Urban Comfort

Dining Chair Makeover

Before I move on from milk paint this week I wanted to show you a quick project I did, one that was less labor-intensive because I didn't have to strip the pieces first. I had two of these chairs left over from a project and I thought I'd use them for extra seating in my dining room. I also wanted to try out milk paint on a previously finished surface, using Real Milk Paint's Ultra-Bond.

I started with a quick scuff sanding, just to dull the glossy surface (on the frame, not the cane back) and wiped it down with a damp cloth. Then I mixed a small amount of milk paint for the base, including the Ultra Bond,  and lightened the rest of the milk paint I had left over from my china cabinet by adding white milk paint powder to the existing color. I applied two coats of the paint with a regular 1-inch brush for the frame, but I tried something different for the cane back. I applied the paint to the cane with a damp natural sponge (available at craft and art supply stores) in a pouncing motion.  That gave me just enough coverage without heavy paint buildup. 

For the cushion, I used a piece of oatmeal linen to cover the seat but I borrowed from this tutorial and painted stripes along the center of the fabric first. I didn't know what grout tape was (and couldn't find any at my hardware store), so I used good quality, double-sided craft tape and that worked just fine (I used Therm O Web brand, which I found at Michaels). I also mixed my own paint color using regular acrylic craft paint (Plaid Folk Art paints) and turned it into a fabric paint by mixing in a little textile medium (found in the same section as the craft paint). I applied it with a small stencil brush in a pouncing motion to minimize any paint seepage.  

And that was it. Minimal effort and I found the Ultra Bond did exactly what the label said it would. Yet another reason for me to love milk paint.

Before & After:

 

Color recipe for the chair base:

Oyster:

1 cup white milk paint
1/4 cup cream milk paint
1 teaspoon black milk paint
1 cup water (add a little more if too thick) 

China Cabinet Makeover

I picked up a mahogany china cabinet at a thrift store and knew all it needed was a paint job and some new hardware to turn it around. The piece was solid and the drawers intact. The only structural flaw was the back panel, which was nothing more than thin fiberboard anyway. But I will be honest with you. I rescue pieces of furniture and they sit in my house, awaiting their transformation. Sometimes I'm indecisive or afraid to mess something up. Sometimes I'm just plain lazy, which is what happened here. But I was working on my June column for Family Circle and tried out milk paint for the first time. I fell in love with it and knew I'd found my answer for this cabinet.

The cabinet had to be stripped - and needed to be stripped indoors - so we went with an eco-friendly stripper with minimal odor. (Look for brands like Citristrip, Peel Away, and Ready Strip.) After that, I mixed up a custom shade using milk paint powder and water. I gave the cabinet two coats of paint and finished it with Mylands Wax in a clear finish. I replaced the hardware as well as the back panel, using another piece of fiberboard covered with wallpaper remnants left over from another project. 

So what do I love about milk paint?  First of all, it doesn't require primer (!!) If the wood is bare or has been stripped, you just apply the milk paint directly to the wood. If you're painting over another finish, you can purchase an additive for the paint that allows it to adhere.  (I used the bonder for some chairs that had a light coat of varnish on them and it worked, though I'll need to be a little more careful with them than the cabinet.) Second, it dries quickly and you can use your piece within a few hours, without having to wait for curing. Third, it's fun to work with.  Apply it with a foam brush for more opaque coverage, a natural bristle brush if you want more texture, or a natural sponge for a more variegated effect. Use the colors straight or mix them to your heart's content. It can go modern or vintage, depending on the application. I also like that it dries to a matte finish. You can leave it that way if you like a chalky finish or you can apply a wax like Mylands, which deepens the color and gives it a nice satin sheen without the slightest bit of tackiness.

I've become a huge fan. I'm using it to paint chairs and I hope to finally tackle the kitchen cabinets and pretty much paint everything I can get my hands on. The brand I used was Real Milk Paint and I find their website to be a wealth of information. You can also email them with any questions and they're quick to respond and very helpful. If you decide to try milk paint, I urge you to read everything on their site first. You'll find out what to expect from milk paint, how to apply it, what products are best for your particular application, etc. Also, if you like more subtle colors, I'd suggest buying a box of white milk paint (quart size) and smaller amounts of colors like Black, Cream, and Raw Umber. I find these colors give me more flexibility when I'm trying to get a color just right. (See below for the color recipe I created for this cabinet. I call it Mushroom. Others might call it Greige.)

 

Before and After:

 Paint Detail:

Note the slightly variegated color, a hallmark of milk paint 

Color Recipe:

2 cups white paint powder
3/4 cup raw umber paint powder
1/4 cup black

(Mix with about 2 3/4 cups water.) 

Wallpaper Detail:

I thought this wallpaper from Neisha Crosland gave the cabinet some depth and brought a more modern sensibility to a traditional piece of furniture.

Vintage Baking Tins and Gelatin Molds

I have never been a fan of any sort of gelatin salad or mold, Southern as I may be. So when my grandmother was moving from her home and gave me three of her gelatin molds, I kept them because they were from her, not for any practical use. They sat in my baking cabinet until I determined that they might look good on the kitchen wall, complementing the other vintage industrial type pieces I have. I found a few more in antique stores to round out the collection (managing to snap up a number of small baking tins and molds along the way) and made them into wall art (or a sentimental keepsake, if you prefer).

The best part about collecting everyday vintage pieces is finding new ways to use them and I turned to Pinterest for inspiration on how to use my other finds. Here are some of my favorites: 

I think these tin collages from Jenni Bowlin are just brilliant!

 

 

A creative way to package a gift of jewelry (via Caroline Arber Photography

 

 

Baking pan planters via ethanollie

 

 

This cake mold pendant light is from Pottery Barn, but I've seen collections of smaller pendant lights made from silver molds and tart pans as well.

A fun idea for next Easter (via Etsy)

 

 

Baking pan storage from Ready Made

Decoupaging with Lace

Once in awhile I'll come up with a project that I get a little obsessed with and can't stop making. This decoupaged lace container that I made for Better Homes and Gardens was one of those projects. It all started with my love of textured pottery, but as I've been embracing my more feminine side lately, I was drawn to using lace as well. Admittedly, I wasn't even sure it would work. But not only did it work, it was one of the fastest and easiest projects I've ever undertaken.

I started with white containers, cut a strip of eyelet lace wide enough to cover it, applied a layer of Mod Podge in matte finish, and wrapped the eyelet band around the container.  I let it dry, trimmed the edges with sharp fabric scissors, then dabbed on another layer of Mod Podge (matte finish) with a foam brush and let it dry thoroughly. That's it! A single coat of Mod Podge over the fabric lifts the weave a bit and gives it a rough, textured feel and look that's not too rubbery. (In fact, I tried two coats and didn't like the look nearly as much).

Since then, I've moved on to different shapes and tried my hand at tapered containers (Cutting small slits around the bottom edge of the fabric helps when you're dealing with a tapered shape. You can then carefully overlap those cut edges without making much difference in the look of your lace). I've also started working with flat objects (to be used as trays) and introduced containers in different colors. Mostly I'm using cotton eyelet fabrics, but I've found that lace trim works as a nice embellishment as well.

I think there are a lot of possibilities here. Eventually I think I'll branch out and try eyelet lace over bright, modern colors (red, yellow, turquoise) and I'd love to create a grouping for a table (wouldn't these make great centerpieces for a bridal shower or casual wedding?). They're so easy to make - I hope you'll try them!

I decoupaged this deep bowl with a piece of embroidered cotton. Because the cotton fabric was tissue thin, the overlapping areas on the bottom are almost invisible.

Containers can feel modern or more romantic, depending on the lace you choose and the shape of the container.  

Lace trims work just as well as fabrics. I don't apply Mod Podge to the entire container - I brush it onto the area that I'm applying the trim. Q-tips are good for cleaning up excess Mod Podge around the edges.

Decoupage lace onto the surface of plates or trays to make decorative catchalls.

Resources:  I've been finding lots of cotton eyelet fabrics on Etsy, along with lace trims available in small amounts.

**UPDATE:  I'VE CREATED A PHOTO TUTORIAL HERE.

Title photo by Rob Brinson for BHG

Butterflies and Grass

Spring is my favorite season, when all things feel possible. It's also the most beautiful season in New Orleans, when the entire city seems to burst into bloom at one time. I always need a little dose of that indoors, so I did a couple of quick projects over the weekend to mark the shift in season.  

The first thing  I did was make a new runner for my table. It's simple - I just hemmed the edges of some muslin with iron-on hemming tape and layered a folded length of pale burlap on top. It's a lighter version of what I do in the fall and I like the garden feel of it. It's also an inexpensive way to dress up a table when you have a child around the house. No worry about stains. 

Then I created a centerpiece for the table using wheatgrass and some butterflies for a touch of whimsy. The window boxes were five dollar finds from Ikea several years ago. They were very bright when I bought them, so I left them outside for the last year and they've weathered nicely.

 

Happy spring!  

**UPDATE:  I found a tutorial on Curbly that shows how to make your own planter to fill with wheatgrass. 

Photo Display

Every year as spring arrives, I get a surge of energy that I use to advance home projects. Each year the challenges are a little different. This year, it's all about transforming the factory like quality of our living space (multiple projects scattered around, no clear delineation of work and living space) into a home where there's "a place for everything and everything in its place" (i.e. some sense of order before I lose my mind).

One of the projects I've started trying to get under control is our photographs. I'm finally framing pieces that have been sitting around for far too long, which means rearranging the existing photographs to accommodate the new. It's amazing to me how this simple act has brought new life to my rooms. I've become more brazen about grouping photographs together, creating a display wall instead of bringing everything to eye level. I've been tucking smaller photos into unused spaces, layering frames on mantels and stacks of books. Overall, just creating a warmer and cozier environment - which is exactly the motivation I need to move on to more challenging tasks.

I've been so inspired by working photographs into my home that I gathered some visuals I hope will inspire you to make your own changes. Even if you love everything in your home exactly the way it is, consider shifting your photos around. You might be surprised by how fresh everything appears and how your old favorites suddenly become new again.

Thinking Outside the Traditional Frame:

{via Country Living}

 

{via Pinterest}

{via Storage and Glee}

 

{via The Birds Papaya}

 

{via Whipperberry}

{via Cafe Cartolina}

Grouping:

{via Creative Mama}

{via French by Design}

{via Houzz}

{via Southern Accents}

{via Coastal Living}

{via Apartment Therapy}

{via Domino}

Indoor Gardens

It's been sunny and warmer here for the last fews days and it's taken me a mere twenty-four hours to dispel any lingering thoughts of winter. I've started thinking about plants and flowers and ways to bring nature indoors. I have some great containers and display stands that I received for Christmas, along with a cache of garden cloches and interesting jars to create terrariums. The IKEA window boxes that I left outside to age are finally weathered enough and I'll bring them indoors to plant wheatgrass in...Can you tell I'm ready for spring?  I bet you are, too - which makes it a perfect time to create indoor gardens.

 

I received this terrarium for Christmas and I'm completely smitten with it. It would be easy enough to etch the type on a jar, but there's something about the metal lid that I love. It's all about the details!

 

Another of my treasured gifts from Mothology. I think this is the perfect way to use it for spring and I've got just the right vintage pots for it.

I think this apothecary jar terrarium from Terrain is lovely, but check your bargain stores first! I find apothecary jars (and cloches) all the time at TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

 

I love these vintage pickling jars from Pottery Barn and I like the open effect of the jar - a nice twist on the typical terrarium.

I recently found a round, vintage birdcage. I bought it, thinking I'd do something almost exactly like this. But I'm going to hang mine in the corner of a room. Old light fixtures would work as well.

If you decide to go the terrarium route, there are plenty of tutorials online, like this one from Design Sponge.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Winter Whites

I've mentioned how much I love Pinterest, but I've noticed that it's a great tool for illuminating how my tastes and preferences shift, sometimes before I've consciously realized those shifts myself. Lately, if I look in my interior and home inspiration boards, I find a thread emerging - lots of white and gray (though I still like to create inspiration boards with red in them, just for the sheer delight of looking at them). My summer boards are ethereal and light, my current selections reflecting white gone moody, paired with dove gray or charcoal. I still don't know if I can live in these interiors, but clearly they're speaking to me in some way. Perhaps, with time, I'll be able to decipher the message.

 

                    {via Flickr}

                    {via homelife}

                    {via Habitania}

 

                    {via Houzz}

                    {via French by Design}

                    {via Automatism}

 

                    {via Mes Caprices Belges}

 

                    {via French by Design}

                    {via French by Design}

 

                    {via Simply Seductive}

                    {via Living Etc.}

Off the Page: Inspired Christmas Decor

Last week I showed photos of what was inspiring me this holiday season. This is the post where I show how that inspiration manifested itself in real life. What I loved about this little design exercise was how easy it was to work with the items I already owned, and how easy and inexpensive it was to fill in the details. 

I already own a decent amount of mercury glass, collected over the countless seasons this particular trend has been going strong. But I didn't have any vases or flower pots, so I took a trip to my local Pottery Barn, where I found small etched pots for $10. A trip to Lowe's yielded paperwhites and small flats of Dusty Miller (both of which, I might add, seem to have a long vase life). Because I don't like to put water in my mercury glass, I used wide mouthed glass votive holders and juice glasses to line my pots and put the flowers in. 

The other detail that inspired me was the beautiful gray mirror in the Martha Stewart Living feature. As I've shown you before, I had that heavy, dark frame in place on my mantel, which didn't create the effect I was going for. I decided that I'd take a trip to the thrift store and if I could find a suitable mirror for under $25, I would take it home and give it a makeover.  Success! I found a simple, honey colored wood frame for $15, which I primed and painted a pale gray (Silver Birch by Glidden). But I wanted it to have a slight sheen, so I gave it a coat of Make It Pearl, which softened the color even more and gave it a subtle shimmer. When the holidays are over, it will find a home in a hallway.

I added other bits of nature to my decor, mixing in the embossed velvet holly garland that I made a few years back, a beaded leaf wreath (I spent 80 hours making mine, but you can buy yours at Ballard Designs), my glittered pinecone centerpiece, white flocked snowflake ornaments, and glass acorn ornaments. I think the end result is every bit as serene as I'd hoped it would be.

 

 

 

Smoke and Mirrors

                                                                                           Elle Decor

You know it's bad when even your mother-in-law suggests it's time you got back to blogging. Truthfully, I didn't mean to disappear for quite so long - but let me tell you, there was a lot of traffic in that tunnel of craft supplies I was digging my way through! But it's been great. Two weeks of feeling really good about the work I've produced. I wish I could show you everything I've been up to in the last two weeks, but alas, it will have to wait until next year.

At any rate, as I'm easing my way back into the day-to-day (blinking in the bright light), I thought I'd bring you a roundup of rooms with mirrors. I tried to select rooms in which the mirror played as much (or more) of a role as anything else in the room. I hope they inspire!

 

Sunlight dances through this room with its watery green walls and frameless mirrors...I love the feel of this room (or rather, how it makes me feel just looking at this photograph). {via Teenangster}

 

This room is too formal and decorated for my taste, but the foxed-glass mirror...I want!! {House Beautiful}

Simple, eclectic.  But what would this room be without its mirror? {via Simply Seductive}

Another example of a room that's all about the mirror {Source unknown}

Anthropologie always makes me swoon, so it's no surprise that I fell in love with this photo. I like the tightly clustered frames that unify this arrangement of mirrors, giving them more significance than if they'd been scattered along the wall.

 

Austere and yet suprisingly feminine. I could lounge in here all day. {Source unknown}

 

Last, but not least, what a great use of vintage finds! {I believe this was either from Country Living or Real Simple.}

 

It feels good to be back!  I hope to see you again tomorrow.

Back to School

With all of the back to school activity, I find myself thinking of chalkboard paint...again.  I thought the whole chalkboard trend would have disappeared by now, but instead I keep bumping into it, reinterpreted in new and often simpler, more focused ways. I admit, I like the look. Much in the way that I'll probably always love vintage industrial, labware, galvanized steel, and the color gray - whether or not it's in fashion at the time. But I do wonder if we're so hooked on the nostalgia of a chalkboard simply because the rest of our lives are becoming so polished and technologically advanced. Perhaps a way of keeping one foot in the past? Regardless, I think it's a timeless look, with the ability to be both casual and sophisticated at the same time. A little of the old world, a little of the new. A bit like most of us, I bet.

 

I love the whimsy of this chalkboard "headboard" from Canadian House and Home.

Beautiful without any chalk marks at all.   {via The City Sage}

Perhaps not the obvious choice for a dining room, but I think it works!  {via SFgirlbybay}

A chalkboard backsplash is a clever way to save on tile.  {Domino magazine}

A mix of vintage and modern in the kitchen {via Vintage}

 

 

Useful on a pantry door. {Country Living}

An easy DIY project in both classic black and a custom color  {Wisdom of the Moon}

 
 
 

A mix of both magnetic and chalkboard paint create even more options, such as this DIY spice display {via Flickr}

 
 
 

The kids won't be the only ones who get to draw at this table. {via Gadora Wilder}

 
 
 

Decidedly rustic when applied to this vintage find. {via Attic Mag}

 
 
 

Upcycle bottles and create your own sculptural art. {via Curbly}

 
 
 

A way to communicate with everyone at once. {via Attic Mag}

 

 

If you have the talent (or have a talented friend), this type of treatment could turn an inexpensive wardrobe into a conversation piece. {via Domicidal Maniac}

A repurposed coffee table finds new life in a playroom. {via Odeedoh}

{Title image from Anthropologie}



 

Going Green

 

I've started noticing a subtle shift in my design interests. It's not an overnight process and I'm not particularly adept at executing the concept yet, but I find myself being drawn more and more to eco-friendly design and creative upcycling. I know it's almost trendy these days, but it would be better for all of us if it becomes a permanent trend.

I can't say exactly where it's coming from - more enticing designs that capture my attention and encourage me to think outside the box or an understanding that I need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, or maybe just being the mother of a child who wholeheartedly embraces the idea of recycling and already is more clever with it than I am.

Whatever it is, as I find myself making changes to my home and thinking about what I'd like to add or what I need, I have first begun to question whether there's a way to repurpose something else.  As I've begun to travel down this particular design path, I am constantly inspired and encouraged by the efforts of others. Here's some of what I've found:

 

The steel shelving system I've had my eye on for the kitchen costs upwards of $400 and I can't say that I like it any more than this vintage fruit crate solution. {via Country Living}

What a clever way to repurpose a carriage seat! {This, and title image of repurposed champagne corks via Poetic Home}

A vintage suitcase turned into a chair {Image via Recreate}

A shipping pallet turned dish display rack {via The Green Children}

Spoons and reclaimed wood turned into a useful coat rack {via Etsy}

I love how effortlessly recycled wood pieces mix with contemporary elements {via French by Design}

Upcycled wooden crate cabinetry {via Web Urbanist}

Yardsticks adorning stair risers {via Design Sponge}

Ruler Tabletop {via Country Living}

A clever way to repurpose old sweaters {via Country Living}

A plaster-dipped floral "sculpture" looks nothing like the artificial floral arrangement it started as {via Daily Danny}

Admittedly, this has nothing to do with the home, but a wedding dress created from repurposed doilies - brilliant! {via Handmade Bits and Pieces}

DIY Lighting

I need new light fixtures. And I'm finally tired of glancing at them and feeling depressed so the task is going on my list of home projects for the fall. I could spend thousands on pieces I love (not), hundreds on pieces I don't really care about (yawn), or I can try to do it myself which, at the very least, should fill me with some sense of pride.

So I've been researching DIY light options (it's a great way to procrastinate when I'm supposed to be working) and I am blown away by some of the lighting designs, especially the eco-friendly options I've found. It's been very inspiring to me, so I thought I'd share some of my finds with you. (And if you have any lighting designs that are inspiring you, please share them!)

 

With my love for industrial, this funnel light fixture from Country Home is the perfect accent to warm up a work area, a hallway, even task lighting in the kitchen.

 

I'm guessing this is Danny Seo's take on Anthropologie's Songbird Chandelier, with a much lower price tag thanks to an Ikea light fixture and chicken wire. (Photo via Daily Danny)

Egg cartons, a light string, and a hole punch. That's all you need to create these lovely flower lights. Charming (and clever)! (Tutorial and photo found on Apartment Therapy)

 

Water bottle lighting that's perfect for the environment it was photographed in. (Photo found via Cucumbersome)
 

This floors me. A graceful, feminine design made from...the bottoms of plastic bottles! (Photos via Inhabitat)

I love this. I could easily see this hanging over a kitchen island, especially in a kitchen with lots of stainless steel or white. (Photo via Inhabitat)

 

I'm not yet tired of this trend for exposed wire lampshade frames. In the right area, with the right shape, I find it refreshing. And with so many Edison style bulbs available now, this is the perfect kind of light fixture to show them off. (Photo found via Made by Girl)

 

I have saved the best for last. When I stumbled onto ReDesign Technologies' chandeliers made of PAPER CLIPS, I was humbled by genius. What's even better - the designer Penelope Bridge has made step-by-step tutorials available through her Etsy shop. The chandeliers come in four different designs and you can purchase a tutorial for a single design or all four. I've already made my purchase and I can't wait to take this on! And for those who love the concept but not the DIY, there are assembled chandeliers for sale as well. I'm in love. (Photo from ReDesign Technologies)

Framed Recipes

 
Photo from Alice and Me

All of my family recipes have been typed up, printed, stored on discs, external hard drives...all steps taken to ensure their safety. But I have a few old handwritten recipes that I can't imagine parting with. To date, they've been tucked away with other family heirlooms, but I'm starting to think they deserve a place in the light, so to speak.

 

I stumbled onto the charming blog Me and Alice recently and found this lovely display of handwritten recipes that had belonged to the author's mother (along with many other lovely vignettes from the Swedish countryside). Simple, beautiful. 

One note I feel I should add before you display any priceless letters or recipes - Light will fade them, so keep them out of places with direct sunlight or even strong lamplight. Even better, scan or color copy them at a high resolution (onto acid-free paper) and display the copies instead. 

Summer Whites

 
Despite the fact that my house looks like a bomb went off after I finish a creative assignment, I have a deep appreciation for organization. This may be one of the reasons for my continuing love affair with Pinterest (if only the rest of my photos were so organized). 

Here's a roundup of my latest visual inspiration, no doubt driven by the tropical heat and humidity that is part and parcel of a New Orleans summer. 

Texture: 
 
 
 
  
Simplicity:

 
 
 
   
 Sheen: 

  
 
 
 
Image Credits:  1) via This is Glamorous; 2) via Once Wed; 3) via Urban Outfitters; 4) via Bolig; 5-7) via This is Glamorous; 8) via Sanctuary; 9) via Delikatissen; 10-12) via Sanctuary; Title Image via Desire to Inspire

 

Pin It Forward: Coming Home

 
Today I have the pleasure of participating in Pin It Forward, a blog event created by Victoria Smith of sfgirlbybay and Pinterest. Pin It Forward brings together 300 blogs unified by a common theme - 'what home means to me.' We've each created inspirational pinboards through Pinterest and I've so enjoyed exploring this topic and have become positively addicted to Pinterest (Pinterest, by the way, is a free bookmarking service that allows you to create and share visual collections of things you love). It's incredibly easy to use, with a clean and beautiful design, and I'm LOVING it! So without further ado, here are the highlights of what home means to me (you can see my full board here, as well as all image credits):

It occurs to me, after a multitude of houses, apartments and cities, that I can create a home in a paper bag if only I have the right tools. For me, home is a feeling more than a place. The trappings of my home come and go (and the right furniture does help), but it's the feeling of home that I'm most attuned to. Some of the perfect ingredients for me...

 

Family 
I don't want to be anywhere that my husband and son are not. They are, quite simply, the foundation of my home.

   

Curiosities & Inspiration

My home is the hub of both my personal and my professional life. Because I spend so much time there, I need to be surrounded by inspiration - and in the best of times, it's filled to the brim with creativity and curiosities of all kinds.

 
   

 

Eating, Drinking, & Carrying On

I'm a Southerner and Southerners carry the South with them wherever they go. No house will ever be a home for me unless there's some eating, drinking and general carrying on. I simply accept it as my birthright.  

   

 

Something Old

There are lots of people who respect the shiny and new, but l like carrying around a few things that have soul. Give me your worn, your tarnished, your well-loved and I will give them a home. 

 

Whimsy

I try not to take myself too seriously, and a dose of whimsy helps with that. It's never too late to have a happy childhood!

 
  
 
Don't forget to check out Tiny Toes and Peonies tomorrow for another interpretation of home. I know you'll be inspired. Enjoy!

Off the Wall

When it comes to walls, I'm more of a paint person than a wallpaper person. But I'm still interested in the great prints that are available, so I'm always on the lookout for different ways to use it. Using wallpaper off the wall (or just on parts of the wall) is hardly a new idea, but I've compiled a few of my favorites to inspire you:

 

I think this is a stunning example of what you can do with wallpaper remnants. Much of the effect comes from the chosen wallpaper, but this technique definitely makes an impact. {Photo from Country Home}
 

 

I'm not usually drawn to patchwork design, but I think it works well in this room. {photo from DIYideas.com}
 

 
This is a great project for the truly commitment phobic (or renters).  {Photo from Country Home}
 

 

The unifying effect of wallpaper makes this set-up feel like a built-in at first glance. It creates more of a focal point than the individual pieces would on their own.  {Photo from Country Home}
 

 

You can cover an ugly (or just plain) headboard with wallpaper to create an entirely new effect. If you don't have a headboard, you can create one from wallpaper and paste it directly to the wall. {Photo from DIYideas.com}
 

 
I love the clever use of wallpaper on stair risers - which tend to get scuffed easily anyway. {photo from Wallpaper Projects by Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith}
 

 
Using wallpaper on the insets of doors and cabinets is an easy way to add detail and focus to a generally overlooked area.  {Photo from Martha Stewart Living}

Living with Nature

 

As the weather turns, I find myself flinging open all the doors and windows, dirt and bugs be damned. It's just too enticing to try to bring the outdoors in. I'm lucky in that my older Southern home was designed to integrate the outdoors with the indoors, maximizing airflow in the hot summer months. There are transom windows that allow air to move even doors are closed, windows that open from floor to ceiling, and side galleries (porches) that create airflow throughout the house.

But airflow isn't enough for me. Because I work from home, I need as much natural light and greenery as I can get. To some extent, it's easy - I have shutters on most windows, which are easy to open and close, and I've eliminated window coverings in my office altogether, allowing me to see the courtyard in bloom. It makes a huge difference in my mood.

To encourage such mood elevation, I've been thinking of other ways to bring the season indoors. Here are some visuals that inspire me:

 
Garden benches add an instant outdoor feel to a dining area.
Photo from Natural Style by Janet Sobesky
 

  

All it takes are a few simple touches to summon the outdoors. The antique garden urn, cut fern fronds, and the pastoral landscape painting all stand out in a serene living room.
Photo from Better Homes and Gardens

 

 

I adore the tropical vibe in this small guest bathroom and the way that the light is maximized with filmy curtains.
Photo from Gardenhouse by Bonnie Trust Dahan

 
 
A well placed mirror can heighten the impact of the outdoors when it reflects a garden environment.
Photo from Thrifty Chic by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell

 
 
I love the dramatic statement these birch branches make in this airy living room.
Photo from Gardenhouse by Bonnie Trust Dahan

 
 
I never get tired of faux bois furniture, like this table and chairs.
Photo from House Beautiful

 
 
I'm crazy about this bathroom, despite its extreme masculinity. I want this mirror!
Photo from Domino

 
I almost installed a porch swing in my New York apartment. I still have some regret that I didn't do it.
Photo from Gardenhouse by Bonnie Trust Dahan

Title photo from Martha Stewart Living     

  

Cocktail Garden

 
 
My garden is a disaster, i.e. virtually empty. There was a brief, shining moment when we experienced bounty. The decline started when we lost our favorite banana trees to Hurricane Gustav. That was followed by extreme temperatures and little rain, which taxed even the hardiest of our plants, despite our watering efforts. This winter, a late, surprise frost turned everything tropical into brown sticks. Overall, I'm not sure I'm cut out for gardening. 

But the one thing I do every year is plant an herb garden. It's easy to plant and maintain, and the rewards are great. This year, my focus is on creating a cocktail garden. I do cook with herbs, of course, and there will always be a supply of the basics on hand. But summer so often brings impromptu guests and alfresco dining, and utilizing herbs in cocktails just makes sense.  It's a nice way to embrace the season. 

If you'd like to plant a cocktail garden along with me, I'll be sharing recipes over the summer. There will be cocktails, of course, but also ice cream recipes, sodas, lemonades, infused syrups, and the like. 

Here's a list of some of the herbs I'll be planting in my cocktail garden - 

Basics found in most garden stores or nurseries:

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Sweet Basil
• Thyme
• Cilantro
• Spearmint (I find you can never have enough mint. Whatever you think you'll need, double it. Plant it in its own pots or it will overtake everything else.)

Worth Searching Out

• Culinary Lavender (Dried lavender is excellent for infusing spirits and syrups, and a little goes a long way. Fresh flower buds also make a nice garnish.)
• Lemon Verbena (Sometimes you can find lemon verbena at farmer's markets. You can also order it online, which is what I did last year. It grows from cuttings, rather than seed. Plant several pots.)
• French Tarragon
• Cinnamon Basil
• Anise Hyssop (look for Agastache foeniculum)
• Lemon Balm
• Shiso (aka perilla or Japanese basil)
• Thai Basil
• Lemon Grass
• Flavored Mints (I'm intrigued by some of these - orange and pineapple, in particular.)

Mail Order Source - The Growers Exchange

Use this Tower of Herbs design from Martha Stewart Living - perfect for compact spaces.

 

 

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Island Getaway

   

I've been bogged down in deadlines and endless hours of crafting lately. I can always tell when it's time for a break, because I become obsessed with home projects. (That's my idea of relaxation - take a break from crafting and remake a piece of furniture. I can't help myself.) My current obsession is the kitchen island. I haven't been able to find an island I want that I can actually afford, which means I'm going to have to be creative. Here are some of the beauties in my inspiration file.  Do you have any you'd like to share with me - especially DIY projects?

 
A vintage baker's table was converted into an island with a sink.  I'm enamored with the three-legged chopping block, too.

 

 

 

  

I love how this cart was cleverly turned into an island simply by adding a table top.

 

 

This laundry-folding table-turned-island would be perfect in my kitchen.  I like the zinc top, but I'd probably switch it out for marble, which is great for baking.

 

  

A curved French console married to a home improvement store cabinet. What a great example of DIY genius.

 

  
A farmhouse table converted into a simple island/breakfast area

 

This is shown in a home office, but I'd definitely use it as an island. Notice the industrial baking pans (bread pans) underneath - what a great way to store kitchen utensils in an island without drawers.

 

 

This is more along the lines of my budget. It's not my dream island, but I really like the way they customized a very simple base piece.