i will find you

Has this ever happened to you? You're reading someone's blog when you see an image that evokes a GASP! and suddenly you find yourself on a mad Google-fueled Amazing Race-type expedition of what it is and where to find it. Friends, I admit that this happens to me.



And happens quite regularly at Koralee's inspiring and always beautiful blog Bluebird Notes, where I fell hard for ... cupcake liners ... from Greengate ... a home decor company in Denmark from which I can't figure out how to order. So, the quest began ...



My search ultimately lead me to Norfolk Textiles in the U.K. and I am now the owner of cupcake cups and paper cups (although not the same GASPed-over pattern, they are still very sweet).



In related news, I have had similar reactions to pieces from PiP Studio in Amsterdam, as shown above.



So, I actually did a GASP+double take when I saw this plate while sauntering about TJ Maxx yesterday.



Although it is not from PiP Studio, it really looks (to me) like it could be. I bought just one plate to display ... for now.

{What is it about these rosy patterns that makes me swoon?}

Remember to shut-down your computer before running out the door to TJ Maxx ...

xo
elyse

l'armoire est fini

So, Saturday was the day I had set aside to finally paint the armoire. Somehow over a breakfast consisting of cereal and magazines, I decided I would paint the entire piece white with pale aqua stripes, and leave all hardware on.



Because the window is a favorite piece, I took my aqua color-cue from the backing wallpaper, which lead me to choose Almost Aqua by Glidden.





The armoire was sort of beastly to paint and I needed to do a paint-run half-way through.



Overall I did about two coats to everything but the drawer fronts and hardware (just 1 coat) and let it dry overnight.



Sunday morning I still wasn't 100% sure if I should add the aqua stripes but then I just had to with the safety net of knowing that if it didn't look right, it could be covered with another coat of white. No measuring for me: I used the paint chip as my guide for width.



I gave a quick, light coat of paint and then carefully removed the tape.



Next it was time to shabbify the hardware with a little nail polish remover on a paper towel. The top pull is the before; the bottom is after a little damp swipe here and there.



Finally, the most fun part: the sanding. When I sand painted furniture it feels very "artisan-like" to me, as if I'm painting a picture because where I choose to sand or how much wood to reveal is so deliberate. It's like adding glitter or frosting a cupcake; it's the most enjoyable part of the process to me.



Once the sanding was how I wanted it, I wiped the entire piece with an old, dry towel to remove the sandy dust. (There's probably a real word for this that I'm just not thinking of!)



While the aqua paint was still open I tried Marie's Paint a Bottle project from the current issue of Romantic Country. And of course, painted a few cans and a wire basket found after scouting the basement.



The armoire was given another full day to dry and then today ...



Back in its place in my let's-pretend-it's-a beach-cottage living room.



I am thrilled with how it turned out!



Loving the painted jars, too!



Now, does anyone make speaker cosies?!

Thanks for cheering me on and hanging on through this long post!

xo
elyse

armoire part I

I've been wanting to paint the living room armoire for some time now. Just how long? Well, I consulted my blog archives and it looks like I got the big idea last July, as documented here.



In some ways painting the armoire seems as disruptive a project as painting a room because it holds the TV and all that goes along with it. I never truly enjoy painting but the results are always so worth it every time.



The drawers are packed tightly with CDs and VHS tapes and will need to be emptied. I realize this will be a good opportunity to sort and make donation piles. {Record club CDs from the late '90s, anyone? Teasing!}



Even though this idea has been on my mind for a while, it's not completely sorted out. I am thinking of layering coats of aqua and gray and finishing with watered-down white on top, which will ultimately be sanded here and there for a distressed look.



I'm also in the midst of deciding whether to (a) keep all hardware as-is; (b) give it a shabby coat of white with some silver; or (c) replace handles with something interesting a la Anthropologie (but not so pricey).



As always, any ideas are welcome! The painting begins this Saturday!

xo
elyse

robby benson, skipper and me

I recently did a guest-post at Annette Tatum's The Well-Dressed Home blog and it was so enjoyable for me to assemble, photograph and write that I would like to share it here, too. If you read it at Annette's, I apologize for the rerun ...

When asked to publish a post about Annette's beautiful book The Well-Dressed Home, Fashionable Design Inspired by Your Personal Style, I knew instantly that I wanted to explore the premise for myself:

{Personality is key when developing your wardrobe, and the same is true when creating a unique decorating scheme for your home.}

As a teenager, I was very proud of my bedroom. I recall feeling how the space was an extension of my personality; that someone could walk in and know it was mine. While my mom had picked out bedding and curtains, I was given free reign to hang posters and display collections. Whether it was a poster of dreamy Robby Benson, my plaid Preppie calendar, or the pink and green Sex Pistols album cover: it was me. Somehow, these attributes still apply: a mix of sweet, practical and fun.

In the Design Style Guide part of Annette's book, styles are broken down into lavishly presented categories of Romantic, Couture, Classic, Casual, Bohemian, Retro, Resort, Modern, Eclectic, Vintage, and Eco. It was fun to assign a mix for myself which appears to be Romantic-Casual-Vintage ... for now!



When I scouted for clothing in the colors of my home office (aka the Girlie Office), the accent colors of pinks and aquas were an easy find. However, no yellow: not a shirt, not a shoe, not an earring. I've always felt sallow in yellow yet am very happy surrounded by the sunny hue.



The scheme in the dining room and kitchen are similar to the Girlie Office: pale with bright; this time mint paired with bright shades of blue, red and raspberry.



The living room is all about tones of grays and blues with a bit of white and occasional sparkle. A coordinating outfit was quickly located as I tend to wear quite a bit of gray and blue with a little sparkle.



Shoes are always flats, thanks to my style icon the Skipper doll.



Again, quite a bit of gray ...



with a little sparkle.



And comfort is always a priority in both my fashion and furnishing choices.

xo
elyse

ps



{tee hee}

well-dressed winners announced

Thank you to everyone who read my interview with Annette Tatum, visited my guest post at her blog and returned to enter the giveaway. Using random.org, three winners have been selected and each will receive their own copy of Annette's book The Well-Dressed Home. The winners are Kelly, Danielle, and Lisa. Congratulations!

As an extra thank you from Annette, treasured bloggers can receive 10% of orders from her website ANNETTE TATUM by entering the code: tinkered.

Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Weekend!

xo
elyse

well-dressed giveaway x 3 (+ interview)

When I was approached by Annette Tatum to do a book review and guest post in celebration of the launch of her new website ANNETTE TATUM, I was beyond excited. Not only have I been swooning over Annette's pale floral House Inc fabrics since discovering them via CountryHome magazine (June 2008) but I had been wanting a copy of her book The Well-Dressed Home, Fashionable Design Inspired by Your Personal Style, for my very own. Now thanks to Annette, I own a copy and 3 of you have a chance to win one for yourself, too! {Details below}

The Well-Dressed Home is a truly beautiful book; even its surprising heft adds to the sense of substance. The photographs by Karyn R. Millet are beyond lovely and the book features many "mood" or inspiration boards that illustrate harmonious blends of fashion and furnishings. After all, this is the premise of Annette's book: Create a personalized living space that reflects your style sensibilities.


Blending in with my Girlie Office {Necklace by Debi}

I really enjoyed creating a guest post for Annette's blog where I pulled shoes, clothing and accessories from my closet to see if they indeed coordinate with decor around my home. I hope you will visit the post and be inspired to play, too.


Annette (l) in her inspiring office

Hello, Annette! First I want to say that your writing is so eloquent, it was like reading a prose poem. Before you fell for textiles and design, did you write?
Annette: I was never that compelled to write until I started to blog. Seems like for many like me there is a writer in all of us! For the book I summoned friends and family to help proof read and help me write. It's hard to put your own style and ideas into words without sounding redundant at times so I took all the help I could get!



I especially enjoyed the Design Style Guide part of your book where you break down styles into categories of Romantic, Couture, Classic, Casual, Bohemian, Retro, Resort, Modern, Eclectic, Vintage, and Eco. It was fun for me to assign a mix for myself which turned out to be Romantic-Casual-Vintage . . . for now! What would your own mix be? What was it ten years ago?
Annette: I am Eclectic at heart. I like a little bit of everything and have such a hard time committing to a certain style. However, I notice that my home is probably Classic with Casual -- and not enough Bohemian. The free spirit in me would love to lead more of a "Boho" lifestyle; I also wish I had more of a "couture" lifestyle but four children keeps that look far from my reaches.



I think it would be great to be a set designer where I could create rooms for movies and experience it all. I love the movie Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. The sets, the props, the wardrobe . . . in another lifetime perhaps! Ten years ago my style was more Romantic and Vintage; I have since discovered I like a more sophisticated look which I find in Classical design.



You created your first collection of bedding in 1994. Because I am guessing that we are around the same age, that astonishes and impresses me! What would you consider to be your big break and any details of how that came about?
Annette: If someone had just told me to do what I loved I probably would have even started printing fabrics earlier in my life but the road that lead me here also contributed to who I am and the lessons I have learned. I have always been creative and transitioned from architecture to product design. I dabbled in lighting, furniture and packaging design and graphics before landing in fashion. It was in fashion that color entered the picture and with fabric you could do so much more and have so much fun.


Love these top-tying curtain panels!

I found my calling and started to make apparel and then finally landed where I am right now in Home. My lifestyle has also played a part in what I do. I started Nursery as a young mother and now that my children are getting older it's no surprise to me that I am looking to branch out into more interior design and home decor fabrics.



I am also in awe of all that you accomplish, knowing that you have four children. With my own two boys I have completely embraced chip-forgiving Cottage style in most rooms. What style works for you in your busy home? Any storage tips? Annette: In my home everyone has a little bit to do with the overall style. For the common areas like our family room and kitchen, I have graduated from my "all white" color theme. When the kids were little, white was always easy to clean -- a little bleach and gone were the stains -- now I have a pale blue linen sofa and am proud to say it is still blue! I now have more antiques in my home and one of a kind vintage pieces that are not broken or falling apart because someone decided to use them as a jumping gym! So, slowly over time I am creating the home I want with an open mind and a willingness to collaborate with others.



I am not a big fan of storing; I usually discard. Every six months or so, I go through the house and throw away or donate things we don't need or are done with. It's so energizing and healthy to get rid of the clutter. In this process I often find myself moving furniture around to try new combinations. I have a good girlfriend who will come over and we have fun rearranging furniture for the afternoon -- sometimes with surprising results that often work better than when we started.



What room in your home or office would you best fit in at the moment?
Annette: Like my wardrobe, spring is here and it's a good time to clean house again and get some new ideas going. In a perfect place and time I would say my home office best reflects my style sense in clothing -- it's full of inspiration that I love and like my wardrobe holds some treasures that I might never wear or use but I keep them because they make me happy!

Warmest thanks to Annette for her thoughtful answers and generous giveaway!



BOOK GIVEAWAY x 3
For a chance to win one of three copies of Annette's book, The Well-Dressed Home, simply leave a comment. Three winners will be chosen at random. The giveaway ends on April 23, 2011.

For additional entries:
Please do any or all of the following and leave a comment for each letting me know:
- Visit my post at Annette's blog and leave a comment about which photo you like best
- Sign-up for the Annette Tatum newsletter (find at right sidebar of Annette's blog)
- Become a Fan of The Well-Dressed Home on Facebook

Thank you for reading and good luck!

xo
elyse

Photos provided by ANNETTE TATUM

novica giveaway winner announced

Thank you so much to everyone for entering my NOVICA giveaway.

Using random.org is elementary my dear, and the winner is Sara at The Sherlocks Home blog. Sara is the recipient of $75 to spend at NOVICA which was generously provided by the fair trade artisan website.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the dual-post AnnetteTatum palooza!


Source: The Well-Dressed Home

xo
elyse