High Brow - Low Brow: Iron Garden Chairs

Love these fun, colorful, curvy iron chairs from Anthropologie spotted in the most recent catalogue.  Of course they would be fabulous brightening up a patio table, but they would be equally at home around a table in a kitchen nook or pulled up to a vanity or desk in a girl's bedroom. At $248 each, they won't break the bank, but are not exactly a "screaming deal"...

Le Versha Chair $248

anthropologie

So yesterday when the Pier 1 catalogue arrived, I was drawn to these similarly styled iron chairs...

Jardin De Marie Armchair $119.95

Pier 1

Jardine de Marie armchair $149.95

Pier 1 

At $119.95 and $149.95 respectively, these beauties are a little easier on the wallet, and with the added investment of a can or two of brightly colored spray paint and a little elbow grease, you have essentially created the same look.

Of course you could always scour Craigslist with the notion that the look could be had for even less, but if you are not up to the task, you are good to go with the Pier 1 version!

What bargains have you uncovered lately? Since I am all about a good deal, I would love to hear, leave a comment or a link to your blog and share!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

Room Rx: "Ugly Room " Sneak Peek

It's been awhile, but you may remember this room from the "Ugly Room Contest" which I shared with you back in February...

 And my Design Concept board:

My client is keeping me on top of the progress and she is doing a fabulous job, so today I want to share a couple of "sneak peeks" at what she has pulled together so far from my Room Rx...

She picked up the artwork from Pier 1 as well as some new bed linens to coordinate with the overall color scheme and the fabrics I sent her:

 

 

 First she sampled the paint on the wall to be certain of the color (good girl!)

  

Then she painted the room and all of the trim.  When that was completed, she built herself an upholstered headboard using a drop cloth...

Things have progressed from this point, but since this is just a "peek" I'll stop here today. I just love her enthusiasm and "can do" attitude for this project and think she is doing a wonderful job pulling it all together.  I can't wait to share photos of the completed room, so stay tuned!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

Framed Doily Gallery

OK people, I did not let my decorating ADD get in the way of completing this project, I am done (for now) and sharing.... I did not shoot a bunch of how-to photos or make a tutorial, this was a simple, no-brainer project.  All that was required were a handful of black frames, some large sheets of black paper (both from Michaels) and a collection of crocheted doilies.  No fancy steps or instructions, just cut the paper to fit the frame and insert the doilie, simple....  I did lay things out on the floor before putting nails in the wall, but even that was not too complicated as I only had 5 frames to hang.

Here is the wall, sad and unadorned for almost 5 years:

 

And my low cost, use what you have and make it work solution:

 

Overall, I am pleased with how this wall turned out, I plan to add to it over time and will tweak the accessorizing of the table etc. I like the graphic pop of the black and cream and think this gives these old doilies a new life, what do you think?

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

A Snippet of Spring: Week 5

With temperatures forecast to remain under 40 degrees for most of this week, Spring is definitely NOT quite in the air where I live, but it is on my mind, so over the week-end I embarked on a couple of "Spring Prep" projects.  You will note that I did not say "Spring Cleaning" and that is simply because I was not ready to go whole hog just yet since that would involve more than a vacuum cleaner!

We have a three season porch just off of our kitchen and during the winter months it serves as a "walk in cooler" and storage "facility."  We can chill wine, beer and soda to just the right temperature and somehow, miscellaneous stuff just piles up out there!  Because the room faces southeast, the most pleasant times of year to use it are Spring and Fall, so it was time to get it in order. 

Vacuuming, dusting, and the first go round with window washing were all on my "docket."  I also tried re-arranging, but due to the small size of the room and the traffic flow, no new arrangement materialized.  I am delighted to have the "stuff" removed, the assorted beverages moved to the basement fridge and the place cleaned up and ready to use.

 I love my Spring Green pillows made from scraps of fabric, cotton duck and paint.

 My CSIL made cotton duck cushion covers for these comfy retro rockers.

A bowl of Hyacinth bulbs picked up at Costco adds a "Springy" touch and the smell is lovely.

The Adirondack chairs with their fresh coat of paint, have moved to their outdoor home and await the "Summer Prep" session coming once the weather actually warms up.

Now all that's needed is a fresh coat of paint and the final go-round of window washing....maybe next week-end! What "Spring Prep" projects have happened around your home lately?  I'm still in project mode so come back tomorrow and see my finished "wall of doilies"....

BTW I am linking up today over at Centsational Girl for her "Fair Weather Forum" today, check it out, lots of great "Spring" projects to get you inspired!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

Fresh Fabrics Friday: Zinnia by Galbraith & Paul

Galbraith & Paul fabrics have been on my radar for sometime, I think they are just beautiful.  From the patterns and colors to the fact that the fabrics are hand block printed in a studio in Philadelphia (I really am a sucker for hand block prints,) these are fabrics with a huge "wow factor."  They tend toward use in more transitional or contemporary settings, but like most decor, if you love it, used a with  light touch, in the proper fashion, these fabrics could be used in any room design.

This particular fabric, Zinnia is a favorite, it feels happy and lighthearted and comes in yummy colorways. I am especially partial to this one called "Sky," with a vibrant yellow-green, turquoise, blue gray and brown...

Zinnia makes a stunning Roman shade in a white kitchen (note the other Galbraith & Paul fabric on the chairs, Sweet Pea.)

How about this simple curtain panel, no pleats, hung on rings and trimmed with a teal velvet, gorgeous, no?

 

Galbraith & Paul 

Clean and simple on a headboard.

House Beautiful

How about the size of the blocks used to print the fabrics?  Imagine the skill necessary to line the inked blocks up just right...what a beautiful and mindful process.

Galbraith & Paul

Because the Galbraith & Paul textiles are all hand block printed on high quality fabrics, they are rather pricey and available by the yard only through designers.  Fear not though, Room & Board also has a wonderful selection of pillows and pendant lighting available in store and on line at great prices. 

Room & Board

If like me, the Galbraith & Paul textiles really appeal to you, then you will be excited to know that they are introducing hand block printed wallpaper patterns for their Spring 2011 collection and they have been producing a line of customizable rugs  for some time.

 Galbraith & Paul

And as if that was not enough, they also have a line of outdoor textiles available through Perennials.  These are 100% solution dyed outdoor acrylics which have fresh patterns and color.  These are also available by the yard, through designers.  I love the idea of using this type of fabric on a kitchen stool or in a family room that gets a lot of wear and tear, so fun!

 Perennials

If you would like to know more about the Galbraith & Paul fabrics or want to order, I would be happy to help, please contact me.  
  

What do you think, have you enjoyed this week's Fresh Fabric Friday?  I know I am like a kid in a candy store when it comes to textiles. Are you like me, do you get a buzz from cool fabrics and all of the possibilities?  I would love to hear from you, let me know what type of fabric or fabric related information you would be interested in learning about, I'd be more than happy to oblige.  

Have a wonderful week-end...I need to run and get moving on framing my doilies!  Be sure to come back next week and see the finished product.

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

Doilies

My grandmother, "Gim" and great grandmother, "Gangi" LOVED to crochet. Both of them had crocheted doilies adorning tabletops, dressers and even their beds (in the form of crocheted bedspreads.)  A tiny bit of research tells me that this was a popular past time (not that I needed research to tell me that based on the number of doilies I now own,) that really began in earnest in the late 1800's for the more well to do ladies, and seemed to expand to women of varying means and peak in the 30's and 40's.

I have had a box of doilies and my grandmother's bedspread tucked away for ever, never sure how to use them in a less fussy, more contemporary way.  A while back I saw these photos on Design Sponge and tucked them away for inspiration....

newly wed diaries

I just love how modern and graphic these two displays are and have been ruminating about where to do this in my home.....I finally figured it out. I mentioned here about the wall in my family room, which has been largely unadorned  for as long as we have lived in this house.  Since I already have the doilies and several frames, this is a cost effective solution, so my plans for the week-end include pulling it all together and getting them hung. Now that I have put it out there to you all, I NEED to do it and not be side tracked by my "personal decorating ADD."  Wish me luck...!!!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

Displaying Photographic Art

After posting about Carolee Euritt Salat's's photographs last week here and here, I had a reader with a great question:

I love abstract photography! How would you work these photos into an interior that's transitional, but has nothing else this contemporary?

I think photography, like art, is something that can work in any style of decor and how it is displayed is as personal as the photographs themselves.  That said, I have shared ideas previously on creative means of displaying family photos, many of which I think could work for any type of photograph.  In order to best answer the question, I wanted to find and share some additional ideas for displaying photographic art such as Carolee's.

This first picture is a perfect example, the photos themselves taking center stage due to their color story, size and lack of frame.  The orderly grid display and color of the chest further enhance and tie together the look.

via

Although these examples are of portraits, canvas wrapped and hung in a block would work well too provided the right photos were displayed together, all abstracts, all landscapes, you get the idea.

 Mint Photography

 Alldrin Photography

These are more contemporary displays but note the framing, it is simple, all the same color and has no mat.

DLK Collection

 fototiller

The unifying effects here are the horizontal line and the fact that the photos are all black and white.  The room's decor definitely takes it's cue from the photos.

Homes and Gardens 

The three images below show photos identically sized and framed and hung in a grid.  The look is classic and contemporary at the same time.

 via

2 images Via {Laura Winslow Photography} 

No hard and fast rules here, just lots of ways to make the photographic art important as well as the centerpiece of a room.  What have you done to display your art photos?  Send me a photo and let me know, I'd love to share here on Room Rx!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!