Dining Room Design Board

I created this design board for a friend whose style is what I would call "rustic/glamour".  I mixed an elegant dining room table, chairs, glass chandelier, and rug with a rustic sideboard and horse painting.  I love the glass coating on this painting by the way.  What to you think? Would this fit the bill for "rustic/glamour"?

Glass Link Chandelier - West Elm

Art - Z Gallerie

Dining Room Table - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Sideboard - Restoration Hardware

Dining Room Arm Chair  - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Rug - Madeline Weinrib

Dining Room Armless Chair - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

DIY Shower Curtain

This is a fairly easy and creative way to make a unique shower curtain.  I really like this idea for a child's bathroom.  You will need basic sewing skills for this project, or you could take it to a tailor for some assistance.  To recreate this darling shower curtain you will need to follow the steps below:


1.) Purchase oversized towels from Anthropologie (this shower only required two)
2.) Sew button holes along the top
3.) Insert shower curtain rings into button holes
4.) Hang on shower rod


Pretty simple, right?  You could sew the two towels together to make one long piece, or you could choose to have them open in the middle like window curtains.  Also, it isn't necessary, but you could hang a clear liner behind your DIY shower curtain for extra protection.  Have any of you tried something similar to this before?  If so, I would love to see pictures. 

Artist of the Week

Rex Ray's is  a San Francisco based artist and graphic designer, whose work is exhibited in museums and galleries throughout he country.  I have loved his work from the moment I discovered him three years ago.  At the time, I could only afford two of his prints on canvas, but I still love them and hope to own an original one day.  You can find his prints on canvas, like what I have, at places like Art.com and Absolute Abstract.  I had the pleasure of seeing the "real deal" at Conduit Gallery in Dallas, TX last week.  I am seeing his work everywhere, and he has even expanded his designs into fabulous rugs and wallpaper collections like the ones below.  Also,  Jonathan Adler carries smaller versions of his high gloss, paper collage artwork on birch plywood.  Do you love his work or what?

Photo taken at Conduit Gallery


How great would these look above a low headboard?

Photo taken at Conduit Gallery

Photo taken at Conduit Gallery

Stereoaspicilia collage by Rex Ray

  

Rationaria collage by Rex Ray

Bucote Wallpaper

Wouldn't this Bucote wallpaper be fun in a nursery?

Cocobolo Wallpaper

Nazareno Wallpaper

Padauk Wallpaper

Timborana Wallpaper

Fendi Casa

I had the pleasure of attending a Fendi Casa open house at a residence in Dallas last night. The Fendi Casa rooms have a contemporary dressy, style, similar to their clothes line.  There is a heavy emphasis on luscious furs, leather and accents of "bling".  The line is perfect for someone desiring this glamorous look, who has the budget to match. 

I have never seen an over sized bolster used at the foot of a bed like this.  I love this idea!

The lighting fixtures are stunning!

Amore Sofa featured on the Fendi Casa website.

Bernini Dining Table and Crystal Chairs featured on the Fendi Casa website.

Fabulous Wall Installations

I love visiting the Global Views showroom at the Dallas World Trade Center when I am in town.  This trip I was particularly taken with the amazing wall installations.  What a unique way to display objects to create art!  I absolutely adore these red ceramic roses.  Which ensemble is your favorite?

Rose Wall Brooch

Magnolia Wall Flower and Carnation Platter

Man in the Moon

Flying Wall Bowls

The New England Southerner Goes South

Today The New England Southerner goes south!  I can't wait to visit my family and friends in Dallas this week.  I would like to take today to brag on my mother, Vicki Crew, who is my roll model and best friend.  I aspire to design beautiful rooms like she and her business partner, Susan Smith, create.  See a glimpse of Urban Interiors amazing work below.  If you are interested in their interior design services you can contact them HERE.  What do you think?  Pretty gorgeous, right?  

Fired Up!

The hint of cool weather in Boston yesterday had me thinking about how much I love the ambiance of a fireplace in the winter.  I do not have a working fireplace in my current apartment and love the idea of having one of these designer fireplaces by EcoSmart.  When I first saw these at the Scott + Cooner showroom, I immediately coveted them.  They are not only beautiful, but they are environmentally friendly, vent free, portable and actually produce warmth.

Igloo Fireplace

Vision Fireplace

Zeta Fireplace

Design*Sponge At Home Book Tour

Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge has created such a beautiful and resourceful book, Design*Sponge at Home. With a forward from the infamous Jonathan Adler, the book is full of home tours, before and afters, DIY projects and useful resources. You are sure to find all kinds of design ideas and inspiration from it!


Props to the West Elm Boston location for hosting a fun event last night, offering 15% store discounts, cupcakes and a photo booth. For all of you Dallas friends, Grace will be making an appearance at the West Elm at Mockingbird Station on Thursday, October 13.  The tour has just kicked off, so for details on other cities on the tour check out the Design*Sponge blog. 

Missoni for Target Craze

Oh my! Were any of you part of this Missoni for Target craze yesterday? My experience was all too similar to what my experiences have been shopping on Black Friday... women trampling each other to claim their bargains. I showed up at my local Target yesterday morning, the day of the launch, and by the time I got through the crowds to the Missoni racks, almost everything was sold out. I was able to snag a pair of rain boots, 1 top and a pair of ballet flats. Hopefully some of you had better luck than I.  The launch was so popular that Target's website crashed in the morning and then was incredbly slow throughout the day. Wow, is all I have to say!


Regarding the home decor, I didn't love all the Missoni for Target home goods, but a few throws, pillows and a rug caught my eye.  

Missoni for Target Throw

Missoni for Target Toss Pillow

Missoni for Target Throw

Missoni for Target Toss Pillow

Missoni for Target Zig Zag Rug

Missoni for Target Toss Pillow

Missoni for Target Throw

DIY Upholstered Wall Hangings

The last high rise I lived in had this long, white entryway with high ceilings.  The wall needed some art to create interest when you walked into the space.  I wanted something oversized to cover the wall, but that didn't cost a fortune.  I ended up covering three 4'x8' pink foam insulation boards from Home Depot in a large repeat, silk, damask fabric, which ended up being much less than any art I would have found in that size.  I just stretched the fabric around each board and staple gunned it to the back. You could also use spray glue for this application.  Let me know what you think about this project, or if you have tried something similar to this before.

Tiny Tables

How cute are these tiny tables from Oomph!  These small pieces will make a big statement in any room. I love the idea of placing one in a bathroom or just chairside to set a drink on. They come in a variety of 16 lacquered colors with various table top options. The Tiny Table IV is my favorite.