Wednesday, March 10, 2010

coffee talk: shopping & advice

:

Today I went to Anthropologie to have fun with my gift card from Janet.



It was only my second time at an "Anthro." There are none in RI so thanks to some terrible online directions, almost getting lost but then finding my way, I arrived safely with gift card and camera in hand.


Groovy window painter

Could this store be any cooler?



I chose some unique things like these pretty earrings, to add some sparkle to my usual ensembles from Target. I bought just 1 glass knob for my dining room table (since you can't see the other side!). I can't thank Janet enough for enabling this pre-spring splurge!

• • •

Now here is the part where I could use a little advice from some of the most creative minds I know.



The idea to wrap my dining table with oil cloth has been rekindled by bloggers Jen and Serena.



The question is, what pattern?

I have been bringing many colors into the kitchen/dining room and want to make sure it's all cohesive. There are pale green walls, smoke blue chairs, the framed red and green wallpaper, stacks of dishes in pink, yellow, green and blue.



Oilcloth seems wise because this is where we eat all of our meals and the boys do their homework; it would protect the table and be easy to wipe clean. There are many adorable oilcloth choices at the Etsy shop, Oilcloth Addict. Some ideas:



Any preference or links to other oilcloths?



Of course Cath Kidston has oilcloth and it's positively dreamy but a little pricey.

Thanks so much for listening to this coffee-fueled, ramble of a post!

xo
elyse

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Elyse, I am generally not a "commenter" but couldn't let this pass without giving you an idea. I wanted to do the same but the cost of the oilcloth I loved was way toooo much. Soooo, I went to Joann's and bought very inexpensive clear vinyl for $3 a yard, found really cute fabric, stapled the fabric on, then stapled the vinyle on and VOILA! VERY CUTE! and cost me less than $6 for the whole project that I can change when I want without feeling guilty! I Love your BLOG! Beth Smith goodvariety@yahoo.com

North West London Girl said...

Such pretty earrings, how lovely. Oilcloth is definitely practical, and as it should last you some time perhaps a little splurge on Cath might be cost effective.

Unknown said...

...Cath is just oh-so-lovely!!! You really can not go wrong with her beautiful oilcloths!! I like the white background with the light moss green polka dots, or the white background with the rose print. and ~ you could always use oversized doilies as placemats to soften the pattern. I can also suggest, You can actually by different gages (thickness) of "iron on" plastic! Yes, I said iron on plastic!! ~ so you can take any fabric you adore, and make your own faux oilcloth!!!! good luck and let us know what you decide! I already voted, ~ just go for it!! xo

Unknown said...

Hi Elyse! Oh how I love Anthropologie!! It is my favorite store to buy clothes and other cuties. There glass knobs are the best! I love everything you bought!
I also love your idea for your table! Of course that Cath Kidston green floral is GORGEOUS! But I also love that green with polka dots in your first picture! How cute that would be! I know what ever you do will be so beautiful!!
Hugs,
Amy

Scrap for Joy said...

Hi Elyse~
I am already addicted to scrapbook papers, stamps,ephemera, buttons, ribbon and now you're trying to get me addicted to oilcloth, too! The Etsy store is great and I love the idea of covering the table top. Dots and checks go with anything and of course you can always throw a tablecover over whatever you choose if you want to change the color scheme. I can't wait to see what you decide. (I'm so sorry I was tied up during your giveaway....how cute!)
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Fun choices from Anthro!

I LOVE your colors, Elyse! I have smoke blue chairs too! :) For the oilcloth, I love the floral pattern in the lower right, but honestly, they all work! I know, not very helpful, but your rooms already look wonderful and anything You choose is going to be great!!!
:)
Z

Pink Princess said...

There are bound to be Cath knock offs somewhere! They are MY fave but I am partial to pink and flowers .

OR splurge on the real Cath and treat yourself lol.

Lisa said...

http://storybookwoods.typepad.com/storybook_woods/2006/04/my_laundry_room.html#comments
http://homespunliving.blogspot.com/search?q=oilcloth

Here are a couple of links to bloggers who did it with fabric and vinyl. The first (Clarice) had the idea and explained how she did it and the 2nd (Deb) is easier to see and so pretty. Warning: You will probably become addicted to Homespun Living. :)

I know whatever you choose will be just the right thing. Your home is so lovely.

stefanie said...

I have never been to Anthropology, see I think I spelled it wrong...lol..but it looks amazing!!! cute stuff, ok, here is what a dummy I am, I don't even now what oil cloth is...but it sure is pretty, I think you should just go for what you like and love, you only live once!!

debi said...

I love your kitchen and dining room! They're just so fresh and cottagey!
I would go with one of the polka dots...refer to your post 12-16-09. teehee!

Kim said...

Anthropologie....sigh....just about retail heaven, isn't it?? I love the green floral oilcloth, but I hear ya about the price...I have some of the pink & white dotty oilcloth as a shelf liner & it's very pretty in person.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I like the last one, when viewed up against that dining area. Might be a little feminine for boys though. Just looks right to me.
Brenda

Claudia said...

I vote for either the green polka dot or the second of the two Cath Kidston prints. I realize they are expensive, though. I think oilcloth will look great on your table!

Isn't Anthropologie fun? Much of it is too expensive for me, but the little thing are pretty reasonable.

xo
Claudia

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Especially fun at Anthro when you have a gift certificate!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I have a gift card for Anthropolgie and I'm trying to decide whether to order on line...or try to go to a store later on! It's burning a hole in my pocket! heehee! The store looks fab! ♥

Lisa said...

I like the Cath blue. But I am a fan anyway! I do like the idea of the cloth. I would do more color than the dots. But I do Love the dots! Great buys at Anthro!! Enjoy your goodies!
Hugs, Lisa

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Oh Elyse! I LOVE the color of your kitchen! So fresh and pretty! Oilcloth is SO fun!!! Im really leaning towards the red polka dot as my fav! FUN! Let us know what you choose! ;) XO,Jenn

Theresa said...

Oh my, what a wonderful place to shop! Love the earrings. I can't decide on a print for the table, so I am NO help at all. Can't wait to see what you choose! Enjoy your evening!

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I love all, but Cath Kidson does win. Have you checked out some of the online sellers for oilcloth? Like this one?
http://www.mendels.com/oilcloth_flowers.shtml they have a great selection. Can't wait to see your table. xo

{oc cottage} said...

Positively dreamy is right, Moondoggie, it's the absolute ultimate! {sorry, I was channeling Gidget there for a sec...}
I vote Cath...those little make me purrrrrr!

m ^..^

LiLi M. said...

I should go for an oilcloth that ties a few colors together, not only two. I have a link for you:
http://www.kleurmijninterieur.nl/webwinkel/index.php?c=125&gclid=CNTduqOesKACFUgv3godnyGlUA
If you see something or have questions maybe I can help you out. I have to say that I wouldn't go for second best. Your table is a main focal point, just choose the very best! And remember your table will look like new, now how much would a new table cost you? If this means that you have to go for Cath Kidston, so it will be! Good luck!
Awesome finds at Antro, I went there in New York!

Cottage Flair said...

Anthropologie is one of my sister and my favorite stores. There aren't any close to me either. A few years ago I was in Boston with friends and we went to one. I bought the most beautiful mercury glass knobs (on sale) but haven't had the heart to use them yet!! I tend to save special things which is really silly. Maybe I'll dig them out. Thanks for reminding me.
The oilcloth? Go for the one you love. You have to look at it every day and it's less expensive than replacing your table!! I spend alot of time repainting table tops with my boys and their projects!
Jennifer

shabbyfufu said...

Hi Elyse, so happy that you had fun at Anthro! I was hoping that whoever won would actually go into one of the stores rather than ordering on~line. Their displays are very inspiring and I love the way that they mix real vintage pieces in their display vignettes, along with artisan crafted and new things. Wait a minute...isn't that what WE all love to do~lol!

I am partial to the Cath Kidston and since you will be looking at it so much I feel that if you can swing it, you should go for what you love! Will be back to see! ~xo~Janet

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Oh my you lucky girl! I wish I could have went with you. I really like Beth's idea(the 1st comment). Its not a big $$ commitment and you could change the fabric out with the season. How cool is that?

Anonymous said...

Hello...well I have to say that I have never been to Anthropolgie, and hadn't actually heard about it until another blogger mentioned the place about a week ago! Now you've shown me pictures of the inside, and it looks TRES cool!
I want to go too..but I haven't seen any in Canada...maybe I just don't get out enough! lol

the cloth idea is great! easy peasy wipe clean and still have prettiness...
you could do what Beth said at the top...wrap some pretty fabric with a thin vinyl...I do that with crochet table cloths so they don't get ruined!

whatever you end up going with, something floral is, in my opinion, the best bet! it's cheery, and romantic...and of course ohh soooo pretty!

ciao bella.

you have a lovely home!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Darling Elyse!

I think you should go for it! I think one of the poka~dot patterns would be cute and would "pop"! Silly me, I love the red & white one would like so cute in your dinning room!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Sandi said...

Hi Elyse,
I haven't a clue what to tell you, but I do know that whatever you decide to do it will be awesome!!
Blessings~

fairiemoon said...

Okay. I am going to be really naughty and tell you that I like the blue Cath Kidston best. I think it would go nicely with both your walls and your chairs. I think the green might be too much green...a pink/red print may also work but I think you might want something less saturated than the red polka dot and your boys may not prefer the girly colors.

Erin :)

beachvintage.com said...

I am a serious oilcloth ADDICT. I adore the stuff. I love the first comment here, it makes sense to me being a thrifter and all!

shabbyscraps said...

ohhhh, I *love* oilcloth. I love the cath kidson green floral, that would be my first choice for you, but I do understand it is very pricey. The green background with the white polka dot is my second choice.
Either way, no way you can go wrong with oil cloth!
xoxo, Tiffany

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Elyse, I've never been to an Anthro store. Looks lovely! I know that whatever you decide for your kitchen table will be absolutely fabulous! Many blessings, Tammy

koralee said...

Hi sweet friend...I was at Anthopologie too this week..went down to Seattle as us Canadians do not have the pleasure of having many up here yet. I do hear one is coming to Vancouver though!!!!!

I adore oilcloth!!!

Happy weekend. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Elyse, I love your kitchen and dinning room! Just scrumptious!

Ya know what? As much as I love dots, I think a dot table cloth might make my eyes go weird-o! I think I'd go with a floral and have dot accessories! ♥

Cottage Flair said...

Elyse,
I just got off of a webinar with a stampington publications editor. I REALLY think you should submit your blog to their Artful Blogging publication. I think it would be perfect. Just an idea ...
shopflair@sbcglobal.net if you want to ask me about it.
Jennifer

Cottage Flair said...

Elyse,
I just got off of a webinar with a stampington publications editor. I REALLY think you should submit your blog to their Artful Blogging publication. I think it would be perfect. Just an idea ...
shopflair@sbcglobal.net if you want to ask me about it.
Jennifer

Prudence said...

Love your blog, the colors, everything.
Prudence
www.avintagemom.blogspot.com

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Saw the latest issue of RHM and saw your creations. Congrats! I say go for it and wrap away in Cath Kidston. Your Anthropologie earrings will go perfectly with any Target attire. . . I do the same! Have you noticed that Target has come a long way in style? (and the prices are just right!)

Unknown said...

Hi Elyse, I say splurge on the Cath Kidston, I have used hers many times and it is of very good quality. Have a sweet day!

Hearts Turned said...

First off--LOVE your kitchen color! I love oilcloth--been wanting to do what you're doing--thanks for re-inspiring me to get moving on it! Of course, love those CK prints--luscious! But, they ARE pricey, aren't they? Love the other prints you found too, though--any of them would look beautiful in your kitchen...(I'm so much help!)

Unknown said...

I just love what you are doing Elyse. Years ago I bought an oil cloth tablecloth lined with flannel. I have used this so many times. It always gave me pretty to look at, while the girls dribbled everything from paint to food.

I just love your colors, and of course I am a fan of pink roses.

Your shopping spree resulted in fun photos for us and lovely finds for you.
Karen

Terri said...

Oh I just love that store. I take pics in there all of the time! I love your kitchen too! Looks like an anthropologie setting! You need to go to this website...they have cute oilcloth ideas.
http://www.chalkydoodles.com

Mrs Knight said...

i love your kitchen its very sweet!! an oil skin table cloth is just PERFECT for wee ones! and i too have visited the website that sells this material too hard to choose just one!

Ashley said...

LOVE the earrings!!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Elyse,
You have so many folks following your blog...how amazing is that. Hope you have room for this girl with the curl. I am Jacqueline from my childhood home Once Upon a Fairyland. I stopped by today to see all your sweet eye candy. I love what you have done on your blog! If you have a moment stop on by. I'm in the middle of my own give away. I'm a creative writer and I do monthly give aways. This month I'm the famous Jackie Calico from the game show...The Calico Consignment Shoppe. It takes place in an old windmill...wink!

Anonymous said...

What a pretty kitchen!
In Holland there's a tablecloth-website, I loved the lace-ones!

ByeBye,
a new follower