Inspiration gathered and noted || A learning tour || A Mercedes Ave. Home

February 04, 2013



I'm so excited to bring you some inspiration from a beautiful friend's home.  This is my second post in the new series I began called "Inspiration gathered and noted" (see first home tour here).  This series, is basically a home tour where I will try and identify different sources of inspiration that have caught my attention and that I would like to file away as lessons learned for any future decorating or designing projects.  I hope they will be inspirational to you as well.

This friend's home is stunningly decorated.  She lives for that special find in antique stores and for the hunt on the web, and has mastered a style I would call 'eclectic elegant'.  Let's take a looksy and see what we can learn:


1 ||  Make your entry exciting.  A home's entry is very important because it welcomes guests and sets the decorating tone for your home.  This black and white tile definitely add excitement and intrigue. (Two companies that makes this kind of tile- here and here)


2 || Grab an idea and make it your own.  I know you are all so good at this - taking what you see on pinterest and doing something similar with a way smaller budget.  I love it! And this is exactly what my friend did here.  She loved these Hugo Guiness prints where a small print can easily go for $450. Celebrities love his work as evidenced here.  Well, they were a bit out of budget so naturally she went on Etsy to see what she could find with a similar vibe.  And she found these beautiful prints above that are very similar in style from this shop.  She added different sized, colored, and shaped frames and made the coolest gallery wall ever (of course the sofa and rug play a large roll in the beauty of this shot as well!).


3 ||  A pop of color can go a long way.  Never underestimate the power of a perfectly placed pop of color.  It can make you week in the knees.  For me, this is the home's most perfect corner.  If I lived here I don't think I would ever leave this day bed.



4 ||  Contrasting trim adds depth and interest.  My friend is a pro at this.  Many of her rooms have contrasting trim in combinations I would not have thought off and they really warm up the space and add a layer of richness that is not easily identifiable. 


5 || Paneled doors turn a regular hallway into a beautiful space.  This closet door is just a normal wood door that they paneled to inset those four art pieces.  They just added trim around each piece. What a clever idea!  You could also try this with wallpaper to make a regular door more sophisticated.


6 ||  Its all about the frame.  I love me a good frame so I was loving this wall from the moment I saw it.  I love the differing sizes and colors of the mat around each piece and .  Even though the pieces displayed are small, the matting and frame really make them stand out.


7 ||  Sconces or chandeliers with crystal add magical light to any room.  The beauty that comes from rays of sun hitting crystals and refracting the rays into many colors is magical.  I'm sure it helps one's disposition and helps create positive energy.


8  ||  A grey room is always perfect.  Did you know that grey is associated with humility and reflection?  What a great color. It is elegant, inviting, and calm.  The perfect color for a formal living room.  (And you all know how much I am loving it lately. If you want to read some of my past posts on grey go here and here).  Grey looks so beautiful with the white marble fireplace, the white ceramic stool, and white chair.  Perfection.

So there you have it, eight lessons learned from a beautiful friend's home.  I hope you gathered and noted some new inspiration ideas.  Which are your favorites?

I hope this is the start to a wonderful week for you!

[all images by me for Mimosa Lane ]

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29 comments

  1. Sadie + StellaFebruary 4, 2013 at 4:41 AM

    That first image is the absolute bomb. Obsessed!

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  2. CarlaFebruary 4, 2013 at 5:17 AM

    Albertina, I absolutely love this series! Thank You! Have a lovely week

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  3. UnknownFebruary 4, 2013 at 5:49 AM

    What a beautiful home - their printed sofa is just beautiful and I couldn't agree more with point 8 - I just love a gray room, just so beautiful. I love this series!

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  4. WeHeartHomeFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:12 AM

    Wow! Fabulous second entry for this series. I'm so excited about :)

    Even though this beautiful home is not my taste, I can still take these good lessons with me. Thanks!

    Xx. Holly.

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  5. drew elizabethFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    Def noted! I love that panel door with the flamingos. Love this new series!

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  6. Sarah Baynes: Decorating Ideas, Style IdeasFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Albertina, what a great series! I love seeing the homes through your eyes and with your takeaways. Well done!

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  7. Sarah Baynes: Decorating Ideas, Style IdeasFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Albertina, what a great series! I love seeing the homes through your eyes and with your takeaways. Well done!

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  8. Gaby [The Vault Files]February 4, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Great post, love that first photo, what a gorgeous room!

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  9. UnknownFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:24 AM

    Oh my goodness this is all so gorgeous. I LOVE those paneled doors with art in the panels! Wow, so inspiring! Thanks for the beauty to start off the week!
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.om

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  10. Preciously MeFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Very beautiful home!!! Love the tiles and this gorgeous wallpaper!

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  11. Elizabeth // The NowFebruary 4, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    WOW!!!! That sofa!!!! And the art is beautiful. Great post and I'm loving this series! xo
    PS so excited about your new iPhone and Instagram!!!!!!

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  12. The Pink PagodaFebruary 4, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    So interesting and not like so much we see everywhere!

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  13. Kim@ChattafabulousFebruary 4, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    Fantastic series with so many inspiring insights!

    www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

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  14. KristenFebruary 4, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Your friends have some great style! LOVE the door with wallpaper and the pop of color.I Kinda have a thing for wallpaper these days.

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  15. Rebecca and LoriFebruary 4, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    I love the daybed/chaise- do you know where your friend got that? It is gorgeous!
    ~Lori

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    Replies
    1. Albertina || MimosaLaneFebruary 4, 2013 at 3:31 PM

      My friend mentioned its from Restoration Hardware...I was looking for it for you but it seems they don't make it anymore.

      Delete
    2. Rebecca and LoriFebruary 4, 2013 at 3:35 PM

      You're so sweet for checking! Thank you.
      ~Lori

      Delete
  16. UnknownFebruary 4, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    This series, just like this home....brilliant!

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  17. UnknownFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    She has fantastic style!!! I am in love with the gray wall!!! I want so badly to do this in our bedroom :) XO Brynn

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  18. jackie jadeFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    wow what a beautiful home! the paneled art on the doors is so genius! i love all the pretty frames too!
    -- jackiejade.blogspot.com
    -- sephora giftcard giveaway

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  19. Cristina [Via Blossom]February 4, 2013 at 2:25 PM

    I am enjoying this series so much!! Love the daybed!

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  20. jFebruary 4, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    I love the sofa!

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  21. AmbsFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    Wow that is a perfect corner! I love that brightly colored portrait so much. She did a great job with the gallery wall as well - those prints are so elegant and the frames were great choices. What a fun idea to photograph your friend's home and find inspiration there. :) I need to go look at the your first post in the series!

    Have a great week! :)

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  22. Elisa of Fancy Free MeFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    Beautiful home, that fireplace is a stunner!

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  23. LexiFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:54 PM

    I love this series! Now I want to add a bunch of inspiring artwork in my own home!
    Lexi @ Glitter, Inc.

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  24. Holly Foxen Wells of Glamour MashFebruary 4, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    This series is fantastic! I really am loving the peek into other's homes for my own inspiration! Can't wait for more posts!


    Also, thank you again, Albertina, for your sweet comment about my new Etsy Shop. You are a Doll!

    xx
    
Holly Foxen Wells

    GlamourMash

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:05 AM

    Everything is gorgeous! Those paneled doors are particularly genius!

    xx

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  26. Lianna@theresnoplacelikehomemkeFebruary 5, 2013 at 4:22 AM

    beautiful! love the lived in feeling in the space! Love the wallpaper prints!

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  27. Dana McDowellFebruary 5, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    What a fantastic feature!!! That sofa and rug combo are my fave!

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You make my day with your comments! Thank you!!

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