Nate Berkus for Calico Corners

It's no secret that I love Nate Berkus.

In fact, I love him so much it makes me question my notion that I prefer feminine spaces.  I love his brand of eclectic, traveled, masculine interiors, and of course the way he makes it seem so chic and effortless.  Oh, this old thing?

(Except of course he would never say that, because he is unabashedly enthusiastic about design, which is so much better than nonchalance, faux or real, don't you think?)

I say this as if we know each other. As if we were friends, or something.  The internet--or maybe all of modern life?--is funny that way.

Anyway.

I loved his collection for Target, and lo and behold, I wandered in to Calico Corners today to see what was new, and I'll tell you, I swooned for his collection.

I wanted it all.  And I could actually afford some of it.

Calico did a good job of showing it off, too.  Love the choice of this organic, almost-animal print cotton on a fancy chair.

Sadly, while I LOVE the color palette, it is just a little off for my current house.  (Love this ikat spot for this chair, but sadly the hue is too plummy.)

Anyone want me to come use a bunch of these textiles at your house?

Say yes.

See the entire collection here, though I will tell you, they are so much better in person.

Making the best of what you have: the entry

Let me ask you something.

So you use events in your home as a motivator/ deadline for completing projects?   For as long as I can remember, there has been no better way to accomplish projects than planning to have people over.  Need to paint the living room?  Schedule a game night.  Time to stain the deck?  How about hosting a barbeque?

We had a little tree trimming party this weekend, and it was no exception.  Most of the projects were not particularly pretty.  We decided to include ping pong in the festivities, which meant letting people in the basement, which meant reorganizing the storage, utility, AND project areas down there.  I did manage to accomplish one little project that I can show you.

Remember my little entryway transformation?  I used a hand-me down church pew, gifted poufs, and art and accessories I had on hand to create an inviting vignette in the entryway.  Only problem: the pillow was really too small.

I happened to have a yard of fabric from the Iman line at Calico Corner's that I got for less than $10 (bolt-end special) and planned at one point to use in this living room.  When the color palette changed just a bit over there, I kept it for myself.

I love the larger scale, the way the fabric has a sort of "grain," like the old wood, the stripe and ikat mix, and that it picks up most of the colors from my "whole-house color palette":  The green from the living room, office, and master bedroom; blue from the dining chairs; raspberry from the guest and girls' rooms, and a hit of bright yellow, a color found in very small doses just about everywhere.  (That yellow is also really textural, like a boucle.  It's cool.)

I will say, Dave thought it was a funny project to take on when there was food to make and floors to scrub, but it made me so happy that this was the first thing guests saw when coming into our home.

So, fess up.  Ever scheduled an event for the major purpose of getting something done in your house?

Great fabric deals!

Calico Corners is selling closeout fabrics for $9.99/yard.  No samples, no backsies, so you have to be sure.

Here are my favorites:

Baroda Tarnished Silver


Beads Jelly Bean


Sagar Raspberry (we know how much I love raspberry!)


Syracuse Leaf (makes me think of Olli's room)


Aviary Blossom


Belfast Turquoise


Theodora Blush


Modesto Arbor


Good stuff, I tell you!  Check out the full lot of choices here.

Happy project planning!

Accidentally On-Trend

I saw this story on Apartment Therapy a few days ago.

Trying on a Trend: Green and Orange Rooms.

Guess what I've got going on in the living room? You guessed it: green and orange. (Okay, and red and blue and brown and white and black and gold. Did you ever watch that show Find Your Style on HGTV? I loved it--except I could never understand how anyone could build a room using only 4 elements.)

I wouldn't have chosen green and orange, but I had the rug, and I had the chair, and I ran ot of budget before I had it recovered, so I'm embracing the combo.

My new fabrics just arrived, and I'm excited to get to work finishing things up in there.



Well, not finishing-finishing, but, you know, completing the next step.

Speaking of Calico Corners

Just got this card advertising another 20% off sale.

I have to say, I love the fabrics they used here--kind of unexpected for them. While it's not a palette I'm normally drawn to, I'm into it. Especially those zebra ottomans, of course, and the large check in pale blue on the couch cushions.

Hey--is it helpful when I share sale info? Or is it annoying? I figure helpful, which is why i pass it along, but if it's annoying just say the word....