Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday Inspiration

Met Home November 2007
I've been thinking about moldings lately.  On the LONG list of unfinished projects around the house there are several jobs involving molding.  I have some touch up to do on the crown around the kitchen cabinets.  The Husband wants to do some sort of panel detail below the chair rail in our small eat in kitchen (our only dining room, unless you count the living room sofa!)  I'd also like to panel our existing brick fireplace, fancy up the bookcases flanking the fireplace and add crown to the living room.  (click here for my angst/inspiration about the fireplace)  I could keep going, but while dreaming of those projects I found the above image buried deep in my files.  I love, love this dining room.  The thing that caught my eye today was the fretwork pattern of molding on what is usually the most forgotten "fifth" wall.  I love the spectacular yet subtle visual impact a little molding can make.  Now if I could just cross one of those projects off my to to list.....Have a happy weekend! 

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Not My Mother's Jewelry Box

When I was a little girl I used to love to play in my Mom's jewelry box.  It sat in our bathroom on a counter behind the door and I would more than occasionally take the opportunity to take a peek inside.  A lot of my Mom's necklaces stayed all balled up together in the bottom of the box and was a bit of a tangled mess (not helped by my rummaging around in there!)  When I grew up and had a place of my own I got into the habit of hammering a row of tiny nails inside my closet to hang my necklaces on.  This actually works great but in this house I thought I'd take it to the next level.  Enter a four pack of cork tiles, a cheap mirror the Husband owned pre-marriage, a straight edge and a roll of double sided tape!


(Yes, that is my unmade bed, don't judge!)  When we got married and I officially moved into the Reslus Arms, we moved the master bedroom upstairs.  The new room in our sweet little cape cod has a lot of light for this dark house and a walk in closet.  The closet is long and narrow with a nice big wall that wanted to be something.


 Now we have a mirror and the cork tile jewelry hanger system to make it all more functional.  First we measured and marked the location of each tile (actually I eye balled it, but if you need it to be perfect within a 1/16" then you should measure and lightly mark with a pencil- you can erase the lines when you're done)  Then peel the cover off the adhesive tabs on each corner of the tile and apply it to the wall, gently pressing each corner to make sure you have good contact.  You don't want things falling in the middle of the night!  Next we applied long strips of heavy duty double sided tape to the back to the long, narrow mirror.  I like to apply the tape near the edge of all four sides to get good contact with the wall.  Again measure and mark your mirror location.  Use a small level to make sure you have everything where it needs to be.  Once we felt good with our location we pealed the cover off the tape and applied the mirror to the wall (just like the cork) pressing firmly around all the edges once we got everything lined up straight and level.  Super easy! 


  I'm also using clear tacks to hang my jewelry.  By using the tacks on the cork everything is much more configurable.

 
My next task is to add a few more cork squares, some artwork and change out the utilitarian light fixture for something a little more fun.  Thanks for joining me on my work in progress!  How do you store your jewelry? 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

What I ate for breakfast

Okay so this is an odd post but look how beautiful and yummy the breakfast that my Sweet Husband made for me looks:


Irish oats with fresh peaches, blueberries and a little splash of milk.

Yum

Friday, July 23, 2010

Friday Field Trip

Last night the Husband had another gig at the Flowers After 5 series at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden here in Richmond.  It's a wonderful way to spend a Thursday evening tasting wine and listening to music in a GORGEOUS garden.  I feel very lucky to have such a lovely place nearby. 

 
I completely forgot to take any pictures when we were there last week (sweating in the heat!) but I had a chance to redeem myself last night. 

I also made some friends along the way


Frabel Glass Exhibit

And saw some really beautiful flowers (that were actually surviving in the heat, I will say the rose garden looked like it was struggling a bit)


the children's treehouse in the distance
peppers!


It was so hot last night (did I mention it's been hot?) that the wine and music were indoors but I did take my stroll through the garden before I completely lost the sun. 

another Frabel sculpture



Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Is it better to give than receive?

Is it wrong to enjoy someone else's gift for just a little while before they receive it?  I bought these gorgeous blooms for a friend's birthday but we won't be seeing each other for a few more days. 


I think I'll make the most of it while I can.


Aaahhhhhh.......

Friday, July 16, 2010

A Friday Favorite


I love my half scale dress form.  I actually own three dress forms.  Does three make a collection?  I own a full size one that stays in the bedroom and wears favorite jewelery and accessories.  I also have a small paper mache one in the kitchen.  It all started about 15 years ago with this one.    She's my favorite.  I found her in a closet in the sewing room of my college.  I used her in a display for my Visual Merchandising class.  I begged Mrs. McGoldrick for her on an almost daily basis after that.  She came home with me on the day I graduated.  I am forever grateful to Mrs. McGoldrick for putting up with me and for letting me keep her!  


My sewing skills are less than stellar.  But she always likes to remind me that I could find myself in an episode of Project Runway at any moment.  She's like a piece of art. 


Isn't she lovely?

Monday, July 12, 2010

Can This Be Made Fabulous?


I finally found (actually the Husband spotted it first!) the perfect bedside table for the Husband.  It needs a little TLC but should be fantastic when we're finished with it.  Of course that means actually getting to work on it!  I'm a horrible procrastinator and am hoping that by posting this I will be "encouraged" to get it done faster!!  I have a selection of Krylon paints on the ready:


though I can't seem to decide which to use.  The Husband likes the green (Celery) but I think it might be too minty when it's all done.  The Almond is nice...and safe.  It's probably what I would feel most comfortable using.  Finally there is the Bahama Sea which is a great fresh blue that would be a great punch of color in the otherwise subdued palette of our bedroom.  Decisions, decisions....


I also stopped by Anthropologie to check out the Rhino (sad to report a misguided crafts project for my purposes) and find some fab hardware.  I came home with these options.  So far my Sweet Husband is not a fan on any of these choices.  Oh well, back to the drawing board!

Hopefully I'll have an update soon!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?


We've been away with family having a great time.  I will be back in the swing of things on Monday.  Have a great Weekend!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Playing Catchup

I'm still scrambling to get caught up on everything since we've been away.  In the mean time, here's a lovely picture for a Friday inspiration:

Amanda Peet's Living Room featured in Domino

This goes completely against what I normally advise for upholstery but I LOVE the bold pink/red stripes of that sofa.  Everything else is neutral letting the sofa (and that throw, yum!) be the star.  Erica over at Decorica just asked the patterned vs. plain sofa question earlier in the week.  I also really really love the tall black glass front cabinet between the two windows stuffed with books.  Nice.

Happy Friday!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Happy Birthday Mama!


I wish all good things for you in your new year!  We can't wait to see you next week! 
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