white wash of this room, mixed with colorful prints, and rustic beams, moroccan leather poufs, and beautiful arrangement of natural greenery. Imagine waking up in such a space, you would feel so incredibly inspired to start your day in the most amazingly refreshed way! And that is exactly how the owner channels herself, as she is an artist. Such a sweet little two-level space, I would dream to have such a beautiful space!

The space seems so organic with the crisp white against worn, green rusted accessories, and black lacquered statement furniture.

The artists collections are clear here in these images, she loves to gather rocks and pots. And they are all so eclectically placed together as display.

Love the modern white bar stools, against the refuged wooden island.

Absolutely stunning!

floral for the home

Considering that I did a fashion blogpost including floral I figured it would be fun to do one for the home. When researching floral items for the home, the amazing arrangement of colors that was presented in front of me were just visually delicious! It makes me want to decorate a room purely with fun floral prints. Though you may think that one floral print can be enough for a room, don't hesitate to introduce more. A mixture of floral prints can help off balance any neutral room while giving it a very visually pleasing look. Or even consider setting a floral pillow next to a nautical blue and white striped one on your sofa! If you find floral to be too girly, (or your spouse does), consider using subtle floral prints that perhaps share the same color value, like an arrangement of blues or greens. Since living with my boyfriend (going on three years now) it took him so long to understand what fresh flowers meant to me. He would say "they're a waste of money because they end up dyeing anyway?!", and every time I would plainly explain a house for me is not a home unless its dressed in fresh flowers. Meaning a house doesn't look lived in without some color and a welcoming fresh scent. So never think that floral is too feminine, there are always different ways that you can intricately introduce a floral print into your home.

floral for the home by becka1565 featuring flower hair accessories