Paint Your Walls Like a Pro

I came across this article on interior painting. I hate all the prep that goes into painting your walls, but you can definitely see and appreciate the difference when it is done right. Happy painting!

Paint Your Walls Like a Pro

Matchbook Magazine

Matchbook Magazine is live!

I could make furniture out of the stacks and stacks of magazines I have and I continuously tear sheets out, put them in another pile and tell myself I will organize them "this weekend." I have been saying that since  high school. Someone told me to read one a night it will rapidly lower the stack. I tell myself I will do that as well. I have several favorites including Elle Decor, Architectural Digest,Sunset, Southern Living, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, The Nest, Martha Stewart, Real Simple....and the list goes on. 

Digital mags like Lonny, Covet Garden, and Adore have popped up recently, and Matchbook Mag is one of my favorites...probably because I aspire to be a Matchbook girl.

"matchbook seeks to inspire women around the globe to design a life they adore"

Friday Crystal Love!

I saw this and it got me thinking about this trend that is going around. Agate and Crystal Geodes: so beautiful, easy to find and in a range of colors and materials. They are a natural but glam way to accessorize. This one from H&H Home is pink cut geode with gold leaf paint. Love! 

 Agate Plate from RabLabs

Agate Cheese Plates from Jayson Home & Garden

Agate Coasters from Wildflower Organics

Agate Napkin Rings from RabLabs

Brazilian Agate Candleholders

Tuell + Reynolds Agate Lamp

Agate Geode and Gemstone necklace from JayVal on Etsy. (Lumberjack or Mom...I would like this please!)

Anthropologie Astral Spectacle Ring

This is soap people. Amazing. I own this thanks to my Mama. It is so beautiful and unique. Place it in a vintage soap dish and your guests will definitely compliment you.

Shop Ebay for other gorgeous crystal clusters and geode accessories.

Friday....I'm in love!


 

Livin' the Dream

So, I am not the only person in the world who thinks it would be cool to own and live in an Airstream. Could I live in 160 square feet? With a big man-Lumberjack? And 3 dogs? Not sure, although it might be fun to try. At least you could take your home with you on adventures, cruise the highway in a big silver bullet, and never have to worry about owning too much crap- although I am sure at the first sign of a plumbing/sewage issue, I might be out of there. For now, I will dream about all the fun things that might come with having an Airstream, and not all of the responsibilites. 

I read about Matt Hofmann on Apartment Therapy today. He lives and works (an an Architect) in our very own Santa Barbara in an Airstream he revamped. I am so jealous.

Check out this before shot:

 

 

After:

 

Someday........

World famous Architect Barry Berkus to speak at SBCC next month!

In case you were wondering what I do when I am not blogging (which hasn't been for a month...sorry!). I find cool things for my Design Club to do.  I am VP of the SBCC Design Club and  I have secured the world famous Barry Berkus to come and speak to SBCC and UCSB students, and anyone else who wants to come on March 18th, 6pm at SBCC.

Barry A. Berkus, A.I.A., is the founder and President of B3 Architects and Berkus Design Studio, has remained on the forefront of residential design in this country and abroad for over forty years. Involved in a broad range of projects, including more than 600,000 residences, resort and master planned communities, urban infill, commercial and institutional projects, and custom homes, Berkus has promoted and advanced the role of architect as planner and designer of neighborhoods and communities, and has redefined living patterns in housing. The Berkus name has become synonymous with innovation, and Berkus teams have received more than 300 design and planning awards from regional, national and international competitions. Based in Santa Barbara, California, his design and planning practice has had offices in New York, Los Angeles, Irvine, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Miami, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo.

He has been featured in USA Today, Money, Architectural Record, Progressive Architecture, Art News , and Architectural Digest , which named him one of the world's 'top 100 architects' in 1991. Professional Builder honored him as the most innovative architect in the area of housing in the United States. In 1999, Builder magazine counted Berkus as one of the 100 most influential individuals in the past century of American housing, and the readers of Residential Architect selected Berkus as one of the ten most significant figures of 20th century residential architecture. 

Barry Berkus's work can be seen on his websites: 

www.berkusdesignstudio.com 

www.BarryBerkus.com

2011 Kitchen & Bath Trends

I read an article today on the 2011 Kitchen and Bath Trends from the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The NKBA website is an awesome resource for inspiration, kitchen and bath planners, and professional resources. There are so many details when designing  a kitchen and the NKBA makes it easy for consumers and designers to keep track of them. 

Consider these details:

The Kitchen's flow and interaction with other rooms in your home
The Kitchen's aesthetic and layout. Modern, Contemporary, Cottage.  Island, Peninsula, L-shape, Eat-In?
Standard or Custom cabinets? Open shelving?

Appliances, Ventilation,  Lighting & Fixtures
Materials for flooring, counter tops, cabinets, back splash...
Storage & Pantry Needs
How many cooks, anyone with disabilities, children?


The NKBA has over 40 guidelines to help one design a kitchen. They specify recommendations for doorway clearance, counter top frontage, accessibility, seating heights, appliance specifications. ETC. Very handy especially if you foresee your kitchen needing to be accessible by those with disabilities or those who need extra amenities. 


The 2011 Kitchen & Bath Trends are:
Kitchen-

1. Shaker Style Cabinets

www.thekitchendesigner.org

2. Dark Finishes

www.adornus.com

www.ktbuildingsupply.com

3. Wine lovers' amentiies

www.digsdigs.com

www.trendir.com

blog.divinedinnerparty.com

4. The French Door Fridge

Samsung

General Electric

remodeling.matters.com

5. Induction Cooktops

yaleappliance.blogspot.com

Luxist.com

Remodelista

6. LED Lighting

www.kulekat.com

www.isabar.com

www.javadrugs.com

7. Trash considerations

www.cabinetcreations.com

www.alltrashcans.com

 

www.readymade.com

 The trash and recycle cans are hidden in the cabinet.

Stay tuned for 2011 Bath Trends from the NKBA

It's a Girl!

It's a Girl!.....................No no, not me!! Did I scare you Mom? My lovely friend Lindsey is having a baby girl very soon and we are all so excited! I have played around with some possible designs for her Nursery using the things she has registered for. Everything listed is easily accessible, inexpensive, or something her hubby Brian can build for her. hint hint! The basic color palette is a variety of purples, green, and pinks.

Inspiration images

Furniture Lindsey has registered for and extra storage options from IKEA

Paint options. Low VOC is a must. I love the Wild Aster (Benjamin Moore) and the Lilac (Serena & Lily). The Behr Wheat Bread is a nice subdued color as well.

Color Palette & Fabric. These fabrics can be used on extra pillow, window treatments, upholstery, sitting pouf, ceiling draping and even DIY rugs.

Art, Lighting, and Accessories. Rugs and Lighting (IKEA, West Elm and Laura Ashley).  Art, Mobile, Paper Poms and Bunting Flags (ETSY). Green garden stool(Cost Plus World Market). Bookcase (Martha Stewart DIY). Owl Bookends (Pottery Barn Kids).

Final Color board for Lindsey and Brian! Congrats L&B.

P.S. Brian, your "to-do" list is already a mile long!!