fcpint3

What is it about blue and white ginger jars that are so awesome??  They are a little bit asian-inspired, a little bit traditional, and for whatever reason they are absolutely stunning in every single space. Source Sculptural.  Check. Classic.  Check. Beautiful.  Double check. Source My mom has some beautiful planters in a similar pattern, and her dishes - the Blue Danube pattern - have always been a favorite of mine as well.  Something about the royal blue and crisp white, combined with the ornate details (whether it's floral, or a whole Japanese garden scene), makes them so lovely, and elegant. Source Isn't this just gorgeous filled with those ruffly full peonies??? Source They of course look right at home in traditional spaces - flanking an antiqued console (below), or displayed in a large collection like this formal dining room (above). Source But they also look lovely in more contemporary spaces - it looks just as natural and pretty next to a piece of abstra...

Coffered ceilings are an absolutely gorgeous detail that goes completely un-talked about - that has to change! One of my best friends is on the hunt for a new house, and just saw a beautiful home that boasts coffered ceilings - JEALOUS! I can hardly think of a better use of high ceilings - I absolutely love the glamour and drama they bring to a space...  I love how ornate they look, even with a tone on tone color combo with the ceiling... Traditional Bedroom by Millbrook Architects & Designers Crisp Architects Traditional Kitchen by Oakland General Contractors Mueller Nicholls Cabinets and Construction Living Room by Charleston General Contractors Structures Building Company Traditional Kitchen by Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers Dalia Kitchen Design But look how dramatic it can be when the ceiling is painted in a different color! Mediterranean Bedroom by Bellevue Architects & Designers Gelotte Hommas Architecture Traditional Living Room by Point Pleasant Beac...

Hope you all had as good of a long weekend as we did - we spent most of it outside, soaking up the warm weather, bbqing, sun bathing, and watching a few fireworks.  I also spent a few hours doing this: Yep... that is paint my friends (Side note: can you believe how gross the color of the trim was before??? UGH. That swatch of white paint against it really shows how dingy it was!)   I had an itch on Sunday and decided that the trim in the dining room needed to be painted immediately , and so I busted out the tape and my paintbrush and went to town... Kris came back from the coffee shop to find all our furniture in the living room, and me knee deep in paint.  Despite his concerns over my mental stability, I kept at it, and a few hours later, the trim was bright and white and clean, and I was able to let out a sigh of relief! Have you ever read the book "When you Give a Mouse a Cookie"? If you haven't, please do, because then you will fully understand what has transpired sin...

Happy 4th of July!!  Hope you all have fabulous plans for a fun celebration - I'm going to be laying poolside at my friend's new condo - is there anything better than a rooftop pool on a hot day?? I think not! Here are a few looks perfect for celebrating America's Independence in style... Happy 4th! HANGING POOLSIDE (OR BEACHSIDE): beach day by beckyc1923 featuring nine west flats Seafolly bathing suit , $53 / Charlotte Russe swimwear / Nine West flat / Calvin Klein tote bag / Fat Face , $31 / ATHENA PROCOPIOU Cover-up Bring your sunscreen, a cute cover-up, and a big floppy hat - the "red" in your red-white-and-blue outfit should not be coming from your sunburn! A PATRIOTIC BBQ: bbq by beckyc1923 featuring a maxi dress Splendid maxi dress / Wood Wood striped boatneck shirt / Christian Louboutin high heels / 10 Crosby Derek Lam / GUESS chain necklace / Gold belt , $7.61 Eat all the ribs you want - this dress is forgiving, and with the length, you ca...

Say hello to my little friend(s)... Last week I mentioned how I'd been lusting after a pair of x benches for our space, but had all but given up on the idea of them, since every bench I found cost hundreds of dollars.  I'd stopped looking for a while, and then found a pair of these guys from Target for ~$50 each.  It was a no brainer to buy them and make them over since the cost of spray paint and fabric is minimal. I am SO happy with how these turned out... Especially considering how they started out... Not attractive... The dark faux leather was so bad in person... and when I say "so bad" I mean "SOOO BAD".  The leather was rock hard, super shiny, and had no give - it was like sitting on a slippery brick... but I saw past their sad exterior, and whipped them into shape quickly.... here's how it went: Step I: detach the cushions from the base.  Easy peasy... Step II: Spray the bases the color of your choice (I went with Rustoleum's trusty gold spray...

Do you ever have those moments when you turn around and completely hate everything in your space?? This happens to me most mornings when I try to get dressed - tons of clothes in the closet but nothing to wear... Well, it's started happening with decor now too - eek! Our living room got a few updates earlier this year with a new rug , a gallery wall , and a dolled up wine hutch , but since then it has been at a complete standstill for many months. I can't stand the lack of change, so the time has come to switch things up. I made a laundry list of the things I want to change, and came up with an inspiration board for how I want this space to feel - lighter colors, more natural wood elements, and overall a more organic feel... Living Room Wishlist:   - New sofa   - "New" Area Rug   - Cowhide rug (for layering)   - Lighter colored side tables   - Weathered wood coffee table   - Additional Seating I'm desperate for a new sofa (it's about time!) and while I've ...

It all started with this image... Source Can you imagine anything more extravagant??  To have a side table that is upholstered with ostrich leather??  And that brass hardware... stunning.  You all know how I feel about gold.  To die for... A piece like this would cost the big bucks (can you hear the ca-ching sound in your head???) But oh how amazing it would be to own a fabulous side table JUST. LIKE. THIS. Since I've been put on a budget, and I could never fathom spending thousands on a side table anyway, I had to get a bit creative in brainstorming up a little DIY for this end table... Here's what I came up with... SOURCES:  Faux Leather ,   Rast Side Table ,   Trim ,   Antique Brass Pull So that means that with a little patience, and a bit of work that you could recreate one of these side tables for less than $115 -  and for just over $200 you could have a pair of them!  That's my kind of budget! To recreate this side table, I imagine...