Bath Textiles from Cost Plus

I spotted some gorgeous shower curtains and towels over at Cost Plus.  Now... I know, one can only have so many shower curtains, but don't forget... this is a great way to get inexpensive and lovely fabrics for window treatments and pillows.  You could easily get at least 2 throw pillows out of each shower curtain panel, and probably 4 if you used a contrasting fabric for the back.  All these shower curtains are $29.99.  Do the math... a great deal for pillows!  Don't know how to sew?  Go to your local dry cleaners!

 

(blue ikat shower curtain)

(gray buhti shower curtain)

(purple green ikat shower curtain)

And take a look at these beautiful towels.  I bought 2 just to spruce up our powder bath.  :)

(mosaic printed velour collection)

(painterly flower velour collection)

(feather bouquet printed collection)

Want to see more?  Click here to view their entire bath line. 

(all photos via costplus.com)

Design Star Inspiration

First off, I want to thank Jenny of Little Green Notebook for including me on her Maskros Hack Round Up.  Jenny's blog is truly one of my favorites and it's an honor to be mentioned.  Thanks!  :) 

I don't get a chance to watch too much tv these days, but I did happen to catch an episode of Design Star a couple of nights ago.  Are you watching this season?  In this episode, the designers had to redesign rooms in a bed and breakfast.

I love what they did with the headboard in this room!  So simple and a great way to add color and personality into a room.  Just get plywood cut at the hardware store, get batting and fabric and start stapling away!  

Fabric is a great place to get color inspiration.  You can see how different colors play off of each other and if they look great to you on the fabric, then those same colors will look great in your space too.  I draw the same inspiration from stationary or patterned papers.  If the colors work there, they'll work anywhere. 

I really love the dark botanical fabric they used.  I've always liked botanicals on dark backgrounds like these prints found here.  A twist on a classic idea and I love how it instantly looks "cool". 



(via theevolutionstore.com)

  

WHY IT WORKS - A Fresh Gingham Dining Room

Every once in awhile, I'll run across a bold photo that will make me stop and think..."hmmm maybe that COULD really work in real life.  That's what I thought when I saw this photo in House and Home.




• Updated Classics.  Gingham is classic and will never go out of style.  I love taking more traditional lines and patterns and giving them an updated feel with either scale or color.  This gingham wall is fresh, AND classic.  I think it's really a show stopper.  You can tell that the person who lives here definitely has some style and is willing to take some risks.
• Balancing Bold.  Whenever you do a bold wall or have a bold piece of furniture, you want that to take center stage so build around that with items that are more neutral and simple.  The white dining table and bentwood chairs do just that in this room.
• This wall treatment was a diy project that takes quite a bit of work.  With 3 shades of blue, and drawing and taping out grids, you are replicating the look of gingham.  Rather than do this project exactly as is, consider painting stripes, applying wall paper or just covering a piece of canvas with fabric.  I think a yard of this BERTA RUTA fabric from IKEA might just do the trick!  ($8.99/yard)  Nice!

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet SUSANNA

I always look forward to seeing the seasonal items that IKEA rolls out a couple of times a year.  I just discovered their new summer fabric, SUSANNA.  At only $6.99, the possibilites are endless.  This fabric would really jazz up your summer table!  I've mentioned before that I prefer entertaining with real linens and plates if possible.  Yes, I admit I'm a bit of a paperplate snob.  :)  But, I think I using real utensils, plates and tablecloths really help to elevate the whole event and its really not that much more money.  PLUS, all of those things are reusable, so you're actually be very green.  :) 

SUSANNA comes in many different prints, but all have hat same bold, geometric look playing off of fun primary colors.  Here are some ways to use Susanna:

• Tablecloths for summer parties
• Throw pillows
• Placemats
• Reupholster seat cushions ( the pattern will be very forgiving)
• Framed or Stretched on canvas as wall art.  I think the multi stripe would look stunning in a huge frame over a sofa.  It would look like a million bucks!

Here's a throw pillow that I found on etsy:

Score at IKEA!

I went to IKEA last night just to pick up 3 RIBBA frames and I had a list of a few things I wanted to check out in person.  This trip was more of a scouting expedition.  I wanted to check out BADALEN, an upholstered headboard.  This headboard mounts directly to the wall and would be perfect for my daughter's room.  I alreay have a platform bed and all I'm looking for is an upholstered headboard to soften it up.

The shape was basic enough, and I figured this would be a timeless piece that I could easily reupholster over and over again.  It's $199.99, which I thought was a little steep, but I just wanted to check it out. 

Boy, was I happy when I saw that it was on sale for $49.99!  I think they're discontinuing it.  I GOT IT!  Run out to your local IKEA if you're interested too!

The blue stripe fabric doesn't even come attached, it's a slipcover which is perfect!  I don't even need to use it and I can just go ahead and staple my own fabric around it.  :) 

I'm using this room from Monday as my inspiration.

I've been doing some fabric research and here are some front runners.  These are all from buyfabrics.com and are less than $10.00/yd.  I have my favorites.  Which ones are yours?

  

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet SNOA

Happy Day After Thanksgiving or Black Friday!  Hope you had a good one!

I've been talking alot about using fabric for entertaining.  IKEA always comes out with some great seasonal items in December.  Here are some of my favorite holiday fabrics that would look great for any holiday party!  Here are 3 reasons I love using cut fabric.

1.  They are usually cheaper than traditional tablecloths.
2.  They look way better than plastic/paper tablecloths from the party store. 
3.  They can be used over and over again. 

So... meet the multiple variations of the SNOA fabric. 

This first one is SNOA FLINGA for $4.99/yd.  It comes in red, navy blue and gray!  LOVE the pattern!  I can totally see this being used as a runner on a buffet or table.  Isn't it just beautiful?  You could also cut small strips of this fabric and incorporate into your decor by tying them on your tree or garlands throughout the house. 

(Snoa Flinga)

Next, SNOA RUTAN for $5.99 yard.  Doesn't this one look so classic and cozy?!  Of course, great for a table but I'm also seeing this cut into smaller strips, maybe 12" x 36" and tied around the back of your dining chairs.  So welcoming! 



(Snoa Rutan)



Lastly, SNOA STJARNA for $4.99/yd.  Isn't this one cute?  What I love about this one is that it is so versatile!  You could easily pull this out for a birthday party or bbqs in the summer!

(Snoa Stjarna)

The great thing about all these fabrics is that they also come with a variety of coordinating accessories like these little bags and stockings.  What a great way to wrap up a favor or a gift and have all your decor and gifts coordinated.  LOVE IT!



(Snoa bag, $2.99)



(Snoa stocking, $2.99)



Serena and Lily

My inspiration room comes from the pages of the most recent Serena and Lily's catalog.  I swear I heard a choir of angels sing as I was flipping through each page, they were so beautiful.

WHY IT WORKS

Their current selection of fabrics are GORGEOUS!!  They are graphic, classic and just ridiculously beautiful.  I love how they delicately combine old and new,  tailored and rustic, bold and soft. 



INSPIRATION

• Color palette.  Personally, I love using soothing colors in a bedroom.  There was a time when I had a red wall in our master bedroom and it worked, but right now, I'm loving pale blues, brown and grey.  Take a look around your master bedroom.  Remember this is the room where you literally come to rest.  Is it soothing?  Does your room help you feel calm?
• White linens.  I'm a big fan of white linens.  They make you feel like you're in a luxurious hotel room.  Plus, you can get beautiful white linens at any price point and they match ANYTHING.  Beautiful and practical, music to my ears!
• Found pieces.  Do you have items in your room that has a story?  It can, but doesn't have to be furniture.  It can be an old photograph, letter, book, etc...   Found objects add character and helps keep any room from looking like a showroom.  You want your spaces to reflect you and your story.

Here's more inspiration from serenaandlily.com