Tips To End The Day On A Positive Note

tips to end the day on a positive note

Life has been crazy for everyone in the last year. Spending so much time at homemade everyone is a little stir crazy at times. I know I fell out of my nightly routine. I realized that having a nightly routine was what I needed to close my day, I noticed a huge difference in the time I let it go. I tend to like routines and schedules. It was time to get back to the routine that I had created. I found that I relaxed and slept better when I scheduled this into my evenings. These are a few of my favorite tips.

  • I like to have everything tidy and organized before I go to bed. Dishes get put away and the kitchen is cleaned up. Laundry is put away and towels are laid out for the next day. The bed is turned down and clothes are ready for the morning.
  • Finn and Ruby always get a last walk at night. They love that! They have their own routine too. They get their harnesses off, get shoulder rubs, and treats. Not spoiled at all! They know it’s bedtime then.
  • At least with me, it seemed like it was difficult to turn my mind off at night. I spend a few minutes writing in my Five Minute Journal and reevaluating my day, the good and the bad. This journal has become my favorite, I write in it morning and night.
tips to end the day on a positive note
Five-minute journal is my go-to journal
  • I started an evening yoga stretching series just to stretch and loosen my muscles up before bed. Nothing better than a good stretch before bed. A few minutes of quiet relaxation to slow the mind down. I leave my yoga mat out and set any equipment out for my morning workout. This ensures I won’t miss it.
tips to end the day on a positive note
I set all of my equipment out the night before
  • A little meditation ends my day. Sometimes it is just some peaceful music and other times a chant or meditation. I like to change it up depending on how I am feeling and what I need that evening.
  • After I finish my evening routine electronics are off. I don’t check my phone, social media, or email. Anything can wait until the morning and I want to enjoy the quiet.
tips to end the day on a positive note
Affirmation Deck I use everyday

I hope you found these tips helpful and will try adding one or two to your evening routine. Let me know if you do and how it is working for you. I would also love to hear your favorite tips for slowing down at night, send me a message!

Until next week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

Personalized Thanksgiving Decor

personalized thanksgiving decor

Thanksgiving will soon be here and this year I am looking forward to spending the day with family and friends. This year I really want to make the day special for everyone and a well-dressed table will really set the stage for the celebration. Dressing the table is easy with personalized Thanksgiving decor from Initial Outfitters by Carrie. A few pieces will give any table that decorator’s look. This is how I do it!

  • Personalized placemats are always my first step. The quickest way to change the look of any table design is to simply change out the placemats. I do it for every holiday and occasion. This design would be perfect all season long. Add napkin rings and napkins and you have an instant place setting.
  • Coasters sit on all of my tables. I have many different styles for a custom look. It is also nice to mix and match to create a custom set. Coasters will also remind guests to be careful with their beverages.
  • A personalized coffee mug at each place setting would make a fun take-home gift. A personal cup also cuts down on waste. We all forget which cup is ours when we set it down. Instead of place cards use a cup for a unique design.
  • Add a floor mat to the entrance of the room. To be honest I have used mine on the table as part of my display. A mat looks pretty at a beverage station and cuts down on the mess. Set out cups, drinks, and an ice bucket on it.
  • Flour sack towels are another easy piece. They make fantastic napkins. Place one under each plate to create a beautiful place setting. Also make sure to have one handy at a beverage station, dessert table, or appetizer station.
  • Welcome guests to your home with a personalized flag. Your front porch and entry are the first impressions guests will have when arriving at your home, make it a good one!

Initial Outfitters by Carrie can help you create a Thanksgiving to remember with personalized pieces to fit any decor. Personalization is always complimentary. Let your unique personality shine with Initial Outfitters by Carrie.

Shop the Thanksgiving Collection HERE.

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

It’s All About Halloween

 

October is here and that means it’s time to get the house decked out for Halloween. I have always loved Halloween. I remember growing up we had so much fun that night. All of the neighborhood kids would get together and Trick-Or-Treat. So much fun! When our son was younger the kids would have a great time hitting every house in our little town. Then they would spend the rest of the night trading candy. Here in the Midwest, we had many cold Halloween nights but that did not stop them!

My fall decor is done so I just needed to add a few things to spook up the place. As with all of my decor I focused on a few key areas of our home. The staircase is always a focal point because it is the first thing you see when you enter our home. I also have my front door open most of the time so the staircase is also seen when it is open. This spooky garland came from Target many years ago. It’s black netting full of lights. I added some bats and pumpkins hanging from it too. A quick way to add drama to the home. I love decorating the staircase each season. My fireplace and built-in shelves in our family room. A little garland, witch’s broom, little skulls, and a hurricane finished off the fireplace. On the shelving, I added witches, trays, and pumpkins. The dining room table look was finished off with skulls, scary words, and garlands. I sprinkled pumpkins that light up, skeletons, and garlands throughout the rest of the house. With the basic fall decor done, adding a few things in for Halloween is easy and I was finished in no time. Enjoy your fright night!

it's all about halloween

Until next week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

5 Things I’m Loving For October 2021

5 things i'm loving october 2021

 

I honestly can’t believe October is here. This year has flown by. I look forward to October every year because I love Halloween. It was always such a fun night when Bobby was younger. The kids ran around our little town all night and had a great time. Finn and Ruby have new Halloween bandanas to wear and I always wear my witches hat (yes, even in public on Halloween). The holidays are going to creep up on us so fast, I am starting my shopping so that I can stay on top of everything. Bob is scheduled for surgery in early December, so I want to be prepared. Hopefully, this surgery will correct the double vision he has had since his accident. But until then we just keep moving forward. This month on my radar is some great new finds, a new perfume, backpack, home decor, and more. Enjoy!

  • Tiffany Love Tiffany perfume. WOW. This is a fabulous and unique scent. I first tried this at Nordstrom a few months ago and when I was in Chicago last time I picked up a bottle. This is how it is described by Tiffany: A tribute to modern love, Tiffany & Love fragrances share a common hero, blue sequoia. This vibrant woody note unifies the two scents, honoring the many ways love brings two people together. Created by renowned perfumers Honorine Blanc and Marie Salamagne, Tiffany & Love Eau de Parfum for Her is a floral, woody scent. The fragrance opens with a burst of bright and sparkling top notes, beginning with blue basil–a botanical ingredient developed exclusively for Tiffany–paired with grapefruit for an aromatic crispness. The sweet floral bouquet of neroli is at the heart of the fragrance, with a woody blend of blue sequoia. Vetiver and cedarwood are at the base, creating a faceted and feminine scent. I am loving this scent!

 

5 things i'm loving october 2021
A Beautiful Fragrance
  • Herb prints. I had been looking everywhere for some herb prints for my hallway and was having no luck anywhere. Enter Amazon, I found these and they were just what I was looking for. Simple with a rustic frame. The size was perfect to fill a space in my hallway and they look great with my new sconces for that modern farmhouse feel. I have really been gravitating towards more natural and rustic decor lately. My herb pots on my dining room table are going to be a staple each season.

 

5 things i'm loving october 2021
Herb Prints
  • Black vegan leather backpack. I love a backpack especially when traveling. So handy to carry around an airport. I also just like having one for everyday use. I have a couple of backpacks but not a grown-up backpack. This vegan leather backpack from Initial Outfitters was exactly what I was looking for. A very grown-up version of the kid’s backpack. I decided on a gold embossed monogram to match the gold hardware. Definitely, a piece I will be carrying all season!

 

5 things i'm loving october2021
The Grown-Up Backpack
  • Halloween shirts. October means Halloween shirts, and I always add a few to my collection each season. I ordered a few from my friend’s Etsy shop, The Caffeinated Hair Fairy, and customized them in pink. They turned out perfect. What is Halloween without a Hocus Pocus shirt? I found this one on Amazon and picked up a few others too.

 

5 things i'm loving october 2021
It’s All A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus

 

  • Burberry twilly. As soon as I ordered my new black backpack I knew that I wanted a new twilly for it. A twilly is such a versatile accessory to have in your accessory wardrobe. Wear one as a scarf, in your hair, attached to a bag, or a million other uses. You can’t go wrong with a classic print from Burberry. I am a huge fan of Burberry, a classic and elegant brand. In Chicago, I stopped at the Michigan Avenue store to pick one up and the staff could not have been sweeter. I knew exactly the twilly that I was looking for, the classic Burberry plaid. It looks fantastic on my backpack.

 

5 things i'm loving october 2021
A Designer Twilly Is A Staple

Quite a variety this month. I hope you found something that piqued your interest. Let me know if you try any of my October favorites.

Until next week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

5 Fall Fashion Trends

5 fall fashion trends

Fall is finally here in the Midwest. You know what that means? It’s time to trade in sundresses and sandals for warm comfortable clothing and cute boots! I love summer but am ready for the cozy fall season this year. It has been such a hot summer. I’m looking forward to bonfires, cozy nights by the fire, and hot chocolate! Switching wardrobes each season does not have to be hard. With just a few well-chosen pieces you can be on-trend for fall. It’s too hard to follow every trend, and I know not every trend looks good on me. I carefully pick a few that are my style and add those to my wardrobe. These are 5 fall fashion trends that I am embracing this year!

  • Tunics. A great tunic is such a versatile piece to add to any wardrobe. I have quite a few in neutral and bold colors. Layer a tunic under a vest or cardigan. Perfect for those days that are cooler in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. Leggings and jeans always look stylish paired with a tunic. There are so many ways to go with a tunic, dress it up or down. A go-to for me all season.

 

personalized tunic
A bright tunic for Fall
  • Cowboy boots. I love a good pair of cowboy boots. To be honest, I even wear them with my Lilly! A comfortable pair of boots can’t be beat. I live in mine all fall and winter and pair them with dresses, jeans, leggings, and skirts. There are so many great options and styles available too. Two of my favorite brands are Roper and Laredo.

 

5 fall fashion trends
Boots For All-Season
  • Rustic metallic jewelry. This season Initial Outfitters launched a new finish, Tuscany. Honestly, I was not sure if I liked it. I think I was so used to everything so bright and shiny in the summer that this finish looked too dull to me. Boy, was I wrong. I ordered a couple of pieces and I was hooked. The finish is beautiful and looks great paired with other finishes and metals. A great tip is to mix up the metals.

 

5 fall fashion trends
Rustic and metallic

 

5 fall fashion trends
Tuscany finish
  • A poncho. Ponchos are staples in my wardrobe. I carry a jacket or poncho everywhere, even in the summer. I especially am thrilled when I come across a shorter poncho, many times they can be too long on me. A poncho can be layered over anything and there are so many cute styles out there. I recently bought a beautiful rust-colored one and a neutral off-white one for fall. Those two will be in my rotation all season.

 

fall fashion trends
A Poncho Is A Versatile Piece
  • A backpack. A great backpack is so practical and stylish. Sometimes a backpack can look too childish. A vegan leather backpack with beautiful gold hardware is a fantastic grown-up version of the backpack. A monogrammed backpack from Initial Outfitters is even better. I have a clear bamboo-like backpack from Lilly Pulitzer that is perfect for summer but I needed one for fall/winter and this one is perfect. A backpack is also a great bag for travel too!

 

5 fall fashion trends
The Grown-Up Backpack
  • Bonus Tip. I love a beautiful twilly on my bag, especially on my backpacks. I picked this one up at Burberry last month in Chicago. A twilly is so versatile, wear it in your hair, tied to a bag, or as a scarf. A designer twilly is a great investment piece and a favorite of mine.

 

5 fall fashion trends
A Designer Twilly Is A staple

It looks like I am ready for fall and the cooler weather with these great pieces. What pieces are you adding to your fall wardrobe? I would love to hear what your favorite fall pieces are. Enjoy the beauty of fall!

Until next week,

Carrie

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

carrie kelly

Fall Dining Room Makeover 2021

fall dining room makeover 2021

 

It may not feel like fall here in the Midwest yet but that didn’t stop me from fall decorating. This year I started in the dining room and decided on a new theme and look. I wanted something more rustic and natural this year. I only purchased a few things and everything else was repurposed. That’s what I love, using what you have and adding just a few things for a new look.

My first step is always a custom table runner. A custom table runner is an easy way to give a decorator’s look to a design. The personalized placemats were also new this year as they matched my new theme and my personalized napkins and rings are always on my table. A pumpkin at each place setting will make a unique place card with a simple name tag tied to it. I decided on this candle display from Rae Dunn that I found at HomeGoods as the centerpiece instead of the usual tall-tiered tray. The glow of the candles is so pretty at night. Adding potted olive trees and herbs created the natural look that I was looking for. I decided not to add any colorful mums this year. The plants were also new. The colorful mums were repurposed in another part of the house. Glass pumpkins from Pier 1 were the only hint of orange in this year’s display. The mason jars from Initial Outfitters were also new this year. These will be used year-round. Taking my extra pumpkins and sunflowers I filled in the empty spaces of the table.

fall dining room makeover 2021

 

fall dining room makeover 2021

 

fall dining room makeover 2021

I’m really happy with the finished product and look. It is so easy to create the same looks year after year and I knew this year I was looking for something different. To me, it is a very soothing and relaxing room to spend time in. What do you think?

 

Until next week,

Carrie

 

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

carrie kelly

The Halloween Collection From Initial Outfitters

pesonalized halloween

Halloween will soon be here. Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. I always decorate the house and play spooky music. My dogs even join in the fun with bandanas and costumes. It is so fun seeing the kids dressed up and enjoying an evening of fun! Adding in a little Halloween fun is easy with Carrie Kelly Initial Outfitters Personalized Boutique. Offering a variety of personalized bags, gifts, and home accessories decorating your home and outfitting your kids and furbabies will take no time at all. Personalization is always complimentary.

Shop the Halloween collection HERE.

  • A fun insulated mug is always a must. Keep your cider or hot chocolate warm on a cold night.
  •  Welcome the little goblins with a personalized garden flag.
  •  Include your furbabies in the celebration with a fun bandana.

 

  • A  fun floormat livens up an entryway.
  • Treat each child to a personalized bag, no arguing over candy.

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

 

personalized halloween products

5 Things I’m Loving, September 2021

I can’t believe September is here. The year is flying by. I have even thought about starting holiday shopping because I think shipping is going to be an issue everywhere this year. We enjoyed a week in Arizona and a quick trip to Chicago. I hope you enjoyed my Arizona recap blog last week. We are lucky to have a place to retreat and relax at. Of course, a few days in Chicago is always a good time. We did a little shopping and took in a Sox game. Our rescue, Miss Ruby Sue is celebrating her one-year anniversary with us. It still amazes me how easily she fit in here. The minute she saw us I think she knew she was home. Her previous owner became ill and had to surrender her. I can’t even imagine how hard that was. I love my fur babies so much. The boys have been moving into their new house. I’ll share some pictures when they get settled. Of course, I’m happy to help decorate and landscape! Busy, busy, busy! These are my top 5 things I’m loving for September 2021.

  • Olive decor. This year I am switching up some of my fall decor. My dining room is a different theme this year. I’m going with a more natural and earthy look with olive trees, garlands, and white pumpkins. I picked up some olive trees at Hobby Lobby and ordered pumpkins and garlands on Amazon. I have really been gravitating towards more natural decor lately.

 

5 things i'm loving september 2021
Going with white this year

 

5 things i'm loving september 2021
Olive trees from Hobby Lobby
  • Bath and Body Works Open Sky. I change my scents every season and holiday. I feel that scents can really enhance the feel of a space. It’s time for some warmer scents. Open Sky literally smells like the open sky, fresh and warm. It is described as fresh air, wild blackberries, soft violet, and comforting vanilla. Sounds perfect to me!

 

5 things i'm loving september 2021
My new favorite for fall!
  • Initial Outfitters Tuscany Collection. Fall fashion calls for metallics and bold accessories. The Tuscany Collection from Initial Outfitters is gorgeous. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would be too brown for me. I ordered a few pieces and immediately fell in love with the pieces. Necklaces and bracelets that have the layered look create instant style. This collection will be in my rotation all season long.

 

5 things i'm loving september 2021
Tuscany Collection
  • Lilly Pulitzer Water Bottles. I am one of those people that carries a water bottle everywhere. I try to drink as much water as possible. If I am going to carry a water bottle around, it might as well be a cute one. Lilly Pulitzer water bottles are my favorites. The patterns are bright, cheery, and colorful. Makes drinking all of my water a little easier.

 

5 things i'm loving september 2021
Lilly Pulitzer water bottles
  • Mother’s ring. I celebrated a big birthday this year and the boys bought me the most beautiful gift. A mother’s ring. My son’s birthstone is surrounded by mine and my husband’s. They designed it and hand-picked the stones too. It was the most incredible gift.

 

5 things i'm loving september 2021
My beautiful family ring

I hope you enjoyed 5 Things I’m Loving, September 2021. Before you know it, Halloween will be here. I really enjoy dressing up and decorating the house for Halloween. My friends and I do a witches walk and I hope the event happens this year. We get dressed up and spend the evening visiting local pubs. Last time there were at least 100 of us, quite a sight to see. I hope you enjoy the change of the seasons and all that fall has to offer!

Until next week,

Carrie

P.S. Enjoy a complimentary guide, Top Tips To Give Your Home That Decorator’s Touch Here:

http://decoratingguide.carriekellydesigns.com

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

http://links.carriekellydesigns.com

A Quick Week In Arizona

 

We spent a quick week in Arizona, we have a home in the Phoenix area. It was time for a visit to take care of a few things. Summer in AZ is crazy hot and it was so humid due to the monsoons. We experienced a couple of those last week. It felt like we were back in the Midwest and poor Ruby thought she had escaped the storms. She is so scared of them. The water just has no place to go out there and flooding happens so quickly. Some of the common areas in our neighborhood were flooded too. But the storms were gone as quick as they came.

a quick week in arizona
Flooding from the monsoons

Honestly, this trip was very uneventful. I intended to vlog but never did. We really just spent our time relaxing in the pool during the day. Finn is an expert swimmer and loves to swim a few laps. It’s the cutest thing. Ruby is not interested in swimming. I could spend the entire day in the pool, and I did. It’s just so relaxing and refreshing.

a quick week in arizona
This is my favorite spot

We always visit our go-to restaurants. You know I love Mexican food, and we visited Fiesta Mexicana three times. It’s our absolute favorite. There was a mariachi band one night and I decided that I want a mariachi band for my next birthday! The staff is so nice and they always remember us and our orders. Best tacos and cocktails. I had a mojito and pina colada and they were both delicious. I love places like that. Our favorite pizza is Oregano’s, their salad is also fabulous. The local honky-tonk bar is another favorite. Talk about amazing food. Pre-Covid it was always fun to watch the line dancing and music. It’s always a great time there. Wigwam is usually where you will find us in the evenings. The resort is beautiful and a great place to hang out. You never know who you will meet there.  We did get together with friends one evening for dinner and had lunch with our neighbors. It was nice to visit and catch up. We are lucky to have made great friends out there.

a quick week in arizona
There was a mariachi band at Fiesta Mexicana

 

a quick week in arizona
The best mojito in town

 

 a quick week in arizona
Wigwam, one of our favorites

That was really the extent of our trip. We had a few minor things to do at the house, nothing too big. We hung out in the pool in the morning and went out to eat at night. I didn’t do any shopping or redecorating. Can you believe that? A week away to relax was really what we needed. Do you have a favorite getaway?

Until next week,

Carrie

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

 

carrie kelly

Tips To Give Your Home A Decorator’s Touch

tips to give your home the decorators touchHave you often wondered how decorators do it? How do they create a warm and inviting look in the home? They make it look so easy. 

I have always enjoyed decorating and redecorating my home, even as a child. As an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist, I have learned the tips, tricks, and tools of the trade. I’m sharing my top three tips with you! 

Refreshing and adding personality to your home does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. These tips are quick, and easy and will have you on your way to that decorator’s look in no time. 

Are you ready? Let’s get started!

FRESH FLOWERS

The quickest and easiest way to bring that decorator’s touch to your home is with fresh flowers. I always have fresh flowers in my kitchen. I really enjoy them. Most local markets now have a floral department carrying a wide variety of floral selections. Grab a bouquet while grabbing your groceries. What could be easier? Separate the bouquet and create multiple arrangements. If you are lucky enough to have flowers in your yard cut some and make your own arrangement. I cut my roses and hydrangeas often to create my own arrangement. Pick yourself up a bouquet on your next trip to the market! 

Pro Tip: Remove most of the leaves from the flowers for that professional florist look!

tips to give your home a decorators touch
Fresh Flowers Are Always In My Home

PERSONALIZED ACCESSORIES

Personalized accessories are another easy trick to add style and personality to your home. I think personalized pieces are a great way to get the high-end decorator’s look without the decorator’s pricetag. Concentrate on a few key areas to personalize. Some of my favorite spots to use a personalized piece are a custom table runner on the dining table, a personalized cutting board displayed in the kitchen, and a set of personalized coasters in every room. Again, this does not take too much time to create. 

Pro Tip: Try a modern monogram, stacked monogram, word, or phrase for an even more custom look!

tips to give your home a decorators touch
Personalized Pieces Create A High-End Look

 

tips to give your home a decorators touch
Mason Jars Can Be Used Many Ways

LAYERING AND DIMENSION 

Designers always layer spaces. It creates a sense of depth and dimension. On this console table on my balcony, I propped a picture behind everything else. The wall is quite large and this trick gives it dimension, not everything is in a straight line. Adding greenery is another way to add layers and dimension. If possible try to create a triangle shape with your accessories. I have created one with the picture, letter K, and the basket of greenery. The bottom shelf creates another with the hampers, picture, and pot of greenery. Your eye will follow the triangle. 

Pro Tip: Add a black accessory to every room. Black gives the eye a place to land and rest!

tips to give your home a decorators touch
Add Layers And Dimension

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Find her at:

                  https://initialoutfitters.com/?ref=ckelly

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com/                                                

                   https://www.facebook.com/IObyCarrie

                   https://www.instagram.com/pineapplesandmonograms/

                   pineapplesandmonograms@gmail.com