Color Lover: Coral

Don't you think the word color looks so much cooler when spelled colour? Can I go with it? And then you can read my color posts with an accent so I will sound so chic? Or shall I stick with the mid west American version?

I'm a huge fan of orange, so anything in the orange range I'm drawn to. Apricot, tangerine, pumpkin, rust, I love them all. But today I'm hooked on coral. Maybe because it looks so fantastic with turquoise and teal, which are both hot colors. It seems a little eighties, but I'm able to see it in a fresh light, not like my mom's coral leather puffy sofa that she got when she was doing her southwest thing. Here's some beautiful coral inspiration (these are for you, Mom!):

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Handmade Birthday Gifts: Customized DIY Trays

I went out Saturday with my two Amys for a double birthday celebration. I'm fortunate to have longtime friends, both Amys are like sisters to me and I wanted to make something special for each of them. I remembered some DIY trays I'd seen here and here and here and was inspired. I have been working on some patterns for some textiles I hope to have in my shop soon and thought I'd start there. Amy #1 is getting ready to paint her office a dark blue grey so I thought I'd work with that. Amy #2 has light blues, and browns that first came to mind. Amy #2's turned out almost black instead of dark brown when it printed, but luckily she said she interchanges her browns and blacks. I hope my friends aren't tired of my homemade gifts, but I have so much fun making them! Next is Mother's Day trays where I think I'll get a little bolder with my color choices. 



Amy #1's Tray



Amy #2's Tray

Oh, and as for a tutorial, its not rocket science here: prime and paint the tray, cut out the paper, Mod Podge it, then I lacquer sprayed the whole thing. I used my own printed designs, but you could also use the wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper, or anything from Paper Source. Next time I'm going to use spray adhesive with just lacquer and skip the Mod Podge, didn't love the brush strokes.

I Spy Kantha: Pickstitch Ralli Quilts

Trend alert: pickstitch quilts, or traditionally called Kantha or Ralli. Kantha meaning 'running stitch', and Ralli meaning 'rags'. These layered, stitched quilts are handcrafted from women in India, Sindh, and Pakistan. I came across 3 of these quilts in the same day and quickly became enamored. I love blankets that get better over time. Like matlasse, quilts like these just get softer with each wash. These all seem to have a free spirited gypsy attitude. While I'd like to imagine grabbing one of these and a bottle of Rioja for a picnic in an olive field in southern Spain, I think a ralli would also be suited for some serious fort building and snuggling in front of the TV. Since first spying these quilts, I've spotted them at Anthropologie and Sundance Catalog. They range in price from $48 to $420. Stay tuned, looks like I might have to make a version for myself.

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Even a folding chair. Only from Anthropologie.



Fabric Faves: Katherine Rally

Husband and wife pack up their 2 kids and move to Bali and come up with this beautiful line of textiles. What a dream come true. Great patterns using batik. I remember doing batik in my art classes at least once a year. We'd use hot wax with paint brushes or special pens that allowed the wax to come through, like a calligraphy pen. Then dye the fabric, then cover what you wanted saved in wax, then dye again. In between you'd 'crackle' by bunching up the fabric so that the dye would seep into the cracks. Then you'd iron all the wax off and be left with hopefully something really special. I'm sure these look even better in person when you can see all those little cracks that make it look hand crafted.

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Adding Architecture: More Fabulous Fretwork

After my last post on fretwork, I found my original inspirations of fretwork panels shown in rooms. (Apparently I really have a thing for fretwork since I had three separate files on the subject.) The customized woodwork give these rooms a one-of-kind feel. It is artful and handcrafted. I think the best place to utilize these would be as a room divider. I love how older homes have smaller compartmentalized spaces, but sometimes they can feel closed in, and not convenient when you are entertaining or have small kids you need to keep an eye on. Sliding fretwork panels would give you the cozy feeling while still having an airy lightness and could be flexible to be opened or closed. They would be great to put in a newer home too, that might be lacking in architectural elements or maybe whose floor plan is 'too open'.

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Spring Decorating Part II

After looking for some good spring decorating inspiration, I came up empty handed, with the exception of my last post. So I looked around my house and decided to try to use things I already had. I had the silver frames, but didn't really like what was in them. My original thought was to put the silhouettes that I have of the kids in them. But trying to make it more spring-ish, I came up with the idea of putting bunny silhouettes in them. Could have also used baby chicks, birds or eggs and a nest. Either way, I like the simplicity of a silhouette. My husband thought it looked ridiculous to have such a large matte with such a small image, I told him I was trying to 'whimsical' and we both cracked up. But we both agreed it looked good when it was all put together. The silver chicks were originally painted country yellow. I just gave them a coat of silver spray paint. And the 'K' initial is just a moss covered letter. Pottery Barn sells them right now for $79. Mine cost $10. When Easter is over, I'll put the kids silhouettes in the frames and come up with something new. I think the moss letter would also look good on the front door. I'm loving the idea of moss for spring and summer and have to see what else I can create with it. So here it is, my version of a simple spring/Easter fireplace mantel.

Painted Floors

I think the reason these images are so special is because not only did all these people have the balls to paint over their wood floors, but on top of it, they turned out shockingly cool. I wish I had the guts. I'm speechless.



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Spring Decorating

Being that I have a small house and two kids under the age of 6, I'm limited on my decorating space. All items that are in plain view really need to serve a purpose. I don't have space to just fill with pretty things. And I'm afraid if I did, and my kids could reach it, it would quickly get destroyed. I'm not saying you should design around your kids, but let's be realistic. The one space I do have is my fireplace mantle. It's high enough that the kids can't reach it, and is the perfect focal point for sweet little vignettes. So I've been on the search for some interesting Easter or spring fireplace mantle decorations. Its so hard to find decent Easter decorations! They are all either tacky or too country or too shabby chic. I've got a few ideas spinning around in my head for my mantel and will share that when it's complete, but in the meantime, here's some nice ones. Have you seen or created any modern Easter or spring mantel decorations? Please share!


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