Buying Local

And I'm not talking produce here people...

Believe me I have nothing against Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, etc. But, if you scour your neighborhood you can find some beautiful boutiques that carry amazing pieces for your home.

What's great about buying from your local boutique is they put a lot of research and thought into the items they carry. They know their customer and what sells in their area. So, these local  boutiques are practically decorating our houses for us!

I popped into Valley Forge Flowers today to pick up a gardenia for a project that I am working on (side note...let's not forget about these beauties not only are gardenias stunning they smell amazing). 

Valley Forge Flowers carries some of my favorite art pieces from Sugarboo Designs. I am currently using several of these pieces in a nursery and a kitchen that I am decorating.  I love what they say and their beautiful artistry. This is my current fave...

But here are some others I found in the store...

Or, you can check out the Sugarboo Designs website and Valley Forge Flowers can order your favorite piece.

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"I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket".  Oh, sorry, I just can't get that song out of my head today. But let's just say I only had twenty dollars in my pocket and wanted to get a great hostess gift. Check these out for only $5 a piece.

Buy a set of four add a tea light or pop in a flower/succulent and you have the perfect hostess gift!  Besides, succulents are so "hot" right now.

Look what else I found at VFF. Now, how cool are these?

They are disposable, 100% cotton napkins. You can check out their website here. They are available on perforated rolls and are washable. I know, crazy right? They come in several different sizes and patterns and they feel like cotton fabric.



The neon orange would be great for a cocktail party. The hot pink gingham? perfect for a little girls party or  even your Easter table. 

Last but not least - how 'bout this guy? An ivy covered Easter Bunny. What will they think of next? I will be giving him to the gal hosting Easter dinner this year. I can't wait to see him surrounded by purple and yellow pansies.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out your local boutiques. Hope to make "buying local" a regular feature in my posts. Until next time....

If you like what you see contact me at kraussteph@yahoo.com. Together we will make your home a beautiful space!

My Design Work

Oh good, you're back! Remember this situation?

Let's circle back to the new elements. In every design I try my best to re-purpose, reuse and recycle but there are times when you need to add a new element or two to finish off a room.

I have L O V E D this  hummingbird and vine pattern since it appeared here in elle decor June 2010.

Had to have it. It's by Cole & Son and you can find it here.

I chose the wallpaper because my chairs were mostly hard surface wood-based. Not enough impact and I wanted to surround myself in this wallpaper. Every time I pass it by it just makes me smile -- it's so cheery and the birds? well, they're just so happy. Afraid of wallpaper? Not a problem. Frame it. As done here in an office designed by Vanessa De Vergas.  

Trust me you will love it.



The new head chairs were found for an absolute steal at the Restoration Hardware outlet. I could not pass them by. And that's all I'll say about that. Well, I'll also say they're so versatile these chairs can go just about anywhere in my home which in my book is a justifiable purchase.




 




Mirror. There was a time I was obsessed with Trumeau mirrors. Now not so much but I still think they are so beautiful.  It looked like this at one point. Kinda drab, no?

So guess what? Yep, you nailed it, I painted that mirror. And here it is in its all its glorious frenchy self. Mirror was purchased right here LOCAL at Domicile. 

I've received a few emails regarding the orange and green floral arrangement that appears in practically every picture.

That arrangement is like my own elf on the shelf I move him around practically every night from room to room. Why? because I adore that arrangement. It may be time for a new bowl/vessel but for now I'm making it work. I had this piece designed by the amazing LOCAL floral designers at Valley Forge Flowers about eight years ago and it is still in fabulous shape.

Ok, I know you are all on pins and needles waiting to hear the focus of my next post. Next time we'll discuss ... BUYING LOCAL!!! And I'm not talking produce here people.

If you like what you see email me at kraussteph@yahoo.com and we will make your home beautiful together!

P.S. Hope to see all you locals tonight at the St. Katharine of Siena Fashion Show at Overbrook Golf Club starting at 6:30 pm or for the shopping event going on all day today.

Fashions by another amazing LOCAL boutique Skirt.  It's just a great way to kick off the spring shopping season! 

Until next time...

My first post ... Hello? ... Anyone? ... Bueller, Bueller?

I used to be a magazine publisher so this should be super easy to write, right? Guess what .... it turns out I'm pretty rusty after ten years (ok, more like twelve years).

So I promise to post a lot of stunning pictures, design resources and helpful tips and tricks that I've learned along the way.

The goal for my design firm and this blog is to use what we have to make our homes more beautiful and functional. And buy new only when we need to freshen up or modernize our space. So let's get started with the below example shall we?

Here is dining room "set" in question. I've had it for-evah. Want a new one. Not gonna happen -- so let's try and freshen up the space around it with new accessories and wallpaper.
Here is the before...

And the after....

Same dining set with chairs reupholstered in blue velvet and orange piping. The fabric came from my local fabric store Aubusson Home  www.aubussonhome.com.

Lamps came from the guest room. The lamp bases used to be green (I think) and I spray painted them high gloss white. The old dining room lamps you ask? now live in my husband's office in the basement.

The chandelier and sconces used to be a lovely shade of builders grade brass that too was painted white. I swear I'll paint anything that doesn't move.

Same Restoration Hardware curtains just tied back (it's been so long curtains discontinued). Sometimes I tame them back and sometimes I just let them flow depending on my mood:)

The brown wood mirror from the old dining room now resides in my oldest son's room.

In my next post if you are still reading this or even dare to come back we'll chat about the three new elements I added chairs, mirror and wallpaper. More glorious pictures to come...

If you like what you see contact me at kraussteph@yahoo.com. Together we will make it work!