{metallic and a DIY fish scale art}

{images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}

About this time of year I always get on a metallic kick. This year I am especially drawn to things made from metallic leather. Although I do think that gold leafing a fiberglass chair like the above one with red legs looks pretty darn fantastic.

Also I feel like I needed to share some do-it-yourself fabulousness that includes fish scale and metallic gold. I am currently working on a similar project thanks to the inspiration on the below two projects. Hop on over to Two Thirty Five Designs to get the full run down on the image to the left and then head on over to Kara Paslay Designs for the second installation of diy inspiration fabulousness.

P.S. - Happy Halloween!!!!

Fake lacquered walls

I have been thinking for quite a while about how much I like the look of smooth lacquered walls. For my own home there are two problems with that fact..one being it would be very expensive to have done and two the walls in my home would have to be retextured. With that I have long thought about trying to achieve the lacquered look with minimal cost and time.....then I remembered a spread from a space in Domino where designer Celerie Kemble came up with some really great solutions for transforming an apartment space....VINYL WALLPAPER.

The above vinyl wallpaper that Kemble used is from the etchings collection and can be found here. Actually vinyl wallpaper is very easy to come by and so inexpensive...you can find many other sources with ease.

There were some really great ideas from that apartment that Celerie Kemble decorated, shall we....

We recently looked at a space that had a built in around the bed. At was not attractive to say the least but Ms. Kemble pulled off that built in by working with what she had by covering the shelves in a grass cloth, painting details and having a custom tufted headboard made to fit snuggly into that nook. Also love that she covered up a bad view by placing that little vanity with a large trifold mirror in front of it. That insect wallpaper was used to cover closet doors while adding a touch of whimsey.

Now go and get some shiny smooth vinyl wallpaper in a solid color and come back and report about your new faux lacquered walls...

Just a little afternoon sneak peek of me trying to not loose momentum in finishing the boys room. I am so close I just can't stand it. It is still not all that edited but give me until the headboard is finished and we should be good to go..that orange B pillow needs another home I am thinking.

Hope you are having a great week thus far.

I recently had somebody inquire about the above mirror. The above mirrors are from here and are to the trade. Have no fear because a similar one (pictured below) can be found over here.

{hand painted purses and cool inexpensive fabric}

Seriously now you can carry a piece of artwork around where ever you shall go. Painted by Jeri Hines is the seller behind the above bags. She takes vintage bags/purses and leaves one side as is and then paints a masterpiece on the other side. I love them so. Also I really like the below marbely, peacocky, artsy fabric...especially love that you don't have to buy it at Calico for almost $40 a yard but can indeed purchase it here for $9.98. What do you think of that?

Tyler Dawson Design AND mini sessions with Michelle Herrick Photography

Happy Friday. Let's celebrate by observing the above space in San Francisco designed by Tyler Dawson and photographed by Matthew Millman. I love that in the Nov. issue of House Beautiful that Tyler said that her personal style was "trying not to look like I'm not trying too hard"...actually I think that sometimes that is the hardest style to try and accomplish. Also Tyler noted that she wanted to do the whole sofa in a flame stitch but that the fabric was too pricey...so she opted to just conserve on the expense and do just the cushions and the welting...just a thought. To see more of Tyler Dawson's work go here.

Also for all of you locals I would seize the day and check out the below. Have you seen Michelle's work lately...amazing. She has taken our family photos for the last few years and is the best to work with...she'll make you and your family look really really purdy with her magical photography skills. For more info go here.

Hotel Thoumieux

I think all of the details from the Hotel Thoumieux in Paris look a little quirky but oh so clever, fun and chic. The hotel was designed by India Mahdavi. India has a great site right here that is full of her designs projects.

Oh and if you are wondering the above wallpaper is from here.

Speaking of parties

A few things I have been loving for parties have been:

marbleized or peacock balloons

napkins

making gold candle holders

an awesome striped tablecloth

homemade ice cream and brownies on a stick

Aren't those balloons so pretty?

{the day after the party}

I woke up this morning to a home that needed to be cleaned up from the birthday celebrations from the evening before. The kids were having so much fun playing with all of the birthday decorations that I decided to let all of the piles stay a little longer before it hit the blue and the black garbage cans. Besides why should the party only last one day when I paid extra to have the balloons filled with that special stuff that makes them stay afloat a little longer. The gal at the party store told me she has never seen a latex balloon filled with the magical goo come down any sooner than 6 days. As for those big balloons...they barely made it into the car and I had to in fact make two trips just to get them home. In the meantime I really enjoyed watching the kids being entertained all day by the balloons and took it upon myself to document "the day after the party". Yesterday though I smiled when all of the kids were making the birthday sign..something about Maren spelling out "Happy Berthday". I also love how the the kids wanted to tie streamers from Dad's Jeep to our front door. They said we should make him start at the front door and have him hold onto the streamers all the way to his Jeep where he would then open the door and find all of his presents.

P.S. - I am still tempted by that last piece of sweet cream cake...even though I told all of the kids to save it for Dad.

A few photos from the weekend.

This weekend we went on a little jaunt to Besh-Ba-Gowah which is an archeological park located in Globe, AZ. Besh-Ba-Gowah has one of the largest single site archeological collections in the Southwest and is one of the most significant finds of Southwest archeology. We had planned on going over to the Tonto ruins as well but found ourselves spending a little more time stuffing chips & salsa amongst other items into our mouths. Oh and we also found ourselves a little lost on lets say a primitive road. Great fun. We even added a few more rocks to our collection.

How are all of you?