the winners...

After talking with Allison Godwin from Hoot, who happened to stop by the same day I got the fabric swatches, I decided to go with #2 and #4!

The above fabric is going to be the skirt on my table, and I bought 1 yard of the below fabric to make some pillows for the couch.  I'll keep you posted!

a little kick of inspiration

I've been in a decorating lull lately.  Not really a surprise... I tend to cycle in waves and since lately I've been working like most normal people do, I've not had as much time to devote to houseliness.

But nothing jumpstarts creativity for me more than going to find new fabric (that sounds sooooo nerdy).  But really...!  King Cotton and I had a rendezvous this Saturday and I amassed quite a collection of fabrics to potentially go in the craft den.  I want some for a skirt for my table, potentially some pillows and simple draw curtains too.

Reminder of the space:

{I've got to hide underneath this table!}

Inspirations:

{for the skirt}

{for the colors}

{for the skirt}

{for the blinds/curtain style}

So - give me your votes!  I love them all and may pick two or three that compliment each other.  My biggest fear:  being too matchy-matchy....

I'll confess, I kindof already have a combo in mind, but want to see what you think!

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

I am also traveling around my house justifying purchasing a couple yards of each (or at least the second one).... who doesn't need more pillows?  I need to find some good DIY pillow sewing websites.

a table refinished... a first!

Done awhile ago, just now posting!  I needed a better side table for the guest room and wanted to experiment with refinishing and antiquing.  

Inspiration tables:

from Richard Tubbs

above...

from Interiors and Antiques in Vestavia Hills

and below....

The find:

The process (compiled from several you-tube videos):

Sand down the table, paint with a base coat (I chose Ben Moore's Coastal Fog, 976)

 

Put a coat of lighter-colored paint on top after base is dry (Waverly Snow White and Cottage Linen), and wipe off in line with the woodgrain with a rag.  You will be removing lots of the paint, and can do this many times.

Water down your lighter paint and continue to use the above technique to apply depth and the illusion of woodmarkings to your surface.

Sand down the edges in a subtle way to make it look less "new".

The end result:

Did that make sense at all??  I'm not the best explainer.  Maybe you should just you-tube it like I did...

It's Complicated

Finally watched "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin last weekend with Jimmy.  We loved it - and I especially loved the house that Meryl's character lives in, in Santa Barbara.  It is a Spanish style ranch house.

Upon googling it, I found these fantastic photos from the movie from another great blogger, Hooked on Houses.  In fact, I found that it was quite a popular subject for many design bloggers!

I absolutely love the design decor - going back to the search for my own personal design aesthetic - I think that this home hits the mark!  Designed by Jon Hutman - who also did "Something's Got to Give" (remember that fantastic beach house?).

Lots of grays and neutrals, but it has a pop of black here and there (window frames) and best of all - it seems so lived in!

LOVE this table and its simplicity!  I need to learn how to do better tablescapes....  an art I haven't quite attempted yet!

I want this patio!

Aunt Anne would love this yard and garden to work with!  (Visit her at Simply Gardens here.)