One Of My Favorites…

So far in my blogging adventures, I haven’t shared too many rooms in my home. So, today I thought I would share one of my favorite rooms, my ‘baby’s’ bedroom.  One reason being that she is 4 going on 15 so I thought I better document this sweet space before she wants a bedroom makeover, and another reason being that it was actually quite clean….for the moment. ;)

 

My little sister and my oldest daughter both had rooms similar to this one so when they moved on I had a whole lot of fun decor to choose from to mold into this space.  So most of what you see are items passed down, or made from bargain finds. 

I love, love the chandelier in here.  It was one of my very first purchases when Mr. Husband and I married.  It was from PB and it was black.  (Don’t worry, I bought it from a discount store, of course.)  It has followed us with all our moves and now has a nice aged white finish.  I added the little shades I bought from Big Lots for $2.99 each, and the cord cover I got for a steal off of eBay. 

The blessing dress was mine and my Mom painted the little angel pic on the right.  She is so talented in so may ways! I love adding personal, sentimental pieces in decorating.  It makes the space special and ‘yours’.

 

I found the aged tin and barn wood on eBay and simply hung it from some ribbon.  I loaded the top of this pretty armoire with fun stuff and hung a cottage-y wreath I made above.

More sweet stuff from my Mom’s house.

I bought this furniture from my Mom. (more like she gave it to me…she is so good to me) It was my little sister’s and I always loved it!  The bedding was my older daughter’s until she decided she wanted her big girl room.  It was Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic line from Target.  Still so pretty.

 

I love this little cupboard.  I picked it up at a yard sale for $10!  It had the chippy aged paint, I just cleaned it up good and put a clear varnish on it.  I added the little crystal knobs too.  (sorry the lamp and it’s cord need adjusting)

 

 

 

And just so you know a little girl really does live here… A few pictures of all the toys I “hid” for the pictures. ;)

I hope y’all have rooms in your home that make you smile.  Remember that’s the direction you need to take when decorating.  Do what makes you feel good and comfortable.  Stay true to you, do what works for your family and it will all come together.

  Thanks for stopping by. :)

P.S.  When I was finishing up this post, the little princess who lives in this room brought me a piece of scrapbook paper saying, “these are the colors I want my room to be”.  It looks like my days with this room I love so much may be numbered.

Linky Love…
Go check out The Parade of Home Linky Party at Poppies at Play!

Cinco de Mayo

Santa Maria de Tonantzintla Cholula Puebla Mexico

Cinco de Mayo is next Wednesday.  I am having a few friends over to celebrate what Wikipedia describes as "not 'an obligatory federal holiday' in Mexico, but rather a holiday that can be observed voluntarily.  While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States (also voluntarily) and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride."  Sounds like a good reason to fire up the grill and start using that backyard that I moved to Atlanta for.  

For now the menu is carne asada tacos (Trader Joe's has a great pre-marinated kind), DIY grilled quesadillas, Elote black beans, homemade pico di gallo and guacamole.  Of course there will be Mexican beer and probably (if I have time) white sangria.  Won't the sangria look great in these Ikea carafes and glasses?  This is not a kid's birthday party, so use real dishes and flatware.  No, "crystal" plastic flatware still counts as plastic.  

Ikea

For decorations, a few lanterns from Pier 1will increase the festive-ness.  You don't have to spend a lot of money for a big impact.  I also believe that your party decorations should not end up in the trash, so buy reusable supplies.  

Colour ME Happy!!!

{me & maria}

We got a visit from Maria Killam of Colour Me Happy this week!!!  Maria flew down to DC (really Virginia) from NYC this week and we had such a great time!  Maria is everything she seems on her blog and more: super-stylish, quick-witted, thoughtful, frank and so much fun.   She's continually looking to grow & learn and is a natural teacher.  This may sound cheesy, but she's a very wise, self-aware person.  . 

 I got to go on a Colour Me Happy color consultation to see her in action and (of couse!) she's so good.  I have no doubt her client will be thrilled with the results.  She also picked out some colors for me at our house for when we get to those rooms!!  yayyyy

{the perfect little turquoise vase she brought me}

Maria also filled me in on the latest color trends and one of my favorite descriptions was "Pretty Ugly."  Click here to read more about it.   I also learned that I'm totally in the stoneage as far as technology goes and have a lot of things to learn like twitter, snaggit and windows live writer.  Maria is so generous with info and I have a mental checklist of all the things I need to get on like a Pure Style Home facebook page, etc.  Anyway, it was awesome to meet another amazing blogfriend and we can't wait to see her again!!  She's amazing!!

xoxo,

lauren

My iphone has a New Ensemble by Miniot

 

Yesterday I received the new sexy cover for my iphone, the iwood by MINIOT and I have to say what a beauty.  It is beyond what I was expecting to receive. 

 

Made in Holland by MINIOT with great precision and care, this iwood cover made in walnut wood is exactly what I was looking for.  I love technology, but I also love craftsmanship and this piece says it all.  The attention to detail is immaculate and it is everywhere – even the buttons are made of wood.    All crafted in a single piece so the wood grain is continuous.

 

 

But here is one of my favourite parts – You can customize it with your own monogram, logo, or personal message engraved, you can even choose your favourite wood species.  Of course I had the Meade Design Group logo engraved to match my business cards – Gosh! It is hard to be this good (lol).

 

sexxxy!

 

Thanks to technology it doesn’t matter if you live on an island (like I do), you can still go online and order an iwood.  MINIOT customer service is amazing and the online form to order is the easiest to use.  Let’s bring craftsmanship and technology together.  We have too much plastic around us. 

 

Who doesn’t love the warmth of wood and a well crafted piece, not to mention, who doesn’t love the iphone right now?

 

MINIOT

 

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Fireplace Surround

Dear Readers,

I have a design dilemma of my own that I have been working on for several months.  This is my lovely fireplace in our rental home.  The birds and flowers do not go with the global mid-century look of my living room.  I need a temporary and inexpensive way to cover them up.  I have thought of leather tiles, antique mirror, wallpaper, terracotta.  Do you have any other suggestions?

Antique Mirror

Keleen Leather Tiles

Terracotta Tiles

A Point Piper Perspective

By the water!
Almost a mandatory requirement to these gorgeous expensive homes in NSW!

General Features
PRICE CATEGORY: Over $15 Million

• Property Type:House
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 5

• Outdoor Features
• Garage: 2

This is a great looking home. Not too busy, just a relaxing persepctive...
over the water. *sigh*

No obvious signs of the beautiful waters from the street entrance!

Such a wonderful bright perspective looking out over the water.

Looking back into the living area is a bit darker.
That may have something to do with...

...the dark kitchen - very sleek!

(I might add, I don't know that I'd be game to put an oven that low to the ground with little grashoppers like mine wandering around looking for things to open & shut all day!!!)

Not too shabby a view (almost seamless windows) to wake up to each day.
*sigh*

Views, views & more views...

AND here's what the Agent had to say about it!

Absolute Waterfront New Luxury Home with Superb Bridge & Harbour Views, Due North Aspect + 18m Heated Pool Epitomising Point Piper glamour with a position to rival Australia's best, this flawless new home is where sophisticated architecture embraces brilliant blue harbour views and the stunning waterfront setting offers the ultimate Sydney lifestyle. Visually breathtaking from the moment you enter, the home has been created with uncompromising luxury and craftsmanship. All major rooms blend seamlessly with the harbour, while the due North aspect provides a stunning interplay of natural light. An 18 metre (approx) heated pool at the harbour's edge, vast amounts of frameless glass, multiple sun-soaked terraces, heated marble floors, level lift access throughout and a huge array of luxury inclusions all add to this home's immense appeal. There are 4 master bedroom suites - all with hand crafted customised robes and beautiful heated marble bathrooms, powder room, premium Miele and CaesarStone kitchen with coffee maker, steamer, deluxe hob and walk-in pantry, marble laundry, effortless open plan living and dining room, kitchenette, bar and wine storage, ducted reverse air conditioning, full security system, automated indoor/outdoor blinds, awnings and shutters, direct internal access from double garage. At the northern most tip of the exclusive Point Piper peninsula, this home offers secure, low-maintenance living and the best of lock-up and go convenience.

WOW

Spring Table

 

    

The Stories of A to Z is having her Vignette Party today and I love tablescapes, vignettes and mantels!  I wanted to be a part of it, so despite a sick Mr. Husband and kids this week, I managed to get my dinette table done for Spring.  I have been meaning to change it up so this party was a good kick to get something pretty and Spring-y on the table. 

I didn’t really have a plan, I just “shopped” my house.  I had picked up this cute pair of tin buckets on clearance because one of the handles was broken off.  I think I got it for like $5 and all I had to do was epoxy the handle on!  Love, love easy damage fixes!  I filled it with some pretty hydrangea I had and simply added a little vintage doily.  Once I got the flowers on the table I decided they needed some grounding.  I wanted to go for a kind of rustic country feel, so I used a scrap of burlap I had.  I left the edges raw and uneven because I was being lazy to play on the rustic country vibe. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next I got to plates out of my cupboard along with some mason jars.  I plopped a little candle in each jar and added my clearance pears around the edges.  I then wound some grapevine from my Grandpa’s garden (thanks Gpa) around and throughout the centerpiece.  So, I did have more vines up and around but,  A. it looked too busy and,  B. I literally caught one on fire from the candle.  Needless to say I decided to simply lay a few pieces to one side. :)  Seriously, fire.  Apparently the grapevine is highly flammable.  Who knew? LOL (Just please don’t tell my Dad, the Deputy Fire Chief ;)

I’m thinking, not bad for a little house shopping and about 10 minutes?   Oh, and for all the faux-phobics out there;), this could be beautifully done with fresh fruit and flowers.  I’m actually thinking it would be fun to put my fresh flowers in the tin.  I’ve been buying flowers and putting them by my sink to bring in the spring, so this would be a fun spot to change them out.

Remember to shop your house and move things around.  Just because you bought one thing for a specific spot, doesn’t mean you are legally bound to keep it there.  Often times I have found I like things even better once they are moved.

Keeping it true to life, I am linking up LATE…