I’ve never been a DIY designer; but I helped my friend make a headboard…not bad if I must say so!  Last time I made a headboard was with a client.  And it was done in one easy night.  This, however, was not the case.  Many days of back-aching work, raw fingers, and some held-back curse words from your truly.  Now I remember why I hire out my work.

On a much more positive note, we were able to replicate this look for a fraction of the cost. And despite all the rough spots, actually had a fun time spending time together.  I’m still in the processes of finishing mine up.  Once it’s done I’ll post some pics.

I love the rustic look of the headboard with the clean, contemporary lines of of bedding.  This actually  seems like something that can easily be recreated: make a niche out of the reclaimed timber, and upholster the wall.  Easy!!

Beautiful ideas for table settings captured by photographer Gemma Comas.  I don’t know if it’s too small, but that branch has a name stamped onto it.  Oh so cute.  And those egg shells! So delicate and simple I love it.

It has really felt like Christmas for me lately.  With finishing design projects, taking care of moving business, and actually moving to SF and finding a place… all before Christmas; my mind has been elsewhere.  However, with yesterday’s first snow fall in the morning; and ending my day with some inspiring Christmas words; I’m starting to feel the Christmas spirit. How fun are these adorable little pom-poms to wrap gifts with? I love the simplicity and charm.  Tutorial found here.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Ours was a wonderful time spent with family and food.  The only thing missing was my mother’s famous homemade dressing (I guess here in Utah they call it stuffing).  One day I’ll introduce the Hagens to it.  For all my family members reading: have no fear I still was able to contribute my classic drink.

This has nothing to do with anything this year; but it was the first and only time I have ever made a turkey:  my sophomore year in college for a church activity.

If you can’t tell, I was very proud of myself…and it was a very long day in the kitchen.

This is our last week in Utah.  When I take a second to reflect, I have a mixed emotions towards this place that I’ve lived in for the past seven years.  When I came out to school here I never imagined I’d live here so long.  And now I’m sad to leave.  Luckily we have family that will always keep us coming back!

You Sew Sassy has definitely figured out our (or is it just mine?) Etsy, Crafty mentality: thinking I can sew anything.  Especially when I see all these fun things on Etsy.  From their site: “We’ve chosen coordinating designer fabrics, cut out the pattern pieces, and provided a set of simple instructions for a dress no one will believe is homemade.”  Here’s their Ellie Dress.  I love this idea! Almost all their patterns are for the beginner sewer.

Great How-To for this adorable puppet theatre found from Make and Takes.  Thanks Marie for the idea!

Use plastic eggs or raw eggs (with the center blown out) to put in the vase of an arrangement.  If using plastic eggs, put something in them to weigh them down in the water, with a couple floating on top.  

These can be great name-settings: blow out the insides of a raw egg, make a hole big enough for the flower to go through.  Egg cups, napkin rings, votives can all be used to hold the eggs.

Images from here.

This is in honor of my 4 year old nephew who loves all things transportation.  Isn’t this the most adorable boat invite?  The boats can be found at Rose and Radish. 

The how to can be found here.

Thanks to all those participated in the giveaway.  And thanks to random.org for picking our random lucky winner.  Andrea Roche will be receiving the calander.  Andrea, please email me your address so we can get that mailed out to you. Enjoy!

Elegant Reader and event extroidinaire Jen Kehrer put on a babyshower for her best friend.  

The vision: A place where butterfles might want ot live.

I think you captured that beautifully!  Everything she did was handmade–from the tissue paper “poofs” hanging on the walls, to the flag banners, water bottles, Rice-crispy rattles, games, food, table cloths and center pieces.

My personal favorites from this event are the Rice-crispy rattles and the flower puffs.  You can find the puff tutorial here.  Her space was limited, and she had to fit 20 guests in! However, it doesn’t look overcrowded and stuffed at all…infact, I love how intiamte and cozy it looks.  Thanks so much for sharing these great ideas with everyone! I love getting emails from my readers and I especially love to share what they have to offer, keep them coming!

Paper butterflies made from vintage magazines.  Fun weekend project how-to found here.

Anybody heard of Stories by Me? It’s a fun and new way of preserving your memories…besides in your memory book.  Not only are their kits great for your own family, but they can also be great gift ideas.  Stories by Me would like to give one of their kits to a loyal Elegant Reader of mine.  The lucky winner can pick between the Memory Calender Kit or Memory Tree Magnet Board Kit. 

Memory Calender: Here’s a calendar that will never grow old. We’ve finished the base magnet board and provide enough materials for you to complete the daily buttons, plus up to nine family faces. Feature more face buttons with an extra button packet. Monthly tags are displayed behind a rustic metal plate. This is sure to become a treasured keepsake!

Memory Tree Get your Memory Tree kit and start hunting for family pictures. Our kit provides enough materials to display three or four generations. The featured faces are magnetized, so it’s an easy way to learn family lineage

The winner will be randomly picked and announced next Wednesday.  All you have to do is comment below to qualify.  To get FIVE more entries in the drawing all you have to do is blog about this giveaway and link to it.  Good luck my Friends!

I remember growing up with silhouttes of all seven kids on the wall.  My mom would “update” them everytime we’d go to Disneyland.  I still rembmer the shop off the Main Street in Disneyland; trying to sit incredibly still while the artist tries to draw the silhouette.  For some reason there’s just something a little mysterious about a silhouette.

All photos courtesy of Country Living.

It’s no secret vintage is definitely in right now.  Here’s a great article on how to decorate with vintage doilies.  These aren’t your grandmas’ typical doilies.  My favorite is the vase with the bowl a close second. The table runner and lamp shade are fun as well.

Anu Suebsawangkul is the 4th Finalist in the Met Home Winners Contest, awarded for Swankiest Small Space.  And when they mean small they’re not kidding around.  Anu Suebsawangkul’s apartment is a humble 408 square feet.  But her small space didn’t inhibit her from having great design.

Suebsawangkul talks about her style: “I decided to give my room some pizzazz. I discovered the Hollywood Regency style and I fell in love with it. Kelly Wearstler and Dorothy Draper are my style icons.”

Anu Suebsawangkulis prides herslef as a true “Do-it-Yourselfer.”  She says, “The sense of satisfaction after she completes a project feels much better than simply purchasing an item. She prides herself on her whimsical designs, like repurposing an old dress form into sculpture by styling it with a white toile dress, black ribbon, and pearls. In addition to saving a few dollars, she is creating unique works of art.”  To read the full article with more pictures you can go here.

Lovely Butterfuly Mobile How-To found here.  This is such a great spring project!

I love this garland made by Whitney Deal of Darling Dexter for Style Me Pretty.  Was that confusing enough?  Anyway, the colors are so bright and classy.  Like I said earlier: I’m a fan of being festive for holidays, but not being cheesy.  This epitomizes it.  Step by step directions with pics found here.

I’m in love with this product/wall accessory because they make my life so much easier. These picture collages come with a template, so there is no more worrying about measuring and trying to get everything lined up. Genius! Here’s how it works:

The set comes with ten frames in a variety of different colors to choose from. You can also arrange them anyway you want. Now you really can pull off that Pottery Barn look. Have fun!

I try not to write too much on this blog because if ya’ll are like me you hardly ever read text and just look at the pictures. :) Interior design is obviously such a visual concept, pictures are all you really need to get inspired. However; many, many, many of you have been asking the paint colors I used for the parade home. Before I give them, I just want to talk a little about color choices.

Choosing a color is HUGE. When you walk into a different colored room, it can totally change the way you feel. I spent four months studying the “psychology of color” and learned a lot. Don’t worry, I won’t give a four month lecture on what I’ve learned…I’ll just sum it up.

Again, choosing a paint color is HUGE here are some tips:

-NEVER pick your color at the paint store. The lighting at the store is not the same as in your room. And lighting can totally change your paint color {Metamerism}. The only place you can find the exact lighting is in the actual room you’re going to use. Borrow a paint deck from your paint supply store (my favorite being Kwal, they are the best quality), and pick your color ON LOCATION.

-Consider the THEORY of AMPLIFICATION: Color looks more intense in large areas. Once I pick the color I like, I almost always go one color lighter because of this theory. And I’ve always been pleased. :)

-If you aren’t pushed for time, or if you are still nervous picking out a color– get samples. Most paint supply stores have little sample buckets for about $5. You can go home and paint a good amount on your wall, this way you’ll get a good idea what the color will look like throughout the day with different light.

-It takes a few days for the paint and color to set. There really won’t be drastic change, and you usually can hang pictures a few hours after. Just keep that in mind. :)

Ok, now ya’ll can have the color choices. But take into consideration what I just talked about…I recommend finding my color on your paint deck and making sure it looks good on location. If you are still happy with it, then of course still use it. If you think it might not work, then pick a similar color with the same undertones or one similar. You’ll still end up getting the same effect.

Main Living areas and everything on the first floor: Sienna Sand

Guest Room (Blue Room): Time Capsule

Nursery (Brown Room): Quest

Little Girls’ Room: Pre-Dawn

There was one cute blonde lady the first day who asked for the blue color and I accidentally told her the brown color. I’m so sorry. I sure hope you’re reading this so you’ll make the changes accordingly. If ya’ll have any questions, please let me know!