Design Plus You

11.17.2010

Fabric as Decor

A recent trip to the fabric store got me to thinking about fabric as art and decor. For instance take a look at the pictures below. This may be an easy and inexpensive way to add a little interest on one of your walls. Think of all the possible fabrics!

www.craftstylish.com

www.casacullen.com

www.makebabystuff.com

These embroidery hoops are interesting and inexpensive. Perfect to decorate a child's bedroom or above a work table. You could also turn it into a makeshift bulletin board. Try actually embroidering something on the fabric for a personal touch.

www.belladia.typepad.com

I know I wouldn't choose any of these fabrics myself, but the configuration is interesting. You could also work with fabric photo transfer paper to make some of these into a graphic statement.

www.lottajansdotter.com

www.amerrrymishapblog.com

Fabric in the kitchen isn't always the best decision if it isn't in the form of a towel, but these storage ideas are too cute to ignore.

www.jcarolinecreative.com

Making fabric buttons is really fun and easy. Pretty soon you'll be trying to button everything you can. These would work well on a pillow that needs a little facelift.

www.filminthefridge.com

With the holidays fast approaching these fabric links may be an easy way to brighten up your tree, but also are an eco-friendly way of using up those scrap pieces of fabric you have lying around. Old pillow cases, shirts, tablecloth, discarded sewing projects could all be used to construct this chain.

10.27.2010

Fun with Pumpkins...Martha style.

The time is fast approaching when we need to have our pumpkins out to light the way for young trick or treaters. Here are some cool designs and uses for your pumpkin this year from Martha Stewart (the queen of crafting). These are all very creative and time consuming, but the final effect is "Boo"tiful. Sorry I could help myself. Happy Halloween everyone!

10.20.2010

Halloween Decorations

With Halloween just around the corner I thought it would be fun to feature some creative indoor and outdoor decorating ideas. A lot of people go all out with rolling heads and grave sites in their front lawns, but I am much more understated when it comes to Halloween. I prefer cute and creative ways of celebrating, with maybe a touch of darkness. Enjoy!

This one seems very cool, but where do you put that tree branch the rest of the year, not to mention fake crows?

potterybarn.com

It may be a little time consuming cutting out all of those bats, but at least storage won't be an issue.

manolohome.com

My initial thoughts on the pumpkin bowl are all positive. Great way to feature something on your table, colorful, festive, and creative. However, I am concerned with mess from the ice melting between the pumpkin and the bowl and the smell. Overall, I think I would still try it.

designshrine.com

This is a really cute and inexpensive way to invigorate your space with some holiday spirit.

goodhousekeeping.com

Food, food, food! They made some really cool choices for their visual display, but I might be hesitant about eating a huge junk of chocolate (oink!) I love the apples as accents and the cheese with the knife. It would be a good idea to create some bite size things to have along side of this. Also, I recommend doing what they did with a tiered system. It's an old trade secret that everything looks better when it layered and at different heights. Nice use of the black lace too!

myhomeideas.com

The thing to remember here is black lace = creepy. It goths things up quickly and is pretty cheap at less than $5 a yard at most stores. You could try picking up some mismatched silver candle sticks at a local thrift store to add some drama as well. And of course, don't forget your fake cobwebs!

decor.com

9.22.2010

Home Tours L.A.

Being a relative newbe to the Los Angeles area, even the west coast for that matter, has made me very curious as to local sites and attractions. I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to take a tour of one of LA's most iconic homes in the Hollywood Hills....the Stahl House. Later I found out that I wasn't lucky at all. They OFFER tours! After finding this out, I went on a quick search to find more. They are everywhere. If you can find the historical homes in your area and see if they offer tours. Architecture and design enthusiasts won't regret it. Hope you enjoy and get to check some of these places out.

Take a peek:

http://www.stahlhouse.com/tours

Tip: Go to the latest tour they have so that you can get plenty of beautiful night shots.

Interestingly enough the house is still owned by the original family. The furnishings you see are not the family's however, but are from Design Within Reach who have a sponsorship agreement with them.

I felt like we should all have martinis at this point.

9.15.2010

Bold Wallpaper for the Bold Homeowner

Recently, I went to a party in a Cliff May house in Long Beach. While talking to Eve, the homeowner, she mentioned that she was interested in getting a bold retro-looking wallpaper to add on an accent wall. This got me to thinking about wallpapers and how to achieve a successful look using bold vintage patterns. Here is a little of what I found. They make a real statement in any room.

www.grahambrown.com

Sanderson's retro Dandelion Clocks design

www.alwaysmod.com

www.grahambrown.com

www.thelennoxx.com

8.18.2010

Modern Planters

shopwillow.net

I love, love, love plants, but sometimes the options for pots aren't that great. Luckily, this isn't your parents' generation anymore where there are only two options...terricotta or ceramic. There is nothing wrong with either of these, but sometimes you need something a little different with a punch to it. Product designers have been working hard to come up with new designs and cooler materials not only to bring visual interest to Fred the Ficus, but to help you solve some space issues with our sometimes "tiny" abode.

Here is a little breakdown of some beautiful and interesting options.