CREATIVE EASTER CENTERPIECES

We created a collection of whimsical to chic Easter centerpiece ideas to dress up your table this year. With a week left until the holiday we thought a few inspriational pieces would spark some ideas of your own. Enjoy the photos! (Courtesy of Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens and Good Housekeeping)

 Cut the stem off of a gerber daisy and place in a small vase or pretty drinking glass. Add a small votive candle on top of the daisy and -wow!- instant beauty.

 Remove the top off of an empty eggshell placed in a glass egg cup and add small springtime flowers through the opening (keep in mind the scale of the centerpiece!)......

 ....or instead of adding flowers to the eggshell, try putting a small votive inside.

Little bunny Peeps, jelly beans and bright colors make this such a fun piece for Easter!

 Dress up a large glass vase with colored eggs and leavy greens!

 How cute is this bunny folded napin?!

 Even adding simple brown bags to hold the flowers creates a shabby chic appeal to any table.

 If having an Easter meal outdoors, tie an egg with ribbon (filled with jelly beans or hard boiled) to each corner of your table cloth to weigh it down. Genius!

 Spread the petals of a large flower out and add little eggs to the center of the flower to create an elegant nest centerpiece.

 Bunching the same flowers together in a flower arrangement creates more of a natural effect rather then spreading them out evenly in a more arranged piece.

 An old watering can adds instant spring appeal to flower arrangements.

Mingle's Top 10 Home Spring Bling Ideas!

Spring is in the air - open the windows and bring the outdoors in! Check out Mingle's top 10 ideas for making your home a fresh spring retreat this year:


10.) Bring on the the botanicals! Leafy colorful prints can become a focal point in a room. Adding these prints through throw pillows, wall art, or simple chair covers can add instant life to a space.

9.) Try unique floral arrangments. Combine bright colors or flowers with fruit to create an interesting piece.

8.) Display your everyday items such as cotton balls or doggie treats in elegant (but inexpensive!) glass containers. Showcase your baked goods on the table with a simple cake platter (even if they are just cookies)!

7.) Get rid of the winter clutter and find creative ways to organize your space. Displaying every day items in a fun way almost becomes an art piece! Don't forget to add fun color and textures.

6.) Let there be (candle) light! Hanging lanterns both outdoors and inside your home creates a romantic spring effect. The best part is these lanterns can be easily made at home for a low price!

5.) Aaaaahhhh the smell of spring - light scented oils help enhance the clean fresh air!

4.) Pack away the heavy winter curtains and let the sunshine stream through your windows. Adding simple sheers or light grass shades will help bring the sunny outdoors in.

3.) Colorful table settings bring a cheerful feeling to any dinner. Don't be afraid to mix bold colors and fun prints!

2.) Use white to create a crisp, clean feeling to your space. Think about reflective white mosaic tiles for a backsplash or even using white as the accent color through accessories, furniture and fabric.

1.) Wicker and grass pieces aren't only for your patio - bring them inside your home this spring! Light furniture, grass rugs and wicker baskets can easily make your home feel like a beach cottage!

Visit us on the Parade of Homes!

Stop by home #82 on the Parade of Homes to see cabinetry work that Mingle did along with Studio M's interior design and furnishings!

http://www.paradeofhomes.org/parade-home/parade-home.aspx?id=1702508

Meet Our New Intern!

Meet our new student intern, Brooke Herrick! Brooke is an Interior Design student at the University of Minnesota expecting to graduate in May 2014. When Brooke isn't busy designing she also enjoys sports, coaching lacrosse and works at Caribou Coffee.

Bring a Little Romance to your Home Decor!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, most of us are feeling a little cupid inside. Use this inspiration to reflect a romantic style in your home decor. Below are a couple of easy design ideas to add a little flair.




Paint the walls pale lavendar, pink, blue, or gray tones and offset it with white base trim and crown moulding (or in this case a fireplace too!). The rich wood flooring adds subtle contrast.




Rugs give an instant soft feeling to any space. This photo is a great example of how to pair eclectic elements such as the fur rug, metallic chest, and large damask wallcovering.



Not only does an upholstered headboard give a prestigous feeling to a bedroom, it also anchors the bed in the space to become the focal point.



Place a large flower, such as this magnolia, on a small side table or even as the main centerpiece of a dining table. An instant (easy) romantic touch!

 

Combine an intricate mirror with a delicate lamp or other accessory. In this photo, the rustic furniure piece is a nice balance.




Soft lighting gives any space a relaxing atmosphere. Floor lamps can be very inexpensive and their light can drastically change the feeling of a room



Adding wainscot paired with a dark wallcovering or paint above can give an intimate feeling in any bathroom or powder room. The heavy wood vanity really "pops" against the wainscot and soft lighting.

Pantone's Color for 2012: Tangerine Tango!

Watch out 2011, Pantone LLC announced that Tangerine Tango, a vivacious reddish orange, is the hot new color for 2012! Check out these design ideas to get you inspired for the new year!

This fun color looks great paired with soft neutrals to make it stand out as an energetic accent.

Or, pair Tangerine Tango with other rich hues to make a bold statement!

Think outside the box and paint the ceiling this bold color! It looks great with the wood beams and stone fireplace.

How about a little pop of tangerine on furniture pieces?

One of the easiest (and less expensive!) ways to add Tangerine Tango to your personal space is to add fabrics rich in texture or painted accessories.

Don't forget to think about adding this lively color to brighten up your kitchen (even cabinets!) or bath.

Now, what do YOU think of Tangerine Tango??