Interior Design | Fashionably Living

Design Elements: Space Evaluation

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Dec 11, 2012 in Fashionably Interior Design | 10 comments

Decorating is half know-how and half self-confidence! I hope by the end of the Design Elements Series you will feel more confident in your decorating decisions. The key to decorating = be yourself! You don’t have to be super artistic or extremely stylish, because decorating is simply about creating a space that makes you happy! The second design element of the series is “space evaluation!” Obviously, I am not going in order, because the first design element of the series was “lighting!” But stick with me, and we will put them all together and even in order, when I wrap up the series!

When it comes to evaluating your space you have to see the space for exactly how it is. Slow down and take a good look at your space and how you use it. Don’t clean your space up and then evaluate it, leave the space just how it is. The best way to understand your space is to see exactly how you use it, even though it can be difficult to see how you really live. Take a photo and look and what’s not working. Do you have too much empty space, too many dark corners, is your lighting too bright, is it too hard to have a conversation, do you need window treatments, do you need more counter space, do have enough seating, do you have too much stuff, do you need more storage space, etc.? Obviously, these questions vary depending on the room you’re evaluating, but you need to ask yourself all of these questions. Once you have figured what you need and what you don’t need, it’s now time to tackle all your current items (i.e. décor and furniture) in your space. Many people think when you redecorate you have to ditch everything, but that’s not true at all. You usually have everything you need; you just need to use it differently and more efficiently. What pieces in your room do you use regularly (be honest)? Which pieces are you holding onto, just because?

Don’t spend hours around town trying to find the perfect piece of furniture when you may already have it. But be careful not to keep an item because you feel guilty for getting rid of it or it’s convenient to keep it. Make sure the furniture or other items in the room fit the following criteria: (1) It must be easy to use and comfortable, (2) compatible with your emotional wants (3) functionally necessary. You should make three piles: the goner’s, the keeper’s, and the maybes. The goner’s don’t fit the necessary criteria, the keeper’s fit the criteria, and the maybes fit the criteria but you don’t love it or hate it. Decorating is fairly easy; only worry about two things: what items to put in your space and where to place each item. Next decide your functional an emotional needs of those items. I want to leave you with this statement, be sure to analyze it: “Functional and emotional needs tell us what items to use and where to place them.” If you have further questions and need more directions please message me, I would love to help!

That’s a lot of information to digest, but I hope that helped you get started! There will be more to come, but let’s stop there! Now go evaluate your space, see what you need, what you need to get rid of!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Graffiti

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Dec 8, 2012 in Fashionably Fashionable | 19 comments

Happy Saturday! Thursday night, my husband and I went on a date! First on the list for the night, was taking pictures. He of course is my photographer most of the time, so I had fun running around in front of graffiti art while he snapped pictures like the paparazzi! He always makes me laugh when he takes pictures and I always end up having a ton of silly shots, and I laugh again when I go to edit them too. Second, we went to one of my favorite restaurants downtown and had happy hour. Then we walked around through the shops and watched people ice skate on the outdoor rink. We had a lot of time to kill before the basketball game, but I sure had a lot of fun spending the evening with my best friend. This weekend I am going to be covered in drywall dust and paint, but I have the coolest interior design project I am working on, and I am so excited to share it with you! Have a fabulous weekend!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Top: (Get the Look) /Skirt: free hug (Get the Look)/

Shoes: Anne Klein (Get the Look)/Necklace: Forever 21 (Get the Look)/

Tights: Nordstrom (Get the Look)/ Bracelets: My moms and Forever 21 (Get the Look)

Design Elements: Lighting

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Dec 4, 2012 in Fashionably Interior Design | 8 comments

Hello Lovelies! I am going to be starting a new series on the blog called “Design Elements” – a couple times a week I will share with you my favorite design elements and how to incorporate them into your spaces. You will be able to find “Design Elements” series under Fashionably Living Interior Design, if you miss any! I wanted to start the series out with one of my absolute favorite design elements, lighting! Lighting can make all the difference in a space. The use of light in interior spaces greatly affects the environment and mood. There are four basic types of lighting: accent, ambient,task and natural light. Each type of lighting plays a specific role and it is important to know how to use each of them.

Accent Lighting can also be referred to as highlighting, because you are trying to draw attention to particular objects or sections within a space. Many times you will find recessed or tacking lighting used.

Example of Accent Lighting:

Ambient Lighting is known as general lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination for a space. In most cases, when you walk into a room and flip on a light switch, ambient lighting illuminates the space. There are many types of ambient lighting fixtures such as: floor lamps, wall sconces and recessed fixtures.

Example of Ambient Lighting:

Task Lighting can best be known as target lighting. Task lighting is intended to illuminate a specific function within a space. For example a kitchen counter where you prep food requires task lighting. An office desk would also be a great example for task lighting.

Example of Task Lighting:

A fourth type of lighting I want you to also consider is the use of natural light. There are some of us, depending on where we live, that have the ability to use more natural lighting in our spaces than others. To be honest, other than accent lighting and the need for ambient and task lighting, natural light is my favorite! A space (home) filled with natural light is warm, cherry and inviting! Throughout the day, the sun marks time subtly changing the color and shape of rooms. Liberal use of glass is the most obvious way to bring natural light into a space. Balancing light is as important as orienting it properly. If you’re splurging on a wall of windows, make certain sunlight enters from at least one other direction. Light coming from only one side creates glare and casts shadows, darkening the back of the room.

Example of Natural Lighting:

Please Note: Pictures are NOT property of Fashionably Living’s

I hope you enjoyed the first post of the “Design Elements” series! Have a fabulous Tuesday!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Magazine Overload

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Nov 28, 2012 in Fashionably Fashionable, Fashionably Interior Design | 0 comments

Do you ever want to just escape from the world, sometimes, to have a little quite time? On too many occasions my life is bombarded with T.V., the Internet, social events, work, cleaning my house, and running everyday errands, that I never really get a chance to sit and be with my thoughts. And it’s crazy (or silly) when I realize I am at this point, is when I have too many magazines to read and never time to actually sit down and read them! I have months of issues I am behind on (sad face)! The only time I get to spend time with my thoughts is when I crawl into bed at night to rest my head, but I fall asleep so quickly that there isn’t much time to think about anything! I know that for the most part, it is my own fault! When I was in high school and even college I felt like I used my time so wisely, because my schedule was so chaotic and I got a lot done in a day! Then sometimes I ask myself, did my life seem organized, because I had back to back activities that had timelines, i.e. dance, cheer, school, etc. Then there are times when I wonder where I dropped the ball! I’ve come to realize that priorities change and it’s another stage in my life that I have to get used to. When you’re young and you don’t have to think about work, life is more relaxed and you have more free time, but as soon as you hit corporate America, your life goes on hold and you run on their time table and when you get to be on yours, your almost too exhausted for activities and fun! By no means are my magazines priority, but I love them and they allow me to escape and enjoy creative and pretty things! One of my goals in the coming year, will be to spend more time with God, worry less and take time to enjoy the little things (magazines and books) and big things (family and friends) in my life! I hope you all have a fabulous hump day!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Dreams of a Fabulous Closet

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Sep 17, 2012 in Fashionably Interior Design | 0 comments

{my old closet}

Good Morning Everyone! Happy Monday to you! I had a bad head cold last week, but I’m finally feeling better. Its nice to be back on my feet, resting was necessary, but I hate being sick, because it slows me down. I have so much to do, currently working on several design projects! There are always so many things to do and so little time to do them. This week I am working on designing my new closet. Turing my old room into my sanctuary/closet is on my design to do list. I am so excited to show you all the before and after pictures, once I am finished. I will keep you updated on the progress!

XO,

Rachel Ashley