The clock that followed me home...

After the water damage we finished a few other projects...

like a revamp of the family room fireplace from this...

to this

The old mantel came with the house and a lot of people liked it.  I didn't hate it, but the Hubs disliked it intensely.  We lived with it for over 10 years while we took care of other more pressing projects and then decided to change it while everything was already a construction zone with the water damage repairs.  I designed a simpler surround and used a herringbone stone mosaic that matched the hearth area, which we didn't change.  

Now I can't imagine why I didn't change it sooner - but it was way down on the list of things that needed to 

be done...

you know... 

THE LIST.

That dang list just seems to get longer and longer!

I was soon off on another trip to Utah - this time for fun...because after water damage - you need some fun..

and this time with the Hubs, which was even more fun!

Running around Salt Lake we stopped at a few of our favorite antique shops and there was this clock...

IT SPOKE TO ME...

It said, 'bring me home...'or maybe it said 'you need me'

hard to tell exactly, as I don't speak fluent clock,

but the gist was the same.

It had beautiful workmanship, the patina of age, gorgeous wood tones...

So the clock came home to stay...

We arranged for it to be shipped via some guys truck coming to California...

and the guy delivered it to the wrong address - the right house number but the wrong street..

Barbi and her husband nearly had themselves a nice antique clock...but we finally figured out where it had landed and The Hubs and Rob (friend and neighbor) rolled it home.

It was much bigger in our house than it looked in the huge warehouse where I discovered it. Taller than my 8' ceilings, so that narrowed down the possible places it could be placed.  I could put it in my bedroom as I have a vaulted ceiling there - but it has a definite tick-tock going on and bongs pretty good on the hour - 

so, no.  

That left the living/dining room area - also vaulted - 

but also occupied by the even taller french clock we found several years ago; 

or 

the stair landing.

The staircase landing became its new home, but it wasn't a happy pairing with the very large, very bronze colored mirror we had there.

A few weeks later, while still trying to decide what to do about the clock/mirror situation, The Hubs brought me a photo of a mirror he fell in love with at an antique store.  It was very pretty, very old rosewood, and he loved it.  It is rare he finds something he really loves, and so it came home too.  It also wasn't a good match with the clock which now left me with two large mirrors that didn't work on the landing and no solution for what would.  I decided a little shuffling was in order. 

We moved the smaller antique mirror and the surrounding botanicals that were over the living room sofa to the  landing.  This mirror/botanical group and the clock seemed to get along quite well.  No name calling or face pulling, and the new mirror worked over the sofa.

The new mirror went over the sofa.  It was a tall mirror and it nearly reached ceiling height - which actually gave it more presence and raised the eye.  Now, what to do with the original landing mirror....

why is there always a problem to solve?

Which brings me to my next project...

as the clock tick tocks and bongs...

I have GOT to get the living room curtain problem solved...

UPDATING A FAMILY ROOM

It seems to hit at about the 10 year mark.

Suddenly you can no longer stand the outdated colors or style of your room.

For me it was the colors -
I was so tired of the same colors everyday that I craved change.

It was almost overnight -
one day they didn't bug me, the next -
I hated them.

I think that looking at so much color all day

everyday

had me craving calm neutrals to come home to.

For Kathleen, it was both - she wanted to gray down her color palette

and she wanted a nice, clean-lined contemporary look.

We started with a new color palette.
Soft grays, taupes, creams, navy
and a pop of mustard

and went from this....

to this...

We used neutral fabrics with pops of color

and in another 10 years or so, when Kathleen tires of this color scheme, 

it will be easy to add new colors - simply change the accessories

The result is updated, calm, casual and inviting.  

photography:  Shawna Henrie at Bleu Dog Photography

***********************************************************

QUESTIONS FROM READERS

I'm looking for a paint color for second floor hallway. Wall to wall carpet is navy blue. Wood trim and built in wood linen closet is Benjamin Moore white wing. I'd like a color that would be good so we hang pictures on the wall.

Right now walls are white wing. There is no exterior light to the hallway, just painted white wing paneled 1900 doors to bedrooms and bathroom.

Regards,
Jan

Jan, 
Hallways can be dark spaces, so I'm recommending (sight unseen, of course) a lighter palette, but also a definite color so that the pictures you hang will have a nice background.    With navy, I recommend Sherwin Williams AMAZING GRAY or ACCESSIBLE BEIGE.   Of the two, Accessible Beige is the lighter, but in a hallway area, it will appear darker than on the paint chip. (Actually, the family room in the post above is painted Accessible Beige). It has a little more beige but is still a cool beige and will be lovely with the navy.  

Amazing Gray has more gray, is a little cooler and a little deeper color, but has a beige undertone, so again, will be nice with the navy.  

Give them both a try as a sample on some poster board you can tack in place and see which one is more appealing in your space.  Both, in a hallway, will be darker than the paint chip, but with adequate lighting will be very nice on the walls.

Best wishes,
Claudine

BEAUTIFUL BEDROOM DIY - (PART 1)

How can I make my room look like this?

I recently received this email:

Hello.  This beautiful bedroom with the silver bowl of coral in the foreground is so so out of my budget I'm sure, but could you give me any tips on creating the mirror and draping look? I'm also wondering what types of linens you use to create the sleek elegant look.  

Crafty Teacher on a tight budget 

Thank you so much 

.

I think there is always a way to create beauty on a budget.  While we may not be able to create this room 'exactly' as shown in the photo - we can create a copy that is a reasonable facsimile.  I originally discovered this beautiful bedroom on DigsDigs.  It's a truly luxurious looking display (I think this is a store display due to the price tag or label still on the chandelier).  The gauzy curtains around the bed, the mirror reflecting the chandelier, the down filled comforter, the coral in the silver urn.  The best part of this look is you can create it over a little time, as you can afford, as quickly or as leisurely as you like.  - is it possible to recreate this look on a budget? 

I think it is - with a few tricks....  (this is part 1 of 2 parts)

Here are the components you will need:

.

1. HIGH RISE UPHOLSTERED HEADBOARD

The high upholstered headboard is an important component in this look - You can find budget conscious headboards at Overstock.com and other such sites, or you can make your own for even less.  The headboard in our inspiration photo is covered in linen, but any white or off white fabric would work. I have also included some grays, as I think that would also be beautiful on this bed. Links are provided to the headboards below - [click on the caption under the photo to access.]

overstock (375.00)

.

overstock (251.00)

wayfair (328.00)

bonanza (216.00)

LINKS for tutorials to make your own headboards:

Infarrantly Creative

Yay Decor

.

2. GAUZY TAB TOP CURTAINS

Inspiration photo

The drapes are a loose weave semi-sheer linen fabric.  Since it is a bed dressing and not a window, the drapes don't need to be lined.  In this case the curtain rods are part of the bed, but the same look can be achieved with simple curtain rods hung from the ceiling around the just the head of the bed. (See #3 for how-to on the rods).  

Make sure to measure from ceiling to floor to determine what length of curtains you need.  Pooling on the floor a little is acceptable - too short is not.  The rods should be simple, but remember they will be visible with tab top curtains, so they should look nice as well.  The back rod should cover the width of the bed.  The side rods can be 2 feet or less, as the curtains shouldn't go further than that for this look.  It appears there are 4 curtain panels; however, the actual width of the curtain will determine how many you need to make it look full without gaps.  

I would use Linen for the drapes because it drapes beautifully.  You will pay more for linen, but I think the 'look' can be achieved with other sheer fabrics. [Avoid shiny fabrics or too sheer fabrics for this look.]

.

For custom made to order panels:  factory direct drapes (prices vary)

Sheer voile drapes 96"  less than $60 pair

overstock

Pottery Barn open weave linen - 55 per panel
Pottery Barn
 Laura Ashley sheer panels - about $26 each panel
Touch of Class

Bed Bath and Beyond's panels - $55 approx per panel.
BBB

3. CURTAIN ROD CANOPY... DIY Instructions - 

I think this is easy enough even for me to do on my own.  You can create a faux canopy with curtain rods and corner fittings and hang them from your ceiling. Measure to make sure your curtains are long enough to touch the ground...

A little puddling is fine (see above) but too short isn't. Some of these are for full bed draperies, but since this look requires only the head or top of the bed to be curtained, you will need to adapt for just that area.... 

here's DIY how-to help:

http://thefujifiles.com/2012/08/diy-file-curtain-rod-canopy-bed/

4. WIDE MIRROR 

Inspiration photo

Check CraigsList and consignment and discount stores first... and Home Goods... I have always been able to find great mirrors there. Try Ikea and Overstock.  Hobby Lobby is great too, if you shop the sales. Choose a mirror with a simple frame - should be wide enough for the curtain panels to come over the edges a little.  It should be much wider than it is tall.  I like this one from Home Decorators for $109...(I would probably paint it, though)...

Home Decorators (87.00)

Just found this at HomeGoods - 

If you can't find a simple one to buy, here are a couple you could try to make...

First, a clever DIY remake from an inexpensive full length mirror that would look great hung horizontally behind the bed...

Lilikoi Joy

And another DIY - how to make this Pottery Barn knock-off. I think you can make this any size you want.

House Stuff Works

5. WHITE COTTON LINEN EURO SHAMS

Inspiration photo

I find it easier to shop online for specific linens unless I've seen them in a shop somewhere.  The inspiration photo shows two white euro shams, but I think it is a full or double size bed - so you may need 3 for a queen/king size bed.  Euros are the large pillows in the back - around 26"-28" square.  You can get the fillers at most department stores, and I have seen them at JoAnn's.  I'm sure you could find an online source as well. 

Euro Inserts:

JoAnns (at 20.99 these were a bit pricey - but with a 40% off coupon they are affordable)

HobbyLobby (also 20.99, but also coupons available...)

JCPenny currently on sale for 9.99

Etsy [Bed of Roses] 17.99

Also try Sears, Walmart...

The shams are the covers. Here are some resources...

http://www.wayfair.com/Taylor-Linens-Hampton-Euro-Sham-1031HAMP-ES-XEN1093.html

Wayfair  (67.00) each

Bed Bath and Beyond  (35.00) each

Wayfair  59.00 each

6. THREE ASSORTED BLUE AND WHITE PILLOWS 

Inspiration photo

There are so many fabulous pillows out there...Again, visit the discount stores - Home Goods for sure.  Try Pier 1 and check out Pottery Barn because they have amazing pillows - but don't forget to check online as well... try Wayfair and Etsy.  Look for 18" pillows.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105368051/blue-ikat-pillow-blue-white-pillow?ref=market

Etsy - Motifpillows   (40.00)

Home Depot  (39.00)

Amazon (10.00)

Zinc Door (88.00)

Sears (16.00)

Etsy - The Cottage Workroom  (44.00)

Wayfair (35.00)

7. GRAY LINEN DUVET

Inspiration photo

The soft gray linen duvet cover is perfect on this bed.  Linen may be a little more expensive, but I've found some affordable duvets below.  An alternative is a matelasse coverlet - but I got a bit of sticker shock when I looked them up.  Seems they are popular again, and so of course not as affordable as they once were.  But remember with a duvet cover you have to have a duvet, or down comforter, to slip inside.  If you have certain allergies, a down alternative can be found.

Here are some duvet covers....the prices vary...

Anthropologie  (238.00)

Etsy Linenshed  (107.00)

HM  (99.00)

Etsy - CristalNatalina (180.00)

You can add the gray by way of a matelasse coverlet - it is not a duvet, just a single layer coverlet.  [You may want to add one for use in the summer]

Amazon (75.00)

Linensource  (120.00)

Amazon (75.00)

 

8. WHITE EMBROIDERED DUVET

Inspiration photo

In our inspiration photo, the gray of the duvet is broken up with an additional duvet, folded across the bottom of the bed.  One of the reasons our inspiration bed looks so luxurious is it has the double layers of soft duvets. Two duvets, two down comforters within - two layers of softness - awwwwww. Double layers of $$$ - hmmmm.   You can still get a lovely and luxurious look with a white duvet over a gray matelasse coverlet if your budget won't allow two down comforters and duvets. I live in So. California, and would never ever need two down comforters - so it would be strictly for the look here.  I would maybe use a down blanket instead of a down comforter for the duvet inserts. They are not as warm and not as thick.  You can also get down alternatives for those who suffer from allergies.  Try to adapt the bedding to your own climate, but use at least one comforter in a duvet for the soft inviting look this room calls for...

For white, you can simply revisit the gray coverlets and duvet covers above as they will most probably have selections in white.  Or try these:

Amazon - Ralph Lauren  (148.00)

Amazon (87.00)

Bella Home Fashions (89.00)

West Elm (139.00)

Coming soon.... part 2.