New use for found ladders

It's always fun to find objects that can be used for decorating. I love to think outside the box and if I find something I love, I'll buy it and brainstorm fun ways to use that object. I recently found these ladders.

I used this one in a guest room to hang towels.

This ladder was placed in a bathroom on top of existing shelves. Starfish were added to make it fun and "spa like". Leaning an old frame against the wall is a great way to add height, texture and interest to big space too.

Good Bye My Friend!!

It's a sad day. I heard through the Grapevine that my favorite magazine "Domino" is folding. I feel so deflated. I really looked forward to reading their magazine each month. Every article was SO inspiring and they had such fun, whimsical ideas on each page. I'm sure many of you loved this magazine too. There last issue will come out in March.

Goodbye Domino, thanks for being a good friend!

Fun with Nature

About a year ago I started collecting old pieces of driftwood. I figured that one day I'd display them in a large glass urn and it would make good art and good conversation. I found them on our camping trips during our walks & hikes,and some on several of our latest beach trips. Well, my collection is complete and I think it looks stunning. I added different layers of similar color sand and rocks to the bottom of this glass urn to add a "beachy" feel.

Any outdoor elements that are incorporated indoors is a refreshing way to add life to your home.

This mirror was found at a thrift store and my faux artist friend painted it for me in this awesome rustic patina.

Rug to Ottoman/Embroidery to Pillow

Rug to Ottoman

Thought you might enjoy seeing my latest finds. I found this rug at a garage sale about 6 months ago and loved the pattern. The man that sold it to me for $10 bucks said he bought it during his vacation travels to Pakistan and paid $150 for it. I've learned from experience that if you love something and have the cash in your pocket, buy it. So that's what I did, not knowing what I was going to do with it.

A couple weeks after purchasing the rug, I was in a thrift store and purchased the following for $5.00 YES.... can you believe it. It still had the price tag on it labeled $350. It's a base to what looks like use to be a glass coffee table. It had not top on it, just the base but I KNEW it had potential. The bamboo is sold and has what I think looks like an animal print on it. I love "all natural" things like this.

You know you love "thrifting" when your adrenalin starts to pump and you can hardly concentrate because you are scheming of ways to use the item. I immediately thought of combining the rug with this amazing find to make an ottoman.

My upholsterer loves when I come in his shop because he knows that he's going to get an interesting combination. He did look at me kinda weird this time though and said, I trust you. This is the outcome of the two thrifty" finds. It now rests in my bedroom in-between my two chairs.


























EMBROIDERY TO PILLOW

My sister-in-law gave me this embroidery for my birthday. She handed it to me and said "you are either going to love this or hate it".

Well, I loved it! She got it from India and thought I would do something special with it. It's all hand embroidered and each flower is made of gorgeous beads. I'm crazy about it! I had it made into a pillow and I think it turned out fabulous. It is now on my guest bed and makes a grand statement.

Of course, I had to make it even more ecclectic by putting a fun pattern on the back.

Happy Thrifting!

Ruth

Laundry Room Cabinets Transformed

BEFORE

Thought you would like to see the latest project I tackled in my house. I hated my laundry room cabinets and wanted them to have more character. I know....it's just my laundry room but...hey, as a mom, I spend a LOT of time in there!! I took a hammer to them and my family all came in there wondering if I had totally lost my mind. My husband is very use to me doing crazy things but he said this topped them all. He is so good to me and just said "I trust you" move forward. I continued with my hammering to give the cabinets a great distressed look. I then stained them with a rag technique and I'm very happy with them. I wanted them to look rustic/western. I'm going to get some fun hardware for the doors and my laundry room will now be a fun place to be.

AFTER

HARDWARE


This transformation took me about an hour and brought me much pleasure. Remember, sometimes it's the small things you change that can make a HUGE difference. Little by little you can transform your home, it just takes a bit of hard work and creativity. I'll warn you, this job is one where you MUST wear gloves. However, the stain eats the rubber so change them often. I learned the hard way and now need a manicure desperately!

Designer & Client Mistakes to Avoid

I was reading January's Architectural Digest this morning and this article was very interesting so I'm quoting what I read.......

We asked top designers “What’s the biggest mistake clients make?”

Read what they had to say.

The first one is that they don’t hire a designer! The second mistake would be “one-stop shopping.” Purchasing everything from one place is never a good thing to do—rooms end up looking like a page from a catalog. — Roderick N. Shade

Asking to have a design concept that is not appropriate for the architecture of the space and their lifestyle. — John Barman

Not engaging a decorator before completing their house plans with their architect. — Craig M. Wright

Not being honest about how much they want to spend; not telling the designer the true amount. — Carleton Varney

Scale, scale, scale...and asking their mother-in-law or friends. [They] aren’t your best friends after all because they don’t think about what is best for you, but they know what they would like and chances are you will not like their choices! — Mario Buatta

A scattergun approach to a project. There is nothing more depressing than having a sheaf of cuttings presented to you which are in no way related to each other or appropriate to the project in hand. — Graham Viney

Homes and rooms [that] are cluttered—most clients do not edit. — William Hodgins

Clients who want to build a Tuscan villa on a Cape Cod landscape. Also, clients who want everything done overnight. They would be better served living with the essentials and letting the space evolve. — Karin Blake

Trust is key to the successful outcome of any design project. A designer should be hired only if the rapport between client and designer is a good one. Choosing a designer based solely on a fee schedule is a big mistake. — Scott Snyder

I don’t let my clients make mistakes. Mistakes

are costly. — Marjorie Shushan

Having a lack of or poor communication with the designer. [Also] having an unrealistic budget. — Charles Allem

Bringing along too much of the past. — Mimi London

Not trusting themselves to know what they don’t like. Nobody should ever be talked into something that they find distasteful. — Alexa Hampton

To not have confidence in their designers and to doubt them. Sometimes clients choose a designer based on their social appeal notwithstanding their personal inclination—that is very silly. It would be the same as to buy a garment because it is fashionable and not because it fits you! A very wasteful and costly mistake. — Robert Couterier

Trying to second-guess themselves. If you like something, go with your gut. — Mark Boone

One shouldn’t try to include everything they ever liked into one house or apartment: the point of view gets confusing and often creates uncomfortable intersections. — Mariette Himes Gomez

Going for what is safe instead of taking risks. Sometimes the most remarkable interiors are the ones that have been created totally from the imagination. Great leaps of faith are required and the rewards can be very exciting. This is why creating interiors for a client that I have worked with before is usually the most satisfying. The element of trust increases between client and designer with each project. — Thomas Pheasant

As you can see from this article, hiring the right decorator/designer is very important. You want someone that is very in tune to your needs and someone who wants to make your home what YOU want. Your decorator can guide you along the process helping you make wise decisions during your remodeling/updating project. It will be the best money spent!

White House Made Comfortable

Today begins a new era in American history as Barack Obama is inaugurated as our 44th president. It's not unusual for incoming First Ladies to make changes to the more than 200 year old residence. One of Michelle Obama’s priorities has been to make sure her family feels comfortable in their new home, The White House.

I've read that The Obamas chose California native Michael S. Smith http://www.michaelsmithinc.comheir/ as their designer whose style has been characterized as “a delicate blend of European tradition and American modernism.” The First Family will be in good company. Smith has designed spaces for Cindy Crawford, Steven Spielberg and many other notables. Smith’s first task: the daughters’ bedrooms. I hope we get to see a little of Smith’s work and how he spent his $100,000 budget, courtesy of Congress.

Can you imagine just moving into the White House never mind having someone come in and decorate it like you want it.

Can't wait to see what it looks like!

Top color trends used by Interior Designers in 2009

I went to Dallas Market Center this week to see all the new home products and hear seminars on recent trends, etc. What caught my eye this time at market was the array of colors. For so long we've seen lots of muted soft tones. They are still very popular but the introduction of many other colors is alive and well.

Elegance and luxury have been abandoned and replaced with sensibility and cultural awareness. A respect for nature and fundamental human values are deep within the emerging color trends.

In example of these colors are seen with Benjamin Moore Paints. I think they have done a great job selecting colors that are practical and warm and inviting for any space. The intensity of the colors and the hues are perfect. Below is a description of their color palletes and examples of their new colors. These color trends will get you up to speed with the new color trends but actually ahead-of-the-curve by knowing what color palettes will be used by many top interior designers in 2009 and beyond.

The Natural Purity trend is inspired by the driving force to use natural products in all facets of our lives; pure natural foods, eco-friendly building products, no additives or treatments, everything in its purest form. Light and shadow interplay to satisfy the yearning for simplicity in a world of over abundance.

The Organic Village trend is inspired by the movement to live in bustling urban areas yet maintaining a peaceful and serene lifestyle. This is fueled by the desire to be part of the community while reducing pollution and global warming. Smaller living spaces reflect the socially responsible actions of design and sustainability. The urban village does not sprawl but moves upward with organic rooftop gardens.

The Nocturnal Habitat trend is inspired by the desire to simplify our lives. With a fast paced lifestyle, virtually and digitally, these colors feel soothing yet infuse a wide array of color. We are searching for a restful environment that conveys our ecological values respecting the balance between earth and its people. All living creatures want to feel secure in their surroundings.

Global Oneness celebrates individuality in each of us. It is combined with international influences that shape our world in a vivid exciting palette. Yet stepping out of this global circle we need our own identity. The dramatic colors announce LOOK AT ME!

PICK YOUR COLOR CHOICES AND GET PAINTING IN 2009!