If you are just joining our How to Decorate {for the DIY’er} Series, welcome! Miss a post? You can find all the entries for our series listed conveniently on one page here.
Welcome back class! We’re on Day 14 of our How to Decorate Series and today we’re going to peek inside the creative master mind behind The Lettered Cottage. I can’t imagine that any of you are unfamiliar with Layla. She is a true design genius. I don’t think there is a room design or project that she’s completed that I haven’t adored! Her ability to see a room’s full potential is nothing short of inspiring. Yes, it’s safe to say that I’m a huge Layla fan! So let’s sit back and learn from the master…..
……………………………………………
Hey there! I’m Layla Palmer and I write a blog called The Lettered Cottage. It’s such a pleasure to be guest posting here at Home Stories A 2 Z today!
Beth said she’d like for me to explain the creative process I go through when I put together my presto change-o’s, so I thought I’d give it a whirl and use our friend Shaunna’s dining room as an example.
(Move your cursor back and forth on and off of the photo below to see Shaunna’s room presto change-o!)
For this one, Shaunna was super curious to see what a vertically-oriented, back wall full of white-painted panelling would look like. So, as usual, I fired up my Adobe Photoshop and popped some in there. Then, as I do with every drawing I create, I took a few minutes to stare at the rest of the room. I felt like the wall to the right of the panelling needed something equally as captivating, and for visual weight reasons, that also stretched up to the ceiling. It looked like the perfect place to put built-ins and a window seat, so I jumped over to the Pottery Barn website and grabbed some images of bookshelves and started piecing that area together. (Rumor has it Shaunna’s hubby is almost finished building the built-ins and window seat I suggested in the inspiration drawing! Yay!)
Once I had the built-in’s in, it felt like the panelling needed something on it that was equally as visually exciting as all the goodies on the bookshelves. So off I went, in search of a variety of frames and gallery lighting. Once I had all of that in place, I began the search for a table and some chairs. This part is tricky sometimes, but Pottery Barn’s website is a great resource for finding lots of large, super clear, photos of lots of different pieces of furniture, sitting in all kinds of different directions. Perfect for playing with in Photoshop!
Once I have all of the furniture in, I usually move onto the “fun stuff”, like rugs, pillows, lighting, accessories, plants and flowers. Adding those types of things really make the inspiration drawing come to life, and I love that you can see what colors, textures and patterns look best before you commit to buying anything! (Hi. I’m Layla and I like to be 150% sure about something before I buy it.)
So for me, designing in Photoshop is pretty much just like designing in real life. I work on the backdrop first, then move onto all the pretty stuff after that.
And speaking of pretty stuff- check out this sneak peek of the newly-installed (yet-to-be-painted) panelling in Shaunna’s dining room:
Shaunna- if you’re reading this, zoom out! Me and Beth wanna see the rest o’ that presto!
PS- Here are the still images of Shaunna’s dining room in case you weren’t able to view the interactive one above!
………………………………………………
Okay, so work on the backdrop of a room first, then fill in with furniture, and then add in all the pretty stuff. And this is why Layla is Layla :). Some people are just born with the gift! I am so thankful that she freely shares that gift with all of us. My house has benefitted greatly from her decorating inspirations, and do you know who designed my blog header up there? Mmmm, hmmm. That’s why it looks so awesome! Thank you Layla for being amazing and inspiring us to follow your lead.
So how about you? Any project or room design that’s been inspired by The Lettered Cottage? Share some love in the comments.
Heidi @ Show Some Decor says
I love Layla’s presto-o change-o series! So cool to read about her process. Thanks for sharing, Layla! And thanks, Beth, for hosting. Cheers, ladies!! xoxo
Crystal says
That was amazing. She truly does have a gift. Her kindness and spunk come right through the computer monitor! 🙂
Melanie J says
Im lovin it…..such a warm feeling! I love the accent wall with the art and the keys….
Thanks Beth for bringing showing off the most talented couple.
MJ
Lucky 7 Design
Amanda Eck says
WOW! Seriously amazing!! The paneling did it for me and then I looked over at the built ins- *swoon* Cant wait till she’s all done with it!!
Shaunna says
Can’t wait to “zoom out” and show you girls!
😀
xoxo
shaunna
Jess @ House Sweet Home says
Wow- what a transformation! I really like the idea of fully completing something digitally first- I am definitely more of a spontaneous decorator! But, it’s a good reminder to make the plan first, then buy!
Layla says
Thanks again for allowing me the opportunity to guest post Beth! Your kind comments really made my day and I can’t wait to see you in person again so I can give you a big squeeze!
🙂