Friday, September 30, 2011

It's A.....

GIRL!!!



Meet Elizabeth Teagan born on Tuesday, September 27th!  And, in case you don't realize Elizabeth and I share the same birthday.  She graced us with her presence on my 40th!  What a miraculous gift. 


Our hearts are filled with joy!  God bless!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Analise Ebaugh!!  You've won the Windows from Melissa's pillow covers giveaway!


Email Melissa (windowsbymelissa@gmail.com) with your contact details so she can mail you the beautiful pillow covers!!

Fall Trends

Today, I'm over at Loft & Cottage guest blogging while Casey is in Italy.  Come join me as I share this season's current trends.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Patiently Waiting...

My due date has come and gone and this little peanut is taking his/her sweet 'ol time.   I cannot believe the time will soon be here.  I am so excited to finally meet him/her - how long we've waited!!

In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few 'baby' finds that have me inspired....

The 'undiaper' bag


I would want to customize it, like this...


Baby Blankets


Fabric


Baby Cord Shoes


Knit Hats





Thursday, September 22, 2011

Crushing hard....

on Ahmad Sardar- Afkhami's carpets.  Have you seen anything so beautiful?  Those colors and geometric shapes!!


You can read more here via Sara Ruffin Costello's WSJ article. 

Also, don't forget to enter the pillow giveaway!!  

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Windows by Melissa Pillow Giveaway

As promised, I am super excited to be hosting a pillow giveaway from my sponsor, Windows by Melissa.  Here is some of her fabulous work.







Today Melissa is offering these white and black ribbon trimmed 20 x 20 pillow covers to one of my readers!




To enter the giveaway you simply need to:

 'Like' Window by Melissa's facebook page and leave a comment on her page that you came from Green Street.  

Giveaway ends Monday, September 26th at midnight!  Good Luck!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

My Dining Room (as it stands now)

First, a huge thank you for your sweet comments on yesterday's post.  I was flattered.

Now, onto our dining room, I wasn't able to completely finish my dining room.   Don't get me wrong - I think our dining room has come a long way, but the finishing details are definitely lacking.

If you remember, this was the inspiration.  


The goal was to lighten up the room.  So, how did we accomplish that? 

- We painted over the current wallpaper.  
- Purchased a natural jute rug.
- Installed custom made roman shades.
- Painted dining room table and chairs.
- Painted sideboard

What did NOT get accomplished?

- Painting of chandelier, hanging my federal eagle mirror and accessorizing.  So, here is our 

Dining Room BEFORE:


Dining Room AFTER:


It definitely is brighter and softer.  The wall color provides a calming backdrop, the natural rug is perfect for everyday use, the roman shades (more below) provide that much needed dose of color and pattern and the painted table and chairs help break up all the gold tones in the room.  


Another picture of the painted sideboard with the unhung mirror.  You can see the chandelier I was suppose to paint and never got around to it.


The DwellStudio Gate Citrine fabric used for my roman shades.  Isn't it lovely?  Melissa from Windows by Melissa really did a fantastic job (yet again).  They're perfect for our dining room.


If you need window treatments, don't hesitate to contact her!  She is a pleasure to work with.  Well, that is our dining room - What do you think?

Stay tuned for tomorrow, because I will be hosting an amazing giveaway from Melissa!!  It's a doozy!  

Monday, September 19, 2011

Before & After: DR Sideboard

With all the craziness, I've been slow to post some of my finished projects.  And, once the baby arrives (due this Sunday) I know I won't have time.  So, here is the sideboard I found at a tag sale for $25.

BEFORE (Post Sanding)



It wasn't the best quality, but it was the perfect size for our small dining room.  If you remember from this post, I decided to paint it BM Pale Avocado and add this hardware.


I haven't hung my antique gold federal style (eagle) mirror above the sideboard because we're moving in less than a month and I really don't want to put new holes in the wall.  So, here is the sideboard now.

AFTER


The other day, I placed my mirror on the sideboard to see how it would look.  I'm dying to hang it - I think it would go perfectly above the sideboard.  

AFTER

I found that mirror at an antique store for $45.  I love it.  The sideboard has a collections of items which I love and found at various places.  I know my orchid looks in bad shape;  I can not for the life of me keep orchids alive.  

And, do you spy some DwellStudio Gate Citrine fabric in the reflection of the mirror?  More on that tomorrow - I will reveal my dining room (as it currently stands) and will show you what an awesome job Melissa from Windows by Melissa did on my roman shades!    Stay tuned!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Looking for an affordable yet soft natural rug?

Over the past couple of months, I've been helping my friend with her dining room.  It's been lots of fun seeing progress being made.  I hope to do a before and after at some point, but in the meantime I wanted to let you in on a little tip.

Jewel Jute Rug

I suggested this particular rug, pictured above, for her dining room.   She wanted a casual look, low maintenance and wanted it to be soft underfoot.  (I remember seeing this rug on another blog, but I can't remember where - sorry.)

Well, I saw it for the first time yesterday and it's wonderful.  Not only is it affordable, but it's low pile and soft!  And, it has the killer diamond pattern!  She loves it too.  And, if you're worried about durability -  she has 2 kids under the age of five, a dog and a cat.  It's perfect for her household.  Anyway, if you're looking for a recommendation - this one comes highly recommended!!  You can purchase it here.

PS:  Natural Area Rugs did not sponsor this post in anyway.  This is strictly our own opinion.  

Thursday, September 15, 2011

DwellStudio's first ever furniture collection

DwellStudio introduces their new furniture collection for the modern home, created for Precedent.  They take the mid-century modern design and gave it a face lift.  I have to say I am definitely smitten.

Christiane Lemieux with a George sofa upholstered in Thistle fabric

What is cool about this line is that DwellStudio offers furniture that is clean lined and modern, but you can snazz it up with a variety of fabrics.  

Mallory Chairs upholstered in Casablanca Geo Citrine



You need to check out their fabric choices.  Really incredible.  It allows you to put your own personal touch on any one of their items.  

I am also loving their tables.  Touches of antique gold topped with travertine to give it a real luxe feel.  

Occasional tables


Obviously, the next item was inspired by their ever popular gate fabric.  Isn't it gorgeous?

I love the simple lines of this cocktail table which could provide some great contrast in a room.  The iron base with a gray shagreen top.  


To see their entire furniture collection with an array of finishes and fabrics, go here.  Enjoy!!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Make a visual impact

It's hard to resist fall's temptation of layering patterns of tartan and plaid for visual impact.  While browsing Lisa Sherry's blog, I stumbled across this amazing bathroom with plaid tile.  Yes, you heard me right, a plaid tiled floor!!!  How awesome!


Here, I love how Atlantic-Pacific combines patterns of plaid to create immediate texture and contrast.  


Here, we see a similar look translated to a room.  I really like this idea of combining plaids.  It really creates such a dramatic look.  


I love how Tommy Smythe uses the oversized pattern of buffalo check to add some interest to an otherwise serene bedroom.  


So, what do you think - is this pattern a fall favorite??

Monday, September 12, 2011

Lisa Sherry Interieurs

Did you have a chance to browse the most recent issue of Lonny this past weekend?  I did and fell in love with Lisa Sherry's home in Charlotte.  I adored her entryway with the lime green front door and the round metal table with the huge metallic vase.  I decided to browse her portfolio and wasn't disappointed.  She is super talented!


This is a home in Charlotte she designed and I loved every detail of it.  


More of the same home.  See  here






To see more of her designs, go here and she has a great blog too!!  


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Our Rental in Vienna

First a little background......Since we'll be in Vienna, Austria for a short time (9 months) we needed to find a furnished place.  When I first realized this I was disappointed because I really wanted an unfurnished place.  Why?  I wanted to decorate it, silly!!  I already had the vision created and it was going to be cool, urban and funky.  

But, reality kicked in, and with a newborn and a toddler (and not to mention only 9 months) and how realistic would this be?

Everyone told us to look outside of Vienna mainly because it's better for families, more space, more land and it'll be cheaper.  I was attracted to cheaper part, but, we won't have a car.  And, I didn't want to be stuck in a house all day.

Besides, I'm a city girl at heart.  I mean we have a chance to go to Vienna and I want to be where all the action is!!

While searching, I found Viennese apartments that were suitable, but I have to say they were so poorly decorated I just couldn't bring myself to even consider them.  I guess you can say I'm a snob that way.  But, I wanted it all - great district, walking distance from everything, true Viennese character (herringbone floors and high ceilings), and large windows with potential for a lot of light.

I know a pipe dream.

Then, one day I found it!! It was like the clouds opened up and choir started to sing!!  It was over our price range, but we decided to talk to owners hoping that a longer rental of 9 months would be a bargaining chip to negotiate an affordable price.  It turns out that it was!  The owners are incredible (American and Austrian) who live in Maryland, but spend their Christmas and summer holidays in Vienna.  They have two small children and it all just clicked.

The kicker??  The location is killer (6th district right - one block from the 1st district) in the Museumsquartier next to Naschmarkt (most popular food and flea market) and three blocks from my son's school and walking distance to the University (my husband's work).  I mean - does it get any better??

Our apartment is in a historically protected building and has a elevator.  This was important (not a deal breaker) but since I will have stroller, a baby, a toddler and groceries to carry this will make life easier.  This is the foyer of our apartment building....


Aren't the details gorgeous?  A little different from the cape cod that I'm living in right now! :)  The first thing that attracted me to this apartment were the floors - yes, ladies and gentlemen, the apartment has herringbone floors!!


This is the living room.  And, below is the other side of this room which is the eating/dining area.  Love those large windows!!


Below is the master.  I like how everything is sparsely decorated and not cluttered.  You really enjoy the architectural elements of the apartment.  How about those french doors leading on to the living room!


The children's room.  This will be Luke's room - he nearly fell off his chair when he saw the playscape in the bedroom!!  


And, the kitchen!  This kitchen is considered quite modern and large for a european city! I am so happy we have a little table and chairs where we can have breakfast in the mornings!


So, those are all the pictures for the moment!  I'm just so thankful we found this apartment in such a great location (walking distance from everything).  I'm looking forward to sharing our time over there with you all!!  Can't wait!