Mix and Match Chairs

I think the first time I saw a dining area with mix and matched chairs was on the set of 'Friends' back in the 90's. I remember loving Monica's hand-me-down, shabby chic apartment. . .especially those chairs!

Fast forward to 2011 and you will notice that more and more people are opting for non-matching dining chairs. Who says all of the chairs around a table need to match, anyway?! I love straying from the typical 'decorating rules' every now and again, and this rule was meant to be broken! When a home is filled with  with eclectic, collected pieces that work well together you can't help but create a unique and inviting interior. Take a peak and you will see what I mean;

via Belle Maison 

 via Domino 

via Living Etc. 

via Unknown

via Apartment Therapy

via Design Sponge 

via Elle Decor

via House and Home

via Nest DC

via La Dolce Vita

 via Greg Scheidemann

via Peacock Feathers

via Young House Love

What about you? Would you dare to go non-matching? Or would it feel like leaving the house with two different shoes on your feet?! Please share :)

 

Feelin Beachy?

Hi All! I took a bit of an unexpected blogging break to enjoy all sorts of summer time happenings (concerts, beach trips, kayaking, wine tasting, bike rides, movies, bbq's and more!) There just seems to be SO MUCH fun stuff going on this time of year, right?! Anyway, after some much needed time off, I'm back to business as usual. . .

In honor of my most favorite season, summer time, here's a round up of some home decor items that are bound to give your abode a beachy, summer feel;

Dash & Albert Striped Rugs

Crate & Barrel Driftwood Mirror

Etsy Vintage Purple Glass Bottles

Shades of Light Nautical Rope Table Lamp

Ballar Design Hollis Slipcovered Sofa

Linens N Things Coastal Hanging Lanterns

Etsy Stripey Pillow

 Z Gallerie Clam Shell

PB Teen Capiz Chandelier

Ballard Design Rope Knot Door Stop

Etsy Underwater Seal Coral Prints

Ballard Designs Durham End Table

Bellacor Aqua Wave Table Lamp

Lamps Plus Madalay Round Ottoman

Want to achieve that beachy look but unsure where to begin? I'll be back later this week to share my secret formula for creating chic, beach inspired interiors! 

High Style, Low Cost Ideas with Design Manifest!

Today Naomi from the blog Design Manifest is here to share a cheap and chic lil project with you. I'm a huge fan of Naomi's blog. . . her style is so unique and inspiring! I love reading her posts, there is always something fresh and new that I have never seen before. So you can only imagine how excited I was that she agreed to stop by today!!

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Hi everyone, I'm so happy to be over here sharing a little makeover. I used to consider myself incredibly un-handy. Drilling, hanging, recovering felt overwhelming and out of my realm. But little by little I've tackled small projects and gained confidence. If I can do this stuff, anyone can!
 
Last year I found these great stools from JC Penney. They were inexpensive and I loved the faux bamboo look, so I scooped up two of them. I knew I could simply screw off the top and spray paint the base. The shape of the cushion seemed easy enough to recover too.

I love stools because they can be used anywhere and are such an easy way to infuse personality into a space. You can go a little bolder because they are small. Plus the look is easy to change out. I opted to give them a bit of oomp by spray painting the bases fire engine red.

And then I recovered the tops in a pretty Balinese fabric my Mom had leftover.

They instantly felt more exotic and custom to me. Whenever I see them, they bring a smile to my face.

8 months later, I've moved and the decor of my new place is heading in a whole different direction. So I'm actually planning to change up the base and fabric on top. In a way it makes me sad to lose this pair, but I can always change it back if I want. Plus I'll always have the pictures!

So Cindy Crawford Stools VS My Stools... who wins in a boxing match?

** These particular stools are no longer available, but I wanted to point out that this could be done with any piece. Just find a stool with an interesting shape, add a bold color and a new fabric that makes you happy and boom amazing new stools for you!

Thanks so much for having me over, Mary! It was fun to share.

xo,
Naomi

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Did you know that Naomi is lucky enough to work as a father-daughter team with her dad, designing and renovating houses?! She's also pretty talented in the Ikea-hacking department if you ask me! Check this out:

And here's what the finished Ikea Rast cabinets looks like in her home;



I told ya the girl was brilliant! Happy Friday, everyone! :)

 

Saying Goodbye

Do you think it's strange to have a sentimental attachment to a piece of furniture?!

Lets rewind and I'll start from the beginning. . . The year was 1989 and my parents bought a brand spankin new sleeper sofa. It was a grey-blue and had sort of a corduroy feel to it, a rounded back and sat low to the ground. I grew up with this sofa! At the time (late 80's, early 90's) it totally fit in with the 'southwestern' decor my mom had going on in our living room. It transitioned with us when we moved in the mid 90's and eventually it just became an eye sore. In 2002 I moved out of my parents house they let me take the sofa with me. It was still in good condition, sturdy as a rock and being a poor, furniture-less college student I happily accepted the offer and moved the sofa into my first apartment. I had the sofa for a couple of years until it got handed down to the next family member. And then the next, and then the next. Whether it was used in as-is condition, or combined with a slipcover, it was a functional piece of furniture and provided a pull out bed for guests which was always a plus. My younger sister Michele was the last person to get to be the proud owner of this family heirloom  hand-me-down.

Last summer I helped Michele spruce up her townhouse near the beach in Santa Cruz. We painted the walls, put up new curtains and a gallery wall of art, amongst other things. Here's a shot of the sofa I have been ranting about, in Michele's living room, before the new slipcover we purchased had arrived; 

Michele just recently moved in with her boyfriend John and they decided they wanted to buy a new sofa together. The old blue family sofa ended up on Craigslist. A day later two guys came and picked it up, for free. I never had a chance to say goodbye which makes me kind of sad :( It wasn't the prettiest or most comfortable thing in the world, it was over 20 years old and totally outdated, but it had sentimental value. You can laugh at me for saying this, but that sofa will always have a special place in my heart.

What about you, have you ever had a sentimental attachment to a piece of furniture?! Or am I the only crazy one?!

Saturday's Shopping Spree

I spent Saturday in Roseville with my two favorite shopping partners (my sisters!) and we had a blast. Although part of the Roseville Galleria is still shut down due to repairs (because of this) thankfully my three favorite stores weren't harmed and were open so I could do a little perusing! I could have spent all day in Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware but we had lots on the agenda so I just popped in  to take a quick little looksie around. Here's what caught my eye at Restoration Hardware:

I loved this combination of rustic farmhouse table with upholstered nailhead trim chairs and double light fixture. Oh, and that oversized framed map completed the look.

I know a lot of people are so over these antlers, but I can't help but still love them!

I still love the subway art! What about you?

I'm considering this bedding from Crate & Barrel for a project I am working on (that I mentioned here.)

I love, love, loved this vignette at Pottery Barn! I adore the combination of dark wood dresser with the sleek white shelves. Add some beachy accents and a soothing wall color and it's darn near perfection in my book!

I spy with my little eye three Hicks Pendants! I LOVE this light fixture and am noticing them everywhere lately! 

That's all for now. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Deal of the Century

I'm helping my sister shop for a new sofa and I came across a find I just HAD to share. Check out this slipcovered sofa from JCPenny;

It's originally $999 but is currently on sale for $399!!! Ok, maybe it's not the 'deal of the century' but it is a really awesome price for such a great sofa. 

Lets face it, the sofa is the biggest and most expensive piece of furniture in most living rooms. I think going with a neutral colored upholstery is the best way to ensure that you are going to love your investment for a long time. Also, a neutral sofa just like this one will mix well with a plethora of different styles and color schemes. And to top it off, the slipcovers are removable and washable. Could it get any better?!

Color Story: Plum

I am thrilled that Design Within Reach has finally expanded it's repertoire to include modern classic pieces in new vibrant hues!

How fun are these chairs?! They are made of perforated metal and would great on a patio or even indoors. They would definitely add a punch of color to any space!

via here

To see more, visit Design Within Reach.

Cost Plus World Market Sale!

I was just in their store earlier today and couldn't believe some of the sales going on! While their furniture is in the lower to mid price and quality ranges, I have to admit World Market does have some really stylish pieces and great finds. Check out a few items I wish I could have swooped up and taken home with me;

Just what every living room needs, a nice neutral, contemporary style sofa!

Mogan Sofa, $449.99

 Ah, my beloved farm house table that I wrote about here is still on sale. . .  Tempting, very tempting!

Provence Dining Table, $524.99

This gorgeous apple green ceramic garden stool is just as juicy looking in person!

Lotus Stool, $59.99

I love the design in the latice backs of these chairs!

White Rajani Side Chairs, Set of 2 $199.98

Raja Round Pedestal Table, $89.99

Check out this post to find out why your kitchen needs one of these rugs! :)

Wool Runner, $134.10

These slipcovered chairs would go nicely with my Provence farm house table, don't you think!?

Anna Slipcoverer Chair, $159.98

This bench is stealing the show for me! LOVE IT!

Zebra Bench, $99.99

Most of these deals are only available in store, so get to your local World Market before the sale ends today!!