wallpaper download

isn't it funny how the simplest things can be the most difficult to decide?

i have to admit, then when i first put this post up, i thought the malachite would be the strong favorite. (thank you for all of the input, by the way!!) there were a lot that did like the malachite wallpaper, but i was pretty happy to see that a LOT of you also liked the links (diy grasscloth) and the thibaut alexander wallpaper.
i have decided... to move forward with option A:

now, IF i had unlimited funds, i would honestly go for the thibaut wallpaper. i think the soft geometry of the pattern would be the perfect compliment to my ornate mirror. but i just cant stomach shelling out $400 for it right now.
there are SO, SO many projects to get done and things to buy.
like blinds.
and closet shelves.
and cabinets for the laundry room.
and mirrors for the bathrooms.
these aren't just "pretty" things---these are things that are really needed and will make my life much more organized and functional. and so, at this point, FUNCTION will trump beauty.
but just a little.


ok, onto my totally random weekend links:

**i have been using this blog as one of my go-to sources for "no-fail" recipes. i have tried and loved, the broccoli soup, the pulled pork sandwiches and homemade bbq sauce, and the enchiladas.
i have more great recipe ideas here.


**my 9 year old son recently asked me if he could wear deodorant. UH. i am no expert on this, but i am pretty sure that ANY time a pre-pubescent boy ASKS you to buy him anything that will make him smell better, you should RUN to the nearest store and get it for him before he changes his mind. i must have smelled 500 deodorants that were all way to "manly" before i found this. seriously smells SO good, and is the prefect scent for a younger guy.





**i know i have blogged about this several times before, but i CANNOT live without this lotion.
i just bought a new tube at the store in city creek, and decided to try out their little "tube key".
i freakin' LOVE it.
(i have been using this lotion faithfully for over 8 years, and this is the first time i decided to buy one!)
it keeps my tube all smooth and pretty looking, and i know i will get every last drop of my favorite hand lotion.




**A--mazing deal on over 4 rolls of this gp + j baker wallpaper here. wouldn't this look great in a girls bathroom of a laundry room?





**love this new lighting collection from ikea that i found out about from angie helm.






**adorable shower curtains. perfect for a kids bathroom!






**seriously cool looking floor lamp here for $70.



**have you ever been here?


i am in the middle of prepping for my daughter charlotte's 12th birthday party, and this site has been a valuable resource. they have an incredible selection, and lots or hard to find, "simple" decorations.



happy weekend!

in my girls bathroom,  i knew that i wanted the cabinets to be a deep blue color, and that a warmer metal tone would compliment the dark cabinets. i had seen a sideboard that featured large round pulls in the center of each of its doors, and wanted to mimic that look. i am pretty thrilled with the way it turned out!



the hexagonal crystal pulls are new. i purchased them here.
they are such a pretty mix of elegance and edgy. LOVE them! i wrote a post about how these were a bit of a splurge, but worth every penny. you can read about that here.

i hunted and HUNTED on ebay and etsy and several other sites that list vintage hardware for sale, and when i spotted these beauties (on ebay), i knew they were perfect!
they cost me about $15 per pull, but they are solid brass...as in they weigh like TWO POUNDS a piece!
the listing said that they were pulled off a vintage 1960's electrolux appliance. maybe an oven?
a fridge? who knows. all i knew was that i had never seen anything like them before and i had to have them!
i think they are the perfect statement for this bathroom---feminine, and just a bit unexpected!
once we had our holes drilled, we threaded our breakaway screws (cutting them off at the appropriate length) and threaded them through the back of the cabinet, as you would with any other hardware.

in gradys bathroom, all of his hardware is new, except this little guy:
(maybe a fierce dragon, but then i might get carried away and want to turn his bathroom into a scene from the HOBBIT!  i am kind of a nerd when it comes to the lord of the rings and the hobbit...my family is lucky i didn't try to turn our bonus room into bag end.)





these "scroll" pulls were another ebay find. i purchased 10 or them for something like $15. that's cheaper than any plain ol' boring pull that you can pick up at lowes or home depot!

 i simply installed these onto an ikea malm dresser, and suddenly, it looks so much more custom and interesting!
plus---much easier to open the drawers!


here is a link to an ebay search for vintage hardware to get you going on your own treasure hunt:
ebay vintage hardware

good luck!
hope you find something wonderful.

just a few more snippets of my recent trip to washington dc:

stone floors at monticello.

herringbone brick walk at monticello.

stone steps at monticello visitors center.

brick at the university of viginia.

herringbone + basketweave at the university of virginia.

greek key + stripes, washington dc.

scallop brass grill, washington dc.

ornate metal window cover, washington dc.

curving cobblestones, washington dc.


concentric circles in stone, washington dc.


geometric tile pattern, chinatown, washington dc.

section of the berling wall at the newsuem.
close-up of the berlin wall.

isn't is interesting how many different patterns and textures there are in things we walk past and ON nearly everyday? well---if you live in a great place with lots of history like washington dc you will walk past these things everyday!
but really, there are so many interesting details in places like building exteriors, manhole covers, bathrooms of hotels and restaurants, airports and libraries. you just need to open your eyes and NOTICE them! inspiration is everywhere.

did you have a favorite picture from above?
where have YOU found inspiration?

in the plan:
*painting the back of her existing built-in bookcases a deep peacock blue
*replacing existing lamps with updated budget friendly options
*new pillows for the existing light blue sofa
*soft vertical stripes on wall
*new patterned curtains
*painting existing mirror/medallion collection white
*adding a super affordable art arrangement over sofa

this is a local client who moves FAST--i met with her 3 weeks ago, and she has nearly completed the entire project and hired me to help her with her office. i will be posting before and after projects of both plans in the coming weeks!

thank YOU for the comments on my last post! i was actually a little surprised at how varied the answers were! i think option D is out, but i am still struggling with the other options. if you haven't left a comment, please do!

remember my teeny tiny vestibule?

well, i am having an enormously hard time deciding which wallpaper to put in the space.

what i want:
something neutral, that introduces some texture and or pattern that will look nice with the ornate mirror.

here are the top contenders:

option A:
phillip jeffries grasscloth with a chain link stencil applied on top.



the good: 
it will be really affordable.
let me clarify! because if you have ever looked at the pricing of philip jeffries wall coverings, you know it is pretty expensive. i purchased a small remnant of plain phillip jeffries grasscloth on ebay a few months ago for $50 to use on the ceiling of my powder room, but it is enough to cover this space as well. i also already have the stencil, although the scale of the links is larger than in the actual wallpaper.
the texture will be nice in the small space, and the link pattern will be a nice contrast to the ornate mirror.
the bad: 
i have to stencil the grasscloth, which could be a pain in the butt. i might end up ruining it.
i have never hung grasscloth, so i would have to spend some time researching the right way to hang it. i might end up ruining it. can you tell that i am a little afraid to RUIN it?

option B:
fornasetti malachite wallpaper in beige, cole + sons.


the good:
its a gorgeous wallpaper that i have had my eye on forever. it would be a subtle, chic look in this tiny space. it has a slight metallic sheen to it which is really dreamy.

the bad:
i would have to buy it, and most places have a 2 roll minimum, even through i only need one roll.  a single roll is around $150.
maybe it is too subtle for this area? i could also use this paper somewhere else in my house, like on the ceiling in either my office or the foyer.

option C:
thibaut alexander wallpaper in metallic pewter on beige
the good:
its a great combination of texture and grahic pattern, plus it is a little traditional and a little modern at the same time.

the bad: 
uh...close to $400. just to cover this one little area. a definite splurge.

option D:
farrow and ball ranelagh


the good:
this is a very classic, nice looking wallpaper with a soft graphic trellis motif. i can get it for a pretty affordable price. it would look nice against my scrolly white mirror.

the bad:
it may not be as "exciting" or design forward as the other choices.




ACK!
so, what should i do?

go with option A, the affordable, possible-train-wreck in the making diy stencil on the grasscloth?
or splurge on B or C?
or go with budget friendly option D?

here are the choices again:

help!!
what do you think?
please leave a comment!

a few tips for dressing up your closets!



1. consider adding a mirror and a small dresser to create a dressing area inside your closet.

2. matching hangers make a closet look instantly neat and organized.

3. baskets are a great way to hide out of season clothes, and rarely used items.

4. adding a touch of green, like this preserved boxwood requires  zero maintenance and makes your closet feel more like a room.

5. upgrading your lighting can be an instant pick-me-up for any room, especially a small area like a closet.

6. interesting hooks can make hanging up belts, robes or scarves a pleasure, and look pretty when not in use.

7. consider adding some pattern with wallpaper or an all-over stencil.