After a two month hiatus, we're back to monthly mood boards! I know it's likely no one even noticed the pause, but whoever's reading this, hi. Thank you for being here! Before I get into what's inspiring me this month, I wanted to acknowledge it. Life's gotten busy lately. Thank God, mostly for good things. While it's been a busy season at my full time job, it's been going well, and I'm very blessed for that. I don't know about you, but when I set my mind to something, I tend to put pressure on myself to be productive in every area of my life.
While it's still a work in progress, I've started to give myself grace and realize Rome wasn't built in a day, and we certainly can't accomplish everything in a day! Whatever season of life you're in, I hope you know you're doing amazing, and your worth isn't tied to your productivity. If the only thing you did was get out of bed this morning, that is something to be proud of in its own right. ANYWAY...one of the lovely things that took me away from MK Coastal Collection last month was a wonderful trip I took with my husband to Europe. First to Stockholm, Sweden to see Mother Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour with a couple of good friends, and then on the second leg, my husband Craig and I journeyed to the French Riviera.
It was truly an inspiring dream. Which leads me to this month's inspiration... New England Coastal meets French Riviera. While they may be thousands of miles away from each other, being by the ocean has a way of connecting people, of this I am sure. It's a slower pace of life, where people calmly appreciate the beauty of their surroundings, a commonality shared in beach communities around the world. That relaxed, slower pace translates into interior decor. So, let's get into what I'm loving about it.
According to Gemini (thx Google), French Riviera decor is a mix of French history, culture, and Mediterranean influences. It often features white walls, natural materials, and pops of color. Other trademarks include shades of blue and terracotta, darker woods, natural fibers, lamps for a cozy feel, rattan, and wicker bistro furniture. Sound familiar, coastal New England gals?
Coastal New England decor also favors natural fibers, blues, whites, and cozy, layered textures. When I think about the marriage of the two, I envision coastal New England, but a little more rustic, with plenty of weathered white wood, exposed beams, layered rugs, and mix-matched gold accents and antiques.
After I got back from my trip, I happened to be looking at pictures from our wedding a couple of years ago because our venue was looking for pictures for their website. I realized, I've been inspired by the colors of the French Riviera for a long time, before ever even visiting. My favorite color has been French Blue, before I even realized it was French Blue, and that inspired our table decor, pictured below. :)
Isn't it lovely to think that we probably haven't seen all of the wonderful places or met all of the amazing and inspiring people we're destined to meet in this lifetime? Somewhere in between the monotony of every day, serendipity comes to play.