September 3rd, 2010
This is our third installment of our new “Take 3″ Fridays, where we pick one item and share with you our three different ideas for how to use/style/incorporate into your home. This week I chose the Country Luxe Upholstered Wingback Chair by Land’s End for Sears. I think the price is right and the simple design make it an easy piece to find a cozy nook in your home for.
Check out what we all had to say:
Juliet’s Take: First Impressions
I love the classic lines of this wingback. And price is right to splurge a bit on this modern embroidered linen from India. I envision it at the end of a hallway lined with a long jute runner on the floor and some of this vintage wallpaper on the wall behind it. Hanging from above, this elegant pendant. A lovely spot to make a first impression. (Pendant lamp sourced from Olioboard — source unlisted)
Rachel’s Take: Girly Fun
I’m picturing this chair in a girly bedroom paired with this branch side table from West Elm. I would make coasters out of this pretty Black Blooms floral fabric from Purl Soho to rest a bubbly Izze soda on. Last, but definitely not least, the chair needs a comfy pillow for flopping on at the end of a long day. The ostrich feather pillow from Calypso is perfect!
Stephanie’s Take: Dining Room Delight
I’d love to add 2 of these chairs in my dining room – one at either end of our table. We have a very simple, wooden table (made by my grandfather!) and very simple chairs, so I think this basic wingback would add a touch of elegance without overdoing it. Currently the room has mostly chocolate and mint colors, so I would reupholster with the Emerald Cut fabric by Kelly Wearstler and add these sweet, handprinted pillows from Hable Construction. To top it off I would add these table linens and enjoy a cold drink using these recycled glasses and pitcher from Pier One. Cheers!
What would you do with this chair?
Tags: lands end wingback, Take 3
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September 2nd, 2010
Nathan didn’t nap this morning, ack! I realize just how much I count on these naps when he skips one. So, I have to be quick today. I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I’m really into bold blue these days. I’m even toying with a bold blue wall somewhere in our house – I’m inspired by these:
{image from Elle Decor}
{image from Sarah Richardson Design}
{image from Josephine Sasso}
I usually think of blue walls as pale and serene, but there is something about these pops of color that I really like. The question is, how long would love my bright blue walls? Hmm.
Tags: blue
Posted in Inspired Nest | 1 Comment »
September 1st, 2010
Our deck planters were in need of a modern makeover after we painted the house earlier this summer. One wild hair, a week or two of recycling and two aluminum trash cans later…
It’s hard to find big planters that don’t cost a fortune and we really needed something with a little, uh, heft to it. I bought one tall and one short, plus a small one with a lid for my kitchen-to-deck compost bin (not shown), which gets dumped about once a week into my big compost tumbler behind the shed.
For the planters, I punched drainage holes in the bottom using a decent-sized Phillip’s-head screwdriver and a hammer. I filled the bottom third with empty bottles and cans from the recycling bin to reduce the amount of dirt required and to help with proper drainage.
The large can is purely decorative, so I used up my plastic and aluminum recycling in that one. The smaller one is for my herbs. I don’t know how much aluminum is actually leeching into my dirt from the garbage can itself, but I did consciously fill the bottom with empty glass bottles instead of more metal, and especially no plastic.
Finally, I planted the same golden flowers in the flower box on our garden shed a bit further out in the yard. No recycling effort here, other than a little fresh compost.
Now all I need are some bright yellow throw pillows for the deck furniture and we’ll have rounded out this new color scheme quite nicely!
Tags: outdoor living, outdoor rooms, recycling, trash can planters
Posted in Build the Nest | 4 Comments »
August 31st, 2010
I start every day with a cup of coffee. Even though I drink decaf, it’s still a much needed morning pick-me-up. I’m not a flavored coffee girl, though, and I don’t take cream – just a tiny sprinkle of sugar. While we were on vacation this summer, we ran out of decaf coffee, and Andy picked up a couple bags of coffee from the Carolina Coffee Company. He brought home their regular blend and a flavored coffee called Country Harvest. I drank the regular blend while we were away and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I didn’t get to the Country Harvest. Anyway, time to get to the point, I ran out of my usual coffee again last week and finally got around to the Country Harvest. Let me tell you, it is delicious. It would be the perfect warm start to the cool fall mornings that are right around the corner.
Here’s how the Carolina Coffee Company describes it:
“A rich blend of southern pecan, hazelnut, butterscotch toffee, and caramel creme, lightly sprinkled with pieces of North Carolina pecans!
With your first cup of our Carolina Country Harvest Blend, you’ll taste the first flavors of the fall season. Like the breath-taking colors of a bountiful harvest, this special blend will leave you with a sense of warmth and thanksgiving!”
Sounds pretty yummy, doesn’t it? I’ve finished the whole bag, so it’s time to place an order (I’m happy to know that a portion of the proceeds help a great cause). This one is definitely worth a try if you’re a coffee lover, too!
Tags: coffee
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
August 30th, 2010
Like all good paint jobs, it takes a few tries to get it right! Do you agree? As many of you know there was some dissent regarding the color I chose for our front door in a recent exterior paint makeover. While I have not conceded to a new color altogether, two observant readers pointed out a critical detail that I believe makes a huge difference!
As a refresher, here’s the original “before” and the finished exterior paint job from a few weeks ago.
Dramatically different and notably better. But not quite right. A little editing, as shown below, makes a huge difference.
I was really struggling to figure out why I preferred the yellow on the sun porch door (left image below) so much more than on the front door. Then Susan and Nancy pointed out the white trim surrounding the sun porch door. That bit of detail creates a much needed visual break between two deep colors. Brilliant!
As you can see here, I went back and painted the molding and storm door white and we all agree (I hope you do too!) that it makes that daring yellow downright delightful.
Tags: exterior, house paint, yellow door
Posted in Build the Nest | 6 Comments »
August 27th, 2010
Welcome to our second installment of “Take 3″. We’re having a lot of fun with this and hope you are, too! This week, I chose the PS August Bench from Ikea. The cushions are upholstered in a soft leather and the solid pine frame can be adjusted to three recliner positions. I love the modern look of the square white edges combined with rustic pine details.
Let’s see where everyone went with it…
Rachel’s Take: Ladylike Luxury
I’m going for ladylike luxury with this one. I’d use the bench along the wall
in my walk-in closet as a comfy spot to put on this fabulous pair of Badgley
Mischka shoes. I would cover the cushion in this bold print from Of the Young and the Restless and paint the frame a charcoal color, like Francesca by Martha Stewart for Home Depot. The rug is from Serena & Lily and is the perfect place for bare feet to get a little extra pampering.
Stephanie’s Take: Bedroom Retreat
I would place this bench at the foot of my bed in our Master bedroom. Currently, our walls are a medium color grey, most all of the furniture is a dark, chocolatey brown, and we have orange and cream colored linens and rugs. I would add these throw pillows to the bench for a cozy spot. The colorful one is from Anthropologie and the two geometric ones are from CB2. And since the bench has a back that reclines, I’d add this throw, also from CB2, and snuggle up with a good book!
Juliet’s Take: Sophisticated Camp
This bench makes me think of an upscale cot. While it’s not quite big enough to sleep on all night, I do envision two or three of them lined up in a sunroom like a camp bunk! I’d pair each with one of these Timber side tables from La Difference, hang this washed wood chandelier above and fill in the corners with lots of greenery, like these ficus trees. To pull it all together and make the room feel really cozy and elegant, I’d put a vibrant Turkish rug (love the pink and yellow!) like this antique one from ABC Carpet & Home. Seems like a great spot for reading together on a lazy Sunday or watching a movie with the girls.
What would you do with it?
{all images linked to sources in text above}
Tags: bench
Posted in Take 3 | 1 Comment »
August 26th, 2010
I discovered Prismera Design this week and have loved looking through Laura Su’s gallery of jewelry and art pieces. The wide variety of styles are unique, beautiful, and well-crafted. The necklaces below are inspiring me to create an outfit just to go with them! And while I don’t typically wear a lot of gold, I love the raw/weathered look that you get from these natural looking forms.
{ all images from Prismera web site }
Visit Prismera’s web site to browse through the whole collection. And check out the everyday section for art pieces and a selection of paper products. I love the silver and natural kraft paper look of the sketchbooks and postcards…somewhat reminds me of Oh Joy, elegant, but down-to-earth. And Laura recently added some sweet home goods in the Tinker Supply Section. There’s a little something for everyone at Primera…so visit today!
Tags: jewelry, paper goods, prismera
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August 25th, 2010
What do you think of this artwork hanging above Cath Kidston’s couch? I think it’s really fun!
{image from lonny}
I had to chuckle when I saw it in the current issue of Lonny magazine because my mom and Violet were recently making pictures just like it. My mom doodled with a black crayon, and Violet filled in all of the loops and shapes with bright colors. Now I wish that I saved them, but I’m inspired to try my hand at one! I’ll let you know if I come up with anything frame-worthy.
Tags: artwork, cath kidston, Lonny magazine
Posted in Feather the Nest | 1 Comment »
August 24th, 2010
During my recent searches for a dresser, I stumbled on Clayton Gray Home. This store in Tampa Florida has a great online shop chock full of interesting lighting, mirrors, furniture and accessories. Here are just a few of the pieces that I could easily find a place for in my house…
- Porcelain bird lamp
- Recycled scaffold mirror
- Kaleidoscope linen pillow
- Brigitte large chest
- Nantucket mirror
- Hibiscus rug
- Polo 6-drawer chest
- Aldine opal glass lamp
I’ve added Clayton Gray to my list of inspiring shops. What are your favorite online spots for browsing?
Tags: furniture, lighting, mirrors, pillow, rug
Posted in Feather the Nest | 3 Comments »
August 23rd, 2010
Not much more to say here. Just another well-read dining room from my ongoing collection of library dining inspiration. This one is from Kerri & Luke’s “Bang for Your Buck” Bungalow on Apartment Therapy.
Tags: books, dining room, library
Posted in Inspired Nest | 3 Comments »
