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Monday, January 30, 2012

Not Your Daughter's Rug

On Saturday, I opened my mailbox to find a slew of home decor and fashion catalogs waiting for me. Among them were the most recent catalogs for The Land of Nod, PB Teen and Pottery Barn Kids. While I typically think of using products from these stores when designing for kids, I was surprised to find these fabulous and affordable rugs that I think would look great in any space...not just a room for a child.

PB Teen Tribal Dhurrie Rug

PBK Ashland Rug

PB Teen Diamond Kilim Rug

The Land of Nod Grey Zig Zag Rug

Land of Nod Crows Feet Rug

Land of Nod Magic Carpet Rug

It seems that these stores, which traditionally market decor and furniture for kids rooms, are realizing that young doesn't always have to equate to kitschy or cartoony. With options like these, children can have sophisticated and classic spaces that will grow with them through the years. And if the parents happen to spot a few items (like the rugs above) that will work in other areas of their homes, while shopping, that's all the better! Next time your shopping for your home...don't forget to check out the "kids' stuff", you might just find exactly what you were looking for!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Pinterest Valentine's Day Round-Up

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Thanks to Pinterest, I actually have plenty of different ideas that will help me make it special for my hubby and kids. I've been busy pinning away, and I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite Valentine treats, decor and ideas with all of you!

Cupid Corn Cookie Bark

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

14 Acts of Love Printable

Free V-Day Printable

Free Printable Treat Bags

Cute Cupcake Idea

Honestly, now that I have found and experienced Pinterest, I am not sure I can live without it. Do you feel the same way? You can see the rest of my Valentine Pins as well as browse my other Boards here. Happy Friday!


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Staircase Gallery Wall

Back in December, I did a post featuring the Christmas decor in my home. In that post, I shared a picture of my stair rail garlands. In the background of that picture you can catch a glimpse of the gallery wall going up my stairs. I had a couple people email me and ask me to post more pictures of it. Although, I had every intention of doing so, it kind of slipped my mind. Until last week, one of my cute readers, asked me about it again. I finally snapped some pictures of it to share with you.







You can't tell from these pictures, but the wall actually extends up about another 10 feet. I am excited to continue to add to the gallery and ultimately have it extend all the way to the ceiling!

I looked a lot of pictures of gallery walls before putting mine together. I knew I didn't want all my frames to match, but I did want a cohesive look. So, with the exception of the painted frames, I kept the finish of all the frames the same, a gilded metallic. The frames were gathered over time from Pottery Barn, Home Goods and Hobby Lobby. The letters are also from Hobby Lobby. I changed the original finish on them with a couple of coats of spray paint. As far as the process of planning the layout of the wall, I just did what seemed most practical. Gallery walls can be tricky, especially when you are creating one that will angle up a stairway wall. I put this gallery wall together last August (before I started this blog). I think I snapped a couple of pictures of the process, so I want to dig them out of my digital files and share them with you when I explain how I put the gallery wall up. I love having this spot in my home to display pictures that have been taken over time. I also want to add some other small trinkets and art prints to it.

Are you a fan of gallery walls? Do you prefer to have all the frames match or do you like the idea of having the frames look like they were collected over time?

Monday, January 23, 2012

A Dreamy Home Tour

I was perusing Houzz last night when I cam across this home Built, Designed & Furnished by Spinnaker Development out of Newport Beach, CA.  This house blew me away. It speaks to me in every way. When I picture my dream home, this is how I picture it. The woodwork, texture and neutral color palette are perfection. Casual elegance at its finest. I just knew I had to share it with you.

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional living room

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional living room

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional dining room

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional kitchen

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional bedroom

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional home office

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional laundry room

1512 Dolphin Terrace traditional bathroom

I'm in love.

To see more pictures of this beautiful home check out Spinnaker Development on Houzz.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Metallic Magic

Do you remember the bamboo floor easel I purchased from The Foundary a few weeks back? When I received it, the finish on it looked nothing like it did in the picture and I wasn't a fan. I didn't love the black and gold finish. The gold actually looked kind of orange. I wanted it to have a flat metallic gold finish. I thought about spray painting it, but I didn't want to lose the subtle texture and variation that can be found on aged metal. I knew spray paint would give it a more uniform look, and for this particular piece that's not what I envisioned. Then I remembered a product that was introduced to me by Janell at Isabella and Max Rooms.


Rub n' Buff is a wax metallic finish that can be easily applied to almost any surface to change or add a metallic finish. It comes in a variety of finishes and can be found at most craft stores for around $4 a tube. I chose the Antique Gold for my makeover.

I started by applying a small amount to a dry clean terry cloth rag. My rag had been washed multiple times, so I was sure it wouldn't shed. 


I wasn't joking when I said a small amount! A tiny bit of this stuff goes a long way!
I then proceeded to rub the wax all over my easel.


I continued to do this to the entire easel, reapplying a small amount of the Rub n' Buff to my cloth as needed. The great thing about this product, is that you can control the amount of finish you apply. I put it on heavy in some areas and lighter in others. Also, it doesn't dry really fast, which allows you to "buff" out some places where you may have been heavy handed. 

Progress shot...


A couple of before and afters so you can see the change...



Much better, don't you think? A little tube of metallic magic right at our fingertips. Gotta love that!
If you're wondering what's going on the easel, I'll be tackling that project this weekend and hope to share it with you on Monday!

Do you have any projects planned for the weekend? Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy the next couple of days! Happy Weekend!




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thrifty Thursday - A "Wish" Come True

I've been steadily working on the design of my home office. I think I have narrowed down which of my inspiration fabrics will make its way into the room, and I've started to purchase some of the key pieces for it. My budget for my guest bedroom turned office project is pretty small, so I am on the hunt for some good bargains.

While I don't anticipate clients coming to my home office, I do want a place for my hubs or my kids to sit and hang out with me for awhile if they want to. I have long loved the look and lines of this Hans J. Wegner Wishbone Chair for Carl Hansen & Son.

With a $850 price tag, I never even entertained the idea of owning one.

Until...I spied this beauty on O.co
What!?! The green color had me at "Hello", and the $160 price tag had me clicking the "Add to Cart"  and "Checkout" buttons.

My Wishbone Chair is on its way to me and I can't wait to get it! O.co also carries it in brown, natural, pink and white! Seriously, I LOVE a good bargain!

PS - You've probably noticed that my little blog is getting a makeover! The fabulously talented Jenna Rammell from q.a. design is giving my blog a fresh look. You will probably notice a few more changes occurring over the next day or so, until it is all complete. I am so excited about it! Do you love the new header she created for me as much as I do? :)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My Word for 2012

Have you seen the many "Word of the Year" posts popping up around the blogsphere lately? Layla over at The Lettered Cottage decided to host a party and encourage all of her bloggy friends to take the time to choose a “Word of the Year” for themselves. Over the last few days I have been visiting many of the blogs that have decided to take the challenge and chose a word that defines their focus for the year. The word chosen is a word that will inspire thoughts, actions and define goals for the year ahead. As I began reading these blog posts by my fellow bloggers, I was immediately drawn to this idea for myself. I am not the type of person that makes resolutions for the New Year. In the past, when I have decided to write a list of resolutions, I have rarely been successful at checking off all the items on my list. I have found that life rarely goes as planned and that it almost never leads you down the path you expect to be traveling. The resolutions I made on January 1st are totally off my radar or way down on my priority list just a few months later. Choosing a word to focus on for the year allows me to live my life as it comes, but enables me to remind myself, during all the twists and turns, who I want to be and what I want to accomplish during my journey.

So, after much reflection and thought my word for 2012 is....

I saw this quote on Pinterest and I knew that “Present” was the perfect word for the direction I want to go this year.


To be present in each moment in my life is the best “present” I can give to myself and the people I love. All too often, I find myself dreaming of the future and pondering the past. Waiting for the next best thing, while taking for granted the many great things in my life right now. I forget that each day that passes is a day I can never get back. I forget that my kids are only this age once. I forget that each day is a gift and that I should treat it as such. And so, in 2012, I will be more present. I will take every opportunity to enjoy the moment, be more engaged and live my life more consciously. I will choose to make each day worth remembering by being present in it. I will show the people I love how thankful I am for their presence in my life, by being present in theirs. I know there will still be days that fly by, leaving me to wonder where the time has gone and if I had accomplished anything worthwhile in the day. But, I also know that by choosing “present” as my word for this year, I will make a more concerted effort to live my life in a way that displays the immeasurable gratitude I have for the gift of each day that has been given to me.

And so I sit here, writing this post, being present in the moment, and feeling an overwhelming sense of appreciation for each of you who come to visit my blog and allow me to have a small presence in your lives. Thank you.

What do you think of the “Word of the Year” idea? If you have a word for 2012, I would love to hear about it.

The Lettered Cottage
I'll be joining Layla's Word of the Year Party, here.


PS - I haven't forgotten that I promised you a DIY project today, but life got in the way ;) and I need a couple more days to complete it. I promise to post about it this week.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Happy Monday


The kids have the day off school today and I am still trying to regroup from our incredible weekend in San Francisco. In case you don't follow football, the 49ers beat the Saints in one of the most exciting games in playoff history! It was amazing to be there in person to experience it. Can you tell how happy we were to be there and watch our team win?!?

I'll be back tomorrow with a little DIY project to share. Until then, here some words of wisdom to help you kick of your week...


Happy Monday!

Friday, January 13, 2012

This Weekend...

My Man and I are on our way here...

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

....to cheer on these guys...


...and this guy...

Former University of Utah Quarterback Alex Smith

...while they do a little of this...
                            

in their first playoff appearance since 2002. We are some die hard Niners fans, and have been waiting for a season like this for a long time! The fact that a former Utah Ute is their starting quarterback only adds to the excitement! Yes, I may be a girly girl, but I love football! Go Niners!

I hope you all have great weekend!


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Inspired by Fabric

There is no doubt about it. I am a fabric junkie. Almost every room I design starts with fabric as the main inspiration. All the other elements I choose seem to stem from the color, design and texture of the fabric I have picked. It doesn't matter how the inspiration fabric ends up in the space. It could be an upholstered piece of furniture, drapes, pillows or simply be hung on the wall as a framed piece of art. In every room of my home, I can pinpoint the fabric that inspired the design of it.

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of my first "Home Goals" for this year is to transform our guest room into my home office. I am just starting to piece together the design for it. I know I want it to be vibrant, fun, and have a touch of femininity. Once again, the jumping off point for my office design will be the fabric. Here are a few that I am currently loving and considering for my guest room turned home office project.

1.

2.

3.

4.

I seriously love all of these and can envision each of them in the space. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Oh, I have to share the desk that I picked out....


Seriously...I'm in love with it. :)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Recent Purchases

Last week I had some goodies delivered that I had recently purchased online and I thought it would be fun to share them with you!


I snagged these beauties from Gilt for my Master Bedroom. I am ready to switch out the brown and blue floral pillows and coverlet and I fell in love with these when I saw them. They were a great deal and came with the feather inserts. Yeah! I have also ordered a lumbar pillow cover from Etsy to add to the pillows along with a new throw for the end of the bed! I'll be sure to show you the updated look once it all arrives!


I scored these lacquered desk accessories from One Kings Lane. They are perfect for the new home office I've been dreaming up.


I picked up this bamboo easel from The Foundary. I haven't decided quite where to put it yet. Maybe the dining room? I also need to decide if it is going to hold a piece of art, or a mirror, or maybe even a DIY chalkboard.?. I love the lines of the easel, but I'm not loving the finish. It looks way different in person then it did on the web. But for $35, it is a great accent piece and I plan on making it more to my liking with a quick coat of spray paint.

Are any of you members of these curated sale sites like One Kings Lane, Joss & Main, The Foundary and Gilt? They are a great resource to find designer furniture, home decor, art, clothing and number of other lifestyle products at deeply discounted prices. I am a huge fan and have been very pleased with my purchases from these sites! If your not familiar with them, go check them out and be sure to sign up!

PS - I am not in any way associated with any of these sites. I just wanted to share these great sources with all of my lovely readers!

UPDATE: I was just over at Joss & Main and they have a table top version of my easel on sale today!