Client Bedroom Design Board

The lovely reader that I did a living room design board for asked me to create a board for her master bedroom as well, and I loved doing it!  She was looking to keep her dark black furniture, but add some paint, new bedding, and drapes.  Her style is similar to mine, so working with her was really easy and fun. 

We started with painting the walls gray, adding luxurious gray/slate drapes hung really high, and a paisley bedding, since she specifically did not want all white bedding.  A sheepskin rug under the bed feels so soft on your feet when getting in and out of bed and the crystal lamps add some glamour to the space.  The side table will go in the sitting room, next to her leather chair, with either the blue lamp or floor lamp.  The rectangular mirror is meant to replace the matchy mirror that was currently above her dresser.  Finally, a bench at the foot of the bed completes the look. 

While I like the creative process of creating design boards, since going back to work part-time, I don’t have the “extra” time to do them anymore for clients.  If you are interested in having a designer create an online design board for you, I would highly recommend any of these talented ladies below.  You can click on the picture to visit their blogs and see which style suits you best.

     

*******

The WINNER of the Say It On The Wall Giveaway was supposed to be announced today, but I’m going to extend the giveaway and announce the winner next Friday, May 20, since Blogger was not allowing people to comment the last couple of days.  If you want to enter, go HERE! 

Spring Bag

It seems that every year, about this time, I start itching to get a new bag for Spring.  I got a new bag last November that I still like, but I love seeing the new Spring styles.  If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you probably know I have a thing for Michael Kors.  His Santorini natural tote is a current fave.

  

Kate Spade’s straw bag with “petuna” ribbon is also pretty cute!

This yellow and white stripe leather one is fun too, but I think I need a bag with shoulder straps.

 

And I’ve also love Tory Burch totes.

Trina Turk’s canvas tote with pink and green and shiny patent bottom also caught my eye.

Ahh, so fun to see all the new Spring stuff!  It’s a good thing I’ve been staying out of the stores lately!

*********

P.S.  Today is the last day to enter the $200 e-spree giveaway to Joss & Main.

Silhouette Discount Code

Shut the front door- the Silhouette machine cuts not only paper, but fabric now too?!?!  How brilliant is that?  Am I the last one to know about this?? 

And Silhouette is offering Honey We’re Home readers: a Silhouette SD, one of each fabric interfacing (clean cut & sewable), AND a roll of white flocked heat transfer material for $229.  Just enter promo code: HWH when you checkout.  If you already have a Silhouette, you can get 25% off fabric interfacing using the same promo code.   This offer is good from March 21, 2011 to March 27, 2011.

AND . . . for a chance to WIN a Silhouette SD machine and the goodies mentioned above, go visit my friend Decor Chick! 

To try out the new fabric interfacing material, I made a little Easter bib!  Not sure James wants a pink bunny on his bib, but I think it’s cute!  May have to go get some more “boy friendly” fabric colors soon:) (The stuffed chick will go in his Easter basket:) 

To make the bib, I just downloaded the bunny shape from the Silhouette store for 99 cents.  You iron your fabric onto the interfacing material (the back of your fabric goes onto the rough side of the interfacing).  Then peel off the interfacing liner and place the fabric onto the Silhouette cutting mat.  I had a hard time getting my fabric cut all the way through, but I may need to adjust my cut settings.  I ended up using scissors to get a clean cut all the way around.  Then I simply ironed the fabric onto the terrycloth bib!

I can’t wait to try it out on some pillows- I would love to make something like these:

                   via                                         via

or these fabric bunting flags:

                                                                             via

via

Wouldn’t that be cute for Spring?

New Coffee Table

Since the addition of the new curtains to our living room, our big ole chunky ottoman just feels too big, bulky and dark for the look I’m after.  I initially chose this particular ottoman for baby safety reasons, but now I’m not so sure that there isn’t a better option available. 

Here are a few that have caught my eye recently.

Williams Sonoma Bryce Coffee Table ($550)

I’m thinking of going round this time since our couch is so square.  I’m kind of in love with this one. I love the thick, dark wood paired with the shiny silver legs in an x-shape.  If you know of a similar, less expensive version, I’d love to know about it!

I can’t find the link for this one, but perhaps I could find a similar one and have it upholstered and add the nailhead trim? 

Or maybe a pair of x-benches?  Restoration Hardware $325 (on sale- ha!) – for one!

I’m especially fond of this version from Wisteria ($259)

But the Ballard Designs seats ($269- x- bench; Courbe Ottoman- $239) are great because you can choose from a variety of colors!

This West Elm storage bench ($325) is pretty cool.   But which color??  Probably the grey.

The Crate & Barrel Collette Bench ($599)– always a classic.

I also like what A Thoughtful Place found for her living room.  K Mart ($129- but Courtney scored it for $99!)  Lucky dog! :)

And here is a more modern version of what we have now.  Hines Square Ottoman by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams.  And by the way Mitch and Bob, could you please list your prices on your website??

 

I’m undecided.  I’m going to put a design board together to see what I think looks best and continue looking around some more.  I’m considering changing the side tables, possibly the lamps, and adding a new accent chair or chairs and table to complete the living room.  Should I just pull the trigger on #1??

Have a Great Weekend!

Client Living Room E-Design

Recently a reader contacted me for some help with her living room, and I prepared a design board for her.  She wanted to keep her wall paint color and two sofas and ottoman, but was willing to part with the rug.  I just love the features in the room- soaring beamed ceilings, stone fireplace, big windows, and dark hardwood floors.  In fact, Jimmy and I seriously considered buying a house with a similar floor plan before deciding to build instead. 

Client’s Room BEFORE

 

DESIGN BOARD

I prepared the board with three different rugs to give her a few choices and see how each one would change the look of the room. 

#1

I advised her to replace the “B” with the window pane mirror and place the console table behind the couch with a pair of lamps.  Adding a pair of accent chairs and table helped balance the space and break up the set of leather furniture while adding additional seating.  The drapes would be lined with the decorative trim (a little tip from A Well Dressed Home), which I kept neutral so that she could change out the colors of the accessories fairly easily.  Finally, if she wanted to add some dimension to the fireplace wall (which she indicated she was thinking of painting) I suggested doing a mild stencil and then adding a large mirror.  This was a fun project and I am so thrilled that she liked it!  I made sure to search for items that were affordable since we’re all on a budget these days:)

#2

#3

*If you are interested in having me create a design board for you, please contact me for rates.  And speaking of design boards, Ten June graciously gifted one to me for our storage dump media room.  It’s a future space for my hubby to watch sports and play video games, and, like I told Michelle, do whatever it is men do in a large room full of electronics!  I think she’s going to post it on Tuesday:)  I really love her ideas (especially the colors!)

Which board (rug) do like best, if at all??

Fabric Canvas Wall Art

While perusing fabric for my living room drapes, I fell in love with this beauty. 

I love the lime greens, the whimsy of the birds and how the gray keeps it from looking too feminine even though it’s a floral print.  In an effort to showcase this fabric somewhere in my home, I decided to incorporate it into our dining room design by turning it into a piece of art. 

Ultimately, I think I will add two square mirrors to either side of the art as well as neutral drapes so that I can change out the art and runner as the mood strikes.

To make mine, I used:

• Fabric
• Canvas
• Iron
• Spray Adhesive (optional)
• Staple gun
• Teeth and nails (for hanging)

I started by ironing my fabric to remove any wrinkles.

  I used a 50 x 40 inch canvas because I wanted a large piece.

I figured out where I wanted the fabric to lay, then sprayed a light coat of spray adhesive to the canvas and covered it with my fabric.

Then I began stapling the fabric to the wooden frame.

  

After all sides were stapled, we added teeth to the back for purposes of hanging.

  

And then hung her up!

I also made a coordinating runner with stitch witchery for the table. 

It’s feeling so springy in here right now!  Can’t wait to add the mirrors, drapes, rug, sideboard . . . ha!   Always a work in progress!

But looking so much better than what we started with!