Inspired by Art: Sophisticated Rural

The massive online auction site invaluable.com is a great source for design inspiration.  A room inspired by a piece of their artwork is an excited idea.  I love to design but I especially love a creative challenge: I chose a piece I loved from their site and created a space around it.  Oh happy day!  

Sophisticated Rural by rebecca-iverson 

I chose a beautiful oil painting entitled Karouev/Dan Farm (auctioned October 21st here).  I had a difficult time choosing a favorite work of art because, let me tell you, there are so many.  I didn't choose this particular piece because it was expensive.  The starting bid is only $70 but what do I care, it's gorgeous and makes me happy to look at it.  Also, I knew it would be the starting point for one gorgeous room.  

The first element I chose to go along with my painting is the rug.  I love that the geometric design mimics the roof-lines in the painting.  I also like the high contrast and almost quilt-like design.  The painting pre-determined that the space would involve contemporary country design elements and this rug looks a bit like a quilt.  I believe a simple blue sofa is perfect on this rug and in this space.

I next envisioned grass-cloth wallpaper that would cover the bottom portion of the wall divided by a chair rail.  Above the chair rail would be painted a soft gray-blue that would be a continuation of sky from the painting.  I love the combination of the earthy and warm grass-cloth and the soft airy blue above.  Just like the painting.  

The curtain fabric is a soft tonal silk check.  I like the traditional country pattern for this space but the silk fabric is a sophisticated juxtaposition to the textural grass cloth.  Also, the soft colors help the pattern keep out of competition with the rug.  

I brought in a touch of green with the beautiful lamps.  I wanted a hit of green but not too much.  

The Chippendale chairs would face the couch and they reinforce the natural and casual theme but keep it up to date with their strong line.  Because the grass-cloth has multiple shades of brown I was able to use a few different wood tones:  The chairs and the side tables are different wood tones but they are both in the grass-cloth and the painting.  

To finish off the space, a white branchy chandelier would hang over an ottoman or coffee table.  I like that it is light in effect and wouldn't compete with the other elements, but it is still a strong statement.

I hope you love this painting and the room it inspired as much as I do! There are so many paintings over on Invaluable.com's site available here. There are literally hundreds of fantastic pieces ranging greatly in price. Let me know what you think and be sure to go bid on this painting if you are interested.

The Elephant in the Room

I can't believe it. Summer vacation is officially over, and I am officially back in the classroom with 30 new students.  4 didn't show up, but we'll see what happens when parents realize summer vacation just isn't as long as it used to be!  So the night before school started, the Cat and I went to the mall to get a first day outfit for her to wear, and I picked up this beautiful scarf for her from Tilly's.

Paisley Elephant scarf, on sale for $4!

Currently the Cat has a thing for elephants, so when I spotted this scarf for $4, I couldn't pass it up.  When you are wearing it, it just looks like a paisley pattern, but when you look closely, you can tell that it's actually more than just paisley.

Close up of print on scarf.

Of course, now that she's in to elephants, I've been seeing them everywhere.  To get all of this stuff would be absolute overload, but in the right settings, any of these things would be cute additions to your home!

Hygge & West

Let's start with this Hygge & West wallpaper designed by Rifle Paper Co.  I mean, come on, how adorable is this?!

And how about this ridiculously cute hamper?

Home Decorators

Elephant Bank

Maybe this sweet little Jonathon Adler piggy bank will help you remember to save your money.

Elephant Garden Stool

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Our plans include pedicures and a shopping trip in LA.  What are you up to?  Any exciting plans?
Lori

What I Want: Copper

H M small item storage, $17 / H M metal box, $6.83 / H M frame, $14

I am loving these copper pieces from H&M. And what's more- I'm loving the prices on their home goods! I hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday!

Anthropologie DIY

Ahhh, the wonders of spray paint.
A while back, I saw this cactus cookie jar and thought it would be a good addition to my collection of pieces for the hutch in my formal living room.  I've been on the hunt for white pieces to balance out the dark colors (navy walls, dark wood finish on the hutch).  But, alas, this was a $50 cookie jar originally, and I did not want to pay $50 (or even $28 when it went on sale).  I thought it would be a fun addition to the room, and a nice little nod to the desert we live in.

Anthropologie
(No longer available online)

Anyway, I saw it, and I thought it was cute, but then I also remembered how cheap I have become, and besides, the pants I wanted were on sale for around $50, and they were awfully cute, so...

Well, the other day the Cat and I popped in to the Salvation Army and spied this little gem.

Hideous?  Maybe.  But I thought it would be just fine with a couple of coats of white spray paint.

And you know what?  I think I was right!

One of the only differences between the original $50 cookie jar and the one I paid $2.26 for is that mine only has one flower instead of 3.  Oh well!

I know it is not exact, but for less than $3, I think it is pretty good.
I love spray paint!

New Project in the Works: Marble Contact Paper

The other day I had a very successful trip to a local antique store.  One of my finds was a black,three tiered rolling cart that I immediately decided I needed to take home, spray paint, and recover the shelves.  I came across a few blog posts awhile ago that used marble contact paper, and I've had it in my mind ever since that I'd like to use it for some kind of project.

A Thoughtful Place

It still blows me away that the above counter top is not real marble; it's covered in marble contact paper.  I think it turned out beautifully!
And really, projects abound of people using this paper on their projects with stellar results.

I Heart Organizing

This was an IKEA hack.  Brilliant.
My little project should be completed tomorrow, as my own roll of marble contact paper just got here today. I'm excited to finish the project, and I will definitely post pictures when it's done!
I hope your Wednesday is going well!  Yesterday my friend Kim made some pillows out of some of the fabric I found in the garment district; I'll have to post pictures of that little project soon, too.
Cheers!

Day Trip: LA's Garment District

Hello, all.  Happy Monday!  Today I am headed down to LA with some friends to wander around the garment district.  Last time we went, I came home with a bag full of pretty fabric scraps.  This time, I'm hoping against hope that I will find some leopard print fabric for the bench I'm planning on recovering.  Or having recovered.  Or having someone (hint, hint, Rebecca!) help me recover since I am pretty useless when it comes to that kind of thing.

Online Fabric Store

This is what I want.  This is Ralph Lauren, and it is $268 a yard.  Which is a little bit, shall we say, pricey.  Although the bench was free, and I wouldn't need that much...
Anyway, I am not expecting to find that fabric today, but it would be lovely indeed if I could find something similar.  Fingers crossed!
I hope your week is off to a fantastic start!

Minor Obsession: Alaina Kaczmarski

I know this a a rather late-in-the-day post, but I am still recovering from a 12+ hour flight and time change.  We had a wonderful time exploring Paris; my feet are still sore from miles and miles of walking each day!  

I'd like to say a VERY big thank you to my blog partner, Rebecca, for allowing me to fall down on the job and for keeping up with my posts while I was gone.  She is a star!

I have pinned and re-pinned Alaina Kaczmarski's apartment pictures numerous times (I just can't get over her gallery wall!), and I thought this evolution of her home office, from The Everygirl was too cute not to share.  

It's like a fine wine; it just keeps getting better with age!

Mmmmm.  I love it.

all images from The Everygirl

Can we just take a moment to enjoy that pencil holder?!  I adore that piece.  And the little tray of washi tape- a stack of chic black, white, and gold.  Who knew rolls of tape could become such a great decorating tool?!

I hope you are all having a fabulous week.  I have lots to do to catch up, but luckily, since it is summer, I don't have to worry about returning to a normal routine.  For now I am going to go rub a little nurofen gel (ibuprofen in gel form- I am in love with French pharmacies!) on my feet and get some work done.
Au revoir!

Bon Weekend!

How perfect is this yellow and white sitting hammock from Hillary Thomas?  I think it would be a perfect addition to a back porch or sun room.  And bonus- it's on sale!

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Bon weekend!

Jolted

We've had a couple of earthquakes here in southern California in the past couple of days.  The one yesterday woke me by way of a crash and the sound of glass breaking in the front of the house.  The Cat was asleep in her bed, and I hadn't registered that there'd been an earthquake or even felt the initial aftershock; I was up and out of bed with my little can of mace to go inspect what had caused the noise in the front of the house.  Upon opening the door to the guest bathroom, I saw the culprit; one of the butterfly prints, in its mirrored and tortoise shell frame, had fallen off the wall and was broken and shattered on the floor.
I lamented its loss for a moment before shutting the door and returning to bed; this was, after all, my first real day of spring break, it wasn't yet 6 in the morning, and I intended to sleep in, dammit, despite an earthquake and shattered glass.
I also decided that rather than worry too much over the loss of a framed picture, I might as well take it as a sign from God that it is time I redo my front bathroom.  It is boring and has not been updated since I moved in.
Here are a couple inspiration pics that I've seen floating around the web lately.  They are kind of polar opposites, as one showcases a bathroom that is light, white, and airy, and the other features dark walls and accents of gold.  Also, I guess, the second pic isn't actually a bathroom.  It's part of a room leading into a bathroom.  But I am using that pic as inspiration for my guest bathroom, so, you know, polar opposites and all.

image via The Every Girl

I am loving the idea of the shelf and those towels are simple and gorgeous.

image via The Every Girl

I love the tiny table and dark walls in Danielle Moss' Chicago apartment, above.  I have a little corner in my guest bathroom currently occupied by a tiered plant stand, sans plants.  Honestly, it's there not because I love it, but because it was a remnant from my first rental.  My tastes have changed since then.  I like to think they've gotten better, but really, if I'm honest with myself, it's just that I have Rebecca whispering in my ear what is good and what isn't.
Also, I'm loving the idea of new flooring in the bathroom (right now it is a reddish brownish tile).

image via pinterest

image via Eclectically Vintage, by way of pinterest

On both of those pins, I am liking the floor.  All I know is something needs to be done.  And it only took an earthquake to get me going!

Bringing Spring Inside: Terrariums

As made obvious by our last few posts, Rebecca and I are longing for spring.  But where Rebecca has a good eye and a green thumb, I'm lucky that my daughter has survived this long*, let alone any plants that I may try to grow.  But that doesn't stop me from trying (as evidenced by my poor little lemon tree who is currently clinging to life as we speak).  I figure that winter is not quite over yet, so actual gardening is out of the question right now, but I can alleviate my desire to grow things with a terrarium.  Not only are they beautiful, but, bonus- they are pretty self-reliant (much like my daughter).  Here are a few that I have my eye on.  I see a diy project in my near future!

image via 1001 Gardens

How sweet is this re-purposed French-press (mmmm, coffee!) from 1001 Gardens?!  I love it, especially with the little wildlife grazing in the greenery.

via Twig

This one is entitled "Uncharted Territory" and is perfect for the adventurers out there.  It is available by the terrarium artists extraordinaire over at Twig.  They will also create custom terriums for you, upon request.

image via Twig Terrariums

I just love all of these; I have always loved miniature things, so I guess it is really no surprise that these are right up my alley.  And the ladies over at Twig are ridiculously talented, making world after perfect little world.  They even have kits for sale so you can create your own.
Or, in case you are interested, here are some instructions to help you make your own terrarium.  I think it would be a fun way to spend what's supposed to be a very rainy Saturday!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend,

*I am completely kidding about my daughter surviving this long- I love my kiddo and take every step I can to ensure that she is well taken care of and loved.

What I Want Now: Pottery Barn

Like I said on Monday, I am ready for spring. I came across these watercolor bunny pieces at Pottery Barn and I want each one.  How sweet are these little guys?!

Pottery Barn bath towel / Pottery Barn porcelain dinnerware / Pottery Barn rabbit home decor / Pottery Barn rabbit home decor / Hilltop Garden Napkins, Set of 4

I am out of the classroom today and in training for the common core.  It's an all day deal, and it meant making lesson plans for a sub and canceling reading club after school with my 6th graders.  I'm sure it will be worth it, but I do hate being away from my kiddos.
Cold weather is heading our way, too (cold for California, at least), and I am not ready for the piling on of layer upon layer and heavy jackets.  I have been enjoying wearing dresses and light cardigans.
Oh well.  We need the rain!

Inspiration: Cherry Blossoms

ana-rosa.tumblr.com

flickr.com/photos/acafe

While I doubt the cherry trees in DC are in bloom yet, here in California the weather has been in the 70's and it seems we have an early Spring.  We don't have cherry trees but we do have plum blossoms that look much like cherry flowers.  I have brought bundles of the branches in and filled vases all through my house so that I might enjoy their short-lived beauty.  Those of you who are still dealing with snow and cold weather, take heart. Spring will be everywhere very soon.  

love-the-day.com

stylecarrot.com

stylecarrot.com

marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com

lelandinteriors.com/

marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com

Cherry Blossoms by desertgirls featuring home decor

Are you ready for Spring?  I'm guessing that most of you have been ready for awhile.