Feast Your Eyes on This -- I'm Just Green With Envy!

Those lamps

That wall color

This wallpaper

These rugs

images above via pinterest

I picked one element in the above rooms that I adore,  but they can be big ticket items.

So on that note ... here are my top five most-adored accessories that you can add to any room that will make an impact, look fantastic and not cost a lot of money or time! 

Here we go...

#1 

Call me tra-zy!

West Elm trays are my go-to's because they're inexpensive and big. I like big trays and I can not lie, so if I want to add texture to a room I use the raffia version below.

West Elm


When I need to add a pop of color it also comes in this great orange.

West Elm

Furbish

Jill Rosenwald

#2 

It's aint a party unless your wearing ...  a fabulous lampshade.

A quick way to update a room is to change out your lampshades.  You could add a large, plain drum shade like this.



Restoration Hardware

Or why not get all funky and stuff and add one of these



Shades of Light

Shades of Light

here



Shades of Light

#3

Flowers, Branches and Greens ... oh my!

Live and fresh is best for your table.

But, if you don't feel like buying fresh every week they make great preserved boxwoods that you can buy.

Restoration Hardware

#4

What the What?

Kelly Wearstler

West Elm

Furbish

here


These are little doo dads that are usually small in scale and just add interest and fun. They serve no real purpose but they add a little somethin-somethin to your table/ottoman/bookcase.

#5 

Read about it!

Coffee table books. These are my favorites...

here

here

here

Now that you have all of this stuff what are you supposed to do with it?

Well silly, if I told you that what would you need me for?:)

Until next time!

If you've been reading this blog since its inception, you know I have no problem with words. I am however totally speechless over the senseless tragedy that occurred in Boston. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and the far-reaching impact this tragedy has had over all of us who have been watching this unbearable act unfold.

I just planned your next girls night out!

Guess where I went that you NEED to go?

Nope, not a chair convention.

Terrain

It's a quick drive to Terrain in Glen Mills, PA and for those of you who don't know Terrain is a home and garden store owned by Urban Outfitters. As soon as you walk in you get that Anthropologie-Urban-Outfittery-vibe.  It's a cool place to shop, have lunch and get inspired. The cool factor can not be overstated here.

Here's a few things that caught my eye

here

here

here

Before I continue... how about a quick test?  
Get out your #2 sharpened pencils.

Peonies. Real or fake?

Ranunculus. Real or fake?

Obviously,  that was a total setup. Both fake. They look convincingly real in person. Don't be surprised when you visit and my table is sporting a bouquet of peonies and ranunculus. 

And, don't even try and call me out on it!!:) 

Hmmmm...thought I could reproduce this one with some twigs and branches, yes? no?

Could I re-create this hot little number for summer?

No? You're probably right, but what if I have a trick up my sleeve?

Like these....

faux succulents

I was scared to even glance at this live topiary . With my black thumb it may die on the spot, but she was a beauty.

And if that's not enough, they have this...

The best little cafe/restaurant.

There are only two of these stores in the whole US of A - and we are lucky enough to live near one. So what are you gals waiting for? Call some friends and make it a date for this weekend! 

If you don't live near here check out Terrain's website here.

New to me!

I spotted these. It was like Christmas morn' all over again. These are the highly coveted Knoll Wassily Chairs that sell for about $2300 each.

They are at Velvet Shoestrings right now for $764 per chair ... that's just crazy talk.

Haven't been to Velvet Shoestrings yet? Well its a consignment shop that excepts only high-quality, stylish,  pre-owned furniture and accessories. You can check out their website here.

Before you go --look around your house for accessories and furnishings your not using or just plain tired of. Bring the items to the store and they will give you a price and explain their pricing policy to you. 

Here's a tip --do some research ahead of time and determine how much you are willing to accept for the piece or how much it's worth to you and write it down so you are prepared when you go in!

I'd like to hear from you ...what do you do with your old accessories and furniture pieces?? Do you store them, give them way, or sell them on craig's list or at a consignment shop?

Happy selling ... until next time!

Let's get it started in here



source

source

 

Phoebe Howard

Now onto my latest obsession

sorry for fold in sample

Designers Guild

Grasscloth? Still love it but my new crush is crocodile wallpaper. Crikey! It's just so modern and fresh. Love it against the white trim. I would rough it up a bit and surround it with lots of crazy texture in my furniture and accessories.

Do you know what else I'm loving about it? It's wipeable. Yep, take that paw prints, magic markers and dirty, grimy hands!

You can find this at Aubusson Home in Wayne. It's simply spectacular.

Or, wait ... how about this one in your library with lacquered trim? 

Schumacher. I die.

Or this one...

Lonny Magazine

OK, Must stop myself. But this brings me to a question a reader had for me this week.

"When I want to redesign a room or freshen it up... where do I start?"

In my opinion, start with something you absolutely love and feel like you can't live without like crocodile wallpaper or ...

Art

Carolinezhurley.com

Fabric

Timorous Beasties Fabric - London Toile

 

Rug (this is the easiest place to start)

 

 

1stdibs.com

It's going to be different for everyone. Or even use a picture of a room that you love for inspiration.

Then develop a plan from there. Ask yourself:

What do I own already that will work with this?

How will it relate to surrounding rooms?

What do I need to purchase to pull it all together?

Have a final picture and a vision. Don't go willy nilly into it or you will find yourself really stuck.

For example, for my dining room redesign I fell in love with a fabric years ago that appeared in Cynthia Rowley's home.

Instead of using it as a fabric I chose to use the wallpaper so I could make it my own design.

 Cole & Sons Wallpaper

Also, to make my basically traditional room feel more modern I'm planning on adding a more contemporary rug, art and accessories. I just haven't gotten there yet... but I do have a vision ... I swear people!! And life gets in the way my friends. But I couldn't be happier with my jumping off point and I'll be honest I will always LOVE the hunt.

If you've started to refresh your own home and find yourself stuck and can't seem to pull it all together our good friends at Aubusson Home could help connect you with that magical fabric that will make it work. Or, there are lots of other sources in this area: Calico Corners, Pryors. etc. Not to mention the gazillion places on the internet.

Here's another tip when your out there searching for the right pieces/fabric for your design make sure you keep pictures of your room on your phone so you can refer back to it when shopping.

Still not sure where to go with your room? This is where you may need the help of a friend with a pair of fresh eyes to step in or even a quick consultation with a designer (really am not trying to promote myself here). But someone who can help you achieve the look you want so that you will enjoy your space to it's fullest.

Anyway, I hope I have answered your question. But, don't worry I will be exploring more resources in the near future for all of you 

do-it-yourselfers out there!

If you would like help in a redesign project or a second opinion on your design choices contact me at kraussteph@yahoo.com.

Guess who I was hobnobbing with?

 



Rue



Anna Spiro

House of Turquoise

 

 

 Photos brought to you by this spring weather:)

 

 

So I wanted to do some client shopping and I popped over to Hob Nob Home in Wayne.

Found lots of goodies that I wanted to share with you. Not to mention everything is on sale ... and who doesn't love a sale? 

Here's what went down...

Oh, for the love of lacquer!

White lacquer mirror - perfect for above a console $562


For my mudroom

Love the pop of orange! mirror $329

For when Morris Day comes to visit

I will already have the "Time" - remember that group/song?, no?

(sorry I'm a HUGE Purple Rain/Prince fan)

Instead of the overly done x-benches

(hey, I'm guilty too)

For the basement or kids room

Why not spray-paint these a fun color ... hot pink or bright blue?

 $28.75 each

I'd style this tray as a bar cart with pretty glasses and lots of liquor!

$400

A chalkboard for my kitchen so we could leave each
other love notes:)

$247.50

For my shore house or guest bedroom



Each framed seagull print is only $12.75. You could buy all nine and group them together above a bed or table in a beach house/guest room for less than $115

And for when I just feel like horsin' around

 You can check out their website for more details here.

Random Thoughts

This is what I normally use

You can buy it here.

But lately, I'm thinking I need something stronger than tinted moisturizer for my aging skin:) Plus, I'm always losing it... leaving it at the shore ... throwing it under my sink and never can seem to find it when I need it. So, I finally learned to always have a drugstore backup. This is what I use when I can't find the above...



You can buy it here.

Works REALLY well - may even provide better coverage than the above. And just a dab will do (just like we learned in kindergarten). 

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for me on a new foundation/tinted moisturizer? My aging skin will thank you!!

Just inbox me and I will share with my readers!!

P.S. Don't forget to like my page on facebook and sign up to receive my blog via email on this page on the upper right hand side! Enjoy the weather!!