Iffer's Nest

Simple Frames in Bold Colors

2012-01-11T06:02:00.001-05:00

Photograph courtesy of the September 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of Melanie Turner Interiors (also shown in the September 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens).

Photograph courtesy of Elle Decor.

Giant Clam Shells and Saying Good-bye to Summer

2011-09-04T08:51:00.003-04:00

After Labor Day, I start decorating for autumn. So before I start packing up my summer decor I thought I'd share some photos of my dining table centerpiece. I wanted something "beachy" for summer that wasn't too nautical so I bought a faux clam shell on sale at Crate and Barrel (save-on-crafts.com has something similar) and filled it with items I already owned including; crushed sea shells (Joann Fabrics), votive holders (Target), and a vintage faux pearl necklace. Since I'm obviously a fan of the giant clam shell trend, in this post I've also included some photos of these shells being used for a variety of things such as bowls, fireplace displays, an ice bucket, and even a sink basin.

Photographs courtesy of me.

Photograph courtesy of House Beautiful.

Photograph courtesy of cote de texas.

Photograph courtesy of the paris apartment.

Photographs courtesy of You Paid More Than Me.

Photograph courtesy of Southern Living.

Photograph courtesy of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of Willow Decor.

Photograph courtesy of color outside the lines.

Photograph courtesy of Cote de Texas.

Hmmm... Looks Familiar

2011-09-02T10:46:00.001-04:00

When I saw the cover of this months Country Living my first thought was that it looked rather familiar.

Photograph courtesy of Country Living.

Sure enough when I looked through my old posts I came across an image from Do It Yourself of a room that also used ceiling medallions as wall art.

Photograph courtesy of Do It Yourself.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Shopkeeper Shelves

2011-08-27T13:29:00.000-04:00

Wisteria French Shopkeeper's Shelves $399

Restoration Hardware Baker's Rack $2,195

Look-A-Likes for Less: Industrial Cart Tables

2011-08-25T12:16:00.004-04:00

World Market Aiden Collection $139.99-$269.99

Pottery Barn Verona Wheeled Console Table $699

Restoration Hardware Dutch Industrial Collections $795-$1,595

From My Stack of Magazines: July/August 2011

2011-08-23T13:23:00.001-04:00

My absolute favorite this month was the moody color palette of the Manhattan townhouse featured in the July/August issue of Elle Decor, especially the stunning De Gournay wall covering.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2011 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the July 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2011 issue of Elle Decor.

The August issues of both Better Homes and Gardens and Martha Stewart Living featured ideas for throwing ice cream socials including DIY invitations. What a yummy way to bid farewell to summer.

Photographs courtesy of the August 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Photographs courtesy of the August 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

These framed road maps shown in Martha Stewart Living look like great way to commemorate a summer vacation, but I think they would look even better as a backdrop in a shadowbox with a few knickknacks picked up on the trip in the foreground.

Photograph courtesy of the August 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Framed baby photos as cabinet doors = adorable added storage in the kitchen.

Photograph courtesy of the August 2011 issue of Southern Living.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Lace and Floral Sunglasses

2011-07-26T14:55:00.000-04:00

Lace Sunglasses

Dolce & Gabbana DG4116 Sunglasses $459.95

Tommy Bahama Women's TB126S Sunbather Sunglasses $71.50

Wayfarer Lace Sunglasses $9.99

106 Shades Lace Design Retro Women's Sunglasses $9.95

Floral Sunglasses

Dolce & Gabbana Large Glamour Frame Sunglasses $260

106 Shades Limited Floral Wayfarer Sunglasses $9.85

Nursery Projects: Mirror and Chest

2011-06-30T09:35:00.011-04:00

DIY Project: Mirror

This project was pretty cheap. The mirror belonged to my grandma and the paint was free as part of a Glidden promotion awhile back. First I removed all of the screws in the back to seperate the frame from the rest of the mirror. I sanded and painted the frame, then added a stripe of champagne paint (left over from previous project) around the inside of the frame. Then a coat of polyacrylic once the paint had dried. Once everything was dry I reattached everything and hung the mirror over the changing table in the nursery.

DIY Project: Chest for Nursery

For extra seating and storage in the nursery I decided to refinish a chest my aunt gave me.

First I removed the hardware, fake wood drawer panels on the front, the top of the chest, and the wood handles on the top of the chest. I keep all of the screws I removed for the chest in a ziplock bags that I've labeled with a marker so that I'll know which screws reattach to which parts of the chest when I'm ready to reassemble. Then I stripped and sanded off the old finish. I wiped away all of the dust left over after sanding then used a wood filler to patch the holes left by the old hardware and the uneven spots left by removing the wood handles from the top and the wood panels from the front of the chest.

Once the wood filler dried I sanded again and wiped the whole thing down with a damp microfiber cloth. I chose to paint the chest Behr Gobi Desert.

Behr Gobi Desert 710C-3.

After applying a couple coats of Gobi Desert, I added a coat of polyacrylic to protect the chest.

I'm reupholstering the top in Damask Driftwood available at JoAnn Fabrics. It is the same fabric that I had made into slipcovers for my glider and ottoman. I love the color, the pattern, and how silky it feels.

Damask Driftwood from the Aegean Sea Collection, one of the Christopher Lowell Collections, available at JoAnn Fabrics.

I was not able to reuse the plywood and high density foam from the original seat because I am not going to reattach the wood handles that used be on either side of the seat. So I cut a new piece of plywood and high density foam then I used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the seat which attaches to the top of the chest with screws that screw into the underside of the top. Finally, I reattached the top. Below you can see the completed chest before we moved it into the nursery.
For more DIY Projects check out My Bio.

Nursery Decor: Vintage Style Hot Air Balloons

2011-06-28T10:33:00.005-04:00

I originally tried making the hot air balloons using the instructions I found on the Martha Stewart website. However, even after sanding the balloons still appeared lumpy and were easily dented. After googling different paper-mache methods I finally came up with a way to construct the balloons so that they maintain there structure while still being light weight.

Photograph courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Supplies

3Washers
3 Ceiling Hooks
ArtMinds Plaster Wrap ($5.99 with coupon)
Styrofoam Balls- two 8" ($8.39 each with coupon) and one 10" ($9.99 with coupon)
2 Bowls-1 for warm water, 1 to hold styrofoam ball
Thin Cardboard (such as the left over tube from a roll of paper towel or wrapping paper)
Hot Glue Gun
Scissors
Brush
Cloth
Drill
Craft Paint-at least two colors (on sale for $0.29 each at Michaels)
Ralph Lauren Glaze tinted Behr Espresso Bean (left over from previous project, on sale for $10 at Home Depot)
Minwax Polycrylic
3 Baskets
Clear Monofilament Cord
Decorative Cord
Embellishments (lace, netting, scrapbooking stickers, etc.)
Coat Hanger

Use a straitened coat hanger or thick wire to poke a hole strait through the styrofoam ball. Thread monofilament cord through the hole. At one end tie the cord securely to a washer. Hot glue the washer to what will become the bottom of the styrofoam ball. This will allow you to easily hang the hot air balloon from a ceiling hook once the balloon is finished. Initially I attempted to insert a hook into the top of the styrofoam ball that I could use to attach it to a length of monofilament cord tied to a ceiling hook. However, the threads of the hook were too small to fit securely into styrofoam ball and I did not want to risk the hot air balloon falling.

Place styrofoam ball in bowl to keep it secure. Cut plaster wrap strips to proper length and width (strips with a width of 1" or less seemed to work best). Fill the second bowl with warm water. Wet and apply each strip of plaster wrap one at a time, smoothing each strip as you go. Once the entire ball is covered allow the wrap to dry according the manufacturer's instructions.

Form thin cardboard into a short cylinder and hot glue to the bottom of the ball. This cylinder will hide the bump that was created when the washer was covered over with plaster wrap. Once the hot glue dries cover the cylinder in plaster wrap. Once dry, paint stripes in alternating colors. Allow paint to dry before brushing on tinted glaze. Immediately wipe off glaze. Brush with Minwax Polycrylic once the glaze has dried.

Drill four holes in the basket (one in each corner), and the cylinder attached to the bottom of the ball. Use decorative cord to attach the basket to the balloon. Embellish the finished balloon to fit the style of the nursery. Attach ceiling hooks to ceiling and attach the balloons to the hooks using monofilament cord.

For more DIY Projects check out My Bio.

From My stack of Magazines: June 2011

2011-06-26T14:43:00.001-04:00

Both Better Homes and Gardens and House Beautiful featured photos of relaxing outdoor summer dining designed to make anyone want to sit back and enjoy the season.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Both House Beautiful and Elle Decor showcased eye catching trends in accessories, though each was rather contrary to the other with one trend being black any white stripes and the other being vibrant multicolored polka dots.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2011 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2011 issue of Southern Living.

From My Stack of Magazines: April and May 2011

2011-06-09T10:21:00.002-04:00

My baby boy is due at the end of June so I'm more than a little behind on my blogging, but I wanted to share my favorites even if this post is heavy on photos and light on text. Enjoy!

April

Photographs courtesy of the April 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Photograph courtesy of the April 2011 issue of Southern Living.

May

These photos from the May issue of Lonny are my absolute favorites. The color palette is so soft and elegant and the architectural details are stunning.

Photographs courtesy of the May/June 2011 issue of Lonny.

Love the cafe chairs (only $15 each at Ikea!) and the jadeite collection in the kitchen. The jadeite toaster is adorable.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2011 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2011 issue of Elle Decor.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2011 issue of Real Simple.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living. Instructions for Shadow Box Jewelry Holder here.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Pretty Things: Ballerinas Part Two

2011-03-19T08:16:00.001-04:00

Photograph courtesy of French Blue.

Photograph courtesy of Flickr.

Photograph courtesy of Ada and Darcy.

Photograph courtesy of Peonies and Polaroids.

Photograph courtesy of Peonies and Polaroids.

Photograph courtesy of automatism.

Pretty Things: Castles, Fairy Tales, and Bed Time Stories

2011-03-18T07:09:00.000-04:00

Photograph courtesy of Design Shimmer.

Photograph courtesy of Wild Keiki.

Photographs courtesy of French Blue.

Photograph courtesy of Belle Vivir.

Photographs courtesy of Wild Keiki.

Photographs courtesy of Miss Geeky.

Photograph courtesy of automatism.

Photograph courtesy of Paris Atelier.

Photograph courtesy of Wild Keiki.

Photographs courtesy of Daydream Lily.

Photograph courtesy of you are my fave.

Trend: Bow Bangles

2011-03-14T10:05:00.001-04:00

Coach Poppy Enamel Hinged Bangle $138

Available in Gold/Turquoise

Kate Spade Double Bow Hinged Bangle $78

Available in Yellow, Modern Red, Black, and Flo Pink

From My Stack of Magazines: March 2011

2011-03-13T12:26:00.001-04:00

House Beautiful was absolutely stunning this month with an issue devoted to the color pink. My favorite image was the tablescape using antique Anna Weatherley china. I would love to use the colors in those dishes as the accent colors for my dining room.

Photographs courtesy of the March 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

The pink theme of was far more subtle in the elegant Alabama house designed by Tracery Interiors. A striped slipcovered chair adds a pop of color to the gray office. The screen in the bathroom provides privacy while also creating a dramatic backdrop for the tub. A variety of patterns and textures are used to add interest to the restful monochromatic master bedroom.

Photographs courtesy of the March 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the March 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Photograph courtesy of the March 2011 issue of House Beautiful. Refrigerator $1,999 Smeg.

I love this vibrant and playful tablescape by Dylan Lauren (owner of Dylan's Candy Bar). It would be an amazing tablescape for a child's birthday party.

Photograph courtesy of the March 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Apparently Shrinky Dinks aren't just for kids anymore, just look at this adorable bracelet made using Shrinky Dinks. Check out the Country Living website for the instructions.

Photograph courtesy of the March 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the March 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Color Combination: Blue and Green

2011-03-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

Photograph courtesy of Mijita.

Photograph courtesy of Summer Thornton Design.

Photographs courtesy of Martensen Jones Interiors.

Photograph courtesy of Hirshfield's Color Club.

Photographs courtesy of Centsational Girl.

Photographs courtesy of everything LEB.

Photographs courtesy of Domino.

Photograph courtesy of design*sponge.

Photograph courtesy of pink wallpaper.

Photograph courtesy of {the cottage nest}.

Photograph courtesy of Paris Atelier.

Photograph courtesy of Canadian House & Home.

Photograph courtesy of Veranda.

Photograph courtesy of Daisy Pink Cupcake.

Photograph courtesy of Sanctuary.

Photograph courtesy of Homes Garden Design.

Color Combinations: Coral and Aqua

2011-03-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Photograph courtesy of Jeneration Interiors.

Photographs courtesy of Tobi Fairley.

Photograph courtesy of coco+kelly.

Photographs courtesy of Thibaut.

Photographs courtesy of Mabley Handler Interior Design.

Color Combinations: Yellow and Gray

2011-03-02T13:31:00.002-05:00

Interiors:

Photograph courtesy of Things That Inspire.

Photographs courtesy of House*Tweaking.

Photographs courtesy of DeCesare Design Group.

Photograph courtesy of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of Thibaut.

Photograph courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Photographs courtesy of Shane Powers.

Photograph courtesy of La Dolce Vita.

Photograph courtesy of Simply Grove.

Photograph courtesy of Shabby Addict.

Photographs courtesy of A Brooklyn Limestone in Progress.

Photographs courtesy of Belle Maison.

Weddings/Vow Renewals:

Photographs courtesy of Icing Designs.

Photographs courtesy of Ruffled.

Photographs courtesy of My Sweet and Saucy.

Moroccan Poufs

2011-02-23T14:32:00.001-05:00

Photographs courtesy of a life's design.

Photograph courtesy of Kelly Wearstler.

Photograph courtesy of table tonic.

Photographs courtesy of Thornton Designs.

Photograph courtesy of Elle Decor.

Photograph courtesy of Living etc.

Photograph courtesy of elements of style.

Photograph courtesy of eye spy.

Photographs courtesy of Adore Magazine.

Photograph courtesy of Amanda Nisbet Design.

Photographs courtesy of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of Gum Tree.

Photograph courtesy of Southern Living.

Photograph courtesy of Elle Decor.

From My Stack of Magazines: January and February 2011

2011-02-14T13:45:00.000-05:00

My absolute favorite magazine clipping for January came from Country Living. I love the hodge podge of dining chairs. For February, the craft party featured in Better Homes and Gardens was beautiful. As for my own craft room, it's about to become a nursery since it's conveniently located right across the hall from the master bedroom. On the plus side, the new craft room will be larger than it's current location. Tomorrow I find out the gender of my baby due in June, so expect to see more nursery room decor and crafts soon.

January:

Photograph courtesy of the January 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the January 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

February:

Photograph courtesy of the February 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the February 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the February 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the February 2011 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Photographs courtesy of the February 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Valentine's Day Crafts and Decorations

2011-01-23T13:01:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day Cupcake Centerpiece

I decided to make this centerpiece for Valentine's Day because it was a simple and inexpensive craft project and it works well with the sign I already had hanging on the wall in my dining room. The mercury glass votive holders ($1 at Target) may or may not be staying.

Supplies Used:
*9 Paper mache cupcakes from Joann Fabrics - $1 each (less with coupon)
*4 Colors of acrylic craft paint from Michaels - $0.33 each (one sale)
*Martha Stewart Snow Glitter - Already owned (available at Michaels)
*Modge Podge - Already owned (available at most craft stores)
*Paint brush - Already owned
*6 yards Pink pom pom trim from Joann Fabrics - $2.99 (also sold by the yard)
*12 yards Aqua ric rac trim from Joann Fabrics - $2.99 (also sold by the yard)
*Scissors - Already owned
*Hot glue gun - Already owned
*Cake Stand - Already owned (available on ebay or a poshchicago.com)

Instructions:
1. Paint each cupcake with two coats of acrylic paint allowing time to dry (5-10 minutes) between each coat. I used one color for the top and ruffle detail and another color for the bottom of the cupcake.

2. When the cupcakes are completely dry coat the tops with Modge Podge or glitter glue and sprinkle with glitter. Coat the bottom of the cupcake with Modge Podge.

3. Run a bead of hot glue along the seam between the top and bottom of the cupcake and attach the trim.

4. Display the finished cupcakes on a cake stand.

This is my other Valentine's Day centerpiece. The mercury glass vase is from TJMaxx, the ostrich feathers are from a seller on ebay, and the "diamond" is from Michaels. To make the feathers appear taller I used floral crystals from Joann Fabrics.

From My Stack of Magazines: December 2010

2010-12-20T12:59:00.024-05:00

The December issue of Martha Stewart Living is full of sparkling uses for sequins in party decor and accessories. The holiday decorations in Country Living were more subdued. I thought the wings on the backs of the dining chairs were absolutely angelic. The wings would also be a cute decoration for Valentine's Day since they look like Cupid wings.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photographs courtesy of the December 2010/January 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of the December 2010/January 2011 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the December 2010/January 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the December 2010/January 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

Trend: Metallic Seashells

2010-11-27T13:56:00.000-05:00

Photograph courtesy of the January 2008 issue of Real Simple.

Photographs courtesy of the March 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Trend: Rope

2010-11-27T13:05:00.000-05:00

Spool Side Table $199 at Ballard Designs.

Ropes Wall Mirror $125 at Modern Chic Home.

Photographs courtesy of Thom Filicia.

Photographs courtesy of DeCesare Design Group.

Photograph courtesy of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of Country Living.

Coiled Rope Knob $10 at Anthropologie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T08:06:00.000-05:00

Image from here.

From My Stack of Magazines: November 2010

2010-11-24T15:00:00.000-05:00

Vintage pie birds popped up in the pages of both Country Living and Martha Stewart Living. When I see these little birds springing out of a pie it calls to mind the line "Four and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie."

Photographs courtesy of the November 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of the November 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

The table settings in Southern Living this month were stunning. I particularly liked Maria Cooke's table because the color palette was such a departure from the typical autumnal orange and brown.

Photographs courtesy of the November 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photographs courtesy of the November 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photograph courtesy of the November 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photograph courtesy of the November 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Halloween Wall Art and From My Stack of Magazines: October 2010

2010-10-18T18:36:00.000-04:00

Stretched Canvases Keep Calm and Scary On Wall Art:

Framed Halloween Cards:
3 $.99 frames from Salvation Army
1 $.89 gloss black acrylic paint 2 fl.oz. from Michaels (less with 40% coupons)
3 $2.49 mats from Michaels (less with 40% off coupons)
3 $2.75 Gwen Frostic Halloween cards

October 2010 Magazines:
Here are my favorites from this months stack; Halloween decorations, retro style tailgating, and some gorgeous mirrored furniture. Check out my bio for more Halloween and fall decor ideas.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Look Familiar?

2010-10-05T16:09:00.001-04:00

I've noticed some overlap in the Halloween crafts and decorations shown in the October issues of a few of my favorite magazines.

Etched Leafy Pumpkins:

These leafy vine encircled pumpkins glow from within. The shallow carving technique helps the pumpkins stay fresher longer than if the design had been cut though completely. The leaf design is appropriate for both Halloween and Thanksgiving which means the pumpkins can be displayed longer than the typical creepy Halloween jack-o'-lantern.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Eerie Images:

Turn your home into a haunted house by adding ghosts cut from frosted window film to a mirror (or perhaps a window or picture frame).

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Autumn Woodlands Themed Second Birthday Party

2010-10-04T15:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend my daughter turned two. She had a lot of fun playing and eating cupcakes. I went with Autumn Woodlands as a theme since that little girl can not get enough of the great outdoors. Here are some photos I took of the decorations before the party:

Look-A-Likes for Less: Etched Glassware

2010-09-30T10:28:00.000-04:00

Etched "Glass for a Friend" Glasses:

Verre d' Amitie Glass $9.95 per glass at Mothology.

Glass for a Friend Glasses $19.99 for a set of 4 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Etched Dot Glassware:

kate spade "Larabee Dot" Collection $30-$140 per piece at Macy's.

Etched Dots Glassware $3.98-$9.98 per piece at Pier 1 Imports.

Lovely Little Bungalow

2010-09-24T08:19:00.001-04:00

If you don't subscribe to Country Living I suggest picking up a copy of the October issue just to drool over the 1,000 square foot bungalow owned by Lizzie Carney. The charcoal gray walls add drama to the space and make the pink and turquoise accents pop. I love the mix of styles; the retro turquoise refrigerator, contemporary cabinets and hardware, and ornate traditional gilt frames and crystal chandeliers. There are also a wide variety of fabrics used throughout the home including plush velvet, sleek leather, sturdy denim, and shiny satin. Carney's makes use of the space in surprising ways, such as turning the basement into both a dining room and wine cellar and using the second bedroom as a luxurious walk-in closet.

Photographs courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Country Living magazine.

Look-A-Likes For Less: Mercury Glass Gourds

2010-09-23T08:25:00.000-04:00

The fireplace mantel in my living room is covered with mercury glass candle holders year round. I add in green mercury glass Christmas trees in winter and when I saw these mercury glass pumpkins at Pottery Barn last year I knew they would be perfect to display on the mantel throughout autumn. Unfortunately, the mercury glass pumpkins sold out at Pottery Barn last year before I made my decision to buy and again this year they sold out quickly. However, when I was looking around for Halloween decorations on the Wisteria website I found a set of three antiqued glass gourds. If you only want one pumpkin then the Pottery Barn version is cheaper, but if, like me, you want two or more the set from Wisteria ends up being less expensive. I also like the variation in the shape of the Wisteria gourds. The dimensions and finishes of both options are similar.

Mercury Glass Pumpkin $24 at Pottery Barn.

Antiqued Glass Gourds $34 for a set of 3 at Wisteria.

Look-A-Likes For Less: Black Plastic Halloween Goblets

2010-09-22T14:25:00.000-04:00

Both the Touch of Europe and Target goblets are black, incorporate a hobnail pattern, and are made of dishwasher safe plastic that won't break easily. All of which make either version a great choice for a glam and spooky Halloween party. Both sets are sold as sets of four, although you can buy the Target goblets individually in stores. The Touch of Europe goblets are more detailed, but also more expensive.

Black Polycarbonate Acrylic Glassware $39.99 at Touch of Europe.

Black Textured MS Goblets $11.99 for a set of 4 at Target.

From My Very Tall Stack of Magazines: July, August, and September 2010

2010-09-09T06:02:00.001-04:00

July/August

I like this clever scrapbooking idea from Martha Stewart Living. Use the map from your summer vacation to make envelopes, photo corners, and other scrapbooking supplies.It's an inexpensive and creative way to embellish the photographs from your recent travels and most people will already have a map left over.

Photograph courtesy of the July 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

In the July/August issue of House Beautiful there are great examples of living big in small spaces. One is the studio apartment of designer Ellen O'Neill where she used a neutral color palette and clever furniture arrangement to make more of her small space. One example is her custom made daybed which serves as both seating and a bed and helps define the living space. On the other end of the spectrum is the wildly colorful one-bedroom apartment of David Kaihoi and his family. The rich purple walls, vibrant red closet, and tattered pink wallpapered bedroom are a far cry from Ellen O'Neill's restrained color palette. However, both Kaihoi and O'Neill admit to carefully editing their possessions to keep their petite apartments from feeling cluttered and claustrophobic.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of Veranda.

Photograph courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photograph courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photograph courtesy of the July 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photographs courtesy of the July 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photographs courtesy of the July 2010 issue of Elle.

Photographs courtesy of the July 2010 issue of Glamour.

Photograph courtesy of the August 2010 issue of Elle.

Photograph courtesy of the August 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photographs courtesy of the August 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photograph courtesy of the August 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan.

Photograph courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the July/August 2010 issue of Country Living.

September

Photograph courtesy of the September 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of Country Living.

Photograph courtesy of the September 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photograph courtesy of the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photograph courtesy of the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the September 2010 issue of Veranda.

Halloween Look-A-Likes For Less: Skeleton Hand Servers

2010-09-05T19:30:00.000-04:00

Being the impatient person that I am, I got the boxes full of fall decor out of the garage today to see what's in them and what I still need. While searching for creepy Halloween decorations I came across these sets of skeleton hand servers from Pottery Barn and Target. Both are made of aluminum (though the Pottery Barn version is also nickle plated) and are roughly the same size. However, I prefer the rougher texture and patina of the Pottery Barn Skeleton Hand Servers to the gleaming Target servers. Either way, both sets are affordable options for adding an element of spookiness to a Halloween party.

Skeleton Hand Serving Set $19.00 (3.5"Wx13.5"L) at Pottery Barn.

Skeletal Hand Servers $9.99 (3"Wx13"L) at Target.

Look-a-Likes For Less: Mirrored Cubes (Again)

2010-08-19T14:56:00.000-04:00

I did a Look-a-Likes For Less post earlier for mirrored cubes, but now I've found an even more inexpensive option at Pier 1. The mirrors on the cubes from Horchow and Pier 1 have beveled edges, but the Horchow cube measures 20"x20" whereas the cube from Pier 1 is 18"x18".

John-Richard Mirrored Cube $799 at Horchow.

Hayworth Cube $149.99 at Pier 1.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Burlap Furniture Cubes

2010-07-14T10:08:00.000-04:00

The burlap cubes are simple and versatile pieces of furniture perfect for use as ottomans, extra seating, or side tables. The Aidan Gray cubes have handles which the Velvetbean cubes lack and are covered with linen on top which is softer than rough burlap that covers the Velvetbean cubes. On the plus side for the cubes made by Velvetbean, the burlap is durable and comes from upcycled coffee bean sacks.

Aidan Gray Furniture Cube Le Jardin $311 at Layla Grayce. Dimensions: 20"T x 18"W x 18"D.

Coffee Sack Ottoman Handmade by VelvetBean $170 on Etsy. Dimensions: 16"Width x 16"D x 17"H.

Old and New Projects

2010-07-11T16:53:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy summer so far and I thought I'd post a few of the projects I've finished so far this summer as well as some upcoming projects. This bicycle was a hand-me-down and while I liked the style of the bike, I didn't like the color or the decals that were beginning to peel off so I decided to repaint the bike. First, I peeled off all the decals and disassembled the bicycle. Then I used paint stripper to remove the paint. I followed up with a fine grit sandpaper to remove any stubborn spots. After that, I cleaned the frame to get it ready to prime and paint. To paint the bike I used two coats of primer followed by many coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor spray paint in Pistachio green which I sanded in between coats to keep the finish smooth, then sealed it with clear glaze. After that it was just a matter of reassembling everything which was relatively easy since I had bagged and labeled all of the smaller parts that weren't painted. Overall, this was a very inexpensive, but time consuming project.

Before:

Disassembled:

Stripped and Sanded:

After:

Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Pistachio.

This next project was also inexpensive, but unlike repainting the bicycle, this project did not require a lot of time. I purchased the napkins at Home Goods for $4.99 for a set of four napkins. I found the instructions for this project on the Country Living website. The instructions on that website say to wash the fabric before painting. DO NOT DO THAT! The napkins will never be quite as square as they are when you first buy them which means that your stripes will be straighter if you paint the napkins before washing them. However, I followed the instructions and washed my napkins first and had a harder time getting strait stripes as a result. Also, I substituted grout tape for painters tape since that's what I had on hand and it worked just fine. The fabric paint I bought at a Joann Fabrics and Crafts store.

Before:

During:

After:

As far as upcoming projects, I recently purchased this chair for only $35 that I found on Craigslist which I'm going to try to reupholster myself as a warm up to reupholstering my settee (another Craigslist find).

Trend: Mint Green Nail Polish

2010-06-09T12:55:00.001-04:00

Earlier this summer I decided to paint my bike Krylon Pistachio green. Now as I sit here typing this post with mint green polished nails I realize my nails match my bike. At least now my nails are green from nail polish rather than from sloppy spray painting.

Chanel #527 Jade. Hard to find, but runs about $45 a bottle on ebay.

OPI Hey! Get in Lime! Nail Polish NLB53 $6.30 (+5.71 shipping).

Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Polish #702 $3.40 (+$2.98 shipping) at Amazon.

Revlon Nail Enamel #85 Minted $3.89 at Target.

Krylon Pistachio. This is the color of my bicycle now.

Look-A-Likes For Less: Peacock Mirrors

2010-06-08T09:05:00.000-04:00

Antiqued Peacock Mirror $2,399 at Wisteria.

Honeycomb Mirror $249.95 at Pier 1 Imports.

From My Stack of Magazines: June 2010

2010-06-06T12:07:00.000-04:00

Very few favorites this month. However, the bathroom with the large mirrored vanity in House Beautiful this month is stunning!

Photographs courtesy of the June 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photograph courtesy of the June 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

The mirrored vanity in this bathroom from the June issue of House Beautiful reminds me of the bathroom vanity in a beachhouse featured in the March 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

This Louis XVI style settee (armchair also available) is pretty enough for indoor use, but it's made of teak and has an outdoor cushion which make it perfect for the garden.

Photograph courtesy of the June 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the June 2010 issue of Southern Living.

Decorating Nonworking Fireplaces

2010-05-23T13:38:00.002-04:00

Photographs courtesy of the December/January 2008 issue of Domino.

Photograph courtesy of the November 2008 issue of Domino.

Photograph courtesy of the August 2008 issue of Domino.

Photograph courtesy of This is Glamorous.

Photograph courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Photograph courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Photograph courtesy of The Laurel Hedge.

Photographs courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Photograph courtesy of Habitually Chic.

Photographs courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

Photograph courtesy of The Seasonal Home (Kristin Perers).

Photograph courtesy of Margaret Mulligan.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Real Simple.

Business and Calling Cards

2010-05-22T09:44:00.000-04:00

Customizable Mommy Calling Cards (set of 20) $14 at sarah + abraham.

Social/Calling Cards at Austin Press

50 Custom Social/Calling Cards $40 at BellaBella.

Photographs courtesy of Just an Old Fashioned Gal.

Photograph courtesy of Black*Eiffel.

Custom Crib Bedding for Gender Neutral Nursery

2010-05-21T10:58:00.000-04:00

I had etsy seller Stinkerbell Designs make the crib bedding for our gender neutral nursery using fabrics I picked out from various online fabric stores. Earlier this week, I received an email from Stinkerbell Designs with photographs of the completed crib bedding (not our crib in the photos). I love the spa blue and latte color combination and the ruffled crib skirt. I cannot wait until the crib bedding arrives. Thank you Stinkerbell Designs for doing such an excellent job!

DIY Ceramic Platter Chalkboard

2010-05-20T15:30:00.001-04:00

This is the Pottery Barn version:

Ceramic Platters with Chalkboard Center $99 for a set of 2 at Pottery Barn (no longer available).

And this is the one I made using a $12.99 ceramic platter from Home Goods (free with gift card) + Blue Painters Tape (leftover from another project) + $6.99 (before 40% off coupon) Black Chalkboard paint from Joann Fabrics + $8.39 (before 40% off coupon) Armour Etch Etching Cream (to remove glaze from the ceramic platter so that the chalkboard paint will stick) from Michael's leftover from another project + $0.96 box of Crayola chalk + $4.25 (+$0.50 shipping) Invisible English Plate Hanger 5.5" Disc from Amazon=

Before photo of the ceramic platter from Home Goods:

*For detailed instructions for this project check out the DIY Projects section of my bio.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Striped Tees with Embellished Shoulders

2010-05-04T20:10:00.000-04:00

Stripes & Light Tee $78 at Anthropologie.

TART Embellished long-sleeve slub tee (shown in blue and white multi-stripe) on sale for $49.50 (stripes) or $39.50 (solids) at Victoria's Secret.

From My Stack of Magazines: May 2010

2010-05-03T10:50:00.000-04:00

This porch looks like a wonderful spot to host a casual summer party or just curl up in one of the wicker chairs to enjoy the summer weather. I love the casual mix and matched flea market chairs, the parasols and paper lanterns used as whimsical chandeliers, and the plethora of bright floral and solid colored fabrics used for drapery panels, pillows, seat cushions, and table linens. The outdoor living and dining spaces are delineated by seating groups, rugs, and fabric panels. This porch even has a little nook to hold extra dinnerware. The refreshment stand is lovely with its cupcakes with tiny paper flags, a pink cake stand used to hold a lemonade dispenser, and a pretty paper parasol to shade the refreshments. The sunny citrus color palette makes me think of pink and yellow lemonade.

Photographs courtesy of the May/June 2010 issue of Midwest Living.

Southern Living has easy instructions for transforming a $15 beveled mirror using etching cream and a stencil. It seems like a relatively easy project. I have some inexpensive glasses from Bed Bath and Beyond that look just like the numbered glasses shown in the photo below. Maybe I'll try numbering them using etching cream like the glasses in the photo. We'll see how it turns out.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Southern Living.

This months Country Living featured ideas for displaying photographs, but it's the mirrored vanity that caught my eye.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Country Living.

This guest house bedroom with it's combination of tag sale finds and furniture won at an auction has a wealth of charm.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Country Living.

This rosette bedding from Anthropologie looks so gorgeous and comfortable, but at $268, West Elm and Target sell similar bedding for less.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Country Living.

These dining room chairs are definitely different with their exposed hand-tied backs. I really like seeing the inner structure, but I think all of the loose strings would drive me a little crazy after awhile if I had to live with them as is. This dining area within the walled patio looks like the perfect spot for casual summer entertaining.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Despite the subtle color palette of this bedroom, it's far from bland with it large patterned wall covering and tall bed canopy.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

I love the birds in this floral wallpaper. It would be perfect for a formal dining room.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Real Simple.

I can't even imagine how much time it must take to keep a garden this well maintained, but the results are beautiful.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

I'm actually repainting my headboard light blue with silver and gold leaf trim so I was pleased to see a similar color combination on this bed in Elle Decor this month.

Photograph courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

This bedroom has an interesting mix of both traditional and contemporary fabrics. There are also a variety of soft colors. The same pale blue-green paint color is repeated in the kitchen.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

This sunny yellow and black bathroom with vintage style must have been designed for morning people. It even has a coffee station in one of the wall cabinets.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

The homeowner's impressive vintage jadeite collection served as the inspiration for the design of her kitchen which has pale green walls and subway tile backsplash.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Sequins and silk tulle ruffles. A gorgeous way to end a post.

Photographs courtesy of the May 2010 issue of Elle.

From My Stack of Magazines: April 2010

2010-04-30T23:09:00.000-04:00

Not many favorites this month. Elle Decor featured a beautiful feminine drawing room with a huge navy blue upholstered ottoman, a bold pink damask sofa, and pale pink walls. Pastel perfect for spring were featured in Elle Decor including lacquer boxes that were also in the December 2009 issue of Real Simple.

Photograph courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Elle Decor.

This scanned page from the April issue of Real Simple doesn't do the color of these green chairs justice. Simply gorgeous.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Real Simple.

Country Living had instructions for creating decoupaged office accessories; I especially like the little dish for scissors.

Photograph courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Country Living.

House Beautiful was by far my favorite magazine this month. I liked the white terrycloth bath vanity tool from Ballard. However, my favorite was the new Houston home with the look of a rustic Italian villa which included 1850s Italian oak front doors, rustic stone hallway and brick arches, wood beams, warm terracotta colored walls in the dining room, and an antique Italian iron window grille over mirror in the powder room.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

I loved the luxurious dining room with striped drapes, striped chair backs, and massive amounts of moulding in Better Homes and Gardens this month. It was so elegant and bright.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

The anklet heel trend was prominent in the April issue of Elle including pale pink Lanvin heels that also appeared in the March 2010 issue of Elle.

Photographs courtesy of the April 2010 issue of Elle.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Fleur-de-Lys Glassware

2010-04-29T15:10:00.001-04:00

I adore these fleur de lys glasses. I think having the taller glasses in one color and a smaller size in another color would look great mixed together. The glasses from both Anthropologie and World Market are imported, glass, and come in a variety of colors; though not all of the colors are available in all the sizes. However, not only are the World Market glasses cheaper, but they also come in three sizes as opposed to Anthropologies two (both small) sizes. The Anthropologie glasses have to be hand washed, whereas, the World Market glasses are supposedly dishwasher safe, though I should also point out that many of the reviews suggest hand washing the glasses from World Market.

Fleur De Lys Glasses $32 for a set of four, available in Yellow, Amber, Clear, Pink, Red, and Green at Anthropologie.

Noble Morn Glasses $6.00 each, available in Dark Yellow, Clear, Pink, and Green at Anthropologie.

Fleur de Lys Barware, Sets of 4, $11.96 - $15.96, available in Clear, Green, and Blue at World Market.

Pink Fleur de Lys Barware $2.99 each for highball or double old fashioned 10 oz. sizes at World Market (in stores only).

Look-A-Likes for Less: Slanted Decanters

2010-04-29T13:22:00.003-04:00

Lenox "Tuscany Classics" Pitcher $54.00 (currently on sale for $39.99) at Macy's.

Duck Decanter $21.99 at World Market.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Crown Doormats

2010-04-27T16:27:00.008-04:00

Crown Doormat $34 at Wisteria.

Coco Crown Door Mat (available in plum, violet, and periwinkle) $24 at Modern Chic Home.

Look-A-Likes for Less: Pierced Pitchers

2010-04-27T16:06:00.007-04:00

Lenox "Tuscany Classics" Pierced Pitcher $54 (48 oz.) at Macy's.

Ona Pitchers $16.95 (17 oz.)- $26.95 (46 oz.) at Crate and Barrel.

Clear Hole Glass Decanter $26.95 (53 oz.) at Pier 1 Imports.