When the sign says "Estate Sale," follow it!

That's just what I did yesterday and boy was it worth it.

There were typical kitchen supplies - but still good things.  Like a Pyrex measuring cup (I always need more than one) and a wooden spoon.  Also got an unopened meat thermometer - so random and a marble rolling pen (pretty nice).










There was also a large selection of Christmas decor.  A lot wasn't any good but these glass balls looked nice and go with what I've already got.  We also snagged some plug-in timers to schedule the Christmas decorations to turn on and off daily.


 






Another great find: a set of knotted pearls.  I think they're real.  If not they sure are pretty.











The found object of the day was this great wire basket.  It reminds me of some currently for sale at Pottery Barn and several antique stores.  I think I'll use it for magazines but it has lots of future potential.

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Friday = Craft Day

I am in LOVE with the Sweater-Kint pillow from Pottery Barn:

However, it's $39 for the cover and $24 for the insert making it a $63 pillow.  A bit out of my price range.

BUT... I was thinking.  There are cable knit sweaters everywhere so why not re-purpose them to be pillows?  And that leads us to today's craft project:  Cable knit pillows.

I want three - 2 navy for the light blue couch in the TV room, and one cream color for the white living room (a lot like the picture above).  As it's March, sweaters are on sale everywhere so I went to Macy's where they are 70% off.  And here is what I got for a grand total of $32:

Oh, I'm so excited.  But I also needed the inserts.  And I thought to myself: Ikea sells inserts.  And oh boy do they, for $6.99!  These are 24 inches by 16 inches down inserts.  They feel really full and expensive too - much better than the crappy pillows that came with my sofa.

Ok... well now the fun begins.  I'll show you the results when there done!

 ~ Holly

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Oh Burlap, Do I love Thee?

Burlap it truely all the rage,  but I just can't decide if I'm buying it.  It does have a few very great qualities going for it - namely it has a nice texture and it's cheap and it's readily available.  But how does it really work as an upholstery material?  The burlap I remember - and most that I've seen - is just plain scratchy and always has a distinct dirt smell.  Not exactly what I'm looking for in a new chair.

This chair also brings up an important question: will it always look sad and droopy?  Or maybe that was part of the design,  to make it more casual?  I don't know, but, to me, this absolutely looks like a chair no one will ever, ever actually sit it.  In that case it does make a pretty sculpture.

Here is a table from Veranda magazine.  I have to say the table cloth does look elegant but not too formal - a hard line to walk.

These headboards and bench were created by Brooke from Velvet and Linen.  They also combine the elegant and casual qualities.  It also does a good job of speaking to the beachy qualities in the rest the room and her California house.  The detail of the bench still leaves me wondering though.

 

This is probably my favorite.  Another Veranda shot.  The bed skirt makes perfect since - it's just for looks, you never actually touch it.  And I love the drapes for the same reason.  I'm still questioning the headboard, but I love the way it contrasts with the ruffled hem of the bed spread.  I also love that the walls are painted the same color (this burlap is a nice gray too,  not the typical mud brown).  That allows the texture of the burlap to really stand out. 

Jury's still out.  We'll have to wait and see...

~Holly

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Intentions

In yoga there is an emphasis on setting you intentions at the beginning: what do you want to focus on and what do you want to get out of each stretch, each class and ultimately each day.  So I thought I would begin this blog by stating my intentions.  They are simply to inspire.  I am inspired constantly by magazines, shops and boutiques, other homes, and online articles and websites.  It is my goal to share my favorites and how they can be realized in a "real home."  I also plan to share the projects I undertake - the good, the bad, and the ugly - here in my own home.  I'm not a professional, and am certainly no expert, but these are what I think are beautiful and who doesn't want to be surrounded by beautiful things?

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