6/29/11

Be Proud- Ideas and Inspiration

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, I thought it would be a great time to share some of my favorite ideas floating around the web. I hope some of these photos will inspire you as we celebrate our nation this weekend.

Wear something patriotic...



 

Source: etsy.com via Samantha on Pinterest




Put up a few decorations...








Plan some fun games...








And don't forget the food!







Want to see more USA inspired ideas? Check out my Summer board on Pinterest.
Are you reading this from Canada? I have some crafts for you too - Canada Day board on Pinterest!

And don't forget to thank a soldier- God Bless Our Troops.

6/28/11

Vacation Destination: Napa

Wow!! My husband and I just returned from a restful, relaxing week in Napa Valley, California. The trip was through his company- a celebration of top employees from the past year. It was an amazing way to reward hard working employees... and their spouses!


We stayed at a classic resort, Meadowood.


It was quiet and peaceful. Each guest was given a cottage tucked into the hills.





Throughout the week we toured wineries, dined on fresh food, played croquet, and even took a hot air balloon ride.








Everything in Napa was so fresh and beautiful.



 Of course I spied a few design ideas I plan to use at home too.

Tree Stumps: Used to add height and visual interest to wine and food.

 Wine Barrels: Perfect for cocktail tables or cut them in half and use them as side-tables.

Outdoor Chandeliers: As the wind blew, the glass on these lights tinkled like bells. The white linens and glass accents made this outdoor dinner feel so elegant. 


Potted Plants: I saw lots of potted rosemary and other herbs used as centerpieces everywhere we went. Simple terra cotta pots filled with fresh greenery are easy and beautiful. 


 It was such a memorable week!




One of my favorite blogs- Centsational Girl is hosting a great link party this week featuring bloggers' favorite vacations. And since I just unpacked my suitcases, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share my trip. Don't forget to stop by and see the other gorgeous destinations.

 here

6/27/11

Crafty How To: Monogram Pillow

The fun continues! Upcycling and reusing everything in sight :) Remember the 'coffee bag pillow' post?



Well that coffee bag had a back side and I had a piece of black felt. Anyone else thinking monogram???
So I found another throw pillow that was not being used and I decided it was in the need of a little help.  I printed out a big letter "C" in my favorite font- American Typewriter.


Then I pinned the "C" to the black felt and cut.


Next, I pinned the "C' to the burlap.


Right smack in the middle.


Then I sewed around the "C" in white thread using a tight zig-zag stitch.



Ta-da!  A super simple monogram pillow. It reminds me of one from Pottery Barn.



 My burlap monogram pillow will live in my hubby's office. Which I am finally working on! But more about that later :)


Don't have a coffee bag to use, run up to JoAnn's and purchase some burlap. Or stay tuned, I will be giving away an awesome coffee bag soon! 

6/24/11

Reupholsetry Revisited

About a month ago I wrote about my newest reupholstery projects. I had found two chairs- one literally on the side of the road- and the other at Goodwill. I also had a foam cushion for my bay window that was desperately in need of an update. My furniture is now done and I couldn't be more pleased!

Before: Light blue stripe and natural stain legs


After: Black and white ticking with black painted legs





 Before: Green velvet and natural stain legs


After: Dove gray velvet and white painted legs



 Before: Red and yellow print


After: Cream velvet



A much better fit with my neutral bedding!

Marc Holmes of All Around Upholstery is my 'go-to-guy' when it comes to furniture. The business was passed down to him through the family. He is a stickler for perfection and even picks up/ delivers for free!




Some of my Crafty readers have emailed me questions about upholstery. So, here are few tips for you are who new to the recovering game.

Where to purchase fabric?
If you live in DFW, there are lots of choices. And thanks to the internet, these places are available to everyone- even if you don't live in Texas :)


 

Here are a few of my favorite places for fabric:
- Childress
-Cutting Corners
-Best Fabrics
-Pottery Barn
-Ballards
-Interior Alternative

Is it cost effective to recover vs. buy new?
Yes! Shop Craigslist, local garage sales, antique stores, Goodwill etc. for furntiure. Most pieces can be purchased for under $50.  My 'side of the road' wingback chair cost $250 to recover. I found a good price on fabric, $11 a yard x 6 yards. So the total cost of the chair was $316. For custom furniture, this is unbeatable.



What fabric should  I choose?
Look at the other pieces in your home. If you have a lot of solid colors furniture, add some pattern with an accent chair. Geometric prints, stripes or even florals can be a great way to add layers to your home. And since you are creating a custom piece of furniture, feel free to have a little fun. Create something you couldn't find at the department store.







If large prints scare you, you can add a little drama with a pop of color on the cording. Or consider covering the back of the cushion in a different print than the rest of the chair. I have a friend who did the seat of her wingback in leopard print. Depending on her accent pillows or mood, she could flip the cushion over for a new look.




With that being said, I would recommend looking through catalogs, blogs, and magazines before you buy your fabric. Whenever you are going to spend $300 on a project, you want to make sure that it won't look dated in a year.




A Few More Things...
-Don't forget about the details! Nailhead trim, painted legs, a skirt, tufting, and buttons all add a more custom look to your furniture. These add the finishing touch to your pieces and can usually be done for around $25-$75.





Oh and a word of warning: When Marc dropped the chairs off, my 20 month-old happily sat on the dove-gray chair while I paid for the work and chatted for a few minutes. During that time, she managed to scribble on my newly covered chair with a bright orange crayon. What?! I know. Thankfully, it was a washable crayon. So if you haven't already, replace all art supplies with washable ones- you never know when an orange crayon will strike! 

Have a great week:)


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