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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Project: Map Cubes

Here is a peek at some custom art that we created for a room. We purchased these 8x8 artist panel cubes at the craft store.

Along with some metallic tissue, modge podge paste and foam brushes.

I googled some maps of Africa and printed them out on regular printer paper. I placed the artists cubes face down on the tissue, traced the square outline and then cut the tissue to that form. I painted a layer of modge podge on to the cube and very carefully placed the square of tissue on top, adjusting the alignment until it fit and then added another layer of modge podge. Let that dry while I cut the continent of Africa out the maps, covered the back of the cut out with the glue mixture, centered them onto the cube and then finished it off with another layer of paste.

It only took about 15-20 minutes for each layer of paste to dry and then I would paint on another to secure the map and create a sort of shellac. Modge Podge is available in two varieties, shiny and matte, we went with matte for this project. I think the shiny would have amplified all the little creases. To finish them out I painted to sides are charcoal grey, in hindsight I would have painted the sides first and then modged.

Forgot to take the final-final photo of all of them lined up but here are two finished cubes.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Uh huh


Lots of layering here and it is good. My entry table where I drop all my crap does not look like this.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Nursery of the Week: Nice and Neutral- like Switzerland

It doesn't always have to be about bright colors in the nursery. Some would even say that white and beige aren't even really colors, but that is a conversation for another time.

Considering you want your kid to relax and sleep in their room it makes sense to choose a base of color that won't overwhelm. A good argument for this room is that everything in it is probably available at one of your catalog retailer but... it doesn't look like a page from Pottery Barn because of the mix of everything. For instance Restoration Hardware has those Bergere chairs right now- RH is having a particularly beige moment with all their Swedish stuff. Sisal bound rug, nearly every retailer has one, heck even Costco carries these puppies. The best part about this type of room, if it is feeling stale there is an easy solution - insert color!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Smelly... But in a good way

They say that fragrance is personal and I couldn't agree more but today you will get a little sampling of some proven winners from the wide world of fragrance. This list has taken a long time to compose. Many $dolla$ bills were handed over, noses were wrinkled in disgust and majority of these quests for the perfect scent were failures and I left empty handed or ended up tossing the purchase after its trial run.When diffusers first burst on the scene I was obsessed. They were poised to take the place of the scented candle craze. You know things have become generic when Glade starts ripping off scents to sell in the cleaning aisle of the grocery store.

These diffusers from Pottery Barn have proven to be sort of middle of the line and a decent size. Personally, I enjoy the paper white scent but I know that this can be a friendship ending debate as many feel that scent is WAAAY too strong. To each their own. PB offers a variety of flavors. They don't last too long and they come on strong the first couple of days and then fade out after about 2 months but the formula is balanced. Not cheap like the ones you find in the clearance aisle at Tuesday Morning and also not to alcoholy.

Due $80
When I am really feeling like a masochist I sniff out a speciality shop that carries Alora Ambiance. Justifying the $80 price tag just ain't in my playbook but this particular scent called Due appeales to me, it's ylang ylang, cucumber, basil and jasmine. RANDOM but it works. This is also the longest lasting diffuser I have ever encountered and the bottle is big.

Nest $32
This baby was burning at Rooms&Gardens and smelled delicious.

These days I almost fully re-committed to candles. They last longer and are easier. Plus, it seems that most of those odorous ones on the market have been corrected (or are on that aisle at Tues Morn.) Diffusers are probably not for people with small children or dogs with powerful tail capabilities who can spill the bottle of oil all over the floor, furniture, pillows, etc.
The high priestess of candles - Lime Blossom from Jo Malone $65


Voluspa products seem the most reasonable to me and the packing continues to knock me out. The new Laguna scent is yummy.

You know how they say scent is tied to memory well for anyone who has ever been into an Anthropologie store(I big pimp for them don't I? It's just that they are so good at what they do) would be able to connect that sensory observation. Still burning after all these years.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Blue for You

And blue for me too!




via Apartment Therapy

Monday, September 20, 2010

Rooms&Gardens






Hour 2.5 of shopping with a group, that one shopping partner that has low blood sugar is at the beginning of a sharp decline. Your $5 coffee beverage is nothing but too much ice and diluted drink. When the handles from your shopping bags are cutting into your palms, wrists and arms is when you thank your lucky stars for a place like Rooms&Gardens.

Cushy seating, clutch in times like these. And a retailer that doesn't shoo you away from the furniture or cluck in disgust that you brought your Starbucks into their store is gonna win major karma points.

Maybe it's all a part of their scheme. Once you are in the chair you start to notice the soft fabric and that the pattern is kind of soothing and then your eye wanders to the rest of the store. It is set up like you just walked into someone's house and it oozes that California casual vibe. A mix of antiques, original artwork, designer fabrics and outstanding merchandise displays have made Rooms&Gardens a"must see" instead of just an "emergency landing" during shopping with friends. Not to mention their customer service is outstanding, they are super friendly and incredibly patient with customers struggling to make a decision. If you need your whole house decorated they can do that for you too! The bad news there are only two outposts for this place - Santa Monica and Santa Barbara so next time you are in southern California drop in.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Whale Done

There is also a good selection of whale accents that are a bit more mature than a grow chart. Want to incorporate the marine mammal into your scheme but aren't sure how- take your cues from this room.


Suddenly it Real

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

W is for Whale














Everything is from Etsy! Just plug whale into the search button.