AN O-MAZING BEDROOM

 Image Andrew Larsen/Flickr

What did I learn in this weeks edition of Football Rooms (TM)? I learned that there is very little (if any) good duck art out there in the world. This one was a challenge, I honestly don't know too much about football culture in the pacific northwest so I had rely on colors and stereotypes. I guess thats what I've done with the other rooms, but those weren't stereotypes, they were truths! I know they are some serious football fans up there, but when I started thinking about an Oregon Ducks room this is what came to mind: the rainy, woodsy, outdoorys Pacific Northwest mixed with a solid dose of bohemian hipster. Everything started with the bed...and I hadn't done a bedroom yet so here we go, it's a wild green and yellow ride y'all.

1 - Pillows - Pillows make everything cozier and again are my favorite ways to layer color and pattern into a space. I picture Oregon as rainy and cold - but in the best way. The kind of way that makes you either want to stay in with a cup of (responsibly sourced and locally roasted) coffee or  to bundle up in your best rain gear and hit the trails. I'm sure it's sunny sometimes, but I would rather not think of it that way. H&M has great, affordable pillows in all the colors you could need to rep your favorite team too.

2. Art is a really great way to bring in some subtle school spirit and colors (without resorting to taxidermy ducks and mass produced paintings of feathers...both of which I very much almost did). If you went to the O you will definitely appreciate this print by Kate Quale for Minted.

3. The bed that started it all. It's WINGED. Ducks! (If you haven't picked up on the rule: I get at least one really bad pun per post. Doesn't make this bed less gorgeous.) Anthropologie is a gold mine for any type of beautiful velvet furniture. Can't you just feel yourself gazing out into the misty morning from within the loving arms of this bed?

4 - Keeping with the "O" theme from above this West Elm dresser's hardware is like a quietly quacking cheer each time you look at it. The beautiful wood tones and forms harken to Mid-century influences and I think a little bit craftsman too. Look at the details in the base...it almost looks like it's floating, dare I say flying? Like a duck? Eh?

5 - Now, if you're more of a "don't you dare put 1000 pillows on my bed" type person, this beautiful handcrafted pillow from The Citizenry is for you. This lovely long lady is hand woven in Oaxaca by a collective of women. Put a stunner like this on the bed and you can show off your bohemian vibe and your concern for companies with a goal for the greater global good. You citizen of the world you.

6 - Always need a rug. I love the faded, worn look of this one. To me it looks like fog or rain clouds. Or those crazy gray, pixellated, trippy, wing-shouldered uniforms!

7 - Another gorgeous print of what Oregon looks like in my dreams (From Minted for West Elm). Maybe I'm off the mark and if you actually live in Oregon you would want to be surrounded by yellows and bright colors and heat lamps to combat the rampant Seasonal Affective Disorder. But perhaps this Ducks fan moved to Texas, and it's hot and not at all beautifully and magically forested and this print would always remind them of home!

8 - I had to throw something in from this ridiculously artistic state. I stumbled across this adorable little shop while looking around online. Canoe is a brick and mortar in Portland, but they have a pretty extensive online shop as well with a tab just for things made in Oregon! These ephemeral water color glass vases hand crafted by Lynn Read would add the perfect touch of Oregon artistry to any bedside table. How beautiful do they look in the good ol' ducky green and yellow?

9. Hey West Elm, I love you and your affordability and your good style. West Elm revamped the Martini Side Table to be two toned. A glint of gold and white brings some much needed lightness to this dark and cozy room.

10 - Finally, every good bedroom needs a place to sit that isn't the bed. Anthro knocks it out of the park again in a warm grey linen. Celebrate a rainy home game win my snuggling up in here with some cider or a home-brewed coffee stout.

Y'all be kind, this room was tough for me but please let me know what you think! Did you go to University of Oregon? I would love to hear from you! Have a great weekend y'all, should be a great one for us football fans!

ROUND UP: MODERN FALL DECOR

I have a serious confession to make...I don't think I like Halloween. I know. Even I'm confused, because I love fall. I mean, LOVE. Like want to marry it love. Theres just something about black and orange and skeletons and the fact that I don't really like candy and that finding a Halloween costume is inevitably anxiety filled and I'm always left feeling inadequate next to the person in the full dinosaur suit who takes it way more seriously than me. And don't even get me started on food that looks like body parts. Nope. My ideal version of Halloween? My couch, a double feature of Hocus Pocus and Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, and a bottle of Merlot. None of that Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. I'm a wimp. I don't do scary and that movie scares the pants off me. (I even thought I wanted to listen to that one song - This is Halloween - and I got like 27 seconds in and had to turn it off *shiver*).

In that (not at all spooky) spirit, lets take a look at some of my favorite modern Autumn decor. I totally respect (and even maybe envy a little) the person who crafts a spider web the size of their house and a giant spider the size of a buick to go with it. I love seeing people go all out because what are the holidays without spirit? As for me and my delicate nerves though, I prefer my decor a little more subtle. If I put a skeleton climbing up my drain pipe - the only person who will end up terrified is me every time I catch a glimpse of it out the window and I can't live like that! And if the decor lasts from Halloween through Thanksgiving it's even better - decorating twice? Ain't nobody got time for that. As a bonus, at the end I'm sharing my fall bucket list, how many will you check off?

Successful Autumn decor is all about natural and cozy elements: pumpkins, apples, and gourds, cable knit blankets, fall leaves, antlers and fur, layers of textiles, warm browns and tans mixed with some dusty greens.

1. Fluffy, Cuddly Pillows - The fastest way to change up a look of a room is with throw pillows. The couch, the bed, side chairs. All the pillows. These three are from Target, West Elm, and Zazzle. I do love me some buffalo check in the fall, and that cable knit pillow could definitely carry you through the winter holidays too!

2. Plaid Tray - Target is seriously killing it with the plaid this fall. I want so much of what they have, including their entire collaboration with Adam Lippes. This tray could hold all the fixins for Hot Toddys on your bar cart or it could corral some fun decor on your coffee table - or even host a cozy breakfast in bed. I love trays. 

3. Gold Antlers - Another decor piece that could carry you through Christmas. I love the gold on these from the Manor, but natural antlers work too. I found an unmounted pair at a resale shop - keep an eye out and you can find them from time to time. I love that antlers add a natural element while still being sculptural and abstract at the same time.

4. Plaid Mug - Target again. These mugs are great for some of those chilly mornings on the porch or hot cocoa around the fireplace or backyard bonfire. The tall shape is ideal for wrapping your cold little hands around and the glint of gold made them an immediate favorite for me. (I personally need more coffee mugs like I need a hole in the head, but if you're in the market...)

5. Velvet Pumpkins - I've been obsessed with these little babies since I saw them on The Manor's instagram account some time in September. They come in all sorts of gorgeous colors and are pumpkins that would actually last (who hasn't found a collapsed and decaying mini-pumpkin at the bottom of their Halloween decor box? Never again.) I think I need one in ever size and color! How fantastic are those real stems? 

And if you just HAVE TO have a little more scary in your decor I think I could tolerate some of these:

Clockwise from Top Left: Paper bats - I know Martha Stewart makes some that I got at Hobby Lobby - just stick and go!, Floating witches hats - Target has some witch hats in their $1 sections RIGHT. NOW, this gold skull from Manor might be as scary as I can handle (and it's a BANK so you can start saving for Christmas!), and these skeleton flamingos are silly and amazing - party stores carry them or try your hand at making your own!

So, are you more of an Autumn decor person or do you like to make your house a living nightmare...or do you fall somewhere in between? Hopefully this guide gets you decorated in time to still do all the best fall activities. As I promised heres my bucket list...which ones are you going to try?

A LOVE PURPLE, LIVE GOLD LIVING ROOM

Photo courtesy of Laura

Tiger lovers rejoice, after taking a bye-week last week from my football series, I'm back with a big one. As much as I was raised a Longhorn, I was also raised a LSU fan. I own as much purple and gold as I do burnt orange. My dads a Tiger, my brothers a Tiger, at least half of my cousins are Tigers, and my boyfriend is a Tiger. It's taken me a long time to get the courage to do this room. It has to be just right. Let me tell you, purple and gold aren't exactly tame colors and while there is plenty of crazy associated with this school - I'm not sure "crazy" is the way one wants to describe their living room. Bold, however, seems a good choice of words. And unavoidable. Seriously, purple and gold are two of the most opulent colors on the planet - and tiger stripes don't exactly fade into the background either; I have my work cut out for me. Remember the rules I set out in the beginning - anyone should feel comfortable in this space while making Tigers feel extra-at-home.

1. Gilded Bar Cart | It's no secret LSU is a school that likes to...er...celebrate. From Tigerland to the tailgates a stocked bar is always available. Throw in some Rougaroux Rum, some Abita brews and probably some Natty Light (if we're being real), and it's gameday. It shouldn't be any different at home and what better place to store all that fun juice than a beautiful gold bar cart. Live gold y'all.

2. Purple + Gold Agate Coasters | Once you craft the perfect gameday drink you need a place to put it (though I know Tigers aren't known for putting their drinks down too often). These coasters from Manor are a beautiful way to add some Tiger spirit to your room all while protecting your coffee table.

3. Vintage Safari Chairs | They're tigers get it? Safari? I love a safari chair and Tigers give me the perfect excuse to throw one in. These particular ones are vintage Arne Norell and add a bit of masculinity to the room while balancing the heaviness of that couch. Mike would approve.

4. Mignon Faget Rock Glasses | Bourbon. On gameday I'm not sure many in the South would opt for anything less. Mignon Faget is a fantastically classy company right out of New Orleans who just want to make your house feel like home (while you're at it, get a couple Superdome rocks glasses too...gotta be ready for Sunday.) They also design amazing jewelry and many times donate portions of their sales to non profit organizations doing great work in New Orleans and Louisiana (you can read more about the company here.) 

5. Laquered Round Coffee Table | Another opportunity to bring in some gold. Again keeping it visually light to contrast with the couch and no sharp corners. LSU games are a family affair, everyone from gramps to the littlest Tiger cub will be in attendance. Gotta keep those little eyes safe. 

6. The Couch | I had to. I had to pick a purple couch. Any excuse for a purple velvet couch. Doesn't it just look so comfy? You won't even want to stand up while chanting "TIGERBAIT" at your friend's significant other who came over and made the mistake of supporting their alma mater in front of you. 

7. Nate Berkus Side Table | From Target's new fall collection, this table rocks the gold once again. Put it between the safari chairs to bring in a little sparkle. Plus it never hurts to have more places to put all that good food and drink. Mmmmm...jambalaya.

8. Souk Rug | This rug from west elm is that subtle nod to tiger stripes that ties the room all together. Soft underfoot, modern, and classic all at the same time. One of my favorite rugs of all time and it just happens to play well with everything else here. 

Alright Tigers, weigh in. What else would you include? Maybe a series of framed #7 jerseys? A shadow box with a handful of grass from the field? A couple voodoo dolls dressed in a variety of SEC rivals colors? Nah, I don't think you need that last one - not with Fournette on the field. I see royal purple velvet drapes on expansive arched windows framing views of the lakes, a brick fireplace, and a dining table in the next room piled high with some of the best cajun food around. Some of my favorite memories we're made tailgating on the LSU campus and this room would bring all those memories home. GEAUX TIGERS!