Giveaway

Totally unrelated to design...unless you think about designing your hair! I would love to win one of these and have a few minutes to pamper and not feel like such a mommy!

Enter at Just A Girl!!

Tablescaping

I am inspired by beautiful spaces. I think this is why I look at each of my magazines until they're completely worn out, by the time the next issue comes. I love "tablescaping" because it is a decorating element that invites you into the space and delights your spirit. It makes me feel like something special is about to happen and if someone stops by, it makes them feel like I was hoping they would come.
The element of real living in these sophisticated settings is that you "scape" with everyday items.
The following pictures are from my home because I staged it today for our open house. At least when the open house failed, I still had my pretty tables!

To show you how attainable this can be, I'll tell you where I found my items and the prices. I am telling you...anyone with any budget can live in sophisticated settings!

My Outdoor Oasis:

Table: A "gift" from someone who moved and didn't want to move it! (Free. The edge of the table was a faded green around the glass and the legs. We sprayed it black for new life!)

Chairs: Walmart last summer ($20 ea)

Place mats: Pier 1 Imports almost 4 years ago (Free for a wedding present, but they were $5 ea)

Plates: Winco (that's right...Winco, as in the grocery outlet store) 2 winters ago ($0.48 ea)

Napkins: Fred Meyer in the outdoor section ($1.99 for package of 50 and I already needed them for my son's birthday party!)

Lanterns: Fred Meyer in the outdoor section ($3.99 ea)

Rug: Overstock.com last summer ($199 and free shipping. This rug is in many stores for over $300)

Lemons/Limes: Albertsons Grocery Store ($12 including the ones inside too. I will also use these for marinades and in my water)

Candlestick: Garage Sale ($1 and I sprayed it red)

Vase: Pier 1 Imports (Free for Wedding present, but it was $15)

Container for Napkins: Winco last summer ($2)

Water vase (red pitcher): Costco ($20)

Candle Sticks: Home Goods ($11 and $14 on clearance)

As you can see it just takes a little creativity and the willingness to hunt down good deals and use "collections" that come from different seasons and different years.








Interior Nature:

Table: Craiglist

Place mats: Pier 1 Imports (Free for Wedding present, but they were $3.99 ea)

Plates: Target (Free for Wedding present, but they were $30 for a 4 place set. I used the dessert plates from this set outside with my Winco dishes)

Napkins: Fred Meyer in the outdoor section ($1.99 for package of 50 and I already needed them for my son's birthday party!)

Lemons/Limes: Albertsons Grocery Store ($12 including the ones outside too. I will also use these for marinades and in my water)

Mason Jars: Loved Ones (Free because I saved them from gifts of canned goods)

Silver Platter (Also a chalkboard): Goodwill ($1.99 on 1/2 off day)

Topiary: Goodwill ($4.99. I fixed it and painted the base)

LED Candle: Birthday present (Target)

White Cups: Target ($2.99 ea)

Willow Balls: Pier 1 Imports ($1.99 ea)







Wow. I know that was a lot of information. You can breathe now! Hopefully that will jog your memory as to what you have tucked away in those closets. There are amazing variety to what can be paired together in design. You can go with one color (like the interior green theme) or you can pull in variety (like the bright outdoor space). You can go. You can love where you live. You can feel at home where you are.

I am linking this to:

A New Thing for Me

As a result of my love for chalkboards...







I have developed a love for



I just saw them advertised on



She told about the Mister Art website where you can find these for a big discounted price (once at the website, just search for "chalk ink")!! And we bloggers, designers, stylish women, etc. love a deal!

I am so excited for mine to come. I think it will revolutionize my chalkboard experience!

Link Up to Mood Board Monday

Today I chose to create my dream living room. A combination of West Elm and Pottery Barn, makes this designer girl very happy. This living room is expensive, but I was dreaming and held no expense. Beautiful quality.

If you cannot afford these items, stores like Home Goods and Target will often produce replicas at more budget-friendly prices.

Enjoy!

The paint for this room is Sequin SW6394 from Sherwin Williams






The bones of the room:

Manhattan Leather Studio Sofa (from Pottery Barn, Camel, $2699)
Manhattan Leather Studio Chair and a half (from Pottery Barn, Espresso, $2199)

I purposely chose coordinating colors in the same piece for a visual flow while preventing the space from becoming stagnate.

Manhattan Leather Studio Ottoman (from Pottery Barn, Espresso, $499x 2)

I would place these in front of the camel toned sofa.

The Zebra Rug (from West Elm, 9x12, $749) would ground the space and provide a unique flavor to the warm and modern space.

I chose to accent in antique reds with furniture that provide the pop of green an even greater impact.

Leena Media Consol (from Pottery Barn, Red, $499)
Emmet Cabinet Side Table (from Pottery Barn, Red, $399)

I would dress the windows in Espresso toned Dupioni Silk Pole Pocket Drapes from Pottery Barn (50x96, $99 per panel). The silk would add depth and texture while the espresso tone would blend with the space.

The Celeste Chandelier from Pottery Barn ($299) would provide lighting from above.


The Jewelery of the Room:

The main accessories I used were from the new Patch NYC collection at West Elm! I love this collection and it was such a privilege to design a room around these items.

I used the Pear Thistle pillows and the Ivory Rose pillows ($34 for each cover). I would place several of these all over the sofa and chair.

I would also place the framed thistle and framed rose on the wall in a vertical fashion ($34 each).

Next to the West Elm Patch NYC art, I would place horizontal and vertical pieces of Amalia Elena Veralli's Green and White Tulips-2009 (Pottery Barn, $399 each).

These art pieces would be on the wall in a collection style above the sofa...

I also chose to accent with the Hanging Bud Vases (Pottery Barn, $12.99 clearance).

The Eagan Multipanel Mirror (Pottery Barn, $699).
This mirror would be placed above the consol to hide the TV which is recessed into the wall.

I would place the Brookshire Ceramic Lamp (Pottery Barn, $199) on the side table.

I hope you've been inspired and enjoyed this room! I am happy to provide more realistic design consultations for your everyday needs too!

Make sure to check out the Pewter+Sage blog for more inspiration and other Mood Board Links!

A Project To Come

I've been hoping to work on some more furniture, but I've also been hoping to come across a great deal. Today was the day!

I found two tables (an end table and a coffee table) on Craigslist for $25!! They are both solid oak. Scratched up, but with beautiful bones and ready to be painted! Although I'm not yet sure what color I'm doing,I'm so excited.

Enjoy the pictures and I will hopefully soon have a reveal.




{Ignore the fact that they are in my van/garage...the only downside to the solid part is that they are so heavy and I can't move them myself!}

Why I'm so excited:

The Caroline Bedside Table from Pottery Barn for $349


or

The Preston Cocktail Table from Ballard Designs for $349


I love the coffee table too. I would have paid the $25 just for the side table, but to have the coffee table too. Such a deal. And look at those chunky legs! (only a compliment when talking about furniture or children whose age can still be discussed in number of months)

Breath of Fresh Air

"Throw open the doors, and let in the light. Make your home a happy gathering spot, a family refuge, a personal exclamation--it's SPRING!


I saw this quote in the new May issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It caught my attention lately because this season of spring is so inspiring, especially in our homes. The colors are bright and the air is fresh and it's popular to clean obsessively!

I took the opportunity to catch some spring in my home. Enjoy the pictures and let yourself be inspired by the ideas or colors.

Outside: Breathe in the blossoms and decorate in color!







Inside: Pull Back the curtains and open the doors. Enjoy the natural light and fresh air!





Inside: Let the outside elements in!
These are flowers from my yard that instantly freshen up my table and these little birds are ones I found from an adorable boutique in Sisters, OR when my family was on vacation!




Enjoy your day, take a breath of fresh air, and be inspired!

Linking to:

Inspired Room

Are you In?

Gina at the Shabby Chic Cottage is hosting a fantastic party for her blog anniversary. I'm in...are you?