New Items in the Shop!

I added a few new upcycled pieces to my Etsy shop this week. Check out their fabulousness for yourself below!

Magnet Board in Pink Flower - made from repurposed wood floor tiles!

Winter Coasters in Sage Green 

Magnet Board in Green Diamond 

Winter Coasters in Red

Bright Textiles

Hi there blog readers! My apologies for the extended absence. A few weeks ago I started grad school - an MFA program in interior design. The downside is the seemingly unending amount of work. However, now that I'm a bit more adjusted to bring back in school full time, I will be regularly posting once or twice a week again. The upside, at least as far as this blog, is exposure to inside world of interior design which I will be sharing with you!

Today I have a few of my new favorite fabrics for your viewing pleasure. The bright, bold colors in these fabrics will stand out in an otherwise neutral space or pair them together for a look that won't soon be forgotten. Enjoy!

Above two textiles from KnollTextiles

Above two textiles from Clarke & Clarke

Above two textiles from Holly Hunt

Design Your Own Wallpaper

I recently saw this on Apartment Therapy and fell in love with the idea. DesignYourWall.com gives everyone the opportunity to design wallpaper perfect for your personalized space. Their designers can take any pattern, photograph, drawing, etc. you provide and turn it into custom wallpaper. Customers can also choose the type of wall covering (removable wallpaper, grasscloth, etc.). The images here are some of my favorites from their existing collection, just to get your creative juices flowing!

Don't be Afraid of the Floor

One of the newer trends in home decorating is beneath your feet - bold, bright patterns on the floor. Below are a few of my favorites. but with enough tape, paint and imagination the sky (or the ground, ha ha!) is the limit. 

Via HuesAndCues

Via Things That Inspire

Via Curbly

Via CRAFT

Pinners I Love: Fabulous Furniture

Curtis Popp Sidetables

I get a kick everytime I stumble across a new board on Pinterest full of amazing, adorable and super fun things just waiting for me to dive into. Of course, Pinterest is all about sharing, so I'll be passing these great boards right along to you! Today's board is Fabulous Furniture from Christine Martinez. With tons of brightly colored, mid-century modern pieces, this board is a must-see for design lovers. Here are some of my personal favorites:

CBY sideboard

Canteen Utility Chairs

Anthropologie Amorphous Nesting Tables

Fun Chairs

Looking for a new chair to add a little pizzaz to your home? These fun, quirky options will have you smiling every time you sit down!

Refurbished Chevron Wingback Chairs via etsy

Twist Chair via Tonon

Peace Sign Chair 

Snap Chair by Feek

Patterns I'm Loving Right Now

Repeating Flowers via anthropologie 

Chevon Patterned-Floor

Flower and Bubbles via lux interior designs

Vintage Striped Stacking Mugs  via etsy

DIY IT: Shabby Chic Curtains

I love the shabby chic look of these curtains, and the best part is it's something you can easily recreate at home. 

Step 1) Buy an inexpensive base curtain in a solid neutral color.

Step 2) Create the fabric strips by cutting strips from used or leftover fabric at least 1" wide. Try a variety of widths or just stick with one. 

Step 3) Knot the strips together to create a strip the length of the curtain you chose.

Step 4) Attach the strips to the curtain either by sewing along the top, or to create a more natural look, cut slits near the top of the curtain for each strip, loop the strip through and knot around the curtain rod. I suggest using fray glue along the slit to minimize fraying.

Step 5) Enjoy! 

Now I just have to figure out where I could do this in my apartment... :)

Are You a Pink Personality?

Today's color up for discussion is pink! More often associated with little girl's rooms, pink can also be a great accent color for living rooms, kitchens or wherever you want a pop of the unexpected! Adults who like the color pink tend to be dedicated to the color. So what does it say about you when you choose pink for your home decor?

Pink is a welcoming color. People who choose it for their home may want to create a warm, welcoming space. Or they may be looking to create more romance in their life. Pink is also the color of nurturing - this could mean you have a nurturing nature or that you are in need of some TLC yourself. You may want to remind yourself of your youth or provide an optimistic face to the world. Pink decor creates a friendly, welcoming space, and who wouldn't want that in their home?. If you have pink decor, the next time someone questions your choice tell them clearly, pink isn't just for little girls. 

Is Your Room Blue?

My regulars readers will know I'm big on color. Who doesn't love a little extra color in their lives? The color choices we make in our everyday life can say a lot about our personalities. Today, let's look at blue and green.

It's well known that blue and green have calming and relaxing affects on people. This is due to their association with water and nature. But did you know that people who choose soft blues and greens for their home decor (like those shown above) tend to be introverts? Choosing blue or green for your home could mean you crave a calm oasis, are looking to create more personal 'space' in your life or are searching for fulfillment. Not sure this really describes you? Think about it. That blue comforter you just bought could say more about you than you think!

Fun Finds: Clock Love

Since tomorrow marks the start of Daylight Savings Time (for those counties who observe it), I thought we'd take this opportunity to showcase some fun and funky timepieces...aka clocks. All pieces featured are vintage or upcycled. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection. Enjoy, and don't forget to move your clock, whatever it may look like, forward tomorrow!

Movie Reel Clock by Iahaine

Vintage Mechanical Alarm Clock by ClockWorkUniverse

Queen Anne's Lace Clock from Upcycled Vinyl Record by JessilynJoy

Happy National Cuddle Up Day!

Cashmere Upcycled Pillow by HammyPie

It's true there is a holiday for just about any day of the year now. But today's random holiday is something I can get behind...an official day to stay inside out of the cold and cuddle up with your sweetheart? What's not to like? Of course, since it's over 60 degrees here in DC today, the staying in out of the cold part is just pretend. And if you're in need of a cuddle partner, I've included a few non-human, upcycled options here for you to try out. Enjoy, and happy cuddling!

Daisy Lumbar Upcycled Pillow by Kamiann

Upcycled Felted Wool Flower Pillow by SaraRenay

From the Studio: New Coasters, New Designs

New items straight from the studio! I love it when I find a new way to use an upcycled item - the designs are all made from painted newspaper!

Upcycled Coasters, Ribbon Bows Design

Upcycled Coasters, Mini Stars Design

Upcycled Coasters, Umbrella Design

Etsy Sellers on HGTV

Don't forget to set your DVR for tonight's Design on a Dime on HGTV featuring Etsy! If you just can't wait to see what handmade treasuries are featured, here's a preview. My favorites are the vintage tub chair and map wood block art. The episode airs at 8pm EST.

from Atlas Home

from Lucius Art 

Have an Organized Holiday

Let's face it - staying completely organized and sane around the holidays is basically impossible. But we can give it our best shot. Starting off with a good, solid system will give you the best chance for a semi-calm, semi-organized holiday and will greatly reduce the chance that you'll lose Aunt Marge's present in the deep, dark recesses of your hall closet. Below are a few general tips to get you started, for the advanced level of holiday organizing visit my pinterest boards or search the site for "holiday organizing tips" - there are tons of great suggestions and projects!

• Try using a chart to help track the progress of your gift-giving list instead of just committing it to memory. Here's a good one. 

• Keep the holiday cards you receive out on display to show them off and help you remember who else you need mail one to. 

Via marthastewart.com

• Set-up a designated gift wrap station in your house, or use a portable basket or suitcase, to keep all your wrapping supplies in one place. That way whenever you have a few free minutes you can stop by that spot (or pull out the basket) and wrap, rather than waste time hunting down all the supplies. If you have a long list wrapping in shorter bursts, rather than all at once, will make the process much less daunting! 

Via homemadesimple.com

• Think ahead to next year. Come January it's very tempting to just throw your holiday decorations in boxes, seal them with duck tape and pack away until next year. However, spending some time pre-planning your holiday storage will pay off big next time around. Use compartmentalized boxes (think bead craft boxes) for ornaments and small knick-knacks. Wrap lights and garland around extra cardboard or leftover wrapping paper tubes for tangle-free storage. And, if you have a special item that just makes the holiday season for you mark which box it's in. That way you can open it first and get the season off to the perfect start!

Via realsimple.com

The Art of Thankfulness

This time of year lots of people are sharing via facebook, twitter or blogs what they are thankful for. Now, I'm as tech-obsessed as the rest of us, but don't you miss the good ole' days when you had a construction paper turkey (a.k.a a cutout of your hand) and had to write something your thankful for on each feather (a.k.a finger)? There's just something about physically picking up the pen and paper that I think gives a little more weight to those positive thoughts (not that I'm digging on the virtual-postive thoughts either!!). Why not consider one of these fun grown-up versions of that very fancy turkey this Thanksgiving? But whichever way you choose to share, I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

I love this idea for a big Thanksgiving party! Via PoodlePoddles

Thankful Tree via HoneyWereHome

Gratitude Journal via iloveitallwithmonicawright