Pepper Design Blog

Friday Guest Interview: Isabella & Max Rooms

It would be a close call… but if I could choose one person to decorate my home from top to bottom it would be Janell of Isabella & Max Rooms. Her style is a creative combination between traditional & contemporary – with a comfy twist.

I adore her daily posts about diy projects and decorating – Janell shares step-by-step tutorials on everything from sewing and lining drapes to reupholstering occasional chairs, along with her inspiration process for her beautifully decorated home & client projects.

You might recognize the above room from an inspiration board I created a while back for my own living room . I *love* it – everything from the colors to the beautiful patterns and those wonderful antlers above the mantle.

A bit about Janell: “I have always been passionate about design… I first studied painting and drawing, receiving a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After working briefly for a clothing manufacturer, I launched my own line [and] when a move took me to San Francisco I opened a boutique where I continued to design for my wholesale line.

Several years later, with a move to Portland, Oregon and the arrival of my wonderful children Isabella and Max, my focus shifted to the home and interior design. In 2006, I started my current business creating warm and eclectic interiors. It is a field I am thoroughly enjoying being involved in and challenged by!”

Let’s dive right into this interview and see the rest of her home! Including her son Max’s map-inspired bedroom (the chalkboard paint is genius), a beautiful teal & coral bedroom and remodeled living room. Read more »

New Favorite Trend: Stacking Books

One of my favorite new trends is a unique way to display your favorite books: stacking one on top of the other. It’s a simple way to mix up your current bookshelf or create new displays around the house.

I love the way stacked books look on ledges, like the above left photo, or the way the ‘invisible bookcases’ (shown below) work seamlessly into the above right room.

Follow the jump for more great ideas and where to find the shelving units displayed! Read more »

Everyday Inspiration: DIY Geometric Whiteboard

Inspiration for decorating your nest can be found anywhere — it could be the the damask patterned lining of a favorite sweater that inspires the curtains in your living room, the curve of an antique mirror that is replicated in the structure of your dining room chairs, a shell found on the beach with the same opalescent sheen as a sought-after chandelier, or the geometric shape of clean lines from a magazine clipping that leads to a DIY whiteboard makeover {hint, hint — amazing DIY project of the day}.

Full House, a wonderful blog about family (a set of twins and a set of triplets!) and style (beautiful design inspiration & projects that remind me of a vintage-y Elle Decor) shares today’s everyday inspiration DIY project, which was motivated by the top left cutout from a favorite magazine.

Tools of the trade: three Ikea magnetic whiteboards, navy blue ribbon, scissors, glue. I love that the final set was hung one on top of the other in the laundry room; a very fashionable way to share with the family whether whites or darks are in the wash, the to-do list, or a fun message while they run out the door. Would love these in my kitchen or office covered with favorite clippings, quotes and pictures.