Design boards with Olioboard

A good friend recently moved into the most charming home built in the 1950s.  I really fell in love with the front living room, which had a large fire place and great big windows (tons of natural light and a view full of Virginia trees).  I wanted to create a design board for her to try out some different layouts and what better time than to test out Olioboard. I'm a fan. Easy to use and super fun.

Friday Five: this week's loves

1. Pressed flower art from the Etsy Shop: regularhome.  

Like everyone else, I love browsing through Etsy. Was so exicted to find the regularhome shop and  just purchased "Fern" and "Clover" for the living room. I'll post a pic once it's hung!

Clover art $15, regularhome Etsy Shop

2. Tufted seating.
I love the legs, tufted back and nailhead trim. This chair would really make a statement in a bold color, but it's got enough great detail to stand alone in a neutral.

Colin Upholstered Arm Chair $350, Safavieh Furniture 

3. November Rain by Benjamin Moore. This wall color is so soothing.

Room by Urrutia Design (http://www.urrutiadesign.com)

 

4. Florida-based interior designer Erika Powell. Erika is the brains behind Urban Grace Interiors (www.urbangrace.com). I love her aesthetic - so clean and inspired by nature.

5. hellogiggles. 

this might be old news for some, but i was just introduced to  http://hellogiggles.com/ and pretty much love it. why is zooey deschanel so awesome?

design project: rustic, eclectic lounge for liz's wedding

meet liz (& her boytoy, jason.)

liz & i work in biz development for a large IT company; she's a talented graphic designer and i'm a proposal specialist - exciting stuff. :) 

more importantly, she's marrying her prince charming at the end of March. they're having a rustic vintage-themed wedding and will hold their reception at the historic Candy Factory in Old Town Manassas. 

this place is so cute - almost as cute as they are together. :)

lucky me, she asked if i wanted to transform this empty space just outside of the reception area - into an eclectic lounge for her wedding guests.

3rd floor of the factory: exposed brick walls, hardwoord floors, industrial ceiling w/ original wood beams,
and 6 beautiful windows overlooking the historic Manassas Train Station

it was pretty easy to say YES. i mean, look at this space - it has charming written all over it! 

to complete the room, liz set a budget of approx. $350 for furniture and decor. and thanks to the awesomeness that is pinterest, i was able to quickly get a feel of her vision for this space. i am so ready for the challenge!

liz, can't wait to get started and make it look & feel exactly as you envisioned!

hellooo, ornate mirrors

Hmmm, my most recent craving... grand, ornate mirrors.

For example, I would put this beauty in the small bathroom in my foyer. I know my simple, white pedestal sink would be so happy hanging out with her new friend.


Paragon Black Ornate Mirror $148, Bellacor



And can you just imagine this five-feet tall wonder leaning up against a bare wall? Maybe at the end of your dining room table? She's definitely got a commanding presense, but her feminine details and distressed antiqued gold leaf finish soften her up just right.

Uttermost Valonia Mirror $384, Bellacor

 

Drool.

(Sweet husband, if you are reading this... wouldn't these mirrors make a great gift? Hint hint, nudge nudge.)

t.b.

Thanksgiving Day, Part 2: Tablescape Executed!

I had glorious plans to bring a charming tablescape idea to life for my first Thanksgiving Day as (totally awesome) hostess. It was so fun creating my first "tablescape." The desired outcome was a festive, but down-to-earth setting for a wonderful meal with my family.

I moseyed over to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Pier 1 to see if I could find some goodies. Lucky me, Pier 1 was running a 20% off sale on table top decor (chyeah!). I picked a few pieces to add to what I already had laying around the house.

Here's my vision actualized:

i didn't want to pay $70 plus for a PB burlap table runner. better option? 3.5 yds from my local fabric store for a total of not much. :) ends are tied with leather suede rope from Jo-Ann Fabrics.

placemats 3.96, pier 1; hemstitch napkins $3.16, pier 1; jute rope 1.79/yd, joann fabrics; dinnerware plate & bowl, free! (yay for wedding gifts!); faux fall leaves $6 sale for a big ol' bushel, pier 1.

wood carved leaf $6, goodwill; mushroom-hued pitchers baby- and mama-sized$9-$14, PB; cinnamon-scented pine cones $5 bag, joann fabrics; mercury glass tea light holders $2.50/ea, PB; fresh flowers $4.99, grocery store.

I hope you and yours had a blessed Thanksgiving.

t.b.

Thanksgiving Day, Part 1: Tablescape Ideas

Thanksgiving is two short days away and it's my first time hosting! I'll be roasting my first turkey and setting my first Thanksgiving Day table. I have an idea for a simple, rustic table setting and centerpiece that involves:

1. Burlap

2. Rope or twine

3. Tea lights & Pillar Candles

4. Mercury Glass accents

5. Mushroom-hued dinnerware

6. Fresh flowers


Come back and visit to see my  idea executed! I can't wait to see it myself. :)
What will  your Thanksgiving day table look like?

~ t.b.