Project in Progress - Master Bedroom

I recently posted about this fantastic burnt orange velvet I found as an accent color for my Master Bedroom.  The room was very neutral and really needed a pop of color.

Well, here's what I did with it!

I made one large accent pillow for our bed.

I also added this greek key tape which was left over from my ottoman project.

I still think the room needs another pop of orange either as a throw at the end of the bed or maybe a pillow on the bench at the end of our bed.  But at least it's a bit of progress.   

That's all you get to see for now!  As soon as the project is complete, I'll show you the entire room. 

Hope you have a productive day.  M.

House Beautiful

Just got my House Beautiful Magazine for May and I have two words for you . . .

   John Saladino     

First let me say how annoying it is there are no pictures online of the current issue of House Beautiful (or any other magazine for that matter).  I know, I know, it's this little issue of actually requiring people to buy the magazine to get to see the pictures.  I get it, but couldn't they at least put one picture from each feature article as a "teaser" for bloggers to post?!  By the time the pictures are posted on their website, it's old news! Here's all you get.

But, I digress. 

I will simply say - You MUST buy the magazine this month (and no, they are not paying me to say this).  There is a feature article on a Florida home with interiors by John Saladino that took my breath away!  It is stunning.  

As background, many of you know, purple is not my favorite color.  Caveat: just because I don't love purple does not mean I can't create a space using purple (for those clients who I have included purple in their spaces).  Remember, your house does not have to look like mine ;) 

I digress again.  

Where was I?  I have officially changed my mind. This man has made me adore purple - I NEED purple in my spaces!

This Florida home is so amazingly decorated.  It is traditional, modern, old world, current, sophisticated, light and airy, rich and cozy all at the same time.  I don't gush often, in fact, rarely does an interior do this to me.  It has to be extra super duper special.  Well, this one fits the bill.

No matter, that Mr. Saladino uses purple a lot.  If you google him you will see what I mean.  I think he has single handedly put purple back on the map!! 

Here are some examples:

Although I love how he has used purple in these spaces, the home in House Beautiful is a much more subdued tone of purple, really more like a taupe. 

The picture below is really more like what is being featured this month, and I love it sooooo much.

Back to the article, I refuse to scan the pictures, but I will give you my thoughts.  When you get a copy of the magazine you will thank me that you have a hard copy for your files.  Oh yes, it is definitely "house file" worthy.  Go get it.  

For starters, there is a hallway in this home with two sets of the most scrumptious pale, pale, lavender taffeta portieres (aka, drapery panels) that soften the entire look.  They are flanking either end of the entrances into the long hallway.  These panels are bordered with the most, MOST decadent trim (a tape really) that looks to be 6 inches wide (looks like some Italian woman slaved for years hand making this stuff) with a rope piping on either side of the tape!

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These are delicately hanging from a dark wrought iron rod (like this).  I gush. 

Then, the bathroom.

There is a free standing honed marble (carved!) tub (sort of like the one above).  Unbelievable.  There is also accent tiles that look like fabric trim in the room (I kid you not)!  I can't find a single picture that looks like this tile work, you just need to see it in the magazine.

 Who is "allowed" to put this stuff in their house??!!!  As a friend recently posted on Facebook, I think she is allowed to buy "price upon request" stuff! (while, sadly,  I am not). 

My favorite quote from the designer: 

"You don't have to give into the obvious.  People build houses in the West and have chandeliers made of antlers - but you already know you're in the West.  You don't have to hit people over the head with it.  When you're in Florida, you don't have to have wall sconces made out of seashells.  If you cross the line, your home can become a theme park." 

Gush.  Gush.

Because Mr. Sal A Dal A Dino is an architect, no detail goes unfinished -  The moldings, the doors, the niche for the bed, the entry to the home, and on and on.  

There is one tiny picture of the kitchen and let me just say that marble is slapped all over the place in there along with glass paned cabinet doors - no, not just glass paned doors, but lead plated glass paned cabinet doors.  And the cabinet color is fantastic.

My only complaint with the entire article - they were just waaaay too stingy with the photographs.  This is when an online version of their magazine (aka TradHome ) would have come in handy.  You could at least get a bit more detail on the rest of the house.

So . . . OK . . .  I don't think I have ever gotten this worked up in a post or about a house featured in a magazine.  I think I'm going to need a cold shower.  But one last picture of THE MAN in what else but purple!

Enjoy your day! M.

Find of the Day - Chalkboard Fabric

I was sourcing fabrics for a client last week and came across this fabric.

It's chalkboard fabric.  

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I have seen lots of takes on chalkboard including paint, magnets and the real deal.  

But fabric?? Who Knew!?  

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I love the idea of a pillow - you could write sweet or encouraging messages to your kids like "Good Luck on your Test" or  "Say your Prayers" or  "Welcome Home from Camp" 

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This is also a fun idea.  Use the fabric to create a casual table setting.

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This is a Thanksgiving runner where your guest share what they are thankful for.

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Another cute idea to help teach your children how to set the table for dinner. 

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How cute is this!  If my children were still small, I would so make this and write whatever I wanted on them!!

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I love this idea too.  I currently have several banners with different messages like Happy Birthday, Welcome Home, and Happy Valentines Day.  With this banner, you could change the lettering to suit the occasion. 

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Lastly, I saw this picture (for a different craft idea), and it made me think of all the flashcards I have had to purchase over the years, from sight words to multiplication tables.  This would have been a smart solution for the flashcard du jour.

So, you ask?  Where can I purchase this wonderfully unique fabric?  Here's a link to one of many sites that sell it.  

Also, I would love to hear from any of you who have worked with this fabric on projects and what you did with it.  I would love to see your results and share them with my readers!  M.

Farewell Party

Over the weekend, we hosted a small farewell party for a wonderful couple who are leaving Birmingham.  They are off on a new adventure to a small town in Georgia!  We did a very casual party for the occasion with just a few families.  I took lots of pictures of the setup but totally forgot to take any once the guests arrived!  So, you will have to be satisfied with the pre-party pictures this time!

I tried to put together a menu with mainly make ahead items so I could also enjoy the party.  Here's what we had:

For Starters

Parmesan Breadsticks

Amy's Texas Margaritas

Main Course

BBQ Ribs 

Corn & Bacon Casserole

Green Apple Coleslaw

Kid Friendly Stuff

Hot Dogs

Chips

Fresh Strawberries

Dessert
Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Squares w/ Ice Cream

This was a family friendly party.  So, to make it fun for the kiddos I put together goodie bags.

The bags included an assortment of Dollar Store junk goodies including, bubbles, a can of silly string, a crazy straw, a squisky ball, some plastic bugs, a windmill, and a glow in the dark bracelet.  I also had sidewalk chalk and some sugary candy (which the kids and some Moms enjoyed!)

The grownups were greeted with Texas Margaritas (which were not yet mixed when I took this picture!) and these yummy breadsticks I ordered earlier in the week from a local bakery.

The initial plan was to have dinner outside, but it was just a bit too chilly once the sun went down.

So, we had pre-dinner cocktails outside and came in for dinner.

I also set up this galvanized tub for drinks for the kiddos (this picture was taken before we had the ice and drinks in the tub).  

I like it because it is low enough that even the youngest of kids can help themselves.

We did a set up in my breakfast room for the children and the adults ate in the dining room.

Dining Room (I filled the orchid bowl on the buffet with Easter Lilies which will still look great next weekend when we have family in town for Easter).

My daughter also helped me arrange some flowers we cut from the garden.  There are tons of flowers in bloom here in Birmingham.

 Every time we host something like this, I think "Why don't we do this more often?"

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  If not, you'll have another chance in about five days!  M.

Photo Grouping

I have posted in the past about our playroom and freshening up the space.  As of now, nothing has changed in the way of fabrics.  But I did add a few extra photographs to a large wall in the space and thought you might like to see the results.


I hung this grouping using the same tools and technique I used with the plates in my dining room.  I started by first placing the frames on the floor and moving them around until I came up with a layout I liked.


Once I got my layout, I traced the frames onto newspaper and taped these pieces to the wall to make sure I had the perfect spacing.

To hang the grouping, I used my favorite picture hanging tool to get the nails in just the right spot.

I worked my way up from the bottom (this is the easiest way to do it with my hanging tool).   

The trick to a high end look is selecting really clear (in focus) interesting images, putting them in similar frames and using all black and white or all color images.  


I have collected these particular photos for years.  In fact, sometimes, I only find one or two a year (out of the hundreds that we take) that I think are frame worthy.  I also love that they are candids and not formal posed photos.




 Here's more information on the frames.  They are by Canopy and are around $9.50 a frame for the 8x10 (with the matt).  They are from Walmart (yes, I said Walmart).  Here is the link for these frames.   The one I selected has a thicker frame which I actually like better.  This is the only brand of frames that I like at Walmart because it has the same high end look as more expensive brands.

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Here is a thinner version that is a bit cheaper at $8.44 each (set of two $16.88).

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Look how similar they are to this Pottery Barn frame which is on sale right now for $23.00 each.  This adds up quickly when you want to buy enough for a large grouping.

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When I purchased mine, I went ahead and got 14 of them.  The others are stored until I get the perfect picture.  If you don't go ahead and purchase the total you need, they will stop making the frame and then you will have a mismatched grouping.  Now, I love a grouping with lots of different frames; but it does not work when all the frames are the same except for two or three.

When I finished hanging the photographs, I cleaned up the room (took out two huge garbage bags full of junk!) and took these pictures.  It's amazing how much better a space feels when you just clean up.  BTW, that closet holds my sewing machine and fabrics.  Maybe at some point I'll show it to you!

Now, I think the room is at least presentable.

As an aside, I think my daughter has the interior design gene too.  This was her idea of adding some artwork to the space.

At least she didn't draw on the walls!


I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  We are going to have a rough patch of weather today, but the rest of the weekend is suppose to be beautiful!  Have a good one! M.