Month: February 2010

Party On

by Rachel Hagen on February 26th, 2010

Hope you all enjoy your weekend.  Get your party on.

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Since tribal, global patterns are all the rage right now, here are some great prints for your by Hammocks and High Tea.  Beautiful, bright, tropical color pallets can add a punch of color to any room.  I think the drawer liners are too pretty to be tucked away in a drawer, perhaps framing them and making a colorful collage could be fun…

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Tulip Pendant

by Rachel Hagen on February 25th, 2010

Oh I love these! I’m not sure how much light gets through with a felt shade.  I wonder if these are too feminine for a boy’s room.  they can be interpreted as whimsical right?

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Outdoor Spaces

by Rachel Hagen on February 24th, 2010

While it’s still raining, and raining here, I’m getting excited for spring.  One of the main features that attracted me to our rental home here in the city is the charming yard.  The owners did a wonderful job with the gardening, and I hope I can keep it up!  If it ever dries up this week, I’ll be planting some bulbs that will hopefully be in full bloom once our little boy comes in May!  As for the outdoor spaces, I’m just starting to get some inspiration.  Thanks Martha.  I’m a newcomer to gardening, I want to plant both perennials as well as vegetables.  Anyone know any good blogs or resources they can recommend?

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Great deal on a beautiful mirror. Make sure you check the dimension, it’s a little smaller than I expected (about a two foot diameter). I already have a star burst mirror, but I love them so much. They’re a great form of art as well as a great way to open up any room.

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Kitchen Remodel

by Rachel Hagen on February 22nd, 2010

Remember this past fall when I was in my first trimester and crazy busy?  Well I’m finally getting to post some pictures of a kitchen remodel I did.  There are decorators, and there are designers.  I’m a designer.  While I do do the pillow fluffing, I also enjoy the construction part of a design.

Some of the needs of the client:

  • more kitchen and counter space
  • they never eat out, so this would be a high-end kitchen that actually got used
  • the fluorescent light fixture needed to be addressed
  • a conservative design that will last them another 20 years…yet still have some character
This was the threshold between the formal dining room and living room.  The dining room was never used, so we took down the wall between the kitchen and dining room and closed up this threshold and added more cabinets, counter tops, and a double oven.
This is the other side of the dining room.  By tearing out the kitchen-dining room wall, and adding recessed lighting, this window wasn’t necessary.  So again, we added more cabinet storage and put in a sweet six-burner gas cook top.
The kitchen is completely new:
  • new beautiful, dark, hickory floors (my favorite)
  • antiqued-glazed cabinets
  • granite counter tops (love the swirly eye in the island–we found a great neutral, but-with-character slab)
  • electrical (recessed lighting)
  • plumbing fixtures
  • stainless steel appliances
You can’t redo the kitchen without redoing the bathroom!  Here’s a simple, modern update.  New vanity, new floor tile, new toilet, new paint.  I love the faucet, but I don’t have a close-up shot of it.
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There’s an awesome new online magazine out there.  Nesting Newbies features “new twists on cooking, entertaining, and decorating.”  Look at this table scape, isn’t it gorgeous?!  I love the hanging display for the chocolate mouse.  I’d check out the magazine here, there’s some great eye candy.

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Drinks

by Rachel Hagen on February 15th, 2010

Cute mugs to put on cute coasters.

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Vases

by Rachel Hagen on February 15th, 2010

In honor of all the flowers given this weekend, here are some lovely vases by Graham and Green.

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2010 Olympics

by Rachel Hagen on February 12th, 2010

Wahoo!! The Olympics! I’m not a huge sports-watcher, but how can you deny the Olympics?!  There’s nothing like the entire country coming together rooting for an Olympian to set a record, reach a dream, and win the gold.  My two favorite winter events: speed skating and figure skater.  Can’t wait.  Here’s a beautiful time-lapse video of Vancouver City.  Brrrr, it looks frigid!!  Don’t forget, the opening ceremonies are tonight!

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Bovey Lee

by Rachel Hagen on February 10th, 2010

Talk about your paper cutouts…WOW! This is the Zodiac Project that Bovey hand-cut on rice paper with silk backing.  Sure beats my snowflake chain…

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I’ve blogged about them before, but since this is the week of love and card-giving I thought I’d do so again.  Love these cute tags, and I LOVE this card. I might just have to get it and frame it.

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Safari Wall Set

by Rachel Hagen on February 8th, 2010

Somehow I’m pulled toward African/Safari things for our little boy’s nursery. For instance, I found this cool vintage, pull down map on craigslist.  And then while browsing Wisteria, found this beautiful set of prints.  While traveling in Thailand, I got a painting of a mother elephant with a baby elephant that I would someday use in my child’s nursery…never thinking that day would be four years later.  I’m trying to stay away from a themey nursery since 1. I’m not really into that sort of thing and 2. it will be our guest room as well.  I’m trying to go for a colorful, eclectic look that he can grow into.  I’m starting to get to the panicky stage (only 24 weeks), and feel like the only preparation I’ve done for this child is read books. No crib, no changing table, no stroller.  Is it normal to feel like I need to do so much so early?

I’d never buy these prints due to their price tag, but aren’t they pretty?

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Domino Box

by Rachel Hagen on February 8th, 2010

Fun piece for your storage needs.  From Wisteria. I love that site.

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Reddoll

by Rachel Hagen on February 5th, 2010

If you can get over the price tag Reddoll has some fantastic coats and dresses.  The styling in some of the shots are beautiful too.

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SF Real estate

by Rachel Hagen on February 4th, 2010

Dear Daniel,

Thanks for sharing the link.  Its very easy to get sucked intp browsing million dollar homes…especially now I know where these are located.  Check this one out.

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Five Months

by Rachel Hagen on February 2nd, 2010

Alright already! You’ve asked for it, here’s my bump.  There’s nothing more awkward than taking a profile picture of your body.  Actually, there is: taking a profile picture of your body five moths pregnant!  Apparently my cardigan doesn’t show enough of my sexy silhouette, so Mick made me take it off.  I felt very vulnerable.  Please note, I don’t usually go around with this tight of clothing on…this just helps even more with my self-conscious self posting pictures.

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The sun was shining, our tummies were full, and Pixi really needed to get out after a week of rain. We spent Sunday afternoon strolling through the iconic Alamo Square Park. We got our fix of people-watching the other park-goers while Pixi explored her options in the “no leash” part of the park. She was pretty social until the bigger dogs wanted to say hi…

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Snail Mail

by Rachel Hagen on February 2nd, 2010

Who doesn’t love to get something special in the mail? I’m thinking I should send a postcard to a friend. Would you be happy getting this postcard in the mail?

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More yoyos

by Rachel Hagen on February 1st, 2010

And if you want to adorn the rest of your home with yoyos everywhere…

here’s a great how to on design sponge.

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About Elegance

My name is Rachel Hagen. Interior designer. Fashion virtuoso. Trophy wife (minus the trophy part). This is where I share my love for all things pretty. Oh...and occasionally my husband chimes in. He's also got an eye for good design. He blogs at Dweebist.com.

If you make something amazing, want to offer a special discount to Elegance readers, know of something post-worthy, or are interested in any of my design services, I'd love to hear from you. Emails and comments totally make my day. Thanks again for stopping by!

rachelhagen (at) gmail (dot) com