inspiration for decor

First off – hello!

I came across these fantastic fairytale prints a while ago and decided to share them with you today.  Because they are so cute. And so cool.  And I want one.

These prints are designed by Christian Jackson and are available at very reasonable prices via Image Kind in a variety of sizes.

I love how simple each print is, yet so perfectly representative of each fairytale.

In my mind, these posters are  perfect for adults who are young at heart and appreciative of good design.  Personally, I really want the Princess and the Pea poster. I love how the graphic stripes in muted colours draw your eyes down to the final pea and then you seen the title of the print and you think ” Aha! Clever.”

I also think any one of these prints (or more than one!) would be perfect in a nursery. Timeless. And will grow with your child.

For that reason I chose to include The Princess and the Pea print in a contest I just entered.

And here’s where I need your help: I need you to go Comment on my mood board because I would LOVE to win a $2,000 gift certificate from EQ3. The concept behind the contest was to design a mood board around your favourite EQ3 piece of furniture. I chose the modern  Karbon Swivel Chair whose style and function lend itself to an easy transition from nursing chair to living room chair.  A good, stylish investment.

So the EQ3 chair plus the Princess and the Pea print were my jumping off point for this mood board:

Soft, organic, and modern – yes?  Yes.  So please link over to Pinterest and leave a “Comment” (you need to have a Pinterest account – but who doesn’t these days?!)  Pretty please.  Our new house is looking empty and I could make very good use of a $2,000 gift certificate.

Go on now. Click here and leave a Comment.

Thank you!

Did anyone else REALLY enjoy the 25th anniversary issue of Canadian House & Home?  There were a number of articles and features that I just loved!  One section that really hit a chord with me was a re-cap of six timeless decorating tips from past issues.  Reading through the tips, I couldn’t help but agree – they are timeless words of wisdom and are as relevant today as they were at time they were published.

I thought that over the next few weeks I would highlight each of these timeless tips for you.  So let’s get started!

“Bold colour is the perfect remedy for a small, dull area” (Kevin Fitzsimons, Fitzsimons Design+Build, Toronto, House & Home Nov. 1995)

Case in point – check out this ultra bold office nook design just featured on design*sponge:

Colbalt blue, hot pink, and red. Wow! Maybe a bit too bold for you?  How about painted dresser in a bright hue to cheer up a corner vignette? Or aquamarine tiles in an otherwise white-on-white kitchen?

Abigail Ahern is a master of bold colour set against moody dark walls:

A pop of colour in a small space goes a long way when it is unexpected, like these great pendants or this red ceiling:

And look what colour does to these two neutral space! Emerald curtains ooze style and a coral ottoman and bright floral make this sitting area so cheery.

So go on, add a bit of bold colour to your home.  ‘Tis the season to decorate, so if anything, try out some bold colour in your holiday decor.

*********  Announcing the winner of The English Muffin Shop map giveaway  *********

The winner is Stephanie! Congratulations!! I will be in contact to arrange delivery.

(images: 1-design manifest, 2-Pinterest, 3-House & Home, 4&5-abigail ahern, 6-design*sponge, 7-magnus anesund, 8-veranda, 9-house to home)

One year ago today I started this blog. In secret. Yes, it was about 3 months before I told any family and friends that I had a blog. Looking back, I’m not really sure why I didn’t tell anyone. I guess I wanted to see how this whole blog thing worked and I was self-conscious of sharing my views and putting myself out there as an interior decorator. One year into it, the secret is out and I am happy to be sharing my thoughts, my inspirations, and my work with you.  In celebration of this mini-milestone and because I want to give back to my readers, I am offering a giveaway.

I originally stumbled across The English Muffin Shop on Etsy while looking for nursery artwork.  It is a Canadian shop based in Montreal and their prints and posters are designed for the young (or young at heart). I absolutely love their maps and if you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I love maps.  And I also love decorating for little people. And supporting small Canadian businesses.

So here is my giveaway – - enter to win one of these sweet educational maps (which -BTW- will look great in an IKEA RIBBA frame)

How to Enter:

You can have one chance to win for each of the following, just leave me a comment to let me know….

1. Subscribe to Inspiration for Decor, either by email or RSS (or let me know if you are a follower already!)
2. Follow (i.e. “Like”) Dayna Simpson Interiors on Facebook
3. Visit The English Muffin Shop and tell me which print you like best
4. Share this giveaway with family or friends by email or Facebook

That’s it!  I will announce the winner next Monday (11/28) and I will ship anywhere in Canada or the US.

Thank you once again for your support and good luck!

Don’t we all love free stuff?  Especially when it’s really NICE free stuff?  I know I do!  So I thought I’d share two really great contests with you:

(1) For my fellow Canadians,  Style At Home is asking you to cast your vote on a kitchen reno for their Editor-in-Chief Erin McLaughlin. In return you could win your own $25,000 kitchen reno from IKEA.

Here are the two design’s for Erin’s kitchen that you get to vote on:

A- “Organic Elegance” by Toronto-based Croma Design

B- “Light, Bright, and Eclectic” by Vancouver-based Kelly Deck Design

Which would you vote for?  A or B?

Personally, I cast my vote for kitchen B. While I totally love the marble-encased island and herringbone floor in design A, the cozier more ‘let’s all gather in the kitchen’ feel of design B really pulls me in.  Oh, and design B has a Lindsey Adelman light fixture so I’m totally sold!  Anyway, all you homeowners out there should definitely submit and entry! Click here to enter.

And for my friends south of the border, Lonny Mag is offering a $10,000 room makeover by West Elm, to be featured in an upcoming issue of Lonny.

How amazing would this be?!  I’m so jealous. I wish I could enter because my living room needs h-e-l-p. To enter, click here.

Good luck everyone!