Valerie Tyler Collection Blog
Natural, Global, Neutral Decor May 22, 2017 17:19
It took me the longest time to be able to describe my personal favorite home decor look and to really describe the sense of style. While I often can tell you all about a particular style and give you lots of sources for items to pull together that look, be it nautical, farmhouse or whatever you like my own personal favorite look is a neutral yet slightly eclectic, collected style with art and objects that have a global feel. Call it neutral bohemian perhaps.
There are a few elements that I've found are essential and try to include in every room I style.
Multiple textures
Having multiple textures provides a room visual interest. Mix different feeling fabrics and add in some elemental metal, clay, wood or glass objects. Your room will be a feast for your different senses. This also gives focus to how a room feels as well as looks. Natural objects and textiles are an excellent way to be sure to add inviting and relaxing touches.
This room mixes patterned textiles, natural greenery, wood and metals.
This library room combines multiple varied natural materials such as stone, wood, greenery, clay (pottery) and various fibers through the textiles. The combination lends the room an earthy, relaxing feel.
Layered patterns
I know frequently bright bohemian rooms full of textiles come to mind when one talks of layered patterns, but you can still use this idea with plenty of neutral items too. In fact, if you are tentative about layering patterns sticking to a simple color scheme of one to three shades makes this almost foolproof. Much like multiple textures, having a variety of patterns keeps the eyes entertained.
A variety of geometric patterns with modern, southwestern and bohemian styles look great in a neutral palette of black, beige and white with touches of green and khaki.
Patterns don't clash when you use similar color schemes.
Greenery
Whether faux or fake this bit of color is soothing and works well in just about any decor setting. I typically use it as one of my only pops of vibrant color. In addition to dimensional plants, photographs and artwork of greenery like vintage botanical prints work well too. Not only is greenery beautiful (and on trend) it has been shown in studies such as an eight year one that published it's results in 2016 to increase women's life spans!
This corner includes both faux grasses, live majesty palm as well as a print of photographed greenery. Greenery photographs are available HERE.
Easy DIY Holiday Bark Recipe December 20, 2016 14:19
DIY HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE BARK
Yes, sometimes we cook as well as decorate around here!
I wanted to share what is probably one of the simplest homemade, holiday food gifts you can make. If you can use a microwave, you can make this. It's really that simple!
What you need:
- Melting chocolate - whatever kind is your favorite.
- Food Dye or decorating gel
- Toothpicks
- Miscellaneous treats top - sprinkles, little candies, crushed nuts, cranberries, etc..
- A bowl, a spatula, wax paper, baking tray with sides and a microwave
- About 5 minutes!
Steps:
Layer wax paper over your tray
Put your chocolate in your bowl and microwave 25-30 seconds at half power. Stir chocolate and repeat until chocolate is melted. (This typically takes 2-4 minutes depending on how much chocolate you used)
Use your spatula to pour the chocolate out onto your tray. Smooth out on the wax paper. It doesn't have to be perfect since you are going to break it into bark anyhow!
Now add coloring. Either mix your food coloring into melted chocolate in separate bowls, or just draw lines with decorating gel (the gel is super easy!)
Run through the coloring lines with a toothpick gently going back and forth.
Use a second or third color if you choose and repeat
Sprinkle on your toppings.
Put in refrigerator to harden and then break apart when it done. Give as gifts or take to a party and try not to eat it all yourself!
Holiday Open House Tour December 01, 2016 15:19 2 Comments
Nautical Decor and Accents August 16, 2016 16:35 1 Comment
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.
Growing up even though they lived Ohio, my grandparents had this incredibly cool wood-paneled basement with a nautical style wall complete with fish net, starfish and all. As a toddler I totally fell for it when an older cousin told me that if I touched the starfish it would die, so I completely kept my hands off of it (Yeah, totally fell for the ploy that it wasn't already dead to keep me from breaking things. But hey, I was two! )
I still remember my Grandpa sketching and painting a nautical scene as well as assembling a huge ship model. I think the same older cousin owns that now. Lucky!
I don't know if that is where the fascination began for me with nautical decor, but it certainly was an inspiration.
Even though when you think of Ohio, many people often think of the Midwest and farmlands or suburban cities,. However, near where I live we have Lake Erie, the 11th largest lake in the world. I don't get to enjoy the lake views as much as when we used to live a block away, but still love it.
My point here is that you don't have to live on a sunny southern beach or cape cod home to appreciate and incorporate nautical accents into your decor. Though if you do, nothing wrong with that either! I've rounded up a collection of photographs from inspiring Instagram feeds (with permission) to show you just how elegant nautical decor can look.
This first one has such a truly stunning gallery wall. I found Cassie's collection of artwork to be jaw-dropping gorgeous. I loved the ruggedness of it all; the darker moodier tones that really made me think of burly sailors out on the seas or dream of swash-buckling pirates. The pictures just make your imagination run away.
Photo Credit: Cassie Bustamante @primitiveandproper
The next photo shows the beauty of taking a natural history approach to nautical decor. The seahorse drawing is completely elegant. You could potentially add some coral specimens or a few shells to a vignette like this too. It's such a serene and calming look.
Photo Credit: @ourgentlemadness
Melissa Parks is a master of vintage styling. (Of course, I may be biased as I love the color palette she tends to favor) The teals and turquoise colors here totally recall colors of the seas, and the brass nautical pieces add a lovely touch.
Photo credit: @megillicutti
This vignette by Ana Graham showcases nautical style in an elegant, traditional manner. Mixing those nautical elements with the blue and white chinoiserie is visually interesting and eye-catching.
Photo Credit: Ana Graham @avana_design
Shifting away from more neutral and traditional nautical themes leads me to the next photo which shows how you can give nautical decor a colorful, more bohemian, surfer vibe. It's fun, eye-catching and sure to make you feel cheery. Of course, considering this montage comes from The Beach House, in Hollywood Beach, CA that vibe isn't surprising at all. I completely long to book a weekend here!
Photo Credit: @thebeachlodge
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't include a photos of nautical decor that was fresh and beachy like this one by @angelascozyhome
It just goes to show there are so many ways to include nautical decor in your home and you can find pieces that fit your own personal style whether you are more classic and traditional, earthy and natural or into bright bohemian styles.
Want to get the look. Here are a few affiliate shopping links (or links from my own shop) to get you started:
Vintage Dolphin Statue, Valerie Tyler Collection
Vintage Brass Pelican Figurine, Valerie Tyler Collection
Whale Bookends, Valerie Tyler Collection
Farmhouse Style Home Decor July 31, 2016 14:21 1 Comment
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.
Joanna Gaines and Fixer Upper have certainly brought farmhouse style back to the forefront of home design. The look however now is a million miles away from the kitschy country of the 1980's and instead brighter, lighter and a little more natural. It can blend quite seamlessly with other types of decor when you stick to a neutral palette and natural materials.
If it's chippy, rusty, vintage or earthy it probably can fit into farmhouse decor. There's no need to actually live on a farm to create a home with the look. In fact, you don't even need to live in the country. I've seen plenty of suburban and city abodes that have bits and pieces from this trend that look stunning. To lend your home this style consider adding rustic wood furniture, galvanized steel, natural greenery, and subtle farm motif decor. I've rounded up a few inspiring pictures from a few of my favorite gals on Instagram to help you envision how lovely this style can look.
Rustic wood, check. Vintage style lighting, check. Country style cooking utensils, check. I bet you'd never guess this is a SoCal home! This beautifully fresh kitchen was share by Carol Estes @cestesdesign I feel this one has a little bit of french country style too.
Photo Credit: Carol Estes, Interior Designer
It's the combination of natural elements like that boxwood wreath and birch branch from this photograph by Chelsea (@creatingcottersbay) that initially caught my eye. That cow picture though totally brings the farmhouse style, but the fact that is in black and white keeps it classier. 
Photo Credit: Chelsea / @creatingcottersbay
http://www.creatingcottersbay.weebly.com
My dear friend Sherri actually hails from Florida, so more often than not her style tends be beachy and fresh but this vignette she designed shows just how easily you can sneak a little farmhouse into other styles. The barn house pictures and rustic wood give a subtle nod to country farm style.
Photo Credit: Sherri Ogg @graceindesign
Can you believe that the clock in the next Instagram pic was handmade? Talk about stunning. While this vignette is more modern in style, I simply had to show you that amazing, rustic piece of art!
Photo Credit: Lisa Marie @homesweetcozyhome
This photograph from Sarah (The Freckled Farmhouse) showcases a farmhouse style kitchen that is so beautifully neutral and minimalist. The edison style lighting really gives the space a classic, vintage look.
Photo Credit: Sarah @thefreckledfarmhouse
https://thefreckledfarmhouse.wordpress.com/
Need some ideas of how to get this look. Check out a few of my affiliate links for some similar farmhouse style decor items.
Shop the look:
A Visit to the Avon Lake Summer Market July 30, 2016 00:00
For the past 11 years, a burgeoning market held once a year in July has takes place right next to Lake Erie. The Avon Lake Summer Market was started as fundraiser and has grown to be able to give back even more. The event showcases plenty of art, food, and vintage with the highlight for me being some pretty gorgeous furniture and decor! It seems to get bigger and better every year. I've never applied to sell at it as July is always such a hectic month for us, but we almost always make a point to stop by and shop.
The first booth that really caught my eye was Small Town Junk (from Hillsboro, Ohio) Seriously, check out this display! Lots of vintage, rustic style in this booth.
The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard Review July 10, 2016 17:58
We recently celebrated a big anniversary and knew we wanted to do something special. However, we've done so much travel this year that we wanted to stick a little closer to home. After much research we settled on spending an overnight at the Villas at Gervasi Vineyard. One night sans kiddo (as much as we love her) having a rustic retreat and a few glasses of wine sounded just about perfect for an anniversary celebration.
I know some people balk at the idea of paying the going rate for a what they think is a mere hotel room in Canton, but the villas are beautiful and the suites are positively luxurious. Each villa consists of four suites with a common area. The common area had a cute sitting area, a fireplace and a small fridge stocked with yogurt, coffee, tea and other drinks. (I definitely drank my fair share of Pellegrino) There was also an outdoor patio off of the common area that overlooked the lake. Now there is a bit of a luck of the draw what the other guests staying in the villa might be like, but our neighbors were pleasant and no one took over the building. In fact the morning before we left we had a nice chat with a couple slightly older than us who were celebrating an anniversary as well a birthday.
Our jaws dropped when we entered our Suite. While they're described as Tuscan they have a bit of a Renaissance castle feel to them too with high arched ceilings, tudor style beams and plenty of wrought iron. The furnishings were very comfortable and being able to turn on the gas fireplace in the evening lent such lovely ambience. The bathroom included a second flat screen television, a coffee maker, delicious smelling soap and shampoo and wonderful heated towel bars!
We planned to spend most of the weekend enjoying the grounds and sampling the food and drink Gervasi Vineyard has to offer. We got to the villas a little before check-in so we grabbed an appetizer and a drink at the Crush House. The mozzarella cheese sticks were quite different from usual bar food with a wonton style wrapping. Post check in we walked around the grounds a bit before dinner taking pictures of all the lovely gardens. I have to admit, they were lovelier than I expected. Granted, going at the height of Summer things were in full bloom, but I imagine the grounds look beautiful during other seasons as well. Their plants were lush, and I mean LUSH. I was quite envious of the the size of the Hostas (something deer always much around here!). Russian sage, hydrangea and of course vineyards were just a few lovely bits of nature to be found.
We had reservations at the Bistro, and aside from being seated in a corner which we thought was a little strange for an anniversary celebration versus in front of the windows looking over the grounds it was a delightful meal. Our waitress was very pleasant, the food was good, and of course the wine was superb. Outside in view of the water, families played cornhole or bocce ball, a live musician played at the outside bar, and couples lounged in big adirondack chairs at the edge of the pond.
If you are looking for a trip to actually sit back and relax, to unplug, delight your tastebuds and actually talk to your travel companion(s) this is a place for you. I came away refreshed and energized. As an owner of a home decor business I also came away inspired as well by the gorgeous architecture, decor and grounds.
Bohemian Home Decor Inspiration June 27, 2016 13:51
Embroidered Leather Pouf, White/Black
from: One Kings Lane
from: One Kings Lane
Gray Karla Pouf, Kilim
from: One Kings Lane
S/3 10" Succulents in Planter, Faux - $35.00
from: One Kings Lane
Iron Planter on Stand
from: One Kings Lane
One of the most fun parts about bohemian decor is that it is often a collected look from travels, vintage and flea finds and handmade treasures. It's an opportunity to showcase beautiful Moroccan Art, other African art, Native American handiwork, and Mexican folk art. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt finding pieces with history and meaning. Collect handmade macrame wall art or plant hangers, handmade rugs, hand-dyed textiles and let your possessions tell a story and have meaning.
Brass Tray, Valerie Tyler Collection
Medium Sarah Lantern, Black
from: One Kings Lane
Vintage Brass Steer, Valerie Tyler Collection
A Tropical Oasis Inspired Retreat for an Office June 16, 2016 13:32
Since I spend a lot of time on Instagram , particularly both sharing and perusing home decor feeds I kept coming across photos of succulents, and bohemian or tropical themed rooms, feeds full of greenery and I was smitten. It was just what I needed to inspire me to do an office decor overhaul. My office has always been a sore spot with me. I found the office was always tending to get messy as it was a space I simply just didn't enjoy. I had a great desk from Arhaus, and an amazing view of the forest right out a patio sliding door but I needed some sort of theme to pull together the room and make it a comfortable place. Taking an earthy cue was just the key I needed. I stocked up on plants, both real and fake (I may have a big window, but sunshine is pretty indirect) and aimed for turning my loft office into more of a tropical oasis. If I had to spend hours somewhere working I might as well make the environment soothing, relaxing and uplifting.
This desk is a treasure. It actually folds up when not in use keeping the room look clean and organized. There is plenty of storage and inside as well as shelving for sorting files.
Plants were really the key to the decor. A large Croton provides a bit of color in the leaves. The Dieffenbachia also has large, lovely foliage and the Ponytail Palm is really visually interesting. I then added to the rest of the room with vintage decor and reasonably priced items from a few major retailers. I actually found that Magnolia print for $2 at a rummage sale! The brass crane is one of my own vintage pieces, similar to other brass decor items that I sell in the Valerie Tyler Collection. The cute little faux succulents came from Marshalls and were totally inexpensive. The desk as mentioned was from Arhaus, and I already had the office accessories in coordinating wood from Homegoods.
The space is actually quite tinier than it looks as it's actually just a small loft that overlooks our family room but the views out the windows keep it from feeling constrictive. Now that it is full of plants and nature inspired items it actually feels like an extension of the outside. A phone charging station and file folder boxes blend in pretty seamlessly too so there was no need to sacrifice organization for style. We can have both!
Of course it's always in a bit of transition as I tend to add plants and move them around according to what needs more light or less.
Want to shop the look? Visit our own shop for vintage decor items or visit some of the affiliate links below for coordinating items from some of our other favorite shops:
Natural Inspiration in Interior Design - A Photo Shoot Gone Well May 16, 2016 14:00
I was so in love with my latest photo shoot that I wanted to share how beautifully they all coordinate with each other. This also gives you a sneak peek of some of the products coming soon. My blooming dogwood (one day after it snowed here!) was the inspiration for the color scheme and I borrowed a few plants from the yard for accents.
One of my interior design recommendations is to try to combine a natural elements together for a cohesive, complete and refreshing look. It only makes sense then to use brass to complement your plants, and greenery to complement your metal decor.
How to Clean Brass May 11, 2016 15:24
One of the reasons I love vintage brass so much is that it often looks lovely with the patina and wear of time, but if there are particularly nasty blemishes you can also clean it up and make it look almost good as new. The vintage decor items I carry in the Valerie Tyler Collection are a combination of pieces that I have left the original patina on, as well as others I felt would look nice with a little shine. Sometimes I even find pieces in which the owners kept the items shiny and polished for years!
Typically when I want to polish up a piece I use a product called Twinkle
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