DIY Chair Railing Shoe Rack

Photograph from Livingetc, March 2010, via House to Home.
Anthropologie knobs, clockwise from top left: Mercury Glass Melon knob, £8; Framed Facets knob, £12;
Violette knob in Mint, £8.

I've definitely been having a yellow moment lately so no surprise this chair railing shoe rack caught my eye! Only drawback? I'm very much a flats girl... But the good news is that all this needs is either a short shelf mounted above each railing or (my fave) some cool knobs.

Now all that's left is to find a place of our own!

Design Fodder: Charleston, SC

This amazing archway was spotted at Copper Penny (317 King Street) by Amanda (our dear guest blogger), who dubbed the dec wedding worthy. You might not be able to tell, but the arch is made of paper...it's basically mag and newspaper pages formed into an arch and then covered completely in clear packing tape and then topped off with paper flowers.

Also in the pic is another friend, Becca, who will probably kill me for posting this - but doesn't her shirt look amazing next to the paper creation?

Homescapes: Americana

 Flag Knit Throw, $68, Urban Outfitters

Even though it was 3 a.m. (per my body clock, anyway) by the time I sat myself down in our hotel's bistro after enjoying a warm night out, I was ready for a slab of American steak and a ton of fries...And trust, it did not disappoint!

Want proof? Now the whole thing's got me in a mood that stops just shy of chanting, "USA! USA!" through the streets (thankfully...), hence why I'm obsessed with this flag blanket from Urban Outfitters. And could it be better timing when I just happen to be heading to Georgetown this afternoon for some shopping?!

Ahh...it's good to be home.

Homescapes: Color Clash

Although I don't think I'd be brave enough to paint my bedroom walls in a dark hue, I really love the mix of hothouse-style brights with moody walls....Would only work if you have amazing amounts of natural light coming through, but if you're that lucky - why not!

Bella Hothouse Bedding, £38-£178, Anthropologie
Paints, $35-$125, Farrow & Ball
Cross Stitched Bed Linen, £22-£129, Toast

Homescapes: Room of the Week

Top photograph by William Waldron for Elle Decor.

 When I found the above image on ElleDecor.com, I completely fell in love with everything about it and immediately began trawling through site after site looking for the exact items in the photograph. Well, I finally realized that I wasn't going to find all of the exact items.

So I settled with creating an inspiration board with the same feel. And even though that Farrow & Ball paint is irreplaceable, I think the alternatives I found do the trick...In my book, just throw in a melange of frames from Heal's (and maybe this unexpected piece of quartz for good measure) to complete the look. Bonus? All of these items have DIY or flea market find qualities...

Clockwise from top left:

1. "Mumbai" conservatory sofa, Heal's, £695

2. Blue small stripe fabric, Fabric & Paper, £32.70 per meter

3. Pink decorative ikat pillow, Uzbek Craft, $29.60

4. "Hepburn" chair, John Lewis, £999

5. "Cascara" coffee table, Anthropologie, $598*

6. "Salong" vase, IKEA, £2.79

7. "The Baker's Jar", Anthropologie, $28*

*For Anthropologie links, you may have to click the link, select your country, and click the link again.

Lit to Living: Jane Eyre

BY AMANDA, GUEST BLOGGER

Maybe it was the hours I spent reading and re-reading novels to earn my English degree, but somewhere along the way I developed an appreciation for the (sometimes) numerous lines that authors devote to describing characters’ living quarters (OK…it may have also had a little to do with the fact that I have a soft spot for furnishings, too).

But all of this made me think: who wouldn’t love to bring a hint of Hogwarts or a little Jane Eyre eeriness into their own home?

With that in mind, today I’m kicking off Lit to Living, a new feature that’s all about bringing novel goods into your nest. In each entry, I’ll take an excerpt that describes decor and find furnishings that fit the description. So if you’ve ever had dreams of bringing Wuthering Heights to life, you’re in the right place!

Without further ado, I present the first installment of Lit to Living: Jane Eyre.

Photographs from sellers' websites.

Text by Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2000.

1. "Coralie" bed, $1,998-$2,398, Anthropologie*

2. Antique carved chest, £110, Artasia

3. Vintage dowry chest, $599, Crate & Barrel

4. Leather dining chair, £275 for two, Marks & Spencer

5. Lacquer wood silhouette chair by Niki Jones, £275, Liberty

6. Parlor side chair, from $1,049, Drexel Heritage

7. "Popi" ottoman, $159.95, Pier 1 Imports

*For Anthropologie links, you may have to click the link, select your country, and click the link again.

Web Roundup: Bedrooms

Maybe it's that I've so badly neglected tidying our bedroom this week that suddenly that room has become an obsession. With any hope (and with lots of coffee) perhaps these four picks will inspire me to find the floor—and then some.

Photograph from Homes & Gardens, July 2009

Photograph from Homes & Gardens, April 2007 

Photograph from Livingetc, October 2008

Photograph from Homes & Gardens, April 2007

Fabric Panels Part Two

Photograph from Homes & Gardens, October 2009, via HousetoHome.co.uk

 

I know I posted on this yesterday, but I am so into fabric on walls right now. The panels especially offer depth and texture, and I love the alternative to framed art in rooms like the bedroom and office (where distractions make a difference). Don't get me wrong. Art is fab, but I find myself staring at it and not scratching things off my to-do list! I also love the yellow pop on this desk. I posted a DIY table project from Living Etc back in October, and this is a perfect example of the possibilities of a found table or desk.

Garden Party Fodder

I may be biased (I too had a backyard wedding), but I am totally in love with this wedding posted on Once Wed. I'm not planning on having another 200 person deep event anytime soon, but I think this also translates nicely into a summer garden party.

Take the centerpieces, for example: a collection of found jars filled with raspberries and kale. And then there are vines strewn along the tables, simple tea lights scattered here and there, and festive orange napkins (pick paper for a casual affair) to top it off.

The one thing that might have to change? Those string lights are quite expensive—even to rent. After coveting them for years for my own wedding, I quickly realized I had to change my vision to be able to splurge on a huge tent (they are quite expensive, too). This couple doesn't have a tent, but we had lots of Brits coming over. To the South. In August. We already had to put them through an al fresco ceremony, so we Americans thought the least we could offer was some shade while they ate their fried green tomatoes.

P.S. Most of them ended up in the pool by the end of the night—one in particular still wearing his yellow linen suit.

ANYWAY! If you're in the same boat as I was with your own party, fairy lights are just fine strung in the same way. To keep a minimalistic look, use the kind with a single cable rather than twisted strands of three or four cables. For tons more inspiration from this wedding, click here. Cheers!

Photographs by Sarah Yates Photography.

Obsession Files: Serena's Fabric Panels

Serena's room photograph and "Get the Look" from InStyle. 
Osborne & Little fabrics, from left: "Soubise", "Oratorio", and "Concetti".

My hubby and I are sans headboard, and as I was sifting through myriad possibilities I heard whining that can only be one, Blair Waldorf's of Gossip Girl. I looked up, and just past an argument over Chuck Bass was a fabulous fabric paneled wall. So I picked my top three Serena-esque options (albeit a bit more on the neutral side). And because this XOXO-revelation was obviously a sign, I went ahead and dug up amazingly simple directions (from How About Orange), too. I think we'll stick with just enough panels for a pseudo-headboard, but I like How About Orange's idea to use one as a focal point, especially with super busy fabrics.

Design for Haiti

Artist Claudia Pearson is donating 25% of each sale of these two prints, inspired by love for Valentine's Day, to Yele Haiti. Yele Haiti is raising money to help with the disaster relief efforts in Haiti after the devastating earthquake on Tuesday. What's a more perfect way to combine your love of design and love of humanity?

Print, $20, available here.

Print, $20, available here.

Finally, I want to leave you all with this video (via Elements of Style) from US network NBC's Today Show. Blogstress Erin reminds us to keep perspective on our own trials, and I think that's a message worth repeating.

   

Some Faves & Weekly Recap

Bedroom (top left) and living room (bottom) photographs from here; Chair and mirror (top right) photograph from here; all from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

*Still hoping for some tips on how to paint sheer curtains. In the meantime I'd still settle for the dress when it comes out!
*Abstract prints are hot and the perfect transitional piece. Bought yours yet?
*Lovely stacking pots from MirrorMirror. Update: Pretty sure my hubby bought a couple for my upcoming birthday!
*Tired of sequins? Try out these gilded clutches for another sort of sparkle.
*I changed my opinion of garnets after these Etsy beauties found their way into my inbox.
*My top five tears from US design mags this month.
*A mild obsession: Sweet Paul's frozen lanterns (more pics and instructions on Design*Sponge).
*DIY snow globe postcards from Giddy Giddy and my sad attempt here.
*A roundup of 11 fab ceiling lights, from a wacky chandelier to my fave: a teal lamp on a pulley.
*More reasons for me to hit the lottery from J.Crew's early spring releases.
*And my top three DIYs from the fantastic blogs I follow.

Happy weekend!

Web Roundup: Best DIYs of the Week

This might just become a regular feature (if you all like it, that is)! On that note, please feel free to email or comment when you love-love-love something and want to see more like it, but also when you loathe-loathe-loathe something, too. Just remember to tell me why so I know what about it strikes you/makes makes you want to run screaming.

Silver Leaf Dresser by Little Green Notebook via Ruby Press.

Stamped Business Cards by Amy Merrick for Design*Sponge.

Flautas by Homesick Texan. (Can the food styling part count as design?)

Web Roundup: High End Ceiling Lights

THE UTILITARIAN: "Edison" Chandelier, $399 from Pottery Barn.
THE COUNTRY BELLE: Jade Rise & Fall Light, £215 from Marston & Langinger.
THE GIRLY GIRL: Curve Pendant, from Shine Labs.
THE BEACH GLAMAZON: Drum Pendant With Mini Roses, $500 from Stray Dog Designs (also available with a fabulous gold rod).
THE SOPHISTICATE: "Sprig", $1,395 from Urban Electric Co.
THE MISFIT: Birdcage Pendant by Mary Ohl, $460 from Stray Dog Designs.

THE BOHEMIAN: Large Venetian Light in Blue, £360 from Marston & Langinger (also available in other designs in clear and green glass).
THE MINIMALIST: Pressed Glass Pendant, from Tom Dixon.
THE GRANDE DAME: "Paris Flea Market" Chandelier, $2,730 from Circa Lighting.
THE STARLET: Capiz Shell Hanging Light, $399 from Target.
THE ALL-ROUNDER: "Morris" Lantern, $840 from Circa Lighting.

Today's hanging lights roundup (a mixture of finds from both sides of the Atlantic) was inspired by my friend, former editor, and interiors genius, Katie, who works at Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles in Georgia. In particular, she turned me onto Stray Dog Designs and the funky birdcage fixture at top right. I think it would be perfect for a child's room as well as a fun anywhere-light for a bungalow or cottage.

If I had a dream house with 11 rooms in it, I would definitely outfit them around each of these fixtures. Seriously! When I tried to make "my pick," I found myself writing that next to every offering!

Faux Real: Frozen Lanterns

If you haven't clicked over to Design*Sponge yet, go now! Sweet Paul (author of this amazing blog and editor of an online mag to be) posted a DIY today in the guest blog all about how to craft frozen lanterns. Perfect timing for those of us in the UK who want to put a little wonderland in our winter snow.

My Faves From the US

I finally scanned in my top five tears from mags I bought while visiting my family in Virginia over the Christmas holidays. Hope these offer up a little late inspiration!

Photograph by Sang An for "Mood Indigo", pages 98-103, Elle Decor January/February 2010.

Photograph by Sang An for "Mood Indigo", pages 98-103, Elle Decor January/February 2010.

Photograph by Francois Halard for "From Russia With Love", pages 122-127, Vogue US January 2010.

Photograph by Matthew Hranek for "Cold Weather Comfort", pages 102-109, Martha Stewart Living January 2010.

Photograph by Eric Piasecki for "Bold Strokes", pages 68-78, Elle Decor January/February 2010.

Just Because

 I want these pretty little pots from Mirror Mirror! I'm a huge fan of mixing prints (only in the home as I'm too much of a wimp to try and pull it off otherwise), so this toile meets floral meets hunter's guide design really strikes my fancy.

Stacking Storage Pots, £18 each, Mirror Mirror.

H&M Garden Collection For The Home?

Photograph from H&M.

I adore the hand-painted look of this dress from H&M's upcoming Garden Collection (out in March!) but my first thoughts didn't include pairing it with my new cognac Bronx cowboy boots. Instead, I wondered if hand-painted sheers in this colour scheme and pattern are attainable. I'd love to DIY this project but haven't a clue as to where to begin. Suggestions?

Trendspotting: Woven Interiors

Baskets from Zara Home. Dining room photograph found here.

Living room photograph from Homes & Gardens. Baskets from Swahili Imports via Elle Decor. Chair from Anthropologie.

Basket from IKEA. Place mat from Zara Home. Bedroom photograph from Homes & Gardens.

Stairway photograph from Homes & Gardens. Rug seen on House to Home.

Runways are rife with weaves (the fabric kinds) for spring. But I've noticed the trend in lots of home goods, too. Woven goods remind me so much of when I was a kid in Jamaica ogling basket makers and also of the sweetgrass baskets of Charleston, South Carolina (where I went to uni). No wonder I have such an affinity for hand-woven wares! Such a fresh, tropical feel—perfect for my new home in brisk England. Except I don't think I'll partake in the rug version; our cats would just use it as a giant scratching post!

Obsession Files: Dining Room in London

Photograph by Mark Luscombe-White for Homes & Gardens

I'm in love with this dining room view from a London townhouse featured on Homes & Gardens. I yearn for bookshelves like that and that chic table in the foreground. Who am I kidding? I yearn for that space, too! Check out the full slide show here.