Family Room

So our family room started off with a couch (or two, depending) and the television.  It was my sister Lisa who suggested I switch the furniture from my living room to my family and I LOVE it.  My family room is the best day time room.

It has a beautiful view of the mountains and backyard and it's sunny and open.  The living room is just better for night when you can have a big(ger) fire and get cozy on the couch and watch a show. Before the big switch I always stressed over how to get people to use the living room.  It was a big room and it just sorta sat there and looked pretty (sometimes).  Now we probably don't use our family room as much but on a Saturday morning when we have time to sit and enjoy our cup-o-joe, it's wonderful.....especially when we have weekend guests.  We put the piano where the television used to be and it's wonderful to listen to my kids play instead of having a big ugly TV staring at you.  Above my piano hangs a guitar.  I can play one song.....kind of.  But I enjoy having it available to visiting musicians. The painting over the fireplace is one I painted while in the Fine Arts department at Sonoma State University.  The green curtains are from Anthropologie.  The orange pillows were a dollar each at at garage sale and the bright colored throw over the brown chair was my Great Aunt Mildred's.  It was the one thing I asked for when she died and it helps keep her in my thoughts.  I used to have a small coffee in here but recently replaced it with the ottomans.  This makes it easier to wrestle on the rug.

Three-point-O loves the train table that Dan built for him last Christmas (mimicking the design of Pottery Barn).  It lives in the space between (cue Dave Matthews) the kitchen and the family room.

You can see our color coded book shelf which has really encouraged good reading habits.  I love my green pottery barn chairs, mostly because I bought them 75% off since they were floor models.  The lighter printed one is totally faded, but in an even amount.  Just don't turn over the cushion.  It actually matches my bedroom duvet, or it would have if it wasn't 27 shades lighter.  Our floor rug is two pieces of white shag that were professionally attached and then bound.  There is a cushion carpet pad that is a foot smaller underneath so the whole thing is very plush.  The man at the carpet store said it was completely stain resistant.  WTH does this mean?  I will tell you it has spots all over it that I am visualizing being removed completely when the carpet cleaners visit next month.  I would still choose this color.  It really looks great and balances my white cabinets in the kitchen.

Re-evaluate the way you currently use your home.  Are there areas/rooms you especially like but don't use?   Switch it up!

Continue the Home Tour

Bulk Cooking - Moroccan Chicken with Brown Rice

Holy macaroons...this is a lot of food.

Upcycled candle holder

I have a new upcycled project to share with you that is finally complete!

Jenny Barker from Magical Blooms on "The Arrangement"

I'm super excited for my long time friend Jenny Barker who will be appearing on "The Arrangement," a new show on Logo this fall, premiering October 4. Jenny owns Magical Blooms in Redondo Beach, an upscale floral shop that I had the pleasure of visiting a couple weeks ago.

Her store has so much personality around every corner and you can order your flower arrangements in confidence, knowing they will be truly amazing.  I took some pictures of the shop's interior to share with you as I found it inspirational.

You won't find a selection of pre-made arrangements in her cooler, as every piece is custom made to order.

If you become a fan of her shop on Facebook you get the special treat of viewing each of her personalized floral designs.

In her shop, you'll find jewelry, cards and gifts as well as a selection of the freshest beautiful and sometimes unusual and unique flowers.  While visiting the L.A. area with my daughter Zebra, Jenny helped her make an arrangement.

Zebra is in Montessori School and enjoys "arranging" flowers on a regular basis.

She was uber excited to learn some design tips from an artistic professional.

Jenny just started a volunteer program with Magical Blooms.  Those interested will learn how to design flower arrangements.  The finished products will be delivered to people in elderly homes.  If you live in the area, give her a call at (310) 798-8113

This one was for Dorothy, a 93 year old lady who was recovering from hip surgery.

I'm so excited that Jenny has invited me to attend the red carpet premiere for her new show, "The Arrangement."  Although the show starts October 4th on Logo, her red carpet Hollywood premiere party is on September 30.  I'll let you know how it goes!

At this point I think I'll wear the dress I purchased at Anthropologie (when I discovered their amazing wine glass chandelier display).  What do you think?

  I'll try and take pictures at the event and blog you all about it!  Meanwhile check out the previews for this fun reality show and definitely tune in on October 4!

Here's Jenny's interview for "The Arrangement":

Watch

Framing Maps

While we're on the subject of maps as artwork, I thought I'd share my Christmas gift (in 2008) to my husband:

"Wallpapering" With Maps

My latest project?  "Wallpapering" my office niche in maps!  I put the word wallpapering in quotations because I didn't exactly wallpaper the maps.  I wasn't one hundred percent sure I was going to eighty percent love it so I decided to just go for it as a semi permanent option.  I've had minimal experience with removing wallpaper, but it was enough to know that I never wanted to do it again!

Dehydrating Tomatoes

Just spent about fifteen minutes prepping my tomatoes and filling my dehydrator.

A Spot of Color

I looked at my cheapo Ikea rug, hanging to dry from the laundry, I looked at my plain white slipcovered thrift store chair....and inspiration struck!

I think it adds just a touch of whimsical color to my office.  It also hides the cat hair better then the white canvas.
Sometimes it truly the simple things in life......*sigh*

Kitchen Home Tour

Kitchen

Since forever, I've been tearing out pages of magazines and organizing them in three ring notebooks.  When it came time to go to the design center, I brought it with me for inspiration.  Hardwood floors, black granite counter tops, white cabinets and subway tile.  I'd love for my shiny granite to by honed and if I had it all over to do again I would probably pick green glass subway tiles instead of white.  But hey, talk to me in like three more years and I'd probably have some completely new opinion.

We bought our extra large fridge and trash compactor (on craigslist) after moving in, and re-built our cabinets a bit smaller.  I opted to leave open shelves up top where I store my cook books.  We have a small fish tank on one counter and above the kid table you can see my Flowers In Vase project.  The four stools were bought many years ago from pottery barn on clearance and I would love to get my hands on two more.

Kitchen Eating Nook aka  The Round Room

Our round kitchen eating area did not work well with my college IKEA transformed rectangular table.  Last fall I finally found a beautiful five foot round table on Craigslist for $250!  Four of the chairs are wicker.  The cushions are indoor/outdoor from Pier One and I have a plethora of pillows both to sit on and lean against.  The table is very high and sometimes me and my 62" of height need a little help to eat without sitting on my knees.  The rug is an out door rug that stays unbelievably clean.  I have three children, BUT I have a lab who's name should have been Hoover.  I have two Stokke chairs and one antique highchair where I sat as a child.  The seat needs to be re-caned and meanwhile holds up my baby's hiney with a piece of cardboard and an old pillow......classy, right?  Sometimes I've thought about having a built in booth seat built along the wall, but our table would have to be six feet in diameter unless we wanted it severely off center.  Although with three kids, space gets tight when anyone comes to visit so perhaps a six foot table wouldn't be a bad idea.

Eric Carle Inspired Artwork

Don't you love his smile?  So sincere!  

My son received his first ribbon at the Nevada State Fair a couple weeks ago.

Time for some Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea

The house was clean and the back to school routine had started.  Even though I do enjoy the the 'fly by the seat of your pants' lifestyle, with three kids it was feeling good to get back on a schedule.  Then we decided to take one last camping style trip over Labor Day weekend.  Well we're home now and it's as if a bomb has detonated in my kitchen.

Time for one of these.  Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea, Lemonade and Ice.  My new favorite thanks to Mary, Charis and Monique!  Make mine a double.

Guest Room

Guest Room

The guest room holds the furniture we bought for our master about six years ago.  The night stands (clearance at PB) both match, the iron bed is a favorite of mine and all the furniture is black.  When we removed it from our master over a year ago, the main reason was because we were co sleeping with our new baby and didn't want to have such a high bed.  The shutters were a gift from a friend and was the head board for the queen bed that we removed.

The big black armoire is rather large for the room, but holds all the pillows and extra bedding.  I went ahead and hung two mirrors to the side.  These mirrors were blue IKEA mirrors.  I painted them white and added wooden decorative elements covered with metal paint and then a rusting medium.  On top of the armoire you see an old army trunk I painted white and a glass vase holding old chair legs.  Yes....chair legs.  The spinning artwork that hangs from the ceiling fan and closet doorway were made by my lovely children from paper plates.

MTV Real World New Orleans Interior Design Shutter Wall

I was catching up on my "quality" television shows this week when I noticed a wall of shutters on MTV's Real World in New Orleans.

PHOTOS COURTESY of MTV's 'THE REAL WORLD: NEW ORLEANS'

This shutter wall consists of five long shutters, and one skinny paneled door.  All different colors and very shabby, they are hung at varying heights on a wall in a billiard room off the kitchen.  A framed stained glass piece is hung in front of the shutters.  Dave Walker of the Times-Picayune describes the shutters as a nod to Hurricane Katrina damage.  The general concept reminds me mucho of my own shutter wall and evoked both positive and negative emotions for my psyche.  "Hey, that was my idea jerks!" to "Oh cool, look how hip I am!"

PHOTOS COURTESY of MTV's 'THE REAL WORLD: NEW ORLEANS'

Charles Aubrey, freelance production designer, used shutters in the busy family room on the wall behind the piano, and leaning against the wall over the fireplace mantel.

PHOTOS COURTESY of MTV's 'THE REAL WORLD: NEW ORLEANS'

Shutters were also used to border windows in one of the extravagantly decorated bedrooms.

PHOTOS COURTESY of MTV's 'THE REAL WORLD: NEW ORLEANS'

Check out the office.  Maybe my next wall should be decorated in dressers?  My husband would love this!  Lauren LaBorde, in an article on the Best of New Orleans Blog, writes "Sundry bedroom furniture items found discarded in front of people's houses, then piled along the wall as if a flood is imminent (perhaps it's an homage to hurricane evacuees)."

Besides the excitement of wanting to pull out my Diagnostic Statistical Manual from Psychology class to analyze the psychos, I enjoy watching this show for the insanely eclectic design of this particular New Orleans Home.  And no, I'm not trying to make excuses for my choice of entertainment.  My favorite aspect IS the brain rotting.