Things you should know about Vol. 3

Random things I feel the need to share with you all...

Loving the colors and pattern on this outdoor chair cushion from Kirkland's.  And only $16.99!  Comes in settee size too.

 

Vermillion & Cerulean Outdoor Chair Cushion - Kirkland's

My love for otomi textiles is well documented at this point.  But seeing this lovely fabric as a pouf took my breath away. 

Purple Otomi Pouf from Etsy seller Winking Owl

There's a whole mess of new rugs out that I love.  This one from West Elm is my fave.  It's just ethnic enough while still being neutral.  Love that.

Istanbul Rug from West Elm

Also really loving this simple stripe from Ballard Designs.

 

Vineyard Stripe Rug in Gray from Ballard Designs

I might need to get the string art party started again and make a heart.  A string art string heart...

  I love it.

Source: cdn.greenweddingshoes.com via Dina on Pinterest

Pretty sure Knox needs 1 (or 6) of these insanely cute felted wool Easter chicks in his basket this year.

Felted Easter Chick from Etsy seller BossyFeltworks

Or maybe a nest of them.  AAAAAAH!!!  The cuteness!!  It hurts my eyes!

Felted Baby Birds in Nest from Etsy seller BossyFeltworks

Birds!  Everywhere birds!  I need some pink flamingo in my life and this pillow should just about satisfy that need.

 

Pink Flamingo Pillow from West Elm

 Cute rocking bird from West Elm.  I want to put it on a shelf in a baby's room.

 

Rocking Bird from West Elm

Love this art.  Reminds me of Boston's Back Bay (though I don't remember it being quite so colorful.)

 

Row Houses Screen Print from Etsy seller JensKelley

Lots of people ask me about what to do with their bedroom windows when their headboards extend past the allotted "headboard between windows space".  You could push all the fabric to one side and swag it of course but doesn't this layered effect look so much richer?  Love this look.

Source: pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com via Dina on Pinterest

What nuggets of greatness have you come across lately?

Some things you should know about

I'm in my usual post-Super Bowl Sunday funk - attributable largely to the the approximately 37 pounds of queso I ingested but more specifically because my New England Patriots lost in a HEART WRENCHING game.  Seriously, I still feel sick.  Can't talk about it...ugh.

I need the day to recover.  In the meantime, I'm sharing some of my favorite finds and deals from around the web.  

World Market has these great ikat patterned shower curtains right now. Even if you don't need a splash of ikat in your bathroom, the pattern and colors would make for some great throw pillows.  Or you could always try my favorite trick and turn them into window draperies.

 

Coral & Grey Ikat Shower Curtain from World Market $29.99

 

Purple & Green Ikat Shower Curtain from World Market $29.99 

I got Knox these shoes last week and he's worn them every day since.  He loves them and I think they're pretty hysterical myself.

 Robeez Yoda Slip-on from Nordstroms $27.95

Fun, purple drapery panels on sale at ZGallerie for $39.99 (96" length.) 

Mimosa Panels in Orchid from ZGallerie $39.99

I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of Kirkland's but lately they've become my go-to place for interesting and inexpensive side tables.  Two of my favorites right now (the second one I just used in a nursery inspiration board coming up this week!)

 

Gold Barrel Table from Kirklands $79.99

 

Twig Accent Table from Kirklands $49.99

I just got this book for Knox and the illustration are so wonderful, I almost want to put it away for framing.  Each page is a letter of the alphabet with a really fun image to accompany it.  If you don't want to destroy the whole book by framing its pages, the book jacket that accompanies it can be reversed and opened to reveal a colorful alphabet poster that has all 26 letters and their corresponding illustrations.  LOVE.

 

Paul Thurby's Alphabet from Amazon $11.59

Say what??  A pinstripe chesterfield at Tuesday Morning of all places?  Crafted right here in North Carolina!

Pinstripe Chesterfield from Tuesday Morning $2,499

You know I am loving some metal sconces these days. This 3 light fixture in polished nickel is gorgeous for a bathroom and really reasonable at $159.

Pullman bath light from Shades of Light $159

This room makes me happy.  The cool art on the wall is from here for $99.

 

 

The Change from AeroPagital Prints on Etsy $99 

I'm kind of obsessed with this vintage Turkish kilim rug on eBay. The colors are just perfect.  It's small (roughly 5'x2.5') but it could look really GREAT to reupholster a bench don't you think?

Anatolian Kilim Turkish Rug from eBay

And lastly, Michael Fassbender.  

 

Period.  End of story.  No additional description required.

Trendspotting: Faux Antelope Rugs

I've been spotting lots and lots of faux antelope rugs in some fabulous rooms lately.  I've really never met an animal print that I didn't love but I'm particularly smitten with this pretty neutral.  Animal prints seem to be one of those things that the men in our lives can never get behind but I feel like this is a pattern that even a zebra-print hating guy can deal with. 

It's extra fabulous as a stair runner right?  The natural pattern in the (faux) hide lends itself so nicely to a long sight line. 

{My Design Chic // Houzz // Nick Haus // Cote de Texas // Cote de Texas // Charlotte Magazine // Flickr // Visual Vamp // Bungalow Blue Interiors}

Stark Carpet seems to have the market cornered on this pretty pattern (which means it's not cheap!)  They have a few different patterns and colors to choose from. 

Has anyone ever gotten pricing on these rugs from Stark ?  I'm dying to know what they go for.  

It's just a matter of time before someone like West Elm brings us an affordable version don't you think?  Come on West Elm!!!!

IKEA Stockholm Rug Lookalike at Rugs USA

I promise you I WILL eventually stop posting about rugs.  But I had to share just one more!  I had to squelch an excited shriek when I saw this one.  Oh so similar to the IKEA Stockholm Rand (which I still love) but updated in navy!

Homespun Blocks Navy Rug from Rugs USA

I have been loving the offset, bold stripes of the IKEA Stockholm Rand for almost two years now.  And never, in those two years have I ever actually found the rug at an Ikea.  It's mythical I tell you.  It's perpetually sold out, no doubt because of the resemblance to the Madeline Weinrib Black & White Buche rug and it's "go with everything" look. 

(Images:  The Brick House, Decor Pad, Decor Pad, 4929dc, KSarah Designs, AlfieMakesFive)

Ok, that's it...no more rugs for a while.  I swear!

Rugs USA Favorite Rugs Roundup

After yesterday's post, I fell into the abyss that is Rugs USA.  There's some great new (to me at least) designs on there. 

Plymouth Cheveron Ikat Black Rug from Rugs USA

Cambridge Shadow Ikat Wool Rug from Rugs USA

Silver leopard!  So pretty and subtle!

Madagascar Viscose Leopard Silver Rug from Rugs USA

 

Radiante Hearts Beige Rug from Rugs USA

Plymouth Zig Zag Multi Rug from Rugs USA

Remember this post on the Madeline Weinrib Talitha Cotton rug?  I'm really intrigued by this next rug as a suitable substitute. 

 

Plymouth Marfil Ivory Rug from Rugs USA

Plymouth Simplicity Ikat Ivory Rug from Rugs USA

These next two rugs are so adorable, I can't take it. 

Momeni Lil Mo Whimsy Rug from Rugs USA

 

Momeni Lil Mo Whimsy Grass Rug from Rugs USA

I'm not sure I'll ever find my way back out of this black hole that is Rugs USA.  Please send cookies. 

Pottery Barn Moorish Tile Rug Lookalike at Rugs USA

Remember the Pottery Barn Moorish Tile rug? Here's a reminder in case you need it.

 Pottery Barn Moorish Tile rug via Decor Pad

Pottery Barn Moorish Tile rug via Russet Street Reno

It was long ago discontinued but now Rugs USA is carrying a very similar style with their Santa Ana Trellis rug.  It even comes in the same tangerine and yellow colors. 

 

Santa Ana Trellis Rug via Rugs USA

Ready for the best part?  The 5'x8' is normally $269 (already a great price) but with promo code ENY50 you get 50% (!!!) off making it $134.50 and shipping is free.  WOOT!

UPDATE:  It looks like the 50% off code is no longer valid but as of 1/3/12 at 9:00 AM EST code DAG35 works for 35% off.

It definitely won't last at this price.  I kinda want to buy the yellow one and hoard it but I'm trying to work on that in 2012 :)

Pewter and Sage Mood Board Monday Dining Room

Today I'm excited to be taking part in my second Mood Board Monday over on Pewter + Sage.  If you're not familiar with the concept, Sarah provides one inspirational item or image and participants design a room - any room - around it.  Click here to see the first Mood Board Monday I participated in (and the first inspiration board I ever did on the blog!)

Today's challenge starts with some fabulous dinnerware so clearly a warm and inviting dining room was in order!  

Sarah gaves us a few choices but I picked the gorgeous Penumbral Doily Dinnerware from Anthropologie.  I was so inspired by the contrast in these plates.  They're an organic, imperfect terracotta form yet they're still so delicate with the impressed crocheted motif.   I decided to keep the play on contrasts going throughout the room with a casual yet refined dining room.  

This is the first non-kiddy room I've designed here on the blog so be kind!  Even though this is an inspiration board challenge and the sky is the limit on budgets, etc I tried really hard to only use items that I myself would have no issue buying.  I love Restoration Hardware furniture and Anthropologie lighting and all of that but I specifically challenged myself to design a room for under $3,500 (that didn't look like it!)  That's not chump change but if you've ever furnished and decorated a dining room you know it EATS money.  There are so many major furniture pieces to purchase (especially chairs!!) but I did it! 


I am not one for really fancy dining rooms with gobs of crystals and fancy, uncomfortable chairs. A room like this is much more my style - warm and inviting with a cozy, home-y feel.   I love the mix of woods and textures with just a hint of sparkle in the mercury glass lamps. I've swapped out two of the chairs (wishbone style knock offs from Overstock, WOOT!!) for a cushy and colorful armless settee. Instead of one big light, I've opted for two smaller iron orb pendants over a weathered harvest table.  A soft tone-on-tone chevron jute rug adds texture and just a hint of pattern to the room. Some green cotton curtain panels would be fancied up with Greek key trim and the burlap lamp shades would get just at touch of rusty orange with some velvet ribbon trim.  

Can you believe that sideboard is IKEA and just $199?  I love the gray finish!  I would add a single fun knob to bring out a little more of that rusty orange color from the settee.  $10 is a splurge for a knob but you only need one on this piece!  

And just in time for Thanksgiving, some adorable vintage brass wishbone charms are perfect for stringing up on twine and wrapping around napkins like this.

What do you guys think?  Can't you just imagine curling up on that sweet little settee with a slice of pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner?  Head over to Pewter + Sage to see how everyone else interpreted their dinnerware.  I love seeing what everyone else comes up with!

GRAND TOTAL:  $3,383.81

SOURCES:
1.  Signature Burnished Cotton Silk Panels from Overstock

2.  2.5" Athena Trim in Leaf from Lewis & Sharon

3.  Petit Orb Chandelier from Ballard Designs

4.  Arcadia Extension Table from World Market

5.  Khandara Armless Settee from Amazon

6.  Wishbone Dark Wood Y Chair from Overstock

7.  Subway Art Family Rules from Etsy seller KariMachal

8.  Luna Antique Mercury Glass Lamp from Pottery Barn 
(with some luck, I bet you could find a similar style at Home Goods for much less!)

9.  Isala Gray Sideboard from Ikea

10.  Brilliant Blossom Knob from Anthropologie

11.  2" Velvet Ribbon in Rust from MJ Trim

12.  Chevron Jute & Hemp Rug from Serena & Lily

13.  Forest Photograph from Etsy Seller Eye Poetry Photography 

14.  Vintage Antique Brass Wishbone Charms from Etsy Seller EpochBeads

15.  Vintage Mustard Yellow Ceramic Horn Planter from Etsy Seller MelaniePeralto2

I'm back and I'm a super sleuth!

I'm back from vacation rejuvenated and excited for the month ahead.  It's going to be a busy one with Knox's first birthday party, a visit from my family and of course my favorite - HALLOWEEN!

But first, a bit of housekeeping!  I want to thank all of the wonderful guest bloggers that filled in for me last week.  I loved checking in every day and reading your comments to what they came up with.

--Ashley of Meet Me in Philadelphia's post on easy details that can transform your home from ordinary to extraordinary.  

--Danika of Gorgeous Shiny Things's mindblowingly great DIY for using an O'verlays + IKEA Ribba frame to create chic jewelry storage.  I'll be announcing the winner of the O'verlays giveaway at the end of the week.  If you still haven't entered, you can do so here.

--Sarah of Pewter + Sage's detailed study of what stays and what goes in the transformation of her daughter's current nursery to a (maybe someday) baby's boy space.

--Jenn of Arcadian Home's roundup of inspiring laundry room's you'd never want to leave.

-- I'll also be announcing the 3 winners of the ScotchBlue™Painter’s Tape with Edge-Lock™ Paint Line Protector at the end of the week.  If you still haven't entered, you can do so here.

And speaking of the ScotchBlue™Paint Party that inspired my striped room, I got several emails from reader's asking for a source list for some of the items featured in the original inspiration image - specifically that fantastic rug!  This is one of those images I had saved forever and I knew it was originally from Cookie magazine but I had no idea which issue. 

Lauren of With Two Cats did a fantastic job recreating the look in this post but your emails motivated me to dig through my Cookie archives and track down the original.  Yes, I have a Cookie archive...don't judge.  This is just a few.

After lots of furious page flipping, I found it in the issue with Tori Spelling on the cover.

Talitha Cotton via Madeline Weinrib

The rug is the Talitha Cotton rug by Madeline Weinrib.  Sadly it's nowhere to be found on the site which may mean it's discontinued.  The turquoise version appears to still be available via Lotus Bleu Designs.  If you have your heart set on the indigo/white version in the original image, it might be worth a call to ABC Carpet.  If anyone can track it down for you, they can.

Other items of interest - 

The fabric used on the roman shade is Fokus by Marimekko available here.

The bedding is the 50s birdcage duvet originally from Urban Outfitters, now discontinued.  But I'd set up a search agent on eBay for it...these things always pop up.