The Weathered Bungalow

Decorating for Valentines Day

2012-02-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

I have never decorated for Valentine's day until now! For some reason I've been in the

mood to switch around my house for every holiday...

It's pretty fun, because I never get bored of the same ol' thing.

And really, I don't spend a whole lot when I change stuff.

This year I really only added a couple of new things and spent $6.00!!

That's right...$6.00!!

Just remember, if you are starting with a simple, neutral, pallet, you can just add touches of

color around the room to represent the holiday you are decorating for...

But also remember that you want to sprinkle the color around different areas in the room, so it doesn't look

like you only have that particular color in one spot in your home.

Anywho, enjoy the little Valentines tour!

**WARNING....Photography is lacking...to say the least!! Bare with me:)

Christmas at The Weathered Bungalow

2011-12-07T13:26:00.001-08:00

It's my favorite time of the year!!!

I decorated a week before Thanksgiving in my neck of the woods, and if it wasn't weird, I would have decorated at Halloween....

That's how much I love Christmas!

For me, the day after Christmas is the saddest day of the year..

Anyway, here are some shots of my home at Christmas...

I had an extra canvas in my garage with a painting I had done back when I was in college and it was just collecting dust, so I decided to create a piece of artwork for Christmas...

I had all of the paint in the garage...

I sprayed the whole canvas with the grayish-brown color, and then I free-handed the "reindeer..."

And when I say free-handed, I mean I printed out a picture of what I wanted and THEN I drew it out..

After that I used the wall color that was leftover to paint out the deer silhouette.

Total Cost: $0.00

That's my kinda artwork!!!

I only bought a handful of things to add to the tree and they came from Walmart...

Super cheap...and CUTE!

We has a huge "wind storm" about a week ago in Fresno and branches from our neighbors pine tree broke off into our backyard...

I, LITERALLY, have used the branches all over the house!

The wind storm came at the perfect time..

I put one of the branches in a white jug and will hang all of my Christmas cards from it.

The entire time I was taking pictures, Bailey was looking at me like I was disturbing her...

She kind of looks evil...

Hope you enjoyed the little tour...

Guest Post from Katie at Inmod

2011-12-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Katie and I'm from Inmod.com, an online retailer of modern lighting, furniture, and decor. Today I'm stopping by the Weathered Bungalow to talk about holiday decor, so let's get started!

Is your holiday decor all in place or are you holding out a little bit longer? Wherever you're at, chances are your holiday decorating will involve lights of some sort, whether it be on a tree and on the exterior of your home. Why not extend the twinkle of those Christmas lights by tucking a few strands in frosted or clear vases? Fasten a festive ribbon around the vase and you've got a unique illuminated display.

I'm all for a bowl full of pretty, colorful ornaments, but this year I'm ready switch things up a bit and switch those ornaments out for a bowl full of jingle bells. What do you think? Weave bright, Christmas-y ribbons through a few of the bells and you're all set!

Who said ornaments are just for the tree? As mentioned above, you can place ornaments on display in decorative bowls around your home, or you can try something new by hanging them in fun unexpected places - like from your dining room chandelier. You can also hang them from your mantel, mixed in with your stockings! Where else would you hang your ornaments? (Aside from the tree, of course!)

What similar ideas have you incorporated into your holiday decor? Thank you Meredith for letting me stop by and share my ideas for holiday decor!

Images: Twinkle Vases / Jingle Bell Bowl / Ornament Chandelier / Ornament Mantle

Guest Post from Arcadian Lighting

2011-11-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

Today, we're welcoming Susi with a guest post from Arcadian Lighting. Since it was founded in 2002, Arcadian Lighting has been selling decorative light fixtures online. To see their cool home lighting products visit their website and while you're there checkout the company's blog.

Soft and glamorous bathrooms are distinctly feminine spaces that exude a vintage style elegance. Sparkling lighting, a good tub for a long bath, shiny metals and the unexpected touches of an antique chair or mirror make these soft and glamorous bathrooms. Enjoy!

Glamorous doesn't have to be over the top. This glam bathroom focuses on a classic claw foot tub. A mirrored chest, French arm chair and chandelier add sparkle without being fussy.

Pink is a flattering color for the bath and oh so feminine. The vintage ornate mirror adds a bit of glamour, as does the fireplace.

This French style bathroom is effortlessly glamorous, just like most French style. A soft gray palette and antique furnishings give it a aged elegance. Love the antique screen behind the tub.

Subtle colors give this bathroom a soft glamorous look. Love the wall of soft curtains behind the tub. A simple chandelier, the perfect bathroom lighting fixture, creates a flattering glow.

Room for a chaise longue defines spacious for the bathroom. A beautiful mirrored vanity adds sparkling glamour to this chic white space.

Curvy, sensuous lines of the chandelier offset the clean lines of chrome on the mirror and shower enclosure in this glamorous bath. Roman shades on the windows add another soft touch.

A few glamorous touches can turn an ordinary bathroom into something more. A feminine ruffled shower curtain, ruffled thick white towels, fresh flowers, expensive bath salts and silver accessories give this bathroom a soft, feminine glamour.

Perhaps the ultimate example of a soft, glamorous bathroom is this one with a canopy of curtains surrounding a deep soaking tub. A soaking tub is a must in a glamorous bathroom. Add beautiful wall sconces and an ornate mirror and a deep shaggy rug underfoot and you have a soft and glamorous bath.

Craving more bathroom decorating ideas? Be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting to get inspired. Images: (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8)

DIY Moss Letters

2011-10-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

Surprise, SURPRISE...

It took me FOREVER to post this..

Remember the moss letters I made that say "BOO" for Halloween?

Well here ya go!!

Keep in mind, you can do these for ANY occasion!

You will need:

Cardboard

Exacto Knife

Cutting Board

Hot Glue Gun

Moss (from The Dollar Tree)

It was SOOOO simple to make these...and cheap! I used cardboard, because I didn't want to buy the expensive letters..

I kinda just free-handed the letters, because I didn't have a template...

After that I cut each letter with an exacto knife...this was the hardest part of the project...not HARD, just time consuming..

Oh, and make sure you use a cutting board under the cardboard when you are cutting out the letters..

Once you have cut out the letters, start hot gluing 4" sections..you don't want to get too eager because the glue will dry before you get to it..

Take your moss and scruntch it onto the glued area..

It will start to look like this..

When you have completely covered the front side, add some glue and moss to the edges and go all the way around the letter...

You don't have to add moss to the back of the letter, because you will most likely

have the letters leaning up against something...

This is what your letters should look like!

SIMPLE!!!!

And the finished product...

Autumn/Fall Living Room

2011-09-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

I decorated for fall awhile back, but I am finally getting around to posting them.

And let's all keep in mind, I am NOT a very good photographer/photo editor....

so go easy on me!! I actually got on a website called

Picnik.com to play around with the photos, but I wasn't very successful...

Anywho...here ya go!!!

The little glass pumpkins and the moss that you see scattered around the room are all

from the Dollar Tree!!!

Yep.....the DOLLAR TREE!!! I have already told about a million people so they

may be sold out at this point..heheehe!

The cute little saying from above came from a blog I read called Dear Lillie.

You can actually get the PDF from her site if you click here...

I made the moss letters and will post a tutorial in the next couple days....

It's SUPER easy and I literally spent .50 cents!!!!!!!!

Black, White, and Lovely All Over

2011-09-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

I am BACK with a design job that I just finished a couple weeks ago. I really need to invest in a camera

with a wide lense so you can see the whole room in one view, but until then.....

HERE IT IS!!

All of the furniture, bedding, and accessories are from Ethan Allen and the paint color is from

Restoration Hardware...ol' faithful...Silver Sage!

It's one of my favorite colors and you can use it with almost any design style...

This particular client was WONDERFUL! She just wanted her room to be beautiful and had

dreamed of finishing it for years!

She just let me have fun and then when I was done we had a BIG reveal.

Those are my favorite projects, because I like to pretend like I'm on HGTV where

everything is always a big secret...

HGTV Design Star...I HAVEN'T forgotten you and will be re-applying next season;-)

What did ya think?!!

Give me your thoughts...

Gallery Wall, Curio Cabinet, & Craigslist Finds

2011-06-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I posted about moving into a new home, and mentioned sharing
some of the things I've done so far.

I am lucky enough to have moved into a bigger place and was able to dust off some the old warehouse stuff

that was put away in storage.

I am one of those people that is constantly on the hunt for special finds at yard sales, on Craigslist, etc...

I'm not a hoarder, but let's just say that I could completely furnish a good size home right now!!

Well not really, but pretty darn close.

When I have free time at work, I get on Craigslist and search like a mad man...

My co-workers always say, "What are you looking for know? Where are you gonna put that?"

I don't even just look for myself...

I find goodies for friends and fam too!

I find stuff that they will spend their money on, in order to feed my shopping obsession!

Anywho....I'm WAYYYY off track..

Just thought I would show you some of my favorite Craigslist finds that have emerged from that dusty ol' warehouse..

And some things that I had all along...

____________________________________________________

I HEART my gallery wall!!!

I pretty much had all of the frames.

Some were black..some white...some gold, so I jsut sprayed the odd ball frames a creamy white..I was going for the simple look.

The "Love, Laugh, Live" came from Homegoods...$2.00 each! DEAL!

The vintage scale was from Craigslist and was a whopping $10...worth EVERY penny!

I used this curio at my previous home, just made it alittle more "dining-roomie"...

The chalkboard boxes were from Marshalls and were courtesy of my roommate! YAY for good roomies!

This is one favorite Craigslist pieces...

The table was $45 and was a whitewash finish...I re-finished it awhile back in a creamy color.

The four chairs were a seperate Craigslist find...$100 for all four!!

They didn't look like this, OF COURSE! They were, also, a whitewash with a traditional upholstery print..

YUCK!

I re-finished them, as well, had them re-upholstered and added the button tufting on the back of the chair..

Total cost for the table, chairs, paint, and re-upholstery was $280!!

DIY Ball Topiaries...

2011-05-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm alive and well!

I can't believe it's been over 4 months since I've blogged...

Live has been busy and I honestly just haven't had the time to sit and write.

Since the last time we talked a lot has happened...

1) I moved out of my cute little apartment into a 3 bedroom home with one of my besties from highschool! YAY!

2) I was able to pull some fun stuff out of storage to use in my, new to me,

BIGGER home..

3) Bailey-dawg has her own backyard with PLENTY of friendly squirrel friends to chase around..

4) I swear those squirrels taunt her by running up and down the fence..they can keep her busy for HOURS!

5) Ahhhh...a day in the life of Bailey-dawg!

6) I have been able to re-invent the pieces that I already own by using them in different areas, and using them in different ways..

7) I JUST completed my first half marathon on Sunday...

8) I have been training since February and have ran a total of 213 miles from beginning to end!

9) This was SUCH an accomplishment for me, as I NEVER thought I could do it!

10) Checking off of my bucket list...CHECK!

I'm gonna start from the beginning on a couple fun projects I have worked on since I moved...

I really wanted to make my own topiaries, because they can be VERY expensive to buy..

The ones I wanted were $89 a piece!

YOZZERRSSS!

So I started searching the web and got some GREAT ideas and this is what I came up with...

DIY Ball Topiares

This is what you will need (for one topiary):

-A straight stick from your yard

-Green floral wire

-Damp Moss

-One terracotta pot or any pot you have laying around

-Spray paint in the color of your choice

-3 bunches of bouquest style leaves

-Hot glue gun

-Styrofoam Ball or form

Here ya go!

1. Spray paint your terracotta pot and distress it with a sheet of sand paper.

2. Stick your styrofoam form into the pot and hot glue around the edges so it stays put.

3. Add your straight stick centered on the top of the ball.

4. Take your bouquet style leaves and cut them so they are single sticks.

5. Pull the top leaf off and bend the top of the wire into a U-shape (you will use these top pieces later).

6. Push all of the leaves up to the top until the U-shape stops them from moving.

7. Use one stem as your base and one-by-one wrap all of the other stems around that one..this should eventually form a ball shape.

8. Cut all remaining stems off of...besides your one base stem.

9. When the ball is as big as you want it, glue the single stem to the top of your straight stick.

10. Take the extra pieces, from STEP 5, and hot glue around the bottom of the topiary ball to hide all of the imperfections.

11. Add your moss around the base of your base of your stick.

This is what it SHOULD look like....

The total cost for EVERYTHING was $29.00! A savings of $149.00!!

Hope you have enjoyed!

2011-01-14T12:01:00.000-08:00

Remember those ADORABLE vintage frames that I showed you as part of my giveaway last week?

Well, a lot of you had questions on where you can get one of them with your initials...

The Next Door is a lovely shop in downtown Clovis, California...

The boutique/consignment shop has a great mix of vintage, antique, cottage, and weathered finds...

They are always excepting new consignment pieces, so if you have a barn...start PICKIN'....

And if you don't wanna do the pickin', she will do it for ya!!

Check out the shots below that show you some of the chic pieces that are at The Next Door...

Here's where you can find them....

The Next Door

614 Fifth Street

Clovis, Ca. 93612

559.322.4696

P.S...If you want your own vintage frame with your initial, let me know. I can have it made for you and shipped to your home!

Winner of the Vintage Frame Giveaway!

2011-01-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

So, the winner of the vintage frame giveaway is Christy Jo Donoho, author of The Strawberry Patch blog...

Congrats Christy!

Email me so I can get your address and send your new vintage frame your way....

A Special Giveaway From The Weathered Bungalow

2011-01-05T17:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Hump Day!

Guess what?

I have, officially, hit 100 readers here at The Weathered Bungalow!

It only took me a year to get there....

But who's counting!

I have loved every minute of learning about the blogging world...

Loved every comment that you all have left for me....

Loved letting you all become a little portion of my life....

Loved getting to know other bloggers out there in bloggity land...

And LOVED sharing a few of my design projects with you all!

So, as a THANK YOU to my faithful followers, I am giving away an AWESOME frame with the intitial of your choice...

This is what they look like...

Aren't they GREAT?!!

They are handmade with vintage frames, and sheet metal, by a local gal in Clovis...

She sells them at a lovely shop in downtown Clovis called The Next Door....

And if you are the winner I will hand pick one for you!

Below are the 3 ways you can enter:

1. Become a "follower" of my blog and leave a comment saying which initial you would want for your home..

2. Post about this blog listing on your facebook or twitter account, then return here and leave another comment saying where you posted about the giveaway...

3. Refer a friend to become a follower of The Weathered Bungalow, then return here and leave another comment telling me which person you refered...

*This giveaway will end on Friday the 7th at 5:00 p.m*

Good luck!!!!

1.1.11

2011-01-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year friends and fam!

It's been about a month since I've blogged....

I feel like life has been flying by me...

But flying by in a good way!

I just want to reflect on my year and share some of those special times with YOU...

MY BLOGGING BUDDIES!!

This is what happened over the past year in my life....

Spent an amazing Valentine's weekend at Shaver Lake with Johann and my whole family..

Welcomed some of my dear friends babies into this world..Christopher Rix, Hugh Erickson, Charlotte Anderson, and Emeryson Reed..

Spent a fun-filled weekend at Stagecoach..a 3 day country concert....SO MUCH FUN!

Celebrated family at our annual family vacation at Kennedy Meadows...

Had a blast watching a great friend, Annie, marry her best friend, Jason Papi...

Explored the Kings River while white water rafting with Johann and some wonderful friends...

Caught my first fish at Pine Flat Lake...

Celebrated Bailey Dawgs 5th Birthday on July 24th...

Began my weight loss journey with two amazing friends from work, and have been working out for 4 solid months and lost 12 pounds..

Witnessed my first trophy truck race in Primm with Johann and my cousins Cheryl, Tommy, Kendra, and Hannah...

Enjoyed celebrating my 27th birthday with those that are close to me...

Went back to brown hair after being blonde for 10 years...

Had lots of laughs celebrating my dad's birthday and Halloween at Shaver Lake with my sister, Johann, mom, and dad..

Had a 'girls night out' with The Radio City Rockettes with my mom, and my girlfriends and their moms...

Mourned the loss of my dearest Uncle Bill...Father, Husband, Grandpa, and Friend...

Spent the holidays with my family...remembering the good times we had with Uncle Bill...

Rang in the New Year while watching Roseanne and snuggling the Bailey dawg...

_______________________________________________

Hope you all can reflect on the past year and remember the memories that were made, and appreciate them for what they are...

Cheers to 2011 and the new memories that will be made!

Get Inspired This Christmas

2010-12-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

In my opinion, anyway...

I have been researching....and researching....and researching some of my favorite holiday decorating ideas to share with you all..

I found some great ideas to get your home in the merry mood!

If your not sure what to do with your home, take some of these photos and use them as your inspiration...

It makes decorating easy, fun, and less time-consuming...

HO HO HO!

P.S....There are a lot of pictures to look at, so grab your cocktail or coffee and ENJOY!!

Helping Another Wonderful Family

2010-11-23T18:23:00.000-08:00

Hello and happy Tuesday to my blogging buddies!

Remember last post when I said that I have been busy busy busy?!!

Well, I had two huge installs with Ethan Allen clients this week...

And boy did we have a blast...

I already posted about the first one here...

And the other one is just below!

I actually know my clients, Linda and Ralph, very well and was sooo honored that they welcomed me into their home and trusted me to help them with their family room...

Linda and Ralph are Aunt and Uncle to one of my VERY best friends, Heather..

It is so much fun to work with those that are close to you, because you can get really creative and try new things that you typically may not try with others...

Anywho, they are amazing and I loved helping them with their home..

I'm sad that I won't be able to see them as often as I did over the past few months...

Linda has been a long time Ethan Allen client, so she had some great pieces to work with..

We re-finished and re-upholstered two existing chairs and an ottoman, and you WON'T believe how they turned out!!

We used a sofa and loveseat in the room because we didn't want to overdo the room with too much furniture...

The accessories were all her own...

She has picked them up along the way as her "inspirational colors and pieces..."

Check it out and let me know your thoughts...

Before

After

Scroll back up and look at the before shot of these chairs...

We had an artist in Fresno paint a faux finish to look like wood, and then had them re-upholstered...

They turned out soooo beautiful!!

One of my favorite projects to date...

2010-11-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

It's been ahile since we've last talked...

I feel like I've been busy busy until the last second in the day..

And this whole Daylight Savings Time has been kicking my butt...

I have wanted to go to bed at 8:00 almost EVERY evening....

Ok, I admit, I HAVE gone to bed at 8:00!

Haven't done that in about 15 years, by choice...

But dang it felt GOOOODDD!

You better believe I went to bed at 8:00 p.m. and slept until 8:30 a.m. the other day...yep 12.5 hours!

Anywho...I just semi-completed an exciting project yesterday.

I have been working with a WONDERFUL client for about three months at Ethan Allen, and we just had her install yesterday...

There are a couple of odds and ends that we have to finish up...draperies...bookcases....bedding...etc...

This is a sneak peak at the majority of her home...

More to come when we complete EVERYTHING...

Instead of showing you "before" pictures, I'm just gonna tell you that there was NOTHING in the home..

NADDA.....ZIP......ZERO.....A BLANK SLATE.....

Brand spankin NEW!!!

Office

We used a twin sleeper sofa so she could have an office/guest bedroom.....also serves as a GREAT snuggling chair..

Foyer

This is her foyer, walking towards the family room. We are going to do a huge picture collage, above the bookcases, of her 4 year old son. Can't wait for that to come together!

Family Room

The table in the background is a drop-leaf dining table that will serve as a work area when she doesn't have it completely opened up as her main dining area...

My client wanted touches of a classic beach look scattered throught her home so you will see inspiration in each room...

I LOVE how the pillows turned out. I used a work room in Sacramento and they did an AMAZING job!

Master Bedroom

This is the only shot of the master bedroom that I'm going to show you, because we don't have the bedding or artwork for the other walls...

This was one of my favorite projects to date, because my client was up for any ideas that I had...

It's soooo much fun to work with people that appreciate what you do and are willing to try new things...LOVE HER!!

Until next time....

Winner of the Rosette Headband Giveaway

2010-11-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Winner of the Rosette Headband is....

Aubrey from Naturally Momma!!

Congratulations Aubrey...

Thank you so much for playing along and reading my blog!

Please contact me at meredithstarrett@yahoo.com so I can get your cute headband sent out to you before the holidays.

Rosette Headband Giveaway!

2010-11-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hello lovely ladies...and man!

I have a handmade, vintage inspired, headband to give away to one of you lucky bloggers..

I actually made it myself....

And the photo is actually me wearing it...hehe

I normally would NOT take photos of myself, but I was wearing one and figured what the heck!!

This was meant to be a fun project because I wanted to see if I could make a rosette, but I ended up making more rosette's than I needed...

So that's where you all come into play!!

YAY for you!!

The one I'm giving away is EXACTLY like the one I'm wearing....kind of a cream rosette with a black band.

If you would rather give it to a lil' one with a smaller head, just let me know and I will grab a smaller band:)

By the way....I am a HORRIBLE photographer....the picture does not do the headband justice!

There are three ways to enter the giveaway:

1. Leave me a comment

2. Post a comment on your facebook page or tweet about this giveaway and then leave another comment here saying that you posted on another site.

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog site and then leave another comment here saying that you posted on your blog.

The giveaway will end on Saturday 6th at 12:00 p.m...

Good Luck!!

I do not have an obsession with my dog

2010-10-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

So last week I asked you to tell me what your design style is.

And this week...

A few tid-bits about ME!!

1. I live off of diet pepsi and would be perfectly happy if I could survive on that, and THAT alone.

2. I love anything vintage....furniture and accessories specifically.

3. My dog thinks she is a real girl.

4. Cleaning is my therapy.

5. I would wear boots 365 days a year if it wasn't 110 in the summer.

6. I LOVE houndstooth.

7. I bake ~~cookies~~ at least twice a week and give it away so I won't eat it.

8. Ok fine, I only eat an insy-weensie, itty-bitty, bite....of each batch.

9. I don't blow dry my hair....I let it air dry.

10. I wear my hair in a pony 75% of the time.

11. I would LOVE to be a personal shopper.

12. I started working out with a trainer 3 times a week, because that is the ONLY way I will do it.

13. I have two older brothers and an older sister and, unfortunately, they live in San Diego and North Carolina.....I miss them every day.

14. I hate the heat.

15. Christmas is my favorite time of year.

16. I want to decorate for Christmas RIGHT NOW.

17. I prefer the mountains/lake over the beach.

18. I have a roommate that has a two year old daughter named Aidan and she is the CUTEST little girl I have ever known....Aidan calls cookies, toooties...which is one of my favorite things in the world!

19. I have had a boyfriend for two years named Johann.

20. He is my boss' bro-in-law, and we also work together, so it was a TOP SECRET relationship for a year until we were discovered. :)

21. I am 27.

22. My "real" hair color is dark brown but I have had it blonde since I was in highschool...I just dyed it dark a couple months ago.

23. I don't have to wash my hair as much as I did when it was blonde. :)

24. Going to the movies is one of FAVORITE things to do.

25. I want to live in an old, fixer-upper, farmhouse when I grow up. :)

26. I also answer to Mere, Mermie, Mere-mere, and boo boo.

27. Bailey-dawg has her own voice that I have given her.

28. I do not have an obsession with my dog.

29. I would rather not talk about an issue, than argue an issue.

30. Family is everything to me.

A Family Room Facelit

2010-10-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

I have a wonderful couple that I've been working with for the past two months at Ethan Allen, and we just had their furniture delivered on Tuesday...

The room is not completely done...

We still need some accessories in a couple of areas, the walls still need to be warmed up with a different paint color, and the bookshelves still need a little spruce up...

But I thought I would share the room with you all anyway!

Before

After

We haven't worked on the mantel yet, because she has her Halloween decor up... She did paint it out a crisp white however...THANK GOD! :-)

Oh, and how about that plaid chair?!! Don't you just LOVE it! There is another one on the other side of her media sideboard.

My clients hubby doesn't like ANY florals or plants so it is alittle bare for that reason...

I had some killer red tulips to put on her coffee table, but I got rejected on them! Dang it!! We still made it look cute...

I will share any updates we make to the room...

Hope you have enjoyed!

What's Your Design Style?

2010-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hello friendly blogging buddies!

Did everyone have a good weekend?

I work on everyone else's weekend and have Monday and Tuesday off...so you know what that means....

WAHOOOOOOOO!

I'm having such a wild night full of Made For T.V. Lifetime movies, taco soup, and lots of snuggling with the Bailey Dawg...

Phewwwww....what a night!!

Anywho, I was thinking today about how I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about any of my blogging friends.

I want to know what your design style is?

My design style is Farmhouse Chic...

Farmhouse Chic evokes strong feelings of honesty, purity, and function. A feeling of continuity and self-sufficiency. Of being one with nature. It's Nature and Nurture. Caring for the environment and caring for each other.

One day....hopefully sooner rather than later, I will will have a farmhouse with a wrap around porch, filled with weathered wood, slipcovered sofas, and a couple of rooms that look like this...

So, my friends...

What is your design style and how would you describe it?

Happy Sunday/ Friday!!!

Super Stuffed Baked Apples a la Mode

2010-10-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

I baked a delicious dessert last night and I thought I'd share the recipe with you all...

It was SOOOOO yummy so I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

- 4 large McIntosh or Empire apples, cored

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- 3/4 cup brown sugar

- 1/4 cup instant oatmeal mix or rolled oats

- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, a healthy grating

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or walnut pieces or pecans

- 1 pint Slow Churned Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

- Whipped cream, in a canister

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Sprinkle cored apples with lemon juice. Mix next 7 ingredients and over-stuff apples. Bake 20 minutes in a small oven safe dish. Transfer apples to small bowls with a spoon and top with ice cream and whipped cream.

My apples were HUGE, so I had to bake them for about 30 minutes instead of 20...

This is what your oatmeal mixture should look like...

When you stuff your apples, make sure you press down and put as much of the mix in each

apple as you can, because the mix will flatten out when is bakes...

This is what your apples will look like when you pull them out of the oven. Stick a fork into one of the apples and make sure that it's soft but not mushy...

Add Vanilla Bean ice cream and fresh whip cream to each apple...

Enjoy!!!!

DIY Numeric Stoneware Canisters

2010-10-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

I have a very cool, easy DIY project to show ya today...

I get these ideas in my head, get determined, and will not give it up until I've done it...

It's really pretty annoying...

:-)

Anywho..I was cruisin' Home Goods today (this is what I do on my days off..cruise) and found these three canisters for $6.99 each..

Pretty good deal, eh?!!

Well, I had also purchased some stencils for a future project, so I decided to spruce up the ol' white canisters..

Since my stencils had ABC's but no 123's, I had to improvise alittle bit..

All you need is some tape, acrylic paint, stencils, and clear spray...

I had to make my numbers with the letter stencils by taping together different parts of certain letters..

Oh, and you have to tape the stencil to the canister to keep it in place..

Then I sponged on gray acrylic paint VERY VERY lightly...I mean SOO light that there was hardly anything on the sponge..

And this is how it turned out..

After the acrylic dries it will scrape off with your finger nail, so you HAVE to set the paint with a clear coat...

I used Krylon Crystal Clear..

It will make the finish slightly more rough than the actual ceramic finish, but you can't tell until you touch it..

This is how they turned out!!

I chose 1-4-3 because it means LOVE and it sounded much better than the simple 1-2-3 senario...

I think they are ADORABLE, and it only took me about an hour to complete them!

Happy DIY'ing friends!

Fall In Love With Decorating

2010-09-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I saw the weather forecast this morning in beautiful Fresno, California and it looks like things are going to look pretty darn GREAT next week!

Highs of 82...Lows of 54...YES please!

We are all going to have to get going on our Fall decorating before we know it...

With that said, I have included some wonderful ideas for easy, cheap fall decorating.

Start planning now because October is right around the corner...

Here ya go...

_________________________________________________

Introduce hints of a new color to your existing palette.

Combine autumn red or orange splashes with a neutral or contrasting base such as taupe, olive, or blue.

Muted greens are fresh alternatives to bold warm colors.

Throw pillows, table accessories, and accent rugs are high-impact, low-investment places to start.

________________________________________________

Find woodsy elements at your local farmers' market or your own backyard...

Look for moss, grasses, and small branches...

Fill interesting pots with any combination of them, or turn a bundle of twigs into a natural photo holder.

_________________________________________________

Small but unexpected details go a long way at the dinner table...

Tie a name card to leafy twigs to make great place holders for your guests...

Dress up acorns by exchanging one for a large crafts-store pearl and tying them up with a velvet ribbon for a rustic, yet elegant, napkin holder.

_________________________________________________

Celebrate the harvest season with casual country touches...

Find natural artwork, twine, and rustic wooden accent pieces...

Cozy blankets add autumn comfort to any space...

__________________________________________________

Choose pieces that will stay timely through the holidays, or that can be updated in a snap, to save space and money...

Pinecones, dried berries, and twigs stay up-to-date through the winter...

After Thanksgiving, swap your moss and acorns for faux-snow and ornaments to give the same decor a new presence.

__________________________________________________

Wreaths are classic and versatile, and can be made from almost any material...

Experiment with wheat or leaves for fall, holly for Christmas, or pinecones and twigs for the whole holiday season...

Try laying them flat to frame pumpkins, candles, or other centerpieces.

___________________________________________________

Candles add warmth and light in any season...They work anywhere...

Don't forget about mantels and windowsills...

If you stick with neutral colors, embellishments and containers can be changed for the season.

___________________________________________________

Make space for conversation.

Adding -- or relocating -- seating around a fireplace creates a cozy new space for fall fellowship...

No fireplace? Pull a couple of sitting chairs in a corner, add candles for ambiance, and keep a stack of books close at hand.

____________________________________________________

Make it a happy Sunday!

{article from BHG.com Decorating Editor Kaelin Zawilinski}

Vote for my Headboard Color...

2010-09-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

So.....

If you read my last post, you know that I found this GORGEOUS bed on Craigslist...

Well here's the deal...

I want YOUR help deciding what color to paint my new bed..

Remember my master bedroom?

This is where the beauty will go...

And these are my color choices...

French Grey #1

_______________________________

Vanilla

_____________________________________________

French Grey #2

______________________________________________

Silver Sage

_______________________________________________

Black

Keep in mind....

I'm not neccesarily going to keep the coral colored pillow on my bed...

So, with that said, I may have a few of these at some point...

and I would prefer NOT to paint the bed twice:)

Can't wait to see what you guys choose for me!!

Craigslist Beauty...

2010-09-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Labor Day!!

I found an amazing piece on Craigslist yesterday...

I have been on a search for a Queen, antique, bed for a few months now, but just haven't had ANY luck...

Well, yesterday I was browsing Craigslist when I was working....

It was, of course, the FIRST time I have EVER used the work internet for personal use...

Really!!

I swear....

I found this beauty....

The pictures are alittle blurry because I took them straight off of Craigslist...

I have BIG plans for this bed....actually HUGE plans!

I will probably start working on it ASAP because I'm SOOOOO excited...

Don't you just LOVE the low posts on the footboard?!

Can't wait to show you guys the transformation!

Interior Design Tips: Chapter 2, Living Rooms

2010-08-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

Did you think I forgot about these "Interior Design Tips?"

Well, I did!!!

Opppsss...

I got caught up trying to figure out how to make a video and a blog button..

I mean, I don't think I'm the dumbest girl on the planet...

But I also don't think I'm the brightest light bulb in the box...(when in comes to common since stuff)

But for SOME reason, that dang blog button took me an entire DAY....that's right....an ENTIRE DAY to figure out!

What the heck?!!

Am I the only one out there that couldn't figure this out?

Anybody?

Is anyone out there?

I might be on my own with this one!

Anywho, I finally DID figure it out, and I can now do my own tutorial on it...

After only 8 HOURS...now I can teach Blog Button 101!!!

Do you think I could get paid for it?

Hmmm...I might be on to something!

Enjoy the Living Room Design Tips...

Chapter 2: Design Tips For Your Living Room

1. Set The Mood With Color

The colors you choose for your living room will affect how guests feel in the space...

Colors can energize or relax the space, depending on how intense they are and how warm or cool they are...

A serene scheme of soft tan and white with touches of black makes this spacious living room feel calm, cool, and collected--a gracious setting for elegant gatherings. A light tan carpet underfoot warms the space and keeps the tones in balance.

2. Finish the Walls and Ceilings

Traditionally, living room walls receive more elaborate or formal treatment than other rooms because the room is a public space..

To make it a welcoming room that expresses your personality, choose wallcoverings or treatments that reflect your style.

3. Add Character with Architectural Trimwork

Trimwork serves practical purposes, covering the seams where floors and ceilings meet walls and supporting the structure around openings.

But these elements serve aesthetic purposes too..

The style of trimwork helps give your home a distinctive look, whether classical, contemporary, old-world, or regional.

4. Create a Focal Point

A focal point anchors the living room and helps draw you into the space.

A fireplace is a natural focal point, symbolizing hearth and home, but in most living spaces, the television is the true center of attention.

To keep them from competing, pair them up. A beautiful view or a stunning piece of art can also serve as a room's focal point.

5. Arrange Furniture for Conversation

Living rooms are gathering spaces, so use furniture arrangement to promote conversation and interaction.

Pull seating pieces away from the walls and arrange them to face each other.

If you have a large living room, break it into two conversational groups for a more comfortable, intimate feeling.

Chairs and ottomans that can be pulled into the group as needed allow you to expand the circle and still keep the intimacy.

6. Plan for Inviting Lighting

Lighting in the living room should be geared toward creating a relaxed, comfortable mood..

Aim for layers of light, and position light sources so they form roughly a triangle to ensure good distribution of illumination.

Table lamps that focus the light down will encourage people to sit down and relax.

7. Design a Media Center

If your living room is also your family room, watching TV may be the main use of the room.

Whether you have the newest model or an older one, incorporate it into the room's design so that it's a feature but not dominant.

8. Accessorize with Art and Collections

Living room walls come alive when you use them to display art or collections that you love.

Group items for impact, and hang them low enough to relate to nearby furnishings or architecture. The most common mistake in hanging pictures is putting them too high.

Hope this gets you off on the right foot...

Winner of the Reclaimed Frame Giveaway

2010-08-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

It's my day off from Ethan Allen today, so I'm just relaxing with the boo dawg, a cup of coffee, and a list of DVR shows to watch....

Life is GOOD!!

So, the winner of the adorable Reclaimed Frame giveaway is Kasey Buick at Lola B's...

Email me with your address, and the lovely Caroline from Reclaimed Frames will send the frame your way...

Congrats Kasey!

Hope you love it :-)

Reclaimed Frame Giveaway

2010-08-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Blogging Buddies!!

Today is an exciting day for me, because TWB is hosting its first giveaway! YAHOOOOO!

Do you remember when I blogged about the Reclaimed Frames that I came across in Santa Barbara?

Well the owner, Caroline, was generous enough to donate one of her hand-made reclaimed frames...

Isn't it GREAT?!!!!

Here's the deal...

There are two ways to win...

Gary McDonald Homes/ First Attempt at a Video

2010-08-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hey There!

Hope everyone is having a fun-filled Thursday...

The Weathered Bungalow is trying something alittle new...

I have, slowly, learned how to make a video on Windows Movie Maker.

It's really easy once you get it...

It only took me two phone calls to my "Electrical Engineer Brother," and three consultations with my "computer guru roomie/friend."

I might add that my brother DID NOT answer either time...are you trying to tell me something Lukey?!!

I decided to do a my first video post on some model homes that another designer and I did a couple years ago..

Donna and I picked out all of the furniture, finishes, and lighting..

We used all Ethan Allen furniture....

shocking ;-)

And the accessories came from here, there, and EVERYWHERE!

The builder, Gary McDonald, has an amazing team of contractors, architects, sales people, etc...

Their craftsmanship is B-E-A-UTIFUL!

Hope you enjoy the video

Untitled from Meredith Starrett on Vimeo.

Tell me what you thought of the video...

Or if you have any suggestions on how to pimp out my video, please email me!!!

Reclaimed Frames

2010-08-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I was in Carpinteria, California this weekend with my family and it was B-E-A-UTIFUL!

For those of you that don't know where that is, it is about 20 miles South of Santa Barbara

on the West Coast...

It is a very cute little beach town filled with small cottages, beachy antique stores, and LOTS of dogs!!

The locals bring their dogs everywhere...it's GREAT!

It's not even weird to have your dog in a clothing store with you...

I think I could move there just for that simple fact...

Bailey-Dawg and I, against the World!!!

Anyway, totally OFF base...

We went into Santa Barbara right on the harbor and, lucky us, it was Fiesta Weekend!!

There was a craft fair going on right on the water with all kinds of different, unique things to look at...

For some reason, I can ALWAYS find something at those little fairs...

Even if it's something I will NEVER use, like one of those little head thingys that has streamers coming down the back...

Pretty sure I've purchased one before!!

So, anyway I came across this little booth that had reclaimed frames and I was in LOVE...

Their moto is Recycle, Reuse, Reduce....

My sister and I wanted every single one!

The owner of Reclaimed Frames, Caroline, showed us some cool options using different stained pieces of wood..

Oh, and when you visit her online store, remember that you CAN email her and customize the color, size, and style of the frame that you want...

I even asked if she would make a custom mirror using a raw, reclaimed wood and she can!

Check her out here...

Reclaimed Frames by Caroline & Paul

Nod to Nautical

2010-08-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ahoy Mate!

Oh how I would LOVE to be sitting seaside in a charming town full of weathered homes, with the warm sand between my toes, drinking a crisp vodka tonic, looking at all of the boats in the harbor.....

*Sigh*

I love the mix of a preppy, nautical style...

Ropes, weathered metal, stripes, sails, crisp white....

YES TO IT ALL!!!

In any room, you need to have your inspiration before you start your project...

This helps with knowing the direction that you want your room to go in...

Let's say you find this...

And you LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it...

This can be your inspiration for your home...

Think stripes, denim, glass, bead-board walls, white slipcovers, and feminine, tailored-inspired furniture and finishes.

Or what if you find these....

And you L-O-V-E them...

Think burlap, rope, stripes, leather, sails, weathered wood, rattan, and masculine-inspired furniture and finishes.

Does that help?

Or you can just call me for a design consultation....

*hint hint...wink wink*

Don't be afraid to use multiple different stripes in your room. The more stripes, the more nautical your room will look..

Adding colonial-inspired artwork can give you that old nautical look..

Weathered wood is key in this particular look...

For the fun, playful nautical style, let your upholstery stripe pop in the room...leave your walls neutral...

And for the kiddos...get creative with your furnishings...

In another casual-inspired room, use your accents as your nautical inspiration...

Notice the upside down canoe!!! I LOVE it...also, sometimes you can just use nautical colors to get the look that you want...

I don't even know where to start with this photo...I heart it SOOOO much!! The old ship windows, lantern, bead-board, rope, heavy wood balasters, and stripe carpet inlay...

HUBBA HUBBA...

And last but, certainly, not least...

Modern Nautical Inpiration...using a modern, glass coffee table, not only, adds a fun twist, but also visually does not take up any extra space.

That is one of my favorite things about glass...remember this blog friends...if you have a small room that needs tables, don't rule out glass!!

Well, I'm all washed up for now...

Have a wonderful day friends and family...

The Weathered Bungalow Now on Facebook!

2010-08-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hello Weathered Bungalow Readers!!

TWB is now on Facebook...

Click on the link below to get a sneak peek of our projects before I blog about them...

The Weathered Bungalow

Happy Monday!

Interior Design Tips: Chapter 1, Color

2010-07-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday Friends!

It's a hot one here in Fresno, California...98 degrees and counting...

I think I'm done with the summer...ready for cozy sweatshirts, rainy days, and crackling fire places..

Ahhhhhhh.....

Anywho, I am going to start a series of five posts that focus on Interior Design Tips...

Here are the posts to look forward to:

Chapter 1: Color

Chapter 2: Living Rooms

Chapter 3: Small Bedrooms

Chapter 4: Kitchens

Chapter 5: Bedrooms

I'm not really sure when each one will be posted, because I am a busy girl, with a full-time job and life!

Ok the full-time job part is true, but the whole "full time life" part...not so true!

I'm a home-body at heart...I love to snuggle up on the sofa with the Bailey dawg on a Saturday night...my secrets out....I'm a hermit:-)

How did I get on this topic anyway?!!

Ok...here it goes... :)

Chapter 1: Design Tips For Color

1. Pick your color

Find the perfect palette that creates a scheme that fits your home and personality.

This photo is from Kasey Buick's home...it is SOOOOO beautiful...visit her blog here!

2. Use the 60-30-10 Rule

When decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages.

60% of a dominant color

30% of a secondary color

10% of an accent color

You'll notice that the rooms you like the most in magazines are almost invariably divided into percentages of 60-30-10. Why this works is anybody's guess.

3. Start Small

If you're not sure where to begin with color, experiment in a powder room or bathroom, a small hall or area between rooms, or an accent wall. To get started, select a favorite color drawn from artwork, a rug, dishes and an accessory or furniture piece as a main color or accent.

4. Learn the Color Terms

It helps to understand the terminology used to describe color.

--Hue is what we call a color. Red is the hue; blue is the hue.

--The value of the hue is how light or dark it is.

--Saturation refers to how dominant the hue is. As we go from red to pink, the red hue becomes less dominant.

-- Intensity is the brilliance of the color. The pure colors such as red are more intense than the combined colors such as yellow-green. A stronger intense color usually has a more dominant hue.

If you want a more active space, consider introducing stronger, more intense color. Even if you want a light-colored room, choose colors that are slightly more saturated than off-white or light pastel. Very light color can feel bright and stark when it appears on all surfaces in a room. However, two or more medium-light, closely related pastel colors can create a luminous effect when used in the same room.

5. Test Your Color Choices

Boost your confidence by testing colors on poster board or large areas of a wall.

Don't be afraid to go beyond your comfort zone: Consider strong, vivid colors or soft, deep neutrals like chocolate brown or olive green as main or accent colors. Or add drama with a stronger color on the ceiling.

Tinted ceilings can dramatically change the whole look of a room.

Hope you all have found this first chapter informative!! I even learned a few things!! :)

Do you want to know what your color personality is? If so, click on the on the highlighted area below...

Color Personality Quiz

Mission: Master Bedroom Re-design REVEAL

2010-07-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday to all of my lovely blogging friends!

I finally got around to taking some final shots of my master bedroom, and I am SUPER excited to

share with you all!

During the "remodel" process of my room, I kind of rolled with the punches the whole time, because I really wasn't 100% sure what I wanted the final look to be...

The things I did know was that:

1. I really wanted the majority of the room to be neutral.

2. I wanted to re-use the frames that I had.

and

3. I wanted to get rid of the AWFUL, hand-me-down headboard.

That's it...so pretty much, I had a blank slate to work with!

So I started out by buying Pottery Barn's embroidered sea life bedding off of Ebay. I had my eye on it for weeks in the PB store, but it was too rich for my blood! So when I saw the duvet and two shams on Ebay for $125 less than what it was selling for in stores, I just couldn't resist....YIPPPEEEE for me!

My second inspiration was to incorporate a gallery wall into the room...

I wanted to use an old window pane that I found on Craigslist a LONG time ago, and all of the frames that I had...

*hint*
Gallery walls add a dramatic effect and will even make the room feel bigger than it is...

So with my main two inspirations, this is what I came up with...

Before

I was hoping I never had to see this EVER again...

After...

I am SUPER excited with the way it turned out....

Can you see the blank spot above the white chest of drawers? That is the area that I have been on a mad search for! I just can't seem to find the perfect piece...

I stole the stripe pillows from my living room...the starfish quilt was from Homegoods...and the cute, colorful pillow is from Pottery Barn...

The drapery panels are painters drop cloths from Lowes...10 bucks a piece...CAN'T BEAT THAT!!

I wanted the gallery wall to act as the headboard in the room, because there was NO CHANCE I was keeping the wrought iron one...

I found the trunks on Craigslist...3 for $95...the other one is put away for a rainy day...

LOVE the beach-inspired touch....

Here's alittle close up of the drop cloth/drapery panel...pretty cool eh?!!!

The drop cloth is actually sewn on the top and the bottom which makes for a nice, snag-free, edge. All you need to get is a set of rings with clips on the end, and a rod with finials and brackets.

Oh, and the frames on the wall...

Remember these?

I painted both the frames and the matt board using a flat creamy white spray paint from Lowes...

After that I sanded each frame to add a distressed, antiqued look...

*Alittle trick*

Lay out your gallery wall on the floor first so you have a template for your wall...otherwise you will be running in circles trying to figure out your placement on the wall...

Let me know what you think!

Nighty Night for now...

Home Is Where Their Heart Is...

2010-07-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Meet Annie & Jason Papi.....

They just got married a few weeks ago....

Don't they look SOO happy!?!

It was such an amazing wedding filled with touches that personalized their special day...

Anywho, the reason I'm introducing you to Annie & Jason is because we just worked on their new home...

Annie and I went shopping last week and picked up some key pieces for their home, and combined them with great pieces that they have picked up along the way...

It was SOOO much fun to work on their home, because Annie has a very unique, vintage style and was willing to use colors that most people are afraid to mix...

Well, let me tell you people....

Start jumping out of your box, because their house looks AMAZING!!

FAMILY ROOM

BEFORE

AFTER

DINING ROOM

BEFORE

AFTER

I'd like to thank Annie & Jason for letting me share their home with you all!

Their house is now a home....

Hope you two love birds are enjoying every moment!!

Adding Bold Accents to Neutral Rooms

2010-07-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

Well friends, I am alive and doing well!

Its been about a month since I posted about my "Master Bedroom Re-Design," and I may have jumped the gun, because I am having a heck-of-a-time finding the FINAL piece for the room.

I think I'm going to go ahead and post it without the final piece, so STAY TUNED in the next couple of days!

On another note...I have been really inspired lately by rooms that are so simple but have a bold color to accent the room.

I have lived in the same place since November 2009 and have changed my pillows 4 TIMES! Am I crazy or what?!! I'm a freak....I KNOW!

I LOVE my newest purchase of these B-E-A-UTIFULL pillows!! The picture is from my phone, so please don't judge my sweet camera skills...

(NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE)

Anywho, my point is, you can change your bold accent color in your room four times a year, and it will change the whole look for around a $100!!!!

There are wonderful ideas below...

These photos are SLIGHTLY better then the shot of my sofa....:-)

ENJOY!

Even adding a little greenery to a crisp white room can really make the room stand out...

And for the Bohemian Chic Gal, layer patterns in different colors...it gives you that "Anthro-inspired" look..

Besides the fact that this room is gorgeous, what do you think the first thing I noticed was?

The horsey, of course!! They look like they are hugging....;-)

I LOVE the un-expected seafoam colored bench across from the sofa...and the touch of RED...

right up my alley...

Don't forget that certain colors are complementary to eachother...if you're not sure which ones are, look online for a color wheel. It's a cheat sheet if you can't visualize it...

Another un-expected surprise....the orange chair...paired with the teal glass jars...SO CUTE!

And if you don't want to play with pops of color...use reclaimed wood pieces to add

some weight to the room...

Don't be afraid to mix colors and patterns...look how unbelievably cute this room is...

For my momma readers out there...imagine how long you can hold onto something like this! When she is tired of the pinks, oranges, and greens, pull it out of the room and you have a blank slate...

My favorite part about this room is that it has the picked-up-along-the-way-look....there are just so many things to look at...

Hope you are having a VERY happy Wednesday! For those of you that have a normal work schedule, you are half way to the weekend! Yayyyy. But for me, IT'S FRIDAY! WAHOOOO!

Reading/Craft/Guest Room

2010-06-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hello there and HAPPY Monday! It's been awhile since my last post. I've been busy working on my Master Bedroom re-design and my clients reading room.

My client and I decided to turn one of her extra bedrooms into a reading room. A place that she can sneak away to do her bible study....a place that is her quiet haven.

It went from being her son's "airplane" room, to her botanical-inspired reading room. We still have a couple of things we are going to add, but I figured I would show the progress so far.

Also, check out the floorplan below of what the room will look like in the end...

Floorplan

Before

After

The chair 1/2 is from Ethan Allen and is also a twin sleeper sofa, so the room serves as a single guest bedroom. Also will be a great room for the grandkids!

*HINT HINT..WINK WINK*

The majority of the accessories are all from Home Goods and Marshalls...GREAT DEALS!!!

I could NOT pass up the teal planter stool at Home Goods....it brought life into the room. Oh, and the pillows...I want them for myself!!

The drop-leaf table is an antique that she already had....

If she decides to pull out the drop leaf, she can also use the room as a craft area...We are SOOO smart! :)

The bamboo mirror ended up being one of my favorite parts of the room. I saw it at Home Goods on a Tuesday and didn't buy it. I kept thinking about it, so I went back on a Thursday and it was still there!! YAYYYY! It was meant to be. I LOVE texture!

Hope you LOVE your room Sherry! You are soooo amazing to work with! I'm kind of sad we are almost done with all of the rooms in your home! Maybe we can decorate your 5th wheel next?!!! haa

Mission: Master Bedroom Re-Design

2010-06-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

So, I am actually extremely embarrassed to show the photos below.....

I think when I moved in....about 9 months ago....I just threw everything I owned into my bedroom! Well that's what it looks like anyway. I can't even believe it has taken me this long to get to.

And to think of ALL of the friends and fam that have seen this room! They were probably thinking, "Mere is an interior designer?!!! Maybe she should think of another profession!!"

Anywho...these are only the "before" pictures. The room is almost complete, but I am still looking for a couple key pieces.

Tune in soon to see the final room re-design....

Here are a couple of shots that have inspired my room design.....

Can't wait to show ya!!!

At Long Last....Summer has arrived!!

2010-06-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well, Its official...summer has arrived! The forecast reads 99 degrees today! I love the summer as long as I'm next to some sort of body of water.

Johann and I went fishing yesterday on the river. It was SOOO peaceful...I could have stayed out there all day long!

Summer decorating is a wonderful time to lighten up the colors and fabrics in your home. While you may not be able to decorate every room, there are numerous ways to add summer flair. You can decorate with a summer theme such as fruit (apples, strawberries, grapes), flowers (roses, carnations, daisies), or seaside nautical in addition to following some of the ideas listed below.

1. Replace heavy drapery with light sheer linen. The sheer linen provides an airy appeal while letting in the sunshine. If removing your existing drapery is not an option, consider changing just the valance and tiebacks to a lighter color. Another option is to use grapevine wreaths, strands of beads, artificial flowers, or decorative ribbons as your tiebacks or swag holders.

2. Store away items that are not useful in the summer such as blankets, throws, and heavy quilts.

3. Lighten up the color of your sofa by placing a slipcover on it or replacing your dark colored pillows with lighter colors.

4. Place light colored slipcovers on your all-wood dining room or kitchen chairs.

5. To add a lighter summer touch to your dark wood tables, use white lace runner or tablecloth.

6. If you have a heavy bedspread, considering replacing it with a lightweight linen blanket.

7. Bring in the outdoors by adding fresh flowers in vases or baskets to counters, tabletops, and nightstands.

8. Add summer accessories around your home such as birdhouses, sea shells, bowls of fruits or vegetables, and summer reading materials.

9. If you have dark lampshades, replace them with lighter ones.

10. Repaint a dark hallway in your favorite hue such as buttery yellow, a creamy tan, or a fresh apple green.

11. Display a grouping of floral plates on a wall, hutch, or fireplace mantle.

12. Clean out the ashes in your fireplace and fill the firebox with a large artificial fern or a basket of colorful flowers.

13. Place twigs in tall vases and set on each side of the fireplace mantle.

14. To add summer whimsy to your bathrooms, hang lightweight fabric shower curtains. Display matching hand towels and rugs to continue the summer theme.

15. Change the layout of your furniture to give your rooms a fresh, new look.

Decorating your home for the summer does not have to be complicated or cost a lot of money. As you can see from the ideas listed above, a new lamp shade, adding new fabrics, or changing the paint color of a room can breathe new life into your interior design. So, have fun and use your imagination to bring some fresh new looks into your home for the summer season.

Enjoy!!!

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Let us all remember the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us to have our freedom. And for those currently serving this great country!

I am so thankful for you all!

This is Chris...we work together at Ethan Allen Design Center...

She is the proud Marine Mom of Sgt Nick Regini....

Thank you NICK for doing what you do each and every day!

Anywho...I think it is VERY fitting that we look at some American Inspired Interiors since we are proud to be Americans!!!!

So here ya go!

I hope you are all out BBQ'in something yummy....

Happy Memorial Day!

Color It Coastal: White

2010-05-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hey there friends....

I decided to talk today about how amazing the color white is! Oh how I love a perfectly white room!

*sigh*

Beach rooms bathed in white are timeless, elegant, and simple. The sun-bleached palette produces a clean, airy atmosphere, allowing dramatic views or artwork to take center stage. Also, create interest in a monochromatic room by adding depth and texture.

Ooolala....

Anywho, enjoy these lovely rooms....

Go for the look of an old beach shack by coating wooden walls in white. Once dry, sand planks to reveal glimpses of the wood beneath.

The best part about a white room is how beautiful your accessorizes stand out!

I just LOVE these wreaths...

Paint exposed pipes or ducts the same hue as their surroundings to trick the eye and make the utilitarian objects appear less prominent. To focus attention on a single object, such as this antique sink, paint adjacent surfaces a softer, creamier white.

I know I said the "best part about a white room" above, but there is another "best part..."

Your upholstery will NEVER fade! How much more amazing can it get!!

Install white beaded board and retro appliances to create classic cottage style in the kitchen. Oil-rubbed hardware provides dramatic contrast.

To add more interest to your room, accent your white walls with some hardwood, tile flooring, and/or reclaimed wood beams and furniture...

I just want to jump into this bed and take a nap right this INSTANT! OOoooo and the bead board walls..LOVE IT!

When you design your room around the color white it creates an amazing pallete to stand out from your gorgeous view!!

This gorgeous room is from Layla Palmer's house at The Lettered Cottage. She took down her existing wall and uncovered this gorgeous planked wall! Isn't she LUCKY?!!!

Have a HAPPY Thursday! Its my Saturday! WAHOOOO for the weekend!

Changing a Few Vignettes

2010-05-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

So I had alittle fun on my days off by changing up a few vignettes. I included some before and after photos, so let me know what you think.

The only new things I added are pillows and a slip cover, that I already had for my sofa, but just hadn't used it yet. Oh how I LOVE a slipcover!! It changed the whole room!

My main inspiration was to SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY! I retired the zebra rug and my next purchase is going to be a seagrass woven rug. CAN'T wait!

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Anywho, that's all for now! Hope everyone is having a GREAT week!

Outdoor Living: Ideas, Inspiration, & Tips

2010-05-03T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks! 'Tis the season to be outdoors!

It's time to spruce up your backyard, patio, courtyard, or porch so you can enjoy this wonderful weather.

Before you know it the weather will quickly turn into the brutal 100+ degree temperature...and lets face it, none of us want to be enjoying that temperature from anywhere but INSIDE.

For those of you that NEVER have to experience the awful Valley heat, I am sooo envious!

Here are some helpful hints to getting your outdoor area on its way to a comfortable second living space....ENJOY!

Focus on the View

The seascape steals the show in this indoor/outdoor space. When the transition is seamless, you can enjoy storm watching and stargazing from a box-seat perch.

• Skip the railing altogether (if building codes permit) so you can soak up maximum scenery.

• Consider white. Here, a pale palette makes the bright blue sea all the more brilliant.

• Install pocket doors to transform an interior room into an open-air retreat. First, though, check on site conditions such as wind direction, sea spray, and bugs.

Use Charming Accents

Almost everyone had a wagon they grew up with. But as we grew older, wagons became clutter in the shed or garage. No more! Haul out that old wagon and make it into a decorative holder for your

collection of container gardens. A fresh coat of paint will spruce up your wagon,

adding a classic, rustic element to your patio.

Let the Light Shine

If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard that looks like this, let it shine.

Place furniture where you can best revel in the setting―it doesn’t have to be next to the house. Broad umbrellas allow you to relax by the sea without melting in the heat.

Stay Neutral

Keep colors and furnishings low-key so your gaze is drawn to the vista beyond your patio.

Plan perimeter walls and landscaping so they don't interfere with the scenery.

Turn the Inside Out

At the coast, transform your patio into a living room. That’s where the family is, anyway.

Include a mix of sofas and chairs with comfortable cushions and throw pillows. Top a coffee

table with beach finds.

Meet Your Needs

If you’re furnishing a small space such as a courtyard, a simple water feature and a

favorite chair may be all you need.

Exterior furnishings aren’t just functional. If you soften your outside space, you’ll gravitate there.

It becomes a quiet spot to take a nap, read, or work a jigsaw puzzle.

Double Your Fun

Maximize square footage by turning two small spaces into one big room.

• Make it easy. This dining room opens in a flash―a garage-style glass door rolls up to transform your intimate gathering into a seaside block party.

• Furnish the space with a crowd in mind. Here, two large dining tables accommodate plenty of food, drink, and friends. Guests can mingle easily and choose more or less shade.

Allow Space for Easy Entertaining

If you create intimate nooks for friends to relax, your fresh-air space will become the

ultimate summer hot spot.

• Dress up elegant gatherings with outdoor-fabric curtains and a rustic candle chandelier. Sisal and kilim rugs and a flea-market-find bamboo daybed complete this cabana.

• Think durable, not delicate. Consider cushion covers made of terry cloth―they’re both soft and washable.

• Build a pergola over a patio or terrace to create an outdoor room. Bamboo or native-wood poles provide enough shade for an all-day retreat.

Be Prepared

Stock a buffet for parties. Keep glasses, napkins, plastic cups, melamine plates, and bottle

openers on hand to make hosting effortless.

Party tip: Make sure you have enough small tables and consoles for setting up food and drink stations.

Color It Coastal

Brightly colored porches make cheerful retreats even on overcast afternoons. Paint your porch ceiling a summery hue to add punch.

Tie It Together

Paint furniture along with the space. Painting is pretty and practical―it protects wood pieces from moisture.

Add striped awnings that tie in with a hue on your porch ceiling or floor.

Let Nature Be Your Guide

All-wood design schemes ground outdoor living areas in the setting. Exotic hardwoods such as teak and mahogany naturally resist pests and stand up to harsh coastal climates.

Use louvered shutters to promote circulation and provide privacy. Shutters also serve as a

decorative touch, imparting a Caribbean feel.

Create A Family Hangout

• Keep your eye on the view. Steel-cable or clear-glass railing systems take a minimalist approach

while still complying with safety codes.

• Sit on your porch to inspire a sense of community. Just try walking past this

gathering without stopping to say hi.

Keep It Easy

• Add a splash of color, then change it up. Swap out cushions and throw pillows to

complement seasonal landscapes.

• Use natural materials on floors for easy upkeep. Smart choices include travertine and granite.

Stay Cool

• Limit sun exposure. Decks are great for catching rays, but an awning, an arbor, or a nearby tree

will shade windows and doors, lowering indoor temps.

• Locate porches on the north side of a house for a cool respite in hot climates.

If you have a patio, backyard, courtyard, or porch that you want to share, PLEASE do! It's always nice to see photos from my readers:)

Happy Monday...Let's make it a positive week!

Text by Katie A. Gregg: Coastal Living

10 Essentials to Create a Coastal Inspired Home

2010-04-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

Though most of us would love to be living seaside, drinking margaritas, and basking in the sunshine in some beautiful coastal town, most of us regular folk, unfortunately, only get to live the dream when on vacation!

So if you can't live the coastal life...

Live the coastal life right in your own home!

Below are 10 essentials to help you achieve a Coastal Inspired Home...

Enjoy!

Essential #1: Cabana Stripes

Whether they evoke shady poolside lounges, chic nautical fashion, or big, soft towels, stripes are far and away the beachiest pattern out there. For a modern spin on the classic motif, try railroading the fabric—running the stripes horizontally.

Essential #2: Beach Bungalow Details

Classic bungalow elements like planked ceilings and board-and-batten siding help establish an easy come, easy go vibe reminiscent of super-casual surf shacks dotting the California coast.

Essential #3: Super-soft Slipcovers

Nothing says coastal casual like the untailored look and feel of linen slipcovers. They’re less formal and lower maintenance than tightly upholstered pieces.

Essential #4: Barefoot-friendly Floors

The wide-plank wood feels so good on bare feet It’s like having a boardwalk in the house. A simple wax finish protects the surface from sand and allows subtle imperfections to show through. Leave several areas, such as the kitchen and dining room, rug-free to keep the mood low-key and summery and make cleanup a breeze.

Essential #5: Gallons of White Paint

All-white walls are vital for creating seamless transitions in open floor plans. Plus they show off patterned prints, bold accessories, and great artwork particularly well—just picture an art gallery and you get the idea.

Essential #6: Bold Splashes of Color

To keep the mood cheerful, try beachy-bright hues you might otherwise eschew, like citrusy orange or hot pink. Just a splash of the unexpected here and there—such as the pink & yellow throw pillows on the sage green colored bench—is a great way to introduce some brightness without going overboard.

Essential #7: Something Woven

The organic nature of woven accents lends a hint of rustic charm to even the most modern of spaces and keeps things casual by bringing beachy texture indoors.

Essential #8: Peaceful Surroundings

Design your living space to feel the ocean around you. Use mosaic glass in seaside colors to frame the fireplace, and a row of paintings depicting palm fronds against cloud-strewn skies brings the breeze indoors.

Essential #9: Simplify the Palette

Stick to a pretty disciplined palette of color to add character to your home with a variety of textures, materials and repurposed objects.

Essential #10: Perk Up Lackluster Walls

Hung in a series, everyday items create a graphic focal point on an architecture-free wall. When I am shopping for wall art, I’m initially drawn to the shape of an object, but I also look for woven textures and pay attention to the object’s former life.

If you have any clever ideas to add to my list of essentials, or pictures of your own coastal inspired room, please email them to me!

I would LOVE to see your beachey, seaside inspired, homes!