A Great Reason To Thrift...{Catalog Finds}

Howdy, friends! I'm thoroughly enjoying time with family and friends in West Texas.  My camera is working overtime, so I'll hopefully have some wonderful pics to share when I get back... nothing like wide open spaces and friendly faces with a little Texas twang thrown in!

During my travels I've been catching up on catalog perusing and magazine reading {the beauty of having teens that can help with the driving!}.  In the last Pottery Barn Bed and Bath catalog I got hung up on this shabby summery vignette.



Do you love it??  Me, too.

What I don't love?  Sticker shock.  I seriously had to pick my jaw up off the floorboard of my Expedition.  The ledge alone is a whopping $449.  Yikes!  Granted, it's solid mahogany but gee whiz!
Throw in those fabulous chippy frames for $129 and you're suddenly in the poor house. 

Just me, or is that a great reason to go thrifting?

Happy Decorating... and hopefully Thrifting, too!

Catalog Finds: Pottery Barn

Hi, everyone... another busy week come and gone!  Last weekend, I helped my mom choose bedding for one of the guest rooms in their new house {thank you Pottery Barn, Belk Home Store, and Home Goods}!  It's always fun to shop for other people's homes. :) My world also included a basement flood this week so I'm a little behind, but I'm pressing on with few more home projects this weekend, including my Easter tablescape that I'll share next week.  In the meantime, I thought I'd bring you a Catalog Finds post and remind you to check out my guest post on Fancy Little Things if you haven't already.  I'd love your feedback!

This Catalog Finds brings back an old favorite inspiration source.  Once again, I'm enamoured with the fabulous Pottery Barn catalog!  When the new April issue hit my mailbox, I found myself reaching for my little Post-It flags. :)  Here are my favorites this time around.


Love the Galvanized collection for outdoor and casual entertaining!



Their new Coral Rug is so subtle yet gorgeous.



The Beachcomber Serve collection adds perfect texture and interest to your dining display.



I think every decor-lover and designer should have these precious Vintage Chair prints! {These are a steal at $34 for the set!}


Adorable Shell and Starfish Soapdishes... only $10!



Beautiful and rustic Camille Framework Mirror... a statement piece, I think.

Much of this catalog had nautical flair and I loved every page.  Had to snag my mom her own copy at Pottery Barn so I could hang onto my own. :) 

Which is your favorite?

Happy Shopping and Happy Decorating!

Easy Winter Table

I hate to admit it, but my dining room table typically functions as a dumping ground... for school projects in process, gifts that need wrapping and/or mailing, items that need a landing strip before being put away. I know-- not very stylish or organized! But several times a year, I get the urge to make my dining room look like... well, a dining room. A clean, quiet, decorated dining room.

I was thrilled when my new mercury glass candleholders from Pottery Barn arrived last week, as they were the last pieces to a very simple puzzle for my winter dining room table.

I think they're the perfect partners for my Willow House Royal Street Urn. I added a bed of moss and a creamy pillar candle on each. The pillars would be simple to dress up with bands of ribbon, too. For the twig arrangement in my Royal Street Urn, I filled the urn with scrunched up packing paper and inserted several simple twigs and a few I spray painted gold for the holidays...just the right amount of glitz. Then I packed pine cones around the twig arrangement for added support. One of my silver trays anchors the arrangement along with some scattered pine cones. I could add fruit or fresh flowers to the tray for added color and interest if I wanted to dress it up.

For now, I'm enjoying the simplicity... and having a clean dining room table. :)

How about you? Does your dining room table stay pristine or become a staging area for your busy household?

The Royal Street Urn is available through my website. Click HERE for ordering information.

I Can't Resist... this Map Wall

Confession: I'm inspired by the Pottery Barn catalog. Not only do they stage their products brilliantly, but the pages are full of great design ideas that you can incorporate into your own decor. This map wall is the latest idea that's captured my imagination.

I love this idea for large expanses of wall space. Here they have used a collection of several nautical drawings and maps. But this is one of those projects that can easily be personalized. Choose maps or drawings of favorite travel destinations, your home state, or where your family comes from. Talk about a personal expression!

The catalog even provides "how to" tips, such as using a heavy duty double-sided tape instead of wallpaper paste. They also suggest starting at the top left and working your way down, smoothing and overlapping a bit as you go. Here they further secure them by mounting architectural elements that also add three dimensionality. The same could be achieved with ledges, which are readily available at Target, WalMart, or Home Depot in a variety of styles.

Take a catalog's inspiring pages and make it your own with a little imagination. Happy Decorating!

Wake Up Your Winter Decor

I've given some tidbits of my family room refresh lately, so I thought I'd close out the week with a few thoughts on winter decor.  I'm not one that decorates for every holiday.  Honestly, it's too much trouble and too time-consuming. I may give a nod to Halloween or Valentine's Day in little touches, but I mostly decorate by season.  This way I feel like I'm getting a "new" look on a regular basis, even if it's simply changing out my vase fillers and rearranging the family photos.

This winter I undertook a little something bigger in my family room.  For some reason, it's just never felt "finished" to me.  When I'm super busy, it doesn't really bother me.  But when life has slowed a bit, it starts to work on me!  My vision actually germinated even before Christmas.  I'm just now fleshing it out, bit by bit, working with a tight budget to freshen up my decor.  Here's a few tips that I've found are working for me.

Expand your space.  Mirrors are a great way to open up your space and reflect more light into your space. 

Chancellor Mirror from Willow House

Add in some metallic accessories.  Silver balls, a pewter pitcher or picture frame, or mercury glass pieces keep the light moving throughout your space.  Shop around your home and in your kitchen cabinets to see what you already have.

Ballard's Designs Silver candlsticks

Keep it light.  Don't forget about glass to keep accessories light and bright.  Pull out your simple glass vases or hurricanes, fill with coffee beans or split peas and a pillar candle or a simple vase filler.  These pieces are easy to refresh for a holiday like Valentine's Day or Easter.

Pottery Barn's Recycled Glass Collection

Swap out pillows and throws for lighter colors.  Even lighter shades of your furniture's colors makes a huge difference.  You can't go wrong with white, cream, or taupe, but don't be afraid to experiment with brighter colors and fresh patterns. 

Ballards Designs Le Poeme pillow

Add some green-- plants!  Pick up a couple of inexpensive low-maintenance plants like a pothos or English ivy.  Pull out your soup tureen or a favorite serving bowl for an interesting container.  Even your silver champagne bucket makes a striking home for some fresh greenery.  If all else fails, invest in a topiary or two or some silk ivy from your local craft store. 

Pier 1's Boxwood Topiaries

Remember to shop in your own home first! You'll be happiest with your refresh project if you spend as little as possible to make it happen.

Coming soon: Family room bookcase makeover.

The Chancellor Mirror is available through me by clicking HERE to shop my e-store.
Happy Decorating!

Mad for Metallics

My quest to lighten and brighten my family room has taken on new lustre.  Metallics have been around for awhile, but lately they are catching my eye more than ever. 

Here's my family room challenge: it's not a very large room with only your average 9 foot ceilings.  It gets nice morning light, but can be quite dim in the afternoon hours.  I have a large chocolate brown suede sofa that is terribly comfortable and cozy, but makes the space seem even darker during our short winter afternoons.  I have several wood pieces as well: coffee table, antique writing desk, media stand.

My solution?  More reflective accessories-- i.e. metallics!

I'm off to a great start with my new Ballards mirror.  It's large for the space, but it catches lots of light and with because it's virtually frameless it seems even more expansive.  I added some silver balls and my sweet little metallic deer.  Love my new mantlescape.

Loved it so much, I thought about incorporating even more metallics in the room.  I don't think I could go this far with a silver table.




Kirsten Grove via hgtv.com

 But I do like this look from One Kings Lane...

Truth be told, I'm not really in the market for a new table in the family room, but I was fascinated by all the options in metallics and how you can mix different metallics within the same room or even the same vignette.  It's the accessories that I need, right?

Like these mercury glass candlesticks from Pottery Barn. *Confession-- I have two on back order*  I got them on sale right after Christmas and will have fun finding a dark little corner for these to brighten.



photo by Erika Powell via hgtv.com



How about this simple idea?  Spray paint an ordinary wreath to have an extraordinary accessory.  This would be just as lovely in front of a powder room mirror as it is over this cooktop or on a front door.  Budget-friendly... I like it!

Even more budget-friendly?  Shop around your home.  When I did, I was amazed at what I found.  I have a sideboard full of silver-- in need of polishing admittedly -- but there for the taking.  Why wasn't I using all these pieces anyway?  I had, for some reason, relegated my silver to the dining room. I probably stored them away, tired of polishing on a semi-annual basis, only to have them sit in our little-used dining room unappreciated. 

My newly inspired self said, "Nonsense!"  and I got busy polishing. My grandmother not only displayed her silver pieces, but she used her silver every day.  I could hear her in my ear: "If you use it everyday, it will never need polishing."  And wouldn't these little-used pieces be the perfect accents for my dim little family room?  I didn't think so before, but I've been... enlightened.

I'll post some pictures in the next few days where my silver pieces have landed.  In the meantime, I drew further inspiration from Joan over at For the Love of a House.  I'm not sure how I found her blog, but her entry way and now her kitchen have drawn me in.  She also has some wonderful posts on her collection of hotel silver.  Click over there and see if you find yourself inspired to pull out your silver. :)

Happy Decorating!



Holiday Decor Tip: Packages on the Porch

2009 Christmas with Southern Living

Your front porch is the gateway to your home, so during the holidays don't neglect to decorate it, too!  I love the idea of stacks of wrapped packages on a covered porch.  Choose empty boxes in a few different sizes and wrap with coordinating or complementary papers and large ribbon.  Notice here that only the top package has a big bow.  Use them as pedestals for smaller lanterns (using flame less pillars of course), or nestled among your planters. 

Coming soon:  A tutorial on how to make a moss-covered package-- one of my favorite, super easy decorating touches for the porch.

If you're keen on the lanterns pictured here (and who wouldn't be!), the red one can be found at jeremiecorp.com and the dark metal lanterns are from Pottery Barn.

Great look!!

Here's Your Hook-Up!

The beginning of school is upon us and my thoughts always turn to ORGANIZATION.  I don't claim to be an expert or even proficient at organization, but I do a pretty fair job of keeping the household rolling in a somewhat orderly fashion.  The big question:  what to do with all the STUFF?  My favorite solution?  Hooks.  Plain and simple.  Perfect for sweaters or light jackets, backpacks, umbrellas, dog leashes, lunch boxes, even shoes (cleats in my house) with the laces tied together.  They don't have to be the plain jane garden variety either... consider this your hook-up!

Love these... from my friends over at One Kings Lane this week.

Have a nautical theme?  On sale at One Kings Lane-- perfect for bathroom towels.

How about these from Ballard Designs?

Disguised as sculpture... from Pottery Barn

Again from Pottery Barn... and marked down right now :)... cute for a mud room!

Beautiful and functional from Pierre Deux.  The shelf adds another organizational tool.

Hurston Collection Hooks from Willow House (contact me to order)

Serve It Up

For your summertime entertaining, a beverage server makes sense.  Here's a few of my favorites... they make even the simplest drink look beautiful.

Beehive Drink Dispenser from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Glass Beverage Servers from Pottery Barn.

Triple beverage dispenser with spigot from Neiman Marcus.

Acrylic beverage servers from Pottery Barn.

Mason Jar Beverage Server from Pottery Barn.

Del Sol Set of 2 Beverage Servers from classichostess.com

My very own Savannah Beverage Server from Southern Living at HOME.

A-Tisket, A-Tasket

There is nothing better, in my opinion, for home organization than baskets.  Since home is where YOUR heart is, sterile bins and boxes just won't cut it.  Keep your home looking "homey" with baskets of all sizes, colors, even shapes.  Buy them in sets, or pick out your individual favorites-- you can find them anywhere: Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Target, you name it. 

Handled baskets make great carry-alls or informal totes.  Use them around the house or to transport anything and everything.  Here are two gorgeous options from Ballard Designs.

Round or oval baskets are great for storing oddly shaped items or items of several different sizes.  They work brilliantly for rolled towels in the bathroom, children's shoes by the back door, or remote controls on the coffee table. Don't forget a tall one for gift wrap and a coordinating smaller one for spools of ribbon. Love this one from Pottery Barn.

In the home office, look for square or rectangular baskets that can organize files, books, or paperwork.  The square shapes fit most easily on bookshelves or can be stacked on top of one another to save space.  These Havanna beauties are from Pottery Barn also, but less expensive versions are readily available at Target and WalMart.

Want a little personalization or labels?  Elle Decor has a sweet and simple project for your basic baskets to help tie everything together.  Their DIY section has step by step instructions on how to create these little gems.

If you're like me you've probably accumulated quite a few baskets over the years.  They probably vary in size, shape, and even color.  When my teenage daughter recently decided to "redecorate" her room on a budget, we collected several odd-ball baskets and she spray painted them all black, the accent color in her new room.

For a variety of unusual baskets, check out House Beautiful's collection.  Happy organizing!

Tip of the Week: Light Your Way

I've been inspired by all the beautiful and varied lanterns I've seen in stores, online, and in catalogs lately.  Now that your yard and deck are party-ready, be ready to shed some light and ambience on your outdoor decor with a collection of lanterns.  Not only are they the perfect disguise for those oft-needed citronella candles to control unwanted guests, but they're a wonderful and cozy alternative to flood lights or porch lights once the sun goes down.

For large open spaces you can cluster a variety of sizes around your container plantings.  Suspend smaller ones from the inner spokes of your umbrella or from shepherd's hooks in your yard or along your walkway.  Illuminate your outdoor dining table with one or more and don't forget to place a few strategically where you need a bit of light, such as in smaller seating areas or near a step that might be missed in the dark. 

Of course, I have some beautiful lanterns in my catalog on my website, such as the classic Drake Lantern and it's coordinating minis, the Firefly Lanterns, perfect for votive candles (pictured here).  The removeable glass cylinders will house your pillars or can be used as vases if you want to mix in some flowers.  If you want glass on the sides to protect your flame from breezes, try our beautiful Carriage House Lantern, with it's gold metallic finish and interesting detail.

But in all fairness, you can find lovely and affordable lanterns at Pottery Barn or my beloved Ballard Designs.  I've even spied some oversized but still inexpensive ones at Pier One.  In other words, keep your eyes open-- they abound in stores now!  The beauty of lanterns is that they can be enjoyed year-round.  Bring them inside in the winter time to add pizazz to a hall table or bookcase or even the powder room.  Now THAT's getting your money's worth!