West Elm Design*Sponge Contest

My reaction to the pre-Halloween snow in the northeast this weekend?  

Wahhhh!

Looking for something to cheer you up?  West Elm has teamed up with Design * Sponge to offer a sweepstakes including a two-night trip to NYC, and shopping sprees at West Elm and Grace Bonney's other favorite spots... 

Are you familiar with Grace, and her fantastic blog Design*Sponge?

Her book, Design * Sponge at Home recently hit the shelves...

It features fun and eclectic rooms, including those you see below...

Who wouldn't love to spend a day shopping with Grace, on West Elm's dime?  Click here to enter the sweepstakes, which ends today.

Happy Halloween!

Deb

Overcoming Gallery Wall Intimidation with Etsy

Have you always wanted to create a gallery wall in your home, but aren't quite sure where to start, or how to create a cohesive display?  Etsy's got some great collections that can help you cheat your way there...

I recently discovered Little Brown Pen, thanks to Camila's cute nursery project.  This etsy seller features sets of whimsical photographs organized by theme and color.  Order a set of 9 for $145, and get busy framing and hanging!

If you're looking for a more "mod" vibe, visit Etsy seller Modern Art Everyday.  You can purchase a set of 10 prints for $65, and bam, get busy on your gallery wall!

If you've got the prints or photos you want to use, but are stuck on the framing, head over to etsy seller TRWPainted, who has some great collections...

Enjoy your weekend!

Deb

Framed Shopping Bags

I was recently browsing Pinterest and came across this spirited image of framed shopping bags adorning the wall of a spacious walk in closet...

Visually, the colors and sizes work, and I love the creative concept...

But, does it reek of conspicuous consumption? 

I will say, I'm often taken with the gorgeous shopping bags I receive when I make certain (usually higher end) purchases.  They do seem like art!  Then I have to wonder how much more I paid for my item so it could come in such a fancy (frame-worthy) bag!

If you're interested in creating your own shopping bag gallery wall, but all your bags come from Stop and Shop, ebay's got you covered!  Bidding starts anywhere from 99 cents to $9.99 for these (empty) bags!

What do you think?

Deb

Schumacher - Worth the Price

We are often asked in our line of business why designer fabric costs so much ("It's just fabric!").  Well, my friends, fabric is NOT all created equally.

It is no secret that we are big fans of Schumacher. We have used it countless times in client projects (and our own homes!) and with no incentive by Schumacher I might add!

Schumacher recently launched a new line by Martyn Bullard, and the results are beautiful. His Ikat pattern has already won "Best of the Best"New Geometric Fabric from by UK based lifestyle magazine by Livingetc.  

Yes friends, this work is all done by hand. Workers take a piece of fabric and hand apply the color using traditional silk screen techniques. They then put this fabric on a loom, hand remove the threads, and re-weave it. I am NOT kidding you!!!

Here is a little step by step video of the making of the fabric.

I can't even imagine the number of hours it takes to create one bolt of fabric!

Amazing!
Becky

Round Mirrors: Moving Past the Starburst

The round, metallic starburst mirror has had quite a run in the past few years... but I have to say, I'm ready to move on!  Lately, I'm loving wood, leather, mother of pearl, or even rope mirrors, and the warmth and texture they provide.

My favorite two wooden mirrors in my own home came from the Brimfield antique fair (over my desk), and Homegoods...

Which material do you love best?

If you're in the market, and looking for suggestions, my favorite new wooden mirror is the "Lotus" by Serena and Lily...

Lotus Mirror, Serena and Lily

$625

And there are plenty of other affordable options in the material of your choice!

Rope-Framed Mirror, Horchow

$395

Round Bone Mirror, Wisteria

$279

Villa Pine Mirror, Z Gallerie

$499

Jensen Black Leather Mirror, Williams Sonoma Home

$475

Round Mahogony Mirror, Etsy seller Mirror Mirrors

$675

If anyone is interested in the mother of pearl checkerboard mirrors we used for the Design on a Dime event, let me know before I return them!  We have two, and they are $85 each...

Have a great day!

Deb

Reject the Set!!

Have you ever noticed that the *gasp* worthy living rooms or family rooms featured in magazines do NOT have a matching set of sofa/loveseat/chair?  Most typically, they have a beautiful sofa and other complimentary seating. I wasn't able to completely put my finger on it until I read a post by the Decorologist, and then it was crystal clear and I just HAD to share it with you!

Sometimes there are two matching sofas that face each other, with additional seating to the sides.

And I LOVE this - sometimes, if the room is large enough, the sofas are placed "back to back" to create two mirror seating areas.

Or, how about one statement sofa!

Or no sofa at all!!

What so you think?