mismatch BAY WINDOW

I love having a large bay window in my living room.  It allows a lot of light to shine in, and good air circulation on those warm days.  Here's an elevation I drew so you can see it:

Hmm, do you notice anything a bit odd?  The large center window of this trio is not centered on the wall- it drives me crazy!  How does someone take the time to add this great feature to a home, and then not execute it with precision?  Well, this is proof that is happens not just in my town home, but in the entire complex.  Anyhoo....

I certainly planned to dress these windows from the moment we moved in.  There are mini metal blinds on all of our windows.  As unattractive as they are, they do provide light control and privacy.  I live on the end unit in a row of townhouses, but I do have neighbors across the way so privacy is a concern.  

So I really only needed a decorative element to soften the hard lines of the mini blinds, and add some luxury to feel like more like a home instead of a rental.  My plan was to hang stationary fabric panels to add a pattern and visual interest to this otherwise unadorned wall.  I was going to hang a pair on the center wall, and a pair framing the small side windows for a cohesive design.  Hanging a pair of fabric panels on the center wall that overlap the window edges would create the illusion that the large window is centered.    Perfect!

However, if you read my blog, you already know that this plan went out the WINDOW (haha).  Click here to read about it.  The gist of it is that I found sheer panels at a steal of a deal and went with it.  Here's the new plan:

I'm really excited about these new window treatments!  Creating a wall of sheers also disguises the un-centered window- my nemesis... By creating a fluid or continuous window treatment it makes the wall feel like one large window instead of 3 smaller windows.  Another benefit is that sheers with 2x fullness also filters light and blurs the view from our close-by neighbors .  I think I will pull the mini blinds up during the day, and just lower them in the evening for complete privacy.

However, my last thought is to use washi tape and create a faux molding around each window for some added detail.  In this case I would evenly space the molding on the large window so it looks centered.  I know this is a bit out-of-the-box, but that's my style:

There's so much to say about window treatments, that I think I'll save more of my tips for another post.  I went and bought drapery rods last week, and I can't wait to install them!

So, what do you think of my ideas to unite my mismatch bay window?

fun with FLOWERS

Have some fun with your flowers this spring, and mix it up!

Peaches and Mint

Isn't this a modern way to set up a floral centerpiece?  I just love the mix of glass vessels with a variety of shapes and sizes.  This is so easy, even YOU can do it.  Just place a single stem or a small bunch in each vessel.  It's perfectly imperfect.  And of course, have fun with the bright colors that bloom during spring.  Do you have a silver platter like this one?  I like how it unites this mismatch centerpiece altogether.  

design vs SPORTS

This is post is for all my sports fans out there!! (...you there?)

I think we are all familiar with the term Man Cave.  This room is usually sequestered to the basement, hidden from guests, and is occupied by the husband and all of his bachelor stuff.  For example: the big (HUGE) screen TV, the poster of dogs playing poker, and lots of sports memorabelia that just wouldn't look good in the main living room of the home.  Sound familiar?

Well, I was recently contacted by Fanatics.com.  Come again?  Turns out they are reaching out to bloggers, like myself, and would like to get our take on a well decorated "Fan Cave."  Hmmm...I think it's so easy for a sports room to go wrong, design wise, so I was intrigued by this challenge.  The only guidelines were to select a NFL jersey from their website, and share my design.  GAME ON

I recently moved to Portland, Oregon so I thought to choose our team, well that is until I remembered we don't have one.....So who else can represent the northwest? The Seattle Seahawks it is!
I can definitely work with this team's jersey: Navy blue, grey, and a punch of bright green.

I started with a neutral grey wall knowing that it would get covered with sports paraphernalia.  Then I found this handsome leather sectional in an espresso brown.  It is comfy to stretch out on, but has a tailored profile- no pillow-back recliners here!  And if someone spills a drink, just wipe it right off.  (It's not pigskin, but that's the idea.)  Next I wanted to punch some color into this design and found these great metal green coffee tables.  They are durable enough for the outdoors, so it can surely survive a "Fan Cave."  Green is repeated in the modern, geometric rug and adds some much needed pattern to this room.  The retro floor lamp reminds me of bright stadium lights, and the old-school clock can probably be found in the locker room.  The rustic wood finish on the end table is the perfect spot for a bowl of chips (...and dip?).  I added some bold stripes on the wall to unify the prized team jersey and other Seahawk paraphernalia.  STOP THE CLOCK




I think this is a sports den worthy to share with your guests, don't you?  There's no reason that sports and good design can't exist together.  It's all about balance, and using the sports team as inspiration instead of recreating the team's gift shop in your home (Haha- you know who you are...)

So it all comes down to this.... Does my mismatch design score a touch-down on this Seattle Seahawk's "Fan Cave"?





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SOURCES

Jersey: Fanatics
Sofa, End table, Clock, Picture ledges: West Elm
Coffee tables, Rug, Floor lamp: CB2

"as is" IKEA

Last week I stopped by IKEA with my husband.  We were just going to pick up an extra set of flatware.   (It seems we go through our forks much faster than we used to...Hmmm...)  Since we were out, we decided we may as well walk through the large maze of IKEA, and see if we get inspired by any furniture or design ideas for our place- what a great idea! Embarrassingly, we have been here for just over 2 months and we are still eating with pillows on our lap, seated in camping chairs.  Our little end table is also our dining table...

So, this is what we went in for.  This is the Fornuft 20-piece flatware set.  Believe it or not, this was the only item we picked up- oh wait!  We also picked up a paper towel holder.  It's been driving me crazy just having the roll sit next to the kitchen sink.  Here is the TORKAD Paper towel holder.

Then we continued through to the checkout lanes, but WAIT!  What's that big sign over there say?  "AS IS."  I have never seen this section advertised before, so I pulled my wonderful husband over there so I could have a look.  You just never know what you may find.  After all, someone's trash is someone else's treasure.

Take a look at that carving...I love it!  I darted right over to this white dining table with round tapered legs and spool carving details.  It was IKEA furniture, but has more charm than the popular modern design IKEA does so well.  This beauty is called the INGATORP Extendable Table.

Oh, but is it worth this much?  I was already searching on Craigslist for a great deal on dining tables, and found some possibilities a bit less, including chairs.  So, how can I justify this price for only a table?  And not only that, I'm pretty sure this won't fit in our small dining area....

I was definitely becoming attached to the table, but was still battling with the price.  Apparently, clearance prices only get reduced after an item has been on the floor for 3 months, and most items sell in 10 days or so.  Upon further inspecting the table, my husband discovered a track system below, and took critical notice of the black arrow at the edge of the table.  You guessed it- it's EXTENDABLE.   This greatly increases the value of this piece!  Even if we can't use it as our dining table for now, it will be a furniture piece we can take to our next home.  I mean, even if we keep it for 4 years, that only $50 per year- not to shabby!

Here is a quick floor plan I drew of our first floor with just the bare essentials.  The INGATORP Extendable Table shown above is 61"L x 34"W , and extends to ~85"L.  That's a pretty decent size.  You can see the table slightly hangs past the wall, but unfortunately, it doesn't leave much room for chairs.  

This dining space is intended for a round or square table.  It will still be a cozy fit, but it definitely enhances the flow of the space.  When guests are seated at the table, there will be little to no interference from the kitchen (to the right of the dining table) to the stairs (to the left of the dining table).

What a great way to 'missmatch' the function of a dining table.  The large surface area will be amazing to take advantage of.  There will be room for me to blog on my laptop, and have my own little library of design books and materials on the back half of the work surface.  I even think there will be room to share some precious realty with my husband to do his work!

One day this "AS IS" find will be our dining table, but I will be enjoying every moment using it in our new office.  I can't wait to get it set up, and have an inspiration board nearby with more 'missmatch' ideas to share with you.

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SOURCES

Flatware: IKEA
Towel holder: IKEA
Dining table: IKEA
Photography: by my husband
Floor plans: by ME

holiday card DIY

I just wanted to share with you my 2014 holiday card DIY with you.

You can make this sort of card for any occasion (Birthday, Congratulations, holidays) with the right stamp or personal message inserted in the message area of the card.




I chose a neon color palette this year, which is definitely not the norm for holiday cards!

Step 1:  Make your abstract and linear design with Washi tape.  I chose three colors for balance even though the design in asymmetrical.  After I stuck down a piece of tape, I flipped the card over, and used the card edge as my guide to cut the tape off of the roll.

Step 2: I stamped my rubber stamp with white ink to pop on my black card.

Step 3: Next, use neon gel pens to address your recipient and sign your name.  (The gel pens were a little difficult for me to use.  The flow of gel got stopped up if I changed the angle of the pen.)

Step 4: Lastly I used a little stamp on the back side of the envelope.  This one adds a little humor!

These were one of the easiest cards to make in mass.  Family, in case you're wondering, YES, I really did make these, and you will have them in your hands any day now.  I guess sometimes 8 nights of Hanukkah just isn't long enough...

I had a lot of fun with this 'missmatch'-colored neon holiday card.  Try it out next year!



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SOURCES

Scotch Washi tape: Target
Thin Washi tape: Michael's Arts and Crafts
Stationary: Michael's Arts and Crafts
Gel Pens: Michael's Arts and Crafts
Rubber stamps: Amazon.com
Ink pads: Michael's Arts and Crafts (previously owned)

industrial & ethereal LIGHTS

Welcome to December!  (That means there's only one month until my birthday).

Let's see....December is about cold winter nights and sparkling lights.

I came across this pin on Pinterest about 6 months ago, and I fall in love with it each time I see in on my board statement PIECES.  They remind me of snowflakes falling from the sky.  Each piece is made of iron with a textile cord.   These geometric pendants are industrial, yet ethereal.  This collection is called Geometry Made Easy  by MIRCROmacro.  

Today I went to the MIRCROmacro website to see their other product lines.  Below is another featured collection called Con-Tradition.  These designs are inspired by the contradiction between contemporary materials and traditional Chinese forms.

Edison bulbs are the perfect lamp choice for these exposed fixtures- that last bit of sparkle.  The Edison bulb is clear with a visible filament.

I really appreciate the 'missmatch' design of these pendant fixtures.  One of the large fixtures would look like a piece of art in a foyer, casting shadows onto soft white walls.





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SOURCES

All images: MIRCROmacro

to climb or DISPLAY?

Everyone needs a bookcase in their home, right?  I just moved two white bookcases half way across the country, as a matter of fact.  It's up to you whether you store books on it, but odds are you have a collection or some favorite objects you'd like to display.

What a great idea!  Maybe you already have a ladder in the garage that you never seem to use.  Simply paint some planks of wood that you can get cut at your local hardware store, and slide them on to different steps of the ladder.  Secure planks to ladder, just to be safe.  Then the fun part- accessorize!

This ladder shelving unit is so bright and airy, and even perfect for an outdoor space.  The tin flower planters are the perfect touch to complete this vignette.

Which room would you use this "outside the box" ladder shelf unit in?

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SOURCES

Photo: Design & DIY Magazine

chevron FEATURE WALL

Tonight I added some new pins to my board "up on the WALL."  I came across several beautiful wall papers, and this painted wall treatment.

A few weeks ago I was discussing how to make a feature in a bedroom without a headboard.  This is a great example of a low cost way to create a feature wall in an office if you do not have a large built-in book case or storage unit.  It's clean, graphic, and energizing quality is perfect in a workspace.  Plus, everyone needs a little shimmer!

See the entire workspace tour at Shalyn's "Paint it Gold" Workspace

To see more wall designs visit my Pinterest board "up on the WALL"

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SOURCES

Photo: apartment therapy

a dreamcatcher HEADBOARD

If you read my last post, you'll know that I'm looking to enhance my bed wall because I do not have a  great headboard on my platform bed.

Look at this great DIY project to make your own headboard.  Not only can it be done on a large scale, but it can be small scale on your budget!

This headboard is made of a wood frame and colored rope.  I would make this with yarn- just think of all the choices you'd have!  Maybe this will be an inspiration for my next bedroom design.  Plus, it's like having a huge dreamcatcher, did you notice?

What a great 'missmatch' idea- a headboard and dreamcatcher in one~





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SOURCES

Photo: Apartment Therapy

when you don't have A HEADBOARD

Every room needs a focal point.  In a bedroom it is usually the wall that your bed is against.  And that focal point is usually enhanced by a beautiful headboard.  But what if you don't have one, like myself?

I currently have a simple platform bed, the MALM low bedframe from IKEA.  Plus, I have two mattresses, so you really don't see the low headboard.   I decided to use a large piece of artwork hanging above to be the focal point over my bed.  I enlarged a photo of our wedding rings, and flanked it with two smaller picture frames.  However, a year later I want something more!

Have you heard of Washi tape?  I first discovered it when I was researching DIYs for my wedding.  I saw cute candle holders and drink stirrers made with this decorative tape in a Martha Stewart Wedding magazine.  Now, it seems to have jumped from stationary to wall decals.  You may have seen these DIY projects when you're searching through Pinterest.  I've been inspired to try it myself- plus it's a low budget project.


Here are some photos that have inspired me:

Above you can see that Washi tape can be used in a small scale or large scale pattern.  You probably noticed a theme of the plus sign.  I think I will be using this motif as well because it will coordinate with my bedding.  However, I don't think I want it to be stark black like these inspiration images.  

Time to go shopping for some Washi tape!

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SOURCES:

Bedframe: IKEA

Playroom: Everything Emily

Bedroom: Remodelista

Chair: Door Sixteen

simply CHARMING

I pinned this photo about 7 weeks ago, and I still love the European feel it has...

I'm attracted to the simplicity of this space, and surprised the by character it brings.  A white tulip table centers this breakfast nook.  Complimented with Eames chairs, and contrasted with a shabby chic bench.  The pillows for back cushion, and the cheek-pinched, pink roses soften this scheme.  The poster and wall hanging pull your eye up- and that's that!




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SOURCES

Photo: Hello

Day 10 of 10 - WOW

Is it really September?

Summer may be over, but let's celebrate because we reached our goal!

Just to recap, in case you're missed the countdown, I set for a 10 in 10 Challenge , to reach 10 new "likes" on this Facebook page in 10 days.  As it turns out, I have counted 15 new "likes".  I'm so excited- thank you everyone!!

Mmmm this looks so yum....so here's the 'missmatch' idea for the night.  We all love confetti, but it's such a mess to clean up! (Darn those cute little decorations)  So, why not make them bigger, and hang them on the wall?  Love this idea!

To see this pin, and other party ideas visit my Pinterest board - let's CELEBRATE

I hope that you like what you see, and will continue to read more.  I feel a DIY coming on, so stay tuned :)

In case you missed IT....

Day 2 of 10
Day 3 of 10
Day 4 of 10
Day 5 of 10
Day 6 of 10
Day 7 of 10
Day 8 of 10
Day 9 of 10

And here's the link - Facebook Page - missmatch INTERIORS

Have a good night~




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SOURCES

Photo: Sweet Style

Day 9 of 10

Did anyone get to finish a good book this holiday weekend?

Books are such a wonderful thing to hold in your hand, and flip through each page as you get pulled into a story.  But where do you keep them?  Here's some interesting ways to store and organize your books and magazines.

core77

Only Deco Love

Buzzfeed

Svpply

The Warn House

Huffington Post

Have you been inspired by one of these atypical bookcases?  

* Remember, together we had the goal to reach 10 "likes" in 10 days.   Let's see how many more can we reach by Labor Day- just one day left!  Here's the link to the FB page

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SOURCES

*Links below each photo

Day 6 of 10

Wow, it's only day 6, and 12 new people have already joined the FB page- Thanks everyone!!




It's late already, so I'll keep it quick tonight~

Everyone loves a well-put together gallery wall, but what's the secret?!  I found that uniting different frame sizes with a common color works well, but you should also add a detail for some dimension.

This vignette is great from the black door to the black mattes in the frames, but that's not what I'm going to discuss tonight.  Here is a way to mix up your gallery wall.  Why not try using a traditional   picture rail or picture ledge?  Sound too obvious?  Don't be embarrassed, this traditional detail was common in old homes, but doesn't exist in today's new builds.  A picture rail is a strip of molding that you hang pictures from that keeps you from poking holes all over the walls.  Here, a piece of molding serves as a shelf to display a variety of prints.  Below, a collection of frames are assembled in a stepped pattern.  Now you have two planes, creating depth and visual interest, to show your favorite photos and prints. 

So, think twice about your gallery wall, and add some dimension with a picture ledge.

To see this pin, and others that are my style, visit my Pinterest board - my style, RIGHT NOW

* Remember, together we had the goal to reach 10 "likes" in 10 days.   Let's see how many more can we reach by day 10.  Here's the link to the FB page


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SOURCES

Photo: Oh Happy Day