Raffia Tables

I have been thinking about raffia wrapped tables lately. I love all things tactile and this one looks like it could be a great DIY. Recently, I was in West Elm and saw this one up close. 

West Elm

I think the pattern adds more interest to the straight lines of the desk. Tables that have curves are more appealing when it is a solid raffia.

Source ?

This one is nice with the gold feet added.

Mecox Gardens

I love the nailheads added to this piece. 

Century Furniture

You wouldn't need to use real nailheads. Simple thumb tacks would probably work just as well.

Here is a real vintage one. I just love how every curve is covered. 

1st dibs

The detail of the raffia is not lost under the lacquer finish.

I think this is my favorite one. It has curves and a touch of gold banding at the bottom.

1st dibs

This one has both high gloss and a raffia top

Oomph

Do you like this look?
If you haven't had a chance to enter my giveaway.... hurry, it's ending soon.

Where the Hell is Matt? ...Video Sunday

Welcome to my new series Video Sunday. 

I don't know about you, but I really like doing mindless clicking on Sunday's.  I also come across really happy fun video's from time to time that make me smile. So each Sunday, I will share something I like and hopefully you will like it, too.

This one starts out a tad slow...but I promise you just won't believe what happens.

If you have a video you think I should share, email me.

Happy Sunday

More Sunday Video's

What if Money Was No Object
Call Me Maybe - U.S. Military
Dancin With an iPod in Public
Jingle Bark

A Chicago Loft

Yesterday, I told you about the altar table I purchased on CL. The owner mentioned to me that their Chicago loft was featured in a magazine. 
Well, stalker friends....I am happy to announce....I found it!
You know you want to see it...and it's good. Let's be totally nosy, and comment along the way.
The hip young design couple

The perfectly mixed living are. That marble island is killing me.

Sarcasm in the eating area...totally fun.

I love the planks.

Work area with another fireplace. All white...my dream.

Let's face it, we are all cow people around these hills.

Another painted Asian piece. 

OK, if we didn't love them yet...this will do it for sure.

The most genius idea. Screwdrivers used as hooks!

Love that rug.

The pop of pink on the blue chair is so unexpected...love it.

All Images Courtesy of Chicago Home & Garden

So what did you think? 

Painted or Rustic?

I have been hunting for a narrow console table to go in my hallway for ages. I found the perfect one a few weeks before Sandy. It was lovely....clean straight lines, mirrored top, and really long. "Michael" (the owner) and I emailed each other and decided that Sunday, November 10th would work perfectly for both of us. 

It was located in Asbury Park, NJ. In case you don't know, Asbury Park was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Once our power and internet returned, I emailed Michael to see if he was OK....and I thought that there was a slight chance the table made it through, too. I never heard from Michael. I hope this means that he is fine but the table is not?

Back on the hunt.....I ran across this one on CL. I liked it, but was not sure. So, I emailed my friend who is now really famous and featured in House Beautiful. She shoots it really straight with me....and doesn't add an ounce of sugar on it. 

She liked it.

This carved scroll detail is really lovely. However, I could not get passed the fact that it was painted metallic silver. 

So, I hunted a bit more and saw this one. I started thinking brass might be the answer....still not sure. 

A Craigslist Listing

I decided to design by committee. I sent the altar table listing to this friend for a second opinion. She also shoots it straight, only it is done in the sweetest southern accent....at least that is how I interpret her emails. Do you ever read emails with an accent? 

She also liked it. In fact, she sent me this picture for inspiration.

Source?

Sold! I traveled really far....over an hour and a half each way. It wasn't the longest distance I traveled for a purchase, this was. 
The table has a wonderful story behind it. It was purchased by the current owners, a really cool young couple who are in the design business. They also renovate homes themselves. It was moved here from Chicago, their former residence. He told me that their Chicago loft was featured in a magazine. Impressive, yes?
Here is the altar table in my garage. I could not hide this one from my husband.

Here is a close up of the metallic finish

Continuing with the design by committee method.....what do you think? Should I make it rustic like the picture above, or paint it?

Giveaway Scavenger Hunt Style

Yesterday, I told you about my shopping experience at Sequin, and left you with me feeling sad. The reason I was feeling sad was because...it was like drinking the perfect cocktail....alone. Know what I mean?

Finding the most fabulous....whatever.....is only better when you can share it. So, I went back into the store and picked up these three beauties for one of YOU!

I actually had help from the much younger sales girl.

I told her I wanted something EVERYONE would want.

Cream, gold & navy

Want it?

 Here is my idea of fun.....I hid this giveaway on a very stylish blog. She is a friend of mine. If you can figure out who that is....you can enter the giveaway!

The giveaway is on HER blog!

It's a scavenger hunt style giveaway. 

Before you go....tell me where you are headed. If you find it, you can come back and leave a comment telling the others.

Now, I am HAPPY!

Shopping at Sequin

This is an unusual story that has an unusual ending....   In October, we went to Newport, RI for a wedding. We love Rhode Island, and usually go once a year. Since we have done so many things in RI over the years, this year the kids wanted to go to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. OK, let's be real, for those of you who really know me....this could only mean one thing... I"M OUT! 
I have noting against tennis, I hate all sports equally. I do love watching my daughter play tennis....even if I can't figure out that weird scoring system.
Back to the story.....a stimulation package was due for the local stores of Newport. The very first store I entered was Sequin. 

Sequin via

Are you familiar with it? They make the most fantastic jewelry. They have something for every occasion, but it is probably their enamel bracelets that have made them famous.   In addition to the Sequin stores, the jewelry also sells in Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstom just to name a few. This is what a typical store looks like.

Could you just die? For visual people, this is truly eye candy.

Everywhere you looked was more visual beauty. 

The combinations are endless. I must have tried on over 100 bangles.

Sequin Via Bows & Sequins

Even Ms. "O" fell in love with them

via Bows & Sequins

Here are the ones that came home with me

No, I won't wear them all together. I figured this would give me two great combo's...the white, gold, black and gray

And the ever classic navy, white and gold

They are so comfortable and have the perfect amount of "clang" to them.

I was in love....but it was short lived. I started to feel really guilty. I wasn't happy anymore....can you guess why? 

Come back tomorrow for part 2.....