Mad Men meets 2010 Living Room

To live serenely is to recognize the beauty that is all around us. Beauty can be found all things if you look deep enough. There is beauty in every breath you take, the breath that allows you to be alive. There is beauty in silence, in taking a moment for yourself. Beauty is found abundantly when you are present and not focused on the past or future. To be surrounded by beautiful things is one thing, but to be surrounded by beautiful things and be present in the moment to notice them is quite another. So, take a deep breath, exhale, and notice.

Happy Present!

Get the great looks shown above by clicking on the following links:

Sophia Sofa, www.ZGallerie.com - $1299. Sophia Chair, www.ZGallerie.com - $849. Gallerie Coffee Table, www.CrateandBarrel.com - $199. Gallerie Side Table, www.CrateandBarrel.com - $169. Gallerie Oval Mirror, www.CrateandBarrel.com - $129. Fieldcrest Luxury Jacobean Floral Wool Rug, 60"x84",  www.Target.com - $199. Boka Persimmon Table Lamp, www.CrateandBarrel.com - $179. Nanti Collection Iron Oxide Pendant Chandelier, www.LampsPlus.com - $279.91. Paris Remember, www.ZGallerie.com - $59.99. Petrie Leather Chair, www.CrateandBarrel.com - $1999. Tempo Velvet Green Apple Pillow, www.CrateandBarrel.com - $36.95.

Natural Comfort Dining Room

You can never go wrong when decorating with natural materials especially when they are constructed of the highest quality. Restoration Hardware is the perfect spot to find natural gems, as shown above, designed with classic and clean form. Have you ever been to a Restoration Hardware store? If not, you must! Their stores are beautifully designed with such elegant simplicity. If you are a lover of all things interior, as I clearly am, then do yourself and favor go! Take note of the soft graphite walls, worn (yet new?!) wooden floors, luxurious textiles (especially bath towels), and one of a kind furnishings. Go!

Dining rooms are fabulous to design and decorate. As an extension of the kitchen, they are a supporting role to the heart of the home. Warm shades of red entice the appetite, while shades of green do the opposite (stay away from using large amounts of yellow/green in this room...unless you want to promote dieting!). I enjoy clean and simple dining rooms in muted tones; this effect draws the eye to the "piece de resistance" in the room -- the cuisine. Tip: use white dinnerware to draw additional focus to the yummy food.

If you like the items selected above in the "Natural Comfort Dining Room" then check out the quick links below to view additional information and ordering options:

17th Century Monastery Dining Table, www.RestorationHardware.com - $1195. Vintage French Round Side Chair, www.RestorationHardware.com - $249. Vintage French Round Arm Chair, www.RestorationHardware.com - $299. Industrial Tool Chest Console, www.RestorationHardware.com - $1495. Filament Chandelier, www.RestorationHardware.com - $895. Gothic Quatrefoil Mirror, www.RestorationHardware.com - $799. Tuscan Urns and Catchpot, White, www.PotteryBarn.com - $24 - $89. Hand-tufted Rug, www.Thomasville.com - $ Call for pricing. World Map 2, www.ZGallerie.com - $449.95.

As Julia would say..."Bon Appetit!"

Home for the Holidays

Tis the season! Hopefully holidays are a happy time for you. Hopefully you do not get caught up in all of the stresses that the season can bring. If you do find yourself in this situation then just sit your self down in your coziest room and take a deep breath; be thankful for your breath, because without it you would not be alive and able to feel the love spread around this time of year. Holidays are done most gracefully when done with simplicity and honesty. Keep in mind the originally intended meaning and there you will find serenity.

Perhaps holiday time is the best time to bring warmth and comfort to your home. How wonderful is it to have glowing twinkle lights, ornaments full of memories, fresh scents of pine wafting through your home, carefully wrapped gifts for loved ones under your tree, and a gentle fire warming your stockings? Simplicity. Honesty. It can be such a great time of year!

Simple touches can transform your home from every-day to holi-day! Creating a gentle enviroment for you cozy up in and find tranquility. Carpe the season!

Like the "Home for the Holidays" interior furniture and decor selections shown above? Find quick links to each item below:

Live Eucalyptus and Berry Garland, PotteryBarn.com - $69. Brompton Hall Sleigh Bed, Thomasville.com - $ Call for pricing. Caroline Paisely Duvet Cover and Sham, PotteryBarn.com - $109 - $129. Studio 455 Bedside Table, Thomasville.com - $ Call for pricing. Nassau Chair, Thomasville.com - $ Call for pricing. Hampton Collection Antique Brass Chandelier, LampsPlus.com - $499.91. Dandelion Tufted Rug, Wheat, WorldMarket.com - $399. Lexington Quilt, King, WestElm.com - $ 169. Pierre Mirror, ZGallerie.com - $279.

Happy Holidays!

Restful Elegance Bedroom

We (should) spend 1/3 of our day blissfully sleeping in our cozy bed. Perhaps there is nothing better than waking up from a good nights rest...perhaps there is nothing EVEN better than opening our eyes and seeing a serenely designed bedroom! Your bedroom is your safe haven. It is the last place your see before closing your eyes at night and it is the first place you see when you arise. For these very reasons it is important to apply graceful design detail to this special space. Think spa. Think spa colors, soft and gentle on the eye. Think spa scents, lavender and jasmine. Think spa touch, uber-comfortable bedding and a mattress that is just the right fit. Keep it simple. Keep it clean. Keep it serene!

The above furniture and decor selections incorporate colors that promote rest and tranquility. They also incorporate a secret trick that Interior Designers use to make a room "pop" -- contrast. The dark espresso wood against the light furnishings creates this contrast. The contrast is strong and creates visual stimulation, yet it is subtle enough that it doesn't cause distraction. Try this technique in your own home, you'll be surprised at how well it works.

When decorating a room be sure to keep the elements of design on your mind. Key elements such as line, color, shape, texture make the space sing when done harmoniously.

Like what you see in the above bedroom furniture and decor selections? Find them all on the web:

Rafael Queen Bed Oyster, ZGallerie.com - $1699. Lindsey Paisley Bed Linens, CrateandBarrel.com - $24.95 - 109. Axis Chandelier, ZGallerie.com - $429. Vintage Airplane, ZGallerie.com - $349.95. Hayworth Mirror, Vanity, and Bench, Pier1.com - $129.99, $299.99, $89.99. Borghese Mirrored Buffet, ZGallerie.com - $1099. Set of 2 Moreno Nesting Tables, CrateandBarrel.com - $399. Westwood Mirrors, ZGallerie.com - $349. Meridian Window Panels, BedBathandBeyond.com - $22.99 ea.

Happy Sleeping!

Boho Chic Workspace

The majority of Americans spend much of their time working. No matter what your work environment it is important to personalize it and make it your own. Often times work can be a stressful environment, so filling your space with reminders of comfort and serenity can be worthwhile in maintaining balance. Simple and inexpensive ways to make your workspace yours are by adding small pictures of loved ones and/or pets, making sure you have a steady supply of your favorite writing utensil, and keeping fresh cut flowers from your home garden on your desk.

Perhaps the best ways to add clarity to your work environment are by being sure that you have adequate organizational tools and storage units handy to assist in maintaining an organized space. Also, it is common to overlook dusting and sanitizing your desk and computer since you are often preoccupied with work related tasks, be sure to keep cleaning wipes handy. It's amazing how better you feel when things are tidy and clean.

If you work out of your home then you may be the luckiest of all since this gives you free reign to furnish and decorate your space as you see fit. Be sure to take full advantage of this luxury. Paint walls in soothing colors, add artwork that inspires you, and fill the space with your favorite scents.

Like the workspace items you see above? Good news! All items can be found online with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Lola Chair, Pier1.com - $199. Pullman Red Leather Side Chair, CrateandBarrel.com - $199. Phoenix Work Table, CrateandBarrel.com - $1299. Crane Grellow Desk Lamp, CB2.com - $99.95. Set of 6 Classical Symmetry Prints, CrateandBarrel.com - $369. Mr. White Wall Clock, ZGallerie.com - $109.99. Bond Lateral File Cabinet, WestElm.com - $399.99. Bond Mobile File Cabinet, WestElm.com - $269.99.

Email me at rebeccaparksdesign@gmail.com if you have any Interior Design related questions specific to your workspace...I'd love to help!

Happy decorating!

Hollywood Glamour Living Room

Perhaps the best way to introduce serenity into your lifestyle is through your home. After all, your home should be your sanctuary -- your one true place to be yourself and unwind from the pace of everyday. It is possible, through thoughtful interior design, to turn your home into a haven of calm and peace. Selecting soothing colors, fabric patterns, artwork, and decorative elements is a simple and effective way to achieve visual pleasure. Within in your home it is also important to stimulate other senses of sound, smell, touch, and taste. The addition of soft music, an aromatherapy candle, cozy blankets, and warm tea do just the trick to send a room from being aesthetically pleasing to utterly serene. Everyone is soothed by something different, choose what makes you most comfortable and surround yourself with that. Like the color red? Go bold and paint a wall or two in a deep warm shade. Have a palette for wine? Add an elegant display and serving area. The sky is the limit. Keep in mind that your home should be restful for the person(s) who live there and nobody else! It's YOUR sanctuary so be free to play and discover what makes you happiest.

Inspired by what you see in the above living room selections by RebeccaParksDesign? Good news, all of the items shown can be purchased and on their way to you with a few clicks of your mouse. Happy haven-ing!

Clift Accent Chair, ZGallerie.com - $799. Alister Sofa, ZGallerie.com - $1599. Safari Rug, 8x10, WestElm.com - $499. Providence Print, CrateandBarrel.com - $499. Metropolitan Coffee Table, ZGallerie.com - $349. Loft Chandelier, ZGallerie.com - $299. Asbury Table Lamp, CrateandBarrel.com - $299. Antique Mercury Glass Pillar Holders, PotteryBarn.com - $19-49. Veneto Suitcases, white set of 2, ZGallerie.com - $59.95.