Have you outgrown your dining room furniture—or do you just want to update the rooom? Here are four tips to help you find the table that fits your home.
Looking for more decorating ideas, check out more of my Decor crush posts.
Image by Chris Olson. Oslo Table featured via Crate and Barrel.
To download the free printable gift box I designed for my blog readers, click on link.
| |
| | |
Any of these colorful one-of-a-kind pieces with bold floral prints would make a glam addition to my house. Love all the amazing handcrafted furniture from Bokja Design in collaboration with nuLOOM. A chair named Zsa Zsa has to be divine! (Handmade in Beirut, Lebanon.)
1) Zsa Zsa Chair One Multi
2) Zsa Zsa Chair Two Multi
3) Disque Chair Two Multi
4) Nour Chair One Multi
5) Bench Multi
| |
| | |
Benjamin Moore Paints
You can create a fun and functional chalkboard wall in almost any room with durable chalkboard paint that's designed to be erasable and washable. Be inventive! You can paint a small section of the wall to resemble a chalkboard or paint the entire wall for your kids (or you) to draw large murals. With this paint you turn any rectangular area into artistic scribble space.
Benjamin Moore Paints
Helpful hints:
1) How much paint do you need for a specific room or wall? Use the Paint Calculator.
2) Pick the perfect color with a sample-sized can of paint that lets you test drive your favorite colors:
Find the perfect color using the online color samples, then go to the store to verify your choice with paint samples—or you can even order a sample online and have it shipped to you.
For example, look at the paint color samples online at Benjamin Moore. Remember your laptop monitor is not able to show the "true color"—the color you see on your laptop will not look the same as the paint color you will paint with. That's why ordering 16 oz. "sample color" paint cans will let you test out several colors at your home. Each sample paint can covers approximately two 4' X 4' or eight 2' x 2' areas.
Are you ready to paint now? Follow the step-by-step directions for painting a chalkboard wall below.
Continue reading "Painting DIY: How to Make a Chalkboard Wall " »
| |
| | |
Elaborate place settings at formal events like a wedding can be daunting. If you can't decide if the bread plate you should eat from is on your left or right, then check out the handy cheat sheet illustration above.
Image above by me featuring Villeroy & Boch New Wave Premium Platinum.
| |
| | |
Sleeping in bedding with a cheerful print will bring you good dreams, I'm sure. Bought these sheets for my parents recently. Love the fact the Dot to Dot bedding by Garnet Hill comes in a wide range of bright and pastel polka dots. Sweet dreams! (Bedding, $28 - $98)
Image above by me, Chris Olson. Bedding by the marvelous Garnet Hill.
| |
| | |
With all the choices and styles available, buying a new sofa can be daunting. Finding a sofa with great style and quality construction is key to making a good furniture investment that will last for years to come. Always go to the store showroom to give each sofa a test drive. To make the evaluation simpler, just follow the four tips in the image above to narrow your list of choices.
Image above by me, Chris Olson. Sofa featured is the Klyne Sofa from Crate and Barrel.
| |
| | |
A dear neighbor had a birthday tea party for me yesterday. Of course the tea and treats were delicious. Her pretty chickadee plates from Crate and Barrel are perfect for spring.
| |
| | |
Julia's popular lifestyle blog Hooked on Houses turns 4 years old this week. If you like real estate blogs, this one is for you. Even better, if you like to also glimpse into the homes of celebrities and homes on movie and TV sets, then reading Julia's blog will quickly become one of your favorites.
In her blog she admits she is obsessed with pop culture, but at heart I can also tell she loves homes of any style. Julia says in her blog:
"I’m more likely to swoon over a cozy, well-designed cottage than a sprawling, show-offy mansion. For me, looking at houses is a form of entertainment. I think they have personalities, and it’s fun to get to know them, regardless of their size, shape, or style."
Here are just a few recent posts:
Photos: Jennifer Aniston's home, Hooked On Houses banner, Christina Aguilera's home featured on Julia's blog.
| |
| | |
After such a mild start to January, I am ready for some snow! I am hoping the storm this weekend brings a layer of the white stuff. Even if it doesn't snow, this sparkly DIY candle craft will create a shimmery winter mood in your home.
Espom Salt Snow Candle
Supplies:
Directions:
1) Pour a layer of epsom salt into a shallow baking pan.
2) Use a sponge brush to coat the side of a candle with Modge Podge.
3) Before the Modge Podge dries, quickly roll the candle in the epsom salt to create a light snowy layer on your candle.
4) Let candle with snowy coating dry completely before using the candle.
5) To help the candle burn evenly, place the candle in a cylinder vase suitable for candles.
(Photo by me, Chris Olson.)
| |
| | |
Here is what’s “on my desk” today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.
Photo by me, Chris Olson.
If you like this, PIN it:
| |
| | |
Did you know jelly beans and other candy can help you select the perfect paint colors for your home? And if you love sharing your house with dogs, then you probably find the fun in functional. These are just a few of the refreshing decorating philosophies in Annie Selke's decor book Fresh American Spaces.
In addition to inspiring decor photos, she includes step-by-step directions for DIY projects that fit your style including: painting stripes on a wall, perfecting a mound of roses in a bouquet, organizing a wall of pictures, and adding stripes to towels.
If you love color but wonder just what colors work for your home, Selke includes several color-matching ideas using fabrics, paints, and more. (Plus she leaves out the guessing work by including the paint names for colors from popular brands.)
Filled with sparkling photos to inspire your home decorating, her book includes a wide variety of styles in five sections:
Here are few of my favorite pages...
Photos: Fresh American Spaces
If you like this, PIN it:
| |
| | |
I will always be a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Little House on the Prairie series. And maybe that is why I have a fondness for the romantic prairie style decor today. Pair author Fifi O'neill's new book Romantic Prairie Style with a cup of herbal tea and it's a perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. As the publisher says,
"Romantic Prairie Style embraces simple pleasures, comfort, and the long-cherished ideals of natural beauty, simplicity, and harmony with the earth. It's a style that says 'home' wherever you may be because, more than anything else, it's a mindset: gentle but strong, welcoming and lasting, durable yet sophisticated, and, above all, real."
Here are a few of my favorite page spreads that give a glimpse of the lovely book.
| |
| | |
I love this mini pumpkin plant arrangement given to me by a dear friend and neighbor. Best of all, you can dry the pumpkins on the stems by removing the leaves and then preserve them for fall decor.
Evidently this plant is edible too (chop and toss into stir fry). Check in later for details.
(Photos by me, Chris Olson.)
| |
| | |
House 8810 online store has loads of fun Halloween goodies. Check out two of my faves below:
Halloween towels
Halloween masks
Photos: House 8810
| |
| | |
This cute and spooky hand-painted burlap banner is guaranteed to add plenty of sparkle to your Halloween decor. Created by Brandy and available for $16.99 at her Etsy store baybeedahlboutique. Her store includes more banners. I also love the banner that says "Halloween." Perfect to hang on a front porch or across a dining room for a party!
Notes:
Photo: baybeedahlboutique
| |
| | |
Lopez's new digs in the Hampton's exclusive Water Mill area look amazing: 14,000 square-foot shingle style house, 7 bedrooms and 9.5 baths, outdoor spa/pool with a fireplace, master suite and jr suite. My favorite room is the spacious crisp white kitchen. Imagine the meals you could prepare here! The Lopez place reminds me of Erica Barry's (Diane Keaton) Hamptons beach house in the movie Something's Gotta Give. For more details on the Lopez home check out the lovely blog Hooked on Houses by Julia and the Corcoran property listing.
| |
| | |
I want to live in Claire and Phil Dunphy's house on Modern Family or be their neighbor. And it's not about how grand the house is–that would be the home of the series patriarch. I love the way the set looks like a real home, where Pottery Barn charm and everyday family chaos collide. The set decor mixes vintage Craftsman with hip West Coast style. I adore the colors–Benjamin Moore "Labrador Blue" on the entry walls. Colorful artwork all over the walls. Bold striped pillows look inviting on my major decor crush: the comfy beige sofa from Sofa U Love.
Photo credits: ABC
| |
| | |
Now you can add art to the walls–and even reposition the artwork–in just minutes with these innovative stick-on frames. Set of wall decal frames includes one 4 x 4 frame, four 4 x 6 frames, two 5 x 7 frames and one 8 x 10 frame. The frames are reusable with photos and photo quality paper, but only one-time use only with standard paper such as your kid artwork. Stick on Frames Gallery is available in pink or black at Land of Nod, $24.95 each set.
As easy as 1-2-3:
1) Peel off the backing of these frames
2) Attach your photos
3) Stick on any smooth, non-textured wall.
Photos: Land of Nod.
| |
| | |
The Frames wallpaper in the The Land of Nod collection is perfect for every kid who loves to draw--on the walls or on paper. Made for doodlers and young Picassos, hundreds of blank picture frames in a myriad of shapes and sizes cover the wallpaper. All you need to do is hand your kids (or the grownups) a box of markers. (Frames Wallpaper, $45.00)
Have fun!
(Photo: The Land of Nod)
Back for seconds: A version of this post was published earlier by me.
| |
| | |
Friday’s Decor Crush
Who knows how I ever noticed the white chair in this scene with Ryan Gosling showing off his six-pack. Anyways… I adore them both in the delightful movie Crazy, Stupid, Love.
If you have any ideas where to buy the lovely white modern chair, add your thoughts to the comments for this post.
~via my blog Decor Crush on Tumblr
| |
| | |
"Diane Keaton is a wonderful actor. And I love her sense of style. But I never knew until now she also has an incredible sense for design too. Check out my new Decor Crush–Keaton’s new classic line of housewares K by Keaton at Bed Bath and Beyond. Perfect colors for fall and winter. Love the fact the pottery is practical and kid-friendly too!"
via Decor Crush on Tumblr.
Illustration by me, Chris Olson
| |
| | |
I believe in love at first sight. Especially while watching TV or a movie.
Let me explain...
Almost everything looks better on TV–especially home decor or cars or clothes. So it is only natural to see something even for just a second on your TV and instantly feel that connection. But where can you find it? Magazines and blogs do a great job of doing the sleuthing for the best in celebrity and pop culture clothing.
Amazing couches, lovely lamps, and impressive bookshelves rarely get ID'd in the media. That's why every Friday I am going to post one TV (or movie) home decor crush on my blog and my new Tumblr blog Decor Crush. Feel free to send me your ideas for identifying an item featured on Decor Crush. And send me suggestions for Decor Crush items. Together we will solve the puzzles.
Friday's Crush:
The lamp in the apartment of the charming criminal mastermind Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) on the show White Collar. I love this rice paper lantern because it is not the typical round shape.
So where can I find it?
Follow Decor Crush on Tumblr.
| |
| | |
Looking for decorating ideas for a nursery or a child's bedroom? Susanna Salk's visually exciting book Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play is a stunning treasure trove of decorating ideas and a fun read. Kelly Wearstler, renowned interior designer and author of several books, writes the foreword.
Is it possible to design a room that pleases both the parents and their children? Salk has found a way. Page after page of lovely photography by some of the industry's top photographers–Pieter Estersohn, Paul Costello, William Abranowicz, Melanie Aveced, and others–makes me want redecorate a few rooms at my house. No matter your style–modern, formal to whimsical–you will find a room that fits your mood. The book showcases a variety of decorating styles for bedrooms, play spaces, and study areas created by a talented group of designers including Kelly Wearstler, Charlotte Moss, Alessandra Branca, Amanda Nisbet, and Thomas Jayne, among many others.
Salk is a leading design maven with many publishing success stories. Here are just a few: author of Weekend Retreats, a contributing editor for Bon Appetit Magazine, 1STDIBS.COM, and iVillage.com, as well as a former special projects editor at House & Garden. In the book she features an assortment of rooms that will appeal to a variety of ages. Her book has a sophisticated take on decor for children according to the LAtimes.com:
The book suggests that just because a room is designed for a kid, that's no reason the design can't be all grown up. There is nothing DIY about "Room for Children," and no sense of trying to do more with less. Two-dozen-plus rooms in the book differ in style, but few could be described as "cute."
Anne at her blog The City Sage says:
In the world of interiors books, the subject of decorating for children has been sorely neglected. Until now! Renowned author and editor Susanna Salk has released Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play, and I'm rolling on a serious sugar high from all the sweet, sweet eye candy!
Julie at her blog Remodelista calls the book required reading:
Salk rounds up spaces by designers such as Kelly Wearstler (who wrote the book’s foreward), Amanda Nisbet, Amy Lau, Sixx Design, as well as J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons’ edgy charcoal-walled nursery.
Note to my readers: I did not receive compensation from the author or publisher for writing this book review
| |
| | |
You can shop furniture and homewares at MyDeco.com. But my favorite DIY decor feature are the interactive MyDeco interior design options using these handy tools:
MyDeco.com uses top retailers including: Zappos, Cath Kidston, Five Stripes, Design Public, Overstock, Ferm Living, Domestications, and many more.
For DIY help on the fly, try the MyDeco iPhone app. You can follow the latest style trends on the MyDeco Blog, or connect with MyDeco on Facebook and Twitter.
(Note: This is a product review. I do not receive compensation from the company for reviewing their product.)
| |
| | |
Just visiting a set in a film by Nancy Meyers–It’s Complicated, The Holiday, Something's Gotta Give, The Parent Trap, Father of the Bride, and Baby Boom–would make me giddy. The interior shots look warm and inviting. Even the food on the set is drool-worthy. I can almost feel an ocean breeze in the sunny exterior shots with lush landscaping.
My personal faves are on opposite coasts: the Hamptons beach house in Something's Gotta Give and the Santa Barbara home in It's Complicated. Nancy Meyers has a great eye for details and flattering lighting. Her movies are filled with rooms or landscapes that convey perfection without being overly fussy. Even the workspaces are delicious--consider the lovely bakery in It's Complicated.
Jane's (Meryl Streep) bakery in It's Complicated
Jane's house in Santa Barabara
Jane's kitchen
Jane's garden
Erica Barry's (Diane Keaton) Hamptons beach house in Something's Gotta Give
Erica's living room
Erica's living room at night
Do you have a favorite movie set you would love to live in? I'd like to hear your faves!
| |
| | |
You know how even after you clean ordinary water bottles they still end up with a stinky, gunky mess at the bottom of the bottles. Gross. Finally a company with an incredibly simple invention makes the reusable water bottle easier to clean--the Clean Bottle opens at both ends.
I also like the fact this company is a giver: 10% of all Clean Bottle profits are donated to eco and cycling friendly charities that you vote for.
New York Magazine likes the Clean Bottle: "Both the bottom and top ends of the 22-ounce Clean Bottle can be unscrewed for easier rinsing."
Features:
See more of my Cool + Plus series featuring products that not only have amazing design, but also benefit the environment and society. Check out Cool + Plus.
Photo: Clean Bottle
| |
| | |
Today is the first in my Cool + Plus series featuring products that not only have amazing design, but also benefit the environment and society.
IKEA Sunnan rechargeable solar lamp
Thanks to a collaboration between UNICEF and IKEA, for every lamp purchased another is donated to a child living without electricity in the developing world including:
“Millions of children can’t draw, write or read after sunset, limiting their horizons and possibly their futures,” according to Marianne Barner, head of IKEA Social Initiative. “We hope our lamps are a small but important contribution to improving the lives of children in developing countries.”
Sunnan Solar Lamp features
Photo: IKEA
| |
| | |
My blog post today is part of Blog for Digs--a great charity blogging event for the non-profit Dwell with Dignity. This non-profit group of interior designers and volunteers is dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty". Learn how you can help make a difference, click here.
My childhood bedroom was...
If I close my eyes and imagine playing on the floor with my dolls in my childhood bedroom, I can almost feel the warm summer breeze coming in through the windows, hear the crickets chirping in the meadow grass outside and taste the sugar cookies baking in the always busy kitchen oven. I loved looking outside and my windows were a favorite feature of my tiny corner room. In the winter I would fall asleep warm and cozy under my pillowy comforter while listening to the snow machines rumbling as they magically blew man-made snow across the runs at the ski resort down the street.
Although my super organized parents might disagree, my childhood bedroom was very neat. Every toy, gadget, and doll had a special box, shelf, or drawer to call home. On one wall my parents added shelves to create a large dollhouse. In my closet they built another shelving system to house my other toys. My desk, my bed, my dresser and my chair were all antiques passed down through the generations. As a child I always wanted a bean bag chair, but when I grew up I realized the beauty of restored wood and handsewn cushions.
I will always be grateful that my parents neatly boxed up and saved many of my toys when I went to college. Here are just a few of my favorite childhood things that I photographed in my studio yesterday:
More childhood bedroom posts to come!
Sending special MOMMY HUGS to Claudia and Beth who organized this event and, of course, to everyone at Dwell with Dignity.
If you can, please donate so that we can help create special memories for some great and deserving children.
A talented group of bloggers will post about their childhood bedrooms and one decor item they wished they had. Claudia's Blog for Digs schedule over at StoneHouseLove features a few bloggers for each day.
Passing the blogger keyboard over to blogger Emily at Notorious MLE. She will be posting her stories about childhood bedrooms tomorrow. Looking forward to reading all of the posts of blog for digs over the next few weeks. You can see the entire schedule for bloggers here.
| |
| | |
I saw these adorable 3D coffee mugs you can customize with over 120 dog breeds in the most recent O, The Oprah Magazine. Half mug and half sculpture--my favorite part of each mug is the sweet face of a dog popping out to say "hello." The hand crafted ceramic mugs are available for $39.95 each at BlueWitchCeramics.com.
Check out my other posts about dogs and cats.
| |
| | |
Fun and functional, chalkboard paint turns a boring wall into a durable and washable chalkboard masterpiece. Check out Benjamin Moore's Studio Finishes Chalkboard (307) paint.
(Photos: Apartment Therapy, TheNest.com)
DIY chalkboard ideas:
See the directions to make a chalkboard wall below.
| |
| | |
Photos: Screenshots from the oh-so-sweet Design Love Fest blog.
| |
| | |
The new online magazine MAEVE aimed at the "conscious consumer" looks fascinating. According to their website: "MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family."
Thanks for the tip via Design Mom on Babble.com:
"The second issue of Maeve Magazine just came out and you can count me as a fan. Maeve is a quarterly online publication published from Australia. It’s free and it’s a treat to scroll through — interesting content and excellent photography. I love the tagline: Raising An Inspired Generation. And I love how the about page describes the publication.
| |
| | |
The truth is, I don't have high expectations for making my bed or anything this time of year. It's summer vacation. The temp has been hovering around 95 for about a week. If I manage to avoid melting outside I consider it a victory. Most summer days I get the basics done and making my bed just happens to be on the daily chore list along with walking the dogs, cleaning dishes, laundry, and limiting the kids' TV consumption. (And the last one is the most difficult.)
Fortunately making my bed each day is simple. I don't have a million pillows or fancy comforters to fold. I do like to see some evidence of civilized living in all the chaos, but I don't need my bedroom to be an oasis of perfection.
I like the fact that seeing my bed made is a subtle invitation to lounge and read a good book here.
According to Gretchen Rubin of the The Happiness Project, "Picking one little task to improve your situation, and doing it regularly, can help you regain a sense of self-mastery. Making your bed is a good place to start, and tackling one easy daily step is a good way to energize yourself for tougher situations."
So go ahead. Make your bed. Or not.
And don't forget to come back for a cat nap.
(Photos: Pottery Barn)
| |
| | |
Ever dream of opening your very own surf'n turf restaurant? Play the part with this vintage inspired chalkboard and magnet-board combo--a fun spot to post menus and notes. Find it at Pottery Barn. $149.
• 36" wide x 31.5" high x 2" deep
• Mahogany frame is distressed by hand.
• Includes chalk and eraser.
• Mounting hardware included.
| |
| | |
