Monday, January 31, 2011

I Goofed Twice!

Last fall we began the redecorating process of our red living room. We lightened things up by painting the walls SW Aria Ivory, removing dated curtains and reducing the number of accessories.

After:

Before:

New pillows were made for the chairs and I found a funny little French marble top table to replace the too big skirted round table.


Things seemed to be progressing nicely.

Later, some bargain curtain hardware was unified with paint/glaze and after input from RDH followers the winner of the gray silk versus white linen curtain debate was selected – although I never announced my choice.


I sewed and hung my new curtains and after only a few days it hit me. Something was just not right. The curtain hardware finish seemed out of place and the windows looked empty with just one panel. Why I made only one panel per window, I do not know.


Needless to say, I goofed twice in the same room!

The curtain hardware issue was easily fixed in a few hours with some white paint to match the woodwork.

Amending the curtain situation, however, was a different story. My first thought was to make four more panels. I liked the gray silk and it was not the color which bothered me. See how empty this looks!


The problem with this idea was the fabric was purchased several months ago and dye lots vary from bolt to bolt. The chance of getting more fabric to match the existing curtains was pretty slim. I ordered a fabric sample from the bolt from which my new fabric would be cut anyway and kept my fingers crossed.

The sample arrived and much to my surprise and delight it matched perfectly. However, while I was waiting I had another thought. I decided to play “musical curtains” and move the gray silk panels to another room in my house. It was love at first sight!

Now I had a decision to make. Keep the curtains in their new room or make four more panels. Which did I choose? Stay tuned for the answer!


Saturday, January 29, 2011

New - Blog of the Month Feature

One of the things I like best about blogging is discovering new sites. (Hopefully you do too!) It seems almost every week I find a new and incredible blog. To help spread the word about new blogs and recognize some long time favorites, I am excited to announce a new “Blog of the Month” feature on Red Door Home.

Calendars by Jessica Swift

My plan is to spotlight one favorite blog during the first week of each month. (This will be hard decision as there are so many wonderful sites and only twelve months in the year!)

As a bonus and thank you, the featured blog will also receive a button link to their blog on the side bar of Red Door Home until the next blog of the month is announced – a free month of advertising!

So, if you have a blog and would like to be featured or have a favorite blog you think everyone should know about please leave a comment below or email me. I can’t wait to see your suggestions!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Thank You Dovecote Décor!

The week after the New Year I received some exciting news. I was the winner of a fabulous giveaway sponsored by Liz, Benji and Viive at Dovecote Décor in conjunction with Wind Rose Antiques.  

What did I win?
 
This fantastic English rosewood stationary box with inlay valued at $350. Needless to say I was thrilled!
 
The box arrived a few days ago and is even prettier in person than it was in the picture. According to the enclosed tag, the box is from Staffordshire, England and dates to the 1830’s - a true antique and treasure.

Although I have not settled on a permanent home, it is currently residing happily in my dining room.


Besides writing a wonderful blog called Dovecote Décor, this talented trio also has a shop by the same name.


I was delighted at the selection of antiques, lighting, accessories, and more that I found while visiting their online shop. Here is just a sample of some of my favorites.



Thanks again to Dovecote Décor for this incredible giveaway. To see more great pieces, click HERE.


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Rerun of a Rerun

My basement entrance is back in print again!

Better homes and Gardens recently republished their special interest publication “100 Decorating Ideas – Big Style for Small Rooms.” So in case you missed it the first time around in August of 2010, here it is again.


My basement entrance is idea number eighty-six.

Photographer - John Bessler
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

The original story (shown below) about my basement remodel appeared in the July 2009 edition of Better Homes and Gardens – although the entrance picture included me in the photo. This article also featured pictures of the sitting area, play area and small space under the steps.

Photographer - John Bessler
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications

Photographer - John Bessler
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications


Photographer - John Bessler
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications


Photographer - John Bessler
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional editor and producer for Meredith Publications


So I guess you can call this a rerun of a rerun! Hope you didn’t mind seeing it again.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Too Much of a Good Thing?

You may remember last fall I recovered some dining room chairs I purchased from the Salvation Army. After an extensive search, I choose this pretty blue and white Ikat from Calico Corners called Kalah blue.


The fabric was a great scale and coordinated beautifully with many of the existing elements in the room. I was thrilled with how the space was coming together.


I now seem to be seeing this fabric in lots of different places.

Lauren at Pure Style Home used it in a client’s dining room as art.


Kristen from 6th Street Design has family room curtains made from this fabric.


A Delightful Design recently posted a picture of a living room by interior designer Bryn Dunn.


The most recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens shows designer Amy Meier’s home which features – you guessed it – more of the same fabric.



In fairness to these fabulous ladies, I am guessing they all used this fabric before I did. Even still, I began wondering if perhaps now it has lost its “wow” factor in that it is no longer unique.

What do you think? When you see a particular design element over and over, does it lose its appeal? Does it become dated or are you more apt to choose something because of its popularity? I would love to hear your opinion!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Time for New Pillow Cases

I tend to hold onto things I like for a long time. Such was the case with the very first bedding we purchased for my son. Now, ten years later, they have come to the point of desperately needing to be replaced. (I am almost embarrassed to be showing this picture and admitting to using these pillow cases for so long.)


I looked everywhere to find something similar – Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Pottery Barn, Target, etc. No luck – none to be found. So after weeks of searching, I decided to make them myself. I am not sure why I didn’t think of this originally as making pillow cases is truly one of the simplest sewing projects I have ever completed.

Supplies:
Makes two standard size pillow cases
Fabric – 2 yards of 44” wide
Sewing machine
Yardstick or ruler
Thread
Scissors
Pins

Making the Pillow Cases:
Wash and dry your fabric – an important step not to be skipped!


Cut fabric into two approximately 1 yard x 44” wide pieces. Your fabric may be slightly smaller due to shrinking during the washing and drying process.

Fold fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together making a 36” x 22” rectangle.


Pin and sew along two edges using ½” seam allowance. Since I do not have a serger, I also sewed around a second time about ¼” from the edge to reinforce the seams.


Finish remaining raw edge (pillow case opening) by turning under ½” and sewing. Turn pillow case right side out.



To create a cuffed edge, fold the finished edge of the pillow case back approximately 6” and then fold the cuff back on itself making a 3” cuff.


Pin in place and sew ¼” from the opening edge of the pillow case and ¼” from the folded edge.


Place over pillow and enjoy!


Linking to these fabulous ladies

Lisa Leonard Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the RDH Lisa Leonard Giveaway and to share their favorite Lisa Leonard Jewelry design. I so appreciate everyone who follows Red Door Home and view giveaways as my small way of saying thank you!

The lucky winner of the $50 gift certificate, chosen by Random.org was comment #55 . . .



. . . Cassandra from LittleBirdSays.

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy your new Captured Heart necklace.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Lisa Leonard Giveaway Reminder

Today is the last day to enter the RDH Lisa Leonard Jewelry Giveaway


Don’t miss your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Lisa’s online store.


Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.

Good Luck!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Stone Houses

Beautiful Homes 2002

I have always had a love affair with stone houses.

Renovation Style 2007


Source unknown

I am not sure when my infatuation began but evidence can be easily found in the number of magazine pictures I have saved over the years.

Beautiful New Homes 2008


Traditional Home 2007

To me, stone houses exude a sense of permanence no matter what the size or age.

Beautiful Interiors 2006

They are timeless - looking as beautiful today as they did many years ago.

Beautiful Homes 2009


New Home 2007

Stone houses are at home in the country, the city and everywhere in between.

Beautiful New Homes 2007

They can be grand or humble – each house elegant in its own way.

Stone VIllage Historic Village, Vermont

Needless to say, the house of my dreams is made from stone.

Historic Phelps House

Do you have a favorite type or style of house? I would love to hear about your favorites!
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