DIY Project

I wanted to share a fairly simple DIY (with the help of a friend) project I just finished. I had this empty space under my counter top reserved for a dishwasher but since I'm a renter I'm certainly not investing in a dishwasher. My husband and I had rigged the front panel with hinges and had been using it as a garbage/recycling spot. But after purchasing a used washer/dryer (worth investing in!) I had to rearrange several storage spots in my apartment for things that used to live in the W/D closet. One relocation was the litter box for our foster cat, Stuart. I decided to put it under the counter next to the garbage but then I had to keep the "door" open all the time. I needed a fabric panel so Stu could help himself.

First stop, Fabric.com! An awesome site! They have tons of great fabric at discount prices. Some of my favorites are the Amy Butler fabrics:

She also has super cute patterns for bags, pillows, hats, aprons and more! Makes me want to take sewing lessons!

So I chose a fabric that I thought would compliment the tones of my cabinets and coordinated with a stripe on my rug.

Next stop, sewing machine! Ok, so the last time I actually sewed something was about 12 years ago. I made an apron that had teddy bears on it. Of course my mother helped me and the apron was so cute once completed with the exception of one minor detail, the teddy bears were upside-down!! (An over-site I blame my mother for! And she found it quite amusing.) Anyway, I still wore it and we even made a matching bow-tie for my teddy bear, Bubba. So what's my point, sewing is not one of my talents! So I recruited a friend with a sewing machine and some basic skills. A few days later I had my curtain! Check out the Before and After:

So much better! Stuart is also very pleased with the convenience.

Shower curtain for under $5?!

A shower curtain at Pottery Barn for only $4.99? Unheard of!

My only complaint is that it's vinyl- (I'd rather have a fabric shower curtain) but beggers can't be choosers!

Its considerably low price tag and fun contemporary chainlink pattern caught my eye. I especially love the grey and orange ones (however, these colors are no longer available online)

You really can't beat a price like this.

Have a kid who is going to college in the fall and don't want to spend a fortune on a nice curtain? Pack one of these up with him or her to spice up an otherwise dreary dorm bathroom.

Ethan Allen Revamp?

Is it just me or did Ethan Allen revamp their whole website/image? If so, I like it!

It has a much "flashier" flash website than I remember!

I Spy!: Ethan Allen bed in a recent issue of House Beautiful.

Need Help, In The Bedroom!

No, not THAT kind of help!! Decorating help! I know what most of you are thinking; "a designer needs help designing?", but the truth is many of us are good at making decisions for our clients but not for ourselves. I've found that when it comes to my bedroom I just can't commit!

So I've gone back to the drawing board and wanted to share some images of bedrooms that I like. While I find the first two quite relaxing and peaceful I have a feeling my hubby will nix them for being too feminine.

I like how dark and romantic this one is but I think it could make it even more difficult to get out of bed every morning.

So this one seems like a nice combination of romance and fun with the dark walls and red accents. But my instincts tell me the husband would still not approve.

OK, so what about this color palette? A nice mix of the relaxing light blues from above, neutral fabrics that aren't too feminine, and some accents of dark turquoise and red. I could work with this and clearly I have a thing for blue!

And my final option (for you, dear husband) neutral gray-blue walls and a pop of something on the bed! The wall color is masculine while the bedding has a more feminine touch without being too girly.

So enough of this floundering, let's make up our minds and get to work in the bedroom! (I know he won't argue with that!)

Photos courtesy of Domino and Apartment Therapy.

The Fabric Fairies!

Pixie Dust Decor, a children's decor design studio, wins our vote for cutest children's fabric by the yard and not to mention, has the most adorable company name!

Ever so stylish, their patterns are fun and colorful- fabrics that both kids AND moms can appreciate.

Decorating the nursery and wishing for a modern chinoiserie fabric for your baby's room? No problem! They've got you covered. Can choose between aqua or lime Pagoda print....

Next step, pair it with their coordinating Aqua Lattice fabric

And voila!

Need something a bit more girly? A sophisticated brown and pink color palette is something your tot can definitely grow into.

Pair this vintage looking pattern above with this classic stripe....and you've got one chic nursery

They even have a fabric called Chateau Charlotte- a charming scene of a French country house.

Coupled with this striped fabric below...tres magnifique!

An added bonus- all of their fabrics are only $19/yard and they also have a Custom Shop where you can create until your heart's content!

Ghost vs. Vapor Chair

I have been lusting after the Ghost chair for as long as I can remember...I know, I am still going on about the Ghost chair! But it really is the perfect piece of furniture when you don't want to add a ton of color or pattern to a room and also comes in handy when you need to create the illusion of more space (but need a lot of chairs!) I love to use them as dining chairs, desk chairs, or even vanity chairs! They are great juxtaposed against a heavier element like a wood table or even a mirrored piece.

CB2 just came out with their version of the Ghost chair called the Vapor chair. Acrylic with a steel frame, this chair is listed at $179...



compared to the Louis Ghost Armchair's $410.


Or even the Victoria Ghost Side Chair- at $330



Do you think they are comparable? Would you spend the extra few hundred to invest in a classic ghost chair from DWR or be a recessionista and go with the less expensive CB2 version?

Tall lamp shades- a do or a don't?

Divine Fabrics That Make Me Swoon

With studios in London, Belgium, and the South of France one would imagine artist, Carolyn Quartermaine, to experience many daily inspirations for her textile line.  Ahhh, I am sure that I could too.
The names alone make you sense and feel the patterns...The Fresh Collection..The Flowers Collection...The Script Collection, and the Modern Lace Collection.
Her four amazing collections encompass all that one could desire in the world of hand printed fabric designs created on a wide variety of grounds ranging from silk taffeta's, rich crushed velvets, and clean crisp cottons.
Oh.... the opulent and exquisite textiles of Carolyn Quartermaine!!  Is it possible to envision yourself in a home constructed entirely of fabric?  Sorta like some never-ending tent or cabana?  If this multi layered home could be constructed using the designs created by this 2008 "Maison Et Objet" designer of the year, I might just sign up.

I Could Seriously Use Some Color Here...

With the holidays over and out and the scrambling to remember the incredible and crazy things that have happened over the last month, I could use a real dose of color while contemplating the next 4 months of winter here in the heartland.  Always rejuvenated by elements of design, my desire to get out of Dodge was put on hold while viewing this colorful NYC entryway painted white but illuminated by tinted lights in the home of style maven, Cynthia Rowley, courtesy of Elle Decor.
From the top of the 2009 Design Trend Forecast featuring Paris' bi-annual home furnishings trade show, The "Maison Et Objet,"a modern patchwork Hay's felt rug could not be more colorful and reminds me of a bunch of gum balls.  A whole lotta sunshine for a winters floor.  More on these top trends featured on Point Click.
And, just around the middle of February, when the gloom and gray really get to you, imagine this "Print" 3 seat sofa by Marcel Wanders for Moroso of Italy.  Winter might not seem like such a long season after all?!

A New Contest for a New Year!

Do you think you have the world's ugliest bathroom?  I want you to prove it!  

For this month's Material Girls Design Challenge, I will be re-designing the lucky reader's bathroom that I deem the ugliest in the land!  Mauve toilet?  Peeling wallpaper?  Carpet?!  I want to see what monstrosity you have been living with for probably waaaaay too long.

To enter the contest please email me, Lauren, with the following (please submit by 1.31.09):

**At least 4 images of all angles of the bathroom.

**Detailed room dimensions including the center-line of your sink(s) and toilet (please feel free to email me if you have questions).

**A few inspiration pictures of bathrooms that you adore so I can get a feel for your style.

After the first fifty entries or the last day of the month (whichever comes first), we will post a note on our blog that the giveaway submittal window has ended.

Here is a reminder of our contest calendar:

1st- Challenge announced

15th- Previous challenge winner announced on our blog as well as the solution to the challenge

Last day of the month- All entrants must be emailed to the designer who is taking on that month's challenge.

We're talking free design people, I want see those ugly bathrooms!