This is a blog bringing you Utah's best style & design. Frequent topics include home decor, fashion, interior design, architecture, green concepts, scrapbooking, art, photography, DIY projects, and anything that looks pretty. This blog is owned and maintained by Rachel Hagen. Yup, Utah's most elegant interior designer.
Good friend, old roommate, and talented graphic designer came up with these beautiful glitter pumpkins.
Here’s how she did it:
These were very easy to make and a lot less work then carving pumpkins. First you paint Elmers glue on the pumpkin and then sprinkle glitter all over. The finer the glitter the better!
It’s not too late!! To do these. I’m actually going to do these for my Thanksgiving decor and use green, orange and yellow colors. You can find some of her work here. Thanks Natalie for the great idea!
An International Association whose members, located in more than 20 countries, forecast Color Directions® 19 months or more in advance for all manufactured products and services….
CMG’s major focus is to identify the direction of color and design trends. CMG members then “translate” that information into salable colors for manufactured products.
While there is nothing wrong with “forecasting” color trends, it just goes to show that you should pick the colors you like…not what’s trendy. This is very difficult: we are everywhere we go we are bombarded with color combos and trends that are hot for each season. Sort of a minor form of brainwashing. Seeing these colors in products, clothing, and interiors intentionally draws our minds to like a certain color. Like most things, if you don’t like it at first, eventually it will probably grow on you.
As a designer, I really try to figure my clients out: why do they like a certain color or material? Is it because they really like it? Or because their neighbor just got the same granite slab put in…therefor they should go with it too. There isn’t anything wrong with seeing a color combo and liking it, and liking it so much you want to incorporate it into your room. But again, make sure you really like it. And will still like it in a year.
These pictures throughout this post are from a recent conference marketing workshop. I just find this color forecasting process so interesting. Everything around us effects the season’s colors: economy, war, politics, change in season, environmentalist…the list goes on. This association are sort of color psychiatrist: they’re trying to figure how we perceive our lives and world through color. I guess the main thing I wanted clients and readers to get out of this is choose what you like, not what everyone else does.
Halloween is almost here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stop decorating pumpkins. A lot of these ideas can be used to make fun, festive Thanksgiving decorations. It’s a good time to go out and buy pumpkins now because you’ll get a good deal on them.
First I must apologize: Sarah’s room wasn’t shown in last night’s Chuck episode. I feel like I’ve let you all down. But promise still holds: if/when you see her room, you won’t be disappointed.
I’ve got a busy morning today: early Home Builder’s meeting and then off to Contempo Tile. So I don’t have much time to write and elaborate on a given textile.
I was browsing through some old China pictures and came across a few from when we went to a silk factory. It was very, very interesting.
These are the silk worm cocoons floating in the hot water. The hot water allows the silk to be broken up, but still saved. Then the little spinners spool them into threads. Pretty cool. The only un-cool (like, is that even a word?) thing about this process is that the little silk worms do die in the process.
Did you know you can make mattresses out of silk? Well, you can. This is what we were doing here. You start off with a small square piece of woven silk about a the size of a square foot. Then you get a team to pull together from opposite sides. You do this layer after layer, after layer…as low as 50 times. I wasn’t able to lay on one, so I’m not sure how comfortable and supportive they are. Although if they were comfortable, I would imagine we’d have them here in the states.
That’s my little blonde head behind the sweet Asian silk worker.
Aaaand here’s a random picture of me catching a ride behind this crazy cyclist. I was scared for my life. And trying to keep my skirt down.
One more picture. I know, you’d expect this kind of thing coming from Mick. Not me, but isn’t this gross? EWE!
Thank you Lisa for the heads-up email. Apparently these rooms are at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. Looks like a beautiful place. Wouldn’t mind staying there.
Tonight’s Homework: Watch the TV show Chuck. The show itself is fun and entertaining: a nice spy satire. Chuck’s love interest and partner (Sarah) has an awesome room.
I love the wallpaper. I think it’s great for the set, but I don’t know if I could ever live with metallic wall-coverings. The main neutral colors of white and silver are a great contrast to the pops of bright green. Everything about this room is great: tufted green headboard, tufted green chairs, simple accessories, elegant lighting. If you’re not into the show, at least watch it for Sarah’s room. You won’t be disappointed.
I love using pumpkins as vases during this time of year. Not only are they festive, but they’re cheap too! Making them are pretty simple, there are just a few things to keep in mind.
Here’s the How To:
Cut out top of pumpkin to form a lid (which you can incorporate later into the design if you want). If you do decide to use the lid, I like to put a stick in the top and secure the stick in with the arrangement.
Cut pumpkin low and wide enough to allow for liner and floral foam. I use a plastic grocery bag as the liner–they seem to be the perfect size. ***Don’t forget your liner. This will inhibit any bacterial growth from the pumpkin to the flower stems. It will also help with any undesired aromas.
Remove the inside of pumpkin and seeds.
Add liner and floral foam. Make sure the floral foam is above the top of the pumpkin to allow for side and downward stems. Add preservative water.
Photographer Sharon Montrose has has incorporated two of my favorite things: design and dogs.
A couple weeks ago she posted an awesome photo shoot of her dog Sqeak at her home. I love it. Her home has my kind of style:simplicity with some flare (I think her bedroom wallpaper is fabulous). And I think little Sqeak has got to be one of the cutest little things ever. Except for our dog Pixi, of course.
I’d love to did this in our home with our dog, I just think getting our little Pixi would never sit still.
Another use of fabric and textiles that is becoming more popular is the use of upholstered headboards.
There are two major benefits for headboards: price and space planning. If you’re itching to change your bed (which should be the focal point of any bedroom), simply putting in a new headboard is a fast, easy, and inexpensive makeover. Upholstered headboards give the illusion of having a complete bed frame without actually having one. Your bedroom furniture says a lot about your style and the way you live, it is important to get the right kind.
If you’re tight on space, headboards are perfect because they hardly take up any room. Every bed should have a piece of furniture to help the transition from the wall to the mattress more fluid.
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. Considering how much time you spend in your bedroom, it’s really important that it be a relaxing space. Part of what goes into turning the bedroom into your perfect little escape is to create a calming atmosphere with the use of the bedroom furniture. Bedroom Furniture Direct has a great selection of bedrooms sets.
With everyone trying to save money, some crafty individuals even go the extra mile and construct their own upholstered headboards. Some manufacturers even allow you to customize the look of the headboard with monogramming or choosing custom fabric. By adding a chic-modern or brightly colored and funky upholstered headboard to the back of your bed, you can completely transform the look of your bedroom and get you one step closer to creating your special sanctuary.
I was talking to my sister the other day about her vacation to Greece. They didn’t stay in this place, but I’m sure they would have loved to. Located on the island of Santorini, Mystic is truly one of the great luxuries in Greece. The hotel has beautiful contemporary rooms while still paying homage in their design with traditional pieces.
All their rooms look out to the bright, vibrant, blue waters. Something I wouldn’t mind waking up to. All accommodations are lovingly handcrafted from wood, local stone, and glass with enticing patterns carved into the walls.
Anyone watch the final? First off let me vent at how obnoxious Kenley is. Not only is she disrespectful her seniors, but I don’t think her design style is innovative. Ugh, why would you want to argue with the people who are going to judge you? Not very smart. Whew, there, I’ve said it.
The winner, Leanne, had great designs. She has great architectural lines. But I thought her collection got a little repetitive.
I really liked Karto’s designs. I like how she brought in her own personal history and background. And the beading!!! Gorgeous! I think she should have won.
So Rachel’s family is coming into town later this week cuz of a wedding this weekend. A close friend of the family’s is getting married. It’ll be fun. Anyway, I came across this video and I thought it was hilarious. Hopefully nothing like this happens this weekend.
