Look What I Found!

Look what I found... My friend just moved and he was trying to sell everything that wouldn't work in his new place. Guess how much I paid for it? Go on... guess! Would you believe he gave it to me in exchange for a batch of homemade cookies! Awesome, right? This piece has great bones but the finish is a little worn.

Here's my question.

Should I paint it or refinish the wood? I've been in to painting pieces but lately I've been enamored with the wood look too.

If I paint it, what color should I use?

Help!!!

Happy Weekend My Friends!

Painted Floors... The Other Fifth Wall

Are you looking for a great way to spruce up your space? How about painted floors? If you need to disguise a less that beautiful wood floor, this is a great trick. Not to mention what a big bang you get for your buck. Check out these examples and get inspired!

Mary McDonald has made this soft blue and white bathroom a little bit snazzier with a painted chevron pattern on the floor. There's nothing that I don't like about this bathroom.

Domino

This costal motif stenciled onto a painted wood floor adds a playful touch to the decor. The checkered wallpaper reminds me of an old tablecloth. This draws your eyes upward to showcase the beautiful copper cookware collection.

Coastal Living

Check out this black and white faux bois treatment. It almost looks too pretty to walk on. This hand painted pattern takes the traditional wood floors from standard to stunning.

Coastal Living

This kitchen is an absolute beauty. I've been kind of obsessed with the idea of having checkered flooring somewhere in my house.

Elle Decor

This wood floor has been stained with two colors and painted on the diagnal. This makes a big bold statement, don't you think?

Elle Decor

Domino Mag had a guide on how to stencil your floors with custom patterns. Here is a playful spiral design. It really is a great way to inject some whimsey into a space.

Domino

I'm really taken with this macro gingham.

Cottage Living

This Nancy Boszhardt interior uses a wood stain to create a "rug" in this entryway. Such a clever idea. Check out that hat rack. Awesome, huh?

Alicia B Designs

This black and taupe floor is a bit dizzying at first but it shows that painted floors can also be elegant.

Joel Woodward

Painted wood floors are one of those things that you either really like or really hate. I think if they are done right they have the potential to be real show stoppers. I love them because they create interest and have the ability to make people stop and say "WOW"!

What are your thoughts on painted floors? Or as I call them, "the other fifth wall."

Fired Up About Flame Stitch

Hello friends... I've returned from a rather long sabbatical (if you will) from blogging and I've missed it and you all so darn much! The busy summer didn't leave much extra time to just sit with my blogs and coffee. And quite honestly, I was a little uninspired over the last month or so. Thankfully my interior design fire has been re-stoked. I've actually got a list of things I want to post about. Typical for me, feast or famine. Maybe this is the reason why.

I really enjoy the online version of Lonny but for whatever reason, I'm the kind of person who really loves to hold a big glossy magazine. I just got my issue for 34 bucks but for me, totally worth it!

Ok, so I was wandering around doing a little window shopping and spotted a little chair in a boutique. It was covered in a beautiful a flame stitch fabric. Love at first sight. I actually had to go in and move the stuff that was draped on it to see the chair. (Naturally I didn't have my camera) but it looked very much like this.

Bargello Chair, Zoffany

I have a terrible thing for fabric. I love these swatches but looking at these is nothing compared to holding them in your hands. Ahhhhh!

Clarance House

Lee Jofa

An oldie but a goodie...

F. Schumacher

M Design Interiors

M Design Interiors

I'm a big fan of Company C, but I would really like to see their rugs in a room. It's hard to get a feel for size and scale with just floating images. I'm just sayin'.

Company C

"Dial 911, 'cause this room is on fire!"

David Hicks

Love, love this wallpaper. This colorway is sublime!

Osborne and Little Volte Wallpaper

I can't imagine how long it took to tape this off! Dramatic result though!

Apartment Therapy

I would be remiss if I didn't include a little M. Missoni in this homage to flame stitch. I've been totally crushing on this long dress!

M. Missoni

What do you think of flame stitch? Totally HOT or has that fire been extinguished?

Lighting Dilemma and Arco Lamps

I have been trying to solve a lighting dilemma in my living room. There is no over head, hard wired lighting and the two lamps are just not cutting it. On one of those rainy summer days last week, I was thumbing through my old Domino magazines and came across this image... EUREKA! An Arco lamp!

Image via Domino.

The Arco lamp is one of those classic designs where form and function meet and live happily ever after. Designed in 1962 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, it is so practical and functional — It's a floor lamp and an overhead light! The Castiglionis' functionalism makes this design complex in its simplicity. (Whoa...That was pretty profound, huh?!)

Image via Apartment Therapy.

Image via Houzz.

Achille Castiglioni in his Milan studio in the late '60s, reading under the Arco lamp he designed with his brother.

Image via Apartment Therapy.

Image via Cote Maison.

Image via Houzz.

Image via Houzz.

Image via London Homes.

I know that I'll never be able to afford a real Arco but there are some great copies out there... What do you think of these lamps? Are they over used and and cliche or do you think they are timeless classics?

P.S. Project Runway starts tonight at 9:00, so excited!

Master Bedroom Make-Over. The Plan.

Hello, Hello, Hello... out there! {echo sound effect} I'm back and totally dying to blog! I've really missed all of you! It has been quite a CrAzY couple of weeks around here. Vacations, birthdays, funerals, graduation parties, more birthdays, nursing school girlfriends in town, going from working part time days to full time days all while trying to squeeze doctors appointments in... I have a whole new admiration for all of the working Moms out there, I really do not know how you manage it!

Many props and much respect!!!

Well, I'm finally starting the master bedroom make-over and while thumbing through my Anthropologie and Pottery Barn catalogues I got really inspired by the quilts. My only hesitation comes from my fear and loathing of all things "shabby chic". I think there is a fine line that you don't want to cross! The PB room below is on the good side of using quilts in bedroom design.

Image via Pottery Barn.

The room below has gone horrifically wrong... hence my long standing and totally justifiable fear!

Image via Ugliest House Photos.

Then, I saw the name of one of the Anthro quilt designers. Her name is Denyse Schmidt and she is awesome! She grew up in an old textile factory in Massacheusetts with a Father who built furniture and a Mother who was a seamstress. So naturally, she started sewing at a very early age. Later, she studied graphic design at the Rhode Island School of Design, and had several different careers over the years. She finally patched together (pun intended!) her many eclectic experiences and created her business ten years ago.

Here are a few of my favorite designs....

"What a Dish" nursery quilt. Image via Denyse Schmidt.

"Drunk Love in a Log Cabin" Image via Denyse Schmidt.

"String Theory" Image via Denyse Schmidt.

"Big Zig" Via Denyse Schmidt.

"Four Crosses" Image via Denyse Schmidt.

So here's my plan. I'm going to try to make a modern, colorful quilt as part of my bedroom make-over design. The thing is that the only quilts I've ever made have been nothing more complicated than sewing straight lines. This ought to some kinda interesting project!

This is a super simple patch work type quilt that I made for my adorable baby nephew. I sewed ric-rac around squares to hide the less-than-perfect corners and to serve as the actual quilting.

And this is one of the quilts I put together for the "Linus Project."

My Mom (who is a fantastic teacher) and I found these fabrics while in the lower level of their house during a tornado warning, in the dark, without electricity, by candle light. I'm not sure what I'll use or which design I'll try but as soon as I figure it all out I'll do a follow-up post.

What do you think of designing around a quilt?

Green Street Giveaway!

My girl, Fran is having her first giveaway... a very lovely giveaway from CSN! Swing on over to Green Street and check out her beautiful blog full of great design ideas and DIY projects! Fran is super talented, with great style and taste. She never ceases to amaze with her budget friendly finds!

Green Street.

Fran and her sweet little Luke.

I'll be back with a proper post soon. The last couple of weeks have been interesting, to say the least! I'll fill you all in tomorrow! Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Happy 4th of July!!!

THOSE WHO EXPECT TO REAP THE BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM, MUST… UNDERGO THE FATIGUE OF SUPPORTING IT.

Thomas Paine

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

See You Back Here on Tuesday!