Slipcovers For Dummies

Remember when the leather cube was popular?  No?  Maybe just in our house.  I haven't known what to do with them since our move.  So, they sat, not matching anything, in a corner.

I got a creative bug this weekend and decided to try to cover them.  I always thought you couldn't cover leather because it is slippery.  Well, I decided an ottoman is an exception to that rule (is it a rule?).  I found THE EASIEST guide here.  I even surprised myself when they came out so well.  I should have done this a long time ago.

The fabric is Annie Selke's Link Slate.  I may have to make pillows with the leftover fabric.  Try it folks.  You will impress your friends.

30 Day Diet

I followed the Spring around like a groupie last month.  If you start in the south and slowly work your way up, you can have a month of perfect weather and wisteria blossoms.  I love witnessing earth's big yawn from hibernation and watching the people slowing defrost from a cold winter of being cooped up inside.  I miss this most about living up North.  I miss the big smiles us runner's and dog walkers would exchange.  That knowing look of huge appreciation to be able to just breathe again.  The sun followed me to Boston last week and I got to see all of this again.  It was great!!

I'm back in the house and avoiding unpacking.  I'm hoping the closets will unpack themselves or the contents will just disappear; I clearly did not need them anyway.  I don't even know what to wear.  There are too many options now.  I need to simplify.  I need to purge.  I need a house detox.  I'm thinking this:

Image courtesy of Cococozy

Anybody have any suggestions for a yard sale?  Best month/time/advertising?

Laminated Fabrics

Jenny from LGN posted about Amy Butler's house on Apartment Therapy recently and it got me thinking about fabrics again.  I headed over to Amy Butler's site and was so happy to see that she offers laminated fabric for some of her patterns.  This is the best kid-friendly, spill-proof solution for eating areas.  I was lucky enough to find pre-treated Christopher Farr fabric on ebay and used it to upholster our kitchen chairs.  We have put it to the test many times and everything wipes right up.

Amy's fabrics are very affordable.

I'm loving the third fabric from the left with the large turquoise circles.  I didn't see it on the site so I emailed her company to ask.  Anyone see it anywhere?

Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

I came across this in a search and liked it for dining chairs:

Remember Barrie Benson's vinyl coated Chiang Mai Dragon dining chairs featured n Domino circa 2007?

Swoon!

I still remember kicking myself for not getting the fabric she had on her couch.  It was from Ballard Designs and was on sale for $15 a yard.  I got the swatch and loved it and then dragged my feet.  Then:  Sold Out!  Why don't they bring back fabrics that were such an obvious win?

Steal vs Splurge

Being at the beach has inspired me to extend the beach decor to the bedroom.  I love me a seagrass headboard.  

Pottery Barn $349.00 – $499.00

Country Door $169.99 - $189.99

Steal vs Splurge

I fell in love with these His and Her planters featured on Secrets of A Stylist a few months ago.  There is no way I could/would pay $300 for planters.

I popped into the Ballard Design Outlet on our way home from Scott Antique Show last weekend and spotted this for $19.95 (slightly damaged)

She is actually a lot cooler looking in person and I think a few succulents sprouting from her head will give her some character.  Perhaps a coat of high gloss white....or not.  Very cha cha cha chia, right? (BTW, who knew one could own an Obama chia pet?  And even better, you have the choice of his facial expression!)

Scott Antique Market

I was really bummed that I missed Brimfield Antique Market last week.  I plan on going to the July show, but needed to get my fill before that.  Lo and behold, we happened to finally be in Atlanta when Scott Antique Market was open.

I was prepared for fields of stalls, but was greeted with 2 smallish buildings and a few tents outside.  It was very manageable for a day trip and I liked a lot of the vendors better than Brimfield.  At Scott, you don't find a lot of sellers with the same thing and many of the items are unique, reclaimed pieces.  While I love a good treasure hunt, I was happy to see styled booths and edited pieces in some sections.  I read Eddie Ross' article in the NY Times prior to my visit and really tried to heed his sage advice.

I fell in love with this horse head right off the bat, but was unwilling to pay $250.  I didn't get a feel that the seller was much of a bargainer.  Mr. Ed was about 2 feet tall and would have looked amazing hanging about the fireplace.....

There were a lot of Union Jacks floating around. Inspiration from the recent wedding no doubt.

If I ever find myself living in a loft, I'd like to fill it with things like this:

I really like the black background pull down chart art that has been popping up everywhere.

I was thisclose to purchasing these awesome hand blown drinking glasses, but it came with a set of salad plates that I didn't like.  I could have talked myself into them, but after packing our house 2x in a year I have become very good at walking away from stuff we don't need.

I had visions of creating an Eddie Ross tablescape and then had to remind myself that we don't do dinner parties anymore.

All this flea marketing has got me wanting more.  Next stop?  NY's Antiques Garage sometime this summer.

Do you have any local must-see Flea Markets in your area?

Living Like It Is 1999

I know people had cellphones and used the internet obsessively prior to 1999, but I don't recall them being a huge part of my life until the 21st century.  Ah those were the days.....

Anywho, we just got back from our 12 day visit to Hilton Head, SC.  I had limited cell reception and zero wireless service.  It took some getting used to, but I have decided that it is the only way to vacation. Now I just have to figure out a way to disconnect my husband's phone and computer, too.  His worked, mine didn't.

Things I took away from our trip:

• 79 degrees, 42 % humidity, with zero clouds is the perfect weather
• Paddleboarding is the best way to start the day.  Kayaking is the best way to end it.
• I can never get tired of looking at water

Our back deck

• Lastly, WE NEED TO REDECORATE!

I took some photos of the house we stayed in. This place was AMAZING. I am still contemplating sharing them on here.  There are few things in life that are sacred anymore and I think kids and homes should be left private.  Since this home belongs to a family friend, I feel especially torn.  However, the owner is an interior decorator and it belongs in a magazine.  She got every room right.  She must feel so satisfied when she walks through her home.  Ok, we know that isn't true.  Aren't we always searching for something else to make it "perfect"?

Here is just a peek.  Disregard horrible cell phone shots:

 Master Bedroom

 Master Bathroom

Guest Room

I'll share other little snippets of the house over the next week.  I got so much inspiration from all the little details.    We're in Atlanta for the week and tomorrow's post will be about my very first trip to the infamous Scott Antique Market.  Come back for a very rare consecutive post :)