Ella's Social Space | Reader E-Design

So, I just experienced my first blog-spaz when I opened up this post that I had been working on for the last two days, pressed some random buttons to fix some formatting issue, and somehow lost the whole thing. I may or may not have shed a few tears, and my darling husband may or may not have offered to hook me up to a chocolate IV in a futile attempt to calm his panic stricken wife. It's ok, though. I'm over it (almost). Deep breath.

Perhaps the universe was telling me that the post was too wordy?

Or maybe I just need to start saving my in-progress posts on my computer as well as on Blogger?

Either way, what would have been a lengthy post will now be a short one. I will be back Tuesday with some more details and sources, but for now, let's just get to the good parts.

I opened up my inbox last week to this sweet email from reader, and fellow blogger, Ella Pretty.

Hello Jen,

I've recently discovered your blog (through a link on Simply Seleta) and I love it so much! You have such an amazing eye for style - and I love how you use affordable sources (dollar store, Ikea) and make them look like they belong in a magazine! Plus - you're Canadian too - so I know I can find the things you mention :-)

I was wondering if you feature reader questions on your blog. It's been a year since we moved into our townhouse - and I'm SO stuck on style - in particular my TV room is just BLAH! The leather sofa is comfortable and practical - but I have no idea what to do with the rest of the space (what to put on the wall - what cushions to use on the sofa - I'm not loving the pink ikea cushions!)

http://ellaprettyblog.blogspot.ca/2012/05/decor-update-house-tour.html

I love your design aesthetic and would really appreciate any advice!

I'm so excited to find your blog - I look forward to reading it from the start and picking up lots of tips along the way :-)

Take care,

Ella


I have never been approached to give advice on a reader space before, and to say I was thrilled was an understatement.  I LOVE this kind of thing. So much fun, and it's a nice change of pace from decorating my own home. Here is Ella's current living room.

Ella mentioned in her house tour post that she wanted to do something light and feminine, with a touch of Parissienne, to balance the large dark sofa.

J'adore Paris, and was really looking forward to get my French on in a less literal way. I figured instead of an oversized Eiffel Tower print, or a burlap pillow printed with some fancy french script, why not create something that evokes the feeling of Paris, rather than spells it out?

I think the colours and the gold touches help acheive that, and I love how everything comes together and makes the sectional look intentional.

The gold scales just ooze Versailles to me, while the black X pillows remind me a bit of modern Paris. I'm really happy with how it turned out (it IS my style after all) and hope that Ella can find some inspiration in it.

Back on Tuesday with details and sources (and my apologies for this slapped together post without the aforementioned). Live and learn I guess. Save, back up, save, then back up some more.

xo  J