More on the living room...

Continuing with the living room re-decorate, I pulled out the trusty sewing machine, and sewed me up some pillows!

No tutorial here, because as I was making them, I didn't have a clue what I was doing, so I didn't take photos.

Remember this post where I showed you my inspiration and the fabrics I purchased to get the room going?  Well, here are photos of the 16" pillow cases I made:

 

Front

Back, with an envelope closure

BUT, let me just tell you... it's all straight seams, so who needs a tutorial?  I used the old pillow covers as a size guide, and just cut my fabric about 1 1/2" bigger.  I made an envelope closure, which while inside out to sew it did stump me for a min.  I just suggest to pin it all up and basically turn it right side out to make sure it's what you want, then turn it inside out again, and sew!

So the room is coming together.  Here's the inspiration again along with the fabrics I chose:

Plus, on my shopping trip post, I learned I wasn't crazy to create a zebra ottoman.  Hey, if Target has my idea, then it's gotta be a good one, right?!  :)  You should check that post out...

What do you think about these?  The color "goes" with the curtains I also made, but is still far enough from them that it's not too much orange.  The rest of the pillows will be different colors!  And, I'm going to paint my small bench black, and that blue top will really pop!

I'm tired again tonight.  I know this is a phase, but I'm missing checking up on everyone's good work.  I hope you all have a great Thursday!

Orange you glad you stopped by?!

I learned to sew today!  Really, with a machine, and threading, and bobbin winding and all that jazz!

AND, the great thing?  I was so comfortable with it that I tackled a HUMONGOUS project.  Yep.  I sewed four 84" curtain panels today.

I can't wait to reveal the whole project on how to sew them, and how easy these were to make.  I'm tired after a long day up early to watch a friend's munchins, and then learning that scary glorious sewing machine.

So, this post was just a sneak peak at what they look like, and make sure to check THIS POST for my inspiration for what the whole room will look like soon. 

I'll be back with more, so be sure to be on the lookout :)

PS:  Thank you to all my new FOLLOWERS!  You guys all ROCK!  142?  Seriously?  This is amazing!!!

Orange Crush

I did it.  I picked the fabrics!  Thanks for the great comments you left me yesterday! 

From the last inspiration post I thought I should do it, and just go with the biggest statement, inspiration photo #4!

That means that today, I purchased these fabrics & findings:

 

If you recall, I posted this photo as an inspiration yesterday:

(via Sketch42 blog)

Here's my INCREDIBLE score for the day:

--The roll, of orange, 10 yards, $2/yd= $20 (this will make the actual curtains... 4 panels)

--The Zebra print flat fold, 2 yards, $3/yd= $6 (this is for the ottoman, plus there will be extra, since the table is only 20" wide, and I got 54" fabric.  Can you say pillows?!)

--Two 84" pre-made drapery panels in a blue organza fabric, $5/ea=$10 (like the inspiration photo, these will go along the big front windows)

--Orange chevron fabric, a jacquard style, 1 yard, $3.50/yard= $3.50 (for pillows)

--Blue Velvet flat fold, 1 1/4 yard, $2/yard= $2 (they didn't charge me for the 1/4 yard it appears!)  This will also be for pillows

--6 packages of black drapery clips, 7/pack, $2.39/pack= $16.14 (I will have a total of 6 panels in this room...)

--Foam, purchased yesterday, $23 (now just need a bit of batting...)

TOTAL:  $20 + $6 + $10 + $3.50 + $2 + $16.14 + $23=  $80.64 for a total room re-do!

Now, to get to work over the next few days off!  Oh, and I need to learn how to use the sewing machine I'm borrowing from my sister.  :)

Fall Colorful Decor

With all of the great design ideas online, I was starting to get disappointed that none of these ideas were in my house.  I bought gourds for the first time ever this season, for $3.49 a bag at Trader Joes.  (Don't you remember those things looking gross and warty when you were little?  I do, and I never thought I'd put them in my house... but the colors, oh the colors...)

So, I sucked it up, got up the courage, or just stopped being lazy, and finally got some of those great fall colors out for my tabletop this evening.

Here's my Tablescape for the next few weeks for Fall (before the awesome Christmas decor comes out!)

I painted these candlesticks off white (they were $5/ea on clearance at HomeGoods, but were blue, which just wasn't going to work) and added glorious orange tapers

I bought 3 bags of Gourds from Trader Joes this weekend ($10.50 total).  Love the texture and color.

 

I had extra marbles from this wreath project, and they added some bling to the table against the burlappy type table runner, and woven placemats (should I take the place mats off the table while the runner is on?  Is it too much of the same color?)

Here's a close up of the tapers, gourds, crystal bling, and orange candles!

Here's the whole room!  You can see the fun green sideboard/buffet project here, and the grey frame project here.  I love how it's coming together!

I hope you like it!  I'm probably most proud of this table-scape than any other I've put together.  I love the color, plus my new table runner, which I'll show you how to make soon.  (Hint:  I didn't sew a stitch!)  *UPDATE*: Check out the table runner no-sew project here!

Plus, I'm participating in "Between Naps on the Porch" Tablescape Thursday by Susan!  Yay, my first McLinky party!

Be-Jeweled Wreath

After another GREAT idea from Kate over at Centsational Girl, I tried my hand at making this overly simple, but astonishingly gorgeous holiday wreath.

This one really caught my eye- the color, the sparkle, even the embellishments. I gathered the super easy supplies: 14" foam floral wreath, orange flat sided marbles, terra cotta acrylic paint, ribbon, and a gold sprig.

What a BEAUT:


To make this, it's almost so simple that with the exception of the hot glue, I would say this is a project a 7+ year old could do. First, paint the wreath the main accent color for your marbles. Before gluing any marble gems, add the ribbon which you'll cover with the gems later. I used a sponge brush, and unscrewed the lid and poured some onto a piece of aluminum foil. I had to let the wreath dry on one side before flipping to do the other side. I ended up doing 2 coats, just in case, and was glad I did because you don't actually cover the ENTIRE surface with marbles- they don't all fit in like a perfect puzzle.






Then, start gluing! I first started putting the glue right on the wreath, but later realized it was easier to glue the backing of the gem, and attach. :)




This was such a relaxing project!


At the end, I attached the gold sprig (with hot glue) I also purchased, and because it was wire, I was able to bend in the position I needed.

The final:

Total project breakdown:

Wreath Form: $3.50
Paint: $0.50
Marble Gems: $10.50
Ribbon: already had (bought 2 spools, 4 yards each, for $3.50)
Gold Sprig: $1.15

TOTAL: $15.50ish

I love it! Thanks for the inspiration again, Kate!

Redesigning the Master bedroom

A migraine a day, keeps the designer in bed. It's "nice" every 5 years or so to be reminded how great a migraine is. After 14 hours of sleep, then 3 hours on the couch and a movie, I moved back to the bedroom to sprawl out my design book pages, and pick the new finishes for our master bedroom.

When we moved in, the walls were all nicely painted modern colors, but as we've lived here, I've changed things slightly to my (our?) tastes. I really wanted a room with a modern feel- read "saturated" color on the wall, and bold black and white linens. With our new headboard, the room colors, mismatched furniture, and linens just don't cut it! So, from bed, as the migraine subsides, here are my picks for our renovated room.

Paint colors, inspired from a few magazine clippings, and a crate & barrel catalog, either going with Pittsburgh Paints "Azalea Leaf" or "Prussian Blue":


I'm thinking the linens should be Black and white to really play off the color on the walls, and to allow the nailhead trim headboard to stand out. I'm thinking a combination of the Pottery Barn "Suzani Black & White Crewel" and a folded duvet by West Elm "Organic Cotton Pin Tuck Duvet" in Natural or White:





For our furniture, I'd like a small dresser/large nightstand in warm wood on the fiance's side. On my side a table and a comfy ticking stripe chair. I'm debating between a black and white stripe, vs a tan and white stripe. Tan and white certainly would pull the color from the headboard in, and would be a nice warmth next to the dark wood, and walls. I'm thinking of the following:

Buchanan armchair w/ottoman (PotteryBarn.com)


Portola Bedside Table or Montego Oversize Bedside Table (PotteryBarn.com)



Valencia Oval Bedside Table or Rawlins Accent Table (PotteryBarn.com)


A new dresser or armoire complete the furniture pallet, and what's left? Accessories! I'm thinking some great art above the bed (maybe some of my photos of the new succulent arrangement? Maybe some framed initials? Maybe some modern artwork with our accent color?

Now, what accent color? I think a modern lime green would look great, or a nice deep red (perfect for the holidays coming up?) Or, ORANGE? Totally bold? Check out these colors by Pittsburgh Paints:

Yellow/green color called "Golden Cricket". Against the blue would be a nice pop :-)

I'd like one of these (color is pretty close too!) from Ballarddesigns.com:


Or, this orange called "Mandarin" Blue + Orange=yum



More to come! Migraine is getting the best of me right now. Enjoy!