Layla Grayce

It’s no secret we have a passion for home decorating, and 2011 was a year that we were dazzled by the return of some old favorites plus some fresh new interpretations for the home. Tiffany Harris and Wendy Estes, co-founders of Layla Grayce and Zinc Door, look back over a year full of stylish temptations and came up with their top 5 design trends. Check them out below and vote on which make the top spot in your year end review!

1. A RETURN OF BRASS AND BRONZE: We loved the return of brass and bronze metal accents used in home decor. The warm amber tones look richly elegant in designs ranging from traditional to mid-century modern inspired.

2. RECLAIMED WOOD: Used in furniture, decor and flooring, the utilization of old materials had a historical vintage appeal, playing perfectly into the industrial chic trend paired with iron and steel accents.

3. PLUM PERFECTION: Lilac, plum and purple were colorful additions to the home decor palette this past year in shades ranging from delicate tints to intense darks.

4. WALLPAPER GETS CREATIVE: Used on ceilings, closet doors, cabinets and more, wallpaper patterns bring a touch of the unexpected in designs as diverse as geometric, floral and ikat (another hot trend from 2011!)

5. GATE AND TRELLIS PATTERNS: Like a modernized version of damask, we opened our hearts and homes to gate and trellis motifs. The interlocking repeat of these patterns showed up in everything from rugs and textiles to furniture.

CREDITS:
BRASS & BRONZE (clockwise from top left): DwellStudio Metallic Masala Bronze Pillow, Arteriors Vance Antique Brass Candlestick Lamp, Arteriors Osgood Iron Pendant, Arteriors Pascal Iron/Glass Entry Table, Arteriors Laura Kirar Waterfall Brass Candle Holders
RECLAIMED WOOD: Gabby Decor Barlow Numbered Crates, Gabby furniture, lighting and decor
PLUM PERFECTION: One of a Kind Louis XVI Vintage Dining Chairs (sold out), Rosanna Purple Parisian Glassware, Illusion Reflection Plum Pillow, DwellStudio Draper Stripe Amethyst Throw Blanket
WALLPAPER GETS CREATIVE (clockwise from top): Cole and Son Hicks Hexagon Blue and Grey Wallpaper, Ikat Wallpaper as seen on Decor Pad, Geometric Wallpaper inside cabinets as seen on Decor Pad
GATE & TRELLIS PATTERNS (clockwise from top left): Jamie Young Grey Trellis Shade on White Egg Base, London Print Gold Pillow, Ro Sham Beaux Circle High Side Table, Imperial Trellis Soft Aqua Wallpaper, DwellStudio Gate Rug in Ash/Cream

While we’d all like to think we could roll out of bed looking glam and gorgeous, the reality is most of us have a few secret weapons in our beauty arsenal to help us along. Today we’re sharing some of our favorites – tried and trusted, we LOVE these. Got a fave beauty product you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!

WENDY:
Buxom Lips – “Pout perfect lip-polish” from Sephora; I own in 3 shades. It plumps lips, smells delish as it looks and tastes even better.
Aquaphor – I keep mini tubes in my bag and on my nightstand. An all-purpose healing, therapeutic lotion with anti-inflammatory properties – apply to feet at night and next morning you’ll be ready to wear glass slippers with feet as perfect as a princess.

TIFFANY:
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo – Gives my fine hair extra lift or as a quick fix in between washes.
Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Wash – I love this Bliss body wash. In the morning it wakes me up as soon as I smell that fresh orange scent with a kick.

MELANIE:
Sephora Eyelashes – Sephora provides what nature forgot.
Jose Eber Curling Wand – Yes, I was a sucker at the mall one day, and have loved the looks I get ever since.

KERRY:
Caudalie Beauty Elixir – A spritz of this mist instantly reenergizes, freshens makeup and gives a dewy glow. Strangely effective for those “take a deep breath” moments when the kids are driving you nuts.
Clarisonic PLUS Skin Care Brush – Ridiculously expensive, but I treated myself for a birthday one year and have never regretted it. Truly lives up to the hype – your skin will never look better!

WANITA:
Clinique 3-step process – Who doesn’t have the time when they make it this easy? 1-2-3 and my skin is refreshed with all the damage from the day erased.
Clinique All About Eyes – Long workdays in front of the computer and late nights are soothed by All About Eyes – can’t go a day, or night without using.