Favourite Finds Friday

Some girls like diamonds, some like shoes.  Me?, I like fabric.  I become a gitty mess any time I step foot in a fabric store.  Or, dare I get a 25% off coupon in my inbox for fabric.com.  You should see my basement - filled with boxes of fabric!!!

I found this fabric at Ikea this week and fell in love with the colours.  It's a mix of ikat and watercolour...  So pretty.  I wonder if I could do Grace's room in this fabric.  I could do curtains and cover that chair I got!  and, and, and....

Malin Cirkel Fabric.  IKEA $4.99/m

I fell inlove with this Michael Miller Zoology fabric this season.  Thank goodness Auntie Kitty loved it too, and I was able to get my niece and nephew their Christmas presents in this adorable fabric.  I promise to share the surprise after Christmas!

Could the colours in this print be anymore beautiful??  I am such a sucker for a large scale print!  I would cover a head board in this fabric.  Imagine??  errr, beautiful!

Tonicliving.com

And BTW, tonic living is by far, my most favourite online fabric shop!!!

#2, is fabric.com

I would take some Robert Allen fabric over any piece of jewellery any day.   Bahaha, I'm such a loser!!!!

But look... can you blame me?  it's stunning!!

Recreating an Inspiration Room

Rememeber this from last week?

"Have you ever looked at a designer room and thought "I want that!" but are too intimidated to attempt it yourself?  Well, there is no reason to be afraid!  Everyone is capable of creating the home of their dreams within a reasonable budget.

All you need to do is break down the room's elements, and piece your space together, while working with what you already have and new pieces within your budget.  I'll show you how, with my new weekly post called "Recreating an Inspiration Room""

On to Week 2....

I love a beautiful dining room!  This one has such a luxurious and romantic feel.  I'd live here!!!

Ellen Grasso & Sons

 Let's recreate this room!  First thing is to break down all of the elements in the room, recreate them and put them back all together.

Always start with the paint!  I LOVE this colour!  I'd use it in every room of my house ;)

Benjamin Moore, Palladian Blue

Next go to your light fixture.  In a dining room, your light fixture can be a piece of art.  You can never be too over the top or dramatic.... although don't forget, the more drama, the more moula!!

Dauphin Chandelier (shown here in antique white.  picture shows gold), Curry & Company. $4700(approx.)

Even for Curry & Co., I can't imagine spending $4700 on this fixture!!!  And you know what, you don't have to.  In this room, the key is colour and scale.  The gold in the fixture is creating a dramatic colour story, and the size of the fixture is really making a statement.

Go shopping!  Find something grand, in a similar colour.... and make sure you like it!  Don't buy a light fixture just becuase it "goes".  But it because you like it!!!

Platinum Rings Chandelier.  Shades Of Light.  $999

6 Light beaded chandelier.  Union Lioghting.  $859

5 Light Contemporary Chandelier.  Union Lighting  $949

Dining room tables can cost a fortune.  Before heading to the store to purchase a new one, take a look at your current piece.  Can you restain it yourself?  Could you hire someone to restain it?  Consider painting it black.  Also consider looking on sites like Craigs List and Kijiji for a new table.  Buying a used one and refinishing it can save you hundreds or even thousands.

Or just buy a new one ;)

Pedestal Table by Hooker Furniture.  Stoney Creek Furniture.  $1407.99

Curved Upholstered Chairs.   West Elm.  $208

In a room like this, there is no way you'll be able to find ready made curatain panels long enough.  You'll have to by fabric by the yard and sew them yourself, or have them sewn.  

Robert Allen Linen Duck Natural.  Fabric.com.  $11.98/yd

However, the bamboo shade are available everywhere these days.  Check Bouclair, Lowes, or Home Depot.  The'll cut them to size for you.

Bamboo Shades.  Overstock.com.  From $32.99

The floor mirror in the inspiration shot screamed "Home Sense" to me!!!!  Can alway find floor mirrors there for $100-200.  But I love this one from Restoration Hardware.  Simple but stately.

Mirror, Restoration Hardware.  $850

  If you have a room that you'd like me to recreate, email me!!!  You can even send me a picture of your current room that you were thinking of redecorating and I can help!  And, I can feature you on this blog! :) Cait

DIY Fabric Covered Magnet Boards

I purchased these magnet boards from Ikea a few years ago, and have been meaning to hack them for a while now.

Here's what I did!

First, collect all the stuff I need!

- Glue gun, scissors, fabric, and magnet boards

I got my fabric from Ikea for just $8.99 a meter.  I only needed one meter for this project, but I bought 2 incase I was feeling crafty in the future!

I lay out the fabric to decide how I wanted them to look.  I wasn't sure if I wanted them to be all vertical, horizontal or diagonal.  I decided on a little mix and match!

Then I cut the fabric to size

I busted out my duck tape before my glue gun.  I figured I could just eyeball if the lines were straight.

Once I had the sides duct taped to where I wanted them, I just glued the fabric down with my hot glue gun.  No science here, just a straight line of glue.  And don't worry, after the first burn, the rest don't hurt that much - I got my finger good!

When you get to the corners, just pinch them like this...

Put a bead of glue on each side of the pinch and then push down

Ta Da.

Yup, there's Marley.  He's the "Where's Waldo" of my blog.

A lot of my decor and craft supplies are in the toy room closet, so I like that I have a little display board of my own for paint samples and whatever else.  Too high for the kiddies to reach.  Haha.

Favourite Finds Friday

Everyone knows I've got a thing for clocks.  I would do anything for my very own cuckcoo clock.  Look how chic these ones are.  James loves them too!

Cuckoo Clock by Pascal Tarabay.  Unica Home.  $323.00 and up

I think I may have to order this for the toy room.  What a steal at just $24

Book Clock.  Uncommon Goods.  $24

It's a guitar, pendulum clock.  So tacky, yet so cool.  I must have!

Guitar, pendulum clock.  Guitargifts.com.  $29.95

Christmas Wrap Ideas

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved wrapping presents.  I love getting creative especially at Christmas.    It brings out my crafty side!!!!

Here are some great ideas I have come across.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Recreating an Inspiration Room

Have you ever looked at a designer room and thought "I want that!" but are too intimidated to attempt it yourself?  Well, there is no reason to be afraid!  Everyone is capable of creating the home of their dreams within a reasonable budget.

All you need to do is break down the room's elements, and piece your space together, while working with what you already have and new pieces within your budget.  I'll show you how, with my new weekly post called "Recreating an Inspiration Room"

For my first post, I'm looking at this beautiful Master Bedroom as my inspiration room.  I love the soft, neutral palette.

Let's look at the elements in the room and see how to put the space together!

Easiest and cheapest fix... paint your walls

Benjamin Moore, Clay Beige

If you are replacing the flooring...

Low pile wool carpeting.  Available at most flooring stores.

If you aren't getting new flooring. consider a similar area rug

Sisal 8'x10' rug.  The Home Depot $439

Next, change your light fixture.  It has the biggest impact in a room (other than paint!)
The light fixture in the Inspiration Room is from Pottery Barn.

Camilla Chandelier.  Pottery Barn. $592.90

But shop around, you can always find one cheaper.... be sure to pick and choose where you splurge

Light Fixture.  The Home Depot $189.99

Now, think window coverings.  Buying fabric by the yard, and sewing your own curtains means you get exactly what you want.  But, it can be costly and time consuming.  Ready made panels are available every where and are nice and cheap! But, you may have to compromise on the style and/or colour.

 Robert Allen Linen Duck Fabric.com $11.98/yd

Pinch Please Curtain Panel.  BedBathStore.com.  $34.99

In a bedroom, linens are so important.  I don't recommend you cheap out on them.  You sleep on them every night.  I'm one to talk since my sheets and duvet are from IKEA, but I'm working on it.  I'm just really picky!!

Hotel Collection Bedding.  Bed Bath Store.  Queen Duvet $184.99

When it comes to furniture, always try to use what you have.  Paint it or reupholster it.  Consider just changing knobs, or mix and match pieces through out your house.

If your handy, you can easily DIY this headboard from Sears for around $100 bucks!
Here's a tutorial from House & Home

Tufted Headboard.  Sears.  $799

This is the original bed from the Inspiration Room.  I have to admit, I may be tempted to splurge on this bed.  Beautiful.

Eloise Bed.  BenMade by BrownStone. $3980

End tables are easy to pick up at garage sales or thrift stores and re purpose.  But if you are going to buy new, shop around.

Silhouette Nightstand West Elm. $104.97

Next add in all the other 'stuff'!

Peyton Table Lamp.  Sears $119.99

Rattan Tray.  Crate & Barrel.  $33.70

Bench, Bombay & Co.  $499

Faux Orchid in Copper Pot.  Pier1.  $35.00

(Art Work) Stretched Canvas available at most art stores.  JYSK has them for cheap.