2020 Behr Color of the Year: Back To Nature S340-4

Expect to see pops of warm meadow-inspired green in homes in 2020, friends!  Behr just announced their 2020 Color of the Year and it is meant to bring the soothing feelings of the outdoors in to interior spaces...

According to Behr,  “Back To Nature S340-4 is a fresh and slightly yellow-based green serves as an ideal backdrop to satisfy the desire for a soft landing at home and reflects societal trends toward embracing the outdoors as a collective and personal self-care activity. Back To Nature’s universal appeal and willingness to coexist with other hues make it a great option for adding peace and tranquility to any space.”

Yay or nay for a return to neutrals after last year's bold pop of blue? 

2019 Pantone Color of the Year: Living Coral

Pantone, the leading authority on trending colors, has officially announced their 2019 Color of the Year...

It’s a vibrant pinky-peachy-orangey hue that is said to "embrace us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy”.

Yay or nay for a color pop of coral in your home in 2019? 👍🏼👎🏼

2019 Behr Color of the Year: Blueprint, S470-5

Trend Lovers- Behr Paint just announced their 2019 Color Of The Year...

Blueprint, S470-5.  It is a strong, mid-range blue that is definitely more likable than the trending colors of years past (ahem, Ultra Violet... I am talking to you). These announcements typically foreshadow fashion and home trends for the upcoming year. 

I can see this color being a HUGE hit in home accessories, accent doors, and kitchen islands as blue has been the "belle at the ball" for awhile as it is.  Feeling blue, friends?💙

JUST LISTED: #911 Palomino Path in 63049

I am thrilled to present my new listing!

#911 Palomino Path epitomizes pride of ownership and boasts a fantastic quiet cul-du-sac location in the popular Harter Farms subdivision. This handsome 2-story features an open floor plan with fabulous natural light...

...and a backyard view of woods as far as the eye can see!

HOME FEATURES:

A sunny formal living room with an incredible salvaged barn wood accent wall that was hand-pieced and carefully installed.  So cool!

A separate formal dining room, ideal for entertaining...

A light-drenched great room complete with a wooded backyard view and a marble surround gas-burning fireplace flanked by handsome built-in bookcases... 

A chef's kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gas cooking, 42" cabinets, a spacious eat-in dining area, a sizable pantry, a central vac baseboard dustpan system for easy cleanup, and gleaming hardwood floors...

Heading outside the kitchen, the backyard is already set up for a party!  Light the tikis and firepit, and dine al fresco under the stars...

The main floor also boasts a laundry room...

... ... and a half bath.

Heading upstairs, natural light abounds!  The 2nd story features four bedrooms and 2 full baths including a Master Suite with a huge walk-in closet and spa bathroom appointed with a whirlpool tub, separate shower, and double sinks...

Bedroom #2...

Bedroom #3...

Bedroom #4

2nd floor bathroom...

Heading downstairs, this is where your imagination can run wild!  The basement is a clean slate to create the lower level you have always dreamed of.  The basement is complete with a code egress window  ALREADY INSTALLED if you seek additional bedroom space AND bathroom rough-ins...

In designing and building this property, the Seller spared NO expense.  Upgrades include a central vacuum system with a kitchen dustpan feature, a wired and owned security system, an inground sprinkler system, a dual-zone HVAC with humidifier, Nest thermostat, a full brick and stone front, 3 car garage, storage galore, wired landscape lighting, and more!  

All of this in the super popular Harter Farms subdivision complete with a clubhouse and pool...

The neighborhood also boasts ACRES of wooded common ground on the edge of the Meramec Valley region near Beaumont Scout Ranch including a peaceful stocked lake for exploring and fishing...

Needless to say, this home is a complete package and move-in ready just minutes from 141 off Highway 30!  See the full MLS listing HERE.  Offered for $309,900 - No show until Sunday, July 15 at Noon. 

For more information, a private showing, or if interested in a move?  Let's connect! 

Pool day in 63049- Coming Soon!

On some days, it is cruel and unusual punishment prepping a new listing... 

It is 92 degrees in St. Louis and the crystal blue water of this amazing subdivision pool is screaming “Carrie- come hither!!” Alas, I must work.😎  A new listing hits the MLS on Palomino Path in 63049 this weekend. Stay tuned! 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms, every room is Pinterest and Instagram-worthy (click this link for a peek at the cool reclaimed barn wood accent wall). 

You could be bobbing in this pool long before Labor Day, St. Louis! 👙

Double Layered Welcome Mats For the Curb Appeal Win!

TIP: Add a little warmth, visual interest, and pop of color to your front porch curb appeal by layering a fresh welcome mat over a flat weave outdoor rug!

In fact, Casa de Nenonen got a little front porch spruce-up this week!

FYI: The standard size doormat I purchased (at Homegoods) is 18x29.  The buffalo checked rug (from Amazon) is 2x3.

Pantone 2018 Color of the Year: Ultra Violet

Buyers- expect to see vibrant pops of eggplant in homes in 2018...

Pantone, the leading authority on trending colors, has announced "Ultra Violet" as the 2018 Color Of The Year.

Top 10 Home Design Trends for 2018 per the Pinterest 100

If you are a Pinterest user (find me HERE), you know that you can spot trends forming on the site LONG before you see them plastered across the internet.   For that reason, I have always enjoyed peeking in on the Pinterest 100 , as it is a fascinating highlight of what is trending right now on Pinterest. With over 14 billion ideas, the home category continues to grow with a 75% increase in Pins each year and Pinterest users spend 27% more on decor than people who don’t use the site.

As far as home design goes in 2018 (Home Decor category), Pinterest users have spoken and these are the top 10 hot trends as highlighted by Lonny.com and with photos taken directly from the site as trending. How many of these design elements  have you incorporated into your own home?

1. Resort-inspired style, particularly in the bathroom. 
2. Marriage of mixed metals in a space.
3. Terrazzo is making a comeback, in several applications. 
4. Statement ceilings, aka "The fifth wall". 
5. Bone inlaid accent pieces.
6. Wood wall tiles and flooring in a herringbone pattern.
7. My personal curb appeal favorite- statement doors.
8. Vibrant and patterned house plants.
9. Oversized wall art is back and pushing the eclectic gallery wall back out of vogue.
10. Sage, sage, and more sage.

TRENDING: Plunge Pools and Stock Tank Pools

If you spend time on the Internet (or touring homes like I do), you know that Summer 2017 is the summer of the POOL. Pools are making an enormous comeback, in a miniature way, via the plunge pool craze...  

Photos via Pinterest

Cannonballs may be out of the question, but these small, decorative deep pools provide the perfect place to splash around and cool off in the summer! Is it a water feature, is it a pool... plunge pools started popping up in exclusive spas and resorts years ago.  The trend has now hit the residential sector as they are inexpensive, economical, easy to maintain, and can even be customized to include fountains, spa jets, heaters, benches, lights, or even a counter-current system so one can swim laps!

As with  ALL luxury trends, the small-pool concept has also hit apps like Pinterest and Instagram in droves with a funky shabby-chic DIY twist...

Photos via Pinterest

Homeowners across the country, from rural to urban areas, are ordering stock tanks by the thousands from farm supply stores and retrofitting them with above-ground-pool pumps and filters.  This quirky upcycled backyard retreat can be easily executed for less than $600. Find tips HERE.

Having grown up in a home with... 

My now 15 year old floating in my parent's pool as a chubby little infant in 2002.

... an enormous inground concrete and tile pool, I know the expense, upkeep, and headache all-too-well.  That being said, the plunge pool trend totally changes the game, don't you think?

See more home trends HERE.

In the Garden: a more natural approach to the side yard

I adore the idea of thinking outside of the box and taking a softer, more natural approach to the traditional side yard garden path.  In lieu of concrete... 

...this Homeowner opted for natural stepping stones framed by hydrangea and fern. A breathe of fresh air!

Home Project: Built-in Desk Under The Stairs

Months ago, I shared my Pinterest inspiration photo for a new built-in basement work space in Casa de Nenonen...

We tore out the existing dark (and useless) closet in the journey towards a light and bright basement work space.  Here is a peek at the process, from start to finish, which included a serious staircase makeover from carpet to hardwood...

I am happy to report that the project is almost complete!  We are finishing up the last of the molding right now...

Not a finished staged photo, merely a quick iPhone snap, though what do you think? I am tickled pink!  

In venturing into this project, our contractor assured us that starting with foundation pieces would greatly increase utility while reducing cost.  We started with 3 basic foundation pieces...

1) The base (just didn't use the top):

Find HERE on Amazon.  I didn't know if I would, but I adore the open bookshelf that runs to the back wall as it provides an accessible yet somewhat hidden spot for our commercial-sized laser printer and shredder.

2) Behind the drawer system on the left:  

The IKEA Kallax provides support for the top, storage space, and the perfect depth to complete our "u shape".  Half runs behind the drawers so concealed, but we added the door option to the 2 remaining cubbies to provide more storage. Perfect for printer paper and supplies!

Find HERE on IKEA.

3) Shelf above:

Find HERE on IKEA.

 Our tips for using these pieces:

-The overall height of the system was determined by the Kallax shelf as it is taller and doesn't have legs or a removable base.  It is also the PERFECT desk height in my opinion.  I am 5'4" and my husband is 6'.  We added 2x2s to the bottom of the Amazon desk pieces and then encased everything in molding to create a seamless look.

-We created a custom top with wood and shoe molding from the hardware store.  We opted for 3 pieces which we carefully spackled and sanded for a seamless look, polished with 2 good coats of primer and then paint. 

UPDATE: I have received several inquiries about a few things in the room.  It always makes me giggle to discover what people notice in a photo and reach out about:   

• The chair was a Homegoods find.  
• The paint color is Sherwin Williams Repose Gray.
• We chose Pergo Outlast+ in Molasses for the flooring. It is a high quality laminate ideal for a finished basement space as it is easily mopped and is water-resistant on the top AND underside.  You never know what will happen in a basement as far as water goes.  Our basement walks out to the backyard.  With two teens and a large dog, it was a sensible yet attractive choice.
• The family name medallion came from a local St. Louis artisan...  

I absolutely adore it and get comments galore from everyone who walks in our basement.  It is solid and sizable at 24 inches in diameter of solid wood.  It was around $60. Her link:  https://www.facebook.com/scrapbookinabox