the easiest pillow!

Our slow master bedroom transformation is beginning to happen. This past weekend, I made my first table skirt. I will post how I did it soon. Then, yesterday, I finally made my ikat pillow for our bed. This fabric is marrakesh cobblestone. It came from PJ's in Albany, sorry I do not know who makes it! This first picture, from Southern Living was the inspiration for my pillow.

This was the easiest pillow I have ever made. I didn't have to make an exact size for an insert. Also, I didn't mind the square corners. Once I decided on where to cut the fabric, I folded it over, then sewed it up {leaving room to put in the stuffing}.
You will notice the paint sample taped on the wall. {It is Palladian Blue by Ben Moore, if I use it, I will do the half formula to make it lighter} This is a great Benjamin Moore sample for about $3. Saves the hassle of painting samples on your walls. I bought mine at our local Ace Hardware in Griffin.

I am trying to decide what way to go on curtains. Currently, some cheap muslin is pinned up. I really like Pottery Barn's Peyton drapes. They have this nice oatmeal or
possibly the french ivory. I have ordered samples. The walls really need to be painted before I can decide.

Another pic from my file. This is from i suwannee. This bedroom is similar to ours since we have a single window behind the bed. I would like to hang curtains a little wide like these.
So, the pillow making all started with this.

And a bag and half of this.

A little of this...

Here's the picture again. {The new bedskirt on the left is also made from cheap muslin fabric from Hobby Lobby}

Luckily, it's the right size for a Whippet to lean on. That's the most important thing.

More to come on the master bedroom!

ikea & scotts

Don't try to do Ikea & Scott's in one day....It's tough. Good exercise though. We hit Ikea first, then went by Scott's on the way home. Could not go to two places that are more opposite. Ikea is shiny, new, and mod, while Scott's is, well... old, antique, and definitely not mod.

After spending approximately 3 hours of my life in Ikea, I have decided we need the Henriksdal dining chairs. They are so comfortable {for a dining room chair}. They have white covers that velcro under the seat. They would also be perfect for a short, custom, skirted slipcover. They definitely aren't too bad for $59! The legs come in different finishes, but I would most likely paint them anyway.


One or two little finds of the day. Cute horse cake pans. They now reside in our kitchen. If your birthday is coming up, you may get a horse cake.

The best impulse buy. Note to retailers~put tons of stuff by check-out line. I couldn't resist these kitchen dish towels. I only splurged and bought 2. They were a whopping $.49.

I am sad to say we came home empty handed from Scott's. It's just so overwhelming!

Hope your weekend was great! It was frigid here. Today it's a little better. Ready for our normal Georgia weather to return. I did make my first table skirt yesterday, will post pics on that soon.

time to plan & organize!

Just added! Found this on a magazine tearout in my desk. This is a mouse pad with tear sheets for daily things. From Thomas Paul.

Yesterday, I saw this planner in a picture on Isabella & Max blog. A commenter mentioned they can be purchased at Borders. I really love the color, and the clean look.

Here's an interior page shot, from Beautiful Paper.

I need to get a new planner pronto! The one above may be too large to carry around on a daily basis. I need one that goes in the purse!

Here are some smaller designs from Pretty Chic. You can also find these on Etsy. They are $25.

My favorite is the first blue chevron pattern. They also sell matching notebooks.

This is my favorite design from Erin Condren. This style can be made in custom colors with a logo. May be a good one for Griffin Realty.

This is definitely the most detailed planner I found. Comes in different colors. It's the smartdate system from Russell + Hazel.

More cute options from Sarah Pinto. You can also buy these on Etsy for $25.

Last, I found this one on Swoozies. It's a Lily Pulitzer planner.

It's decision time....I need to get one ordered! How about you? Do you have a new planner? Do you even use one? I need the calendar on my phone as well as a written one!

first project of the year

2010 couldn't get too far in before I started another painting project. All of the interior doors in our house are painted black. Since 2009 was the year of my phasing out black, I finally chose a new color for the doors.

Recently, I have been noticing an olive/gray/taupe color on interior doors and trim. It was hard to choose a color, but I am happy with the results.

Here are a few pictures that helped me in finalizing my plan.

This first one is the Brick House from Cote de Texas. This entire house is great. I am a HUGE fan of brick floors.
This is from a post I did on Alys Beach recently. I decided to keep our trim bright white, and just paint the doors.
This is the before.

Home Depot has the small custom color testers for about $3-$4. I bought two. The colors weren't right, I needed something in the middle.

Charles had the bright suggestion to mix the two.

This is our new custom color. In high gloss. {It's still not very glossy!}

Results....I am so pleased. I think the doors really lighten things up, and go with the overall color scheme with out being too matchy.

This is the mud room. Gets tons of sunlight, so the door color seems brighter.

Our bedroom door.

I still have many more doors to go. I will post more pictures as they are finished. Happy New Year, and have a great Monday! Back to reality!

it's complicated

Last night we went to see the movie, It's Complicated. It was not a particularly good movie, but the main house was awesome!!! Some other design blogs have already posted pictures on this, but I am posting since I finally saw it.

Meryl Streep is the main character. This is her spanish style home. It is located in a beautiful setting. You really want to live there.

via Traditional Home

The interior of the house is very casual, which I like.

via Remodelista

I love the open shelving, and the huge island with marble. What a great place to hang out!

The kitchen is open to the dining area and the living room. I wish there was a list of colors, and items used in the movie.

To me, this creamy color of the shelving reminds me of Ben Moore's Camouflage & Abingdon Putty.. I learned about theses colors from Erika @ Urban Grace. Her office has a similar look to this.

via Traditional Home

The coffee table was fabulous, wish there was a better picture. All of her furniture was great. There was a huge distressed cabinet with her tv. If I find more pics, I will definitely post them!
Her hallway.

Master bedroom.

The Bakery {Meryl's business in the movie}

Wish I could find more pictures. It was really cool.
I can't really recommend the movie, except maybe to see the house! Or you could wait to see it on dvd! It was a fun night though. Everywhere I turn, new inspiration for our house!

Masquerade Party!

We had such a fun night new year's eve at our masquerade party. Christine found the coolest masks.

I made mine. Found all the supplies at Hobby Lobby. 50% off!

What do you think?

Christine's was the show stopper!

I like the one Mark chose.

Janice, me, & Kay. Kay's might have been the funniest.

Tom, Kyle, & Charles. I was proud of Charles for being creative, and finding a mask he would actually wear!

Hope your night was fun too!