Product + Inspiration: Cloth Napkin Pillow Covers

May 26, 2016

When we purchased our first home in Seattle years ago we didn’t have a lot of money to spend on decorating it. One day when walking through a department store I picked up a pack of cloth dinner napkins that were on clearance. The pattern was what caught my attention at first but as I opened the napkins up, I remember thinking that they would make great pillow covers. Fast forward to today and cloth napkin pillow covers are still one of my ‘design on a dime’ decorating tips.

If you’ve never thought about using cloth napkins to make pillow covers, let me tell you why it’s a good idea:

♦ Most cloth napkins are sized perfectly for pillows–18″ x 18″ or 20″ x 20″ which means standard pillow inserts will fit.

♦ Cloth napkins are already hemmed so there is no cutting on your part.

♦ Cloth napkins are inexpensive so you can make seasonal pillow changes without breaking the bank.

♦ Many big box stores (Pottery Barn, World Market, Target) sell napkins in the same prints that they sell in their pillow collection so you can have the same look for a fraction of the price.

♦ Napkin pillow covers are simple to sew or you can use fabric glue to make the pillow covers if you don’t have a sewing machine or don’t know how to sew.

♦ You can add decorative trim to your napkin pillow covers to UpStyle the look even more.

Now let’s get to the inspiration part of the post and check out some pillow covers made using cloth napkin…

View From The Fridge

Censational Girl

Southern Lady

Pretty cool idea don’t you think?

I did a little shopping for you and rounded up a few of my favorite napkin designs that I think would make beautiful pillows. Let’s go shopping…

CLOTH NAPKIN PILLOW COVERS

top--WORLD MARKET: Anita Napkin // Succulent Napkin // Pink Pip Floral Napkin // Foil Geometric Sheila Napkins

middle--Anthropologies: Caicos Napkin // Fellina Napkin–orange // Fellina Napkin–blue

bottom--TARGET: Dot Napkin // Geometric Decorative Napkin // Indigo Print Napkins

The long weekend ahead is the perfect time to whip up a few napkin pillow covers. Happy crafting!

Design Guide: The Best Black Paint Colors

May 24, 2016

Black has always been an essential decorating color and anyone that has worked with me knows that one of my design mottos is “every room needs a touch of black.” Over the years, black has gone from being used as just an accent color to being the dominant color for many rooms. I know that black walls or even black furniture aren’t for everyone but if you have a space that needs dramatic backdrop or a ceiling that you want to fade away, black just might be the color you need.

♦ THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS ♦

Black furniture has become a standard design statement and a coat or two of black paint is a great way to transform a vintage piece. In most cases, furniture painted black calls for a finish with a bit of shine so go with a gloss, semi-gloss or satin finish. {color: BM Black Satin}

Kiki’s List

Black stair banisters with white spindles is one of my favorite design details. If you’re looking for a quick and fairly easy update for your stairs, black paint is definitely something to consider and I recommend a semi-gloss or satin finish to make the details of the wood/design pop. One of my favorite black paint colors for banisters is Sherwin Williams Black Magic.

House Beautiful

Black require the right setting to be most effective including sufficient natural light. The black walls in this foyer space give the area a dramatic and elegant look without it feeling like a cave. {color: SW Tricon Black}

via Sherwin Williams

I think bathrooms are an ideal space for black paint. Surrounded by white surfaces and brass hardware, the black wall in this bathroom just fades away and allows the decorative elements to stand out. And since black and white tile is a hot trend these days, black walls are an easy compliment. {color: BM Soot}

Studio McGee

Black doors, both interior and exterior have almost become the norm for many homes. Black interior doors can make a hallway stand out and black exterior doors have a sophisticated feel and really pump up the curb appeal of a home. {color: BM Space Black}

Country Living

Favorite Paint Colors

Kristen from The Hunted Interior painted her living room ceiling black and boy is it stunning especially with all of the vibrant colors and metallic finishes that accessorize the room.

Hunted Interior

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Picking the right shade of black paint can be just as challenging as picking the right white paint color. Shades of black range from true, rich pigmented blacks to others that have a grey or even blue undertone. As I do with any color of paint, I recommend you buy a few sample jars and try the colors on your wall to find the one that works best with your room and decor. As a designer, I’ve tried my fair share of black paint colors and have narrowed down my top picks and my favorites to just a handful which might help you in your paint search.

If you have white trim in your home and are looking to paint your walls black, a crisp white will work best. You can read about my favorite white paint colors by clicking the image below.

Design Detail: Stylish Acrylic & Brass Switch Plate Covers

May 18, 2016

The littlest design detail can make or break the overall look of a space, even something as simple and unassuming as switch plate covers.

The perfect solution for walls where you want the gorgeous wallpaper or beautiful paint color to be the star, is to replace those plastic plates with something stylish and chic like acrylic or brass.

I rounded up a few visuals for you and have pulled together a resource list to make shopping easy. When it comes to decorating, this is definitely a project anyone can pull off.

cococozy

the hunted interior

♦♦♦

SHOP SWITCH PLATE COVERS

Forbes & Lomax is a London-based business that has been in operation for over 25 years. They recently expanded their business and are now selling their Invisible Lightswitch brand in the US and Canada. Their plate covers are super chic and I love the unique toggle and push button designs they have. You can order a free catalog on their website.

Reprotique is a wonderful online shop I recently came across with the most beautiful Asian and Pagoda styled acrylic and brass switch plate covers. Their covers are not inexpensive but boy are they a statement piece. While you’re on their site, be sure to check out their acrylic light sconces…to die for.

Other resources for acrylic, glass or decorative switch plate covers:

SwitchHits–a full range of glass plate styles to fit all light options along with themes and decorative plate covers including leather.

WallPlateWarehouse–This resource not only carries a full range of acrylic switch plate covers but they also have covers in black, brass, bronze, chrome, copper, stone and wood.

House of Antique Hardware–-This online store sells switch plate covers in different antique design styles like mid-century, industrial, art deco and victorian.

HomeDepot is always a great source when you want to get the look for less.

My Favorite Spaces from The One Room Challenge

May 16, 2016

Have you heard of the One Room Challenge? Better yet, have you been following the design series? If not, you’ve been missing out on some incredible room transformations and amazing design inspiration.

The One Room Challenge was is a bi-annual blog series started by Linda from Calling It Home and it is now in its 10th season. What started as a design makeover blog hop has turned into one of the hottest design transformation series in bogland. The ORC has become so hot that the series recently attracted sponsors like House Beautiful, Decorator’s Best, Joss and Main, Lamps Plus, Farrow & Ball and Lowes.

Each round of the ORC features 20 bloggers/designers who makeover a space in a 6 week period. The participants select their space, develop a plan and execute the dramatic transformation while sharing the entire design/decorating process weekly on their blogs. To date there have been over 1000 room makeovers by featured and guest participants.

With each ORC I’m always excited to see that beautiful rooms created by the participants.

The latest round of the One Room Challenge just ended and I must say it includes some of my favorite spaces to date so I thought it would be fun to share a few favorites with you today. Check it out and be inspired!

p.s. you can see all of the room from the featured bloggers here and the guest participants here.

♦♦♦

My Favorites:

Claire Brody Designs: My favorite details are the furnishings, the fireplace and the beauty of those white walls.

Design Manifest: This kitchen space went from ho-hum to incredibly chic. I love the bar stools, the lighting and the cabinet door detail.

The Makerista: The wood paneling and trim detail on the walls in this man cave is amazing. And I love the subtle color palette.

My Sweet Savannah: Now this is the way to update a dated bathroom. My favorite details are the glass front cabinets, the vanity mirror, the chandelier, the cabinet pulls, the roman shades….ok, I love it all.

Jill Sorensen: Jill had me at the black, yellow and pop of color so used for the master bedroom. I especially love the gorgeous headboard, the window treatments and the stools in front of the sofa.

♦♦♦

My Favorites:

Dimples and Tangles: Jennifer knocked it out of the park with the painted buffalo check wall in her powder room. And you definitely want to check out the wall moulding, the pink door and the acrylic hardware.

Always Rad: I’m so glad I discovered this blog through the ORC. This kitchen transformation is truly gorgeous and I want that banquet eating area and those lighter over the island.

Simple Details: If you love an eclectic mix like I do, you’re going to love this living room. I was really excited to see the coffee table since my mom owns that same table. p.s. take note of the amazing accessories and styling.

Amanda Louise Interiors: This is another new to me blog and after seeing this makeover I’m a big fan. I love the transformation of the TV wall and the over mix of furniture and accessories.

The Crowned Goat: I’m a big fan of office spaces that function well and look good too. This space is ideal of blogging, bills and creativity. I love the styling on the bookcases and rustic chic details throughout.

♦♦♦

If you have time, I encourage you to check out all of the One Room Challenge spaces. There are just too many beautiful rooms to include all my favorites here.

My Favorite Ceramic Lamps

May 10, 2016

Shopping for lamps has become a whole lot easier since stores like HomeGoods now sell affordable and stylish table and floor lamps. While most of the lamps they sell are reasonably priced, I recently spotted a collection of Ralph Lauren table lamps at my local HomeGoods store selling for $499. They were gorgeous but definitely not something I expected to see in their store.

If you’re shopping for a single accent lamp versus a pair, you’ll have better luck at the big box stores since many times their assortments are picked over. When I need quality table lamps and want to ensure I’ll find what I’m looking for, I have several sources I turn to.

One of my go-to sources is Lamps Plus. Not only do they have a great selection of styles but they have free shipping and returns on most of their table lamps. When shopping Lamps Plus, you’ll find a wide range of price points, styles and colors to choose from which makes finding your style pretty easy. One thing to note is that many of their basic lamp styles are only sold in pairs which can be good or bad but usually their ‘pairs’ offer a great value.

Another source I shop is Home Decorators. I loved it when they had a store here in Atlanta but shopping from their website is the next best thing. They carry a variety of styles and their prices are good too.

Here’s a round-up of my favorite ceramic table lamps…

♦ I recently used this lamp in a design plan for a master bedroom and the clients loved the look, scale and detail. It’s a great lamp for a dresser and would also work great on a desk. Barbara Cosgrove Mid-Century Ceramic Lamp $129.99

♦ The Adrian Fluted Gourd Lamp {$79.95} is a great style for master bedroom night stands, a foyer table or side tables in a living/family room. The lines are a bit more feminine and the acrylic base gives it a slightly more modern edge.

♦ When it comes to classic gourd lamps, the Robert Abbey Emerald Triple Gourd Lamp is one of the best. It’s a bit more expensive at $299.00 but the design and style make is a classic piece that will last for years. And it’s available in multiple colors.

♦ You all know I love a blue and white lamp and the Amber Table Lamp is a favorite because of the blue and white design but also because of the antique gold accents. This scale is smaller so this lamp is best suited for a desk, vanity top or bar area. $91.00 { Alert–I just spotted a similar lamp at SteinMart which after the additional sale discount was $34}

♦ This classic Set of 2 Lillian Table Lamps is a good value at $248.00 for the set and in addition to the blue and white, it comes in red, black, orange and grey. This table lamp is ideal for side tables, a console table or night stands.

♦ I’m all about a chunky ceramic table lamp and love the silhouette of the Paris Ceramic Lamp. This style is available in 5 softer colors which make it great for a nursery, home office or bedroom. $143.00

♦ Diamond shaped lamps are popular right now partly because of the mid-century and retro decor trend that you’re seeing everywhere. This is a great lamp style for a desk, console table or foyer table. Robert Abbey Delta Brown Tea Ceramic Lamp $211.60 {available in 15 colors}

♦ If you’re looking for a pretty silhouette, then you’ll like the Wells Table Lamp. This lamp is available in a pale blue and soft pink so you know it perfect for a nursery or even a guest bedroom if you want a spa like feel. $195.00

♦ Here’s another classic gourd lamp. Sold as a set of 2, the Pamela Triple Gourd Lamp comes in 5 deep, rich colors including marine blue, Chinese red and fern green. $239.00

via Glitter Guide

If you’re looking for brass lamps, Lamps Plus does carry a selection but I’ve found my best source to be flea markets and antique stores. You can also find lots of vintage lamps on Etsy.

In a couple of weeks I’ll share my favorite floor lamps with you so stay tuned.

*****

Do you have a favorite lamp source I don’t know about? Leave me a comment and let me in on the secret.

Favorite Posts, Pins and Products Of The Week

May 6, 2016

Hi friends. I’m changing things up a bit and bringing you my Favorite Things post a day early. I’ve got some great inspiration for you today along, things to add to your shopping list and a couple of projects you might want to try this weekend. And if you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party tomorrow, here’s a quick and easy party decor idea you can whip out tonight. p.s. You can buy plastic horseshoes at Wal-Mart or Party City.

via Every Last Detail

♦♦♦

FAVORITE POSTS

These DIY hot dog and marshmallow roasting sticks are just the cutest. Makes me want to plan a camping trip just so I have an excuse to make a set of my own.

I love all things Eddie Ross and this living flower arrangement he created is just stunning. Check out this video to see how he does it.

If you’ve ever wanted to add a decorative trim to curtain panels, here’s an easy to follow tutorial on the process.

♦♦♦

FAVORITE PINS

I just love dark details in a room. The black bookcases and dark window and door casing really makes a statement in this library space.

via My Domaine

I’m always on the hunt for creative tablescape ideas and since I have a whole box of white tile lying around, I will definitely be making my own tile placemats after seeing this tablescape. Such a fun idea and so many ways you could mix and match patterns.

via 100 Layer Cake

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FAVORITE PRODUCTS

I know every one of you is going to want to run out and buy this stunning gold and white striped magnifying glass especially when I tell you it’s on $10! p.s. If you can’t find it in the store, you can buy it online. Magnifying glasses happen to be one of my favorite things when it comes to decorative accessories.

One of my all-time favorite starburst mirrors is on sale in a big way–50% off thru May 9th.

♦♦♦

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I’m spending tomorrow at the Food-n-Fun Festival being hosted by the non-profit agency I work with. If you have kids and live in the Atlanta area, come out and enjoy some fun, food and sunshine.

Filing the Nook–Decorating Around Your Fireplace

May 5, 2016

DECORATING YOUR FIREPLACE NOOK

Elements of Style

You’ve seen them, those little nooks that sit next to a fireplace and sometimes hold built-in shelving. I’m a big fan of built-in shelving but sometimes builders skimp on the cost and effort of putting them in so a homeowner is left with an empty nook space to fill.

When Ikea came on the scene, bloggers and design enthusiast starting creating custom looking shelving with Billy Bookcases gave them the look of built-in but with a tremendous cost savings.

Laura Ramsey Furniture & Interior Design

Now, if you’re not a DIYer and you don’t want to go to the expense of hiring someone to build bookcases, there are some creative alternatives to filling those nooks that flank your fireplace.

♦ CREATE AN AREA TO SIT AND LOUNGE

I love window seats and this just might be the next best thing, a comfy upholstered banquet. What’s also great about this design option is the wall space that you’d have to hang a beautiful mirror or piece of artwork.

Roses and Rust

♦ ADD FLOATING SHELVES

Floating shelves will afford you the same function as a built-in bookcase but are much easier to install and they have a more organic feel to them. Using reclaimed wood for the shelves is also a great way to add charm to your decor. Ikea has lots of affordable floating shelf options but this one and this one are my favorites.

Blackband Design

♦ CREATE A WORKSPACE IN THE NOOK

Creating a desk or workspace within the nook is a great way to make this area functional. I love the idea of a wall unit that can be closed up and concealed when not in use, enhancing the visual appeal.

Better Homes and Gardens

♦ FILL THE NOOK WITH TABLES & DECOR

You can always fill the nook area with a piece of accent furniture like a demo-lune table, cabinet or console table. This look works great if you style is traditional and you like symmetry in your decor.

Better Homes and Gardens

♦ ANCHOR THE AREA WITH FREE-STANDING BOOKCASES

Free standing bookcases are always an option and provide great flexibility if you like to change-up your decor from time to time. This bookcase/cabinet combo is a great option and I love this glass front option.

Decor Pad

♦ HANG SOME ARTWORK

If wall space is limited in the room where you fireplace is, you might want to leave the nook area free of furniture and use the wall space to hang a collection of artwork.

Country Living

♦ ACCESSORIZE THE NOOK WITH FURNITURE & DECOR

My favorite approach to decorating the nook is to make a creative statement with a combination of furniture, art and decorative accessories.

Prepaganda

If you have bookshelves next to your fireplace or will be adding some to your decor, here are a few styling tips to keep in mind…

♥ Paint the back of your bookshelves to add a color pop and visual interest. Depending on the accessories you use, they might also pop better against a colorful backdrop.

♥ Use an eclectic mix of accessories for visual interest and to add personality to the room.

♥ Create visual depth by placing item front and back along each shelf and use items of different heights to create depth top to bottom.

♥ Arrange books vertically and horizontally to create movement for the eye to follow within the overall arrangement.

image via Dimples and Tangles

The fun part of decorating is to make the most of the space you have and putting your own spin on your decor.

Happy Decorating!

Makeover Madness with Velvet Finishes

May 3, 2016

What do you get when you pair a group of creative bloggers with the Velvet Finishes Paint line?

a Makeover Madness Blog Hop of course!

If you’re coming over from Pursuing Vintage, welcome. Didn’t you just love Kristen’s #makeovermadnessbloghop transformation? I sure did.

If you’re a regular follower of the blog, let me tell you a little about the Makeover Madness Blog Hop. Over the next two days, myself along with 10 other bloggers will be sharing some fantastic furniture and accessory makeovers using paint. Fellow blogger, Kellie Smith of Design Asylum happens to also own a really amazing paint line called Velvet Finishes and she graciously partnered with us and supplied each blogger with paint and products to complete their makeover.

I discovered Velvet Finishes a couple of years ago and painted a small accent table with it. I loved the product and how easy it was to transform my table so for this blog hop, I decided to tackle a couple more small pieces. After looking through the Velvet Finishes colors, I decided on Baroque and Handsome, a beautiful emerald green and a rich cardinal blue.

The first piece I transformed was this pretty umbrella stand that I picked up at an antique store for under $20. I loved the classic lines, the carved spindles on each corner and the brass catch tray. The minute I saw it, I knew it needed a bold color to really make it special.

The first step in painting this piece was to use Velvet Finishes READY to clean and prep the surface. All you have to do is spray READY on, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away. Your surface will be clean and ready for paint. I love this stuff!

Next I applied the paint (no priming needed–a big bonus in my book) using a good quality paint brush. One of the things I like most about Velvet Finishes is how smooth the paint goes on and how the brush strokes just disappear as the paint dries. It really makes painting a breeze.

Here’s my umbrella stand after a couple of coats of paint and the addition of a little brass ring handle I added to one side.

♦♦♦

Next I painted a vintage metal cart that I found at a thrift store a couple of years ago for only $8.00. When I originally purchased the piece, it looked like this …

and then I painted it gold.

Since my current color crush is emerald green and blue, I decided to give the cart another makeover using Velvet Finishes Baroque. The cart turned out so great and I am head-over-heels with the piece now. FYI, it took 2 coats of paint to fully cover the gold.

What a transformation!

{wood casters are original to the cart}

{you can find the tutorial for my DIY ice bucket here}

{black glass handles from hobby lobby}

The last piece I painted was an accessory for the bar cart. I found a wine bottle holder at Goodwill for a couple of bucks and painted it in Handsome which matched my other blue accessories perfectly. You can see the bottle holder on the bottom shelf of the bar cart. It’s a simple piece but in a vibrant color, it has so much more style. I may add these brass corner guards later to UpStyle it even more.

I have one more piece I painted using Velvet Finishes but I’ll save that to share with you another day. Also, I wanted to tell you that as a finish coat on my pieces, I used Velvet Finish PROTECT product. PROTECT is a specially formulated, commercial grade, non-yellowing satin polyacrylic which further seals the paint and gives the finish a bit of a shine. It’s just as easy to apply as the paint and dries quickly.

If you’ve never tried Velvet Finishes before, I highly recommend you give it a try. Their claim to fame is… ‘The NO sand, NO prime, NO chalk, NO wax furniture paint formula that will rock your world’ and I have to tell you the paint lives up to those claims in every way. It’s super easy to use and you’ll end up with a really beautiful finish on any piece you paint. I’m thrilled with my transformations.

♦♦♦

Next up on the blog hop is Amy Howard Social. Head over to Amy’s blog and check out her paint project, you’re going to love it.

And don’t forget to stop by the other bloggers on the #makeovermadnessbloghop and follow the hashtag on Instagram:

Tuesday, 5/3

Love Your Abode

Pursuing Vintage

Disclosure: I received paint and other products from Velvet Finishes for this project. All words and opinions are my own. I only partner with brands I respect and would purchase from myself.

CLOTH NAPKIN PILLOW COVERS

top--WORLD MARKET: Anita Napkin // Succulent Napkin // Pink Pip Floral Napkin // Foil Geometric Sheila Napkins

middle--Anthropologies: Caicos Napkin // Fellina Napkin–orange // Fellina Napkin–blue

bottom--TARGET: Dot Napkin // Geometric Decorative Napkin // Indigo Print Napkins

♦ THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS ♦

House Beautiful

via Sherwin Williams

cococozy

the hunted interior

♦♦♦

SHOP SWITCH PLATE COVERS

p.s. you can see all of the room from the featured bloggers here and the guest participants here.

My Favorites:

Claire Brody Designs: My favorite details are the furnishings, the fireplace and the beauty of those white walls.

Design Manifest: This kitchen space went from ho-hum to incredibly chic. I love the bar stools, the lighting and the cabinet door detail.

The Makerista: The wood paneling and trim detail on the walls in this man cave is amazing. And I love the subtle color palette.

My Sweet Savannah: Now this is the way to update a dated bathroom. My favorite details are the glass front cabinets, the vanity mirror, the chandelier, the cabinet pulls, the roman shades….ok, I love it all.

Jill Sorensen: Jill had me at the black, yellow and pop of color so used for the master bedroom. I especially love the gorgeous headboard, the window treatments and the stools in front of the sofa.

My Favorites:

Dimples and Tangles: Jennifer knocked it out of the park with the painted buffalo check wall in her powder room. And you definitely want to check out the wall moulding, the pink door and the acrylic hardware.

Always Rad: I’m so glad I discovered this blog through the ORC. This kitchen transformation is truly gorgeous and I want that banquet eating area and those lighter over the island.

Simple Details: If you love an eclectic mix like I do, you’re going to love this living room. I was really excited to see the coffee table since my mom owns that same table. p.s. take note of the amazing accessories and styling.

Amanda Louise Interiors: This is another new to me blog and after seeing this makeover I’m a big fan. I love the transformation of the TV wall and the over mix of furniture and accessories.

The Crowned Goat: I’m a big fan of office spaces that function well and look good too. This space is ideal of blogging, bills and creativity. I love the styling on the bookcases and rustic chic details throughout.

via Glitter Guide

via Every Last Detail

♦♦♦

FAVORITE POSTS

♦♦♦

FAVORITE PINS

via My Domaine

via 100 Layer Cake

♦♦♦

FAVORITE PRODUCTS

♦♦♦

DECORATING YOUR FIREPLACE NOOK

♦ CREATE AN AREA TO SIT AND LOUNGE

♦ ADD FLOATING SHELVES

♦ CREATE A WORKSPACE IN THE NOOK

♦ FILL THE NOOK WITH TABLES & DECOR

♦ ANCHOR THE AREA WITH FREE-STANDING BOOKCASES

♦ HANG SOME ARTWORK

♦ ACCESSORIZE THE NOOK WITH FURNITURE & DECOR

image via Dimples and Tangles

What do you get when you pair a group of creative bloggers with the Velvet Finishes Paint line?

a Makeover Madness Blog Hop of course!

♦♦♦

{wood casters are original to the cart}

{you can find the tutorial for my DIY ice bucket here}

{black glass handles from hobby lobby}

♦♦♦

Tuesday, 5/3

ConfettiStyle

Wednesday, 5/4:

Disclosure: I received paint and other products from Velvet Finishes for this project. All words and opinions are my own. I only partner with brands I respect and would purchase from myself.