I love seeing light and bright interiors, with a touch of warmth from a cozy blanket or throw.

And bringing flowering branches indoors is a great way to lighten up your decor for spring.

Sometimes all that’s needed are some new throw pillows or accessories in brighter and cheerful colors.

Hey, dogs can get ready for spring too….

(for a how-to on ...]]> Cozy spring decor may sound a bit like a contridiction, but it’s perfect for this time of year.  It’s still chilly outside, but you’re craving spring!

I love seeing light and bright interiors, with a touch of warmth from a cozy blanket or throw.

And bringing flowering branches indoors is a great way to lighten up your decor for spring.

Sometimes all that’s needed are some new throw pillows or accessories in brighter and cheerful colors.

Hey, dogs can get ready for spring too….

(for a how-to on making this cute little pet bed, go here)

Do you change anything around or do anything in your home for springtime?

*Photos from  Better Homes & Gardens, My Favorite and My Best, Country Living, Flickr, Domino from 2006, Apartment Therapy, Country Living, Country Living, and Apartment Therapy.

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I think we can grab inspiration from all around us, especially from nature.  When things are kind of bleak outside as they are now, it’s nice to recall the colors of green grass against the blue sky.  I think blue and green go so well together, from aqua and olive to kelly and sky blue!

Blue and green combinations can be so fresh.  They remind me of the spring that is (hopefully) just around the corner! 

What are some of your favorite ...]]>

I think we can grab inspiration from all around us, especially from nature.  When things are kind of bleak outside as they are now, it’s nice to recall the colors of green grass against the blue sky.  I think blue and green go so well together, from aqua and olive to kelly and sky blue!

Blue and green combinations can be so fresh.  They remind me of the spring that is (hopefully) just around the corner! 

What are some of your favorite color combinations? 

Photo credits: landscape from Flickr, Room #1 from Domino, Rooms #2 – #4 from My Home Ideas, Picture #5 /Rugs from Dash & Albert, Rooms # 6 and #7 from Domino.

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{Desire to Inspire}

{Elle Decor}

{Decorpad}

I think they add a little drama to a room, and who doesn’t want that?

I had a basic Ikea floor lamp in my living room just begging for some drama so I decided to recover it. Below are step by step instructions.

First, you’ll want to make a pattern for the fabric you’ll use to cover your lampshade.  It doesn’t have to be exact, but it needs to be close so ...]]> I have an obsession with black lampshades:

{Desire to Inspire}

{Elle Decor}

{Decorpad}

I think they add a little drama to a room, and who doesn’t want that?

I had a basic Ikea floor lamp in my living room just begging for some drama so I decided to recover it. Below are step by step instructions.

First, you’ll want to make a pattern for the fabric you’ll use to cover your lampshade.  It doesn’t have to be exact, but it needs to be close so you will make sure you have enough fabric, but not so much that it’s hard to work with.  I used butcher paper.

Next, trace it onto your fabric (which you’ve ironed first) with chalk, and then cut it out.

After cutting it out, you’ll want to start gluing it to the shade.  I used a clip (you can use a clothes pin) to hold one end to the shade while I started at the other.  Start with the seam at the back of your shade, and then work your way around gluing both the top and the bottom as you go.  Depending on your shade and the fabric you use, you may be able to use fabric glue, but I found that hot glue worked better for me. ( Just make sure that you don’t get too thick of a bead of glue.)

Don’t worry that the fabric edges aren’t perfect.  Trim the fabric as close to the edges of the shade as you can, and trim the overlap on the back seam so that it is straight.

Now you are ready for the trim.  I used black friction tape which can be found alongside electrical tape at most home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.  I chose the friction tape because it is self-adhesive fabric tape.

I placed one strip along the seam, and then started around the top,  folding half the tape over the top edge.  Go slowly so that you don’t wrinkle up the tape too much, but you can fix the tape if you make any mistakes – it doesn’t permanently adhere, so you can peel it back and re-stick if you need to.

Repeat the same process along the bottom of the shade, and finish with another strip along the seam – next to your first strip, slightly overlapping it.  This last strip should cover the ends of the tape at the top and bottom of the shade.

All finished!  Now you can stand back and admire your new custom recovered lampshade!

*Note: If you can, remove the shade from the lamp during this process.  My shade was permanently attached to the lamp so I was couldn’t, but it should come as no surprise that  it would be much easier to recover if you can.

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Oranges with clove initials for placeholders are pretty and smell wonderful!

Cream colored pumpkins with cute placecards attached are easy to do and a nod to the traditional.

For centerpieces, something as simple and easy as candlelight is made a little more special with the addition of some dried citrus slices glued to the bases of the ...]]> With Thanksgiving coming  up, there will be lots of family, friends, and food.  From elaborate to simple, you can create a pretty table to enjoy it aound!

Oranges with clove initials for placeholders are pretty and smell wonderful!

Cream colored pumpkins with cute placecards attached are easy to do and a nod to the traditional.

For centerpieces, something as simple and easy as candlelight is made a little more special with the addition of some dried citrus slices glued to the bases of the candles.

Tying dried, preserved, or faux leaves around the sides of a vase with twine is a pretty way to hide the stems and bring more color to the arrangement.

Mushrooms added to this tablescape are interesting and unusual.

If you’re setting up a buffet or serving pieces on the table, I love the look of these apples nestled around the base of the cider!  This could be used around the base of an apple pie too.  And the pewter toned cups with the cinnamon sticks?  Love them too!

The layering of different textures in this placesetting is so stylish, and shows that not everything has to “match”.

The addition of a mirrored tabletop and lots of glass and silver make this setting more formal.

Still mad for plaid, and birds, and the fresh look of this table!  I love the cable-knit cozy for the candle.  I would probably try to repurpose a bit of a sleeve from an old sweater, but if you decide to knit a cozy like this, be sure to share pictures!

I hope these have given you some ideas and sparked some creativity!  Is anyone out there hosting Thanksgiving at their place this year?

Picture credits: MyHomeIdeas.com, Holly Mathis Interiors, Good Housekeeping, Preston Bailey, Jen Capone via Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants, Washington Spaces, Fine Living, DallasNews.com, GritsGlamour blog

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All of these pictures are so inviting… just the look I want for fall and winter!

Here are some good sources I’ve come across:

http://www.pendleton-usa.com/section/Home-Blankets/1816/categoryIds/1816%7C.uts

http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/2009/01/plaid-wool-blankets-from-faribault-mills.html

http://www.thescottishweaver.com/PlaidBlankets/

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/shopping/plaid-decorating-1109

*Photo credits: #1, 2, & 3 from Pendleton, #4 & 5 from Country Living, # 6 from Elle Decor, #7 & 8 from My Favorite and My Best, #9 from ...]]> Plaid has been all around lately, everywhere I look!  I love the traditional and casual cozy feel of it, plaid just seems to warm up whatever space it’s used in.

All of these pictures are so inviting… just the look I want for fall and winter!

Here are some good sources I’ve come across:

http://www.pendleton-usa.com/section/Home-Blankets/1816/categoryIds/1816%7C.uts

http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/2009/01/plaid-wool-blankets-from-faribault-mills.html

http://www.thescottishweaver.com/PlaidBlankets/

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/shopping/plaid-decorating-1109

*Photo credits: #1, 2, & 3 from Pendleton, #4 & 5 from Country Living, # 6 from Elle Decor, #7 & 8 from My Favorite and My Best, #9 from Country Living.

Are you mad for plaid?

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Melissa, aka the Lil Bee, and author of the Feather Report has just announced a new app for your iPhone!  Since she does a much better job explaining it than I ever could, I’ll let her do the honors:

Dearest friends, bloggers, and colleagues,

I have a little announcement to make…actually, a big announcement (I hope)!  Some of you have been following my blog, featherreport.blogspot.com.  It’s a site that offers daily style inspiration for NYC girls, based on the weather forecast.  Fashion + ...]]>

Melissa, aka the Lil Bee, and author of the Feather Report has just announced a new app for your iPhone!  Since she does a much better job explaining it than I ever could, I’ll let her do the honors:

Dearest friends, bloggers, and colleagues,

I have a little announcement to make…actually, a big announcement (I hope)!  Some of you have been following my blog, featherreport.blogspot.com.  It’s a site that offers daily style inspiration for NYC girls, based on the weather forecast.  Fashion + Weather = Feather Report.

After a lot of hard work, trial and error, I have launched Feather Report: the iPhone application!  So, what does this mean?  Well, if you have an iPhone, or if you’re thinking about scooping one up, you can now think of Feather Report as your personal style consultant no matter where you live or where you’re traveling.  Here is the scoop…

• Using a GPS weather tracker, Feather Report serves up a new outfit to your iPhone each day, based on your specific location.
• You can shop all of the looks directly from your phone.
• Outfits are categorized based on body types, occasions, and weather patterns.
• You can search for outfits based on your individual needs. So, let’s say you’re a Curvy Cathy, going on a Date Night, and it’s a Hot Mess outside. Plug in that info and voila! An outfit emerges, just for you.
• Plus, you can store your favorite looks, get weather forecasts for your upcoming travel plans, and score the inside scoop on deals & steals from amazing stores.

If you have an iPhone and would like to download the app, you can do so here: http://appshopper.com/lifestyle/feather-report.

If you don’t have an iPhone but want to check out Feather Report, just visit my blog, http://featherreport.blogspot.com. In the coming weeks, I’ll have giveaways and updates, so check back in regularly.

And if you love love love it?!  Tell your friends, tweet it, FB it, email it, blog about it… whatever it is you do, I would greatly appreciate it:)

Thank you so much!!  I’m a little scared to think of what a big undertaking this will be, as I will be creating all of the looks each and every day, but I’m super excited to be taking the leap and doing something I love.  I hope you’ll love it, too!

Melisa
xo

Do you have an iphone?  What are your favorite apps?

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Posted in: fashion

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I also wanted to know more about Lauren and Courtney from Kelly+Olive, so ...]]> A couple of months ago I stumbled across a new design blog that totally rocked, Kelly+Olive.  With great tips and ideas to “steal”, and a design manifesto that really hit home with me, I was an instant fan.  Their blog is so inspiring, I instantly wanted to run out to buy some spray paint to transform some of the ugly things that have been hiding in the  garage!

I also wanted to know more about Lauren and Courtney from Kelly+Olive, so what better way than a little interview?

1. How would you describe your style?
C: you’d think i’d have an answer for this by now!  i love white, and bright color, i love graphic pattern, i love modern clean lines, i love vintage, especially mid-century.  what style is that?  you tell me.
L: for me, i think the best description would be something like…flea market modern? i love the old and handmade and wacky, anything with an interesting history. but i also bold graphic lines and strong modern furniture…i walk a line between living in a cluttered thrift store and a sleeker mod pad.

2. Who or what are some of your biggest influences?
C:definitely really influenced by scandinavian design, and not just ikea!  i read over a hundred blogs, so it’s pretty hard to pinpoint who exactly.  i’m definitely influenced by lauren too…she helps me put some humor in my decorating!
L: that’s so funny because I was going to say the exact same thing about courtney … we really have a symbiotic relationship here!  and how did we live before design blogs!?!?! we’re no longer subject to the tastes of the big shelter magazine editors. I love looking into the homes of ‘real’ people with style and creativity and seeing how they solve their design dilemmas and make their homes their own.
C:  oh, real homes definitely.  apartment therapy house tours changed my world.

3. How did you get into design?
C:design was definitely a part of my upbringing.  my parents are do-it-yourselfers, and incredibly creative.  when i moved in with my husband (to-be, at the time) he had no furniture.  the tv was sitting on an old kitchen chair.  it was crazy.  so i got to start from scratch in a way that i never had before.  i had to do a lot of exploring and make a lot of mistakes and i think it’s taken me a few years to really find my style.  the process led me to all the wonderful design blogs out there, which totally changed the course of my life.  pretty soon we had our own blog, and then our business grew out of that.
L: i have to credit my mom with a lot of it. while we have very very different decorating styles, she is an inspired decorator and DIY-er, and i was raised with the notion that creating a beautiful home is fun…and accessible, not just reserved for rich people. if nothing else, she taught me the power of a good coat of white paint! then after college, i finally found a way to put those lessons to good use helping friends turn their crappy studio apartments into fun and functional homes.

4. Do you have any “go-to” ideas that are quick and easy?
C: tons!  “paint it” is definitely something we say constantly.  if it’s ugly, paint it.  if it’s still ugly, sometimes paint it again!
L: one of the easiest ways to create a big statement is a salon style art grouping. it’s a great trick to create a strong focal point on an over scale wall, to balance a large piece of furniture or jazz up a boring little nook. plus, grouping pieces makes a page ripped from a magazine look like fine art.

5. When somebody is decorating or re-decorating a room, which things should they splurge on, and which things can they scrimp on?
C it all depends.  you should splurge on the things you love, pieces that are really going to be the stars of the room, or the things that get the most use.  if you can, get good paint, it just makes your life easier.
L: i agree…the frequent use things should get the money. if this is the room where you sit an watch tv every night, don’t buy the cheapest sofa you can find. in a year, it will look like trash (trust me on this one). art is one of the things i think you can scrimp on. don’t get me wrong, my home is full of art and i’m slowly building my own collection of original works…i just don’t think you need to spend $2000 or $200 on a piece of art right of the bat. there are  great places online where you can print out cool high quality images or check out etsy and your local craft shows…or grab a blank canvas, splash on some paint, and make your own!

6. In your opinions, what are some things that people can use or do to get the biggest impact?
C repetition is the easiest tool for creating a space with big impact.  repeat colors around the room, show a collection together in one vignette, or even repeat lamps on either side of a bed, creating symmetry.  as long as you repeat your elements in a balanced way, a room will look really pulled together.
L:color! too often we work with clients that say ‘i want a room that’s fun, my favorite color is red, and i collect pop-art’ but who’s homes are big blobs of beige. there are too many choices, they freak out, end up going for something safe…good old beige. don’t be afraid of color. if you don’t know what to pick, look at a shirt or piece of jewelry that you love. if you’re scared it’s too bright or bold, use it as an accent. beige with white and peacock blue accents has much more pizazz than beige with white and beige.

7. What are some of your decorating pet-peeves, and how can people avoid them?
C: matching all your woods.  you don’t have to do that!  in fact, matching furniture in general.  bedroom sets are easily avoided!  gather your furniture from different sources and your room will have so much more depth, even if it’s all new stuff.
L: little picture frames all over every surface! i know you like your dog and your boyfriend is really cute…but it’s so busy and messy. it drives me nuts! take all those little snapshots, in their different frames and varying sizes and mount them in a cluster on the wall. viola! the magic of a salon style grouping! oh also…i was talking to someone about this the other day…i hate when people karate chop their throw pillows. you know how you will see pillows leaning just so on a sofa with that big dent on top!?!?! what is that?
c: ha ha!  don’t karate chop your pillows!  that’s mean.  you should hug them instead.

Here’s a project that the girls just recently did:

I want to say big THANK YOU Lauren and Courtney for agreeing to do this little blog-interview with me!  It’s great to hear some of their thoughts and ideas!

You can go check out their site at  www.kellyandolive.com where you can read more about them and visit their blog.  They also have more of a lifestyle blog at Modern Homebody.

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But my new lady took me home with the hopes of turning me into the ...]]> Hi!  I am a small but comfortable round backed side chair with caning under my graciously curved arms.  I am small enough to be moved around the house as needed, but I can still offer enough comfort to a guest through a long football game.  Yesterday, I was living in one of the coolest consignment shops around.  My crime?  My outdated upholstery and old patchy finish.

But my new lady took me home with the hopes of turning me into the real beauty she knows I am!  With a little paint or stain, and a new, less strange fabric choice, I know I can look as gorgeous as some of these former wallflowers-turned-beauties:

*above 3 images from Again and Again consignment shop

With a little paint or stain, old furniture in good condition (and lamps, for that matter) can be turned into that unique one-of-a-kind piece that’s also budget friendly!  So stay tuned for my “extreme chair makeover”!!

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