Master Makeover is Complete!

Well I meant to get this out sooner rather than later but we had an issue with one of the table lamps that has now been corrected.

Remember this room?

If you want to read the back story and see more "before" pics check that out here.  But for all of you who are eagerly awaiting the completed room, here it is.....

Of course we aren't totally done, because even though they still don't want a duvet cover they would like some king shams to cover up their sleeping pillows....We are going to have them made in the same fabric as the valance, my client LOVES that fabric.

We made it all work quite beautifully don't you think?

One of the stunners of the bedroom are these beautiful, handcrafted crystal finials from Orion Ornamental Iron.....

They almost have a rainbow of color in them depending on how you look at them.  The hubby was afraid at first, thinking they may be way over the top, code word, "girlie" but the wife tells me that he looks at them quite often and says how "cool" they are.

If you like them too they come in many shapes and sizes...

Do you like the extra drama created with the crystals?

I love it when we finish a clients room/home and they not only love it but they want to show everyone who walks in the door of their home, that makes me feel good, my work here is done...Well except for those king shams we still need to make. ;)

Saved by the Dim

Did you know that one of the easiest ways to save energy is to use dimmers on your lighting?  The more a light is dimmed, the greater the energy savings.  Dimming can cut lighting costs by more than 70% while reducing environmental impact.

The average cost for a single dimmer is less than $20 so it pays for itself in about 26 months.

FUN facts....The cumulative impact of dimmers can save enough energy each year to light 4.5 million homes in 12 months and installing 1 dimmer in every US home, for instance, in place of a standard light switch would save $816 million in electricity annually and reduce CO2 by 4.3 billion pounds per year.  Which is like taking 370,000 cars off the road.

Of course the best part of dimming lights is we all tend to look better in them. :)

So here is my not sooo good attempt at a "before" dimming DR and an "after" dimming DR.

I realize my camera skills suffer in showing this and have to say that dimming in person looks soo much better than on camera, ha!

Inspired by Chard?

I am...Whatever works right? ;)

I think the colors of Swiss Chard are sooo powerful and beautiful together, I just had to stop and grab my camera to share with you.

Then I got to thinking, this combo just feels so fresh....

I remembered that  Jonathan Adler now has a "design your own" software for pillows and rugs, you can actually choose your own color combos, so the choices are endless...For instance here are my "Swiss Chard" colors in a pillow and fun rug....

Then I started thinking how these colors could be used on furniture. so I was on Norwalk and created these 2 sofas to show you what you can do to recreate the chard look....

I think sites that let you play with color are so fun don't you?

As I was working on this blog this morning this lamp revealed itself so had to share recycled green glass table lamp good fit right?

I have a gorgeous bushy tree (apx. 7' high) outside that is also bursting in color, colors like my Swiss Chard...Just ran out, took a picture and here it is, (I love the digital world don't you?)

By the way, does anyone know what this bushy tree is?  If so do share. ;)

Also, if you have used this color palette before I would love to hear about it.

Sleep in Splendor

If you haven't heard of one of the finest beds in the world, now is the time.....Hastens.

They have been family owned and operated in Sweden since 1852, hand making each and every mattress, so I think they know what they are doing.

You can always spot the Hastens brand because of their distinct look....checked fabric, usually in blue, but they do have a rainbow of cotton checked fabrics to choose from.

The first time I eyed one of these mattresses in person, I was up in Seattle after walking all day, and went into the showroom and collapsed on one of them and was transformed into another world.

By the way, I don't promote any products for profit and quite frankly most companies don't even know that I am blogging about them.  All of my blog posts about products are my personal experiences with them. :)  

Their bed frames are made out of Swedish pine.  The stuffing is simply made out of cotton, HORSEHAIR, flax and wool.  The springs are made from heat treated Swedish steel, same quality found in piano wire.

This bed is 100% organic and can be recycled or if discarded it is totally biodegradable.  Unlike other mattresses out there this has no outgasses from synthetic materials.

Now with all of these benefits there are 2 downsides...This mattress is HEAVY!  Mattresses are already awkward but with the added weight it can be cumbersome to move. And lastly the price for a good nights sleep is expensive, I won't get into pricing here because really what is a good nights sleep worth to you and remember they say you do spend a third of your life in bed. ;)

So if you are like me and must try them out first, they now have hotels all over the world that have them, see this list.

I must finish this blog with my favorite shape of bed that they now carry....I need to go see this in person...But wouldn't it be fun to design around this?

I would love to hear of your experiences with this company and/or bed if you have them.  If not, I hope you consider them when you are shopping for your next mattress, you won't be sorry....If nothing else order the DVD it's very well done!

The Beauty of Tapestries

Houses are getting bigger and that usually means more wall space and higher ceilings.  Sometimes it can be hard to decorate these areas, but have you ever considered using a tapestry?

Tapestries are a form of textile art, woven onto a loom so that both sides are a complete work.

They add, color, character and warmth, choose them just like you would a piece of art, it needs to "talk to you" or it's not the right piece.

Tapestries usually will be the most significant decorative element in your room.

In the world of tapestries, most come from Europe.  Nowadays, reproductions if done right are just fine...If you are lucky enough to buy an original just remember it will cost you.

Okay, this next part gets wordy but I think it needs to be said so you can make wise choices in selecting your tapestry.....

The best reproductions out there are the custom designs followed by hand wovens.  Next are the Jacquard woven wool designs followed by the Jacquard woven cotton.  Somewhere between them in quality and value is serigraph or silk screened tapestries.

Hand Wovens are woven on looms by hand, ha I guess you could've figured that out by the name.  Usually these are wool or wool and silk.  They have very fine details with a dense or extra fine weave.  Their price is dictated by how much time, skill and materials are involve.

Jacquard Wovens are woven on looms as well but use a semi-mechanical process using perforated cards that feed colored threads.  This process is a lot faster which reduces the cost of production without hurting the quality.

Silk screened or serigraph tapestries are painted images on irregularly woven wool or linen which gives the tapestry more of an "authentic" look.  It is still a semi-mechanical process which includes hand painting to finish the details.  Compared to woven tapestries, they have a faded, antique look.

A tapestry should be scaled to the room and the wall. Here's a good rule of thumb:  It should occupy 80% (or more) of the intended space.  Oh and tapestries look best when you are apx. 8'-10' away from it so you can see the full depth of the weave and appreciate the color more.

Tapestries have a very interesting history, if you would like to learn more about them click on tapestries

If you have decorated with tapestries before or plan on it please leave me a comment and let me know all about it.

New Blog Schedule

With fall comes a new change in my blog schedule.  Effective this Friday, October 2nd.  I will no longer be posting my blogs every other, even day.  The new schedule will be every Thursday and Sunday, my 2 busiest days anyway, and they will still be posted at 10am CT.

I will throw in a random day here or there of something I am just tooo excited to not share immediately. :)

For those of you who read and subscribe to this blog, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!!!   I LOVE all the support through your comments, you are all the BEST and you are what motivates me to keep sharing.

Art Inspiring

Awhile back my hubby and I were celebrating his birthday in Old Montreal (fabulous town by the way).

(It took us awhile to figure out why everyone was taking pictures of "our" house but finally we found out that "our" house was one of the oldest in Montreal, go figure.)

Anyway, Right down the street from where we were staying we stumbled upon a wonderful art gallery called Nicolin and Gublin.

All of the art is from the international visual artist-painter, Charlotte Nicolin.  You can tell that she is drawn to nature, I just love her prospective and think her work is awe-inspiring with her wonderful blend of colors and great subjects like this bird in pursuit of that little fish....

The flowers are amazing and are my FAVORITES....These are just a few of her beautiful pieces.

Isn't this dramatic?

I think the colors used in this are amazing!

 She has lots of frog paintings but this one is so precious I had to share it....2 frogs in love inside a flower but it could be a psychedelic trip too....Ha!

Her sea life is the best....

Everytime I see this one I laugh out loud, this is called "Family Portait", perfect title, ha!

The gallery also had her sea life furniture on display, these pictures don't do it justice but had to show you anyway....

So if you ever get to Montreal I highly recommend you pop in to this lovely gallery, you will have no regrets and in the meantime be sure to click on the links to see more of her wonderful creations as well.