Personalize with Hand Made Accessories

It seems to me these days, that there is an epidemic of DIY projects everywhere, especially with the rise and fame of pinterest. I understand that it is becoming more and more difficult to live amongst all these "easy to do" projects, when you, yourself may not be a "crafter", or "do it yourself-er". Its rough and I understand that. When the chances of you gluing your fingers together before reaching the checkout line at your local craft store is higher than you knowing the difference between emerald green and teal green...it is not a good sign. BUT...I say there is hope and there is a way to personalize your home with some of your own creations. Take this flower box for example. 

In three easy steps you can have a home accessory with some of your personality.

Step 1: Choose a container that has your style: for me it was a very tailored tweed covered box. What can I say the textures just popped out at me.

Step 2: Choose some of your favorite flowers. ( The best part about this is, you can change your choice depending on the seasons. Its the home accessory that keeps on giving.)

Step 3: Arrange them by cutting the stems at various lengths and positioning them into your base to create a beautiful arrangement made all by yourself.

See how easy is that?! Not to mention there was no glue involved. leaving your fingers free and happy.

Project time: 30min 

Cost:  As little as $15.00 depending on your choices.

-B.Petersen

If you have any DIY "glued finger stories" we'd love to hear about them. So go ahead, don't be shy and leave a comment! 

Family Room Color Scheme

I have owned this rug for about 6, maybe 7 years. I love it! I love the color scheme & the pattern. Design tip: Find a piece that you love & build your room around it! I was able to pull accent colors out of this rug for the living room in my old house and now the basement family room in my new one. 

 I loved the rusty coral of this pillow, which I used for years, however I was never fully satisfied with the pillow in general. I wanted to freshen up my color scheme and give an updated feel to my family room while still keeping the color scheme. Design tip: Many store sell pillow covers in a variety of sizes. Hobby Lobby and Ikea are 2 off the top of my head. This cover was purchased at Hobby Lobby for $6.99. I payed $3.50 for it because every other week or so they are 50% off; just check their website for sales and 40% off coupons. I stuffed my old pillow in this new cover... and voila! A fresh new look for very little money and very little time!

 -B.Ballard

Ta Door! A Unique Idea for a Headboard

A family member has recently updated all of their doors in their home and we had some left over white doors. In thinking about what we could do with these leftover doors, I thought about a headboard. First the door was painted and antiqued. Then a iron design element was added to it. And now... Ta Door! A great new headboard. 

-S.Pectol

Love Love Love Seat

I absolutely love this love seat. I fell in love with it when I saw it for sale by owner. It currently resides in my family room, but it will soon be at the end of my dinner table, or in  my bedroom, or as unique little sitting nook in my kitchen. Just because something is used or not a design name doesn't mean its value is any less. When you find a unique piece of furniture that could be multifaceted then take it home and experiment. You may just have the perfect piece to complete your room or rooms in this case. 

-S. Pectol

Picking a Color Scheme: 5 Tips For Choosing Color.

So many times, I walk into a home and everything is white, beige, tan, brown, cream, and oatmeal, layered on top of each other, with either a little blue or red thrown in. I'm not sure what it is with blue and red but they seem to be the color of choice. Personally I say, save the red for Christmas. Anyways I thought I would share a few tips on how I choose a color scheme to decorate a space.

5 Tips For Choosing Color 

1. Find an inspiration piece, like this amazing chair from Z Gallery.

2. It is much easier to find paint to go with furniture than the other way around. In this day and age paint comes in every bold, bright, muted, fun, crazy, calming, color you can think of. Not to mention every shade of that color as well.

3. Think out side the box. there is no rule against having two bold colors. In fact having more than one can add a little life to the room

4. Balance. Find a combination of light and heavy. In this collection a tangerine orange and an emerald green will add a little weight to the room, giving it a strong foundation. The grey and golds are far lighter, helping fill the room by complimenting the other colors rather than consuming them and becoming overbearing.

5. Don't be afraid. Color can go any where in a room. For a more conservative look use color in your accent pillows or home accessories. For a more bold look use the heavier colors on your walls or in strong statement pieces.

Color is one of the best ways to make your room feel like yours, so be adventurous and incorporate your favorite colors into your next space.

-B. Petersen

One Fine Day In The Emerald City!

According to the very trusted and reliable source of pantone.com, Emerald is the "IT" color this year. How spectacular is that?! What is even better, are the accent color trends this spring. Home accessories are going to be so much fun with this color pallet. Here are a few I have discovered and can not wait to use is some design plans.

Top left to right:

• Linen: Baxton Studio, Sussex Linen Loveseat: 899.99
• Lemon Zest: Pier 1, Cabana Geometric Pillow: 20.00
• Nectorine: Hayneedle, Collegiate Locker: 79.89
• Poppy Red: www.homedecorators.com, Kerby Area Run:699.00
• African Violet: Crate & Barrel, Marimekko Pippurikera Wisteria Bedding:119.00

Bottom left to right:

• Emerald: Lamps Plus, Ovo Table Lamp: 99.99
• Tender Shoots: onlinefabricstore.net
• Greyed Jade: Dwell Studios, Gate Rug: 347.00
• Dusk Blue: www.efurnitureshowroom.com, Ikat Fabric Accent Chair: 297.70
• Monaco Blue: etsy.com, Colorblock pillow by JillianRenee Decor: 45.00

There you have it, just a little sampling of the amazing things you can find in the hottest colors of this season. Hope you are as excited as I am.

-B.Petersen

Doors to Open

I love unique, old, antiqued or glass door knobs. This is a perfect way to showcase some of your favorite door knobs that you find at antique stores, design stores, garage sales, thrift stores or your grandparent's house. 

-S.Pectol

The 80's Can Still Have Luxury

If you ever had the luxury of living in the 80's, you've probably seen... or had, a lovely geometric chandelier, in brass, with tinted, beveled glass.  I know I did.  Just when I thought that natural selection had taken care of all of the aforementioned lighting fixtures... The previous owner of my house had so generously preserved the last of the 80's dynasty.  This chandelier owes it's life to an issue of "House Beautiful" magazine. 

 

 Just as it was headed to the local donation center, I happened across a spread in the magazine that showed a living room with a beautiful fixture in wrought iron, with... the same shape, just no beveled glass; this one was $1300.  I promptly pardoned the chandelier from death row with the hope of re-purposing it in my dining room.  I broke the tinted glass out of the frame.  When I was through with that therapeutic process, I taped off the sockets and sprayed the whole thing in a satin finish, fiery orange.  In order to fit the fixture in my dining room I had to add a length of cord and chain.  Once the fixture was installed, I wrapped a natural burlap ribbon around the cord to hide the mismatched cord and chain, from the extension process.  To remedy the issue of 8 blaring light bulbs, blue burlap ribbon was affixed in a band around the chandelier, creating a shade. 

 Total project time:...  about 3 hours. 

 Total cost.:.. free ninety nine!!! Well, I spent $15 on paint, hardware, ribbon and light bulbs (the light bulb were the most expensive part).

Far Too Chic To Be Shabby: Repurposed Door

 This door cost...wait for it...wait for it...only $5 at a local thrift store! Steal of a deal! However it was older than old and very rough around the edges. But sometimes its whats on the inside that counts. After sanding down a layer and applying some accessories, this door now functions and a great coat rack.

Some tips and tricks about this door:

• Your local hardware store can cut mirror in any custom size as long as they can cut glass.
• A thin layer of wood sealent will prevent your coats from getting snagged on the older wood.
• It looks great leaning against the wall, but can also be secured with a few L-brackets for a more permanent fixture.

Here's a look at it in use. This piece has definitely been utilized this winter season...not to mention helping me not to loose my keys!

-B.Petersen