Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts

Monday, April 28, 2014

Wine, Cheese & Lacquer Please....

Today's post is a little DIY with a little bit of effortless entertaining.  I found this fun bamboo piece from a little shop in Irondale and immediately knew I had to get it!

Here is this little gem before I spruced it up a bit...

Bamboo Table in Store 
Bamboo Table | Before
This piece actually wasn't in too terrible of shape if you are looking for that shabby-chic look.  I actually really liked the turquoise hue, but it just wasn't the right fit for my purposes.  This piece was actually constructed of true bamboo which I found was an EXCELLENT feature.

I decided I wanted to lacquer this piece to create a sleek 
+ timeless look.  Thank goodness I found the essentials from Amy Howard at Home!

The best thing of all is that Amy Howard takes your step by step on how to refinish your thrifty find....

Furniture Lacquer Spray Paint here

Step 1 :: Sand

After Lightly Sanding
Step 2 :: Prime

Primed
Step 3 :: Lacquer

Coat #1 :: La Grange
Coat #2 :: La Grange
Final Coat in La Grange + Acrylic Tops
I wanted to add that extra bit of sheen, so I opted for a pair of  acrylic table tops....just to be warned, Home Depot and Lowes will NOT cut the acrylic for you.  I ended up using a table saw to cut mine to size, so another option would be to have true glass tops cut to size...probably just as cost effective.

Now that we have a lovely lacquered piece in record time, it is ready for entertaining!

Finished Lacquered Piece
Another way to effortlessly entertain...I grabbed a fresh tomato from my produce bowl and sliced it, pairing it with a few gourmet crackers I had in the pantry with a generous helping of "Palmetto Cheese" (found at your nearest Publix or Costco).  To wash it all down, I used a Savignon Blanc...Cupcake is actually pretty nice to fit within a tight budget :)

Fresh cut flowers from whatever is blooming in your yard, in my case azaleas, adds a finishing touch to make you the perfect host or hostess for unexpected, or expected guests!


Fresh Cut Azaleas

I hope you enjoyed today's post!! It's effortlessly easy and will be the talk of the town at your next soiree!


Monday, April 7, 2014

Trending Now.....


With High Point Market in full swing I am getting tons of inspiration through all of the designers, bloggers and publications posting their take on the next greatest trends for the coming year.  

While I sometimes incorporate the latest trends into my home, I tend to stick with filling my home full of objects that I enjoy seeing every day and living with - after all, your home reflects yourself and your lifestyle and shouldn't necessarily be dictated by what is trending.

However, I have found that what is "old, classic and traditional" is finding a resurgence in the design world with hues of blue and white popping up in decor from classic urns to textiles, nods to Asian influences especially Chinoiserie and we cannot forget the luxe look of gold and of all things brass.

Blue + White Urns | Traditional Home Showhouse
I absolutely love the look of displaying a collection of blue and white urns on a mantle.  Another way to get a similar look is to hang blue and white plates flanked by a pair of blue and white urns.  Your Grandmother or Mother probably has a ton of these and they are fairly easy to find in consignment and antique stores.

Quill Notes Tip ::  Fill the urns with fresh greenery or corkscrew willow depending on what the season is - currently I have boxwood greenery in my pair of blue and white urns - magnolia leaves are always a good choice as well, and currently you may want to fill them with the bold yellow blooms of forsythia. 

Chinoiserie Armoire | Traditional Home Showhouse 
 This fretwork chinoiserie armoire is simply divine.  This piece exudes Asian influence yet due to its clean lines would fit in just about any home.

Another option for incorporating this look into your home is to include a folding screen or lacquer cabinet with a chinoiserie soapstone or ivory inlay.

Chinoiserie | Traditional Home Showhouse
The mint walls paired with coral details, chinoiserie upholstery and brass side tables are the perfect fit for this sunroom.  Again, the blue and white urns and plates would pair fabulously in this breezy space.  

Orchids | Traditional Home Showhouse
Chinoiserie | Traditional Home Showhouse
Saturn Table | Taylor Burke Home
Taking a step away from the blue and white and Asian influences, we move to the luxe look of brass. Taylor Burke Home's Saturn Table is a stunning use of brass paired with an agate detail.  I was able to snag one of these beauties in October and have it placed right next to my wingback chair with cane details upholstered in Cotton + Quill's Koi textile design.  

Even a modernized and contemporary style side or occasional table can be mixed with a traditional Asian look.  

Cane Wingback Chair in Koi Upholstery {shop textiles here}
Bamboo Chinese Paintings
Art is another way to incorporate Asian influences into your home.  I painted these bamboo illustrations while studying abroad in Taiwan - these were the basis for Cotton + Quill's Bambusa textile design as well.

Try framing black and white art in gilded frames.

Blue + White
I cannot get over the versatility of blue and white plates - they are so beautiful when framed as a grouping.  Here I have surrounded my hand calligraphy, letter-pressed wedding invitation with a few blue and white plates along with a pair of carved German wall brackets topped with a pair miniature cloisonné ginger jars with a gorgeous robin egg glazed interior.

Also finishing this look are custom linen-cotton draperies in Cotton + Quill's Capri pattern.

Get the Look ::
Carved German Wall Brackets {found at the Willow Tree in Athens, Ala}
Blue + White Plates {found at various shops while thrifting - the Willow Tree has quite a selection of these as well}
Letter-Pressed Invitations here
Cotton + Quill's Capri Textile here

Cotton + Quill's Terrace Collection | Bambusa, Shu Te's Chintz, Cuckoo
Cotton + Quill's newest textile collection, the Terrace Collection, is infused with Asian motifs.  Shown here are a few coordinating patterns in minty greens and turquoise.

Cotton + Quill's Terrace Collection | Cuckoo, Shishi, Dynasty
You simply cannot have an Asian inspired look without including a pair of foo dogs - or better yet, foo dog textiles!  I have recently acquired quite a few of these Chinese guardian lions to add to my own home.  Another great thing about these design icons is they are suitable for any home - I currently have my eye on a pair of lamps I spied at Beth Haley Design's showroom in Nashville, TN.

Now go scour those estate sales and consignment stores or even your Grandmother's attic for some blue and white gems and brass details to add to your home!



Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Spring Came Early...


The Terrace Collection | Cotton + Quill

Before I show you more of the work in progress "Returning an American Bungalow to It's Southern Roots," I thought I would share what just hit the door from Cotton + Quill's newest textile collection, The Terrace Collection…..and I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!

With Spring JUST 1 DAY AWAY….what better way to celebrate than to change out those muted colors & heavy fabrics from those dreary and cold Winter days to bold and playful patterns saturated with color to welcome warm days ahead.

Quill Notes Tip :: Adding a few new pillows or re-covering the seat of worn chairs is an excellent way to freshen up your home without breaking the bank!  AND, it's not permanent - so if you're not willing to risk painting the walls in Radiant Orchid {Pantone's Color of the Year} but still want a pop of the hottest color of 2014, then just add a few pillows to your couch or upholster a chair seat and you've got yourself a new look without the risk!


 Don't miss out on this great offer from Cotton + Quill!  Preview the collection here.

Shu Te's Chintz in Mint | Linen-Cotton
 Shu Te's Chintz was created from a true Chinese painting I created while studying abroad in Taiwan.  I paired mint + a breezy blue to update the traditional Chintz - let's just say it's not your Grandmother's or your Great-Grandmother's Chintz!

This pattern would be absolutely STUNNING as drapery panels in a breakfast room or bedroom with a crisp white chenille covered bed.

From L to R :: Shishi in Midnight | Cuckoo in Orchid | Dynasty in Orchid | Shishi in Orchid
Yes, these are what you think they are - FOO DOGS & I am absolutely in love!  Here we have paired a modernized take on the traditional foo dogs with Cuckoo, our Chinoiserie inspired design, and Dynasty - a pattern re-introduced from the Formosa Collection in two new color ways.

Here's your chance to introduce that Radiant Orchid into your abode for Spring & Summer!  

From L to R :: Shishi in Breeze | Dynasty in Melon | Palmetto in Breeze | Shishi in Melon

If Radiant Orchid isn't up your alley, then maybe try incorporating some of these color ways in your home - Breeze + Melon.  How fun would Shishi in Breeze be in a little boys room?

Try mixing these together as bedding, drapes or just a pile of fun pillows!

Shu Te's Chintz in Mint | Melon Velvet Pillow
 Cotton + Quill's Shu Te's Chintz certainly lends on the traditional side, but using a luxurious velvet in a bold color like Melon turns this traditional pillow into a show stopper!  It will certainly be the topic of conversation at your next Bridge event - or summer soiree

Available to purchase here

Shishi in Melon | Melon Velvet | Turquoise Linen Welting Lumbar
 Still not sure if Shishi, or better known as the Foo Dogs, is for you?  How could you resist this lovely lumbar backed in that luxurious melon velvet with a hint of turquoise linen welting?  

Melon velvet too bold for you?  Cotton + Quill also offers a gorgeous turquoise velvet if you need a look a little more calming.

Available to purchase here

Cuckoo in Midnight | Orchid Velvet Pillow
 Orchid + Navy = Perfection!  Now, pair this with a couple of pillows in Dynasty in Orchid.  An even safer way to try out Radiant Orchid in your home!

Available to purchase here

The Workroom
So I saved the best for last….many of you don't know that Cotton + Quill's studio/workroom is right in the heart of an industrial warehouse in Fairfield, Alabama - yes, you heard me right an Industrial Warehouse which I have worked hard for and am grateful to have a space to express my creativity and grow Cotton + Quill.

Not the most glamorous of spaces, but I have certainly always liked the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"  

I am constantly working to add color and warmth to my workroom and create inspiration for not only myself but everyone who works and visits this space.  I recently added an indoor fern {we will see how long it lives} and papered the back of the worn out shelving unit in one of Cotton + Quill's couture papers, Coco in Emerald.  Still lots to do, but it's a start!
{L to R} Work Table with Cotton + Quill Cocktail Napkins + Sachet Sample turned Pin Cushion in Coco in La Salle | Bookcase with Papered Back in Cotton + Quill's Couture Paper Coco in Emerald
 A little detail of the dated shelving turned fabulous with just a little brightly patterned paper + chicken wire baskets. 

Get the Look:
Cotton + Quill Cocktail Napkins here
Cotton + Quill Couture Paper here
Chicken Wire Baskets here

Here's to SPRING!!!!