I was at Home Depot this past weekend and was curious to see if the new Martha Stewart paint line was available…not yet. The Ralph Lauren display (that she is replacing) was still intact with no signs of removal. When is she coming? Does anyone know? The launch date is March of 2010, so I guess they have until the end of the month to reveal all those new colors…all 280! I can’t wait to see what is available and what colors I can put to good use in my house. Do you all have plans to check out her new line? What fun painting projects will you be doing this spring?
Where is Martha?
March 16th, 2010Birdhouse Lantern
March 15th, 2010
I stumbled on this ceramic domed birdhouse (orange) and feeder (ivory) at Marshall’s one day last week and couldn’t resist the possibilities. I love the shape and color of both, especially the feeder — I’m thinking a small votive candle or even a little plant inside.
After exploring various corners of the living room where these might hang best, I decided to hang them from the ceiling in our stairwell with the votive candle.
We almost always have a ceramic lantern (above right) lighted on our coffee table in the evening and another small tea light (in a white egg cup, above left) on the dresser.
While I struggled to capture the full effect with the camera, we now have a really nice trio of glowing “lanterns” throughout the living room. So cozy…
I’m having the best time coordinating all of my orange accessories, artwork and textiles in this space. I just hope I don’t grow tired of the bold color any time soon!
A Tisket A Tasket
March 11th, 2010
Wouldn’t these be cute on an Easter basket?
{images from the gilded bee on etsy}
I spotted the adorable flowers from The Gilded Bee over at The Inspired Bride. The Gilded Bee’s etsy shop is full of treats that would be the perfect addition to a springtime gift. I think the butterflies could even be cute framed in a little girls room. The Gilded Bee is definitely a new etsy favorite!
Cordelia Pendant Lights
March 10th, 2010Just got the new Ballard Designs catalog in the mail and I love these Cordelia pendants. They’re so different from the typical Ballard designs. Wouldn’t they be great hanging above a counter in a cottage kitchen?
Furniture Shopping in Farmville
March 9th, 2010
I’ve got two weeks until my due date and my husband and I are still trying to find a glider/rocking chair we like. We’ve been all over checking out chairs, but so far have come up empty handed. This past weekend my husband suggested we check out what Farmville has to offer, since they are known in Virginia for their furniture. Neither of us had shopped in town before, but had heard great things and it was a pleasant hour drive to get there. Needless to say – they have a TON of furniture shops/warehouses/showrooms to browse through…you could spend a whole weekend!
Unfortunately, we did not come home with a glider, just a new rug for our bedroom. But, we will definitely be going back for any future furniture needs. There are so many choices and the prices are quite friendly. I recommend going when the weather’s relatively nice. You can stroll through town and hit all of the stores on foot. These are some pics I took while shopping to give you an idea…you must check it out!
{ bolts of fabric at the discount fabric store }
{ a few of the MANY accessories in the clearance center }
Best Dressed
March 8th, 2010Did you watch the Oscars last night? I’m notorious for having award shows on in the background while working on a project, making dinner or checking e-mail. So I always miss a little here and there, but I did catch two stunning gowns.
I haven’t fully embraced Miley Cyrus as an adult celebrity yet, but this dress by Jenny Packham was perfectly demure and sophisticated. I thought she looked terrific.
Don’t the beads on her skirt twinkle like the candlelight lining these concrete steps?
My other favorite was Demi Moore’s Atelier Versace copper ruffles. She always looks so fresh and healthy and last night was no exception. Demi is one of those people who wears the dress, while so many others let the dress wear them.
I decided this bedroom with luxuriously lived-in crisp white bedding, paired with an elegant peach-toned headboard and soft layers was just right.
I love to see what the stars are wearing. There were lots of princess gowns, which I didn’t love; a handful of architectural statements, that were too much for my taste; and plenty of color; all of which I think were trumped this year by the rosy tones and ethereal layers like the dresses above.
What do you think? Were you drawn to a favorite dress or trend?
{images: celebrities, Huffington Post; decor, Living, Etc.}
Bonne Bon
March 4th, 2010
I was browsing through Schumacher’s fabrics yesterday looking for inspiration, and I came across some new fabrics by Studio Bon (or at least they are new to me). I’m pining for both the Sally and Oodles fabrics:
{Oodles in topaz and Sally in midnight by Studio Bon}
You may remember that I was considering Studio Bon fabric for the nursery. Well, that was before I priced the fabric. Unfortunately, it’s not in the budget for Nathan’s room, but I’m holding out hope that I can find a way to work some of this stunning fabric into my decor soon!
The Kitchen or the Bedroom?
March 3rd, 2010I mentioned last week that these Dwell Studio dish towels from Target would undergo a little transformation for another room in the house. They were on clearance for $2.48 so I bought two sets. The packaging reads “3 kitchen towels”, which might explain why they were on clearance — there were only two in each package.
But for $5, not only are four 100% cotton dish towels a steal, so are two pillow cases!
I’ve been tinkering with the decor in our bedroom for a long time now and there’s still work to be done. But these inventive pillow cases add just enough dimension to our fairly neutral bedscape (pretty sure I just made that word up!).
The bedroom walls are painted a muted turquoise with glossy white trim. Everything else is in shades of brown and white. For a while we had pops of bright red and more modern artwork going on, too, but I’ve moved those pieces out for a more sedated composition. I really like how the polka dots and stripes play with the more organic lines of our West Elm “Snow Leopard” duvet. And with that narrow turquoise trim at the end of each “towel”, the combination couldn’t be a better fit!
The project was as simple as pinning one polka dot to one striped dish towel, right sides together, and stitching along three edges. No hemming and no cutting.
Any creative re-purposing going on in your world?
Hammerpress
March 2nd, 2010
{ screenshot of Hammerpress web site }
One of my favorite letterpress companies is Hammerpress based out of Kansas City, Missouri. I love their art prints, quirky holiday cards, and funky notebooks all with their signature layered and unique design. I recently discovered they have redone their web site and added new product. Check it out here.
In addition to the great product they stock, they can work with you to create a complete custom look for your wedding invitations or choose from a selection “stock” invites as well. Not getting hitched? Take advantage of their super design skills for your business cards, stationery, or any other project you’re working on.
Take a few minutes to browse the Hammerpress site and you’ll be hooked, too!
Forbes & Lomax {luxury living}
March 1st, 2010I like these. A lot. Of course, a light switch like one of these comes with some pretty high expectations for all the other details in a home, but, if I lived in house that could hold its own with these, well, it’d be a pretty swanky house.
In the meantime, I’ll just marvel at these classy designs by Forbes & Lomax.
{images: Forbes & Lomax — clockwise, close up of Toggle Switch, Toggle Switch, Rotary Dimmer and Push Button}
Aren’t they gorgeous? I remember the push button switch style from my grandparents’ Victorian home, but I have never seen a modern replica with so much sophistication. Notice there are no screws in back plates…
