I also noticed that Jenny from Little Green Notebook posted about a new HGTV fabric line at Joanns that features this very same fabric. I think I'll have to go to Joanns to check out the other cool fabrics in this line.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Look what I spied at HomeGoods
I was in HomeGoods the other day when I spotted this awesome geometric style bench. Just love the emerald green fabric. And what a steal at $199. Sadly, neither I, nor my client is in need of such a bench, but I'm sure it won't last long.
I also noticed that Jenny from Little Green Notebook posted about a new HGTV fabric line at Joanns that features this very same fabric. I think I'll have to go to Joanns to check out the other cool fabrics in this line.
I also noticed that Jenny from Little Green Notebook posted about a new HGTV fabric line at Joanns that features this very same fabric. I think I'll have to go to Joanns to check out the other cool fabrics in this line.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Client Project Progress
Things are moving along quite nicely with the Federal Heights project. The curtains are up and look amazing. They add just the right amount of color and pattern to the far end of the room.
And remember in my last post when I said it was really hard finding decent throw pillows that weren't either really expensive or cheap and crappy. And remember when I said that I wouldn't recommend decorating a room from one source. Well, I found some pillows. Guess where from? Yep. Ikea. Couldn't beat the price or the quality. The client was surprised when I turned up with 7 of them, but it's a large sectional and it definitely can handle it.
My client gave the green light on this chartreuse storage ottoman from CB2. Notice the accent trim on the rug.
And to tie in more chartreuse, we're adding the Bernhard chair from Ikea to go in front of the keyboard.
I asked if it was OK to add another pillow. I'm thinking this one from World Market.
The client said no. But I think I might sneak it in anyway and ask forgiveness later ;)
Things are moving along quickly. Can't wait to show you the big reveal.
And remember in my last post when I said it was really hard finding decent throw pillows that weren't either really expensive or cheap and crappy. And remember when I said that I wouldn't recommend decorating a room from one source. Well, I found some pillows. Guess where from? Yep. Ikea. Couldn't beat the price or the quality. The client was surprised when I turned up with 7 of them, but it's a large sectional and it definitely can handle it.
My client gave the green light on this chartreuse storage ottoman from CB2. Notice the accent trim on the rug.
And to tie in more chartreuse, we're adding the Bernhard chair from Ikea to go in front of the keyboard.
I asked if it was OK to add another pillow. I'm thinking this one from World Market.
The client said no. But I think I might sneak it in anyway and ask forgiveness later ;)
Things are moving along quickly. Can't wait to show you the big reveal.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
New Client Project
Big news! I'm finally realizing a dream that I've had for many, many years. It took some friends with a big house that has huge potential to ask me for some help in finding some cohesion in their newish to them home. I'm thrilled that they're giving me this opportunity. And I'm happy to say that they're allowing me to document the process here.
I'll be tackling a number of rooms including 2 boy's bedrooms, a guest bedroom, a family room, a mudroom, a mezzanine and a great room. Whew, I'm exhausted thinking about it, but I'm more than up for the challenge.
My clients are huge outdoors people and travelers, so thinking about decorating has not been high on their list of priorities. But they did realize that they needed some help in unifying, as well as, cozying up their home. Here's where I came in.
We won't be changing any wall colors because they'd just recently had the whole house repainted. And we won't be doing anything drastic with the decor because they're modest kind of people. But I think that you'll agree that from the before and in-progress photos, small changes can make huge differences.
Um, where to begin. Notice how all of the furniture, the treadmill, and the exercise bicycle are pointed towards the TV. Funny thing is, to the left of the picture is a great gas fireplace with built-ins that actually have a section for it. Sometimes things that seem so obvious to some people, like furniture placement, are not so obvious to others. This is an easy fix.
My first reaction was why is the TV the focal point and not the fireplace? I know lots of people decry placing a TV over a fireplace, but this is a family room and here it would absolutely work. All that was needed was a TV wall-mount and a quick visit from an electrician.
The next thing that needed to happen was to get rid of/donate/sell the couch, chair and bookcase. They're too small and random for the space. Do you find your eyes bouncing from one thing to the next? Luckily my clients were up for changing out these elements.
In the picture below you can see the hugeness of the space. This is their basement, but it is a walkout and gets great light. It really needed a large piece of furniture to anchor the room.
The blue tape is masking out the outline of a new sectional! Perfect size and shape for this great area.
And a quick visit to Ikea, and we ordered this:
It's the Karlstad sofa, and it is huge, but nothing this room can't handle.
The rug is also from Ikea. And although I don't usually advocate outfitting an entire room from one store, a few things are ok.
The rug may be too small, and I do have one that I like better, but it's a bit more expensive. Plus, it's an internet buy and you know how risky it is buying stuff without seeing or feeling it first.
We moved the football table into the alcove.
These curtains from Ikea will be flanking the doors and windows. Aren't they cute?
This is the rug that I love, we'll see.
I just stumbled across this picture by one of my favourite designers, Betsy Burnham.
It has a similar feel don't you think.
And I'm hoping to persuade the client into purchasing this ottoman from CB2. It's a great size and perfect for storing Nerf guns!
I also need to find some cool art and obviously some throw pillows. You'd think that that would be easy but pillows can be either super expensive or really cheap, small, and crappy.
So, as a recap, here's the before and during side-by-side for your comparison.
See the rug in the corner. I wanted to put that on the wall behind the keyboard. Suffice it to say, the client is not sharing my vision ;(
Tomorrow I'll post some pictures of the bedrooms, and show you my plans. And, I guess it goes without saying, if you'd like me to spruce up your home for you, just send me an email, I'd be more than happy to help.
I'll be tackling a number of rooms including 2 boy's bedrooms, a guest bedroom, a family room, a mudroom, a mezzanine and a great room. Whew, I'm exhausted thinking about it, but I'm more than up for the challenge.
My clients are huge outdoors people and travelers, so thinking about decorating has not been high on their list of priorities. But they did realize that they needed some help in unifying, as well as, cozying up their home. Here's where I came in.
We won't be changing any wall colors because they'd just recently had the whole house repainted. And we won't be doing anything drastic with the decor because they're modest kind of people. But I think that you'll agree that from the before and in-progress photos, small changes can make huge differences.
 |
| Family Room Before |
The next thing that needed to happen was to get rid of/donate/sell the couch, chair and bookcase. They're too small and random for the space. Do you find your eyes bouncing from one thing to the next? Luckily my clients were up for changing out these elements.
In the picture below you can see the hugeness of the space. This is their basement, but it is a walkout and gets great light. It really needed a large piece of furniture to anchor the room.
And a quick visit to Ikea, and we ordered this:
It's the Karlstad sofa, and it is huge, but nothing this room can't handle.
The rug is also from Ikea. And although I don't usually advocate outfitting an entire room from one store, a few things are ok.
The rug may be too small, and I do have one that I like better, but it's a bit more expensive. Plus, it's an internet buy and you know how risky it is buying stuff without seeing or feeling it first.
We moved the football table into the alcove.
This is the rug that I love, we'll see.
I just stumbled across this picture by one of my favourite designers, Betsy Burnham.
And I'm hoping to persuade the client into purchasing this ottoman from CB2. It's a great size and perfect for storing Nerf guns!
I also need to find some cool art and obviously some throw pillows. You'd think that that would be easy but pillows can be either super expensive or really cheap, small, and crappy.
So, as a recap, here's the before and during side-by-side for your comparison.
See the rug in the corner. I wanted to put that on the wall behind the keyboard. Suffice it to say, the client is not sharing my vision ;(
Tomorrow I'll post some pictures of the bedrooms, and show you my plans. And, I guess it goes without saying, if you'd like me to spruce up your home for you, just send me an email, I'd be more than happy to help.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
West Elm Pillows
So I got an email from West Elm saying that these particular pillows that I wrote about here, were almost sold out. What! They'd only just been on the market a couple of weeks. Of course I fell for the marketing and was suckered into buying them, just in case. It really is the saddest saga of the little sofa that could but really just can't. They don't really work, but I'm sticking with them because they're bright and cheery. The only thing that will work with this sofa is to be completely recovered in a more neutral fabric, or to buy a totally new sofa. Either ain't gonna happen. So I accept it for what it is, and enjoy the fact that because it is a browny green (my husband thinks it's green, I think it's brown) it hides all the food spills that have been made over the years.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Symmetry at last
The knock-off saarinen tulip side table arrived from Overstock, and overall I'm pleased to have some symmetry back in the bedroom.
What I don't like, however, is the fact that you can see the lamp and radio cords. I think if I tape them down the table base it will disguise them somewhat, but you'll still see them at the bottom.
Anyhow, it got me to thinking. How about if I had sconces attached to the walls. That would solve the cord dilemma, and create more room on the nightstands for other stuff.
It would also make the room look less whimsical and more sophisticated.
I remember being fascinated by the sconces in the house on the show "American Horror Story". Now that's a gorgeously designed house. Here's a picture below.
Maybe I should do something like that with my bedroom. The sconces would however have to be beside the headboard and not above due to the fact that I have a sloping ceiling.
These beauties are currently on sale at Anthropologie.
Too spidery or alien looking? Not sure. But they would bring a touch of masculinity to the place.
Here's some other options that might work.
You can find all of the links here.
It's probably not going to happen, because the current lamps are perfectly fine, but it's fun to dream.
What I don't like, however, is the fact that you can see the lamp and radio cords. I think if I tape them down the table base it will disguise them somewhat, but you'll still see them at the bottom.
Anyhow, it got me to thinking. How about if I had sconces attached to the walls. That would solve the cord dilemma, and create more room on the nightstands for other stuff.
It would also make the room look less whimsical and more sophisticated.
I remember being fascinated by the sconces in the house on the show "American Horror Story". Now that's a gorgeously designed house. Here's a picture below.
Maybe I should do something like that with my bedroom. The sconces would however have to be beside the headboard and not above due to the fact that I have a sloping ceiling.
These beauties are currently on sale at Anthropologie.
Too spidery or alien looking? Not sure. But they would bring a touch of masculinity to the place.
Here's some other options that might work.
You can find all of the links here.
It's probably not going to happen, because the current lamps are perfectly fine, but it's fun to dream.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Happy Easter 2013
Happy belated Easter. Hope yours was a good one. Here's some assorted piccys from our day.
Loving these new West Elm throw pillows
West Elm have certainly come along way. I remember a few years back when all they sold were earthy toned modular furniture and accessories. Now they sell lots of colorful and on trend designs. So it was no surprise when I spotted these lovely painterly pillows.
What I do find surprising, however, is that they are an almost exact replica of these gorgeous pillows/cushions (not sure which noun to use seeing as I'm now both British & American) from BlueBellGray.com.
What I do find surprising, however, is that they are an almost exact replica of these gorgeous pillows/cushions (not sure which noun to use seeing as I'm now both British & American) from BlueBellGray.com.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Hot Cross Buns!
I live with Martha Dingley, or should it be Delia Dingley? Maybe Jamie Dingley, or Nigella Dingley? Either way, this is what I came home to today.
The hubby knocked out some 'hot cross buns' for Good Friday. Is this purely a British thing? I'm not sure, anyway can't wait to have one or two with a nice cuppa.
The hubby knocked out some 'hot cross buns' for Good Friday. Is this purely a British thing? I'm not sure, anyway can't wait to have one or two with a nice cuppa.
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