Shipping Container Homes

Last year I found myself in the middle of a conversation between my Dad and older brother, Mark, about creating a hunting camp out of a couple of shipping container boxes.  These are the containers semi-trucks carry on the interstate as they ship cargo across the country.  

Now, my Dad and brother are huge hunters and love the idea of staying in the woods for days in what they call a "hunting camp."  This is code for a "big boy fort" with no girls allowed and is fine by me [after all, I married a golfer].  Yet, during this discussion, I realized I was grimacing as they described how they would build this camp.  

But, I came home and did some research and actually found that Mark was not so off base on his scheme.  Although I doubt he had these structures in mind, they really made me reconsider how I approach new ideas on building design and green living.  I think these are amazingly cool. 

Always keep an open mind. These pictures are evidence that with an imagination, you can create something interesting. 

Have a safe and wonderful Halloween weekend.  We are celebrating with a block party and lots of fun friends.  Hope you do the same. 

Say What You Mean!

We all live with preconceived notions, and interior design is no exception.  As an interior designer, it's my job to help clients visualize a space.  You can't expect someone to get what you have worked out in your mind for a particular room.  It takes pictures and samples of everything to allow the client to see the big picture.   Let me give you an example of what I mean.

If I told you I wanted you to consider animal print for your space, would you think of this?

or would this come to mind?

  If I told you I really wanted to include a fresh arrangement of carnations [which, by the way, is my least favorite flower on the planet], would you think of this? 

Or would this come to mind?

And, if I suggested we include a "shot of mod" to freshen up the space, would you think of this?

Or something more along these lines?

"Show me" is way more important than "tell me" in the world of interior design.

"Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. 

No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them."

- Edward R. Murrow

J.C. . . is that you?

 I hope you are having a great week so far.  My little get away was wonderful.  We had a very relaxing trip, and now I am looking forward to Halloween weekend.  Here's what's on my mind today.

  A few years ago, I was looking for a sectional sleeper sofa for our playroom.  I wanted a relaxed slipcover look for the space, but did not want to pay the price for it since I knew it would be totally trashed by my adorable (smile) kids.  During the search, I found a very affordable option at J.C. Penney.

Since then, J.C. has been on my radar.  They seem to be getting it these days.  Check out some of these finds! (P.S. JC Penney is not paying me for all this free advertising, so the pictures are not super clear and you will have to click through to see a larger image). 

$899.00 for the chair

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=18de2bd&DeptID=70752&CatID=70827&SO=0&SelDim=4294957900%7e&CatSel=4294953305%7cottomans&Ne=4294957900+5+586+1031+877+580+838+1274+966+8+18+904+949+833&x5view=1&shopperType=G&N=4294953305&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|70827

 It looks a lot like one of my favorite chairs currently on sale for $3,196.00.

http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=2890


I think a pair of these would look great at the end of a bed or even in a den for extra storage. 

$129.99 each

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=17cd86d&DeptID=70752&CatID=70827&SO=0&SelDim=4294957900%7e&CatSel=4294953305%7cottomans&Ne=4294957900+5+586+1031+877+580+838+1274+966+8+18+904+949+833&x5view=1&shopperType=G&N=4294953305&Nao=21&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|70827


I can see this stacked with books and a couple of very special accessories in a formal living room or even in a dining room as display for glassware and china.

$199.99

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=16eee2a&DeptID=70752&CatID=70827&PCatID=70752&SO=0&CatSel=4294953302%7cshelves&Ne=4294957900+5+586+1031+877+580+838+1274+966+8+18+904+949+833&CatTyp=RLE&Dep=FURNITURE&N=4294953302&Pcat=FURNITURE&Cat=Living+Room&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|70827

This is a great deal on an occasional table that would work in a number of rooms.

$118.99

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=18aec3b&DeptID=70752&CatID=70827&PCatID=70752&SO=0&CatSel=4294953304%7ctables&Ne=4294957900+5+586+1031+877+580+838+1274+966+8+18+904+949+833&pagesize=1&CatTyp=RLE&Dep=FURNITURE&N=4294953304&Pcat=FURNITURE&Cat=Living+Room&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|70827


It looks very similar to this table.

$299.00

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/rustic-pedestal-accent-table/?pkey=cside-tables

Ditto for this one. 

$119.00 Each

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.aspx?GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=15cfa42&DeptID=70752&CatID=70827&PCatID=70752&SO=0&CatSel=4294953304%7ctables&Ne=4294957900+5+586+1031+877+580+838+1274+966+8+18+904+949+833&pagesize=1&CatTyp=RLE&Dep=FURNITURE&N=4294953304&Pcat=FURNITURE&Cat=Living+Room&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|70827


Here's the pottery barn version.

$249.00 each
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/tanner-cube/?cm_src=OLDLINK&pkey=xsrd0m1%7C20%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Ctanner


I really like the lines of this headboard.  The nailheads paired with the curves really balance the piece. 

$449.00

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=1997850&DeptID=70752&CatID=70838&PCatID=70752&SO=0&CatSel=4294953299%7cbeds&Ne=4294957900+877+586+580+838+1021+8+18+904+949+833&pagesize=1&CatTyp=RLE&Dep=FURNITURE&N=4294953299&Pcat=FURNITURE&Cat=Bedroom&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70838


It has a very similar look to the Colette Bed by Crate and Barrel, but a very different price.
$1,599.00
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/beds/colette-bed/f13280

Here are a couple of other pieces that have lots of potential too.

$159.60

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=17e81df&DeptID=70752&CatID=72434&SO=0&x5view=1&Ne=4294957900+5+18+904+949+833&pagesize=1&shopperType=G&N=4294953218&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|72434

$189.99

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1760da5&DeptID=70752&CatID=72436&SO=0&x5view=1&Ne=4294957900+5+1031+586+18+904+949+833&pagesize=1&shopperType=G&N=4294953216&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70752|72436


Sometimes I think you have to think outside the box on where you are looking for furnishings and fabrics.  There are so many options these days and it's really worth doing some research on prices before purchasing.

Finally . . .

It's Friday! It's Friday! 

It has been one busy, but very interesting week for me.  I hope yours has been eventful (in a good way) too!   But, if not, here's a little inspiration.  Find a comfy spot, sit down with a cocktail and some choice snacks, and chat it up with friends.  My kind of Friday evening.  

http://www.christinamurphyinteriors.com/

I am off on another little trip with my hubby, so I will not be able to post until mid-week.  Check back in with me then, and I will have some thoughts to share! 

3rd Grocery Store Trip

 I have been to the grocery every single day this week, and I really loathe grocery shopping.  In fact, it ranks right up there with teeth cleaning, sheet changing and washing the dog for me.  What I would do for a pantry that could hold volumes and volumes of supplies.  Smitten, I am, with these pantries . . .

www.houzz.com

http://www.leicht.de/web/home/content/d/d_content_leicht_klassisch_akz

www.decorpad.com

www.houzz.com

Guess what I did this weekend?

While my hubby was away for a boy's golfing trip this past weekend, I got busy with some Halloween decorations.  I am usually very restrained with outside decorations, but I after reading some really great Halloween posts like this and this and this, I got inspired.  

In addition to the inspiration, I finally gave in to the constant urging, begging, pleading of my eight year old daughter to "do more Halloweeny stuff."

First, a few interior pictures of basic fall decorations I always do.

Most of these can stay until after Thanksgiving.  This is a picture of the entryway to our house.

I love the little white pumpkins that you see everywhere.  I picked up three, and here's where they landed.

This is a game table in our family room, and I think that pumpkin is called "moon dust." 

Now for the outside!  This is our front door.  The day before Halloween we will carve those pumpkins.  My children will spend hours selecting just the right pattern for their pumpkin, then I will spend hours trying to achieve this pattern!  Not sure why the traditional ole jack o' latern face is not on their list?

Here is our dining room window.  The windows to the left in the picture are mock doors and match our front doors.  This started as a couple of bags of spider webbing and when I got down from the ladder I gasped at the evolution of it all!

The spiders eyes blink red at night.  My daughter, of course, is thrilled! So, I hope these images and posts will help get in the spirit of Halloween. 

Wall Decals - Proceed With Caution

I have been thinking about this post for awhile and finally decided to publish it.  Why the apprehension? I'm not sure what I think about Wall Decals.  I know . . .  hard to believe I have not formed an opinion about something!

So, why post?  It's a bit of a conundrum - wall decals are a hot trend I've been seeing in design.  But, they are a tricky element that can quickly go from cool & hip to cheesy & cheap.  At times, I really like the look they give you, but at other times they seem to ruin a room.

So, in a personal attempt to come to terms with wall decals and figure out why they give me such mixed feelings, I have pulled together some examples of wall decals I think work.

Informal Family Room

This room is by Candice Olson who tends to use wall decals more than any other decorator I know; and for the most part, I think she is able to pull it off.  I think the paisley works on this wall because it is a low ceiling wall in a narrow room and is a great alternative to framed artwork that would take up valuable space.  Also, the way the decals have been applied makes the wall feel like it continues beyond the ceiling - thus distracting from the low ceilings.  As an aside, I always marvel at how Candice can cram so much furniture into a small space and still make it look right. 

Kid's Rooms
Generally, I think wall decals are easier to pull off in a child's room.  Also, if your children are like mine, most framed art tends to get knocked off the walls during impromptu football games at some point.  So, decals are a nice, inexpensive option.

This would be a great look in a little boy's room.  It is an unexpected way to display the alphabet. I can see this paired with some cool boyish fabrics that are a bit understated.  

Here is an example in a tween bedroom.  This has a big girl feel to it and can easily be changed as she moves into another stage.

Generally, I do not like wall decals with phrases on them (i.e., "Dream, Wish, Hope.").  I can't articulate why, I just don't like it.  But for some reason, the photo below is ok for me.  I think it helps that it is a child's room and the monogram feels more custom.  Also, I love monogrammed linens, so maybe that's the reason I like this room. 

Shot of Mod

Most wall decals I like seem to be included in homes with a modern sense of style.  I really like the look of this one.  But, maybe I like it because it is really more like modern wallpaper which I do think looks amazing in the right space.  

This is a very traditional room, but the wall decal gives the room and updated feel.  I also think the saturated color of walls with the white decal really makes this work.

Where to Find

I can't stand showing you pictures and not giving you some sources for this product.  There are lots of others, but here a few to peruse.

http://www.fermlivingshop.us/stickers/

http://www.wallsneedlove.com/

http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/explore/classical-must-haves

So, I'm still trying to decide what I think about it.  I would love your thoughts on it.  Do you like wall decals?

Let's go Craig's Listings - Chairs

I did a quick look at Craig's list in the Birmingham area over the weekend and found these chairs.  They are channel back chairs with an art deco look - tons of potential with these.

http://bham.craigslist.org/atq/1931617517.html
$200.00 for the pair

They look a lot like this chair from 1st Dibbs which is $3,400.00 a chair.

http://1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=451506

And a good upholsterer, could make the backs look more like this Jonathan Adler chair which is $1,200.00 a chair.

http://www.jonathanadler.com/Haines-Chair-starting-at/?cat=361&initial=

Here's what I would do with these. First,  I would leave the channel backs in tact (I think it has a real vintage feel).  Then, I would reupholster them in this fabric.

$13.95 a yard (takes about 8 yards a chair)

http://forsythfabrics.com/detail.aspx?ID=3090

For an informal space, I would pick up a pair of these lumbar pillows to put in each chair.  They are chenille, but look similar to a cut velvet and the modern design will go great with the art deco chairs.

$22.50 each

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56881889/chippendale-fretwork-lumbar-pillow-cover

For a more formal space, like a living room, I would pick up a pair of these for the chairs.  Again, these pillows have some textured with a raised pattern(reminds me of a crewel fabric). 

$49.00 each

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53593717/embroidered-celery-green-linen-and

Once complete, I would put them in a bedroom, reading nook, or pair with them with a sofa in the family room.  The options are endless for a pair of great neutral chairs.  

My Wish for You . . .

My wish for you this weekend is that someone will make you a delicious breakfast (all your favs, of course) [maybe in a kitchen like this]

http://www.jenniferworts.com/projects.html

http://www.jenniferworts.com/projects.html

And serve it to you on a tray [like the one to the left in this picture] in bed where you can relax and slowing wake up to your day! 

http://www.jenniferworts.com/projects.html

Have a great weekend.