February's Find of the Month (in Forks!)

Two weeks ago we visited Forks for the long weekend - our first getaway as a family since Willa was born (what?!? way too long). It was a great, mostly relaxing weekend. The beaches were amazingly blustery - we watched as the foam flew horizontally well beyond the beach borders, and we took a beautiful hike through the Hoh rainforest. Being in Forks was a trip, especially in the winter. So much was closed, but I could picture what the summer must be like for Twilight fans. Although very sleepy this particular weekend, the people we did run into were all moms with their daughters (I assume), taking pictures next to the characters' cardboard cutouts and buying Forks shirts, necklaces, etc.

At one point I took a walk into "town" (really just a block away) looking for a thrift store. The only one I found was closed for the weekend, but as I walked I realized that many of the stores on the main strip very advertising "collectibles." I checked a few out and ended up buying a $3 pitcher (above) and a bread box for my craft area (to hold my current projects and misc. supplies). Two weeks later, I took the pitcher to clean and noticed it's a Dansk Kobenstyle, which sounded intriguing. I looked it up and easily found the same pitchers being sold on etsy and ebay for between $32-$95. Not bad. I love it and am excited to add it to my living room!

I want these!

embroidery hoop decor idea

So pretty!
http://luziapimpinella.blogspot.com/

den idea

I love this room. We have a den/family room adjoining the kitchen now, and we were given two small butter-yellow couches that we put there with the tv. The walls are split with cream and putty walls. The room needs a major splash of color! This gives me some great ideas.

I find the picture on this blog.

starburst clock

We just moved three weeks ago to a rambler and I'm more obsessed than ever with mid-century decor. Should I buy this? $50.

abandoned window display

I was walking up Jackson Street today and ran across an empty storefront that was under construction. Except for one lovely window display. Very nice! Bus days always bring something new...(oh yeah it was also sunny!)

dining chairs revisited

I have had this idea for years and have always wanted to one day find a great fabric and a few more older chairs to reupholster. I love the idea of having all different chairs come together with the same paint and/or fabric. I found this picture tonight - green gingham, no less!

Jewelry Inspired

http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/fashion-forward-earr/product/61614024

I was sitting in a work meeting about environmental stewardship, and for a long time all I could do was think up new designs for earrings. I was inspired by some of what the women around me were wearing. I drew a few designs for the leather samples I have had forever, and I hope to get working as soon as we move into the new house (a week from tomorrow!). In the meantime, I fell in love with these tonight.

mid-century modern mania

My hobbies have shifted! I've found that having a newborn has lead me to find new interests. Well, not new, but more specific. I've appreciated a certain style of design for quite a while, but suddenly (over the past couple of months), I've become a bit obsessed over all things mid-century modern. I think about my grandma's amazing starburst clock (that I thought was over the top when I was younger, yet clearly left an impression), or some of my mom's things that were just given away quickly before they moved out here. If I could, I'd be stalking ebay, thrift stores, and estate sales every day. I kind of already do, thanks to a new smartphone and all the notifications I get for all the sales around me. Even esty has an app!

I believe it all started because I have a beautiful mid-century coffee table that I ended up with after a breakup. The top is in desperate need of a sanding and restaining, which I hope to do (and post before and after pics) soon!

In the meantime, I have found several websites to dive into, one is which is mid2mod, where this picture of a room divider came from. Isn't it beautiful?

We're moving in two weeks to a new place, where I'm hoping to have a resurgence in interest to refinish some of my furniture. It's a decent sized house where we can have a creative space (a sewing room!) along with workshop space in the garage. I'm so excited to move!

In the meantime, my recent favorite sites to stalk:

http://retrorenovation.com/
http://mistermodtomic.blogspot.com/
http://mid2mod.blogspot.com/

mantel idea

How did I just now discover www.decor8.com?

purple and orange baby room?

Two months to go and I only last week made some decisions about the baby room. I originally thought I'd just leave it white and make the rest of the room cute with colorful accessories. I always hesitate to alter the rentals I live in for fear that I won't stay long, but the nesting must have hit full force last weekend when I got back from two weeks away. One week later and I've made some strides in the room that has been primarily a dumping ground since we moved in in April.

We moved the crib to an an inside wall, and the dresser closer to the outlet (where the crib had temporarily been placed). We bought some wooden shelves from Fred Meyer, and some really cute drapery fabric with the light-blocking fabric ($2.50/yard!) to go with it. I also decided last week that I would indeed paint the room, so I've been getting paint swatches and looking up color schemes.

I'm pretty set on painting the walls a light orange - not too peachy or yellow, which turns out to be a hard thing! I found this website today giving examples of orange room designs - this is just one (by Maria Killam) of many beautiful photos:



I like knowing the meaning & emotions some folks associate with particular colors, so I checked out orange and found the following:

"Orange, being the combination of red and yellow...exudes warmth, acts as an appetite stimulant and spreads exuberance. ...it gives an emotional uplift."

"Requires the eye to focus, therefore objects seem closer and larger."

I'll post a before and after picture once I get going on the actual work - we have two great friends visiting soon who've offered to help us paint. I'm really excited - it'll be the first room I've ever designed!



Also, check out this furniture! It makes me realize I could potentially coordinate all of the colors on the paint samples...