MISS ME YET?!

Hi guys! I know that it's been a week since my last post and I'll share my reasons in the upcoming week. Right now, I would like for you to check out my new blog design! Isn't it purrrty?!!!

It was designed by the talented (and patient)

Erika Ward


Erika is the creative genius behind Blu Label Bungalow.


Blu Label Bungalow is her interior design blog where she takes colors and textures found on the runway and translates them into interior spaces.







"When I compose a blog post, I have a picture in my mind of how I want it to look. Most times the images I want can't be found on the Internet so I customize others to fit my blog. I love inserting my comments. This is something I do when I read design mags as well." -Erika Ward


Erika has by no means decided to focus on blog design, but would love to help anyone with the desire to spruce up their blog! So please stop by Blu Label Bungalow and say Hello!

WHAT 'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Quick question; What's the difference in these two chandeliers?





One is from Shades of Light for $325 plus $49 shipping

The other is from Bellacor for $250.19 with free shipping.

I think this would be the perfect chandelier for the bedroom. I know it seems like a no brainer on which one to order, but I've never ordered from Bellacor. The shipping is free and the price is less, but it takes 2-4 weeks for delivery. Have any of you ordered from either of the two companies?

WATCH OUT CRAIGSLIST....I'M ARMED!

If you follow me on twitter, then you may have seen my last tweet about my secret weapon for Goodwill and Craigslist.

Without further adieu I present to you

Lola

Get a load of that "back"!!!
I'm pretty sure I can fit a dresser back there!

My husband got tired of me bugging calling my sister to use her truck that he decided to buy me us our own. Now, there is nothing holding me back from stalking Craigslist or Goodwill!!!



****the real reason we purchased an SUV is because we have 3 boys and two of them will start school this year. So I needed my own personal bus!****

FINDING INSPIRATION... Part 1

As you know, I'm working on my master bedroom.

When I originally started out I had everything figured out. Now looking back, I realized that I've strayed a bit (well maybe a lot). So to keep me on track, I've decided to break down each inspiration photo and share how I plan to incorporate it into my design plans for my space. Are you still with me?!

I had to decide on my color scheme. That is where these images come into play. I knew that I wanted brown walls and white for contrast. I also knew that I loved that nice watery blue as an accent.

The images below has brown walls with a blue piece of furniture. Also, it has white slip covered chairs (a nice contrast to the brown walls).

(image: House Beautiful)


This bedroom has brown walls , a pale blue duvet, and white accents. I remember when I found this image. I was smitten! This is also how I realized what blogging was!

(Janell's first bedroom read more about it here)

I recently found this picture. Although there isn't any blue in the space, the brown and white is totally part of my design plans!

(image: google images)

I think I did a great job with choosing the right shade of brown for my walls, but the white is where I strayed

I used Rustoleum Heirloom white on the nightstands and then on the headboard, but I'm not sure that I LOVE the shade for my bedroom. My trim is "Heavy Cream" by Behr paint plus primer and its more white compared to the heirloom white. I know that this is minor to many, but it has be bugging me!

Again, this post is to walk you through the transformation of the room and to show you what I'm taking from each of my inspiration rooms. There is one thing I do have to ask: How do you feel about different shades of a certain color in one room? Would the different whites bother you?

INEXPENSIVE FRAMED ART

Sunday was a great day to get out of the house and do some thrifting. To bad I didn't do any! Instead, Dayka and I went to the Scott Expensive Antique Market. I forgot my camera in the car so she has all of the pictures of the expensive nice things they had to offer. After leaving, we decided to head to Forsyth Fabrics (which was my first visit) to see what they had. The first place we went to once inside was the clearance section in the back. And what did I spy?

A fabric that I've had my eye on for a while! Kravet Lutron in espresso for $12.95 a yard! They only had 2yards so I snatched them up! I also found some remnants at a great price which brings me to the reason for this post. I spotted 3/8 of a yard of this fabric

The tag said $3.50 but then they took an additional 50% off which made it $1.75!
It really wasn't a lot of fabric, but because I love the colors and what they considered a sample piece didn't meet my standards, I purchased it! On the ride home, I showed the piece of fabric to Dayka and she suggested that I frame it. Hmmm...that got me thinking about these to pictures that I had in my garage that I purchased from an estate sale a few months ago for $1.50 each (half off on Sunday!).

The first thing I did was removed the paper from the back of the frames

Then, I had to raise the staples (the hardest part of this project)

After about 5 minutes of removing the staples, I was able to take off the cardboard and matted picture

this is where it got a little tricky. The adhesive that was applied to the mat and the cardboard made it difficult to separate the two without damaging the mat that I plan to use

So now they're separated (both in tact) and it's time for the fun part. It's time to decide which part of the fabric I want to be the "art".

For the first frame, I went with the single "paisley type" pattern

With the second frame I wanted to switch it up so I used the next pattern that had two of the prints

I cut off the excess fabric and then placed the matted fabric into the frame and I'm done!

Two pieces of art for less than $5!!!

I love the colors in this fabric! It reminds me of one of my favorite House Beautiful Magazine Covers (June 2008)

Have you used fabric as art before?!

I'm linking this to DIY day at A Soft Place to Land

HOW DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

Dayka and I were having a discussion the other day about different design styles.

We were debating about what makes a space traditional, eclectic, contemporary, etc...


We thought that it was a good idea to see other views on the topic.

contemporary living room design by vancouver showroom Fluff

(images: Houzz)

What would you say makes a space traditional, contemporary, eclectic, modern-vintage-glam (Dayka's style!)? And, what would you say your style is?

After you're done commenting here, stop by Swoon Worthy Boutique to check out Dayka's First post!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

Who would have thunk it?! Five inches of snow in Georgia? Yesterday we received the snow that most of you have been talking about in your own parts of the U.S and it was great! After the boys woke from their nap, imagine the look on their faces when I told them to look out of the window! They've seen snow before, but never played it so they (and myself) were so excited to get out and play in it

But then I think they got a little too excited...

But, boys will be boys...I guess! So once they were "geared up" and ready for the outdoors we headed out back where they had a ton of fun!



as you can see, Nicholas preferred throwing snowballs

While TJ started on a snowman!

Where is Bren? Walking around with a hand full of goldfish crackers!



Even my husband got in on the fun after coming home from work

Here are two of my favorite shots from this morning


Once the boys realized their snowman was melting, they wanted to tell him goodbye (sweet I know!)

Here is TJ being....well, TJ!



Have you had a chance to enjoy the the snow? Have a happy V-DAY everyone!