Want a hand-cut look without the mess?  Seek out Sunny’s original stencils.  Sunny’s Goodtime Paints is always creating new stencils for a fun and creative use.  I first admired one of  her stencils from Posh Tots.

The Tidal Starfish Stencil Set creates a perfect look for the beach house or sea themed room!

Get inspired from Sunny’s creative uses of her stencils….love the drama and all different interior planes in play!

Stencil your walls, then to the floor, and go up on the ceiling….any special look you want to create. These stencils are definitely unique and fun for anyone to try!

Stencil Until Your Hearts Content!

Read all about it……..The latest wallpaper design from Weitzner Limited for Spring 2010!  Each roll is truly unique using old newspaper strips.  The strips are hand-woven on a loom making for a beautiful backdrop for any room.  This product is very ECO-CHIC and in my mind considered Art On a Wall.

Just Brilliant!

Thanks to this beautiful, warm weather we are currently having in Michigan my spring fever is out of control!  It got me thinking about how I could use some new patio furniture which leads me to my latest find.

Breezesta Recycled Poly Furniture hits a home-run on so many levels!  First of all it’s 100% recycled which means it’s the greenest choice you can make.  But never fear, green is only one of 20 color choices!  To top it all off, it’s maintenance free, has a life time warranty and is fade resistant.

Find the color and style that’s perfect for you.

THINK SPRING!

Thanks to Dana Dratch from Bankrate.com for sharing the top 22 painting blunders!  I love this list….it makes me giggle.  I see mistakes everyday and get many phone calls pertaining to these exact blunders.  Some of my favorites are thinking all paint is the same and not prepping.  Boy oh boy there are many paint jobs gone wrong so visit the list.  Please ask for help. It goes a long way!

(courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

Top 22 Painting Blunders

1. Jumping the gun.

2. Dreaming up colors.

3. Pursuing trends.

4. Mistaking swatch for wall.

5. Ignoring warm and cool.

6. Forgetting every wall is different.

7. Forgetting the ceiling.

8. Not using color to connect rooms.

9. Not identifying existing paint.

10. Thinking all paint is the same.

11. Not asking for help.

12. Not using best tools.

13. Buying insufficient paint.

14. Not examining paint early.

15. Not buying the right tools.

16. Not considering hiring a pro.

17. Not prepping the wall.

18. Not having a plan of attack.

19. Using thick coats of paint.

20. Not considering painter’s tape.

21. Neglecting your tools.

22. Forgetting what colors you used.

Let Someone Else’s Painting Go Wrong….Read The Warning!

Well it’s that time of year…..Time for storage!  I don’t know about you but every January I get the urge to get organized!  I start taking down the holiday decorations and putting things away and just want everything clean and in it’s place.  I’m notorious for buying bins and baskets to satisfy my need for organization which leads me to my latest find!

I love these Everything Bins from Serena and Lily.  Say goodbye to the boring plastic bins and check out these prints!  There are 12 prints to choose from and they have a glossy coat which is water tight and super durable!  They are perfect for all your storage needs.

So come on everybody……Lets get organized!!!

Who can guess what is really expensive, but so worth the investment?…..window treatments!  I know everyone is sticker shocked at first, but once up…..worth every penny!  Window treatments are like the best accessory for your little black dress.

(Beautiful things to share blog)

(courtesy of: My Notting Hill)

Most of my time right now is sketching and finding fabrics for windows.  What many people do not realize is all the hours that goes into a window treatment.  Here is the breakdown…..first,  I visit the customer’s house and get a quick measurement. Second, I take a picture of the window and all of the surrounding areas for clues.  Third, grab all the fabrics that I would like to see as possibilities and to inspire me on a style.  Sometimes, I find that the style comes first and that will dictate a certain fabric.  Okay, now for the fun part which is the sketching…..coming up with the perfect treatment to frame the window.  Last, I revisit the customer’s house and ponder the choices…..coming up with my favorite two and having them pick from there.  Fun stuff!

Now the dreaded pricing begins…..hours of figuring fabric, calling for price of fabrics, and discussions with the workroom.  Now lets just hope the fabric chosen is in stock and not  the dreaded ‘D’  word Discontinued…..oh yes… if so the process would start all over again.  Don’t get too excited because once I share the cost with a new customers they might be scared off (secret: once hooked they will never say no again).  Now, if I get the green light I have work orders to the workroom and ordering ahead of me.

(Traditional Home Oct 08)

(courtesy of: myblinds.blogspot)

Let me tell you it is worth the 6 to 8 weeks for the window treatment to be born. Certainly it is an investment, but I hope there is a better understanding of all the work that takes place behind the scenes.  The designer plays a big part, but lets not forget the hardworking person sewing the draperies.  That is a job you would not want me to do because I can not even sew a button!  Even though much work is involved I love the whole process.  The end result is just the icing on the cake…..one happy customer with some beautiful draperies!

Dress Your Window!

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”  Oprah Winfrey

(image courtesy of: pattyappleby.wordpress.com)

Loving the quote from Oprah….I know a lot of you have paint colors gone wrong.  Well, the New Year brings a fresh coat of paint.  Good Luck on your color selection from PYS!

I do not know about all of you, but the Holidays seem to come earlier and earlier every year.  It just seems like we are still eating our Halloween candy and here comes the Christmas music….crazy.  Can we just go back to after Thanksgiving welcoming Christmas decorating?

I am trying to get inspired, so lets take a look….

Smallplacestyle’s example of a modern Christmas and a mantel full of fun…very clean!

I guess I am aiming for a more subtle approach to Holiday decorating for this season.  Casasugar writes about San Francisco blogger Victoria that decorates with on a more mellow, subtle touch for the season.  Her ideas of roses, white candles, colors of silver and gold is a welcoming deviation from traditional red and green.  Sometimes the saying less is more applies the truth even to your Christmas decor.  Lets face it ….just an easier clean up as well!

Good Luck Decorating!!!

Have you ever been looking for wallpaper but had trouble finding exactly what you had in mind?  I know I have and it can be frustrating pouring through all those books trying to find just the right one.  Now you can create your own with Alluminare!  Their step-by-step wallpaper designer is awesome!  The colors and combinations are endless!  I created the one below in a matter of minutes.  It was fast and fun!

They don’t stop at wallpaper.  You can also customize lighting, lamp shades, pillows and fabric!  With that kind of flexibility you are most certain to get a very pulled together look.

So the moral of this story is… if you can’t find it design it yourself!!

Quality products at half the price???  Why is it when you are shopping online there is such a price jump from site to site???  Amish Country Products and More explains part of the reason they are able to beat the pricing of their competitors by such a considerable amount is due to their website.  Their site has no gimmicks…..you are getting the best price the first time, every time!  Most companies add a substantial markup and then run a temporary sale making you think you got the deal of a lifetime….wrong!

If you are looking for high-quality, hand made Amish products priced honestly, Amish Country Products and More will be for you.  The store, located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country has been established online and in brick-and-mortar since the mid 1990’s.  Their special products are made by skilled Amish men and women with first class craftsmanship.  The store specializes in selling cupolas, but also carries weathervanes and a wide variety of Amish crafted cabinetry and furniture.

Take a look for yourself with customer photos.

The proof is in the work!