Bathroom Renovation Update

I had to laugh when I saw this photo today because this is SO what my bathroom wall looks like right now expect with grey paint swatches. Just like everything else in my life I feel like I need to see it all before I can pick just one so my wonderful husband just keeps painting new swatches on the wall! I promise to pick one this week and hopefully have some before-and-after photos to share next week!

Photo Courtesy:

The Fabric of my Life

Math = Art

Home décor for the math geek in all of us! I heart CB2 J

Photo Courtesy:
CB2

Clear Chairs

What do we think about clear chairs? They work in this room and the clean up on them would be awesome!! Still not sure I can pull them off though.
Photo Courtesy:

Pepper Design Blog

Bathroom Project 2010

Justin and I have finally decided that it is time to tackle the salmon pink bathroom that haunts us every time we walk by it! That said, I am in the process of pulling together my inspiration board for this project and just keep coming across the fabulous idea to use a vintage ladder as a towel rack! In this example they even added a shelf to one of the rungs on the ladder for a little more storage.

Photo Courtesy:

Cunhatuna's Photostream

Score One for Recycling

I love when people turn someone else’s garbage into a fabulous treasure of their own and that is exactly what Marisa did over at make*happy! She took a weathered old scoreboard from a local community youth baseball field and turned it in to the perfect finishing touch for her entryway. She was able to cut off the bottom keeping the numbers and the word "Inning” and then simply add hooks under each number to make it an adorable coat rack! She also saved the portion of the scoreboard that said "Guest" to eventually use in her guest room!

I am definitely feeling very inspired by Marisa’s creativity and it has got me wondering, have you salvaged anything recently that you were able to turn into something delightful?

Photos Courtesy:
make*happy

The Best Seat in the House

My husband and I received this amazing Whit McLeod folding wine barrel chair as a house warming gift from a friend in California a few weeks ago and immediately fell in love! It could not have come at a more perfect time since we were having a party that night and did not have nearly enough seating for all the guests! It also served as a great conversation starter since the chair is made from a salvaged 70-gallon oak wine barrel and is numbered with the name of the winery. In fact, it turns out that all McLeod furniture is made from reclaimed wood that provides the benefits of old-growth timber without the environmental costs which means the tree hugger in me can feel even more free while sipping wine in this chic chair! Thanks KSB!

Photos Courtesy:
Whit McLeod

Ribbon Wreaths

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a thing for ribbon (three baskets full to be exact). So when I saw these wreaths I freaked. They are just too cute and EASY to make. I can totally see doing one of these in a double satin silver ribbon for the holidays with some fun metallic ornaments! I included the directions below but you can also find a step-by-step guide with photos at Wedding Bee.

Supplies:
12″ foam wreath form
24 yards 1 1/4″ black grosgrain ribbon (or less if using a wider ribbon)
Scissors
Measuring tape

Steps:
Cut 45-50 16″ pieces of ribbon.
Tie one strand of ribbon in a knot around the wreath. I used a “messy knot” — right over left, then right over left again, pulling in the opposite direction. It doesn’t really matter how you do it as long as you are consistent all the way around. Repeat with the knots, pushing them close together, until you fill the wreath.
Cut one long piece of ribbon (48″) and tie one end to form a knot. Leave a long loop for hanging and tie another knot onto the wreath.
Trim any frayed or long ends.

Photos Courtesy:
The long Thread
Wedding Bee

Metallic Pumpkins

These metallic pumpkins are sure to make your neighbors jealous and your squirrels confused :) We usually don’t start to see metallic’s until closer to Christmas but these classy gourds make me want to pick up a paint brush and get to gilding!

Photos Courtesy:
The Party Dress
AZ Central
Victoria Lavender
Country Living

The Road of Life

Due to a death in the family I will be taking this week off from blogging. However, I am leaving you with one of my favorite paintings by an artist out of Iowa, Fred Easker. This photo always helps to reminds me not only of where I have come from also that I don't always know where life’s road is taking me so sometimes it is ok to just sit back and enjoy some homemade rubarb pie!

Photo Courtesy:

Fred Easker

Soap Sets

I am always looking for cheap chic housewarming gifts and when I saw these boxed sets of hand soaps by Claus Porto I totally fell in love. They are such a steal at only $19 a box!





This 117 year old company is family owned and run and each soap is milled seven times so it won’t crack or splint. They come in fabulous scents like pear sandalwood, lime basil and water lily. You can pick up a set at Lafco.

Photos Courtesy:
Claus Porto

Wall Textures

I have to admit that when I think of "wall paper" or "wall fabric" I totally think 1980's. However the amazing designers over at Osborne & Little totally have me swooning over their use of wall textures! Check out some of their work below!

Photos courtesy: Osborne & Little