Christmas Time.

Cycle

"RETRO bold"

OR

"Vintage warm"

Beware!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION>>>>>>

Working on new posts and updates....this blog has been neglected for too long and is in major need of some work ; )

Peterson Residence.

It has been fun to put some ideas together for this sweet family of 4. Bree wanted a change in her living room to make it a more functional space with added storage(a custom built desk is part of the design. not shown)*. She is a lover of books and wanted an updated reading space as well as a workspace for her daughters. Working with a small space and two task areas needed can be a challenge, but I think the design we came up with will be both functional and very eye-appealing. Thanks Peterson family for letting me be a part of the design process for your space. I can't wait to see the finished product ; )

Design board

*drawings and layout are for client only

Before and After.

I was really needing a change in my living room. It was feeling so BLAHhhhhh to me.

(These were the only before pics I could find...It was fall time back when I took these over a year ago...plus, the lighting was terrible).

BEFORE

AFTER

Paint: 1 qrt. of paint for the armoire

I can of spray paint for the mirror

= $30

Solid white curtains from IKEA=$20

Black panel fabric I already had.

(I always look in the scrap bin at fabric stores and choose fabrics I think I could use. This fabric only cost me $3 from the scrap bin)

Grand Total: $50

How I made the curtains:

I purchased plain white IKEA curtians(HERE). I only used one curtain. I cut the one curtain down the middle to make two panels. I then ironed, ironed and ironed again. I measured my black panel fabric, ironed and pinned in place after measuring and measuring some more to make sure the black panels were straight and spaces evenly. I sewed the panels on and and finished the edges off. I ironed one last time and viola.....two curtain panels are finished.

I plan on making about four more pillows with differing patterns on them to spice up the couches. I am wanting a fun Orange pattern(click HERE), funky red and white striped pillow and a white pillow with texture.

I am also in search for some really cool knobs. I have found exactly what I want at Anthropologie(click HERE) but they are pretty pricey so I'm saving and still on the hunt.

I am on the look out for a really great black and white pic that I can frame but until then the stripes will have to do. I also want to make a wreath to hang against the mirror. All these ideas that I have..... I love that I will be able to switch up the look of the room. Ohhh the possibilities!

And of course my adorable kids who add life and realness to the room.

I love my new space and am so excited to add some more pops of color.

Happy creating everyone!

DIY on a Budget

So I love a creative challenge. I was in need of a piece above our bed but was lacking in the money department. So I searched around our house and found some old frames that were not being used. I continued searching for some other items that could bring the frames together and came up with this dimensional flower piece. It turned out better than thought and I am pleasantly surprised with the outcome for only $0.

Some frames that I had lying around with a white board backing.

I had some white fabric lying around and decided to create dimensional roses within the frame.

Put it all together and here is the end result.

Funky and Fun!

Found some funky knobs full of color and life. Enjoy all the colors and be inspired by these unique creations. These would be so cute and add the perfect pop of color on a little girls dresser door or even a unique armour ; )

Merely Knew Custom Designs

The Tracy Glover.

Esty Seller SweetMixCreations.

Steck Residence

This is my beautiful mom!

She is nothing but complete class. She is a woman of love, elegance and service. She is the perfect mother to 5 daughters and has taught each one of us about how to be ladies and how to be each others best friends. I love her with all my heart and look up to her daily example of how I want to live my life.

My mom has an undying love for music. I grew up surrounded by all types of music and most expecially all music that was classy. My mom recently got her dream baby grand piano and needed a few ideas for her living room. I love you mom.

Phoenix Art Museum

For our Valentine's Date my husband and I went to the Phoenix Art Museum. Something I've been wanting to see for months now. It was a real treat and so inspiring. I absolutely LOVE art museums!!!! It was the perfect date complete with European, Contemporary, Fashion, and Asian art with a traveling exhibit of photography.

I love this piece....used all different pieces of drift wood...so simple yet appealing

This was a very cool contemporary piece...it was made out of charcoal remains from a burnt down church. Each piece was hung from the ceiling to create an illusion of a cube. So cool to see in person.

This is a western painting that was SO INCREDIBLE. My pictures don't do it justice. The detail was breathtaking. I would've love to meet and talk to the artist.

This was a history of the interiors from the 1600's-1800's. Each small shadow box room had exact replicas of furniture and details from specific designers and time era. It was incredible to see the workmanship of these tiny rooms and "go back in time" to what it would've been like in history. Interior Designers in the 1600-1800's would create tiny replicas of these rooms and show them to prostective clients to show their skills. Craftsmen would also create minature pieces of furniture and showcase their workmanship to those interested in buying their furniture. SO incredible and aw-inspiring. I would LOVE to talk to one of these designers from our history. I have so much respect for our ancestors and their raw talents.

Oh how I miss being in school. One of my most favorite classes was my Art History class. I learned so much and gained so much respect for each genre of art in time.

(Maybe thats why I LOVE "Mona Lisa Smiles" the movie so much)

Happy Tuesday everyone ; )

Valetines love for the Couch.

I"ll call this post "thinking outside the Box"

My husband is in Grad school to get his Doctrate in Physical Therapy so we like to keep our "wallets light" and try to stay creative with what we have. I love that I always have a design challenge on my hands(it keeps my creativity high and I love it).

I wanted some Valentines pillows so I looked at what I had around the house. I found this "piece of gold" (a skirt that I haven't worn for over a year....my theory is if I haven't used something in a year it gets tossed) I new this beauty would work great for fabric for my newly invented "love pillows". So my creativity began. All the other fabric that I used were scraps that I had in my sewing bag.

Price: 0$

Before

After

back of the pillow

(I like to make my pillows envelope pillows

so I can take them off and wash them)

I hope everyone had a LOVELY Valentines day filled with kisses and smiles.

(I'll be doing a weekly post on being creative on a budget ; )

A+ for Anthro.

I am drooling over these curtains from Anthropologie. I love the unique designs and bold colors. These would really make a statement in any room. Enjoy.

Johnson Residence

Ryan and Mandy Johnson

I have had so much fun helping Mandy with her master bedroom. It is a beautiful room complete with tall vaulted ceilings. Windows and french doors to the exterior and interior give the room a lot of natural light. Mandy has a love for black and white design. Mandy wanted a few ideas to decorate around her previously chosen beddding. I had so much fun with her space I created a second design layout of my own. Thanks Mandy for being such a fun client to work with.

Design 1

Design 2

I can't wait to see her bedroom when it is completed.

So Fresh and so Clean

My obsession: WHITE KITCHENS.

I can't tell you enough how much I love a really stylish white kitchen.

(As learned in Interior Design school the two rooms that will make or break the sell of a home

is the kitchen and the bathrooms).

Love the tall, beautiful ceilings in this white kitchen. Makes it feel so airy and light while bringing the eye up.

There is nothing better than a kitchen with good conversation seating. Love how inviting those chairs look....yet so classy.

I am completely in-love with this rustic contemporary style kitchen. I love the contrast of the rustic island compared to the sleek, clean white cabinetry. Simple and beautiful.

I love apron sinks

house beautiful

What do you love about a great kitchen?

Anything ART

I believe that everyone should have a really great piece of art in their home that they are IN-LOVE with!

yes, I am a hypocrite to my own advise...I still have yet to find that one piece that "makes my heart sing" (though I do love the picture of Christ I have hanging).

So here's to finding a great piece of art for your space. Cheers ;)

I took my first painting class on a whim in college thinking it would be a compliment to my design classes and boy was it incredible. I never knew I could paint and found another passion. Painting is my go-to for peace and serenity. I love how it transports me to a different place.

This is an oil painting I painted for my very sweet mother and father in-law. They live on a farm so this rustic piece was very fitting for them. I love how the light shines on the boots creating a farm feel, full of warmth.

(This picture is terrible of the painting as the colors are not as rich or defined as seen in person).

Happy Friday everyone!