ANOTHER TEACHER GIFT IDEA

back by request is another option for a custom stationery gift for those special teachers. with summer in mind i have created a whimsy-chic set of notecards. 20 cards and matching envelopes (with glitter detail...of course) ready-to-give in a beach themed lil' tote. $25 (plus shipping if applicable)...taking orders through June 10th.

everybody loves personalized stationery
something a person wants, but never orders for themself

LOVE THIS CHAIR PAIR

{ BEFORE }

while visiting URBAN BARN'S flea market event a couple of weeks ago, my friend Chelsea (Chelsea Anne Photography) and i also swung by the salvation army (in escondido, ca). among all the treasures and trash Chelsea (who pointed out my obsession with chairs) discovered this wonderful pair...just for me! with new inspiration from the flea market...and ideas from another crafty gal (my friend Gana, who lives in an adorable beach cottage in manhattan beach, ca) i decided the $25 bucks for the chair pair would be well spent.

{ AFTER }
i love this chair pair! so simple and so cute. when is 'white' ever wrong? with a nice shade of white and new natural burlap seats these two will be perfect for the WORKSHOPS studio i'm moving into this saturday. but for now, i will enjoy them for a few days since they look darn lovely in my house.

SCHOOL IS ALMOST OUT - TEACHER GIFTS

okay...so there's still another 5-6 weeks of school left but i'm starting to get requests for TEACHER GIFTS so i thought i'd take a couple pics of what i'm doing (so far) for clients to give to their kids' teachers this year. thoughtful, simple and sweet... 20 custom notecards (detailed with glitter) and coordinating envelopes wrapped up in a box with ribbon and matching gift tag. ready to give for $25 (plus shipping if applicable). taking orders through June 10th

everybody loves personalized stationery

something a person wants, but never orders for themself

DIM (did it myself) UPCYCLED CHAIR

i came across an old cruddy chair at a garage sale and couldn't pass it up for 3-bucks. i knew there would be some painting involved, but didn't want to paint it white (which is my answer for everything..."oh just paint it white" or "it would be cute if it was white" etc). turns out that i've been seeing quite a bit of green lately...(DELPHINE's studio redesign, several mags and blogs) and decided to paint the chair green.

note: erika (from Delphine) is having a TAG SALE at her home/studio
in rancho santa fe on on saturday 5/1. you do not wanna miss it!
it's going to be a treasure filled morning (full of fab stuff and good prices).
you can click on her blog link to read more about the super sale
{ delphine tag sale }

even after a nice coat of fresh granny smith apple green, i decided to bolt one of my super cute 'fabric-o-pauged' tins that i typically use for my custom stationery gifts (from BRODYANDMA etsy shop) to the seat of the chair. this way, when i toss random receipts in...or my husband throws a heap of mail in there...the tin container won't move around, go crooked or fall off. i also thought a couple of hooks would work well too...and suddenly i have a cute lil' catch-all for all of the stuff that collects by the back door.

NEVER ENOUGH PILLOWS

why is it that i love every piece of furniture in my house filled (or should i say "overloaded") with pillows? my husband hates that there are 8 pillows on our bed (6 decorative, 2 for sleeping) and he constantly comments that "there are so many pillows on the sofa, there's no room to sit on the sofa." and i say..."there are never enough pillows!"

as you know, pillows not only add interest and comfort to a room, they are immediate indicators of style (elegant, romantic, cottage, coastal, modern etc). just make sure your inserts/fill are always 'down filled' for that uber-comfy (karate chop on the top) look.i have a couple different design/style projects (one retail, one home) that are winding down to actual installation...therefore i've been on the hunt for finishing touches like...you guessed it...pillows. bored with the off-the-rack and catalog options i've turned to etsy and found some super fab sellers that offer great looks (modern, french/vintage, eclectic and whimsy-cottage) for decorative pillows and pillow cover options.

now i just need to decide which pillows to get for my client(s)...and which pillows to get for me!

ALREADY LOOKIN' FORWARD TO SATURDAY

as much as i love those barn sale weekends out in the beautiful countryside of fallbrook (california)...i'm thrilled that there is now another uber-chic vintage, flea market fair a little closer to my home and studio. this weekend URBAN BARN will be hosting a vintage flea market within an 8000 square foot barn in escondido (california). i can't wait to see the goods, meet the owner and see the many talented vendors sharing their fab finds. i'm takin' my list of "still need to find" items for my home...and i'm prepared to just drool and die over what's in store! maybe i'll see you there...

KMART....FOR REAL....I'M SERIOUS

i'm working on a great styling project...a boutique/office (for a local realty company) that's opening in may. i put together a bunch of clippings, fabrics and swatches for a quick reference style board for myself and my client. while putting together the eclectic mix of vintage, french and modern styles we're planning to implement i came across a cute frenchy-like accent chair from KMART. yes, for real...i'm serious....i said "KMART!" oh and did i mention that the chair is $99!
don't get me wrong... i know they'll arrive in a box (we're ordering 4-6) and a ton of assembly will be required...but i think with a little sanding on the edges (to shabby it up a little) the chairs will be perfect for the reception area of the new space. check out the other coordinating items from the Country Living Collection and stay tuned for the b&a photos from my styling project.

ARTISTIC GIVEABLE

as a custom gift designer/maker it's a joy for me to discover giveables with a real personal, thoughtful feel that are cherished by the gift recipient. so, i've come across a great collection of prints (and originals) from BONNIE TAYLOR-TALBOT, an artist that has a real "whimsy-chic" style. the charming 6"x6" prints are signed, dated and ready to frame for the shabby style, cottage style or eclectic style home. a perfect housewarming, birthday or 'just-because' gift. seriously...how cute would a series of three be from any of her wonderful collections (chandelier, houses, parfum no. 5, chairs, cakes, etc.)? well..it'd be major cute!!!

......................................................................................

"whimsy-chic" style (i made this kind of style up...and this is my definition)

the state of being fanciful with smart elegance and sophistication

GRANNY FLAT RE-DO (on a budget)

this old granny flat turned office/guest room came out kinda cute! the goal was to keep within a minimal budget as well as keep the apartment style kitchen cabinets, since the orange flashback laminate countertop is sorta fun and the cabinets provide great storage. so i proposed a cozy twin bed/hang-out nook paired with a modern leather chair and other simple accessories. with the help of 4 chairs (found curbside for free no less), we cut off the backs, slipped a thin board on top of the chair bottoms (for stability) and sure enough...the standard twin mattress fit perfectly in the lil' cubby. keeping with the retro vibe we chose fabrics with a modern twist that work well with the masculine 'office side' of the space. a whimsical mix of a patterns - geometric shapes (pool blues and shades of orange) and a remake of a batik-like mono-chromatic floral. oh...i must mention that my "sew-talented" friend (Laura Prince from Sew Inspired...a stitch lounge) whipped up the shams and revised a $25 pool blue coverlet, purchased at Target. it's nothing fancy but definitely functional...and the guy who occupies the office digs the new look, as i'm sure future house guests will as well.

DIM - CHAIR REHAB

INSPIRATION

i've been admiring these retro rattan style chairs in mags & catalogs

SO HAPPY ... SO FAB
couldn't resist a craigslist find - 2 chairs $20
on wheels...and i snatched 'em up

and checked myself into a 6 hr. dim (did it myself) rehab.

these would be a perfect 'swanky-funk' office/desk chair...dont you think?

SIMPLE STEPS...EASY DIM

1. cleaned and lightly sanded the chair, covered wheels with tinfoil

(a simple way to adequetly cover the areas ya' don't want painted)

2. two coats/1.5 cans of hi-gloss paint (i'm totally into orange right now)

3. 3/4 yrd. of fabric remnants adhered with a staple gun.