Fresh Fabrics Friday: Victoria Larson Textiles

There are so many crazy talented people out there these days creating unique and gorgeous fabrics, I have written about a couple here and here, and it's always exciting to uncover more.  One of the things I love about this is the opportunity for a look that hasn't been done before or seen all over blogland.  Don't get me wrong, I too am smitten with many of the gorgeous fabrics loved by others, but as a decorator, it is important for me to provide something fresh and new to my clients.  When I stumbled across these textiles from Victoria Larson on Pinterest, I knew I was on to something.

Victoria Larson Textiles are eco -friendly, digitally printed with water based inks on natural fabrics and manufactured right here in the good old USA (North Carolina to be exact).  The line was introduced earlier this year, includes over 20 bold and graphic, classic, yet modern patterns in a number of fresh colors and is priced at $58 - 60 per yard, a bargain for an indie designed fabric of such quality.

 All images: Victoria Larson Textiles

Here are a few of my fave patterns:

Koru Dot

(Inspired by the silver ferns of New Zealand)

Turkish Eye

Buzzed

Corinthian

Garden Stool

(Inspired by the cut out patterns on a ceramic garden stool)

Really, I love them all so you should go here and check them out for yourself. The designs that Victoria creates start out as original watercolors or block prints (no wonder they appeal to me) and are interpreted in lovely, current colors.  They mix well with one another and are perfect for any project involving fabric, from pillows to window treatments to upholstery. Victoria Larson also has a blog where she shares her inspirations and passions, be sure to check it out.

Happy week-end to you!  What are you doing to enjoy it?  My hubby and our two oldest offspring are off on some out of town adventures this week-end leaving me and the youngest home to "bond" and enjoy his tournament baseball games.  Should be fun!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

Room Rx: Office to Craft Room Mecca

Lucky me, one of my lovely, regular readers has hired me to give her small home office the "Rx Treatment."  She is an avid "crafter" and all around creative gal who has been without a home base for all of her creative endeavors.  Her gracious husband gave her the green light to take over the home's office space and we are off and running.  This is a dream project but not with out it's challenges. The long, narrow room measures 8' x 12' 8" and has two doors and a large, almost to the floor window forcing some out of the box thinking in order to get the most function out of the space.

 

The wish list for the room included:

1) Lots of storage for craft supplies including a large quantity of yarn and other knitting paraphenalia.

2) Enough work surface that my client can craft with her daughter and/ or friends in this space.

3) A desk for a computer or laptop so that her husband or children can use the room as well.

4) Comfortable seating to accommodate all of the above.

5) Appropriate lighting.

6) Functional window coverings for privacy and light control.

7) New flooring.

8) A vibrant, fun look that would reflect my lovely clients personality and creativity.

We had originally discussed replacing the doors with pocket doors, but alas, there was just not enough room in the walls, so door swings will still be a space user.  Below is the floorplan we finally arrived at and agreed upon and includes a mobile worktable that will rest in front of the window as well as a combination of Ikea cabinets and custom pieces (a couple to be made by my TWBIL).  By using only a two smaller upper cabinets, there will be plenty of wall space for housing not only craft supplies but fabric covered inspiration boards and finished artwork.

 

Without further adieu, onto the Design Concept Board.....

The transformation is well under way and we are finalizing some of the details such as fabrics, lighting and accessories.  I can't wait to share more details as well as a few in progress updates and "sneak peaks" with you over the coming weeks!  Because this is a local client and I love crafting, I am banking on an invitation to join her and "create" in this space when the project is complete!

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

Color of the Moment: gray and yellow

Perhaps you have seen enough of this color combo as it continues to be all the rage, but I still find it interesting, especially if the yellow is an edgier, more vibrant tone, a citrine.  Grounded with neutrals, this color story reminds me of aspens in the fall, the soft rustle of leaves, shaking in the wind.

{via}

{via}

{via}

 I would bring this color scheme to a more unexpected place, the bathroom. Add weathered wood, a pale gray wall color, a bubble mosaic floor tile and a couple of industrial elements and you are good to go!

 Today I am linking to true colors: the handmade home linkay partay

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

Dot, dot, dot

The simplicity of graphic pattern holds great appeal for me, so for as long as I can remember, I have had a thing for polka dots.  Juvenile?  Maybe, but then again, polka dots can be used in such a fresh way that is not remotely childish. The pattern is a great way to spice things up, like in this kitchen by one of my favorites, Sarah Richardson ....

Sarah Richardson

Or in this bedroom, adding a little punch at the end of the bed...

 

A few of the expected, but still delightful uses of polka dot...

Coastal Living 

Country Living

 

Bold polka dotted walls.....

Design Sponge

Emily Clark

Cathy Wall Designs

As simple accessories...

Craft & Creativity

 Unless otherwise noted, all images {via}

And a few fun, ready made polka dot options for purchasing and adding a little zip to your space....
like giant Washi tape

Sincol

Or a brightly colored, polka dot Aga range

Emma Bridgewater for Aga

Gorgeous polka dot panels

Anthopologie 

How about a well priced duvet and shams?

Ikea


So what about you....are you a fan of polka dots? 
 

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

Fresh Fabrics Friday: Majorelle by Martyn Lawrence - Bullard

If you didn't know him before, you know him now, one of the stars of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard is an LA based interior designer with world wide renown and a list of celebrity clients a mile long. 

 Tim McKeough for NY Times

And of course, he has his own line of fabrics available through designers....I am loving Majorelle, a large scale, graphic pattern of 100% linen, available in 3 colorways.

 Original

 Baltic

Azure
Martyn Lawrence-Bullard Design - Majorelle

Majorelle makes a statement as a window treatment

 

 or wall "paper"....

3 images via Martyn Lawrence - Bullard

Veranda {Via}

 Add ooomph to any room, upholster a headboard or a chair and make it look like a "Million Dollars" with this bold, impressive fabric.  The Baltic and Azure colors have a more refined feel, perfect for a more masculine room.  Love it!
How would you use this "Million Dollar Decorator's" fabric?

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

House "Tweaking"

There is nothing like a little bit of company or a party to get things rolling on projects around your home.  This past week-end we had a group of friends up from Chicago for an over night visit and that got me motivated to "tweak" a few things in my house that I had been meaning to get after.  None of these things was a big project that my friends would necessarily notice, but to me they were part of the whole picture of getting my house "company ready." 

My family room had been looking a bit stale and unfinished, so with some accessories I already had, I did a little update.  Have a look at how changing a few items does a lot to transform even the most inconsequential corner....

 

My Grandma's chest, a Target lamp and a window from our Chicago home were a good start in this spot.  I changed the lampshade, added a shelf, a wreath and a couple of prints. The beakers were a birthday gift and I think they are fun here.

 

We had such a great visit with our friends....look at these kids...they have all known each other since birth or pre-school and now some of them are beginning the college search!  Oh my, where does the time go?  This photo was taken at the University of Wisconsin Madison's Memorial Union Terrace, a unique, lakefront patio with signature orange, yellow and green metal chairs. (My kids are on the chair, boys in front, daughter barely visible.)

I love the by product of this visit from friends, a finished "corner" of my house....but is anything ever "finished?"

What "tweaks" have you done to your home lately that make it feel better?  Share them right here...!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? 

If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx