Wallpapered Closets

Thom Filicia

How gorgeous are those wallpapered doors?  Definitely a maximalist space, but I love the effect.

I have a client with a tiny bedroom but a huge wall of closets dominating the main wall--the wall you see when entering the room. The fix? Turn them into a feature. We chose a modern wallpaper and hardware to soften more traditional door moldings and the results are awesome. I'll hopefully share photos when the room is complete.

In the meantime, this gives you an idea:

Source: dreamitbuilditstyleit.blogspot.com via Tahirah on Pinterest

Source: theenchantedhome.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Wallpaper can work the opposite way, too.  If you want your doors to disappear, rather than stand out, try covering them in the same paper as the walls.

Source: fromtherightbank.com via Heather on Pinterest

In this fantastic room, even the closet molding is wallpapered in that sort of animal print pattern.

Source: mydesignchic.com via Heather on Pinterest

To turn doors into a piece of art, murals work nicely, don't you think?

Source: gallery.apartmenttherapy.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: lookbook.elledecor.com via Heather on Pinterest

Wallpaper has been "back" for a while now, it's fun to see it used in such fun ways!

New Summer Bedding

Why hello there!

It was crazy town for a while there, with the 4th of July, two birthdays and two birthday parties in the span of 6 days.  Yes, my girls are four days apart (well, 2 years and four days), and it means that the beginning of July just sort of disappears off the map around here.  But I'm catching my breath.

Remember my little round up of summer whites?  I was so glad to find "the look for less" at Home Goods.

(Taking up the rug has made room for much larger train set ups).

I am really suspicious about Home Goods, and I usually don't get a cart until I have found what I am looking for.  Every time I am so presumptious as to grab a cart coming in the door, I strike out.  So, naturally, proceeding cartless meant there were 4 separate options of pairs of white twin quilts that I had piled all over the floor.  All at $29 per quilt--a lot better than my favorite from Pottery Barn!

I mixed in some chartreuse striped pillow cases from Ikea.  bought 'em for a client because I loved the button detail, but they are super sweet in here!

How's this for real-life shooting.  Do you see my daughter's hoarded stash by her bed?  Dollars, mini flags from the 4th--there's no telling WHAT you will find down there.

Now I find myself thinking about summer slipcovers for the headboards....it never seems to end.

Sew what?

Yesterday I got the day to myself.

My kids went off to an amusement park with their cousins, my husband went off to watch the soccer with my  dad, and I retreated into the icy cold basement for a day of sewing.

That's right, I got a day to myself and I spent it sewing.  In my pajamas.  Listening to the radio.  It was kind of bliss.



I finally actually made the pillow cover for this long lumber pillow in the guest room.  (I was cheating when I showed it to you here.)  You can see I basically just made an extra-long pillow case, with just one seam on the bottom and an open side.  I was going to affix ties or buttons, but this is working just fine.

And I'm loving the big euro square with a bold patterned front and a ticking back.  

Ticking is just one of those things I can't get enough of (along with spindle chairs and linen cafe curtains, it's that little bit of cottage style in me!)  The zipper foot doesn't work on my sewing machine, so instead of a welt I decided to do a flat trim.  I cut 2-inch-wide strips of the ticking on the bias, sewed them together, and pressed them in half.  Then came the geometry problem: how to make the pleated corners I was looking for, in reverse in order to accommodate flipping them right-side out after sewing.  I swear I spent half the day puzzling over this (the internet was down, therefore no tutorials), and while the result is not perfect, I am plenty happy with it.

Pretty, right?

These two new pillows will take turns living on this bed: stripes in the winter, euro square in the summer.  It was jut easier to photograph them together.

Next up: sink skirts for the girl's bathroom.  I got halfway done and had a better idea about a little detail, so I may need to take them apart before moving forward.

Small Measures

Source: bitchycrocker.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

Need a dose of good cheer? Skirt a sink in the most colorful fabric you can find.

Philosophy

I often find myself telling clients that if it looks deliberate, purposeful, it will work.

I love having my assumptions upended; do you?

I'm reading a really wonderful book right now, and a small exchange stopped me in my tracks.

The book is called The Night Circus, and there is, indeed, a circus that happens only at night.

At a party, the founder of the circus is lauding the talents of his designers, sisters who finish one another's sentences.  "They are brilliant with atmosphere," he remarks. "Both of them absolutely brilliant."

"The trick is to make it seem as though none of it is purposeful," Lainie whispers, "to make the artificial feel natural."

"To tie all the elements together," Tara finishes.

It feels like magazines are always applauding careful spaces that appear "effortless," and this makes me wonder: is it allowing the purpose to show through, or concealing it, that achieves the desired effect?

Discuss.

Summer Bedding

Elle Decor

For some reason, this year more than ever I have stripped back my house a bit to welcome summer.  We pulled up rugs in the girls' room and kitchen,  switched to white pillows in the guest room, and lightened up the throw pillows in the living room, not to mention my $7.99 makeover in the master bedroom.

All of that used what I had or required very little money.

As the heat rises, it became clear we need to make one functional change: summer bedding in the girls' room.    We have duvets on their twin beds, with plain white covers.  Too often, they complain of being too hot and unable to fall asleep, taking off PJs and pushing covers back, only to wake up in the night, too cold.


Better Homes and Gardens

So I went looking for lightweight summer quilts or matelasse, in white.  I was surprised to find that everything was over my budget (but then, my budget was "as close to zero dollars as possible.")  the good news is, there are tons of options, and lots of sales.

My favorites:

Diamante matelasse, $94.99 for twin (or similar at Overstock for $74.99)




A modern update on the above, with concentric diamond pattern, $59.99 for twin set


A modern Geometric from Trina Turk, $99.99 for twin coverlet



stone-washed starburst, $99 for twin coverlet



My personal favorite, the pick-stitch quilt (I LOVE anything pick-stitched.)  $119 for twin coverlet.



If you like a traditional floral motif in your summer weight quilts, try these:

Matelasse, $89 for twin coverelt


A geometric floral on sale for $59



With scalloped edges, sale price $79.99 less 15% (through July 4)

And finally, a super Budget friendly option, just $30 for a twin!

Do you switch out bedding in the summer?  Do you like to go just white?  I'll show you what I picked and how I layered it later in the week.

Small Measures

Source: haphazardlyhappy.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

when framed as a panel, wallpaper becomes more wallet- and DIY-friendly. Small measure, Big impact.