Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Catfish | Aviator Lounge Chair

Oh, Restoration Hardware.  I love you.  But you're so often out of my league.



I've been shopping for an eDesign client and recently fell in love with RH's Aviator Chair.  At $1355 (on sale), it's a little spendy.  But such a statement piece!

So we did a little digging.  What did we find?


The Accelerator Vintage Tobacco Leather Chair.  For $559.99.  A little smaller in depth, and the leather doesn't look quite as warn, but it has good reviews!

Score! 

Interested in becoming an eDesign client?  Reach out

Shopping | Portland's Best Kept Cabinet Secret

Our galley kitchen is lacking in storage.  Our stove stands alone, there's no place to put a hot pot.  Wah, wah, wah.

I mean, our kitchen has some other issues too.  Faux brick, wallpaper, highly textured walls, tile counters, dated appliances... I could go on, but it's easier to fix one thing at a time.  Or for me, two things at a time considering I am still working on our floors.

I digress.

I've been looking for inexpensive cabinet solutions to install on either side of our stove.

I've been to the ReBuilding Center and was initially excited by all of the cabinet options (its a fun place to explore if nothing else).  But most seemed old, and many were damaged.

Ikea is also great, but we decided to refinish our existing cabinets.




Enter DIY Cabinet Warehouse.  And cue the "ahhhhhhhhhh" music.  DIY Cabinet Warehouse is owned by MasterBrand Cabinets and is a catch all for factory over-runs, miss-ordered product, cancelled orders, and factory returns.

In other words, its an affordable cabinet mecca.

Found a base cabinet for the side of the stove for $25.  Yes, $25.

What's your favorite discount cabinet/building supply source?

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Travel | Portland Brunch, are we hungry yet?

We've had a number of people visit this month.  Lucky for us we get to see friends and family.  And doubly lucky?  We get to eat a lot of good food.  Like so much food I'm running on the treadmill while writing this.

Okay, so I'm not.  But I should be.

Here are a few favorites.  Come prepared with something to snack on in line.  Portland's brunch scene is intense and often requires long waits.

Photo Source: Yelp

















Pine State Biscuits

Photo Source: Yelp














Screen Door


Photo Source: Yelp















Veritable Quandry

Photo Source: Yelp















Simpatica Dining Hall

Photo Source: Yelp
















Broder

Photo Source: Yelp
















Tasty n Sons

Photo Source: Yelp














The Waffle Window

Photo Source: Yelp
















 Voodoo Doughnut

Hungry yet?

Friday, September 20, 2013

Shopping | Agate Platters

Photo Source: LEIF
I've been planning my Thanksgiving menu.  Well, sort of planning.  I've been looking at recipes and table decor ideas.  It feels like Fall here, and I'm so excited to spend the holiday in our first home with family! 

I want to do an unexpected tablescape.  No turkey decor here.  I stubled upon these agate platters courtesy of Leif and am in love.  Can't you just picture them paired with white linens and funky, painted pumpkins?  Oh, and candles.  Candles are a must.



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Concept | Open Kitchen Shelving

Yup, I'm still working on our kitchen floors.  The good news?  I'll think about that and get back to you.

I've been looking at kitchen pictures for some inspiration.  And, well, for a break.  One thing I've been seeing a lot of is open kitchen shelving.  Which I'm sort of digging.

See below for some of my favs.

What do you think?  Would you want people to be able to see into your cabinets?




















Take the cabinet doors off, fill, sand and paint




















Brass, glass and stone for layers of texture




















Utilizing the space in between a window for plate display




















Modern meets rustic with these wooden shelves




















Beaded board, iron brackets and open shelving for a charming plate display

















Eclectic kitchen with open shelving to display oversized mason jars

Thursday, September 12, 2013

DIY | Why so quiet?

























Things have been quiet around here.

It's eerie.

What's up?  Let me tell you.

Well it all started with a visit from a sub contractor that I was thinking about hiring for help with our kitchen refresh.  He knew a lot about period details.  Particularly, about things in our kitchen.

Then he mentioned that there might be hardwood under our vinyl tiles.

When he left, my interest was piqued.  And my husband was out of town.  It wouldn't hurt anyone to peel back a piece and see for myself.

Perfect storm.

I was SO EXCITED when I saw the hardwood.  I couldn't stop peeling.  It was like I had struck gold.  I could get this done before my husband came home.  A present!

Until, I realized that the adhesive that covered the floor was like one giant, sticky mouse trap.  And I was the mouse.

Cue the internet research.  Hair driers, peanut butter, detergent, scraping.  There was no easy way out.  The only thing that worked was goof gone, pine sol and a lot of scrubbing.  So much scrubbing that my fingers are now arthritic.  And I'm covered in sticky goo.  It's not a good look.

So, that's why it's been so quiet.  Because I'm past the point of no return.  Scrubbing away.  Covered in grime.  Dreaming of hardwood floors.  The dark stuff in the photo is adhesive.

One flooring store we called said it would take three guys a few days to clean the floors.  She also said it would be cheaper to lay a new floor than to hire guys to clean it.

Challenge accepted.

Help.  Me. 

What are you up to?

Sunday, September 8, 2013

DIY | Ikea Hacks

Ikea hacking.  Sounds scary, right?

So what's the deal?

Buy inexpensive Ikea furniture, add non-Ikea elements and create new pieces.

Here are a few favorites!

Photo Source: Cucumbersome















Anthropologie inspired end tables by Cucumbersome

Photo Source: Little House Blog




















Ikea Rast Side Table goes modern courtesy of Little House Blog

Photo Source: Apartment Therapy


















Ikea Bathroom Counter Hack using a kitchen island

Photo Source: Vintage News Junkie













 
Wood shutters using Ikea bed slats

Photo Source: I Heart Organizing























 
Expedit bookcase turns bench from I Heart Organizing

Photo Source: Apartment Therapy

















 
Elia Maurizi and Francesco Pepa used Ekby series and some paint to create this colorful shelf

Seen any good Ikea hacks lately?  Share your favorite!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Shopping | One Kings Lane

What are you up to this weekend?

Up for a little shopping?  Check out One Kings Lane for some fun sales, starting today!  Lucky you.  You don't even have to leave the sofa!


Tailgating Essentials at One Kings Lane until 9/9!
Hut, hut, hike! Football season is upon us, and it's time for the best part of Sunday game day: tailgating. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just a devoted eater, these tailgating essentials will make you the talk of the parking lot.


Shining Achievements Jewlery at One Kings Lane until 9/9
Iconic designer Tony Duquette is best known for his over-the-top theatrical sets, the grand fetes he staged, and for decorating jaw-dropping rooms. But he also created showstopping jewelry. Made from his signature sultry malachite, succulent gemstones, coral-hued resin, and slices of mother-of-pearl in gilded settings, his work is pure beauty at its most eccentric. One Kings Lane is honored to offer pieces straight from his vault, a treasure trove of jewels that will transport you to his unique fantasy world.


Melissa and Doug at One Kings Lane until 9/10!
A trusted name in child's play, Melissa & Doug is synonymous with thoughtful, interactive, high-quality toys, beloved by parents and kids alike. This selection includes a wide range for toddlers and older kids, from colorful pull-alongs to crafts and puzzles, all made to keep little hands busy and brains engaged.    
   
     

Friday, September 6, 2013

DIY | Dresser Makeover

Recently purchased a CL dresser for our bedroom.  I named him Hugo. 

Then decided that I actually wanted an existing dresser upstairs.  Thank God for patient husbands.

So Hugo stayed in my office.  And I began researching DIY projects to give him a face lift.  We are going to be working together daily.  Hugo needs to look good.  Real good.

See below for just a few of my favorite DIY dressers.

DIY Fuschia Campaign Chest 500 DIY: Campaign Chest

Photo Source: For Chic Sake



















Photo Source: Me and Jilly



Photo Source: Ikea Hackers

























Photo Source: Little Green Notebook




















Photo Source: Design Sponge




















Photo Source: Martha Stewart




















Photo Source: Elle Decor

Which dresser is your favorite?  Got any fun weekend projects?

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Shopping | Unexpected Places

We've all flown.  Bored and anxious (if you are like me), there's a chance you may have even picked up the Sky Mall catalog for a quick laugh.  I mean, they carry man spanx.

You may have also been up late and watched the HSN.  Maybe you've even called Cleo.  No judgements.

Well, that brings me to this post.  It's easy enough to find inexpensive solutions at Target and Ikea, but lets shop the unexpected shall we? 

Photo Source: HSN.com




















Genuine Agate Coasters
Gorgeous, right?  Perfect for an eclectic living room or dressed up nightstand.

Photo Source: HSN.com




















Bench-Top Parts Rack with 15 Bins
I want these for my tool room or my sewing station!  Or maybe both.

Photo Source: Sky Mall



















 
Brick Hangers - Set of 4
Kind of perfect for hanging pictures on brick, right?


Photo Source: Sky Mall




















Wrought Iron Wood Hoop
I like the contemporary look of this wood holder.  Usually they're so chunky and traditional looking.

Photo Source: Home Decorators Collection




















Meloni Armchair
Okay, so maybe Home Decorators Collection is more expected, but this chair is a great price and a good fit for either traditional or transitional rooms.

Spiralling Spirals (Hand Drawn) // Black and White
Photo Source: Spoonflower

















Spiraling Spirals Wallcovering
Love this graphic wallcovering.  Spoonflower has fabrics and wallcoverings for great prices, and bonus point, you can make your own.

Where do you shop that's unexpected?  Care to share? 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Shopping | New Rugs

Full disclosure: these are Urban Perch rugs.

That being said, I love, love, love them and wanted to share!  I was so excited when we started working with Jaipur Rugs.  So.  Excited.

See below for some info on just a few of my absolute favorites!




















Anatolia Rug, Tabasco: Traditional kilims are given a modern twist with these bright fun flatweaves. Hand woven in 100% wools these rugs are reversible and durable.




















Anatolia Rug, Brick & Blue




















Andes Rug, Putty: This collection is hand-woven with jute and recycled Chindi cotton fabric, which adds color and a soft feel.  Both eco friendly and durable.  




















Andes Rug, Miami Green




















City A Maze Zing Rug, Capri: Over scaled sharp geometrics characterize this striking contemporary range of hand tufted rugs. The high/low construction in wool and art silk creates texture and surface interest and gives a look of matt and shine.




















City Regency Rug, Liquorice




















City Keyed Up Rug, Dark Ivory

What are you favorites?  Did you see all our new rugs?

Stay tuned for more product to come!

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