Blue Artichoke Interiors

Scottsdale Interior Designer Does A Palm Springs Get Away!

2011-08-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,
I recently had to get away with my husband for the weekend. It was much needed! I stayed at the Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, CA. Here's a photo of the lovely resort at night.

It's a great looking resort although quite the party place. Here's a picture of the party pool at a much calmer moment.

Many of you might not know that I have another blog. I recently changed my Susie Goldstein Interiors LLC website and added a blog to it to let my clients and friends know what is on my mind if they care to find out.
I have posted more pictures on my other blog about my Palm Springs weekend. Check it out to see some more room and resort photos.

Don't forget to follow my Susie Goldstein Interiors blog and like my fan page on Facebook. Bye for now, friends!

Buffet Makeover

2011-05-11T12:17:00.002-07:00

Quite a while ago I wrote about my old Mexican buffet that I wanted to redo. I had bought the buffet years ago when my children were young. I loved the Mexican style furniture back then that is so readily available in the southwest. I loved it because with two young children and a big black Labrador, there was nothing that any of them could do to the Mexican furniture that didn't just add to the rustic character of it. Here's a before picture of the buffet I am talking about.

I had been wanting a new buffet for such a long time because my tastes are more grown up and so different now. Being an interior designer, as time has gone by I've learned my style and my decor preferences in a way I just wasn't in tune with when my children were young. I am more true to myself when decorating now. For years I was too afraid to really decorate in my true taste for fear that it would be too feminine for my husband. Over the years he learned to trust me to not make our home too feminine. This was especially true in our major bath and bedroom remodel, Our home has feminine touches, but I make sure to keep a nice balance so he feels comfortable in our home too. I also keep my dear, sweet husband in the loop regarding any changes I am looking to make to our home and give him say in the decisions making.

As I have looked to replaced our buffet I realized that I was not willing to pay the high price of new, high quality furniture. I even get a really nice "To the Trades" with most manufacturers. My current buffet is a really large and holds so much. I rather save my money and spend it on things for my home that I can make, so the makeover was smart, sensible and done completely to my taste. Are you ready to see the after???

I knew that one of the most important ways I could completely change the look was to add legs to the buffet. I wanted to get the piece off the floor. I went to a local shop that sells to upholsterers and designers that has a nice selection of furniture legs and found the perfect one. Not too tall and not to short with a graceful style too.

It's hard to tell from the full buffet picture some of the ways I made this makeover special. I stenciled the top of the buffet in a robin's egg blue and a color called laguna blue that has a teal tone to it. I put a robin's egg blue border around the top too.

The drawer fronts were really rustic before the redo. They required a lot of filler and sanding to smooth them out. Here's a look at what the drawers and doors used to look like.

Here's what the drawers and doors look like now that I have made them pretty.

I added some stencils to the side of the buffet as well. This buffet sits in our living room/dining room combo and the sides are very visible in the room so it was important that I make the sides pretty too.

So this is my buffet redo. I think it looks pretty good, especially against the newly painted wall. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams Copen Blue and I love the soft blue color. I have always loved painting furniture and used to paint children's furniture as a business for a while. If you want to check out some of my other painted furniture, take a look at my interior design web site Susie Goldstein Interiors LLC.

Coffee Table Makeover

2011-05-11T12:05:00.001-07:00

Today I wanted to share a recent makeover. I purchased this coffee table that had been in the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. It was so inexpensive for the substantial furniture piece that it is.

It is a really heavy piece of furniture. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it was pretty beat up. Hotel furniture suffers a lot of abuse from hotel guests! I had some gouges filled and then painted it Sherwin Williams Creamy. It looked pretty, but plain so I stencilled the top in teal and painted the edges to match.

I was happy with how it turned out for the most part, but it wasn't quite finished. After living with it a while, I decided to mix some of the SW Creamy with some glaze and rubbed it over the top. It was just what was needed to make me happy. The paint and glaze toned down the brightness of the teal and softened it in a lovely way. Here's the after of my wonderful makeover.

Here is a closeup of the stenciled top.

I am happy with how it turned out and I am so glad that it is finally done. This formerly beat up Las Vegas beauty is looking beautiful once again. My living room is really looking so good these days and that makes me so happy.

Speaking of Las Vegas, I had some of my best friends from Las Vegas over to our house yesterday. My friends loved my house so much that they want me to come to Las Vegas and help them with their beautiful home. They like to entertain often so we will start with their family room and kitchen first. It's a rather large home and I know I could make it into a home they will really love. Viva Las Vegas!

Bargain Chairs Made Over

2011-05-09T20:31:00.015-07:00

I bought a couple of $29.00 Queen Anne arm chairs last year to redo and use in my home office. I also about that time I bought a disgusting looking wingback chair at a garage sale for $10.00 to use as my desk chair. The wingback had to be rebuilt completely because it sat way too low for this short lady to use as a desk chair. I finally had these three chairs redone and I wanted to share the finished chairs. I like them so much that I may use them as the end arm chairs in my dining room.
Here is the before shot of these sad and tired chairs.

Here's a picture of the chairs made over. I love the clean, fresh, and classic look of the redone beauties. In this picture are also two sets of bargain draperies I designed and had made. The lamp in the picture is one of two $5.00 lamps that I bought that is the perfect match.

Here is a closeup of the arm chair. I threw a couple of my bargain throw pillows on the chairs just for the picture. I think the pillows look kind of good, don't you think?

Just in case you are interested, I'll include a picture of my drapes and $5.00 lamps. I'll post at length about the drapes in another post.

Aren't those lamps the perfect color? I just love the color. I have some inexpensive drum shades on them now, but since I paid so little for the lamps I may splurge and have a custom shade made that will be just perfect. So what do you think of my formerly sad chairs now? I love them! So next time you see a chair that you think is beyond repair, instead of just walking by think of the possibilities instead.

Check out these link parties:
Decor Chick
Creative Jewish Mom
I Heart Nap Time
Under the Table and Dreaming
Tatertots and Jello
A Vision to Remember
The Girl Creative
Between Naps on the Porch
It's So Very Cheri
The DIY Showoff
Southern Hospitality
Support Blog for Moms of Boys
The House in the Roses

The Layman's Guide to Wall Striping (and So Much More)

2011-02-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I've been very busy lately working like crazy. I've made a post to my other blog Gold Standard Finishes LLC on striped looks for a home that I thought you might enjoy. Here's one of my favorite photos from this post.

I just love this beautiful kitchen with this drop dead gorgeous striping. This photo features the work of Tobi Fairley who is one of my favorite interior designers. Since my paint company does decorative finishes in addition to regular house painting, be sure to either follow my blog on goldstandardfinishes.com or like us on Facebook to learn about our new painting posts!

Commercial Office Design

2011-02-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

I was so thrilled to be asked to decorate my friend Tom's office. Tom is a great guy and my insurance broker too. His office is a nice space, but it definitely needed a woman's touch. I'm not completely done with the space yet, but in just a short time with a very modest amount of money I was able to warm up the lobby and give it some personality.

Here's a few befores of this very plain space. I loved the slate reception counters. I wanted to work off of the soft greens in the slate and the soft greens and golds in the waiting room chairs. One thing is for sure though, the brown wall had to go. It darkened the space and was depressing to look at.

So the brown walls were painted by our painting company, Gold Standard Finishes LLC. Art work and furniture was added too. I even added a little character to the plain jane handicapped accessible bathroom. A cabinet for bathroom necessities, a few pieces of art, and a seashell potpourri to add a scent.

I wish the color on the reception wall came across in the photo as it is in real life. It is a soft sage green color by Glidden called Courtyard Stone. Next on my list for Tom's lobby is a custom sign with their logo for the reception wall. I will probably need to buy one more piece of art for the area to the left of the reception desk. The nice thing about these changes is the fact the except for repainting the brown walls, everything purchased can be taken with them to a new location if they should choose not to renew their suite lease when it is up.

I will work on creating more personal spaces for the agents private offices too, but for now I am pleased with the progress made on a budget. Hey, if you live in Arizona consider contacting H Group Insurance. They have personally save me soooo much money on my home and auto insurance!

Great and Green- The New Trend Towards Online Interior Decor Magazines

2011-01-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

I love my interior design magazines. It is a thrill when I go through the mail and see what new magazine (or catalogs-love them too) has arrived for me to look through and absorb. Only one problem, as a recycler I always feel guilty that my magazines are adding to the environmental issues that many of us are concerned about. I read a magazine a few times, maybe tear out an article or two to save, and then add it to our recycling bin. That is the reason this trend towards online design magazines appeal to me.

While every design magazine offers an online presence along with many cool online extras, Nesting Newbies is the first completely online interior design magazine that I am aware of. It made its debut in 2009 and has published four issues to date. Nesting Newbies makes downloading easy so you can download just a few pages of choice or the whole issue for saving or printing.

In October 2009 Lonny Magazine published their first magazine. Lonny Magazine has some gorgeous pictures and great articles and is published bi-monthly. Downloading is not an option, but you can save links and save pages as jpgs to print later. I was a bit disappointed to read on their website that they are going to start printing paper copies of issues soon including back issues.

The latest addition is High Gloss. This lifestyle magazine is publishing February 1, 2011 and will feature articles on interior design, entertaining, fashion and travel. Founder and Editor in Chief is Paloma Contreras, creator of the style blog La Dolce Vita. I'm really looking forward to this magazine because it appears to have a talented team behind it.

The best part? So far these online magazine are free! You gotta love that. Are there any good online magazines I should know about? Comment and let me know.

Lovin' My Crate and Barrel

2011-01-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of Crate and Barrel and Crate and Barrel Furniture stores ever since I moved to the Chicago area in the 1980's. They offer some great style at reasonable prices. I have had some beautiful pieces I have bought over the years from this iconic store. I just received an email informing me that their new items for Spring are available. I love so much, but I'll limit my comments to a few pieces in each category.

Furniture: Check out the new colors they're offering in their outdoor furniture lines....love them. They have some great new indoor pieces too. I am very fond of their Blake Grey Wash line of furniture. I also love the Carly chairs available in various finishes and fabrics.

Dining & Entertainment: These Triana plates are fabulous and come in several colors so you can mix and match if you wish. The Capiz shell placemats add a little glamour to any meal.

Kitchen & Food: This 5-Piece Parker Bowl Set will add some cheer to any kitchen!

Accessories: How do I possibly pick just a couple? If I must, I love the Ocean Ikat prints (there are two) and any of the new pillows for Spring. The Lucy pillow is below.

Isn't the Lucy pillow wonderful? There are so many fabulous pillows available to fit almost any taste and color scheme. Throw pillows remain one of the easiest ways to change up the look of a room each season. Take a look at what is new from Crate and Barrel and let me know what some of your favorite things are!

Hand Painted Walls and Decorative Wall Finishes

2011-01-07T22:38:00.005-07:00

Hi Everyone! I was going through many of my old photos as part of my annual decluttering resolution. While I was sorting through photos, I came across many pictures of my wall painting I had done when I was living in Las Vegas. I painted a lot of homes and businesses including some model homes while Las Vegas was going through the housing boom. I thought I would share a few. I lost so many of my hundreds of photos when a computer crashed a few years ago and I didn't have them backed up. I lost wall painting photos, home staging photos and many photos of when my grown children were young. Now I ALWAYS back up my computer files!

Here are a couple of cute nurseries I had painted. I painted so many children's rooms because I got many referrals from a pediatrician's office that I painted early in my painting career.

Here is a few snap shots of a dramatic living room I painted with an exotic expedition theme. I used the same border in a really beautiful master bedroom in a model home also. It looked fabulous as well and I wish I hadn't lost that photo.

I loved these tassels and painted rods. The hand painting on the columns made them stand out as a beautiful feature. The dining room's trey ceiling and niches were also painted with metallic vines to compliment the design in the living room. What I liked best about this job was how beautifully the hand painting enhanced the Victorian decor the client loved.

Here are a couple photos from a few model homes. I remember painting this master bathroom in the Summerlin part of Las Vegas in 115 degree weather while it was raining. And... there was no air conditioning in the home because the electricity had not been connected yet. Let me assure you that painting model homes is not glamorous work!

My husband is a fourth generation painting contractor. His family started a painting business in Chicago in 1927 that is still in existence today. We are now starting our own painting business in the Phoenix, Arizona area named Gold Standard Finishes LLC. In addition to regular interior and exterior residential and commercial painting we will be offering decorative wall painting and faux finishes too. We are unique because most painting contractors do not have an interior designer on staff. If you would like me to do some decorative paint treatments for your home or business, please contact us. Even if you need just regular painting, I can assist with color consultations as well. Contact me at 480-775-1500.

Link parties:
Less than Perfect Llife of Bliss
Blue Cricket Design
It's So Very Cheri

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

2010-11-11T00:32:00.000-07:00

In a recent post about my visit to the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams signature store in Portland, I admired a mirror over a sofa as much as the sofa itself. A great mirror is such a statement piece in a room whether above a sofa, over a console in an entry, or a beautiful floor mirror leaning against the wall.

There are some really great mirrors for people to buy no matter how large or small your budget may be. In a recent project, I used the Tanisha mirror by Uttermost for a client's entry. It looks beautiful and the finish is even more beautiful in person than in the picture.

Uttermost has a nice selection of mirrors to choose from- truly something for every one's taste. One of the more traditional and very curvy mirrors that I like is the Cleopatra U mirror. I love the antiquing and green glaze.

This Uttermost Montone floor mirror caught my eye while looking through their website. It has a nice, substantial frame with some interesting detailing. This is a mirror that would work well with many different furniture styles. I could see it with classic furniture, globally inspired decor, and even contemporary furnishings.

If you are looking for a coastal look or just want to add natural materials and texture to your room, Currey & Company's Windward mirror would be a good choice. Currey & Co. also makes a rectangular version called the Beachhead that would be beautiful as a vanity mirror in a coastal inspired bathroom.

Arteriors makes a fabulous Landon convex mirror set I would love to own. It is so stylish and interesting the way the pieces fit together.

Starburst mirrors have become a classic and so many manufacturers make a version or two. I adore the Arteriors' retro Galaxy Star mirror which is such a beauty and would lighten and brighten any space.

For a pine mirror that is anything but plain, take a look at this BoBo Pine Mirror. This unfinished mirror comes in a square version as shown below or as a larger floor mirror.

For those who are not feeling the economic pinch, I must suggest the Venus Mirror by Made Goods. This beautiful flower mirror with shell petals is a total statement piece done in a very feminine and organic way.

Also by Made Goods, this Grotta Mirror is baroque inspired sea shells put together in some faboulously ornate patterns. So over the top, but then again if money were no object I would want one just because I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making this beauty.

There is so much out there to love and these are only a few of many. Whose mirrors do you love and want in your home?

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

2010-11-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

It won't be too long before we are gathering with our families and friends to enjoy what will probably be the first of many fabulous holiday meals between Thanksgiving and New Years' Eve. We usually go out to eat for Thanksgiving since I am not much of a cook and this way instead of being stressed, we can just focus on enjoying each others company. My grandmother and mother were and are fabulous cooks (that gene didn't carry down to me) and I have many fond memories growing up with great home cooked Thanksgiving meals and a lot of football watching. I truly admire a well set table and consider it an art. Here are a few ways to make your Thanksgiving table a feast for the eyes.

Country Living has a beautiful slide show on Thanksgiving table settings. I've picked a few of my favorites to highlight. I love the colors on this tablescape, just so warm and inviting.

I love the getting the kids involved with the table decor. These ideas are fun for the whole family.

With a big group of family and friends, a buffet is definitely the way to go. This buffet display is so inviting. Candles add so much to the mood of the evening.

So much of a buffet is in the way the food is presented. Who wouldn't love a dessert buffet dressed up like this? The potted flowers and pumpkins and gourds add so much to the harvest theme.

Sweet Something Design created a tablescape I just adore. I love every thing about it and I can see the place setting as being something easily put together by the average and even challenged entertainer with some visual cues. This talented blogger bought her dishes at Wal-mart years ago and did a fabulous cornucopia centerpiece. She even shows how she used the same dishes to create another Thanksgiving display. You can create a beautiful table on a budget with creativity, imagination, and some guidance.

Paper & Cake Printable Partyware offers entertainers some free downloads to make their job easier. Choose Modern Folk or An Elegant Table, either one is beautiful.

If you don't believe me about tablescaping being an art, then just check out the blog, Between Naps on the Porch. Susan, who writes this beautiful blog, has perfected the art of tablescapes. If every you need inspiration, you can find it from her or one of her many followers who like to participate in her special weekly hosted blog parties known as Tablescape Thursday. Susan has not done her 2010 Thanksgiving tablescape yet, but here is link to her 2009 BNOTP Thanksgiving tablescape.

These are some amazing tablescapes, aren't they? My mother is an amazing hostess and a whiz with centerpieces, but even the best hostesses can use some inspiration every now and again. When I am in doubt and looking for inspiration in interior design I often turn to magazines or the internet for a spark of creativity. The inspiration is there for setting a beautiful table too. Just look for it!

Christmas Decorating- Start Planning Now!

2010-11-04T00:46:00.001-07:00

I love getting my home decor catalogs in the mail. This time of year, they are just magical to look at. I tend to resent the commercialization of the season and how the big corporations try to stretch the Christmas season longer and longer each year. Yet, the beauty of the season is still breath taking. It has been a long time since I have decorated my home for Christmas. I converted to Judaism 22 years ago, but I still love holiday decor and all the beautiful displays in these catalogs.

I adore this Coastal Christmas vignette from Wisteria. The nautical theme on the stockings and tree skirt are so wonderful as is the seaside garland.

I love burlap. I know that it is so over done. I know you see it everywhere. However, I still love the natural, textural qualities of this material in home decor. Burlap is perfect for a fringed Christmas tree skirt as shown in this Ballard Designs photo.

When it comes to trimming the tree, Ballard Designs also has Silver Button Garland that is fabulous. It comes in a capiz button version too.

I'm also lovin' the Holiday Patchwork Pillows from Ballard Designs. They are perfect for spreading the festivities to your chairs, sofas, and bedrooms.

Many have mantels that look bare if not dressed for the holidays. At Grandin Road I found this wonderful Martha Stewart Beaded LED Garland. By the way, Costco has battery operated real wax LED candles in a four pack for $19.99 now. I picked up a couple packs myself and need to go back for a few more. These are wonderful for holiday decorating and so much safer than real candles in so many social situations, especially around young children and pets.

Also fun for your mantle are these snowflake candle holders from Crate and Barrel. Choose either the larger hurricane or the smaller candle holder singular or in pairs.

Also great for the holidays and long after the new year rolls around are these Mercury Glass Pillar Holders from Pottery Barn. These create the look of instant antiques and would mix well with a variety of real antique candle holders if you are lucky enough to find them at antique stores and flea markets. Mix them with some garland (real or faux) and it will be wonderful.

While we are talking about mantles, I just love, love, love clear hurricanes for their versatility. It seems as if every home decor store carries some variation of them. They work beautifully with or without candles in every season. If you find some fabulous glass Christmas ornaments on sale, stock up. They look so festive in hurricanes on your mantle or even as a centerpiece for your holiday meal. I love this picture of holiday hurricanes.

If you like a traditional centerpiece and are on a budget like everyone else this year, think Costco. Here are two Costco holiday centerpiece options, one fresh greenery and the other artificial, that can be delivered directly to your home in time for the holidays.

I love crafts, but don't have as much time for them as I would like these days. For those who have the time, check out this lovely Lighted Pinecone Arrangement craft found on Martha Stewart Living. I think it would be great to make for Thanksgiving and would work all through Christmas.

Most of us don't have the grand staircase of Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill Estate, but I wanted to share how festive her stairs look draped in eucalyptus garland. Many homes would look lovely with this kind of staircase treatment. See how she did it.

For those of us with more modest entries, a little garland around the mirror might just do the trick. Martha shows us how to do elegant on a smaller scale.
This Bay Leaf and Pomegranate Garland makes a beautiful entry.

On the Crate and Barrel website I found an interesting decoration I would like to share. I haven't been able to find it used in a picture, but it has some interesting decorating possibilities. This 36" Antiqued Silver Branch I think could look beautiful with some crystal icicle ornaments. Pretty single color ornaments would also be attractive. How would you use this or have you found any pictures from Crate and Barrel that I may not be aware of showing how they have used this in holiday decor?

Holiday dinnerware can add so much to the table. I found some pretty glam dinnerware for the holidays and beyond at Z Gallerie. Check out the Madera Dinnerware with a faux bois pattern. You can buy a complete set or upgrade your existing dinnerware by purchasing Madera chargers. Perfection! Now if only they didn't need to be hand washed.

Hanukkah is a much harder holiday to decorate for, but I'll see what I can find for my Jewish friends. I hope you have enjoyed some of my Christmas decorating favorites this season. Please share some of yours!

Upholstered Beds- Classic to Custom

2010-10-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

I've always been fond of upholstered beds. I love the character that they can bring to a room. They can be simple, ornate, classic, trendy, traditional, modern, masculine and feminine. Basically they can be what ever you want them to be.

Here is a faux leather bed from Overstock.com. This Tuscany Villa Dark Brown Faux Leather King-size Bed has classic lines at a bargain price. It is a wonderfully masculine look that any man would love.

Home Decorators Collection has added custom upholstered beds to their options. They offer a variety of forms from nail heads to no nail heads, wing back, etc. Their fabric options are somewhat limited, but you may find something you love. They do offer coordinating pieces to go with the beds. This Kenter Custom Arch Bed is one example of what they offer.

Ballard Designs offers more options for you on upholstered beds. In addition to the more than 125 fabrics that they offer to their customers, they also offer the COM or Customers Own Material option for a truly custom look. For their standard fabrics they have a very user friendly website that allows you to easily search by fabric category and color and then view your bed in that fabric selection. This way you are more likely to know what you are getting with the scale of the fabric on this item. This Louisa Bed is shown in the Ikat Medallion
fabric.

I love what can be done with truly custom upholstered beds done through workrooms. This bed by designer Jennifer Flanders is stunning. I just love the detailing that she created with nail head trim.

Here is a beautiful bed found on the House Beautiful website. Elegant and so feminine.

Here is a pair of custom upholstered twin beds by ARDEN Interior Architecture & Design done for the 2010 Hampton's Designer Showhouse.

Consider adding some drama by upholstering the foot board too. I love the nail head trim detail on this upholstered sleigh bed. With it's neutral color and classic styling, you just can't miss with this one!

Since I am more fond of traditional design, that is mainly what I focused on in this post. I have seen many lovely upholstered beds done in more modern styles as well.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Portland Visit

2010-10-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

I was in Portland on Sunday shopping in the Pearl District when I discovered to my delight that Portland has a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams signature store. I had to visit this fabulous store.

They have such fabulous furniture. Their store displays are set up just like the vignettes in their catalog.

I love this bed. It makes me want to crawl inside and take a nap!

While the furniture is pretty fabulous, I just love the mirror over the sofa.

Classic clean lines are all about this look.

I love this totally Hollywood glam look and the Donnabella 4 door chest.

I love this Suzanne chair. This is their hip version of the traditional wing chair.

There are too many things to love about this vignette. Where do I start? The alligator art? The leather cocktail ottoman? The pair of gold Too Sexy Sadie chairs? The modern Stratton chairs? I just can't decide what I love the most.

I love the clean lines on this sectional sofa. The Kirk swivel chair looks pretty great too done up in this Greek key inspired fabric.

I love this color combo of white, gray, and yellow. Fresh and fun!

Here's a totally masculine room that I think most women could love too. Their Gustave leather chair and Chester sofa look great together.

Another totally inviting bedroom vignette. It looks so relaxing and serene. The soft gold velvet and tufted back keep this Cassidy swivel chair from looking too modern. I love the traditional look with modern touches.

These Cedric etageres are so practical and would make any display look good. Definitely use them in multiples to maximize their impact.

I will be signing up for a designer account with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams so if anyone wants to order any pieces from this wonderful company, give me a call. They ship nation wide. 480-775-1500

Also while down in the Pearl District, our group grabbed a bite to eat at Henry's Tavern. The food was great and the decor was even better. I loved the exposed brick, bold striped window treatments, custom light fixtures, and wonderful custom art by an artist named Molly. Just a very warm and inviting space!

I'm looking forward to going back to Portland and exploring this beautiful city. Hopefully with a little less rain next time!

Designer Show Homes

2010-10-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

There is a decorator show home going on that is interesting to take a look at and get some ideas for your own home. Many of the rooms are over the top and not my personal taste, but most rooms are worthy of taking some aspect of the design as inspiration for incorporating into your own taste. This dining room by Cullman & Kravis in the New York Kip's Bay Decorator Show House is formal and fun with it's turquoise ceramic accents.

The Shippen Design Show House has design more to my personal taste. This show house is based in Stamford, Connecticut and features a lovely formal living room by Jack Fillips.

The Cape May Show House this year is a bed and breakfast that was designed. Bedrooms were not part of the show since it is still an operating B and B. The New Jersey show house is over now, but will be decorated for the holidays and reopened for viewing November19- January 2.

Are there any other decorator show homes going on now that people should know about? Comment and let everyone know.

Improve Your Home Without Breaking the Bank

2010-08-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

An article came out on the Yahoo Real Estate page today that I felt was very timely. Most of us aren't looking to sell right now and couldn't even if we wanted to in this economy. I live in the Phoenix area which is one of the worst housing markets in the country now. However there are so many cost effective ways to spruce up our home that will add value and make your home stand out from your neighbor's home should you decide to sell in the future. Check out the Yahoo article that I will be commenting on, 8 DIY Projects to Add Value to Your Home By Labor Day.

1. Replace Sinks and Faucets
Kitchens are the gathering place and are the heart of the home. If you have a handy husband or a great handyman, change out your sink and faucet and you'll love what it does for the kitchen. Consider going the route of one large basin rather than a split sink to be able to accommodate large roasting pans and other over sized dishes. If you have a builder grade faucet then it is almost a necessity and you can find a water saving faucet that is good for the environment and your pocketbook. A stylish faucet doesn't have to be expensive. This American Standard Fairbury faucet is only $108.00 at Home Depot.

I think of faucets and cabinet hardware as the "jewelry" of your kitchen. Like with an outfit, the right jewelry can make or break your look. If you have outdated cabinetry hardware and can afford to replace it, consider updated this as well. You won't believe how just updating your knobs and pulls can transform your kitchen into the new millennium.

2.Backsplashes
This is another area of the kitchen where a little effort can yield a big look. Many people have a four inch backlash that is integrated with their counter. Extend your backsplash all the way to the upper cabinets and complete the look. Be sure to stay true to the look of the kitchen. Don't add a modern looking glass tile backsplash to a country kitchen. I found several natural stone products at Home Depot for around or under $10.00 per square foot. If you have any tile outlets near you, check them out for a really good deal.

3. Vanity Cabinets/Toilets
If your bathroom cabinets are beyond painting for a spruce up, replace. I love this Yahoo article mentioning using an old dresser for a sink vanity. If you are at a flea market or garage sale find a piece with good bones and refinish it if necessary. I love this look, especially if you live in an older home. For a great look on a new piece with an older look, I found this Estate vanity at Lowe's for $398.00. As for toilets, a newer, water saving toilet can save you money on your water bills and update your bathroom at the same time.

4. Paint
By far your best home investment! Paint is the best way to update and freshen the appearance of your home dollar for dollar. If doing it yourself, please take the time to do the proper prep work because a bad paint job will not increase the value of your home. If you have a fear of color, pick out a warm neutral for an overall color. Paint your trim an off white and the wall color will pop in comparison. I have a client's home that is in the process of being freshened right now. We used Behr "Oat Cake" as a neutral throughout with "Swiss Coffee" for the trim and doors. We also added a few accent wall colors. It looks fabulous so far and I can't wait to see it completed. If you aren't a natural in picking out paint colors, it may be a good investment to pay an interior designer for a one hour color consultation to make sure the colors flow throughout your home. I noticed that Lowe's is offering a mail-in paint rebate now too.

5. Crown Molding
Not all ceiling lines can accommodate crown moldings, but if you have flat ceilings adding a crown molding elevates the look of your room. Consider adding it to your formal living spaces and master bedroom first. As your budget allows, add the molding to secondary bedrooms. Molds at the ceiling are a little trickier since you need precise cuts. Moldings other than crown molding can add a lot of style too and create architectural interest where none might have existed. See the picture below as a good example.

6. Storage/Organization
If you have never added a customized closet system, consider it. There are DIY systems at your local home improvement store that will make your space function so much better. Let's face it, we can never be too thin, too rich, or have too much storage in our home.

7. Replace The Front Door

If your front door is in disrepair, seriously consider replacing the front door. If your front door is a steel door and just looking a little tired, painting to give a fresh look might be all it needs. Your front door is the first thing guest see when they visit your home, so make sure it looks nice. If you can afford to, consider updating your lock set, entry lighting and house numbers to give your home a polished look. A good power wash can go a long way too.

8. Landscape

Is your front yard landscaping inviting? If not, a little manpower on your part can yield so big financial rewards. You needn’t spend more than $300 to $400 in basic landscaping projects to produce $1,500 to $2,000 in added home value, according to HomeGain.com’s Prepare to Sell survey. It may be as simple a pruning trees and bushes or adding fresh mulch. An overgrown landscape can be as unappealing as not having enough landscaping. Don't forget to add some color through seasonal flowers, either in pretty pots or planted in the ground. If you have a porch, keep it clean. If the kids' toys, shoes, etc. have been there for a while, it is time to clean up and put things back where they belong.

9. Upgrade The Builder Lighting and Mirrors

I am adding one of my own, please upgrade the lighting from the usual builder grade fixtures. There are attractive lighting fixtures at most price points so next time you are at your local home store, please find something more attractive than what most builders give you. It makes such a difference. While I am on that subject, consider either trimming out the plain Jane bathroom mirror with some molding or replacing an attached mirror with a framed wall hung mirror. Once again, attractive mirrors can be found at all price points and really elevate the status of your bathroom.

Supporting Artists and Their Creativity

2010-08-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

I want to apologize for my lack of blogging in the last month. I need to learn to balance work and personal time. I've been busy with interior design jobs and needed to step back for a little while. I will be more consistent, I promise.

I was inspired to bring you some beautiful art that can be found on Etsy right now. I love that original art can be so affordable and available to all. I want to stress that you should pick art because you love it, not because it matches your sofa!

This art is a watercolor by Web of Creation. I love the colors and ink work on this lovely piece. I can't think of any place in your home that this wouldn't work.

For someone looking for truly affordable art, consider an art print. This contemporary limited addition art print by Modern House Art might be what you are looking for. I love the texture and the pops of blue.

This set of two original paintings caught my eye. I love the colors and the birds as a subject. This diptych entitled "Love Song" by the Painted Sky would look lovely over a sofa or above a headboard.

For a gift that will always be cherished, how about giving a custom watercolor of their beloved home? Artist Suzanne Churchill can make a commissioned piece of any home or building. I think this is the perfect gift for those that are hard to buy for and would be lovely as a housewarming present for someone who is beloved.

For a formal space, how about this custom pet portrait? I love the playfulness of immortalizing your pet in a unique way. Omni Portraits can capture the personality of your animal. The possibilities are endless since they paint more than pets.

Next time you need to buy some art for your place, remember Etsy. You can get an original piece of art for not much more than you can pay for a framed print some places. Support creativity and American artists!

2011 Color Forecast- Part One

2010-07-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

Have you been wanting to update your home decor? Do you have any rooms in need of a fresh paint color? Check this out. Not too long ago, Sherwin-Williams came out with their 2011 color forecast. They have divided the up and coming colors into four different color collections. Over the next few days we'll take a look at what are the colors that will shape and define home decor in the upcoming year. Today we will take a look at their first collection: Purely Refined.
Purely Refined

Elegant, Tailored, Understated

True luxury doesn't shout its presence with glitz, glamour and bling. It whispers, revealing its pedigree through clean, classic lines, exquisite tailoring and handcrafted heirloom quality. Pared down is the new upscale, and its color palette demonstrates similar restraint, filled with understated neutrals, yet with nuances and undertones that interact in intriguing ways. Layering organic textures and subtle detailing add to the natural elegance of the timeless look.

Bracing Blue SW6242

Svelte Sage SW6164

Rice Paddy SW6414

Light French Gray SW0055

Queen Anne Lilac SW0021

Empire Gold SW0012

Peppercorn SW7674

Dutch Cocoa SW6032

Upward SW6239

Classic Light Buff SW0050

These colors mix well together and can be used to tie your whole home together and define your color scheme. Try a new wall color or use as a guide when shopping for fresh, updated home accessories. Tomorrow we will look at the sultry, exotic and primal Restless Nomad color palette.

Adding Asian Accents to Traditional Decor

2010-07-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

If I had to define my ideal decorating style it would be updated traditional. I guess it is my Midwestern roots that shapes this love of traditional decor. I don't want a space that looks like my grandmother would live there though. I want my traditional look with an modern edge. I love to add a little Asian in a traditional room. Whether it is a furniture piece or an accessory, I love the unexpected that adding Asian accents brings.

I have a few great resources for Asian accents in the Phoenix area, but I wanted to highlight a few Asian beauties that everyone has access to. Gump's is a great resource for finding versatile Asian furniture and accessories. I love this cabinet and the teal color is wonderful. This would be great in an entry and even in a dining room to hold extra table linens, dinnerware, etc.

I love display cabinets and this cerulean display cabinet is really great. I love to make sure that there is some black in a room, but the blue interior really pops and would be a fabulous backdrop to your collections.

This red chinoiserie tray table makes the perfect side or end table. So elegant!

I love a versatile stool. This celadon stool can be used as an end table, garden stool and extra seating. It is small and easily stored if needed.

These Foo dogs say Asian, but the white color let's them fit into any decor.

These cherry blossom needlepoint pillows would look great on a traditional style sofa.

These Tang horses are a great accessory for your home and add subtle Asian flair to the space.

In the dining room, this bamboo chandelier would do the trick.

Last, but not least, I love this lotus noir dinnerware is hand painted with black lotus blossoms which are adapted from 17th-century Chinese art. It would be a great addition to any tablescape.

Do you like Asian accents? Could you fit some of these Asian pieces into your traditional decor? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Etsy Furniture Finds- Chairs

2010-07-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

I love looking through Etsy just to see what catches my eye sometimes. Today I decided to look at some furniture finds for chairs. Here is what caught my fancy.
I just love everything about this chair appropriately titled My Favorite Chair by yiayias.

What is there not to love about these refinished and reupholstered vintage cane chairs by Fabulous Mess . I love the fabric and they look so inviting. I'd like them both, thank you!

This little vintage slipper chair with its new Robert Allen fabric just make me happy to look at it. KL Upholstery did a great job with this beauty. This Esty shop has some other nice pieces to check out as well.

This looks so cozy that I just want to curl up in it and read a book. This chair by Vintage Chic Furniture was recovered in a vintage chenille bedspread and is the ultimate in country cottage chic!

If your taste begs for something more on the wild side, check out this pair of Victorian Conversation chairs by Inged done in this zebra print faux fur.

This is another chair that just makes me smile. I love this cherry red finished chair with its Thomas Paul for Duralee fabric. Rubbish Rehab certainly picked a fun and fabulous color combination.

Now you know what caught my eye on Etsy. I hope these chairs made you smile too!

House Numbers Safety Project

2010-07-11T18:49:00.017-07:00

Have you ever gone to a friend's house only to discover that it wasn't so easy to figure out which house was theirs? Many homeowners do not have their houses marked clearly with their house number. Even those house numbers that are easier to find during the day might not be so easily found at night. Have you ever thought what would happen in an emergency if an ambulance or the police had a hard time finding your house? We have house numbers on our home above our garage. However at night if the lights on either side of our garage are not on, these might not easily be seen. To make our home more easily identifiable, a former owner had painted the numbers on the curb. It wasn't looking so good these days though. So, I finally completed a safety and home improvement project that I have been meaning to do for quite a while. This is what our curb has looked like for quite some time.

We have companies that will paint your house numbers on your curb, but I thought that they charged too much for something that I could do myself and do prettier!

Here's what you will need to complete this project.
Newspaper
Blue Painters Tape
4" or Larger Number Stencils
Decorative Stencil of Your Choice
Can of White Spray Paint
Stencil Brushes (1 for each color)
Craft Paint in Desired Colors
Paper Towel (to off load paint from stencil brush)
Paper Plate (to hold craft paint)
Decorative Paint Brushes (if painting design and numbers by hand)

Here's the steps I took to do this simple safety project:
1. Wash your curb with a scrub brush and rinse. You won't believe the amount of dirt.
2. You can do this project one of two ways. Either buy the 4" number stencils at an office supply store or print up letters in the desired font and size on your computer and use transfer paper to transfer to curb and paint by hand. I went the stencil route since it is 110 degrees outside in Arizona and I wanted to get this done as quickly as possible.
3. If going the stencil route, tape the number stencils together and then tape the decorative part of the stencil to the left. You need this all together so you can figure out how big your square paper template needs to be. If you are painting by hand, print out your decorative design out on paper and tape together to figure the size you need.

4. After I had my decorative stencil and numbers laid out, I made a paper template from newspaper inserts and laid them out around the numbers and taped together with blue painters tape. Leave space on the inside for you tape the template to the curb. It was a little windy the day I did this. You will want to pick a calm day. I got a little over spray on one corner because of the wind. I will go back and clean this up another day.

5. Take your can of white spray paint and paint inside your paper template. This is what it will look like. Let dry to touch.

6. Lay your decorative stencil and number stencils down and tape using blue painters tape. Stencil using a dry brush stencil technique. It does not take a lot of paint on a stencil brush to get the job done. Your brush should have just enough paint on it so that when you pounce on a paper towel, you get a powdery effect. If you use too much paint, paint will seep under the stencil and look messy. Better do to a light coat of paint and build up your color rather than over do it. If you are using a pattern instead of stencils, transfer your design with transfer paper and paint by hand with decorative paint brushes. Here's what it looked like while I was stenciling.

7. Take the stencil off and admire your new curb. It's beautiful and could protect your family in an emergency!

Linking up to these parties:

Check ME Out Saturday at A Vision to Remember

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Saturday Soiree at A Little Lovely

Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime

Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom

The DIY Club at Under the Table and Dreaming

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Just Something I Whipped Up Monday at The Girl Creative

It's So Very Thrifty at It's So Very Cheri

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Show Off

Mad Skill Monday at Support Blog for Moms of BOYS!

DIY Tutorial Linky Party at Fine Craft Guild

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

Themed Children's Furniture

2010-07-09T16:47:00.025-07:00

When I had my business making children's hand painted furniture, I loved the creativity involved. Half the fun was trying out various color combinations and themes. I equally loved painting for girls and boys.

This was a little girl's vanity set I painted. I took the picture without the mirror in place.

I painted several headboard's for beds. Here is a colorful butterfly headboard.

Here was a patriotic headboard I created.

I loved painting this sweet little insect chest.

Here's a similar version done more to a boy's liking with old fashioned airplanes.

Have you painted any themed furniture pieces for your kid's room? I'd love to hear about them!

Linking to these parties:
Flaunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
New Friend Fridays at Trendy Treehouse
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
I'm Lovin' It Trash to Treasure at Tidy Mom
Link Party at Simply Designing
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Look at Me Party at It's Fun to Craft
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Plant A Punkin Seed Party at Punkin Seed Productions
It's A Hodgepodge Friday at It's A Hodgepodge Life
Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs
Fab Friday at Frugal & Fabulous Design
Check Me Out Saturday at A Vision to Remember
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Saturday Soiree at A Little Lovely
Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime
Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom
The DIY Club at Under the Table and Dreaming
DIY Project Parade at The DIY Show Off
Mad Skills Monday at Support Blog for Mom of BOYS!
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple
Just Something That I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Tickled Pink Blog Hop at 504 Main

Modern, Industrial Chic

2010-07-07T18:04:00.001-07:00

CB2 has released their new Fall catalog and I thought I would share with you a few favorites of mine. I love their industrial look which features neutrals with pops of color for pizazz. This industrial look works well for the younger set and those living in an edgier, urban setting or loft living. I love buying used furniture and accessories to stay green, but every now and then a thrifty, new purchase is okay. CB2 provides modern, urban style at a very nice price point.

I think these gender icon vases are very fun. Hang them on a bathroom door and add some flowers or greenery. Too fun!

This porcelain paper bag vase is a can't miss choice. It's great for flowers, but at $3.95 I can think of a lot of uses for this diminutive piece. On a desktop it would be a great pen or pencil holder. How would you use this?

This playful George Washington is a limited edition print. If this funny money art is your thing, don't wait too long!

This Marimekko wall hanging offers a lot of bang for the buck. At 58" W x 45.5" H, this bold and colorful wall art is a great buy at $79.95.

I've always been a sucker for ombre and this rug is no exception. I love the soothing shades of blue and green. This large 5' x 8' rug can be used indoors or out and is a bargain buy at $299.

The funky factor in this rug is off the charts. This is rug graphic is a reproduction circa 1992 poster promoting Sunday night Latin/African rhythms at London's Club Red. This edgy and graphic red, black and cement colored accessory is made from hand tufted wool.

What a great floor lamp in a beautiful, glossy red!

These taxi pillows add a gritty urban vibe to a space.

These fun enameled spheres are great in a vase on your mantel or in a fun bowl on a coffee table.

These wilma dessert plates would be great for hanging on the wall as well as serving your culinary masterpieces.

Have a small dining space? This grellow (grey + yellow) table might be the perfect piece. It comes in white too.

Need a desk chair or zippy dining chair? This modern diner in a fun red/orange color has exposed tacks and is laminate over beechwood with exposed plywood edges.

Organic sheets for your bed with typographic sayings. Who could resist?

This saga credenza does double duty. It works as easily in your office as supply storage as it does in your dining room for dishes and such. Make that triple duty and you could use it for a media piece and set your flat screen television on top.

These are just a few of the fun, new pieces out for Fall. Take a look for yourself at what CB2 has to offer and let me know what you like.

Green Home???

2010-07-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

I went to a networking event for the Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce tonight. I had fun chatting with people and found out that Ed Begley, Jr. is coming to town. He is going to be featured in the "Green" issue for a Phoenix magazine. While talking about Ed's TV show on Planet Green, "Living with Ed", I expressed my concerns with eco-friendly celebrities. I admire that many celebrities are building a more environmentally friendly home. I admire that many celebrities are living off the grid, however whether living off the grid or not, many of these celebrities live in excess.

Larry Hagman of "Dallas" and "I Dream of Genie" converted his home to be an off the grid home. The main house of this estate has 18,000 square feet. I'm sorry, but no one needs to live in a home that big, even if it is off the grid. More pictures and information can be found on Ecorazzi.

Jackson Browne is well known for his off the grid living. He just bought a fairly modest celebrity home in Los Angeles by LA standards. You can read all about it and see pictures at The Real Estalker blog. I have no problem with the $2.6 million dollar price paid or the size of just over 4,000 square feet. I think that is fairly reasonable for a celebrity home. I'm sure that Mr. Browne will probably go off the grid with this home too or at least make it more eco-friendly. According to the above blog, this seems to be his third California home. Who needs three homes in California? I wonder if any one does.

At what point does a home cease to be green? If a home is off the grid, but excessively large, can it be green? When you consider the manpower and materials needed to build a home with a large footprint, I have to say no. It also costs a lot of money to maintain a large property, even if a home owner isn't paying energy costs. Treehugger recently came out with an article worth looking at called "Could Less Become More Again?"

I'd love to hear your opinion on excess and how you think it fits in with the "green" home movement.

Roman Sofa

2010-07-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

This is just going to be a quick post today as I am trying to enjoy as much holiday as possible this weekend. My sister-in-law and her family just returned from a fabulous European vacation. She sent me this photo she took and thought I might find it interesting. This was a sofa in the lobby of their Roman hotel. She had never seen anything quite like it and I must say that I haven't either. It wasn't very comfortable because it was too deep, but I agree it is very interesting. Does anyone have any information about this sofa or know of any manufacturer making anything similar? I'd love to hear from you.

Red, White and Blueautiful

2010-07-02T21:23:00.002-07:00

Since many of us have a long holiday weekend in front of us, I searched for some decor images to put us in the patriotic mood. I did most of my growing up in the 70's and I remember being at a classmate's home that had the coolest and funkiest red, white and blue basement. This was right around the time the bi-centennial took place in 1976 and Americana was IN in a big way. This basement was a kid friendly, fun place to hang out in. I didn't find some pictures quite as funky as that 1970's basement, but I did find some wonderful spaces.

I love this colorful porch I found at Better Homes and Gardens. Who wouldn't want to relax in this outdoor space.

Here's a couple of kitchens dressed perfectly for the Fourth of July. The first image is from Better Homes and Gardens and the second is from Elle Decor.

I love this casual dining space from Coastal Living with a nautical theme.

Isn't this a wonderful built-in I found on Coastal Living? I could curl up with a book here and read all day.

I love the painted floor in this Coastal Living living room.

This is a fabulous country casual space from Better Homes and Gardens. I could see myself hanging out in front of this cozy fireplace all year long.

I love the mix of fabrics used in this Elle Decor living room.

Of course bedrooms are the perfect place to use the Americana theme. It works equally well in a boy's or girl's room. A guest room would be a lovely choice too for some wonderful country quilts to build this look around.

Red, white and blue doesn't always mean Americana or nautical. Here's a couple of pictures from Sunset magazine showing how this color scheme can be used in a more sophisticated space.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July! It is time to reflect on how lucky we are as Americans to have the freedoms that we do and how blessed we are to have the men and women who serve our country to protect those freedoms. God bless them.

Susie

Not Your Plain Jane Ceilings

2010-07-01T23:31:00.000-07:00

I am as guilty as the next person. I have plain ceilings. I paint most of my ceilings a shade or two lighter that the wall color. In my oldest daughter's bedroom we went for a beautiful light blue and I think it looks nice. When I had my decorative painting business I painted a quite a few ceilings, especially in kids rooms, with clouds. I even painted a Tinkerbell and Peter Pan scene on one lucky girl's playroom ceiling. Fun stuff, but boy your neck sure hurts after one of those jobs.

Most of us don't give much thought to using the ceiling as a showcase in our homes, but many ceilings beg for that kind of attention. So many homes are built with beautiful ceiling details and the decorative painting just adds to the drama that the builder was trying to create. I've decided to feature a few beautiful ceilings for you to admire.

Here's a beautiful tropical painted ceiling by artist Kim Goins Kosek.

Here's a ceiling that a homeowner posted on a DIY crafter's forum. I don't know who painted this, but I think this is excellent work for a non-professional. It just goes to show that you don't have to pay big bucks to get a fabulous look. I little bit of paint and a lot of patience is needed though.

This fabulous stenciled ceiling was done by Faux By Kathy.

I love this sky ceiling by Ament Interiors.

I have always loved Royal Design Studios stencils. Here's a ceiling done with one of her Modello Designs.

Not all ceilings need to be terribly complicated. This simple stencil adds more drama when repeated. Stencil painting by Art Works.

Art Works also stenciled this ceiling medallion over a faux finished treatment.

Beautiful right? This makes my plain ceilings look down right under dressed. Which is your favorite ceiling? If you have done anything unusual to dress up your ceilings, please comment and tell me about it.

Decorated Garden Sheds- Magical Outdoor Spaces

2010-06-30T13:24:00.001-07:00

I want a garden shed. Not any old garden shed, mind you, but a beautiful outdoor space that I can decorate to give my back yard more charm and character. I've been kind of obsessed with idea ever since seeing the post of Lauren's shed at Pure Style Home.

Isn't this a beautiful outdoor space!

I got an email from Costco about the shed they have for sale on their website. I would love to put this in my back yard and have a little fun with it. It is currently $300.00 off right now. Humm....

They actually have quite a few sheds that I could have fun with. Here's the link to check them out. Costco Sheds

I have done a little searching on the internet to find some other totally cool decorated sheds. I found these designer decorated sheds on the Berkshire Botanical Gardens web site. Here's the gallery file.

I found this cute garden shed at A Storybook Life blog.

I even found a whole blog dedicated to garden sheds called Garden Shed Hall of Fame. Check out this shed from the blog.

Here's a link to a picture gallery of a few Cleveland area sheds. I think this rustic shed is adorable.

I have found out that there are many out there in internet land who share my obsession. Here's a post at A Whimsical Bohemian. Here's a cute yellow shed on her blog post.

Any other sheds that I must see? Comment and let me know about them. Heck, just comment and let me know if you share my love of garden sheds!

Susie

Outdoor Metal Bench Makeover

2010-06-28T20:28:00.010-07:00

Hi Everyone! I promised the second part to my entry makeover. I showed the table redo yesterday. Here's a reminder of what I started with. This sad metal bench was just too modern for my current taste. I loved that the size was just perfect for the space. I had also priced out new benches and they were really expensive. I just couldn't justify spending the money in this economy.

I wanted to give the bench a more feminine feel than it had. Here's the supplies I used to accomplish the transformation:

Wire Brush

Sand Paper

Gorilla Glue or Other Appropriate Glue

Wooden Appliqués from Home Store

Spray Primer (I used a rust blocking primer for metal)

Spray Paint of Your Color Choice (I used Valspar Porcelain Indoor/Exterior Satin Paint)

Clean Rags

Glazing Liquid (I used Valspar premixed mocha glaze)

Clear, Flat Finish Sealer

Here are the steps I took to complete this look:
1. Wipe down bench with lightly damp cloth.
2. Use wire brush to remove loose paint or finish if any.
3. Sand and smooth any edges where paint has loosened.
4. Wipe away any sanding residue to start with a clean, clear surface.

The "old" bench had metal cut outs on the back. I didn't like that look and wanted to change this. Notice the cut out detail in the above photo. To change this look and to give the bench more detail, I added wooden appliques. Here is what the bench looked like after I glued on the appliques.

5. Glue on wooden appliqués with Gorilla Glue or other appropriate glue. Clamp if necessary and let dry. Wipe away any excess glue that may squeeze out before glue dries.
6. Spray on primer coat and let dry.
7. Lightly sand to ensure a smooth finish if necessary. Wipe away residue before going to next step.
8. Spray on paint color of your choice. If a second coat is needed, you may choose to lightly sand with a fine sand paper between coats for a really nice finish. Be sure to wipe away sanding residue before applying second coat. Let dry.

9. Pour small amount of glazing liquid onto a clean rag and wipe over surface. Wipe away excess glaze with another rag. Apply and wipe away glazing liquid until you have achieved the desired look. Let dry thoroughly.

10. Spray with a flat finish clear coat to protect the piece.

Here's the bench after the redo. What do you think? I love how it turned out and the price was certainly right!

Notice all the over spray from the spray paint. I didn't realize how bad the over spray was until I cleaned up. Fortunately, there is a solution for this problem. There is a wonder product called Goof Off 2 that removes dried on latex paint. I put some Goof Off 2 in a container, put on rubber gloves, and scrubbed away with a scrub brush. I then rinsed off my entry floor. I still need to get some more and finish the job, but it made a world of difference!

All I had to do to complete the look was to add the new cushion and pillows. Here's what it looks like with some color added.

I also found some very inexpensive art at the same big box discount retailer. Since it will hang in a covered entry I thought I would buy it. It looks like it was made for this set even though it isn't.

I also have a metal console/planter in my outdoor entry. I am planning to paint and glaze this to match the bench and table. I'll stencil the tiles to match the table top.

I'd like to find a small outdoor rug to finish off the space. A new entry mat would look nice too. I have been wanting to paint my front door and refinish the hardware. Oh boy, the projects just keep on coming.

I'd love to hear what you think about this project! BTW, a reporter and photographer from the major Phoenix newspaper, the Arizona Republic, came to my home and interviewed me today. They will be featuring me in an article about DIY home projects. This bench and table set will be shown as well as my Dollar Store Dog Biscuit Frame. I will post the link to the article when it is published. It probably won't be until September though. The good news about the newspaper visit is that my home hasn't been this tidy in a long time. It was scary clean, except for our home office where I stashed everything. Now all of my mess is in one place more or less and will be easier to tackle. Ha Ha Ha, even I'm laughing at that statement!

Susie

I'm linking to these parties:
Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia
Practice Hospitality at Southern Fried Dreams
Trash to Treasure Tuesday at Reinvented
Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
It's So Very Creative at It's So Very Cheri

Just A Girl Silhouette Giveaway!

2010-06-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have been seeing all the interesting ways to use this incredible machine and have been thinking that maybe I need one. Take a look at the Silhouette web site and all the crazy fun things I could do with it.

Here's a picture of the machine:

Check out the Just a Girl Silhouette Giveaway post. I'm sure you would love to have one too!

Jeffan at HauteLook

2010-06-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I would send out an FYI. HauteLook has Jeffan furniture and accessories on sale today for up to 75% off. I don't buy everything second hand, but I do love a great bargain. Here's a few items that caught my eye.

Your personal invitation link is: HauteLook

Outdoor Entry Side Table Redo

2010-06-27T23:33:00.013-07:00

I'm very lucky to have a large covered entry way as part of my Arizona home. I bought an inexpensive bench and side table set when we first moved into the home. The bench was starting to show a lot of wear and tear. The black painted finish was starting to peel and the metal was lightly rusted in several places. I looked into replacing the bench, but when I started pricing them out I decided that maybe I could redo the set and make it work. On the next post I will show the bench makeover, but for now I will show how I the companion side table turned out.

Here is what I started with. Definitely in need of a face lift.

I washed and then primed the table with spray primer.

I then spray painted the table a nice off-white color.

Then I rubbed the whole table with a little mocha glaze.

I bought a cute new bench cushion and coordinating pillows so I decided to stencil the table top with some burgundy paint to go with. I then added another light coat of glaze over the stencilled design. Last, I added a clear sealer coat for protection. Here's the final result.

I think it turned out cute. I love the fact that it looks nothing like the old table. I can't wait to show you the bench redo. I finished the bench too late to take pictures in the daylight. I will take pictures tomorrow and then add the bench and cushion for final pictures. I'd love to hear what you think.

Linking to these parties:
Making the World Cuter Mondays at Making the World Cuter
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Project Parade at The DIY Show Off
Practice Hospitality Mondays at Southern Fried Dreams
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple
Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia
Trash to Treasure Tuesday at Reinvented
Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
It's So Very Creative at It's So Very Cheri

Dollar Store Dog Biscuit Frame

2010-06-26T18:39:00.034-07:00

I loved Decor Chick's Easy Wall Art posting and was inspired to create my own variation. I created a picture frame for my dog's picture. If you want to create your own, here is what you will need.

Larger Dollar Store Frame (mine was a 10” X 10”)

Smaller Dollar Store Frame (make sure you have space for decorative items when smaller frame is laid over larger frame)4” X 4” opening

Burlap material or Brown Kraft Paper

Duct Tape

Hot Glue and Glue Sticks

Glue

Picture of Choice Cut to Fit Smaller Frame

Colorful Dog Biscuits (or objects of choice)

Optional:

Clear, Flat Finish Sealer for Dog Biscuits

Spray Paint to Unify Frame Color if You Can’t Find Matching Frames

1. Any shape will work for the frames. Just make sure you have an adequate border for gluing you decorative items.

2. Fit picture of choice in smaller frame. Make sure you clean inside and outside of glass. Tip: There is usually a paper template in the picture frame that you can trace around to make sure the picture is cut exactly to size

3. Take off back of larger frame and discard glass.

4. Wrap burlap around cardboard filler of larger frame. Be sure to make sure that burlap is lined up straight. Use duct tape to secure burlap to cardboard filler. Replace burlap wrapped cardboard filler into larger frame.

5. Hot glue smaller frame centered on burlap of the larger frame.

6. (Optional) Spray dog biscuits with a clear, flat finish sealer.

7. Glue or hot glue dog biscuits to frame

If you cannot find frames with a matching finish at the dollar store, buy a cheap can of spray paint and spray frames prior to assembly.

There are so many variations that a crafter can do to personalize this project. Here are a few examples:
• Do you have a great picture of your family at the beach? Use a beach picture and glue sea shells to the burlap like Decor Chick did.

• Have a memorable trip to Vegas? Glue dice to the burlap.

• For a kids room you could glue small toys, etc. to the outside border.

• Do you have some loose interesting buttons that you don’t know what to do with? Glue those to the frame border.

• You can also use a brown kraft paper or wrapping paper or wallpaper remnants instead of burlap to create your own unique look.

This is a picture of my cute lab, Roxy. I am going to make one more for my beagle mix, Violet. Have fun with this idea and send me your pictures with what you create so I can post them! Thanks!

I've linked up with the following link parties:
Flaunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoe String Decorating
Frugalicious Friday at Decor Mamma
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
Look at Me I'm So Crafty at Fun to Craft
It's a Hodgepodge Friday at It's a Hodgepodge Life
Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs
Fab Friday at Frugal & Fabulous Design
Check Me Out Saturday at A Vision to Remember
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Saturday is Crafty Day at Along For the Ride
Saturday Soiree at A Little Lovely
Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime
The Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello
Follow Friday 40 and Older at Never Growing Old
New Friend Fridays at The Girl Creative
DIY Project Parade at DIY Show Off
Sharing Time at Raising Memories
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Making the World Cuter Mondays at Making the World Cuter
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple
Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
It's So Very Creative at It's So Very Cheri

Lovin' Me Some Lucite!

2010-06-25T09:23:00.002-07:00

I've always been a big fan of lucite and acrylic furniture and yet I don't have a piece in my home- yet. I have thought about how I could work in one of Starck's Louis ghost chairs since I've always love this look. Maybe these would work great for my breakfast area. They would certainly clean up easily.

I think Starck's Mi Ming chair is pretty fun too. It comes with either this silver or a red accent.

While I was doing some internet browsing, these new Pasha lounge chairs from Espacio caught my eye. I just love traditional chairs done in a fun, modern way.

This Oddball chair from Unica Home is fun, but way too pricey for average folk like me.

This is a lucite cocktail table from Acrylic Innovations that I think looks perfectly at home in this traditional living space.

Surely I could find room in my home for these nesting tables from Delcraft Acrylics. I've seen many knockoffs of these lovely tables.

I think this illusion table by John Brauer is quite cool and very original, but it doesn't fit into my decorating decor.

Something a little more my style is this scalloped cocktail table from The Paris Apartment.

Acrylic and lucite furniture is becoming more affordable since knockoffs are everywhere. I found this Adair coffee table at Overstock which is a knockoff of the Magino coffee table that Design Within Reach sells.

I also found this really cool Clear Ultra-modern Office Chair at Overstock to inject a great vibe in your working space at a really great price.

If you're looking for something really fun and funky, check out this hanging bubble chair from Regency Shop which is a knockoff of the Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair at a price more people could afford.

This chair can be used indoors or out. How fun would this be to have this hanging on your porch? Are you inspired to check out some acrylic or lucite furniture pieces for your home?

One Kings Lane Sales Today

2010-06-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA since Friday because I went home to my high school reunion. I had the time of my life and am just now catching up on my sleep.

I love One Kings Lane and the variety of great sales that they have on home products. I have purchased so many great items at nicely reduced sales prices. Here are a few things I recently had delivered through UPS. I love this butterfly dessert set that came while I was out of town.

Here's a picture of my adorable dog food canister that I recently bought that is from the Harry Barker company. I bought the large one since I always buy the largest bag of dry dog food that my vet sells. It came with a handy scoop.

Today they have some great sales going on. I love this pearl enamel bowl from simplydesignz.

I also liked a number of things from the Currey and Company sale. This antiqued mirror coffee table caught my eye.

If you are not familiar with One Kings Lane go check them out. They have an easy registration process and then notify you of all their upcoming sales. Tastemaker Tag Sales are always on Saturday where you can find some unique one of a kind items. Let me know what caught your eye at One Kings Lane!

A Lovely Morning at The Indiana Design Center

2010-06-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends! I'm in Indy this weekend for my high school reunion. Indiana just recently opened the first of their showrooms at their new Indiana Design Center and I just couldn't resist going to check it out. It is a beautiful building and will be a spectacular resource for Indiana designers when all the tenants fill their showroom space.

I met a really nice guy, Eric Reynolds, that runs his business Outre. They have wonderful upholstered pieces and some really pretty fabrics to put on those pieces. He used to have a retail furniture business in downtown Indy, but has moved his now 'To the Trades' showroom to the new design center. Go see him and his beautiful modern style furniture. I am sure you will find him to be as charming as I did. Here are some pictures from his space.

I went to The Trade Source. It's a beautiful showroom and the two Susans were dolls. They were so sweet and ordered a couple of memos for me. I can't wait to get them. I am so jealous that they have so many beautiful fabric lines all in one showroom. We have all those lines in Scottsdale, but I have to drive around to several design centers to access them all. Here are some of the photos I took of The Trade Source.

Nice stuff, right! Next, it was lunch time so we visited a new cafe that just opened in the Indiana Design Center on Rangeline Road in Carmel. It is called the Blu Moon Cafe and it was a great place to eat. The decor was nice too. Here are a few pictures.

Even their chairs were cool. However, when you are eating it is all about the food and the food didn't disappoint. I had their vegetable wrap. Two big thumbs up! My sweet mother had their chicken salad and said it was delish too. Brian and Michelle, the owners, met in culinary school and have a gem of a restaurant. Here's a picture of my food and a picture of my mother and I at the restaurant.

I'm the one on the right. I hope you've enjoyed my relaxing design day and aren't too jealous. Time to get cleaned up and head off to my reunion!

Susie

Be Still My Heart- I Found the Wall Covering of My Dreams!

2010-06-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

In the June issue of Country Living, a pretty seaside bedroom picture caught my eye. I love this look with the white quilt, the lovely Brunschwig & Fils green gingham checked fabric, and the crisp blue and white accent fabrics. However, what stole the show for me is this yummy chocolate brown wall covering by Thibaut. This beautiful paper is the Providence brown from the Serendipity collection. It comes in six different color ways, but in my humble opinion the brown is the prettiest of them all.

Thibaut has long been one of my favorite wall coverings company. They have many wonderful companion fabrics to coordinate the look of your room. Here are a few new papers from their recent collections.

I love these images from their Shangri-La collection.

Here are some lovely choices from their Toile Portfolio collection. You know how I L-O-V-E toile.

I think the Gatehouse Collection is stunning too. I love the birds.

Here's a couple more from Thibaut's Residence collection.

There are so many beautiful wall coverings and fabrics to absolutely swoon over. Head over to the Thibaut web site to take a look for yourself. Now that you know what one of my favorite wall covering companies is, why don't you share yours with me?

Good Design is Just Good Design

2010-06-16T20:48:00.001-07:00

And good design is beautiful.

I had a birthday recently and I made it extremely clear what gift was to given to me. Now, I know you're thinking I must be very pushy, but really it's not that. Last year we gave my 19 year old a kindle. She loved it so we thought the kindle would make a great Father's Day gift for my adorable and sweet husband. We were right. He loves his kindle. For Hanukkah this past year we gave my fabulous mother-in-law a kindle too. She loves it! We all went on vacation together to Mexico in December and everyone brought their kindle. I borrowed my daughter's kindle to read a book and I loved it. Ever since then, I have been waiting for a special occasion to justify buying a kindle and my birthday was it.

I love the fact that I can adjust the font size for my over 40 eyes. I love that when I travel I am just bringing one item instead of several books. I love that I can download many books almost immediately and get the instant gratification and start reading right away. I love that books on kindle are much less expensive than buying hard copies from the book store. I love the fact that I will save so much space by not having to store any new books on my bookcases. Well, except for interior design books that are photo filled. I ordered the most beautiful cover to protect my new kindle. It is hand tooled leather.

Here's my blue peacock tooled leather cover with an ornate pewter latch.

Here's what my cover looks like with the kindle in it. As you can tell, the workmanship on their products is incredible.

Oberon Design is the company that I made this beautiful cover. We ordered a cover for my daughter's kindle last year that I truly love as well. Her design is a Tree of Life design.

Oberon Design makes all kinds of products that can be made with leather and pewter. Take a look at this incredible handbag.

Here's an unusual organizer cover that I would love to own.

Here's a few examples of their pewter jewelry.

I just want you to know that I am in no way being given any incentive to promote their products. I just know beauty when I see it. Stop by Oberon Design's web site and check them out. You'll be glad you did.

Intervention???

2010-06-15T21:47:00.020-07:00

We have a big problem here. I wrote my post It's All Too Much and I have been doing too much acquiring and not enough purging since writing about my issues. I have found some very good deals lately. Too good to pass up! Here are just a few of the goodies that I have found at a bargain.

I found this cute little end table with a built in magazine rack at an antique store, very reasonably priced. I love the storage with this piece and it is solid maple.

Here's a picture of the storage area.

I also happened upon a garage sale this weekend and a few things caught my eye. Like these.

Yep, only $2.00 a piece for solid wood Queen Anne end tables. A little beat up, but then you know that they aren't going to stay this way anyhow. The best part, a matching coffee table. Only $2.00! Yes, you read correctly. These three tables for only $6.00 total.

On Friday I was at a thrift store in Phoenix where they were offering furniture at 25% off. I bought a bedroom set which included a long dresser with matching mirror and two nightstands for such a deal. The set is a little beat up, but not too bad considering what a steal I got them for. I found a similar, but smaller dresser and nightstand that sold at Metro Retro in Texas and I know they didn't sell them cheap. Here is one of my mid century style nightstands. Notice the very interesting, almost ethnic carved wooden handles. What would you do with this set? As pretty and interesting as they are, there is some damage to the top of the dresser so I'm thinking maybe an interesting paint treatment on the modern side?

I also bought a very pretty end table/entry table that I will save and show you another day. I made a trip to one of my local Goodwill stores. I have had my eye out for a glass cloche because I love the posts on them, but I was not willing to pay big bucks. I just knew if I was patient the right one would come along. I found one at another GW that was part of a cheese set, but it wasn't quite right and it was $2.99 for the set and I didn't like the base. Well, yesterday was the day. I found another one that probably was a cheese dome in another life originally $1.99, but I got it half off for $0.99.

This dome did not come with a base so I found the perfect silver tray to fit it, half off for only $1.99. I love my new set for a total of $2.98!!! Now I just have to decide the perfect thing to display in it. Here's the pretty silver tray by itself.

My big find was new dining room chairs. I bought 8 chairs for $49.00 each that includes refinishing and reupholstery. Yes, you heard right and I will not give up my source on these chairs. They are very sturdy and do not need any regluing, just some surface TLC.

I will provide the fabric and the gimp for the chairs. I purchased this fabric for $5.99 a yard and I think it will look fabulous on these chairs.

I don't know if you remember my crewel I bought for $2.00 a yard. Here it is as a reminder. This crewel will be made into panels in my L-shaped living room/dining room and I think it will look great with the chair stripe.

I love my dining room table, but I have been wanting a square table that seats eight. I just might have to bite the bullet and buy something new since large square tables are hard to find. Here's my current table and chairs that only seat six and doesn't expand.

Here is a close up of the table leg and apron detail on this table. I would keep it in a heart beat if it seated eight.

My skirted Parsons chairs have nail head trim too. I love this detailing, but as much as I love them it is time for something new. I have been thinking that I will consign them rather that Craig's List. Does anyone have experience as to which way usually yields the best return? I would love to hear your experiences. I consigned some beautiful furniture not too long ago and was disappointed on my return once the consignment store took their cut.

I leave on Thursday to go back to Indiana for my high school reunion. When I return I have so many furniture makeovers and projects to get started on. Well, now you know the whole story. Is an intervention in order???

I'm linking up to the following parties:

Thrifty Treasure at The DIY Show Off Project Parade

Trash to Treasure Tuesday Evening at Reinvented

Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia

Three or More- Tuesday at The Gypsy's Corner

Show Us What You're Workin' With Wednesday at Me and My Bucket

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

We Did It Wednesday Linky Party at Sew Much Ado

Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

Creative Therapy at Life in the Pitts

Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

Gettin' Crafty on Hump Day at Nikki's Nifty Knacks

Boardwalk Bragfest at Bobbypins Boardwalk

Bargain Brag Wednesday at Bargain Shopping Paradise

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden

Get Your Craft on Thursday at Life as Lori

Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths

Spotlight Yourself at It's So Very Cheri- Blog Hop

Thrifty Treasures Party at Southern Hospitality

Lovin' My Etsy Pillows!

2010-06-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a few new pillows on Etsy which I love. I had a custom monogram pillow done for me by Peggy at Letter Perfect Designs. She is such a sweetheart and a pleasure to deal with. Here's my custom pillow on my not yet reupholstered Craig's List chair.

Here's a close up of this pillow so you can appreciate how pretty it really is.

I just love what Peggy does with these buttons. I don't know if I would have the patience to sew all those mother of pearl buttons on. Here's a couple of more pillows that she offers that I love. These would look wonderful in my oldest daughter's Parisian inspired bedroom!

I also recently bought a couple of more burlap pillow from Jolie Marche Inspired Vintage. These look so pretty on my soon to be recovered Craig's List sofa. It did take me a while to get my act together and buy the pillow forms to go in these pillow covers.

I just love to look through Etsy at all of the beautiful things that people make. I want so many things and yet I can't possibly buy them all. Here are a few more pillows from some of my Etsy favorite shops that have caught my eye.

I love these folk art inspired pillows from Nestle and Soar.

I love ruffles on pillows and this sweet ruffled pillow from Iviemade can be made in oodles of colors to match your decor.

Here are a few elegant pillows from The Home Centic. I love the leaf and butterfly embellishments on the beige pillow and the blue pillow is to die for. Hummm....

Last, but not least, is this sweet pillow from Vintage Chic Decor. I am a sucker for toile and, well, add in the pom pom trim and I am in love.

Are there any Etsy shops that you think I should know about and cannot live without? I would love to hear from you, so please share!!!

You Just Have to See This Beauty!!!

2010-06-12T11:49:00.004-07:00

What Cassie from Primitive & Proper did with her $50.00 Craig's List bed was beyond beautiful. Take a look and enjoy!

Hello there! I am Cassie from Primitive & Proper and I am so excited to be here today on The Frugal Designer. Like Rayan, I love anything design related, but always on a mindful budget. I am married to a wonderful man and we have 2 children we adore, and 2 dogs we love as well. So in our house of little ones and pets, we need durable and cost-effective furnishings and decor. When I began decorating my own home after we moved in a few years ago, I decided that distressed furniture was the way to go sine my kids do plenty of distressing on their own. This way any damage they do fits right in. While working on my own home I discovered I loved rehabbing furniture and a business was born! The bed I am about to show you was purchased by me to work on, but a client saw it, fell in love, and wanted it custom finished for her. I was more than happy to oblige!

I bought this bed off Craigslist for $50. That's a splurge for me, but it was so unique and beautiful, and I had seen some on Ebay for loads more. (Please pardon these photos that were taken in my storage under my porch.)

Before my client saw the bed, my plan was to paint the frame aqua and the upholstery cream. She loved those colors, but wanted to opposite scheme, so the frame was painted a lovely cream color (Eggshell l Cream by Behr). I did not tape anything off- I rarely do that. I believe that with a good quality angle brush and a steady and careful hand, tape isn't needed. Just ask my husband- I do all the edgework painting in our home for that reason. And also because I find putting tape on the ceiling to be a daunting task. Anyhow, once the frame was painted I got to work on the upholstery. I would have loved to have reupholstered it in some fantastic fabric, but I don't yet have that skill, so I decided to try fabric painting. I purchased textile medium at Michael's. It's made by Deco-Art. I followed the instructions and mixed 1 part paint to 2 parts medium. I didn't use the FolkArt paint they suggested though, and used Behr Aqua Smoke. The textile medium needs to be mixed well with the paint prior to using. The consistency will be much more watery than paint, and the color will lighten a bit. I brushed on the first coat, and was so Happy to see the grease stains fading away! This bed had been in a boy's room all his life and when I purchased it from him as a now grown man, he chuckled at how greasy his head must have been. The fabric on the bed was a jacquard, and the pattern still showed through the paint. I didn't mind this at all and thought it gave it the glamorous look it deserved. I ended up putting 3 coats overall and was thrilled with the look. Once the paint was dry, I used a hair dryer since it needed to be heat set and the headboard wouldn't fit in my clothes dryer. The textile medium was easy to work with. It is a bit see-through, and has a little bit of a stiffer feel when dried, but it worked beautifully. Don't you think?

I was honestly so tempted to tell my client the textile medium failed just so I could keep the bed, but that would be dishonest, now wouldn't it? So for less than 10 dollars worth of textile medium, and some paint I had on hand, the bed got an entire new look without the intense labor and cost of re-upholstery!

Thank you so much Rayan for letting me share with your readers today! Hope you learned something new and come visit me soon!

I Can't Believe It- A Blog Award!!!???

2010-06-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

I am so honored and a little surprised that I have been given a blog award. I just made my very first blog post on May 29, 2010 and I am just so glad that some people are starting to read (and hopefully enjoy) the posts that I write about. I have found some wonderful blogs to follow about many of my interests. I love the creativity that you all have in blog land. It blows my mind on a daily basis how darn cute some of your decor, crafting, sewing and entertaining posts are continually. I am really just trying to get the bloggy thing figured out, but I have a hard time doing it because I am soooo busy ready everyone Else's cute little blogs. So many cute blogs and so little time!

One of the blogs that I came across and started following is The Answer Is Chocolate. She has written so many wonderful posts in the brief time that she has been writing her blog. I can't possible pick a favorite among her many fun decor projects. The Answer is Chocolate passed along the Honest Scrap Award to me for the post I made entitled It's All Too Much.

You don't have to be a scrapper to win this award, but there are a few things to do as a result of this honor:
1) Share 10 honest things about yourself.
2) Pass along the award to another deserving blogger.

So, are you ready to hear ten honest confessions???
1) I really am not a fan of very modern decor. It just feels so cold to me.
2) I had a Gastric Bypass in 1999 and successfully lost a lot of weight.
3) I love watching true crime and forensics shows and will usually be watching these if not watching HGTV.
4) I can also watch gory health channel television shows, but when it comes to my own self I could almost pass out giving blood.
5) I wear dresses almost every day because I think they are so comfortable. About the only time I will not have one on is when I am exercising or doing a project.
6) I am a vegetarian. I read the book Skinny Bitch and have not eaten meat since.
7) I have committed to running a half marathon in Phoenix next year. I don't know if I can run the whole way, but I am sure going to give it a shot.
8) I knew I was going to marry my husband two weeks after I met him. It took a couple of weeks longer for him to figure out the same about me.
9) I once had my belly button pierced, but it got infected and I let it close up. Is it too late for a 48 year old woman to do it again?
10) I am addicted to Starbucks. They like me so much they gave me a custom gold Starbucks card with my name on it. Seriously!!!

Now I am going to pass along the "Honest Scrap" award to these 10 deserving blogs that I have loved reading and have been inspired by:
1) The Love List I loved her F U, BP post and admired her for speaking what many of us won't say publicly for fear of being politically correct. She took a lot of crap from an anonymous commenter for her post.
2) Green Your Decor I love Jennae's blog and admire her strength and honesty in dealing with a situation that would make most of us totally fall apart.
3) Savvy Southern Style What a nice blog. I love to read this and I loved how she personalized the recent umbrella stand post by telling us the story about her father-in-law.
4) Self Confessed Lamp Tramp I drool over her slip covered dining chairs and she makes it look easy, even though I know it isn't. However, her Alive Day post really touched my heart!
5) Funky Junk Interiors I love her decorating style and loved reading about her experience in the "So You Think You Can Decorate?" competition.
6) Infarrantly Creative Besides being a Hoosier, Beckie from Infarrantly Creative had so much guts to bare her soul and talk about her way back to faith in her Real and Raw Series. I read each entry and admired her courage. (I live in Arizona, but was raised in Indy)
7) The Magic Brush Inc. She is so talented and yet as impressed as I am by what she does to interiors, I really loved her post on running being a mental sport. She has accomplished a half marathon and I so admire her honesty about what it takes.
8) Velvet and Linen We all know that Brooke has one of the most beautiful blogs out there and I love anything she and her talented husband Steve create. It was her Mother's Day post on mothers, daughters and interior design that made me cry. I showed the post to my mother and she loved it as well.
9) Nanny Goats in Panties How could anyone not love a blog with that name. Now, throw in some really cute goat pictures and a fun writing style and this writer's blog is a winner!
10) Denton Sanatorium This fellow Arizona blogger writes about her life, kids and motherhood like she is in the room talking to you. My kids are grown and almost out of the house, but I get a kick reading about her life.

Thank you so much to The Answer is Chocolate for this thoughtful award. Now, please go check out some of the wonderful blogs above!

Susie

Finally A Functioning Bathroom!

2010-06-10T22:55:00.014-07:00

My family and I moved from the Las Vegas area to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2003. We moved from a two-story 3500 sq. foot home to a 2700+ sq.foot very quirky ranch style home with a Mediterranean look. Our home needed serious redoing and we saw this as a total project house. By now we have changed most things about the home, but one of the last (and most needed) things to be done was the remodeling and redesigning of our master bedroom and bath.

Our bathroom was totally open to the master bedroom with an in ground jetted tub. I had no privacy what so ever when I bathed and I have always thought a hot bath is one of life's great pleasures. Our sink area was also open to our bedroom making it very noisy if one of us was trying to get ready to go somewhere and the other was trying to sleep. All in all, it was a total disaster. We knew we needed to remodel, but also knew it would be a major upheaval while the construction was taking place. Our house was built in 1984 and many of the floor plans in our subdivision are very unusual. Here are some before pictures of our crazy bathroom.

I redesigned the space at least five or six times in the autocad program that designers use for space planning and laying out floor plans. I made elevations of all the interior walls to make sure I would be happy with how the space would look too. Only minor changes were made after getting input from our contractor and our remodel went very smoothly and efficiently. Everything was ripped down to the block walls. Plumbing lines were rerouted after the cement floor was jackhammered up. Here are some of the in process pictures.

I forgot to tell you that we added a door from the bathroom to our swimming pool and spa area in our backyard. Our new shower has a regular head and a rain head in the ceiling. It feels just heavenly!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my bathroom transformation. I love my blue bathroom and it truly a wonderful place to relax and soak in the tub. We finally have the bathroom we wanted with only a few compromises and without adding additional square footage to our home. I would love your feedback and wish you could all experience my fabulous shower experience first hand!

Susie

I'm linking to these link parties:

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday- Link Party & Favorites

My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday

Frugal & Fabulous Design- Fab Friday #4

Fingerprints on the Fridge- Feature Yourself Friday

Somewhat Simple- Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Life As Lori- Get Your Craft On Thursday

The Shabby Chic Cottage- Transformation Thursday

It's a Hodgepodge Life- It's Hodgepodge Friday

Sweet Charli- Linky Loves Friday Linky Party

I'm Lovin' It Fridays at Tidy Mom

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

Saturday Soiree at A Little Lovely

504 Main- Tickled Pink Blog Hop

Just Being Thrifty

2010-06-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I made a post about purging stuff yesterday, so I am (almost) embarrassed to show off some of my finds from yesterday. My oldest daughter and I hit a few thrift stores in Phoenix yesterday. I didn't say I was purging everything, just the things I didn't love. Here's what I picked up:

I just HAD to buy this artichoke lamp for half off!!!

These sconces will be totally cute when I am done with them!

I am purchasing miscellaneous frames to make a picture frame wall.

Another half price item!

How could I pass this up?

Here's a table I purchased a while ago for $25 that will look so cute made over.

This is my new living room coffee table. It still needs a redo, but I love the detailing. It was a steal and came from the Bellaggio Hotel in Las Vegas.

What great finds have you found thrifting lately?

It's All Too Much!

2010-06-09T09:28:00.002-07:00

I wouldn't be eligible for a show like Clean House or Hoarders and yet I feel like I have too much stuff! I have a fairly neat home and I am not too embarrassed by how I maintain it and yet I do tend to make piles. I know many out there can relate to this.

Over the last few decades the average American home continues to grow in size and yet many of us still feel overwhelmed by our possessions. The self storage facility business was unheard of until the late 60's and now every one in ten families uses one to store their excess stuff. Many more families are busting at the seams.

I have found a great book by the guy who was the organizer for TLC's Clean Sweep program. Peter Walsh is his name and he will have a new show called "Enough Already! with Peter Walsh" on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. His message resonates with me and here's why, the subtitle of his book is "An Easy Plan For Living A Richer Life With Less Stuff." I am at the stage in my life where I just want peace and serenity. I want my home to be a sanctuary for me and my family.

I have been married for almost 22 years and have an 18 and a 19 year old daughter. Our household also includes two of the most adorable dogs you can imagine. Here's my puppy girls:

See, I told you they were adorable. I would show you pictures of my girls, but teenagers don't like their mother showing the world their pictures. With almost 22 years of marriage, two kids and two dogs comes a lot of stuff. I have a three car garage and not a single car fits in.

So while my house looks fairly good with the exception of some of my piles, my bedroom is not the sanctuary I long for and my garage is a disaster. I have lots of furniture to be refinished and projects to get completed in there. Many things to sell or donate, you know the story. So through Peter's book I have got the motivation to make my life more fulfilling by having less.

I started my purging process yesterday with my home entry. I went through my mail from vacation and my entry looks good, but I need to clean out my entry cabinet. I know I have some old papers to recycle and some excess things that can be tossed. I'll be devoting some time every day to this process and will be harsh about it. My goal is to get rid of anything if I do not love it. I want to love everything in my home and truly make it a reflection of me. Are any of you experiencing the desire for a home that evokes calm and serenity? Share your story with me because I would love to hear it!

Susie

A Simple Makeover on a $600 Budget

2010-06-09T08:37:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone! I came across this Better Homes and Garden makeover with a video series that goes with it. I thought that this might be very educational for those of you that aren't so design savvy, yet yearn for a wonderful space that your family can call their own.

Designer Stephen Saint-Onge takes you through his thought process in converting this room that has a lot of potential into a great gathering space for only $600. He has some great bones to work with (I love the fireplace and bookcases) and shows you how to make the most of the space. He re purposes some of the furniture and uses some vintage touches along the way. I hope you enjoy! Here's a before and after of the space.

A Simple Makeover on a Budget

I have a coffee table like the one in the above photo in my family room. I love the storage because I use it to store pillows and blankets for getting cozy on the sofa. However, I am very bored with the look. I have been thinking about painting it to freshen it up? Do any of you in blog land have any other great ideas of how you would change the look of this coffee table? If so, please comment because I would love to hear your ideas. Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Susie

Meet and Greet Monday at Southern Reflections

2010-06-07T12:01:00.002-07:00

Good morning everyone! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead. I am back in Arizona and going out to dinner with my family for a special occassion.
Happy Birthday to Me!

I wanted to let you know about Southern Reflections very first Meet and Greet Monday. Head on over to her fabulous blog and check it out. She even has a give away opportunity with Three Little Birds.

Southern Reflections Meet and Greet Monday

My New Furniture Find and Fantasy Hotel Suites at the Palms Casino Resort

2010-06-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

I leave tomorrow to go back to Arizona. Las Vegas has been fun and I have enjoyed seeing my dear friends. I even managed to find a table at a thrift store that I will have fun redoing. Here's a look at my find.

I posted about the elegant off the Vegas strip hotel that my husband and I are staying at. I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of some of the outrageous hotel suites at the hip and trendy Palms Casino Resort.

Here's a picture of their G-Suite:

Here's their Erotic Suite:

Here's their Barbie Suite:

Here's their Kingpin Suite:

Here's their Crib Suite:

Here's their Celebrity Suite:

Here's their Hardwood Suite:

Here's their Real World Suite (Yes, where the Vegas season was filmed):

Here's one of their Penthouse Suites (over 3,000 sq. ft.):

And last, but not least, here's a picture of their 2-story Sky Villa with over 9,000 sq. ft. of decadent living space:

I hope you have enjoyed looking at these fantasy hotel rooms. I know this is the only way that I will ever see them because they have to be insanely expensive to stay there. I'll be singing Leaving Las Vegas as I pull out of town.