Bright Ideas

I found this pendant last summer when I was working on the project in NYC. My client has a round stairway that is fully enclosed, I thought the shadows of the words on the wall would be awesome.

 I also thought someone with good handwriting could give this one a DIY try.

I have been a long time fan of the DWR Random Pendant

Several months ago I gave an unsuccessful shot at creating my own knock off version.

Jen did a much better job. See her tips here. I may give it another go.

I am aaaamazed by how simple Ashley makes this Anthro knock off look.

How fun are these DIY Warhol Pendants?

And when I read this fixture was made out of a paper lantern and coffee filters I almost died.

Amazing!!

Inspired to make something yet? I am

The Nursery: Chapter 5 {crib sheets are easy}

Attention anyone who can turn on a sewing machine. You can sew your own crib sheets! This was such an easy project. I got the idea from this tutorial but then as usual, went rogue. A couple of weeks ago I found this Robert Kaufman fabric for 40% off at a local fabric store. I thought it be fun with the rug, so I bought several yards.

Step One: I laid the mattress over the fabric, left the full width and cut the top and bottom to match. Then I pinned the corners together and sewed. We went with a foam mattress, which is super light, and made this part of the project very easy.

Step Two: Once I had the fabric squared up on the mattress, I did a zig-zag stitch around the raw edges. I do not have a surger. I did this in lieu of folding a hem because the fabric is only 42" wide. I needed to maintain all the width possible or I would run the risk of it being too short on the sides.

Step Three: I cut four 10" pieces of elastic and pinned their center points on the four corners of the sheet. I sewed with a zig-zag stitch ,starting from the middle, and worked my way out in both directions. I stretched the elastic as I sewed, just like in this project. The result was a nice, fitted corner. And that is it!

The skirt was even easier. It still needs some tweaking. I will come back to that later. But the moral of the post: do not spend a billion dollars on cute crib sheets! If you can turn on your sewing machine, you can make your own crib sheets! And with all the fun fabric out there, the possibilities are endless!

Another Bonus: I like it so much, I'm no longer sad about going sans bumper.

 

Recent Work {bathroom}

It's snowing here again, which really does not make me excited to venture out to the tile showroom today. I am working on a master bath renovation in Arlington, which is right outside of Boston. My client has a very eclectic personal style, she likes orange, and is a huge outdoors woman. This is my abstract spin on a modern bathroom in the woods.

And, as most projects do, it has evolved quite a bit from the first go round above.

Did you notice it got bigger!? We decided to move a wall out 3 feet to make it more of a "master bath" feel. The house was built in the 20's, when there was no such thing as a master anything.

We tackled some major decisions this past week, but there are still more to be made. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can get it all documented and off to the contractor before this baby comes. Construction administration wearing a Baby Bjorn should be interesting. Just kidding.

A Perfect Mix of High and Low

I love this space. It's crisp and white, but it also looks very livable. This is also a great example of how mixing classic or vintage finds with lower end pieces can have very successful results. Here is the breakdown of some of the both high and low end pieces. (Note: In a perfect world I would never promote knock off classics. I admire the designers too, too much to do so. But in the real world, I know myself and most people cannot afford to furnish their house in the real thing and we lower income design lovers need modern furniture too!)

Ikea PS Maskros Pendant $89.99

in living room

Bronze Ball Pendant $111

I like the drop cord better on the one they actually used in the kitchen

Tazi Designs tan Moroccan leather pouf $245

I like the one in the space better than this one

Knock off Eames Rocker $150

Real Eames Rocker $479

Knock Off Eames Molded Plastic Dowel Leg Side Chair 2 for $150

Real Dowel Leg Side Chair  $399

Knock Off Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair $199 

Real Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair $995

Etsy flour sack pillows $32

Anyway, you get the idea. Good design can happen with any kind of budget.
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Super Size Me {Wall Stencil}

I think I love it.

The only think I'm not loving is the fact that it was impossible for them to hang the two black and white photographs on the same area of the pattern. It's really throwing things off for me. I would have left out the guy on the right. Fred's chair is kind of creepy in a cool way.

And who would have paired those lampshades with those crossbones?
From the photographer, I'm guessing this is in New England and I love anyone who would do this in New England. We need more risk-taker-designers up here.

What do we think?

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Windsor Smith + other pretty things

I recently discovered Windsor Smith on Bryn's blog and I was very impressed.

The super jumbo bolster on the sofa is so out of scale that it's awesome. Does that even make sense?
I'm a huge Tim Burton fan.

 This last shot makes me want to color code my bookshelves. My closet is color coded.

For more, check out their portfolio.

In other pretty news...

The Miss America winner was super cute and talented, but what's up with the roots? As a red head, I'm out of the hair dying loop, but is this a new trend?

Natalie Portman is pregnant. So am I. It's like we're best friends.

Rambling Renovators is going to be on the Nate Berkus show. Their house is veeery pretty. I was in the audience of the Nate Berkus show back in September. I was 14 weeks pregnant. Not pretty.

My friends Brooke and Marianne both have articles in Birmingham Home and Garden. Love these two, they are pretty inside and out.

And the most beautiful thing to celebrate today, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have  Dream Speech, brings tears to my eyes.

Snowbird Report

Does Snowbird bring back fond memories for any other Southerners? I loved that bird.

This is what it looks like outside my front door this morning.

And it's still coming. I love it, I really do. And that lady in red in the first shot makes me realize how much I really do love working from home. Unfortunately Mr. Sabbe does not work from home. As I sit in our warm apartment, drinking coffee, I've been looking outside my office window every couple of minutes to see if he's trudging his way home. He walks to work. But the thing is, he left for work yesterday morning at 5:30 am for a 30 hours shift and I'm pretty sure he did not know a blizzard was scheduled. i.e. no snow gear. bless his heart (that's southern too)

Instead of sitting here kicking myself for not going to the grocery store yesterday, I wish I were in Stowe. This storm should make for some excellent ski conditions. If I won the HGTV dream home I would take you all with me.

You would take me too, right?