Bamboo + Greek Key!

Ah you had to know by now that today’s afternoon post was going to be about bamboo yet again.

 

What can I say it just keeps calling me!

 

Today while looking at some furniture options for a client I ran into this beauty:

Close up:

Pure love! Bamboo with greek key detailing for $269.99 at Ashley Furniture .

 

I think it would look fab leaving it as is or lacquering it in a high-gloss.

Fabric Deal: Bamboo!

Ok I must be on a bamboo kick this week.

 

First it was my look a like Bamboo Lattice wallpaper.

 

Then this morning it was my love for this Bamboo Gazebo.

 

Now I just remembered an amazing fabric deal I found while in the fabric district last week.

 

Check it out:

 

Black bamboo on a white linen background. Only $11 a yard!

 

Totally have no where for it in my home, but let me know if you want me to pick  some up for you. There were three massive rolls!

 

Only catch? You must invite me to your home and show me what you do with it! :)

Outdoor Living: Cheap & Chic

The temperature is going to hit 85 degrees today in NY, which means all that I can think of is spending some time outdoors.

 

One of the projects we want to tackle this year is a deck. Over the weekend Jon was at  Big Lots and saw something he knew I would love right away!

Now it may look like an ordinary gazebo, but it had me at BAMBOO plus the super price of $200 didn’t hurt!

 

Picture of it in the store:

Bamboo detailing:

That’s right folks it has bamboo detailing throughout all of the framing. Of course my immediate question was can we spray-paint it? Poor Jon said yes so now of course I want to paint it in a bright shade! Perhaps red?

Then I would leave the top as is, but those side curtains would be coming down and I would be making new ones with this:

Outdoor fabric that is only 9.95 a yard and with a classic stripe that just screams summer to me.

 

Add to the mix some red French bistro chairs, which are on sale this month for $115 each.

Then search Craigslist for a pedestal table that you can refinish.

 

Voila found this baby for $30. With a little sanding and a lot of high-gloss black paint we would be in business.

Of course I want to hang something like this in it:

But at $399.99 that is so not happening.

 

So, how about instead I try and recreate the look with this for $30:

Yes it doesn’t look exactly the same, but use some imagination and see it strung up with coral beads like our inspiration from PB.

 

These beads are only $2.96 for a 16” strand.

 

Woo hoo! I think I just convinced myself that the gazebo is a must buy. Jon was itching to pick it up since Sunday and I’ve kept telling him that we should wait until the deck is built, but with only 6 left at my local Big Lots. I will be picking one up tonight!

 

* When you go onto Big Lots site it asks you if you want to join their rewards club. Do it! You get their ads emailed to you two days in advance and then tend to put 20% off coupons in those emails as well.

Ladylike Pair

Last weekend I convinced Jon to go with me to my favorite thrift store, with the lure of promising that a lumbar yard was right next door.

 

To my surprise (wink, wink) the lumbar yard was only for contractors and we couldn’t go in, but alas the doors to my beloved shop were open.

 

Who should I see when I turned the corner:

 

A lovely pair of dainty, girly chairs!

They are vintage (of course they had to be) and in perfect condition. I would even leave them as is. Complete with nail head trim ( a favorite of mine).

 

Ah I was so sad to leave them behind. I think I could have totally convinced Jon to let them live with us, but I simply do not have the space or a client for them! Hence the reason why I keep bugging Jon for a store front so that I can do my design work and sell design stuff a la Jaime Meares.

 

Until Jon gives in these babies will have to go home with someone else. If you are in the NY area and in love with them like me shoot me an email and I’ll let you in on my secret place so you can snag them yourselves.

 

I believe they were $169 (Not sure if that was the price for one or the pair. I can re-check if you are interested).

Birds & Butterflies revisited…

A while ago when I was first considering my design plan for the dining room this wallpaper caught my eye immediately:

Ok so I wasn’t in love with massive butterfly on the wall, but the paper was calling my name along with that fab aqua floor.

 

I even convinced Jon that it would be perfect in our home! Then like a typical girl I moved on to another obsession and changed directions a bit.

 

This paper though has always stayed in the back of my mind and is now saved away for a hopefully, fingers crossed, if  I can ever get a bun in the oven nursery.

 

I was so happy to see a couple of days ago that Caroline was using it in her new studio:

Ah she even did a similar floor. Can you believe that is a concrete floor that she stained! In love.

 

I can’t wait to see the room evolve.  If you are interested in the wallpaper it is available via F.Schumacher. It is to the trade, but if you would like to order it from me email away!

 

Her studio is for her jewelry business:

 

Large Amour Necklace

I love you all the time

Danielle earrings

Love all of her pieces!

 

* So sorry that I didn’t get to post a 2nd post yesterday. The day got away from me.

 

I’ve been trying to blog twice a day. I’m kinda loving it. I do a longer post in the morning and then a short & sweet one in the afternoon.

 

What are your thoughts on it?

 

Image 1 via Domina, Image 2 via Full House via Armelle, Images 3-5 via Armelle

The New Traditionalists

My sisters were shocked when I mentioned that I was in love with everything at The New Traditionalists.

 

While my own personal taste is normally really colorful and pattern driven the stylish & some what masculine pieces in their booth were really calling my name.

 

To me display is everything so I loved their use of wood flooring and how it was in a herringbone pattern. Loved the massive wall covered with grass cloth and trim and of course I loved their mirrored signage.

 

 

This blue buttery leather sofa was my favorite. I wanted to haul it away with me. Add that punch of color with the orange side chair and an oval grey/blue coffee table and I was all set to give them my tax return and walk out with everything.

 

Their new pieces were even featured in the latest issue of Traditional Home. They are the mastermind behind modern kid’s furniture line, Ducduc and have now decided to venture into more grown up furniture. All of their pieces are designed in NYC and then produced in Torrington, CT. The pieces are made from sustainably harvested hardwood with hand-applied, water-based finishes that are non-toxic. The best part? Every piece is made to order. So you can have your pick between all of their finishes and lacquers.

 

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

 

Armoire No. Five Sixty Four

Desk No Two Eleven

 

Chair No. One Five

Plus a little sampling of their kid’s furniture:

Now their price points are not for the weak of heart, but they are timeless pieces that you will be able to keep in your family for generations to come.

 

Love the look? I’m certain many of them can be replicated with thrift store finds. I love the mixture of wood stain and lacquer and it seems like a simple enough DIY project. Now I need to find a piece to play around with!

Dancing Tables

I love that someone took my favorite table:

 

Plus the ruffling movement from traditional Mexican dresses:

And came up with this:

Ah I’m in love! I’ll take one in every color please.

 

They even have a baby version:

Mexican designer, Joel Escalona is a genius.

Chic & Cheap Kitchen Rugs

Normally when I go into people’s home I notice that their kitchen rug falls into 3 catagories.

 

1. Some sort of wine or grape motif:

2. Coffee motif:

3.Plump Chef motif:

I’m certain that at one point in our lives we’ve had one of the versions from above in our home, but I say we should kick those chubby chefs to the curb!

 

Now in most home decor magazines we normally don’t even see kitchen mats in photo shoots, but we must be practical. People enjoy having a little cushioning under their feet especially if their floors are wood or tile.

 

Here are a couple of stylish options that I found to fit the bill:

 

1. Lattice Kitchen Rug:  It’s a nice neutral color, love the lattice pattern and this runner version (20” x 48”) is only $16.99

2. Acadia Maze: This pattern reminds me a lot of Java Java by China Seas.  The 24” by 36” version is only $19.99

3. Geometric Rug: Love this pattern below it reminds me of Dash & Albert’s diamond pattern.  This 21” x 34” version is on sale for $12. 49!  I could also see this having a home by your bedside.

4.Chevron Rug: Ah what’s not to love about chevron. This 21” x 34” mat is only $12.49. I love it! I would even buy a couple and stitch them together to get a larger rug!

All of my picks are from Kohls! A store that I tend to forget about.  So I’m happy I decided to take a peek there today!

Donald Baechler Print at your fingertips

You may not realize it, but at some point you’ve probably been lusting after a piece of art from this man:

 

 

His name is Donald Baechler and he is best known for his bold and graphic work that is on display at the Whitney,  MOMA, Guggenheim and of course how can we forget…. Rashida Jones apt in NYC.

 

Now I know Rashida Jones apt doesn’t really go with the grouping of museums I mentioned above, but the piece of art featured in her studio apt was what got Donald on my mind.

 

 

While his work at times get mistaken for Hugo Guinness's linoleum cut prints his work is an actual painting done with a screen-printing technique.

 

His work also got great attention when it made the cover of Elle Decor in the home of Aerin Lauder.

 

We also saw a peek of it in Monique Lhuillier’s home.

Over the weekend I was cleaning up my magazine stacks. I had three giant stacks next to my nightstand and while I tried to pretend that they looked chic and inventive I knew it just looked messy.

 

Cleaning up was good, because it led me to find this image:

Doesn’t the middle print remind you of Rashida’s print?

 

It did to me and since this image actually came from DIY Ideas a special publication by Better Homes & Gardens instead of Elle Decor you know you can afford it.

 

All that is needed is your home office printer! Click here for the pdf version!

 

I’m all set to print out my own copy and add it to one of my gallery walls.

 

Now I know it’s not the real deal. If you want the real deal it’s available here, but for a little bit of printer ink, a piece of paper and an inexpensive frame you can have the look for pennies.

 

Image 1 via NY TIMES, Image 2 via Domino, Images 3-4 via Elle Decor, Images 5-6 via DIY IDEAS

 

* I’m not the teeniest percent Irish, but I just wanted to wish you all a Happy St. Patty’s day! I’m cheesy and wearing green in honor of the day!

Lovebirds

Rita Konig’s entryway that was featured in Domino mag has always been a favorite of mine.

 

I love the black back drop and love that the birds are paired together like little couples.

 

Of course it’s no surprise to find out that the paper was designed by design legend Nina Campbell aka Rita’s mom. (Lucky girl!)

 

The design was inspired by a Parisian flower shop known as Odorantes. Both Rita & Nina were quite taken the shops dark walls, collection of taxidermy including butterflies and birds and the vibrant flowers that simply popped in the space. 

 

The wallpaper also comes in a lighter color way:

 

When I stumbled upon this fabric for only $15 a yard I thought it would make for a good look alike:

 

If you don’t want to make the commitment of wallpaper then framing some fabric can give you a similar look or attach it to a wall with these DIY instructions (I’m dying to try this out!)

 

Have you seen any lovebird prints in fabric or wallpaper that I must know about? Share!

 

Images 1-2 via Domino, 3 Nina Campbell , 4 Warm Biscuit

All about blue

This months  House Beautiful explores the color blue. From denim to royal and all shades in between the blue hue was center stage.

 

They provided us with designers favorite blue paints and show cased some jaw dropping rooms in which the color blue was key.

 

Imagine my excitement when I found out via twitter that you were actually gifting some lucky New Yorkers blue chairs!

 

So dear readers of mine if you are in the NYC area keep your eyes peeled.

 

Throughout the city House Beautiful is placing blue chairs and the rules of finders keepers apply. The first person to find it gets to walk away with it.

 

How do you know where the chairs are going to be? They are giving out clues via their twitter account.

 

Here on some of the chairs you have an opportunity to win:

 

This chair is from Lee Industries and retails for $1,545. I’m dying to walk away with this one. It would fit nicely in my living room and look at all that bling with the nail head trim.

Another pick that I wouldn’t mind dragging home is this number by Room & Board that retails for $750.

I would actually love two of the following chairs for myself. How chic is this number by Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams? Ah true love and finding it for free is the only way it’s making it into my home with it’s $2,380 price tag.

 

I’m loving this shade of blue from Arhaus! It’s a great jolt of color. I actually found some mistint paint this weekend in that color and it’s just sitting around waiting for a project.

 

My favorites tended to be the more traditional chairs, but they also have a variety of modern picks that are heading out to be snatched as well.

To get a glimpse of all the chairs that are being given away check here!

 

If any of my New York readers snag a chair you must invite me over to check it out in person! I will be green with jealously! Perhaps I should make a trip into the city tomorrow and see if I happen to stumble upon blue heaven.