08.31.08
Posted in design, wedding planning at 11:55 pm by Pammy
Now that it seems I am inching closer to finalizing my venue and date, I have been thinking more about my wedding colors and other elements. Originally I had planned on using turquoise and chocolate as our colors, but for several different reasons (fiance refused to wear a chocolate tux and I think that black with chocolate accents would clash), we decided to go with black, white, and turquoise. Our theme will be Gothic/Victorian. This is much more our style anyways. So we will incorporate design elements like Gothic style vases and Victorian chandelier wall decals. Also, I am so excited to use my grandmother’s vintage “milk glass” vases as part of our wedding day decor. They will fit in so well with this theme, and they will be my “something old.” There will be damask patterns and flourishes in black and white, and lots of crystal and glass candle holders. Our flowers will most likely be white Calla Lilies. These look amazing submerged in a glass cylinder as a centre piece. I know it will be easy to find lots of stuff in black and white damask because I see it in every store!
I am so excited to start designing the invitations and other printed peices!
Permalink
01.04.08
Posted in design at 10:27 am by Pammy
I love wrapping gifts, but sometimes the wrapping paper and accessories that I want are out of my price range. So this year I found some cheaper solutions. How much would you guess this designer wrapping paper set me back? Actually, it was free! I downloaded it from Blueprint Magazine and printed it out myself. For the top box I wrapped the lid and bottom separately so it can be re-used again (a gift in itself!). The lid is wrapped in Swirly Wrapping Paper, while for the bottom I used the Graphic Wrapping Paper. The bottom box is the Striped Paper. Then I used the Fancy Cummerbund Wrapping Paper as a belly band, and the ornamental plaque as a gift tag to bring it all together. I would recommend using 11×17 inch paper, if you have access to one, to print out the designs, as this will give you the most to work with. I love this paper because it is festive without being obviously holiday-oriented. It can be used any day of the year to wrap a christmas or birthday gift. You could even try making some new designs yourself.
Another great (and economical) gift wrapping idea is to use plain brown packaging paper, and then add little touches to personalize. The best part about this idea is that you’re not stuck with that snowman wrapping paper year round. After wrapping your gift, dress it up for the occasion, use ornaments or tiny jingle bells for the holidays. For a birthday, be creative and use objects that relate to the giftee, they will notice and appreciate your efforts. Try creating a geometric pattern with stencils or sponge-paint. I love the idea of using gimp, that plastic string that everyone used to make keychains out of when they were kids, but as ribbon. It creates a modern look. For my holiday gift wrapping this year, I used lime green string, something different from the usual hunter green classic christmas color. I found an assortment of 3d snowflake stickers at a craft store for only $1, and used monogrammed post-its in the same green color as gift tags. What do you think?
Permalink
09.14.07
Posted in design, shopping at 2:20 pm by Pammy
I started a journal collection awhile back, and I love the way they look displayed on my modern bookshelf. This is such a great idea, I love nicely designed book covers and library books are fun! Tyler Bender takes old books and refashions them into journals and sells them on his Etsy store. These are great, and of course I love the turquoise one pictured above. It would look great in my stash!
(via decor8)
Permalink
09.13.07
Posted in design, home decor at 4:22 pm by Pammy
Last week I entered my bedroom photo into Domino Magazines Decorating Contest hoping to win a $10,000 home furnishings shopping spree. I checked their featured submissions section just now and, lo and behold, my design is featured! Although they cropped out my awesome vintage dresser.
Click on the image to go to Dominomag.com
Permalink
09.12.07
Posted in design, home decor, randomness at 9:36 am by Pammy
I was just reading one of the blogs I visit frequently and was linked to ReadyMade Magazine’s website.
Their tagline is “A Bimonthly Print Magazine for People Who Like to Make Stuff.” I find this hilarious because when people ask what my hobbies are, I always tell them that I like to “make stuff.” There is no one type of thing that I make, I constantly come up with things I could improve on, or create from scratch. Although I’m sure you have noticed that lately I’ve been on a home furnishings “making stuff” spree.
Permalink
09.10.07
Posted in design, home decor at 11:26 am by Pammy
With only 5 days left before I move, and some inspiration from HGTV, I did some serious re-doing and refinishing this weekend. First, there was my free-standing wood mirror. I got a faux finishing kit from The Home Depot and created this crackle effect on it. The process is kind of inconsistent, this is pretty much the largest “crackle” that I got. I still need to scrape the excess paint off the mirror part with a razer, I will post an image of the finished product afterwards.
My next project was to put drawer pulls on my vintage wooden dresser. My mom bought it at a thrift store and I stole it from her because it’s so cute! In order for it to go with Chris’ silver metal bed frame, I thought it needed metal drawer pulls. This project seemed simple in theory, but considering I have never used a drill before… well, you can probably imagine. I will post a finished project after I get some much needed help.
The most successful project of the weekend was re-upholstering a cheap chest that was a hand-me-down from my friend, Katie. It was covered in lime green vinyl and is in pretty bad shape. The frame of the hinged top is coming apart, it needs some serious TLC.
At first I thought that I would just have to cover over the vinyl and the screws, but I realized that it could easily be taken apart. So I unscrewed each panel and covered them with my beige fabric ($12 on clearance!) individually. It looks amazing. I am so proud of myself for recycling this piece instead of buying the $100 ottoman that I had already picked out! I didn’t get a chance to take a photo of it last night, but I will when I’m finished. I have the bottom part of the chest covered but I still have to do the lid and replace the hinges. Oh, and I also added wheels to the bottom so it’s easier to move around, the piece is super heavy. This is gonna make such a cute coffee table!
Chris helped me repaint a buffet table that is also in pretty bad shape. I don’t have any photos of it though. I painted it glossy black and am adding Victorian style glass knobs to it. Haven’t decided what kind of shelves though, either clear acrylic, glass, mirror, or the old particle board standby.
Update: The lime green chest’s transformation is complete! It’s face lift included shiny new hardware, wheel casters, and chic fabric. I had purchased some silver square studded upholstery tacks to create a tufted look on the top, but once I covered it I realized it didn’t need it. I really like the clean lines and I don’t think that a tufted look would “go.” I can’t wait to show my friend and see if she recognizes her child-hood toy chest!
Here is a photo that I took with my camera phone (so it’s crappy). I’m sure I will post more photos showcasing this piece when it’s set up in our condo!
Permalink
09.06.07
Posted in design, home decor, shopping at 4:22 pm by Pammy
Perusing the newspaper at lunch today I came across an amazing spread featuring this fall’s home trends. As you probably already know from previous posts, I’m loving the mirrored finishes, asian inspired decor, and laser cut designs!
Read What to Fall For
After this read I’m going to have to exhibit some powerful self-control to avoid spending all my extra cash on home furnishings! I will have to get creative and break out the paint and glue gun!
Permalink
08.30.07
Posted in design, shopping at 4:03 pm by Pammy
Okay so every time I start getting it into my head that I’m moving out soon I go on a furnishings binge. This time it started with the idea that I absolutely must have an ottoman coffee table. I plan on picking out a modern tray (like this mirrored one) to place on top to hold remotes, candles, beer bottles, etc. It will go nicely with our living room couches that are dark brown leather.
After I found the ideal one at a good price I started on the dining table. This has proven to be difficult as I can’t really find one that’s cheap as well as contemporary. I’ve taken to searching craigslist. This is probably something I should wait on until we find an apartment though since dining rooms can be small. However I have found a really cute patio set, from JCPenny no less!
What I’ve really got my eye on though is this amazing chair from a tiny vintage shop in DC. I’m not telling you where though because I don’t want you to buy it!
Other things i’m on the look out for; computer desk and chair, cheap dresser, area rug… this is gonna be expensive. Oh and I purchased a pair of acrylic bubble lamps from target last week. Knock-off Restoration Hardware, works for me! Thinking about this amazing mirrored table from Target as well…
Update: The Target mirrored tray is on sale! It’s in stock at the one in Ellicott City, i’m going to pick it up next week… *YaY* Don’t need the ottoman anymore as I *made* one myself, and I think we will hold off on the patio furniture until we get everything for the inside of the condo.
Permalink
08.23.07
Posted in design, randomness at 5:08 pm by Pammy
Surfing Craigslist today, I stumbled upon this amazing gem of a house.
Tucked away in Oella, MD, minutes away from historic Ellicott City, this converted barn has recently had a face lift. Read more about “Bohemian Rhapsody” which was featured in Baltimore Style magazine. I would love to rent this little cottage! Think I can convince my fiance that it’s manly enough?
Permalink
08.18.07
Posted in design, shopping at 1:00 am by Pammy
Replace your boring old marble composition notebook with one of these unique handmade notebooks.
Designed by Sarah Blette, the Flora series is made from recycled paper and features a silk-screened image on its cover. I love the graphic silhouette and rich colors. This would be great for organizing your notes from meetings or class, and it could even be used as a journal.
Come to think of it, this product reminds me of another one that I purchased from See Jane Work.
Go to See Jane Work to buy other products like these.
Permalink
« Previous entries
