Instagram Q + A - Casual Cottage Master Bedroom

A couple of weeks ago, I had a little Q + A over on Instagram. I love helping folks solve design and decorating dilemmas, so I said "ask away". I chose 3 of the questions to answer in a little more depth.  

Ashlee's Master Bedroom is the first room I'm going to try to offer some assistance with. Here's what Ashlee had to say about the space:

"We live in an old cottage, with small rooms and every single wall in our bedroom has a window, door, etc. The longest wall hosts out bed, but it has an off-center window right behind our headboard. I have struggle for 5 years with either hiding it and making it seem like it's not there or embracing it and balancing the off-settness with art or something." (You can see pics of the room below.)

We chatted I bit about colors and existing furniture. She likes orange, coral, teal-blue and navy. Her bedding is a nice solid grey and the walls have just been painted a pale grey as well. And she isn't attached to the furniture or lamps at all.

1. Terracotta Vase

2. Coral Vase

3. Retro Blue Vase

4. Asymmetrical Mirror Set

5. Mid century Headboard

6. Black Nightstand

7. Wall Lamp

8. Black and Gold Lamp

9. Ikat Pillow

10. Lattice Pillow

11. Navy Squares Pillow

12. Peach and Orange Striped Throw

13. Mid century Nightstand

Here's what I suggest for this space:

1. I think you have to embrace the asymmetrical window situation.  I think there are a couple things that could be done to help achieve a bit more balance.  First, I suggest the funky pair of mirrors hung over the bed to the left of the window.  I also think in small rooms, you need to let in as much natural light as possible. A lower profile, slatted headboard would feel less bulky and not block the window as much. I am in LOVE with this mid-century headboard from Target, you guys, it's only $100!!! And losing a foot board will make the space feel a lot more open. 

2. It's not going to be a symmetrical room, so let's not be matchy-matchy.  I love mismatched nightstands and lamps. They make a room feel a lot more casual and collected over time. This also gives you a chance to do something a little more feminine on on side and masculine on the other. Mixing wood and painted pieces is totally fine, I give you permission!  

3. You know I love grey, but let's also have some fun with colorful, patterned accent pieces. Different shades of orange and navy blue are always going to be a hit. Anytime you can play with complimentary colors, bland will never occur.

Do you have any other suggestions for Ashlee to help her solve her wonky window situation?  I'd love to hear.  Stay tuned.  I've got a couple more Q + A rooms I'm going to tackle. 

Cricut Gold - Half Moon Wall Hanging

I'm a huge fan of a wall hanging. They are a casual, relaxed way to bring color and pattern to a space. They are also usually a more frugal options over framed art.  

Well, I'm still having fun with my Cricut Gold Explore Machine. When I was asked to create some exclusive designs for Cricut's Gold Explore Machine for JoAnn Fabric Store (check it out here, under Die Cut Machines, Supplies and More at Joann.com), I knew I wanted them to feel clean, modern and have midcentury modern vibe. This half moon shape might be my new triangle. If you've followed O+P for a while now, you know that I've been known to use a triangle here and there. But, move over triangles, I might have a new favorite shape. 

Using iron-on vinyl in white, black and gold, I placed these half moon shapes in a random pattern. Whether you have a Cricut Explore machine or not, This is an easy project to make.  By cutting ovals in half and placing the pairs together with a small gap, you can recreate this look. But, of course using the Cricut's Make-It-Now feature is the easiest way to do this. All the materials and instructions for this wall hanging are listed, there's no guess work, just click and cut. HERE's the how-to.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you do purchase something through those links, I get a percentage. Thank you for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible. 

Cricut Gold - Throw Blanket with a Geometric Patterned Edge

On Thursday I shared a fun collaboration I worked on with Cricut and JoAnn Fabric Stores.  Today I'm sharing another one of the fun designs I put together for the exclusive Cricut Gold Explore for JoAnn Fabric Stores (check it out here, under Die Cut Machines, Supplies and More at Joann.com).

Give a plain throw blanket a custom look with this geometric edge.  With a roll of metallic gold iron-on vinyl, I made this white throw feel like something special.  The Make-It-Now feature in the Cricut Design Space™ app, makes creating so easy. All the materials and instructions for that project are all listed, there's no guess work.  HERE's the how-to.

Stay tuned, I've made lots of fun things for my home with this new Cricut Gold Explore Machine.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you do purchase something through those links, I get a percentage. Thank you for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible. 

Black Fireplaces

A couple years ago I painted our fireplace white in our living room, even the inside of it. We used to have a little wood pellet stove, but when it died, we decided not to replace it.  I wanted to make the space feel light and bright. Now, with my new found love of black, I wonder how the space would feel painted in this dramatic way.

I'm working with a local client. Their fireplace and mantel is currently a creamy white color and is very traditional. I'd love to use a charcoal, navy or black paint to give the fireplace a more modern, unexpected look.  

Here's a few examples of that look pretty great. 

source

source

source

source

source

source

In small doses, black can be a show stopper. I'm not ready to cover a whole wall, but a little splash of black here and there feels a bit like wearing a black tie, put-together and buttoned up.

What do you think? Black or charcoal grey feels pretty safe and neutral. What about a dark navy or denim blue, to risky? I'd love to hear what you think.

Cricut Gold Explore Machine - Pillows

I am excited to announce a fun partnership I have been working on with Cricut and JoAnn Fabric Stores. You already know I'm a huge fan of my Cricut Explore Air™machine, I use it all the time for lot's of different projects. And now, Cricut is offering an exclusive Cricut Gold Explore Machine at JoAnn Fabric Stores only (  check it out here, under Die Cut Machines, Supplies and More at Joann.com). With this pretty gold machine comes some fun exclusive designs and projects. You guys, some Oleander + Palm designs are preloaded on this machine! I've designed a bunch of patterns and designs to bring a little, or a lot of gold into your home.

And here's your first look at some of my designs.  Pillows are the easiest way to add pattern, color and style to a space, so I've created 5 fun pillow designs.

The Make-It-Now feature in the Cricut Design Space™ app, makes creating so easy. All the materials and instructions for that project are all listed, there's no guess work.  HERE's the how-to.

If you have the new Cricut Gold machine you can make all of these pillow with the press of a button.

For these pillows I used 12" pillows is solid white, grey and black. Using Cricut's Iron-On vinyl in black, white, gold and gold glitter (available at Cricut.com), I created custom, graphic pillows for my home. 

Stay tuned, I've got lots of more fun ways to use Oleander + Palm designs with the new Cricut Gold Explore Air. If you've been considering getting a Cricut Machine, now is the time to do it! This exclusive gold machine for JoAnn Fabric Stores has so much to offer. 

*This post contains affiliate links. If you do purchase something through those links, I get a percentage. Thank you for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible. 

Kiwi Mojitos

It's been a while since a shared a mocktail recipe with you. I'm on a mission to create some fun drinks the whole family can enjoy. With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I needed to come up with a fun green drink. With this drink in hand on March 17th, you'll definitely be pinch proof.

Kiwis are such a unique fruit. They are tart and sweet and paired with mint to make a super refreshing drink. I love the speckles of black seeds in this pretty drink.

Kiwi Mojitos

4 kiwis
2-3 limes
1/2 cup sugar
fresh mint leaves
club soda
crushed ice

Start by making the kiwi puree.  In a blender, place 3 1/2 kiwis peeled and halved, the sugar, lime juice and about 2 tbsp. fresh mint leaves. Blend on high until it is a smooth puree.  If it is too thick add a little more lime juice.

Fill glasses with ice.  Pour about 1/3 cup puree over the ice and then top off the glass with club soda. Give it a stir and then garnish with a slice from the half a kiwi that is left and a sprig of mint leaves. And if you are looking for a grown up version, no one is going to stop you from adding a little rum.

Puree can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to 24 hours. Makes 6 generous drinks.

Be sure to check out my other mocktail recipes. 

Illustrated Family Portrait GIVEAWAY!

I've teamed up with my friend and talented, local illustrator Katie Lemster, to bring you a really fun giveaway this Monday morning. Recently, I sent Katie a simple iphone pic of our family and she turned it into a fun illustrated portrait.  I love it so much!  It's such a fun keepsake to have and she really nailed everyone (even Pumpkin made it in the shot).

Don't you want one of your fam? You can enter to win a custom family portrait. Just head over to THIS Instagram post to enter to win. Be sure to follow Honey I Love You Shop on Instagram, to see more of her fabulous work.