My dining room has slowly been evolving over the last 18 months. When I first moved in, it was a classic red - which is fine, but just not me. I decided to paint it a metallic silver ( Ralph Lauren- Ambassador Sterling) to make the room more luminous and sparkling ( especially for late night dinner parties).
My table is just a simple MDF board party table from Ballard Designs. I love skirted roundtables ( and the blog of the same name!) because they are so functional, while also being extremely warm and glamorous.
I'd been at a loss, however, on how to dress my table. Custom made table cloths that go the floor start at $200 for the labor- not including the fabric and Im not a position (yet) to be spending $400 on a table cloth. I bought a ready made, cream burlap tablecloth from Ballards Backroom ( fave store in Atlanta) for $60, but it just didn't look finished.
Mom to the rescue ( again). While I didn't get my frye boots ( tear*), my mom did make me a wonderful topper to go over my basic burlap tablecloth, instantly adding a little pattern and pizazz to my room. She also gave me a gift card to buy a very much needed glass top for the table. Now it's 20 times easier to keep clean and way more functional!
Next steps for the dining room will be getting the nightstands painted , new lamps, and some European style relaxed roman shades with a flat front- probably in a cream with a border that matches the topper! Also contemplating painting the room cappicino white with large cream
horizontal stripes ( I think it wll give the room some scale as well as add some much need pattern to my condo). Mom is against, so we'll see who wins out.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas Wish List
To all those who love me ( hint hint)....
Frye Melissa Button Riding Boots in Cognac, size 8.5
Gold Sunburst Mirror
Cuisinart 7 Cup Food Processor
LL Bean Washable Wool Throw in Red Plaid
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Curtains! Part 1
I took vacation last week, and went back home to Memphis. I love being at home with my family, eating, laughing, watching movies, and not least of all, getting my Mom's help on decorating my house.
I've mentioned before my Mom's role in my decorating obsession, and this past week was no exception. I have been in desperate need for new curtains in my bedroom. My original curtains were 108" Faux Silk curtains in Ivory from Chris Madden's JC Penny line ( minus the swag- totally not my style). While a lovely temporary solution, they did nothing to keep at bay the drafts coming in from my 80 year old windows.
So I begged, pleaded, and groveled. And, at length, my Mom agreed to help me make lined drapes.
First, she picked out the fabric, which was a nice white linen weave with a thick cross weave pattern from a store in Memphis called Johnson's Fabrics ( love it! 10 yds @ 16.95 a yard). I decided I wanted white white drapes to go against my robin's egg blue walls.
Then, we set up an old ping pong table in our garage ( we are scrappy decorators), wrapped the tables in old comforters, and got to work.
Using a meter stick, we measured out the drapes to 112' panels ( for a total finished length of 104" with a 4 inch hem at each end.
Then we needed to cut out 4 panels. My mom and grandmother, being the smart women that they are, taught me a little trick. If you pull ONE thread from the edge of the fabric and carefully guide it along the width, you can make a straight cut across! How cool!
.jpg)
To be continued..
I've mentioned before my Mom's role in my decorating obsession, and this past week was no exception. I have been in desperate need for new curtains in my bedroom. My original curtains were 108" Faux Silk curtains in Ivory from Chris Madden's JC Penny line ( minus the swag- totally not my style). While a lovely temporary solution, they did nothing to keep at bay the drafts coming in from my 80 year old windows.
So I begged, pleaded, and groveled. And, at length, my Mom agreed to help me make lined drapes.
First, she picked out the fabric, which was a nice white linen weave with a thick cross weave pattern from a store in Memphis called Johnson's Fabrics ( love it! 10 yds @ 16.95 a yard). I decided I wanted white white drapes to go against my robin's egg blue walls.
Then, we set up an old ping pong table in our garage ( we are scrappy decorators), wrapped the tables in old comforters, and got to work.
Using a meter stick, we measured out the drapes to 112' panels ( for a total finished length of 104" with a 4 inch hem at each end.
Then we needed to cut out 4 panels. My mom and grandmother, being the smart women that they are, taught me a little trick. If you pull ONE thread from the edge of the fabric and carefully guide it along the width, you can make a straight cut across! How cool!
.jpg)
To be continued..
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
What is Particle Board?
Ever since I was a little girl, trailing my mom in the antique stores and furniture boutiques, there has always been one thing sure to bring a sneer to my mothers face and cause her to recoil in disgust from an apparently perfect piece of furniture...
"Ugh- its PARTICLE BOARD!"
Like a creature from the deep, this mythical particle board was the Boogey Man to my Jonathan Adler. Other children abhorred broccoli and dentists visits ( both of which, coincidentally, I enjoyed)- I hated particle board.
Funny thing is, except for the knowledge that "Particle Board is BAD"- I really didn't know what it was. So for you- dear reader, I researched. And here is what I found ( courtesy of Wikipedia):
Particle board, or particleboard, (or chipboard in the UK, Australia and some other countries) is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood particles, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even saw dust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded. Particleboard is a composite material. Particleboard is cheaper, denser and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when appearance and strength are less important than cost. However, particleboard can be made more attractive by painting or the use of wood veneers that are glued onto surfaces that will be visible. A major disadvantage of particleboard is that it is very prone to expansion and discoloration due to moisture, particularly when it is not covered with paint or another sealer.
So, you see, dear reader, particle board isn't all bad. Its cheaper and sometimes more resilient than solid wood. But buyer beware! That perfect piece you find in Pottery Barn, or West Elm, and definitely Ikea could be particle board. While cost effective and strong, particle board isn't built to last. So if you are just starting out, furnishing your first place, particle board furniture can be an attractive and cost effective way to go. But if you are looking for longer term, major pieces, you definitely want to consider going for solid wood for its durability and long term value.
"Ugh- its PARTICLE BOARD!"
Like a creature from the deep, this mythical particle board was the Boogey Man to my Jonathan Adler. Other children abhorred broccoli and dentists visits ( both of which, coincidentally, I enjoyed)- I hated particle board.
Funny thing is, except for the knowledge that "Particle Board is BAD"- I really didn't know what it was. So for you- dear reader, I researched. And here is what I found ( courtesy of Wikipedia):
Particle board, or particleboard, (or chipboard in the UK, Australia and some other countries) is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood particles, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even saw dust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded. Particleboard is a composite material. Particleboard is cheaper, denser and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when appearance and strength are less important than cost. However, particleboard can be made more attractive by painting or the use of wood veneers that are glued onto surfaces that will be visible. A major disadvantage of particleboard is that it is very prone to expansion and discoloration due to moisture, particularly when it is not covered with paint or another sealer.
So, you see, dear reader, particle board isn't all bad. Its cheaper and sometimes more resilient than solid wood. But buyer beware! That perfect piece you find in Pottery Barn, or West Elm, and definitely Ikea could be particle board. While cost effective and strong, particle board isn't built to last. So if you are just starting out, furnishing your first place, particle board furniture can be an attractive and cost effective way to go. But if you are looking for longer term, major pieces, you definitely want to consider going for solid wood for its durability and long term value.
Sofa Candidate #1
Though my Dear Boyfriend promised me a new sofa next Christmas ( I hope he doesn't think I'll forget! ), I don't know if I have the patience to wait that long.
My first sofa is a small, modern number in a tan twill fabric with a matching ottoman. Like an ex-boyfriend, I will always umm, "cherish the memories", but I'm itching for an upgrade. Today, while surfing Apartment Therapy, I found this one.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Heaven! Clean lines, classic style, and.....
Its a sleeper !! Bonus for my tres petite maison! Who couldn't use a little extra functionality in a limited space situation?
Perhaps the sofa with an gray velvet....mmmmm ( love Lewis and Sharon Fabrics!)
My first sofa is a small, modern number in a tan twill fabric with a matching ottoman. Like an ex-boyfriend, I will always umm, "cherish the memories", but I'm itching for an upgrade. Today, while surfing Apartment Therapy, I found this one.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Heaven! Clean lines, classic style, and.....Its a sleeper !! Bonus for my tres petite maison! Who couldn't use a little extra functionality in a limited space situation?
Perhaps the sofa with an gray velvet....mmmmm ( love Lewis and Sharon Fabrics!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
