paradox

It's this time of year when decorating, for me, seems to become a paradox. A mix of winter (and I mean ND winter), with planning for warm trips. It's the conflict between beautiful crystal trees, shimmering snow, brisk temperatures, vs. seashells, warm sand, and the heat of the sun.

As this conflict of nature surrounds my soul, it amazes me how the two can have qualities that are the same: beautiful clear blue skies, the calming sound of the ocean/wind, and shimmering sand/snow. Sameness in the midst of conflict.  

So how does this work in decorating my home without it looking messy? Calm the conflict by finding common ground. In this case I drew on both color and texture.
  

 

Silver crystal-like starfish and crystal branches= an interesting paradox that brings sameness to conflict. 

 

To glitter starfish use spray adhesive and shake on silver glitter or glass glitter. Use a glitter tray from a craftstore. It will save you frustration and glitter!

 

...and may you feel God's blessings in the New Year,

even when they might not be right in front of you. 

Ele

 

Presto Chango Slipcover

Presto chango, also known as attention defecit decorating, happens a lot at my house. Things are constantly changing. I have a stash of items, in addition to holiday decor, that I am constantly switching out, and furniture pieces (usually smaller items) that move from room to room. I'm actually very satisfied with how it initially looks,  but the "little voice" just won't let me rest.

The cooking fairy (known as dear daughter, pink girl) made supper last evening, and what was I to do? free time=crafting and decorating. 

This chair received a new slipcover. The slipcover as well as the original chair were purchased at Pier 1. The slipcover had great style, and I LOVE the ruffles. 

This is what the chair looked like before I put the slipcover on it. I like the before, but it's nice to have another option. It has moved from the sunroom to the sitting room, and is making friends nicely. "She" certainly looked cheerful before, but now, she just feels a little prettier.  

Congratulations to the ladies that won my giveaway, lovely things studio and recycled rita!

Now, if the cleaning fairy would just show up...........................
Have a blessed day,
Ele

It's All in the Accessories

You could call this a fashion post, but it's not. My pink girl and I have been redecorating her room. We have been using her wearable fashion accessories as decorating accessories.

Tip #1 
Store pretty heeled shoes out in the open. 
Back and white damask velvet boxes coordinate with all shoe colors, (and keep things out of sight). The black hat and bow, as well as a couple of the shoes styles provide a vintage feel.

Tip #2

In the same area, repeat the theme of the accessories (vintage style) with another item.

Pink girl chose this fabulous couture poster with red dress and shoes.

Tip #3
Display bling on a wall. 
We displayed blingy bracelets on a shelf . It doesn't matter the "color" of your bedroom decor. The reflective quality of the bling makes it coordinate with everything!

My pink girl's accessories lean to the vintage style; netted headband, cameo, pearls, and tons of bling.  Perfect accessories for a girl's bedroom, and her outfits!

Tip #3

Display fashion accessories, on a dresser, like you would a picture frame. 

We used a wire easel stand to display hair flowers. The stand was originally used to hold messages. Now, instead of flower clips thrown in a drawer, they are right out in the open and ready to be worn.

A couple more pics of her room to show you the color scheme of peacock blue, turquoise, and red.

We participated in our first craft show of the season. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time. Thanks to all of you that stopped by my booth, especially the two ladies that took pics of my ruffled table cloth. You made my day!  

Have a blessed week,
Ele

Pink at the 2010 Grammy's and Grey Decor

I admit, I am a fan of Pink. The color and the person. I love the fact that  she can sing with her rocker voice, and the next moment can turn around and sing a beautiful ballad.  Pink first "spoke to me" years ago as I held my daughter in my arms. During the course of a television interview she talked about what it means to be a girl, and the strength every girl needs to be herself, not a cookie cutter image of someone else.  Just last year, as she was separated from her hubby, she described him as "still yummy".  It was a joy to see them together at the grammys, and both looking so yummy!    

My favorite grammy 2010 dress, by far. It was layered, color blocked, and a little blingy. This dress proved to be glamourous and sexy, but not trashy. It was also soft and feminine, but not too foofy. The long earrings.....

perfect, and the silver hollywood clutch, so glam. The colors perfect for her, but these colors are also perfect for decorating!

Grey is the peaceful color. It surrounds us with calmness, but also sophistication and elegance. It can wrap us in a haven of contentment as the world around us goes in many directions.

Just like with Pink's dress, grey looks wonderful when used with graduated grey colors; white to black. 

                                                                       (activerain.com)

Grey can take on a masculine look, so if you want more of a feminine look add something with curves, (like the table in the picture above), or ruffles, (like the shower curtain below). Lovin the ruffles!

                                                                  

                                                                     (freshhome.com)

The curves in the picture below include the wallpaper, the chairs, and even the feminine side table pulls. This kitchen is singing a ballad to me!

 

The bedroom picture (below) is the perfect mix of how grey can be both feminine and masculine. The masculine four straight poster  bed and heavy solid window drapes are paired with a feminine sheer bed curtain and round table. It's a perfect mix for a master bedroom.

 

                                                                       (IKea)

Grey is also a great decorating color because it can be paired with ANY COLOR. Look how luscious the jewel tones look against a grey wall.

                                                                 (lib.store.yahoo.com)

                                                          

Isn't this picture (above) FABULOUS? It's from designer Sally Conran. She takes the grey, black, and white, AND totally rocks it with hot pink.  

So my girlfriend, Pink, I'm standing in line to borrow that gorgeous grey dress of yours, (insert laughter as I can only wish I could fit into that teeny tiny waist).  You did look fabulous. 

Ele 

Fresh Green

The celery green and chocolate brown bedroom. Yes, you read right.....celery green.

I'm not a big green fan. It just happened. When decorating this room, I wanted a fresh, clean look and Mr. Heaven approved of the colors, (actually he really doesn't care how I decorate, but I did hear him say under his breath, "thank goodness it's not pink").

Lets discuss some of the "issues" in this room:

*Boring Beige Carpet/Walls- carpet HAS to be pet friendly (as you can see in the pic). I also like to change accent colors in the bedroom, and even with a change, beige is in it for the long run.

*White Tab Top Drapes- I like how it pops against the beige

*Bed in the Middle of the Room- This is a really big room and I move my bed around a lot. Sometimes it's in the dormer under the window (where the chair sits). Remember when I told you a couple of posts ago that I can't sit still. Neither can my furniture.
*No Dust Ruffle- Hate. Dust. Ruffles. I think they look good, but I just don't like vacuuming under them, washing them, repositioning them, not being able to see under the bed (monsters and lost items!).)etc. I might give into a coverlet that goes to the floor. Maybe. Stay tuned.
*Ugly Chair in Dormer- Breathe a sigh of relief. This chair will be recovered as will it's partner . At this point, I can't decide. Should I go fun and funky (celery and brown cheetah fabric or flowers similar to pillows), warm chocolate tweed, or sensible beige?
*Not a lot of Foof on the Bed. You know I love foof and frou frou like all of you, but lets face it, I am a REAL person. I throw together my bed in the morning, and get in at night. I might add that I am quite skilled at making the bed with Miss Cocoa (see above picture) on top of the covers. As much as my bed would love to spend all day getting ready for a magazine shoot. It does not. If it did, a dust ruffle, shams, IRONED pillow cases would be applied to the bed. Large ornate pieces would be on the bedside table. I decided to show you "fresh, simple, usable lifestyle".

*The Honey Brown Piece of Wood on the Right Side of the Bed- Wooden drawers built into the side of the dormer.

Let's move on to the closeup shots-

I actually did choose fabric with a little pink in the design. Don't tell.

The comforter that started it all.

This chair fabric DOES NOT work with the pillows, so as soon as I decide on fabric and my upholsterer has time for this chair, it will be recovered!

Chocolate curtains and a new Paris plaque are hung in the bathroom.

I really like this celery green shower curtain that I purchased.

Usually, when I go to the ocean, I am smitten with the beautiful blues. On our recent trip to Mexico, I really noticed the greens. Could it be that I was longing for green grass and leaves on the trees at home?

As I'm typing the windchill is -15.

Our house had a beautiful garden with many shades of green.

I was surprised to find that the third floor bedroom of the beach house we stayed in (pictures courtesy of margarita-villa.com) was accented with greens. Pink girl and cousin stayed in this room.

The view of green off of the 3rd floor sundeck. Brown palapa roofs and green palm trees similar to the palette of my bedroom at home. Outdoor temp- no comparison.

Blessings to you,

Ele, Cocoa (first pic.-bed) and Sage (first pic.-floor)

Decorating with Pumpkins

I really like pumpkins. They just look happy to me and each one is different. What other vegetable gets the pleasure of decorating our lives for three whole months? That's the great part about it. Pumpkins can be displayed all Fall, from Sept.through Nov.

A very large pumpkin sits on a chippy cement flower pot throne.


How did I put this planter together? First, I removed the spent summer plants from the planters. I also removed a little of the dirt, and added a grapevine wreath, (this gives the pumpkin a place to sit). I stuck in a few sprigs that I cut from my German Statice plant. German statice is a bushy plant that dries in perfect condition. You can buy a bunch at most craft supply stores.


Miniature pumpkins stuck into pots with blooming flowers add such great color.


Farmers markets and even grocery stores carry gourds in many shapes and sizes. I picked up a few miniature gourds and pumpkins and placed them in my favorite black tiered centerpiece.


Happy Pumpkin hunting to you all, and hope you too will share some of your pumpkin decor!