Walkin' on the Ceiling

Indecisiveness is becoming a regular part of my day. Before, my contractor was in charge of the major decisions. I know nothing about how to actually frame an addition; he was calling the shots as far as construction and I was A-OK with that. Now, we are starting the finishing touches. The stuff I actually know something about. I have an opinion when it comes to handrails and carpet and colors of stain.

I am doing all my own painting (with the help of the most awesome friends in the entire world). This includes painting the ceilings on my second floor where there is new construction. And I am completely torn. This is partly a cry for help... I need a great ceiling color!

The first option is a traditional white. And there is nothing wrong with traditional. It is a classic for a reason. But do I really want to play that game? Or do something a little more fun?

If I had my faux beams that I so desperately want, I would do darker tones of the rooms on the ceilings. With the beams, it would give the room a lofty look. However, without something to break it up, the darker color will become too claustrophobic.

That leaves us with a lighter shade, either in the same family as the wall color or in a complimentary shade. My bedroom is a lilac/gray heather so I thought I might try a creamy yellow ceiling, slightly muted. However, after purchasing Navajo White from Ian at the Home Depot, I realized it was entirely too close to my ecru carpet. CRISIS!

So now that my walk-in closet has a beautiful coat of Navajo White, I am back to the ceiling drawing board. My mom suggested painting it white, since I could always change it. Yeah right mom, I am not painting my ceiling over with a new color after my carpet and furniture is in there. So I am thinking gray, but I need feedback! Where is my color theory professor when I need him?

Glow Baby Glow

Yes, more wine bottles. What can I say? I like the vino.

Got some string lights left lying around now that the holiday season is coming to a close? Why not make some awesome decorations for you upcoming bangin' new year's party?

This project does involve drilling through glass, but as long as you take the necessary precautions (like wearing safety goggles), it is not such a big deal. A glass drill bit is under $20 at any hardware store and will be a good thing to have in your toolbox... just in case.

Drill a small hole in the bottom of your wine bottle. Experiment with different color bottles. I found a can of spray frost at the local craft store, which gives the bottles a cool glow effect. Incandescent lights are hotter than LED, but the light they give off is much softer and more appealing color.

Make several of these and place them around the house for a nice holiday glow without being overtly Christmas.

Shop 'Til You Drop

It is the day after Christmas. Do you still spend Christmas at your parents' house? Now's the time to step it up, put on your big girl/boy pants, and invest in your own holiday decorations for next year. What better day to do it than when stores are unloading all their unwanted Christmas merchandise?

Now, personally, I will be expanding my Hanukkah inventory. But since the majority of us celebrate Christmas, run out and get some sparkly lights on major sale. Just don't come to buy stuff where I work today... working the day after Christmas is not real and I do not approve. Alas, here I am.

Go for it, kiddos. Everyone likes a good deal, especially on things they can forget about for a year. Come next November/December, it will be like getting new stuff all over again. You can't argue with that logic.

You Light Up My Life

So if you're like me, Christmas in the 80s was full of baby dolls who actually pooped, big wheels, and the Barbie RV with a fold out table for candlelit dinners with Ken. It also included those huge glass colored Christmas lights strung around the tree, threatening to shatter at any moment. AWESOME.

Well, I know you can still fond them some places, but they usually sell out quickly. Enter ping pong lights. Buy a gross (144 count) of ping pong balls for around $10.00, use a nail or drill to punch a hole in them, and stick them on your normal boring lights for the same sense of ambiance you got from those eighties monsters. I like them on white lights too-- they give the impression of those even more retro big bulbs. Try it out and see what happens... while I don't have a Christmas tree this year in my new house (since I am not yet living there), I will definitely be using these when the time comes to decorate my patio. Rock on.

Drink Up

Because of the way my kitchen is set up in my new home, I am unable to put any cabinets directly above the sink. I may still choose to put shelves up there, but I also found this chic and cheap alternative.

I love the vino. Who doesn't? And since we already found a way to use the leftover corks, why not make the bottles into an awesome piece of wall art?

So invite over a friend or two and down a few bottles. To make one vase, you will need:

- a clean empty wine bottle

- 3/8" top plate connector/ceiling flange

- 1" split ring hanger

- two screws and drywall hooks to fit the top plate connector

- two pieces of 3/8" threaded rod, cut to 2.5"

- double stick foam mounting tape in case the bottle neck is smaller than 1"

- silk flowers

1. Put the top plate connector against the wall where you want the neck of the bottle to be and mark where the screws will go. Drill holes and insert drywall hooks as needed. Attach the plate to the wall with the screws.

2. Screw in the cut rod pieces and the split ring hanger.

3. Apply the foam mounting tape to the neck of the bottle where the split ring will hold it. Position the bottle in the split ring and tighten the screws to secure it.

4. Pop in some silk flowers and enjoy! The best part is, you can switch the flowers whenever you want to make a new statement.

Enjoy this simple and beautiful statement for a kitchen or dining room. Pretty cool if you ask me.

PS thanks to Design Sponge for this awesome idea!

Wallpaper Scraps: Not Crap

In my line of work, we are surrounded by sample books. Literally. We have an entire room devoted to carpet sample, another to wallpaper, and yet another huge room--with workspace--for textiles. I have discussed the abundance of textile scraps before, but now we are moving on to the wonder of wallpaper scraps.

Wallpaper ain't just for an ugly kitchen border and Modge Podge ain't just for your scrapbooking granny. Get creative or follow a template. Recreate a piece of famous art... using scraps of decorative paper. Don't have access to discontinued samples? Make color copies or even use fun paper meant for scrapbooking (though that can be a little more expensive).

Sketch out your image on a pre-stretched, primed canvas. By thinking in blocks of color, not only are you tapping your inner printmaker, you are bringing out the spatial thinker within. Sometimes it is easier to just cut away; I personally prefer to make templates of my shapes on regular paper first. However, I might just be special. I had a little trouble grasping the concept behind holding scissors correctly in preschool. I am just creative. Lay off.

Even if you can't draw a straight line, this project is pretty difficult to screw up. Draw your shapes in pencil on the back of the paper to prevent any markings from showing. Glue them down using just a little watered-down Elmers and a paint brush (you can just use the Modge Podge, but I don't trust it). When you are finished, brush the whole thing with a coat of Modge Podge to keep everything seamless. And like magic, more wall art. You are awesome.

"It's like entering Wonka's chocolate factory..."

This morning, my Interior Architecture class went on a field trip. While this trip did not involve sitting on a big yellow school bus or packing a lunch in a brown paper bag, it was nonetheless one of my favorite school activities ever.

We went to Architectural Salvage, Louisville's premier place where architectural elements go to die. It is AMAZING. The ramshackle complex is sprawling and vast. Turn right at the claw-foot tubs, hang a left at the vintage doorknobs, and go straight through the banisters to get to the stained glass windows. Done and done.

The concept: when older buildings are being torn down or remodeled, they take random things like doors, fireplace mantels, light fixtures, and banisters to this store where they are priced and put up for resale. Not everything is affordable, but how much cooler is it to get a vintage glass door knob for $15.00 rather than a brand faux brushed nickel one for a little less?

Luckily for you, places like this are not found only in Louisville. Google architectural salvage yards in your area and find lots of fun random things. Go get lost. Get inspired. Start coveting a range from the 1940s or a carved mahogany mantelpiece. I certainly got more than a few ideas for my place... oh, and for my Interior Architecture final project too, of course.

Holy Bottle Caps, Batman!

OK so I know it has been awhile since I mentioned the awesome wine cork board, but I just had to throw this in there: what goes better with a wine cork bulletin board than bottle cap thumbtacks?

In the original entry, I suggested using some cute retro tacks from Target, but I revise that decision. Instead, grab some of the cheap metal flat-top thumbtacks (not the plastic ones that you usually see). Using a metal adhesive (available in most craft stores) or simple super glue, adhere the thumbtacks to the inside of some of your favorite bottle caps for a quick and easy decorative amendment to your sweet bulletin board.

Seasonal or local brews are probably the coolest choice for sources of caps. I will judge you if you use some from Mike's Hard Lemonade or Smirnoff Ice. To each his own, but seriously? And while you might have a plethora of Bud Light caps hanging around, maybe aim high one weekend and expand your horizons. Now since you have these up in your kitchen forever, your friends will remember how cool you are for much longer. Go for it.

I'm off to guzzle some Ale 8...

Be Cool, Stay in School

Little known fact: Pottery Barn is in the education business. They aren't like sponsoring scholarships or anything (as far as I know) but they would LOVE for you to learn how to decorate your house with their furniture.

I am torn about my love for the PB. On the one hand, it has quality pieces of furniture that are, for the most part, stylish, classic, and simple. Their products have a modern sensibility without going all I. M. Pei on you. However, I can't help but remember that episode of Friends where Rachel buys the apothecary table and Phoebe throws a fit because it is not a genuine piece with 'history.' Though Phoebe sometimes annoys me, she kind of has a good point there. Although anything you buy at PB will be nice, there is something simply amazing about reclaiming a piece of discarded furniture and making it into a treasure of your own.

However you feel about Pottery Barn, here is the cool thing: They offer decorating classes. Not necessary really, but it cant help but be somewhat enlightening. And best of all... the classes are free. Not only that, but you get 10% off any furniture featured in the discussion. Score.

Now, I realize that this is just a way for PB to push their furniture, but if you have something in mind, why not sit through an hour class and get 10% off a sofa? You might just learn something in the process.

Put a Cork in It

I don't know about you, but imbibing is one of my favorite past times. Nothing is better than a glass of wine at the end of a long day, a cold beer on the porch with friends, or a mint julep (or eight) in your box at Derby. I love a good glass of red wine (though not white or blush thanks to an unfortunate mixing of the two that ended badly in 2007).

An even more lasting memento of your night with a bottle of wine than your hangover is the cork from your bottle. These corks are not only useful as stoppers, but are quite often ornate and unique to the vineyard from which they came. So why not use them in an awesome project rather than chuck them? Cork is actually made from the cork oak tree and that makes this project GREEN. Way to go. I love it when recycling and libations go hand in hand.

As you can see from the picture, this project takes quite a few corks. So ask your friends or get started drinking. I was lucky enough to do both. Pick up a shadow box at the local crafts store of your choosing (they run about $20-25 depending on how nice they are... I have found some for even cheaper though). With a shadowbox, you might have to break out the glass, so if you can, find a deeply set (approximately 1 inch) wood frame. I was able to find one at Michael's for about $16. I also spray painted mine dark blue to better set off the natural color of the corks.

As for attaching the cork, hot glue will suffice, but I also recommend super glue or gorilla glue. I have seen them attached in many different ways, but the basket weave pattern seen in the picture is the easiest to make and the most visually pleasing.

Grab some thumbtacks (Target has some chic retro-looking ones right now) and start sticking notes to your new awesome cork board. I have already picked the perfect place for mine in my new kitchen... counting down the days until I can actually hang it up!

Swingin' from the Chandelier

Finally! It feels so good to be back and in a routine, even if it is a very busy one! I am so disappointed in myself for the dearth of posts recently... my most sincere apologies. The trip to Greenville, while fun and relaxing, was not very conducive towards blog writing. And yesterday, upon my return, I was just going all day. We all know how it is.

Anyway, yesterday I returned to work in full force, cleaning up little messes I had left when I left last week. The interior design office is an amazing place to work, and I am so grateful for all I am learning there.

Today, I went with the owner/president and our director of renovations and operations on a house call. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a service we provide throughout the design process.

After bee-boppin' through town in the owner's Jag, we arrived to find our client very upset about this heinous chandelier she had insisted upon. We all hated it on principle (it was ugly); she hated it because it was not ugly enough. She wanted it bigger. Monstrous.

So, here is the rule of thumb I learned regarding chandeliers. Size is very important, and bigger is not always better. When determining the appropriate diameter of your chandelier, take the length and width of the room (in feet) and add them. From this number, subtract 8. The resulting number is the length, in inches, of your perfect chandelier.

For instance, if I was choosing a chandelier for my 15x17' dining room, I would do:

15 + 17 = 32 32 - 8 = 24

The appropriate size chandelier for my dining room would be 24 inches, or two feet, in diameter.

A quick hint to get you through the day... and a big ol' welcome back to me!

Shades of Gray

I have been incredibly behind on my blogging and I feel like a failure! I tried to update with a Stuff I Like This Week yesterday and was unable to due to technical difficulties... I felt like crying. So we are going to have to hold off on that one for a few days and just have fun discussing other decorating tips. Rough.

As I mentioned before, I am staying with my friend Molly who just had her apartment redecorated. A few months ago, she called me freaking out because the designer had sent her the paint samples... and wanted to paint her living room gray. It sounds bland and non-traditional, and even a little morose, but trust me--as a wall color, it acts as a soft and beautiful neutral to play against your art or textiles.

Gray is surprisingly versatile. It will undoubtedly have undertones of blue, green, or even lavender, and you can use those subtle hints to play up some of your accent colors. The gray in Molly's apartment has a blue undertone that compliments her blue and brown window treatments and plays up her art and throw pillows.

Additionally, this designer used the same gray as a ceiling color in Molly's bedroom and it came out beautifully... but more on non-traditional ceiling colors at another time. Until then, if you are picking out paint colors, don't discount gray--it may be the perfect compliment for your space.

I'm Stickin' with You

I'm back! The past few days have been insane... apparently, when I budgeted my time for my new fall schedule, I did not take into account that taking a class would mean having homework. Funny how that works out. Additionally, I have just joined the Junior League of Louisville (again, who am I?), so that has turned into a big time commitment as well. I love it, and I love being busy, but it has left very little time for blogging. Sad!

Luckily, I am on a little labor day break in South Carolina. I am staying with my friend Molly, who just had her apartment decorated by a local designer as part of a special for the local NBC affiliate. There are several aspects I love about the design--gray walls, a non-traditional ceiling, and Asian influences are amongst the best. However, I'll get to those in future posts. For now, I am going to focus on what I thought was a stencil. Oh, how I was mistaken!

There has been a recent trend towards short-term options for decorating. Permanence is out. And nothing is better for a temporary design solution than new removable wall decor stickers.

Molly's living room now includes a mid-wall border that looks like a stencil, but can peel off without ruining the paint beneath. Perfect for an apartment where you are invested in regaining your security deposit, or even just a house where you want to change things up for a short period of time.

I tried to find a good online resource to recommend, but honestly, there is no online store that looks reputable and it completely devoted to removable wall art. However, you can either google "wall decals" or check out Target for a wide selection of removable wall art.

Try it out and enjoy it for a few weeks... or months... and then try another. Instant, removable, awesome.

Been Around the World Na-Na-Na

Today, it seems, has been dedicated to wall art. I was in Target earlier and saw some stretched textiles... about a quarter of the size of what I showed you and twice the price. No thank you, I'll make my own that is even more awesome and one-of-a-kind. So there. 

Now, the project I am proposing today is not exactly as original, but something I think is fun for every home. Not to sound like a complete tool, but in today's ever-more mobile society, travel has become something to be enjoyed by the masses, not just an elite few. With the emphasis of study abroad programs (or "study away" as my alma mater now names them... weirdos), more students are experiencing life outside the United States and even more families are choosing exotic locales a little bit further from home. 

Now, if you have seen the film The Prince and Me, you will recognize this as well... and yes I have seen that Julia Stiles classic. Did you know they made a sequel? Rubbish.

Anyway, all you need for this project is a map... and preferably not the ridiculously-colored ones that look like they belong in a second grade classroom. The one pictured can be found online for less than $5.00. Slap it in a frame if you want and grab some thumbtacks from Staples (hooray for the Easy Button! I need one... just kidding) and away we go.

Color code however you want... places you have been, places you want to go, places you've lived, etc. I have also seen this turned into an adorable wedding present (and cheap!), where you combine like where the husband and wife have been together and stuff.

A pretty sweet done in a day project for anyone, but especially those of us with a desire to see the world. Pin it up and show it off! Bonus points if you find aged postcards to put around it...

New York, New York

Another random simple art idea for your weekend... hooray! OK I know using reproductions is sometimes considered unethical, but I figure for private home use, it is OK, right? One of my favorite magazines, mainly for the cover art, is The New Yorker. While the new art is wonderful as well, nothing can beat a good vintage magazine cover when it comes to displaying them in your home. As an added bonus, sophisticated magazine covers are a notch above vintage liquor advertisements... beautiful in their designs as well, but a bit over used by twenty-something girls filling the walls of their first apartment.

The key to displaying covers like these is volume. It is much better to do a series of six small covers than two big ones. First of all, your print quality is going to be undoubtedly better. Secondly, you are going to have more visual interest.

So go on Google images and grab a few (I recommend six) large format images and edit them in a photo program. Choose any magazine that has been around a while... obvious choices include Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Cosmopolitan, though those are a bit more common to see in large poster format at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. See if you can find some beautiful covers from National Geographic or Life. You can crop and edit the photos to any size in a photo computer program (I used Adobe Photoshop, but iPhoto works just as well). Now the printing is tricky... color laser printers usually will be sufficient for display behind glass, but not everyone has one. Whatever you do for printing, do NOT go glossy... bad idea. I chose to print a 5x7"... easy to find frames and good quality!

Frames you can find anywhere. Keep it simple... white mat, neutral frame. Let the artwork show itself off. Hang in a grid or a line and enjoy. Done and done. Beautiful, reasonable wall art. Loves it.

Sugar and Fire in Our Blood

For some reason, the topic of the Kentucky Derby has come up in conversation several times in the past few days. Being a Louisville native, I have grown up under the assumption that the first Saturday in May is a national holiday. We even got off school the day before for the Oaks race. Imagine my surprise when I went to school in South Carolina and the most magical day in Kentucky was virtually ignored... not cool. For future reference: the first Saturday in May demands reverence and you should celebrate accordingly by gambling and drinking and being Southern.

Arguably, the best part of the Derby is sitting in a box under a huge beautiful hat in an adorable sundress, enjoying a refreshing mint julep. Created with sugar, water, Kentucky Colonel mint, and bourbon (Woodford Reserve, if you want a true-to-form Churchill Downs julep... I prefer a lighter bourbon and this is by far the best), mint juleps can be an acquired taste, but have the effect of utter refreshment on a warm Kentucky Saturday in May. Throw on your seersucker suit and try it out sometime. 

So it might just be because I grew up here, but no matter the reason, I own what seems like a thousand julep cups. Some are simple, some have monograms or engraving, and some have beautiful small detailing. Whatever the individual characteristics, julep cups have a beautifully simple uniform shape that lends itself to a variety of uses.

As seen in the picture, julep cups are my default choice for a vase, especially for large blooms such as peonies and hydrangeas. In addition, from where I am sitting right now, I can see three julep cups employed in various uses in my bedroom: one on my desk holds pens and pencils, another on my dresser holds loose change, and a third sits on my bookshelf with a pink peony (faux) acting as a bookend. Simple, classic, Southern, and beautiful. The julep cup is by far one of my favorite tools in decorating. And for those of you unlucky enough to grow up outside of this great state, silver-plated julep cups can be had for as little at $15.95 apiece. So next time you see one for sale, think of this suggestion and remember that you are not only investing in a piece of classic Kentucky, you are also getting a multi-purpose decorating tool you can enjoy for year and years.