Family Photos

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week! Having been with family made me appreciate how blessed I am to have them all. I then thought about how to honor them in my home interiors. And this quickly led to photos of my loved ones...what better way to express your love than to have their images on your walls. Here is a compilation of images to achieve this in a stylish way...

via homesweet style

via Skona Hem

via Lonny

I wish I could remember where I saw this chic image and give credit where credit is due...

Family photos in a nursery...what better way to to honor loved ones...

via house of turquoise 

via Lonny

via decorpad

You could even go for more abstract images...

via little green notebook

If you want high quality large images, I highly recommend hiring a professional, either in an outdoor setting, your home or even a studio. Wouldn't that be a great gift instead of another pair of pjs?

Nursery In Progress Update

We...okay, okay my husband is almost finished stenciling the nursery and wow has it been a learning experience. I, of course, chose a difficult allover stencil by Cutting Edge Stencils...

Here is a work in progress image from my cell camera (have no clue where my camera is)...

And here are my Top 5 Allover Stencil Tips:

1. Start the Stencil on the first wall you see in the room. As the stencil gets inundated with paint the lines begin to blur because they have crevices to bleed into from the dried paint...

2. After using the stencil 2-3 times wipe the wet paint off the stencil front and back to prevent Tip #1 from happening. If you don't do this, you'll end up spending 45 minutes scraping the paint off the back of the stencil like I did yesterday...

Or, worse yet, you may turn into a delirious lunatic after scraping for so long...

3. Don't underestimate the amount of time it will take. So far it has taken my husband over 13 hours to complete the task and he is enjoying every minute ;). His tip #3 is DON'T DO IT...hahahaha!

4.  If you want to do the stencil yourself, don't start the process 8 months pregnant. But, on the other hand if you want to pawn the work off, then go for it and begin when you are too huge to do anything. My master plan is working ;).

5. Enjoy because although it isn't as perfect as wallpaper, it is unique and handmade from the heart!

Craigslist This Space

Living Etc. 

I recently saw this warm and inviting image on my friend Ashley's blog, Meet Me in Philadelphia, and thought what a perfect fall inspired room to use for Craigslist This Space. So here it goes...

Sofa: MCM $?

Upholster above sofa in: Robert Allen Velvet Straw...

Chair: MCM $? (Two are better than one and cushions more comfy than none.)...

Upholster Chairs in: Monaco Cotton Ikat Silver/Grey...

Coffee Table: Modern $90

Side Tables: MCM 2 tiered tables $220/pair (Although the inspirational image doesn't show the sidetables, I thought these would work nicely.)...

Lamps: White Table $20 (Spray paint lamps Bright White and add gold stripes with Metallic spray paint.)...

Wall Unit: MCM Danish Modern $600

Or.. 

This Wall Unit: Danish Credenza Sideboard $800

Now onto the items I couldn't find on Craigslist...

Lamp Shades: Kraft Paper Shades $49.91, LampsPlus

Rug: Jaipur Printed Dhurrie 5x8 $199, West Elm

Wall Print: Rhinoceros Print Etsy (I like the print of the man in the inspirational image used, but I'm always drawn more to animals and landscapes.)...

Wall Color:  Benjamin Moore Norway Spruce...

Hope you all have a warm and lovely weekend!

Aspen Living...I wish

A number of years ago we had the pleasure of visiting a friend who lived in a stunning home in Aspen, Colorado.  We not only enjoyed the wonderful hospitality, but the amazing mountain views were so captivating that I began to imagine a dream home in this setting whereby the outdoors would be visible from every part of the house So, at the time I had designed my own Aspen dream home in my head with majestic windows, warm wood floors and simple, neutral decor. I hadn't given it much thought until I saw this chic modern home owned by Aerin Lauder in the recent Vogue...

Image Credits: Francois Halard via Vogue.com

I was immediately struck by how much it resembled my own dream design years ago. I love the idea of having a country home in the city and a modern window surrounded one in the country. Here are a few more images of Lauder's home...

Image Credits: Francois Halard via Vogue.com

Image Credits: Francois Halard via Vogue.com

Image Credits: Francois Halard via Vogue.com

Last, who wouldn't want to grab a warm mug of hot chocolate, blanket and watch nature unfold here...

Image Credits: Francois Halard via Vogue.com

Of course my home would be furnished with second hand items and be fur free. 

Craigslist This Space

Below is a gorgeous example of condo living...

Lonny

Now onto matching the items above to those on Craigslist..

Sofa: English Roll Arm $1000 (No need to reupholster.)

Coffee Table: Wrought Iron Glass Top $50 (not perfect, but great price)

Spray paint Coffee Table: Gold Plate by Krylon

Bench: Bench $35

Reupholster the Bench in:  Tunisia Print, Premier Prints $11.99/yard

Living Room Chairs: Pair of Baker Chairs $300/each (remove cushions)

Dining Table: Mid Century Lucite $600

Chairs: Pair of New White Panton Chairs $199/pair

And for what I couldn't find on Craigslist:

Pillows: Silk/Velvet Ikat Pillow, Fabricadabra $120

Lamps: Square Lucite Lamps, junkfromthefarm Etsy $185

Prints: Color Migration Series, Cozamia 36" x 48" Prints $61.99/each

 

         

Nancy is the creative force behind the blog and shop Cozamia, where you can purchase the gorgeous prints above. 

Rug: Kente Jute Rug, West Elm 

Wall Color:  Horizon by Ben Moore

If you have an inspirational image that you would like in this series, please let me know in your comment or send me an e-mail. I'm really enjoying putting these second hand rooms together.