How Do We Fix This One?
While I was virtual real estate shopping.....as usual, I was again hit in the face with a kitchen situation that was beyond challenging. You guys were so creative when I asked you how you would fix this one.....I wanted to hear your creative thoughts on this kitchen.
Remember, we are on a budget because the home is overpriced! I hate the entire overpriced home, so again, a hypothetical situation.
How would you update this kitchen?
Two Giveaways!
Let's try to win something!!
My Friends, there are two giveaways going on...and you need to act fast for one of them!
Stacey @ Steward of Design is giving away Nathan Turner's American Style.
It has pictures like this
Yeah, I want to know more about this pretty layering going on.
You can enter Stacey's giveaway, here.
BUT WAIT....THERE'S MORE....
(I always wanted to be on the Price is Right)
Jennifer @ The Pink Pagoda is giving away this pretty Foo Dog.
This giveaway is courtesy of Sarah @ Duchess Fare (she is on my sidebar, I really like her).
You can enter the Foo Dog giveaway, here.
With all that spending....spending...spending going on, let's see if we can win something. Of course by 'we' I mean me....but to alleviate my guilt I have told you all about it. That way you will all be happy for me when I show you my #winnings!
Just kidding?
Would you....Could you?
I am one big fat (turkey stuffed) chicken when it comes to color. I love each and every room below, and I know I would never have the confidence to do this in my home. I am just too darn practical, and know that I would grow tired of it fast.
So why do they taunt me?
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| Via |
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| Steven Mueller Architects |
What is the boldest design statement you have ever made in your home?
Did you regret it?
Coastal Tropical
Is anyone else ready for the new year? I love change and the start of a fresh new year is a blank slate. I'll be starting the new year with some changes to my blog. Actually, the tweaking will begin next week, and go on for as long as it takes.
One of the things that I have been dying to change is my blog header. As you all know..... endlessly...by the end of Summer 2014, this will no longer be my home. Since I don't know what my next home will look like, I have decided to create (of course I mean to have other, far more talented, people create) my fantasy home. It's in the works now, and when it is done I will tell you all about it.
My fantasy home style is Coastal Tropical. I thought I was making up a name until I Googled it and found hundreds of images with that name. These are some of my favorites.
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| kouboo |
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| Marcelo Brito & Pedro Potaris |
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| Toby Leary Fine Woodworking |
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| John McDonald |
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| John McDonald |
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| Wettlig Architects |
Are you Coastal Tropical? What do you call your style?
Please excuse all the wonky (technical term) work that will be taking place on my blog over the next few weeks.
Blue and White Gifts
How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I just can't believe that it is December. Since Hanukkah is almost over, half of 'my people' on my list are done! One day we can all chat about how weird it was to have Hanukkah during Thanksgiving. Since those Holiday's won't overlap again until 2070...we won't stress about it now.
Here are some of the things I am considering for the other half of my Holiday Shopping List....and I may need to buy a few of these things for myself, too.
Stone Necklace / Ginger Jar / Chinoiserie Box / Beaker Vase / Kate Spade Reading Glasses
Navy Peacoat / Nautical Ginger Jar / Dip Dye Scarf / Blue Moccasins
Hope to see you in the blue and white link up.
How To Pinch Pleat Ikea Curtains
I should really call this the 'post you thought I forgot about'....
I feel so guilty for not getting this tutorial to all of you sooner. In fact, If you make it to the bottom of this post, you will see that I made it extra special for you in hopes of alleviating my guilt.
You may recall my One Room Challenge Ikea curtains that I hacked up. Here is the promised tutorial.
I started with the Lenda Curtains from Ikea. The weave and color on the curtain was a perfect match to the weave of my fabric. Here are all the supplies I used.
1.Buckram (4" wide) the width of each panel.
2.Drapery Hooks (I used 1.5") 7 hooks per panel.
3.Drapery Weights (cloth) 2 - 4 per panel.
4.Stitch Witchery (double roll pack) enough for 2 panels.
As you may recall, I found a striped fabric to use on the leading edge of each panel. I prepared the fabric by cutting it into strips.
Turn under and press the raw edges into place.
On the wrong side of the prepared strips, place stitch witchery into the seam and press.
Now to prepare the drapery panels, start at the bottom end of the Ikea panel, that way you don't need to worry about the tab top.
Give the bottom a quick pressing with an iron. I should tell you that I love my iron and have had it for over five years. You will definitely want an iron with a great steam system and a Teflon face.
Place the buckram under the lip of the existing hem, pin and sew along the edge of the pin line.
Turn and press the buckram header over....pin and stitch into place.
Once the header is ready, apply the trim to the leading edge with stitch witchery.
Using pins at the top and bottom of the pleats, I spaced them 2" apart per pleat. The spacing between the sets of 3 pleats is the same width as my trim, 4" wide.
You will want to lay out all the spacing before sewing. Alter where necessary to fit your panel width.
Sew each pleat separately, the length of the header. At the bottom of the header, sew all three pleats together.
This is one set of pleats....keep going until you reach the end.
Place drapery hooks (one per set of pleats) in the back and hang. I turned the end of the panel toward the wall to finish the look.
Custom drapes have a lot of weight to them and that's what makes them hang so beautifully. This last step will give all of your window treatment a professional look in minutes.
Once you have decided how you want to hem your panels (of course I used the stitch witchery), add 2 drapery weights inside the pocket of the hem on each side.
Here are the finished panels. The drapery weights help shape the bottom edge.
And now, because I have been feeling so guilty about not getting this up sooner.....
Here are some beautiful fabrics that would be perfect to use on an Ikea Curtain Hack.
You want to make sure the stripes go up the roll and not railroaded. All of these go up the roll.
A 3 yard piece will give you enough stripes for several windows.
Great in a girl's room:
Pink & Black / Blue & Green / Pink & Green / Pink Multi
Here are some beautiful fabrics that would be perfect to use on an Ikea Curtain Hack.
You want to make sure the stripes go up the roll and not railroaded. All of these go up the roll.
A 3 yard piece will give you enough stripes for several windows.
Great in a girl's room:
