This post was created in collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.
In the past year and a half, if there’s one thing I think we’ve all learned, it’s the importance of creating spaces in our homes that support us in different ways. From painting production spaces, to finding a place to unplug and relax at the end of the day… the value of anything is immeasurable! Today, I am partnering with Chateau Ste. Michelle gives you a few quick tips to create the latest space – your own little ‘Chateau’ moment, so to speak. A place where you can escape with your favorite glass of wine(needless to say, my current favorite from Chateau Ste Michelle is their rosé!).
When I think of creating my chateau, I think of that perfect mix of relaxed and refined. Think about how you feel when you’re on vacation… wouldn’t it be great if there was a place in your home that recreated that same experience!? To mimic this feeling, there are a few key things I use to set the place – or the table. Are you ready to see how? I put these steps into action using a corner of our studio to show how layering and adding details can change and move quickly.
1.Comfort is key: Not to lead with ‘boring’ things, but sometimes functionality is the most important ingredient when styling a space. If you want to relax, you have to create something comfortable! If you have hard chairs – add a pillow! If your escape is in a corner on the floor – add a pillow! If you’re escaping to a bubble bath… yes, add a pillow! Whatever you do, make sure you set up your space to rest effectively.
Here’s a pro tip from my apartment living days: I like to have a pair of chairs or a functional bench in the living room.orrestaurant. I was moving them around depending on the guests or how I was using the space. In our studio we do the same thing – investing in various tools that can work around the table as they do in the planning of the interview. Here, I took an empty bench we already had, added some cushions to soften it and put it back, then moved the swing chairs to complete the scene.
2.Lay out your linens:Whenever a client tells me that their room doesn’t feel ‘finished’, it’s usually because it’s missing some layering material. Linens are a game changer. Here, covering a modern marble dining table with a linen cloth completely transforms the space and mood(What’s more holiday than lovely, exotic linen!?). But when I say linen here, I also mean it in a broader sense: literally any fabric or fabrics. A rug, some pillows, a summer blanket, window treatments… all of these items count as the type of linen that elevates any room and completes it. When thinking about ways to update a space, linens are a great place to start.
3.Edible Flowers and Natural Products: Whether your style is a forest of plants, or a single flower in a pot, bringing natural elements into the space is essential to creating a moment of pause. If you don’t have a green thumb, I would suggest getting flowers from the yard – or the grocery store – over any fake plant options. Or you can try hearty plants like tropicals and succulents that require little maintenance. Here, a potted geranium does the trick for a table top! I love the movement in this plant,againit happens and smells amazing!
4.Adding a personal touch: The last piece of the puzzle when it comes to decorating or styling is one that is often overlooked or where people struggle: bringing your personality. This element usually takes some time to process as it needs to be a piece of art! It could be a piece of art that speaks to you, a souvenir brought home from a trip, or a fun vintage find. In this space, the finishing touch came from a set of vintage art prints hanging on the wall.
Ahhhh, doesn’t that sound right? We went from an empty corner to a perfect place to relax at the end of the day, with just a few extra touches! I have to say that keeping the palette neutral and natural helps create that relaxing atmosphere… and keeps things simple in decorating, too!
Now that we’ve used these techniques in the bedroom, how about setting the table with them?
We already have comforters and layered linen – next step, add nature! I got myself a dogwood on my tree, and I made a lot of foundation. I kept it feeling alive by letting the branches make their own wild movements.
Then, we add a personal finishing touch: My favorite gold flatware that feels so special, printed napkins from India, a vintage compote bowl from Italy for drinking, and a vintage bowl all from my personal collection. And now we are ready for the last step…
5.Wine Time!Now that you have created a little place for yourself, or friends, it is time to sayEnjoy it!Pour a sparkling glass of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s wine in your favorite brand, and enjoy the moment!!
While these tips are a great start to help you create your own chateau moment in your home, we have something even better for you.From now until August we are partnering with Chateau Ste. Michelle brings you the chance to win a mood board complete with affordable style suggestions from me to give a corner of your home a little makeover!To enter, you can post a photo on Instagram or Twitter, or go here to upload a photo of the space you’d like to renovate and become a chateau moment. Be sure to use #MyChateauSweeps and tag @ChateauSteMichelle when you enter on Instagram or Twitter. Valid entry dates are 7/20 12:00am PDT through 9/10 11:59pm PDT. And of course you can visit Chateau Ste Michelle online to check out some #MyChateau inspiration and learn more about this Washington State property.