Tag Archives: pottery barn

Home decor: cozy winter decorating ideas

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We all knew winter would arrive sooner or later.  And while the unseasonally warm temperatures at the beginning of winter were a nice surprise, it is now here in full force.  Time to curl up by the fire, spend some time indoors and turn your home into a cozy and warm retreat.

A roaring fire just spells cozy.  But you can’t have a fire without logs (unless you have one of those fancy fake fireplaces).  Turn your log storage into a decorative accent:

Looks like a year’s supply stacked next to the fireplace in this photo by Elle Decor.

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How about a pair of knit throw pillows on the floor?  (courtesy of elements of style blog)  You can make these yourself out of recycled sweaters and afghans or knit them yourself.  (tutorial here)Either way, they certainly provide a nice spot to while away the cold winter nights.

And don’t overlook simple ideas like plenty of comfortable throws and lots of cozy fabrics like fleece and chenille or the tried and true flannel sheets placed on everyone’s bed; cover up cold tile or wood floors with shaggy throw rugs or add drapery panels in warm fabrics and colors to your windows.  What a great way to frame the beautiful wintry view outside.

photo courtesy of pottery barn

Hot cocoa anyone?

 

On the 5th day of fabric Christmas…better hurry up on that tree skirt

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On the 5th day of fabric Christmas my true love gave to me enough fabric and a very easy tutorial for creating a beautiful tree skirt that is sure to become a family heirloom.

The difficulty of sewing a tree skirt ranges from the very simple to the very complex.  For example, if you are a quilter this spiral tree skirt is considered relatively easy.  I am thinking, while beautiful it looks very complex.

courtesy of Cheryl Phillips for Sulky

Perhaps something a bit easier to create like a large piece of felt cut into a circle with fun felt appliques glued on.  This one is so easy even my grandkids could help me with it.  Now that is truly a family heirloom.

Many retailers offer beautiful velvet, brocade and other fabric tree skirts that can easily be embellished with felt cutouts, stencils, ribbon and other trim.  The idea is to create something that is personal, fun for the family to work on and affordable.  Let your creativity be your guide!

This velvet tree skirt from Pottery Barn has been monogrammed with a family name

If you are looking for simple tutorials on how to make several different types of tree skirts, visit bellaonline for several options.

Ignite a spark with romantic home decor

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Now that the wedding is over and Prince William and Princess Catherine have returned to “normal” life, royal wedding fever is cured; but romance lingers on.  Many of us desire a romantic look to some rooms in our home but do not like heavy lace, frilly curtains and girly colors.  Well, help is on the way!

A romantic look is achieved through the use of textural fabrics, soft colors and heirloom quality furniture and accessories.  Check out these photos and see what you think:

I think any man would be comfortable in this romantic bedroom courtesy of Country Living.  The rough brick wall, distressed iron bed and bench and neutral colored bedding all come together to create an inviting and relaxing space that certainly falls into the romantic category.

Another romantic bedroom, this one courtesy of Pottery Barn, that features dark wood furniture but the romance comes from the wonderful textures of the bedding and the “surprise” of chandeliers as bedside lighting.

This bedroom courtesy of High Gloss Magazine is the ultimate in romance.  Soft pink colors, floral embroidered bedding and that mirror!  What man doesn’t love a mirror by the bed? (naughty!)

While all of these photos show romantic bedrooms, it is possible to bring a touch of romance to other areas of the home as seen in this photo from pinterest.  The selection of fabrics and the addition of wonderful trims such as ruffles, tassles and appliques will add just a hint of romance to a sitting area, dining room or bedroom and the colors should please both men and women.

Isn’t it time to add a little romance to your home?  I can’t help you with the hubby but maybe some of these decorating ideas might reignite a spark, you think?

Easter fabrics and other decorating ideas.

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Now that all the “winter” holidays are over i.e Valentine”s Day and St. Patrick’s Day it is time to start thinking about Easter decorating.  Regardless of your religious beliefs, Easter is a special time of year when families gather to enjoy the warmer weather and share a meal together.  Everyone always looks so nice in their pretty pastel outfits and who doesn’t love a beautiful Easter egg?  Check out this selection of Easter ideas and see if there is something that will help you celebrate this spring tradition.

This pretty floral pattern from Beacon Hill is a cotton/viscose blend that would be beautiful in a child's bedroom or a ladies dressing area.

 

These bunny salt and pepper shakers from Pottery Barn add a whimsical touch to your Easter table

 

A beautiful centerpiece is a must for any holiday table and what could be easier than hollowed out eggs with small bunches of flowers (www.marthastewart.com)
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A basket of colorful Easter eggs is fun for the kids to make and becomes a beautiful centerpiece during the holiday.
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Don't forget pretty outdoor fabric in all your favorite jelly bean colors. This one is On the lake by Robert Allen and is the color of pink jelly beans and Easter basket grass.

Home Decor: Shoo fly don’t bother me or how to decorate with insects

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Did you ever think the day would come when you would want bugs in your home?  Well that time is now.  Many spring collections in both fashion and home decor are featuring little buggy creatures on pillows and accessories and they will actually add a refreshing touch to your spring and summer decorating.  Take a look at these ideas.

the neutral colors found in this butterfly pillow from Pottery Barn are really quite restful and soothing.
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This nostalgic butterfly collection adds color to a wall arrangement (photo courtesy of Lonny magazine)
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The bright colors takes the "sting" out of this wasp pillow by Jonathan Adler.
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Beetles are supposed to bring good luck. Check out this colorful beetle pillow from Jonathan Adler
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Bugs Life fabric by Robert Allen available in several colorways
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The above items can be found at Jonathan Adler and Pottery Barn.  Not to be outdone, fabric manufacturers have jumped on the bug bandwagon making it possible for you to create your own pillows, window treatments and accessories such as basket liners, lampshades, even an upholstered headboard for the little entomologist in your family.

Daylight savings time is here…let’s turn back the hands of time with clocks

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It is that time of year again….daylight savings time when we set the clocks back one hour effective midnight November 6, 2010.  And the biggest bonus is the extra hour of sleep!  I remember walking through the house with my Dad and moving the hands of all the clocks in the house.  Today we go from appliance to appliance, push a few buttons and Voila!, the clock is set.  With many of our electronic gadgets the time changes automatically.  You simply wake up the next morning and the clock fairy has updated your computer or phone with the new time.  But I miss the ritual of walking through the house making sure we didn’t miss one.  Today, a clock is more of a decorative accessory than a necessity.  You can choose large or small, modern or traditional, noisy or quiet.  Here are some affordable ways to add a clock to your home decor. 

Ikea Pendel wall clock...great way to display collectibles and tell time
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Don't use this clock from Target to try and teach your kids to tell time!! fun in a kitchen or home office
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These Pottery Barn clocks are so cute and are small enough to be placed on an end table, in a guest room or near the TV.
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Don’t let your phone, your blackberry, your computer, your stove, your car, and your electronic reader act as a clock.  A “real” clock can be beautiful, functional and educational for the kids.  And just might create a fun memory for your family.

Home Decorating: Seashells by the seashore

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As we can all tell by the weather, summer is really just beginning and it is not too late to add to your summer decorating.  Nothing spells summer to me more than pretty seashells collected on the beach and piled high in a hurricane jar.  But there are many ways to bring this iconic symbol of summer into your home decorating.

  • The stores are full of mirrors, candlesticks and lamp bases covered with real or faux seashells.  Check out this lamp from Lamps Plus.  How pretty on a bedside table!  Pottery Barn even sells bags of shells for those of you who do not live near a beach (or just don’t like sand stuck between your toes) as well as lots of other sophisticated beachy accessories.
  • Fabric is a perfect way to add a touch of sun, sand and shells to your home.  Fashion a couple of pillows from this Robert Allen fabric for a cool summer feel.  Quick and easy summer projects such as easy to sew window valances, a border on bath towels or crisp summer bedding can all be made from fabrics featuring shells and other symbols of the sea.
  • Furniture with shell motifs can add a whimsical as well as traditional touch to any room.  In fact, the shell is a very popular symbol found on Queen Anne and other furniture styles.
  • Accessories are a fun and easy way to highlight any season, including summer.  Place a large conch shell on top of a stack of books to remind you of that vacation at the beach.  A fun project with the kids is to glue seashells around picture frames for photos of last year’s trip to the Bahamas.  Or you can simply fill large jars or hurricanes with all the shells you have collected over the years as a  fun reminder of past trips.

Replace all of your 4th of July decorations with this symbol of summer and your home will be decorated for the rest of the season.  That leaves plenty of time for you to visit the beach to collect more shells!