Decorating Tips, Tricks, & Trends: Kelley Nan

You guys are in for a treat today! I somehow managed to sweet talk my crazy talented friend Kelley of Kelley Nan into sharing her best decorating tips and tricks with us. I first “met” Kelley through Instagram where I was blown away by her gorgeous home and decorating style – isn’t it crazy beautiful?!

Almost a year ago she joined the blogging world at Kelley Nan where she has quickly built a loyal following (that includes me!). So get ready for some major eye candy as I turn over the reins to Kelley and let her take it away by sharing two tips, two tricks, and a favorite decorating trend… 

Well, I have some big shoes to fill today. Truth be told, Kris is one of my top sources for tips and tricks and I always look forward to what her creative mind is going to share next. A few things about my approach to decorating: 1. I love to repurpose items from around my home; 2. My aesthetic is primarily neutral which lends itself well to my constant desire to add “pops” of color on a whim; and 3. I believe in trial and error. A few things I have learned:

Try It Vertical

Keep it Basic in the Bedroom

If you have ever spent hours trying to find the perfect, colorfully printed “bed in a bag” to keep your bedroom from being “boring”, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Committing to one print that is difficult to add coordinating accents to may eventually do just that- be boring. To keep things fresh, invest in a few quality pieces for neutral palette so you can easily change pillows and accessories for a constant fresh look. No color or pattern combination is ever off limits here!

A year’s worth of different bed looks can be found {here}.

If There’s an Opening, it Can Hold Flowers

Look around your home to see what decor could serve as unexpected vessels. I love jars, creamers, oversized pitchers, and tea cups, but you can get even more creative to create truly unique arrangements. I currently use a wine cooler for my orchid in the kitchen

and ice buckets are in periodic rotation. Lanterns have become a summer favorite,

and this past Christmas, I even created a table using a footed trashcan (yes, you read that correctly) as the vessel for my floral centerpiece.

You can read more on that {here}.

Customize Your Trays

If you have a flat-bottomed tray, you can give it temporary, unexpected updates by lining the inside with scrapbook/wrapping paper.

Whether you transform it seasonally or move it from room to room and coordinate with surrounding décor, this is an easy update with endless options. You can check out this simple DIY {here}.

One Garden Stool is Never Enough 

As one of the most versatile pieces of decor, last year I started with one garden stool as a center table between my rocking chairs on the front porch, and today, I have four positioned all over my house.

And, I’m still not done. Affordable, sleek, and small enough to fit into tighter spaces or relocate on a regular basis, you can use a ceramic stool for both setting and sitting.

I would like to offer a big thank you to Kris for inviting me into her world today and a special thanks to all you Driven by Decor readers. Last words? 1. It doesn’t have to be a big change to make a big difference 2. It doesn’t have to be broken to be fixed.

Thank you so much Kelley! I hope you guys will take a few minutes to hop on over to Kelley Nan {here} and explore her beautiful blog – some of my favorite posts are her {summer home showcase}, her {guest bedroom reveal}, and her {tips to capture Instagram-worthy photos}. You can also find Kelley on Facebook {here}, on Pinterest {here}, and on Instagram {here}. 

I’ll see you guys back on the blog on Tuesday when I’m sharing before and after pics of the Habitat for Humanity house kitchen and dining room remodel that I helped knock out last weekend. In case you missed it, you can see a little sneak peek on Instagram {here}. Enjoy your weekend!