Friday, May 27, 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

Bookshelves


I hinted that I was working on something and above is the end result. Bookshelves! All of our books have been stacked in the basement since we moved in just a little over 1 year ago. I kept going back and forth trying to decide between built-ins, shelves or furniture to solve this book storage problem. Built-ins was my first choice...but financially that wasn't going to happen.


{via Ballard Designs}

I did consider these shelves. I really like the industrial/vintage look of them. However, they weren't exactly cheap and these particular shelves weren't very wide, only 30".


{via CB2}

I considered these shelves too but again, they weren't quite the dimensions I was looking for and they were a little too contemporary.

The end result was to get these brackets from Ikea and poplar wood boards from Home Depot. Total cost under $300.






Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Design Shopping: online vs. local

Since I've started working as a designer I've been struggling with the balance between buying in person vs. buying online, as well as, buying old vs. buying new. Two big variables are your client's taste and budget but after that, what factors should you really be taking into consideration?


I made a really big and embarrassing mistake recently. Embarrassing because I totally knew better. I knew what I was supposed to do and I didn't do it...mostly out of laziness. Well that laziness cost me $800. But it also brought me back to this dilemma of shopping local vs. shopping online.


Shopping online is SO convenient! It gives me lots of options and it allows me to do it all from home, which is a big deal when your other full time job is raising a toddler. The downsides: not seeing the pieces in person; dealing with shipping AND shipping damage; returning pieces that don't work for you.

But shopping locally has it advantages too. You can talk to an actual human and have a better chance of resolving any issues with your product after the sale. Seeing something in person is always BETTER than seeing it in a picture. If you go the antiquing route you have the opportunity to get a one of a kind piece with a lot of character and often at a more affordable price. The downsides: TIME and MONEY to drive to each individual store.


The right answer seems to be a balance of both. Some items, like mirrors, are best bought locally. Other items like hardware and accessories are easily suited to online shopping. Sometimes though I really wish I lived in a city with more interior design focused shopping. Chicago, NYC, Dallas, Atlanta, etc. have so many more resources that shopping would be more fun and less frustrating.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Dining Room Storage

Some more dining room storage options that I drooled over this weekend. Still haven't found exactly what I am looking for. I really want something that has closed storage below and open storage above. Although I suppose I could always take the upper doors off. I wonder how long I'm going to be able to wait to find just the right piece?

This walnut piece from 1893 has a surprise inside. LOVE the rich, dark color and clean, straight lines. Definitely up my alley.




And I totally LOVE the color of this piece. A gorgeous dark peacock teal/green.


Option #3 is Oak. It is a cute piece but not what I'm looking for, although the price was right! About half of what the walnut piece is.


Sunday, May 8, 2011

Kichler Circolo




It took us 6 months to make a decision on a new chandelier. One month of that time was just trying to hang it up. Hanging a chandelier with a 2 year old is not easy. R insisted on climbing the opposite side of the ladder, grabbing every tool possible off the table and generally causing mayhem.

I was looking for something that was a little bit country, a little bit modern. The first couple days I was unsure how I felt about the new light but it is growing on me. We've gotten some compliments from dinner guests so that always helps me feel better about my choice.

We are going to try some softer frosted bulbs because right now the bulbs have a bit of a "bite" to them. That is what I dislike about it the most. I keep envisioning what my other chandelier choices would have looked like with their soft shades. Really it is hard to imagine that I would have been happy with whatever choice I made. I just like too many different styles and I am rarely completely satisfied with my final decision. As my mother would say, "I'm too fickle." It is just so much easier to select things for other people!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Dreaming Big!

Mondo Beyondo Dream Big

I am so excited!!! I am finally taking the Mondo Beyondo class!

I've been following Andrea Scher for probably over a decade. I am the proud owner of a Superhero necklace and I read her blog daily. She is and has always been an inspiration. Can't wait to see what the class is like and what I find out about my dreams.