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Tuesday, 8 February 2011

a little pretty

First of all,

THANK YOU for taking the time to read my curtain post yesterday,

I was blown away by how many of you commented - so sweet.

It's unanimous - Roman Blinds got all your love. And mine!

I've been looking at some tutorials,

(thank you, Jennifer!)

and have been thinking about the simplest way to make them -

I'll show you all my trial and errors :) when they are finished.

Keep your fingers crossed I do not trash any of my precious three metres, LOL.

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Today I thought maybe a little pretty was in order.

Pantone loves pink and Benjamin Moore loves citron,

put them together and they form a palette that puts some spring in your step.

J Crew
( okay, this skews a little more lemon than citron, but it's so pretty!)

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Nina Ricci
This is true citron as I see it - more yellow than green,
with plenty of white to make it a tint rather than a shade.

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This home has such a positive vibe.
A darker "citron".
Don't you just love that striped setee? Yummy :)
I am quite sure my husband would never agree to it,
but a girl can dream..

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Betsey Johnson.
This has been around for ages, and talked to death,
but I still love this girls style - fearless.

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Some art to make your walls happy...

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A spot of fabric...

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Flower power :)

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Just what we need to get into the Valentines Day spirit, non?

Monday, 7 February 2011

Cast a Vote on the Office Curtains...

Happy Monday!

Thank you all so much for your well-wishes for the girls night -

it was a blast, of course,

We stayed up far too late remembering old stories and sharing new ones.
And laughing.
Hope you all had a good weekend :)

Sunday I drove around to several locations of a fabric chain we have here,

because I have a dilemma.

This is my office window.
It's missing a window treatment, right?
(Please excuse this photo,
the glaring light from the sixth foot of snow outside (LOL) threw of the camera wee bit!)

Remember the fabrics for the office?

See the third one down, that fantastic-take-on-a-suzani-with-the-exact-colors-of-my-space?

I found it while buying something else, but could only get three metres.

I assumed I'd be able to pick up more at another location,

but sadly, none of the SEVEN stores I checked have any. At all.

Most likely because it has been discontinued and was being cleared at a whopping $4.00 a metre!

So.

Here's the dilemma.

Planned to make two panels for either side of the window framing a tortoise-shell blind.

So love the look of these blinds,
and the texture perfectly picks up on all the baskets I have here for storage
and the wood tones in the room.
The large patterned panels would give some presence to this side of the room -
it's the first thing you see upon entering and it needs to balance
the busy bits of my desk and shelves on the other side.

Now, since I have limited fabric, I am considering a few other options
and I am hoping you will weigh in on the one you like the best :)

Option #1

I could simply use the navy stripe (bottom fabric) that I bought as back-up for the panels

and go ahead with the tortoise-shell blinds.

The suzani fabric would work for some other items in the room, possible inspiration board cover, etc..

This is my least favorite option because although it would frame the window out nicely,

I really want to bring this area to life with some pattern (namely my fabric :)

Option #2

Keep some pattern by using oatmeal linen for panels and

sewing bands of suzani along the bottom,

but this feels a bit tired to me - you?

Option #3

Create roman blinds of my beloved suzani for each window section and skip the panels.
Clean and tailored, and I have just enough fabric to pull it off!
This will give the area the boost it needs without overwhelming the space.
I think it's my best option.

Option #4

I could sew up simple blissfully patterned cafe curtains

(which would mean never having to fuss with any window treatment)

Like this becauseit also gives me a lick of privacy if I am working in the evening.

So what do you think?

I would really appreciate your thoughts, all you talented ladies out there!
This is a busy week for me, but going to try and get started on these in the next couple of days..

Saturday, 5 February 2011

Girls Night Out - The Ultimate Refreshment

I don't know if you have ever ventured over to Project Gadabout..

but you should - you're missing out!

A witty blog full that makes every day feel like a girls night out,

I adore Poppy's fresh style and charm.

and she has the best drink recipes...

Tonite I am having a real girls night, with some lovely ladies who I do not see enough.

As the former bartender, I'm usually in charge of refreshments :)

We are making these.. thanks Poppy - x

Even found passionfruit! May have to add a little spiced rum..

Hope you are having a good weekend, all -

Friday, 4 February 2011

Day 2 with Photographer Anitta Behrendt

Yesterday I explored the adorable children's spaces in Anitta Berhendt's portfolio,

so how about a few adult ones?

Recipe for fun ahead..

A medley of traditional tapestries fabric looks modern

applied in a patchwork style and mixed with rainbow atomic hooks.

One oversize raspberry pendant defines an entire space.

Wild walls are a punctuation point to plain jane black leather and a simplistic boomerang table.

Monkeys for art? Why not? :)

Stacking a large industrial cabinet over a smaller crate creates a banquette with style.

Think this would have to be anchored to the wall, tho!

Not many people would use wall pockets and magnetic boards over a sofa,

but it works with this playful style.

The palest of grey-blue walls offers a subdued backdrop with more interest than white.
Love the little vignettes created here -
a dining nook, a quiet corner for reading, and at the other end of the room -
the perfect conversation set-up!
The high table is the right size and height to serve food and drinks, but the seating is all about comfort.
I love this idea, a spot like this may even lure guests out of the kitchen!

Finally, fully saturated clean color paired with plenty of white and black.
The garden "theme" here is a bit cutesy for my taste but I do
appreciate the fearlessness of this design -
not suffering beige-itis, is it?!