Dream Rooms: Library

I love to read, and I love books. Nothing floats my boat like a whole afternoon (um…or entire day) spent reading a book. As a kid, I used to save up all my allowance and beg my mom to take me to the bookstore, where I’d spend hours determining how I’d spend my riches. Every time, I’d come out with a huge stack that would satisfy me until my next “pay day”.  And the LIBRARY, too! Don’t get me started. One of the biggest pickles I ever got into was in the 3rd grade, when I snuck out and rode my bike to the library, without telling anyone where I was going. I returned, hours later, to my frantic mother wondering where I had been. I looked at her like, “So what? I was just at the library. Duh.” That didn’t go over so well.

Anyway, the house we live in does have some sweet built ins where I can stash all my treasures, but in the house of my dreams, I’d have a whole room dedicated to books and reading. A library of my own. Heaven.

Until then, I’ve gathered these photos for some awesome inspiration:

Images via Domino, Elle Decor, Martha Stewart, isuwannee

Fabric Crush: Schumacher

Inspired by this image, I'm all about the idea of an end of bed bench. I actually thought this fabric was exactly what I wanted, so I hunted it down (Dzhambul Suzani from Brunschwig et Fils for the curious). I got samples of four different colorways, and decided that no, in fact, it wasn’t for me. I am not willing to let the idea of a brightly patterned end of bed bench go, though. So, I soldier on! The “master” bedroom in our house is less than…well…masterful, so I’m working on pulling together a plan to take it to the next level. Well, let’s be honest, I just need to take it to some level. Because my bed is on the floor, people. (I’ve blogged about my love affair with the Lewis Headboard, so don’t worry, I’m working on a remedy).

But now, back to the bench. I’ve become obsessed with…er…picked out four fabrics from F. Schumacher & Co. that I think would make a beautiful, spectacular and glorious addition to my end of bed bench. So without further ado, I give you the samples:

That is, from the top left: the venerable Chiang Mai Dragon in Aquamarine, Cambourne in Honey, Chinois Fret in Almond/Noir and Chinois Fret in Gold/Cinnabar. (The last two are meant to appease my well-meaning but non-floral-loving husband, Mr. J).

So what’s the word? Which of these do you think I should I choose? Or should I keep on looking??

P. to the S. Notice the rug?? Stripes!!! So. Hot. Right. Now.

Images via Domino and F. Schumacher & Co.

Striped Rug Love!

I think I'm in love:

With this zig zag rug from West Elm.  Yowza!  Yeah, yeah, it's a rip off of Madeline Weinrib, but I'm on a budget, people.

These babies are so hot right now.  Check out this image from the latest issue of Lonny:

Or this, from the Domino archives:

Ikea has this cheapie, that looks great, and won't break the bank:

With stripes like these, how can you go wrong??

Before and After: Paint a Frame

Way back in November, I partook in one of our great family traditions. Every year after the turkey has been carved and the food fest is complete, my mom and I head down one of St. George, Utah’s finest establishments, Urban Renewal, to peruse their latest offerings. The shop offers a quirky mix of new items (think textiles, Asian influenced casegoods, bath products, candles, gifts and home décor accessories) as well as vintage items on consignment (wonderful artwork, furniture, home décor accessories, jewelry and clothing). This trip I picked up an original (I think) drawing of peacocks. The best part? It was under $15. And check this out. I told you how I’m all full of Scottish pride, well, as a card carrying member of Clan MacFarlane, I was surprised to see this little tag on the back of the frame:

Fate, right? Anyway, the painting was lovely, but the frame was…not so. Seeing as this was a cheapie find, I decided that rather than reframing it, I should just paint the frame. The easy choice would have been to remove the painting from the frame, paint and then put it all back together. But since it had been framed professionally and had a sealed back, I decide to tape the front of the glass with painter’s tape and go for it with a small craft brush rather than ripping the whole thing apart. Last weekend I (finally) picked up some champagne colored acrylic craft paint and off I went. (Thank you, thank you dear Mr. J for accompanying me to Michael’s. In the suburbs. You are a good man.) I did two quick coats, pulled off the tape, used a razor blade to scrape the one tiny spot where paint got on the glass and VOILA! The whole thing probably took half an hour.  Check out the befores:

And the afters:

Paint. A great way to class up those cheap-o thrift store finds, no? Just call me Martha.

Aloha!

Mr. J and I have been out for the past few days, snorkeling here, laying on the beach and just generally relaxing.

Ahhh, vacation.  Just got back today, and now back to reality.  Stay tuned for more blogging!

xoxo.

Do you Foo?

With my ever-growing collection of pretty décor books, I’m on the lookout for super cool bookends. I’ve been considering some Foo Dog bookends, but am torn: are they cool or cheesy?? I love the symbolism behind them—they’re supposed to have protective powers—I'm all mystical like that. And, to be honest, I just plain love the way they look.

Check these out:

Soo, do you think I should Foo?? Foo red or foo blue? Or should I keep on looking?

Images via Domino, Elle Decor via Happy Mundane, and CB2

Monogram, monogram, monogram

LOOK what arrived in the mail yesterday. That’s right, it’s a huge letter J. I know this trend is a little played out, but let me explain. I’m not quite a newlywed anymore (Mr. J and I are less than 5 months away from our two year anniversary), but I can’t help but be excited about my new name. I’ll hear someone with the same last name as us on TV and say, “Look honey, it’s our relative!” We’ll be cruising along and see a street sign with our name on it: “Look honey, it’s our street!” Poor Mr. J. It’s old news to him, but it’s all still fresh and new and exciting to me. Like…remember when you were a kid and you found your name on one of those dinky little license plates in a souvenir shop? Like that.

So, that being said, let’s give a shout out for monogram pride.

I got mine at Ballard Designs...check it out and find your own!!

Dilemma of the Day

I’ve had my eye on the Lewis headboard from Pottery Barn for quite some time. But there’s one thing I can’t quite figure out. The product description indicates you can attach it to any standard bed frame, which is great. The dilemma part is that Mr. J refuses to have anything to do with a bed skirt. Now, not that I’m suggesting a frilly, floral number--I’m really after more of a crisp, clean, tailored look, like the one below, honest.

Regardless, I think I’m losing this battle. The question is: do you think a bed skirt is essential with this headboard? Without it, the metal bed frame would show, no? Not a great look. Wonder if I could maybe cover the metal frame with fabric? Is that too Martha?

Let me know what you think, and while you’re at it, any design dilemmas leaving you puzzled? Let me know in the comments!

The Start of Something Good

That’s the title of this dreamy photograph from Alicia Bock. I discovered her Etsy Shop and blog while surfing the interwebs, and thought I’d share with you. Looks like she’s already got a good deal of press, too! Here are a few of my favorites from her shop:

Don't these just make you wanna go on vacation, like right this minute???  Mr. J and I are headed to Hawaii in 6 days, and I can't wait!!

What about these stunning images??

Wow! It's hard to narrow it down.  Good thing it looks like now through 3/22 she's running a buy one get one promo on her Etsy site.

You're welcome! :)

Images via Alicia Bock

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Just a little green love to brighten your day.

That's Ms. Chloe Sevigny's entryway, from the January 2007 issue of the now-defunct House and Garden magazine.  Here's the detail of that gorgeous Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis, in green:

Happy St. Paddy's Day! (Don't forget to wear green!)

Images via style court