Heart beats...

I think my heart beats faster whenever I'm in an Anthroplogie store.

Found some lovely items today for the lake cabin, and found some great ideas I need to work on, like these GORGEOUS cushions!

Also saw a lamp shade in newspaper print and I loved it. Now, come on, how easy would that be to do :)

Man, I have so many ideas swimming in my head at the moment - it's crazy.

Movin' and a Groovin'

Furniture To Buy:
Bookcase {$1000+}
Couch {$1000+}
Small writing table {limit is $30 - I know I can do it cause I did it for my bedroom - love Goodwill!}
Wingback chair {mmm...limit $60 - done it TWICE before, maybe third is my lucky charm, or diamond in the rough}

So really this means I have to get OFF my butt, get Movin' and a Groovin' and start getting my Etsy store up and running to make some pesos!

Ok, I've started :) Just a little something sweet to start with (hey, my kids always want to start with dessert and then have the dinner). I'm excited - I need to create to live! Are you like that too? I have so many ideas, actually NOTEBOOKS full! So, most important step for me is just to start. Hoping to get them up in store by end of next week (hey, well I've got two little kids, got to keep the house some what orderly, and help run my husband's business, next week may even be pushing it!).

But I'll try...


Gosh...I also desperately need a digital camera - love my film SLR, but this is killing me not being able to preview my photos (O, SO SPOILED!)

Must also share this link about the lamp print by Jones Design Company - I LOVE THIS!!!

The Whole Concept is Divine. I went immediately and looked up all our names - so TRUE! My 4yr old's Spiritual Connotation is Promise of God. And she was :)

Oh, just thought of another gorgeous idea - later....

Making Horses

(This is from my previous blog Toddler Play & Learn, but I thought it was so worth sharing again on here)

Found this wonderful blog www.designspongeonline.com, and on there was this great craft project by Ann Wood that I thought would be great to do with my 3 year old.

Basically you are making little cardboard horses to hang up on the wall (or wherever you fancy!). Ann Wood made this project with a goal of making 100 horses. They look awesome all together in a group (as Ann Wood has done), and can be done over a period of time. I also really like the idea she had of naming her horses and numbering them. I name and number mine and also date it, and put my little helper's name on it too!

My little girl loved drawing on her horse. We are also going to paint some another day, and I think I'm going to do a few of my own as well. I have the perfect spot in my breakfast area to put them up on the wall. I'm going to theme mine - architectural print on one (from my few years of study that I managed to do), ocean (love the beach), woods, etc, etc.

Love this idea - will update as we do more but here are a few pictures to start. Please check out the design sponge website for all the details on how to make them www.designspongeonline.com - all credit goes to Ann Wood, of course (and Design Sponge for posting this)!




Ours is still a growing collection (and so are my babies, now 4 yr old and 2 yr old), so doesn't quite measure up to the stampede Ann created yet - check out the photos of her stampede below, absolutely beautiful!! 

 The possibilities are endless...

Living Room Concept

Finally got a chance to sit down and have a good think about the living room. So far this is what we have:

Interests/ Things We Like:
Hunting {um, very evident from what is on the walls!!}
Outdoors {ditto}
Nature {ditto, ditto}
American Indians {would be great to collect a few pieces to tie in}
Horses {would tie in great with my horse display in kitchen}
Other Cultures
History
Maps {we have an old map of Texas}
Texas {homeland}
Australia {home country - think framed flag would look great - just like you always see framed Union Jacks, or pillow cover - something unexpected}
The "South" {thinking a banjo would be AWESOME!!}
Architecture {nod to the good ole days}
Photography + old cameras {sucker for black & white photography - it could be of anything and I think I would love it!}
Art/ Sculpture/ Pottery {wish my husband would create one of his famous collages for me - maybe if I keep harping on for another 10 years I might get one - they are SO AMAZING. But he is a busy man now.}
Books - art books, history, literature

Functionality of Room:
TV Viewing {kids mainly during the day, husband at night, me - VERY rarely - I never have the time or desire, well, except for HGTV!! :) }
Family Time
Music & Dance Area {for us and the girls on family dance night LOL! - it's a hoot!}
Run around the couch for kids {especially for those cold days - they need to burn off all that energy}
Visitors
Fireplace
Book Storage
Wet Bar
Access to outside/ backyard


Main Focus of the Room:
TV
Fireplace
Music


Style Definition:
Simple
Natural
Artistic

WOW Factor:
better furniture - more interesting pieces
simplicity
unified design

I'm not really changing the layout of the furniture but I would like to change out a few pieces with nicer ones, or something more functional. We really like the darker/cherry wood look for the furniture, and will probably mirror that with the new wood floors. So this is what I have found so far:

From Ballard Design:
Top left chair and side table. I have a bench covered in similar material so I could use this as a highlight material - like for an ottoman for the new couch, and for the old chair I have.
Hanover Modular Bookcase - this would match a little antique cabinet we have that currently houses our CD collection.

From Restoration Hardware:
Cast Iron Hitching Post Horse
1949 French Library Globe
Roman Capital
Gear Objects
Architectural Artwork


From Pottery Barn:
Nest Sentiment Lumbar Pillow
Pen & Ink Calligraphy Pillow
Flower Cafe Pillow
Bird Cafe Pillow

From Crate & Barrel:
Cameron Sofa in Sesame

The above is really for inspiration only - I'm not about to run out and buy everything listed here! I'll be very lucky to convince my husband to buy the bookcase and couch. Instead, I will be watching for copy-cats, sales, sourcing ebay, estate sales, antique malls, etsy, and will try to make some items too (pillow covers, ottoman, framed prints).


Extras:
Framed Australian Flag {already put my order in to my parents :) }
Cowhide rug for floor {already have - move from bedroom}
Old Cameras {from my collection}
St Francis statue {already have}
Old Texas Map {already have framed in wet bar area}

Lots more details to work out, but I think this is a good starting point. I also have some really exciting ideas for our wet bar, but I think that will require its own post!
Wow - that's a lot already! What you do think? Any ideas or suggestions?

Creativity knows no bounds

Interesting article at ReadyMade today - never know what is just around the corner!

http://www.readymade.com/blog/home-and-garden/2011/01/10/pending_neighborhood_treasures_behind_the_gate_that_beckoned/P2/

Love the gate "handles' - very unique!

Welcoming gate handles.

LOVE the benches - thinking I could (sort of) easily make these. Very inspiring! Would even look good at the kitchen table.

Bench made by homeowner, Katrien, and her husband.

Bench made by homeowner, Katrien, and her husband.

Can't wait to read more about her store, Voila Gallery. (Oh, I just checked it out - A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!)

Where and how to start??

So how do I start this? Where do I start?

I have taken out most of the decorations from the room to give me a semi-blank slate. And other than the basic design principles, what else needs to be done or thought of to make this room shine?

Here are some ideas:

Color theme - 4 colors = main wall color, trim, furniture upholstery color, and my color pop

Things we like/ our interests

Functionality of the room

What should be the main focus of the room

Style definition

What would give us the WOW factor that we are after

I have a folder with lots of pictures and ideas, sketches and notes in it, as my design inspiration reference. With the above points I'm now going to sit down and have a think-tank with the husband and try to come up with a plan for the room. I really want a room that not only functions but gives you that great feeling like this is the room you have always dreamed of - big goal, I know, but anything is possible!

Oh, and this is all to be done on tight, tight budget, and 99% of the work will be done by me :)

Page No. 1

It is 2011 - a new year, a new start - page no.1, again.

2010 ended with my dryer breaking down, the microwave exploding, and my digital camera getting broken.

It's all fine. My dryer was fixed quickly and at no expense (thanks to extended warranty). The microwave had to go anyway - it was white, and the middle numbers on the timer section stopped working months ago, so I rejoiced when it exploded. No more excuses. And my digital camera is SO old - it would drive me crazy with how long it would take to actually take a photo. With two young kids I have missed so many cute moments. SO glad I get a new camera too. Any recommendations for a small compact camera (I like to be able to take it anywhere so must fit in my handbag)??

So new year, new start, new page, and new blog.

First project is our living room. The carpet is going - hello hardwood floors! I need some inspiration and since my camera no longer works, my first blog is a good hit of inspirational photos. I promise to get better at acknowledging where I have sourced my images from, and in future will try to link to original source as well - this is a work in progress with lots of learning on the way!

Simple, elegant, artistic and unique vignette - love it.

We have a fireplace and deer mounts that are not allowed to be moved (husband's orders!). Love the firewood stack, the textures and simplicity.

Clean slate and elegant furnishing. Also interesting layout with the fireplace, chairs and couch. My husband needs to sit in his chair. I like to lounge on the comfy couch. The problem is the TV placement.

Love the colors, and the contrast between the simple lines of the furniture to the chandelier and art pieces.

Absolutely beautiful.

I like the unexpected color and shine of the cushions and the beautiful screen behind the chairs.

This looks really family-friendly while still being elegant, and also had unexpected details like the different lighting treatments.

I am drawn to the blue - good pops of color in a simple setting go a long way.

So romantic!

Love this chair - the fabric is gorgeous.

Love the combination of old (wooden floors, antlers) and the more modern elements (chairs and chandelier) and an unexpected pop of color (OK, it is only a scarf or something, but you could transfer that to a painting or bowl).

This is from a Ballard Designs catalog - I love the artwork and the colors.

Nice, simple and I'm a sucker for black & white photography.

Don't think we want the TV over the fireplace and this room is a little fussy for us, but there is something about it that inspires the imagination.

Pretty.

Love the colors. Looks welcoming, cozy and family-friendly, and yet also stylish.

For ideas on mantle display.

Love the picture display - perfect balance.

LOVE, LOVE LOVE!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE even more!

Interesting. Need all the help I can get dealing with mounts.

Sophisticated.

Love the artwork, the grandeur, and the pop of blue - it offsets all that beige.

From Restoration Hardware - gorgeous!

Love the chair and fabric.

I would like to incorporate some interesting elements that are currently popular, like the chair's fabric, either for an old chair I need to recover or for cushions.

Love the mantle - round mirror is pretty.

I really like the furniture placement here - our room is such an odd set-up but this is might work. The TV is the problem...

Good mix of styles and love the skin on the floor (my little girl would love the puppy too!). I love the modern clean lines paired with more traditional elements plus add in some textural/natural elements and it is the perfect balance.

Two from Giannetti home in Channel Islands - beautiful and love the furniture placement

Two from Giannetti home in Channel Islands - beautiful. Love the furniture placement and love the paintings!

  

Well, I have a lot to think about. I have pulled all decorations out of the lounge room so I can concentrate on the furniture placement without distraction. Should be fun. Although the tough part is convincing my husband that some things need to change - he doesn't like change. It has taken me 4 years to convince him that we should get hardwood floors!! Wish me luck :)