Posted in Décor, Reinvent It on February 1, 2010| 6 Comments »
…if I wasn’t the ONLY girl who lived there. Somehow, I don’t see my husband or my muddy boys working in these gorgeous spaces. Too bad for me…
Since I wouldn’t be the woman I am without my three boys, then I’ll just need to slip in some pink and green where I can…
Image credits: All images are the work of the uber-talented Palmer Weiss
Posted in Art, Décor, Furniture, Make It, Reinvent It, Shop It, Tabletop on January 26, 2010| 1 Comment »
I am so done with rectangular placemats on my round kitchen table. It drives me nuts. Just NUTS. But a standard issue round tablecloth is a no-go either with my two jumping bean boys who would most certainly rip the thing off, dinner plates included, the first minute I put in on.
But a chalkcloth tabletop? I could get behind that.
Spotted two weeks ago on one of my daily reads — Sweet Sweet Life — I haven’t been able to get the image out of my head. Amy just bought some yardage from a local Etsy seller and cut it to size.
Voila! Table covering and kid distraction all rolled into one.
Image credits: Amy Hanson of Sweet Sweet Life
Posted in Décor, Shop It on January 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »
I usually forgo novelty sheets for my kiddos in favor of classic and cozy bedding, but after flipping through the L.L.Bean Home Spring catalog that arrived in my mailbox today, I think I may reconsider.
Um, navy whales on navy pinstripes? Yes, please.
Posted in Art, Décor, Organization, Shop It, Walls, Windows on January 11, 2010| 2 Comments »
A recent exchange with my friend Christine — who’s currently redoing her office — reminded me of something I meant to post long ago. I’m also in the (endless) process of updating my home office into a lovely creative zone, and I needed to find a solution for a long wall that my desk faces. I thought about shelving (too heavy, visually and literally), a mirror (up at 5:30 a.m. to write? no thanks), and a series of prints (I’ve done that little trick in three other spaces in the house)…but nothing seemed right. Then as I was cruising IKEA one afternoon, I came across the DIGNITET system in the Textiles department.
Meant to be used as a curtain wire in lieu of a rod, the DIGNITET system had all the right qualities for my wall. It was super long (up to 197 inches), could be hung from the wall or the ceiling, was lightweight, and was easy on the wallet ($14.99 + $4.99 for each package of clips). I snagged a kit plus two boxes of clips and a couple of days later (when I finally got around to installing it) I had the foundation for an ever-changing inspiration board. Love it.
Image credits: IKEA; Paige Lewin and her slammin’ photography skills (I’m working on it)
Posted in Décor, Organization, Shop It, Tabletop on January 8, 2010| 1 Comment »
We gave these to my stepmom for Christmas. Aren’t they great? I almost kept them for myself, but decided that would be so un-Christmasy.
I’ve seen the clever products from Fred&Friends for many years, but this was the first time I bought. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Image credit: M-Cups from Fred&Friends (I got mine — er, my stepmom’s — locally at Paper Source)
Posted in Décor, Furniture, Shop It on January 4, 2010| 3 Comments »
Had to make a quick trip to Target today, and I couldn’t help but mosy over to their home décor section. I figured their new spring items might be rolling out, and I was right. Don’t you just love this blue and white Jacobean ottoman? 
I’ve been drawn to more modern elements recently, but something about this just drew me in…
Doesn’t seem to be online yet, but maybe soon…
Image credit: Paige Lewin’s Blackberry (that seems to take better photographs than her Cybershot)
Posted in Décor, Make It, Reinvent It on December 21, 2009| 3 Comments »
Four days to go until Christmas. Do you still need a little holiday kick to brighten up your house? Try this easy wreath that I made in an hour, inspired by a recent post on Apartment Therapy.
Get to your local craft store and pick up a styrofoam wreath form and thumbtacks. I used a 12-inch form and 800 tacks {seriously}.
Park yourself in front of A Christmas Story and get to work…
An hour later. Easy peasy.
Not your style? Try this DIY lovely from one of my favorite design blogs…
Via {frolic!}
Posted in Art, Décor, Organization, Shop It on December 9, 2009| 3 Comments »
One of my favorite gifts to give is a piggy bank. Not only are piggy banks classic, but fabulously functional, inspiring a trait I wish I had. If 2009 has taught us anything, it’s that you can never go wrong saving your pennies. So here are my three favorite piggies, at least one of which some luckies on my list will be receiving this year.
Sort of creepy and very cool, check out Harry Allen’s Bank in the Form of a Pig, made from the cast of an actual pig (no piggies were hurt in the cast-making process). Available at AREAWARE for $95 in pink; also available in white, chrome, gold, copper, hot pink, mint green and black to fit into nearly any color scheme.
For a piggy that will blend in anywhere, go for Roost’s Glass Piggy Bank, available at Velocity starting at $18. Also, check out similar ones available locally at Hudson.
For the perfect amount of sparkle, and the perfect price tag, hit your local Old Navy for their bling-y piggy. My shop only had them in gold, but I hear they’re available in a disco rainbow. At a mere $5, you can get this one for folks on your list and yourself. Y’know…if you needed a bit of inspiration to become budget-minded in 2010. Not that I know anyone like that.
Posted in Décor, Make It, Reinvent It, Shop It, Tabletop on November 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »
When hosting a party, I enjoy cooking (sort of), but my favorite part is creating fun, interesting and unexpected tabletops (elegant is great too, but they’ve gone the way of the Dodo since kids…too much pressure). If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, click over to Boston Mamas for some last-minute easy ideas to make your tabletop shine. (Yep, it’s true…two Boston Mamas columns in two weeks!)
What easy tabletop ideas do you have? Share them here!
Image credit: Randy Weiner, Flickr (cool pic, don’t you think?)
Posted in Décor, Inside the Mudroom, Organization, Reinvent It, Shop It, Walls on November 23, 2009| 3 Comments »
I’ve made it a personal mission to ensure that my kids don’t grow up creatively stunted (like their mama who didn’t find her inner creative streak until age 35). So when I was given an opportunity to test IdeaPaint, I was stoked (as were my kids). Check out the full review in my latest column at Boston Mamas. Enjoy!
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The Mudroom 