Today I've been working on the design inspiration for the next 24 hour design challenge- An Upper West Side Apt (coming next week). The living room centers around the gray couch that's already there. I want the room to feel modern and a touch feminine, but not overly so. Still working on finding a great TV console and side tables. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Black & White Photo, Flickr: Paulwb; Grey & white Ikat bench, West Elm; White Ada lamp, CB2; Billy Bookcase, Ikea; Lavender Rug, Madeline Weinrib; Red Ikat Pillow, Luna Bazaar; Horseshow Ribbons, Image Country Living; Round marble coffee table, CB2; Sofa, La-Z-Boy; Unison Reed Pillow, Allmodern.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Inspiration for Design Challenge #2
Labels:
Design Challenge #2,
Inspiration
Monday, November 8, 2010
STENCILING WITH LOTTA...
Has anyone been to West Elm recently? I stopped in with a friend on Saturday to attend a stenciling class given by the lovely Lotta Jansdotter.
Lotta was there promoting her new book, Handmade Living. With the patience of a saint, she gave instruction and feedback on stenciling napkins, plates, cups, etc. I created my napkins in about hour with fabric paint and stencils. Super easy and fun to create!
While waiting for our napkins to dry, I was delighted to find that West Elm is chock full of cool gift items for the Holidays. Here are a few that I'd love to receive in my stocking...
Lotta was there promoting her new book, Handmade Living. With the patience of a saint, she gave instruction and feedback on stenciling napkins, plates, cups, etc. I created my napkins in about hour with fabric paint and stencils. Super easy and fun to create!
While waiting for our napkins to dry, I was delighted to find that West Elm is chock full of cool gift items for the Holidays. Here are a few that I'd love to receive in my stocking...
A pair of ceramic owls would make perfect bookends.
These lacquered nut bowls would be perfect for stashing jewelry on a nightstand.
A great alternative to traditional Holiday notecards.
Great stackable wooden boxes
And for entertaining...
Nature plates would be perfect on a console or buffet.
These Mad Men-inspired glasses would be perfect for cocktails
Labels:
gifts,
Holidays,
Lotta Jansdotter,
West Elm
Thursday, November 4, 2010
DESIGN CHALLENGE #1- BOSTON APARTMENT
I am back in NYC after a whirlwind trip to Boston to help a friend decorate her new place! I love a design challenge and in less than 24 hours, we transformed her apartment from a mess of boxes and newspaper to a seriously cozy living space. Best of all, we used most of her existing furniture and accessories, just rearranging them to give her more space.
Here are some of the before and after pics and some techniques we used...
We ditched the bulky TV stand from her previous apartment and placed her TV on the bookcase, colorblocking the books and pictures underneath.
Finally, we dragged all of her artwork onto the floor and created a gallery look to go above the red couch.
In the morning, we hung curtains, laid down a rug and sat back enjoyed her new living space.
Have you tackled any home redecorating projects recently? I'd love to hear.
Here are some of the before and after pics and some techniques we used...
Kitchen before...
Couches before...
My friend had a red couch and a love seat from her previous apartment. When she moved to a smaller space, she didn't want to part with these, so we needed to make them work. We created an L-shaped set-up, placing the couch on the wall opposite the window to help open up the space.Couches After...
My friend had a lot of tall furniture. A high table and chairs, medium sized bookcase, and a high console table. I wanted to break up the amount of furniture in the living room, so we took the console and created a bar set-up in the kitchen. Perfect for parties.We ditched the bulky TV stand from her previous apartment and placed her TV on the bookcase, colorblocking the books and pictures underneath.
Finally, we dragged all of her artwork onto the floor and created a gallery look to go above the red couch.
In the morning, we hung curtains, laid down a rug and sat back enjoyed her new living space.
Have you tackled any home redecorating projects recently? I'd love to hear.
Labels:
24 challenge,
Boston apartment,
design challenge
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
BOSTON BOUND...
I'm currently on the train to Boston. My friend just got a new apartment and asked me to come up and help her put it together. There's nothing I like more than a clean slate and a 24 hour decorating challenge. Can't wait to share some before and after pics tomorrow!
Labels:
decorating,
moving,
new apartment
Monday, November 1, 2010
PURPLE HAZE...
This weekend I grabbed some flowers from a few local street stands and put together a quick fall arrangement. Cabbages, ornamental kale and grapes help make a fabulous arrangement this time of year. Here's a quick how-to on creating a beautiful fall bouquet in greens, purples and whites.
1. Choose an interesting container that's big enough to hold your flowers.
2. Start by placing your greenery in first. These add structure to your arrangement and help support the other flowers. In this case, I started with the hypericum berry and cabbage first.
Flowers used in this arrangement (most can be found at a local grocery store or florist)
Star of Bethlehem (white flowers)
Hypericum Berry (green berries)
Small purple grapes (you could also use any purple grapes from the grocery store)
Purple Calla Lilies (this is the only thing that might be harder to find. Substitute a different color)
Lavender roses
Oregano
Dill
Ornamental cabbage
1. Choose an interesting container that's big enough to hold your flowers.
2. Start by placing your greenery in first. These add structure to your arrangement and help support the other flowers. In this case, I started with the hypericum berry and cabbage first.
3. Next start adding some of your larger flowers. (Tip: If you place the star of bethleham in warm water overnight, the bottom blooms will pop open.)
4. Next start layering in some of the color. Try to place around the arrangement to create little pockets of color. Make sure to vary the height of your flowers to add visual interest.
5. Continue to add flowers and start to add grapes and hypericum berry around the top of your container (Don't forget that most people see arrangements at eye level on a table.)
6. Continue to layer flowers with varying heights. You can also use greenery to help fill in some of the holes. Make sure to turn your arrangement around 360 degrees to make sure you have all sides covered.
7. Sit back and enjoy your lovely flowers!
Flowers used in this arrangement (most can be found at a local grocery store or florist)
Star of Bethlehem (white flowers)
Hypericum Berry (green berries)
Small purple grapes (you could also use any purple grapes from the grocery store)
Purple Calla Lilies (this is the only thing that might be harder to find. Substitute a different color)
Lavender roses
Oregano
Dill
Ornamental cabbage
Labels:
entertaining,
fall flowers,
how-to
Friday, October 29, 2010
A SPECIAL INVITE...
Had to share this adorable 1st birthday party invite I ran across the other day on the Happiness Is blog. Not sure how well this would work in reality, as the packages would have to be hand delivered in a matter of hours, but a cute idea none the less...
What is the most creative invite you've sent?
What is the most creative invite you've sent?
Labels:
Big Apple BBQ Block Party,
entertaining,
invitations
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