Happy (long) Weekend!!

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I'm out of here kiddos!  I'm in Orange County for one of my best friend's weddings... OFFICIALLY checking out for the weekend.

Hope you all have a safe, and lovely long weekend!

xoxo

A Little Red Rug

Red is a color I stay away from in our own home...

Perhaps it's from seeing a few too many homes in the 1990's look like this:

Woof.

There's a lot of red, and a lot of brown... and all together it equals... just a lot.  Too much.  I call this look "faux elegance".

That said, I have a real appreciation for this loud color when used in the RIGHT way.  For me, that would be in accessories.  More specifically, I could really see myself incorporating this color through a Persian rug... but not an uber traditional rug - one with more of a tribal print.  I swear I'm not trying to be vague!!  If you're not entirely sure what I'm talking about, check out Jenny's (of the Little Green Notebook):

She had this great little rug: from in her New York kitchen.  See what I mean?  With a less traditional pattern, that is more graphic and "chunky" it really makes this space come alive!

Here are some other good examples of using red Persian rugs without going overboard...

Eclectic Hall by Seattle Interior Designers & Decorators Tewes Design

This hallway had me at hello... white adobe walls, substantial wooden beams.  It's classic Spanish style meets the middle east, and the punch of red on this flat woven rug is absolute perfection...

Traditional Kitchen by Rehoboth Beach Home Builders Echelon Custom Homes

Again... here we have a nice neutral kitchen, and the red runner just wakes things up a bit (plus, whatever gets spilled on this rug will disappear instantaneously with all the dark colors and pattern)

Contemporary Family Room by New York Architects & Designers BWArchitects (formerly Basil Walter Architects)

I love this pair of rugs in the library.  With a full wall of books, it's hard to go wrong here, but they just add a global element, and having a more simple, large diamond pattern in the area rug isn't too busy against all the book spines.

Asian Kitchen

This rug isn't Persian - it's more southwestern, but I love it.  Again, who would think to put a large rug like this in a kitchen??  Not that many people, but with so many spills, it's genius!  Just don't put an heirloom in there...

So what is my conclusion about red?

When done in small doses, it's amazing!

I'd go for red rugs with a global feel (Persian or Southwestern seem the safest).  More graphic patterns are also easier and at all costs, stay away from any red rug that looks "faux Tuscan villa", or "old European" in any way shape or form.

Home Decor Discovery

I've always been a huge fan of Polyvore.  Always.  Amazing solution to aggregate fashion online, and hands down my favorite source for discovery.  If I had a specific item in mind (gold strappy high-heels for example) I'd type it in, filter by price, and voila, there were options at my fingertips!

Well, amazing AMAZING news!!  I just discovered that in addition to fashion, they also have a home decor filter.  Yes... I know.... HUGE!

Let's say I'm looking for a rustic side table (or coffee table)... chose "tables" from the main category, filter with the keyword "rustic" and there you have it!  Could it be simpler???

After discovering this, I felt inspired, and pulled together some collections of things I've been browsing myself...

First up: the rustic occasional table... to replace our dark faux wood coffee and side tables that are currently in our living room.  I'm really drawn to the lighter natural wood finishes, metal details, x-bar reinforcements, and tiered storage...

Rustic Occasional Tables by beckyc1923 featuring storage furniture

Wood table / Rustic furniture / Storage furniture / White table / Oak wood furniture / Antiqued furniture / Brown leather furniture / Storage furniture / Wood coffee table / Andrew Martin turn table, $2,375 / Circular table / Distressed furniture / West Elm accent table / Mahogany wood furniture

I also went a step further to browse art, since I've been toying with the idea of revamping the gallery wall in our living room... for fall, I am really liking the more muted color palates, nature inspired pieces, and quirky photographs with an aged "instagram like" quality.  The elephant is absolutely AMAZING, and I think Kris would like the old surf photo.

Art by beckyc1923 featuring wood wall art

Wall art / Octopus home decor / Photo wall art / Wood wall art / Canvas wall art / White home decor / Slim Aarons beach home accessory / Oil painting / Ethan Allen butterfly wall art / Black and white wall art / Black and white wall art

And, while we are not necessarily IN NEED of gorgeous chandeliers, or lamps right now, I've been toying with the idea of swapping out the brushed metal lamps in the living room, for something a little more mid-century... just for a while!  These lamps have served me well - six years, and four apartments!!

Lamps by beckyc1923 featuring american lighting

Midcentury modern lighting / Energy efficient light, $31 / Modern lamp / Modern hanging light / Bungalow 5 american lighting / Simon Pearce glass lighting / Eichholtz black shades, $410 / White lamp / Italian lighting / Round shades, $380 / Circular lamp / Trend Lighting brushed nickel lighting / Trend Lighting sheer shades / Pharmacy floor lamp / Steuart Padwick sticky lamp / Task lamp

This is in no way sponsored by the way - I just happen to love Polyvore, and think that this is so cool!  Fashion, AND home decor??? Such a cool tool when you're looking for something specific!

The Comeback of the One Piece

Summer is coming to a close in most parts of the country, which means that it's back to school time for most families.  That's why September is one of my favorite times to vacation - all the kiddos are back in school, so the resorts and beaches have fewer tantrum throwing toddlers.  AMEN to that!! With vacation on the brain, let's talk about swimsuits, shall we?

While I still love a good bikini, I know I'm not the only one who has been on a vacation, chowing down on tacos and margaritas, and wishing for a little more... "coverage" in the tummy area.  Am I right??  I've spotted A LOT of really amazing options out there with retro cuts, figure flattering shapes, and deep plunging necklines...

I pulled together a few of my favorites:

One Pieces by beckyc1923 featuring one piece swimsuits

Mink Pink one piece swimsuit, $115 / ASOS one piece swimsuit, $54 / La Blanca one piece swimsuit / ASOS one piece swimsuit, $44 / Zimmermann one piece swimsuit / Topshop one piece swimsuit / Lisa Marie Fernandez one piece swimsuit / Miraclesuit one piece swimsuit, $220 / Caffé Swimwear one piece swimsuit / Topshop one piece swimsuit / CHROMAT one piece swimsuit / Roksanda Ilincic one piece swimsuit / Melissa Odabash one piece swimsuit

I have so many favorites in this bunch, it's hard to narrow it down!!

I mean, the red and hot pink number is A-MA-ZING, and the color-blocked waist will visually shrink your middle.    The retro shapes are also so awesome - the strapless styles, that have a corseted look and feel are so "South Pacific".  The black with the white piping and the tropical top with the navy bottom is also adorable.

I actually ordered the navy plunge one-piece from ASOS, and hope it fits!  (never know with European sizing...)

So what do you think?? Would you rock a one-piece on your next vacation, or stick with the bikini??

Black and White

I have a little love affair going with graphic black and white patterns right now...

It's apparent from the black and white pattern mix going on in our dining room right now with the wicker chair makeover, and I'm finding myself picking up fun black and white accessories here and there.  Our living room has been saturated with color for months now, and while I'm not one of those people who can live in a home devoid of color for too long, there is something so appealing about this simple color palatte.

This clean white room is a favorite of mine - it's simple, but not boring, with the graphic punch coming from the pillows and striped rug.

Eclectic Living Room by New York Architects & Designers SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

If this were our bathroom, I could die a happy girl.  The wallpaper is fabulous in all it's psychedelic glory, but the clean white shower curtain gives the eye something to rest on amid the busy patterned walls.

Eclectic Bathroom by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

While I'm sure this rug isn't from Ikea (my guess is that it's the Madeline Weinrib version... quite pricey), but it's so fun.  Nate Berkus uses a similar version in many of his designs as well...

Eclectic Family Room by San Juan Capistrano Closet & Home Storage Designers Tara Bussema

Striped curtains - everything else in here is pretty simple, but these curtains make this room something to stop and look at!

Traditional Family Room by Detroit Interior Designers & Decorators The Yellow Cape Cod

And again, more fab black and white wallpaper.  We're still renting, but one day a sweet little powder bath is going to get one heck of a makeover in our house with something fabulous like this.....

Contemporary Home Office by Saskatoon Interior Designers & Decorators Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

Not willing to commit to a pricey rug, or anything so permanant as wallpaper?  Ikea has recently produced some AMAZING pieces (and this is not a sponsored post - I am really just that impressed with them right now) so I pulled together 6 of my favorite pieces they're selling right now...

1. Staggered Stripe Rug
2. Woven Aztec Lumbar Pillow
3. Diamond pattern Area Rug
4. Striped Dinner Plate
5. Striped Knit Throw Blanket
6. Houndstooth Throw Pillow

I actually bought several of the lumbar pillows (they are thick, and look really expensive in person) and the striped throw has been a staple in our living room for the last year.  I also couldn't help myself, and bought four of the large striped dinner plates last week too!  They really are amazing, and would look so great with all white dishes, and a simple table setting.

What do you think? Are you loving black and white as much as I am??

Have you found other fabulous black and white finds recently??

Wicker Chair Makeover

Hey guys!!  I was at a conference for work all week, and have missed my little blog!  It feels good to be back at home, and I am SO excited to share a little project I finished late last night...

I haven't shared many pictures of our dining room so far because it's not "finished" but I'm tired of waiting around!!  Remember this lonely little corner?  I was on the hunt for a comfy overstuffed armchair to wedge in here...

As it turns out, comfy, overstuffed chairs come with a hefty price tag, and since we're about to spend quite a bit on a sofa, I decided to look for alternatives.  This room is now functioning more as an office than as a dining room (side note: I really need to stop referring to it as a dining room) so we just have one chair at the table now.  Since painting the walls, I had put one of the dining room chairs in the corner, but aside from attracting clutter, it was completely non-functional.  So I moved it down to the garage, and turned to plan b...

The wicker chair that used to be in our living room, but has been sitting in our garage all sad and lonely since I haven't been able to sell for months. 

I couldn't even give it away, but since I've had it since I was a child, I just didn't have it in my heart to leave it on our street corner.  I wanted it to find a good home, so it just sat in the garage collecting dust...

Remember it from the living room??

It was white, wicker, and oh so perfect for a little girls room... Not so perfect for a city apartment shared by two adults...

Well, it's nothing that two cans of Rustoleum Bronze spray paint can't fix! Here is the chair sitting all sassy and happy in the corner of our dining room as of this morning...

              

HUGE CHANGE right??  

The chair is hardly recognizable now that it's been sprayed a dark brown.  The paint color is "bronze" but it's not metallic at all - I promise. It's a nice dark brown when all is said and done.  Here's a close up:

                     

This is actually a better, more accurate depiction of it's color:

Chocolate-y.  I kind of love it.

Ok, let's talk about the new seat cushion and accessories, shall we?  I have a little crush going on with black and white right now, and while I still think our living room could live without SO MUCH black furniture, this space needed to be grounded with some black since everything else was white, and grey.

Both pillow case, and fabric for the seat cushion are from Ikea.  The pillow cover is one of my all time favorite Ikea finds actually.  It's thick, and woven, and has amazing texture in person.  And that graphic pattern is like mod-meets-aztec.  AND (it gets better)... it was ONLY $10!!!!  I know - run, don't walk to Ikea - it took all my strength to limit myself to just two.

The striped fabric was $7.99 a yard.  Pretty good as well.

I'd ordered some striped fabric online, and when it arrived, it was sheer.  Clearly not going to work for any sort of upholstery job.  This is thick and durable - perfect for throw pillows, or projects like this.

Well, I'm sure you don't remember the seat cushion on the chair when it was white, but my mom (who by-the-way is as talented as Martha Stewart, but unlike Martha hasn't served prison time) had made a custom fitted cover for it when I was in high-school.  It was cute - a tan color with french quotes scattered on it. Again, perfect for a teenage girl.  We needed an updated cushion cover.

I am no seamstress, but I do own a staple gun, and so I improvised...

I went to the Home Depot and got a piece of MDF - super cheap.  It was $5 or something.  I also got a little hand saw that the guy at Home Depot recommended.  It looked like this:

I have no idea what it's called and I tossed the packaging as soon as I got it home.  Sorry!

Anyway, I traced the cushion onto the MDF, and cut(sawed?) the shape out.  I should have gotten batting to wrap around everything, but I got lazy, so I just stapled the fabric onto the MDF - directly over the existing cushion.  I'm sure my mother is cringing at the idea of this.

Turns out, MDF doesn't really like staples.  Many of them bounced back.  But some stuck (like REALLY stuck... they aren't going ANYWHERE).

So about 200 staples later, we had this:

LOVE it!

On a whim, I also quickly tapped in a nail to the wall to hang up my new mantra below the final shelf...

Can't see what it says??????  Here's a close up:

AMEN TO THAT!

I'm not sure that the size of the frame is quite right, and since I didn't even bother measuring anything before tapping in the nail, it's totally not centered, but it's fine for now.  Maybe a slightly larger frame would do well here...

Moving on...  Since this is a far cry from an overstuffed chair, I wanted there to be a "cozy factor" and picked up one of the sheep skin throws from Ikea (just $30, and it's oh-so-soft). Wicker is not the most comfortable to lounge against, so the fluffy throw is the perfect solution.

Cheap.  Cozy.  Textural.  I love it.

As a side note, they do have faux sheepskin throws, but they were not as soft, and looked kind of raggedy... 

You may also notice the art on the wall... also a few new additions.  I'd been obsessing over the abstract black and white brush stroke art FOREVER, and had debated trying to make some myself, but then saw that West Elm was clearing it out.  I snagged it for $60, and it's BIG.

It's really hard to see, but you can see it most clearly in the below photo (I'll take more later - promise)

I'm working to figure out how to take the pesky door down to add one more large photo to this wall, and open things up (you can see the knob peeking out in the photo above) but the hinges have been painted over probably... oh.... a thousand times in the last 90 years... so the screws are not going anywhere for now.  I'm looking into different options... paint stripper?  Dissolver?  I don't really know... but it's like cement.  It's one secure door.

Stay tuned for updates on that one...

But anyway, this little corner is MUCH happier now, and I am SO THANKFUL I didn't end up getting rid of the wicker chair!  I am really liking how it looks here, after a little TLC.

In total, it cost me around $60 (fabric, throw pillow, sheepskin, + spray paint)... most of the cost comes from the sheepskin throw.  Pretty good though, right?!

We're making progress!!!

A Newer New Logo

I recently debuted a new logo, and while I liked it, I didn't love it...

I spent some time thinking about what it needed... here's the list of what I wanted to change...
  - Less "stuff"
  - More Color
  - Custom Font

Here was where the logo stood:

And here's the updated version:

I'm testing out this new logo (very similar to the last) to see if it sticks...

Thoughts??

Ikea Hack - Dresser turned TV Stand

Man oh man... is it Friday yet???

This week, I've been up to my eyeballs in this...

Accompanied by these - SUPER confusing building instructions...

BTW, what is that first picture trying to say? If you try to attempt this alone, you will fail??  Whatever Ikea... I'm a one woman show!

Just call me Tim the Toolman Taylor!

As of this morning, this is where my newest little project stands.  Give me some credit!  Those are 3 fully functioning drawers on this bad boy!!  They line up and everything!  Woot wooootttt!!!

While I may be celebrating my carpentry prowess a little early, I need to start making some decisions on the direction of this new dresser / TV stand.  It's moving into our bedroom (hopefully sooner rather than later), and I'm starting to think that my original plan for this dresser makeover needs a major overhaul few updates.

This photo was my original inspiration for the dresser makeover.  Pretty right?  Simple and clean with pretty gold hardware...

What's the problem you ask??

It's going in a beige room, with all white bedding, and a creme colored rug.  After giving it some thought, I think it's going to be too blah in there if I paint this thing white.  We need some wow factor!

I turned to Pinterest for a little inspiration (duh, where else) and saw a few pieces of furniture that I'd pinned long ago.  The little wheels in my head started to turn...

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Peacock blue!  Why didn't I think of this before??

Can't you just imagine how fabulous this is going to look, in a nice glossy finish with some brass hardware??

Speaking of hardware... check this out:

You like??  I like!!  They are from some random site called eFaucets.com, but at $1.50 each, they could be coming from Timbuktu and I wouldn't care.

Thinking it's a bit much?  It's not.  I don't think...

Look at these totally tasteful examples of how to incorporate a brass lion's head drawer pull into any room!

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See, a traditional take above....

And a little more sassy below...

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Either way, its $20 total for 12 pulls, so if I hate them, it's not a HUGE loss, and if I love them... then it's potentially the best $20 I've spent yet!  I mean how cool are those lion heads?!

Wish me luck, I hear that priming and painting pine can be a huge pain in the you know what (apparently pine seeps sap, making the paint harder to adhere??)

Metallic Magnets for your Refrigerator

This DIY idea started with this necklace....

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...and from there, I thought of a super easy DIY that would give instant pizzazz to any blah kitchen.

You know those crazy, colorful alphabet magnets you see in most college apartments, and pretty much any home with small children??

I just realized that these magnets spell out Punch me in the Face... do we think this is a college apartment or what??

Yep, those ones... well how chic would they look in a single metallic tone!

Is it just me, or is this the coolest way to jazz up a boring refrigerator??  A cheap package of those plastic alphabet magnets, and a can of copper (or gold) spray paint!!

It's like jewelry for your fridge!  I am sooooo loving this idea...

Buy the magnets HERE
Buy the spray paint HERE

So cool, right??

Steel Cased Windows

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I am so beyond obsessed with steel windows and doors.  With this awful weather in SF, and what has been one extended bad hair day for the past month, I've been daydreaming of leaving the city for warmer weather, and more space.  I downloaded the Zillow app recently to browse house listings in the bay area (you know... just to see...), and it has become a huge time suck as I indulge in reality TV each night...

Let's be completely honest with each other ok?  Ok... the bay area is expensive... really expensive... so most of the houses in our price range feature lovely Formica counter-tops, fluorescent overhead lighting (always super flattering), shag carpet, lots of yellowed linoleum, and horrid faux finishes galore.

Let me paint the picture... this is what $950K gets you:

WOOF!

Luckily for me, I see past all the hideousness, and imagine all the things I'd do to transform these homes from the Nightmare on Elm Street... and yes, it does take A LOT of imagination...

One of my favorite architectural details that I would absolutely LOVE to incorporate into our future home is steel framed windows and doors.  They are super clean and simple, a little industrial, and yet still seamlessly fit in almost any style space, from contemporary, to Spanish, to classic.

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Um... OMG those wood beams paired with the steel cased windows are TO DIE FOR. Double-threat! I also love the overhead industrial sconces, and the simple black and white color palate.  I really think the thin steel frames on these windows and doors let the outside in, and don't detract from anything!

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If this isn't an entryway... I don't know what it.  Sooo simple, but so pretty.

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And a wall of these windows just let's so much light into this dark tone kitchen.

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Everything.  Love.  The black lacquered tile floors, the french bistro chairs, corner bench seating, black and white galore, that pretty blue and white chinoiserie vase (with tea roses)... and of course those windows.

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And of course, they are right at home in this industrial work space...

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And as natural as they looked in an industrial space, the steel cased windows are as at home in this earthy living room...

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And this arched steel cased window is amazing.  So pretty in an all white, simple room.

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I mean... this is the stuff dreams are made of right???