Thursday, October 31, 2013

Food for Thought/Halloween Greetings


Photo courtsey of Jessica Swift

I'm really loving Ralph Waldo Emerson these days. His words give me a sense of hope and eagerness to look forward to the future. I love this one because I have been a victim of negativity lately and have fallen short of being optimistic about life. This quote is a small reminder that we must find the good in everything we do. Whether it's people we meet, places we go, or things we do we must carry the beautiful in all of it.

Food for thought on this glorious Thursday.

And Happy Halloween from these adorable Collies!


Be safe tonight as you make your rounds collecting delicious candy!

Pictures to come tomorrow of my night!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Friday Favorites

This week has been rough. I finished my senior specification book with all of the materials, finishes, equipment, and furniture that in my wine bar and my residence. Whew! It was a chore to do, but I'm really excited about the final outcome.

As always, I look forward to doing Friday Favorites because it gives me a chance to find out new stuff! I love learning about new projects, recipes, and trends and I love sharing what knowledge I find with you guys. I hope you enjoy!

Favorite Breakfast Smoothie
 
 
 
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 cup strawberries
1 cup Greek yogurt
¼ oatmeal
6 ice cubes
¼ cup orange juice
 
Secret Ingredient: I added a tablespoon of Nutella and it was just the perfect touch!
 
 
Favorite Quote
 Can anyone confirm that this is actually a quote by CS Lewis? Love the quote nonetheless.
Favorite Fall Outfit
Guess ill finally break down this fall and mix my black legging with some brown now that its a Trend and cute cause it wasn't 5 years ago
Favorite House Tour
 
 
This girl is very brave having an all white home, especially with that messy little boy running around. However, she's done a great job creating this cute and cozy cottage.
 
Favorite Book
 
 On the Island (On the Island, #1)
 
Just purchased this book and can't wait to dig in.
I guess I don't really know if it's a favorite yet... ;)
 
 
 
Hope everyone has a great weekend and I hope Alabama as a state has all wins tomorrow! War Eagle, Roll Tide, and Go Blazers!
 
 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Pet Friendly Fabrics

Having a pet has been one of the greatest blessings in disguise. Despite her destructive tendencies, my puppy is the most lovable, adorable, huggable little baby ever. If you have a dog, you know that coming home and seeing that sweet little face makes all the bad things more bearable.

You also know, with pets come hair - and lots of it. I don't know about you, but my puppy's white hair is all over everything in my house. I avoid darker colors because they are magnets to white hair. With that being said, I did some research and found five fabrics that will save the life of your sofa or chair. Truth is, with having a pet you're always going to have to deal with pet hair. Good news is, there are fabrics that wear better than others. Check out these perfectly pet friendly fabrics that will help save your furniture even when your pet is making a home out of them.

 
1. Leather/Pleather
 
Despite the bad wrap on leather, it can be a good option for people with pets because the hair doesn't stick to it. It can be easily removed and the leather can simply be wiped down with a leather cleaner when it's dirty. However, it's important to note that most leathers will scratch (which doesn't have to be a bad thing). After a while you'll get a nice patina that looks great.
 
 
 
2. Microfiber
 
Microfiber is a synthetic fabric that wears like a dream. It doesn't rip or scratch and hair can easily be removed with a lint brush or even wiping it with your hands. Microfiber is also great because most stains can be removed with soap and water.
 
 
 
3. Denim
 
Don't run away just yet. Denim has been around for ages and is one of the toughest fabrics. Denim can give a real earthy vive and is definitely great on wear and tear. It's rugged, durable and easy to clean which makes them number three on this list.
 
 
 
4. Canvas
 
Canvas, which is made of cotton, can be great if it's in slipcover form. It's durable enough that it shouldn't scratch or rip and if it gets dirty you can simply remove the slipcover and toss it in the washing machine. This is perfect for when you are having guests and need a quick clean! Plus, toss some fabric softener in the wash and your sofa will smell amazing.
 
 
5. Crypton
 
Crypton super fabrics have been designed with pets in mind and are stain-, water-, and bacteria-resistant. Actually, a lot of pet beds are made of this awesome fabric. Check out this article from TLC for more information.


 
 
I hope this helps in the decision-making process when it comes to getting furniture with pets. If you're planning on getting a new sofa, and you know your dog and/or cat is going to be snoozing on it all day, go ahead and get one that's going to hold up. All five of these fabrics are great with stains as well, so children are covered too!
 
There's no way you can force your dog to stay off the couch...it's just not practical.
 
 
So if you have an existing sofa, just get a slipcover in one of the fabrics above (my vote is the Microfiber) and toss is on. If you're thinking about purchasing new, leather is the best option so spend the extra to get something that will last.
 
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Bed Canopies

Bed canopies are something that shouldn't have to stay in medieval times. You can create a cozy, fairytale feel with a simple and chic decoration over your bed. They are something that are easy to add and come in a variety of different looks. Brought to you by Apartment Therapy, here are a few ways to get the canopy look you want without buying a new bed.

 
The Antique Drapery Rod Co. has diagrams showing all kinds of different canopy arrangements, and the hardware you'll need to create them.
 
fake canopy bed 6.jpg
 
An easy way to get the canopy bed look is to hang curtains from an L-shaped drapery rod that's been mounted to the ceiling. In this case, the curtains can't be drawn around the bed, but you definitely get that romantic look. I love how, in this example from the HGTV Dream Home, the ceiling above the bed (and the wall behind the headboard) have been painted to contrast with the rest of the room. It creates a sort of optical illusion where the ceiling above the bed becomes the canopy.
 
canopy bed 1.jpg
 
There's also the option of hanging curtains only over the head of the bed. I'm partial to the setup on the left (from Traditional Home) because it only requires mounting a u-shaped rod on the wall above the bed. The arrangement on the right is a little more complicated, but with a big dramatic payoff. (From Traditional Home via This Is Glamorous.)
 
fake a canopy bed 3.jpg
 
From Better Homes and Gardens: drape a piece of fabric over two swing-arm curtain rods, mounted on either side of the bed, for a super-easy canopy.
 
fake canopy bed 4.jpg
 
You can mount a single hoop or curtain rod to the ceiling in the middle of your bed and drape fabric from it over the ends of your bed. This works best if the long side of your bed faces a wall, and if the headboard and footboard are roughly the same height. (Left: Apartment Therapy, right: House & Garden via The Inspired Room)
 
fake canopy bed 5.jpg
 
I love the look of these canopies. I always wanted one growing up because I thought only princesses had them. They are so simple so create. My favorite is the one is in the Kelly green master in the HGTV Dream Home. I love the sense of privacy a four corner canopy gives this space. I would close the curtains and stay in bed all day!
 
Now that you are full of ideas, time to start deciding which one you're going to try.
 
Pinterest is a great tool to browse to bed creative ideas.
 
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Friday, October 11, 2013

Friday Favorites

TGIF! It's been a long week, and I apologize for not posting a lot this week. My senior design project has captured me and is holding me hostage until December. However, here are a few fun favorites that have gotten me through the week.

 
Favorite Flower Arrangement:
 
This gorgeous flower arrangement compliments the cool hues of the Caribbean perfectly. What do you think? #entertaining
 
Favorite Dog Costume:
 
Rock n Roll Dog Costume #halloween #pets #petcostumes #elvis
 
Favorite DIY:
 
DIY: polka dot denim shorts
 
For the tutorial for these cute dot short, click here.
 
Favorite Glam Piece:
 
gramercy bracelet
 
 
Favorite Bedroom:
 
This gorgeous bedroom goes to show that white walls and subtle grey curtains leave your accessory colour palette WIDE open!
Even though it's Friday and the week is over, I still have a lot of work to do this weekend. So enjoy it for the both of us! See you Monday.
 
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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Lets Talk Hepplewhite!

I ran in a local antique store today and in the far back corner, covered up by junk, were these two stunning chair backs. After the initial shock and slight squeal, I snatched a picture of them. If they weren't $150+ a piece, they would be hanging on my wall right now.


If you are an antique pro wanna-be like I am, you'll know exactly what influence these chair backs are. One of my favorite designers is George Hepplewhite. A London designer and cabinetmaker, Hepplewhite made his mark in the 16th century. His furniture dates from 1780-1810 and is part of the Federal period in the United States. One piece that distinguishes Hepplewhite from any other designer is his shield-back chair which I adore. When I become a rich and famous designer, I will most definitely have six of these around my dinning table.

Obviously an imitation.
When you've researched this stuff as long as I have, you can automatically see that shield-back and know it's George Hepplewhite. The designs in the middle as well as the hallmarks and fabric selection vary but the overall look stays the same.

 
Hepplewhite didn't just make chairs; he was a brilliant cabinet maker and his pieces can be found few and far between. He is credited with popularizing the sideboard and the short chest of drawers, NOT Chester Drawers. Please don't ever say that or else you will be laughed at. A lot. His designs for these pieces typically feature serpentine or bow-shaped fronts and tapered legs. So if you just happen to run across a piece that you think is Hepplewhite, there are a few minor details that you can check:
 
Hepplewhite Style Legs: In contrast to the popular cabriole legs of the fabulous Queen Anne style, Hepplewhite pieces usually have straight legs. These can be square or tapered, and often have reeded or fluted edges, in imitation of Classical columns. Some chairs and sofas have H-stretchers, reinforcing pieces of wood that connect the legs to form the shape of an H.

Hepplewhite Style Feet: Complementing the plain, straight legs of a chair or table, Hepplewhite-style feet are usually simple: a rectangular spade foot or a tapered arrow foot. Bracket feet are common on heavier pieces, such as chests, desks and bookcases.

Woods used: Because Hepplewhite furniture is characterized by contrasting veneers and inlays, pieces often contain more than one type of wood. Mahogany was the wood of choice, but satinwood and maple were also popular.
To read more about the history of Hepplewhite and see more distinguishing elements, click here.
 
Other Hepplewhite pieces:
 
 
Bowfront chest of drawers with serpentine detail and Federal antique brass drawer pulls.
 
Flame mahogany serpintine front buffet
 
 
Tall bed with tapered legs possibly maple wood finish
 
 
Sideboard with all of the Hepplewhite elements
 
 
Really good imitation of a four back Hepplewhite sette
 
 
A Hepplewhite-style chair I saw today, one of four, priced at about $485 a piece. No joke. The legs aren't typical of a Hepplewhite style so I am wondering what they were thinking pricing this so high. That's why isn't important to know the style you like and question people about it! Don't settle for an imitation piece if you're looking for the real thing; and especially not at this price. If this was less than $100, I would've appreciated it more.
 
 
That's enough of a history lesson for me, but I hope this enlightened you a little about furnishings from the past. The Hepplewhite look is a very chic and proper style that would look great in any home. One rule about antiques: DO NOT PAINT, RESTAIN, OR ALTER A PERIOD PIECE. It will devalue it and make it worth zero. If you don't care about it's value, which you should, then do whatever you want with them. :)
 
Have a great Tuesday!
 
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Monday, October 7, 2013

CMM: John Mayer

I am personally excited about today's Celebrity Mansion Monday! He's my one of my all-time favorite artists whom I've seen up close and personal during his Battle Studies Tour. He's currently dating the fabulous Katy Perry and just released a new album, Paradise Valley. His New York City apartment is nothing less than what I expected.

 
Celebrities... they're just like us. Except not.
 
 
John Mayer
Singer/Songwriter
Location: SoHo; New York City
Square Footage: 2500
 
“After I finally figured out how to behave, and how to dress, I wanted to get the next thing—my apartment—right." John Mayer
 
 
"If my apartment could make me feel the way I do in Mr. Armani’s suits, life would be really wonderful." In the living area, the sofa, armchairs, lamps, cocktail table, and handknotted silk rug are all by Armani/Casa; the stool, made of woven water hyacinth, is from Apartment 48, and the velvet pillows are from ABC Carpet & Home.
 
 
The dining area features portraits of Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis; the light fixture, table, chairs, and tableware are all by Armani/Casa.
 
 
The master bedroom’s mirror, bed, bedding, lamp, and rug are all by Armani/Casa, the wall color is Harvest Time by Benjamin Moore, and the print is by Andy Warhol.
 
 
An award signifying the double-platinum status of Mayer’s album Continuum is displayed in his office; the chairs and table are by Armani/Casa.
 
 
In the kitchen, the pendant lamps are by Alison Berger for Holly Hunt, and the barstools are by Armani/Casa.
 
 
Portraits of Jimi Hendrix are displayed in the foyer; the console tables are by Armani/Casa, and the wall color is Long Valley Birch by Benjamin Moore.
 
 
In the guest bedroom, the rug, bed, tables, lamps, and bed linens are by Armani/Casa.
 
 
The master bathroom features a Carrara-marble tub surround, floor tiles by Ann Sacks, a woven stool from Apartment 48, and Armani/Casa towels.
 
 
I copied the captions over because I thought it was interesting that they listed where everything came from. His apartment is very minimalistic and clean. Straight lines, fresh colors, and warm linens all make this ultimate bachelor pad successful. His home mimics his music style to a T.
 
Make sure and pick up his new album! Number one is my favorite.
 
 
Happy Monday! Do something this week that makes you smile. Life is too short to not have fun every once and a while.
 
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