DesignAnxiety

The Cure...

2008-03-09T18:54:00.005-05:00

Whoops! Wrong Cure. It's the Apartment Therapy Spring Cure!! I am soooo in this time. I tried it before in our old house but, dang, that place had sooo much wrong with it...including 7 years of accumulated JUNK.

Now, as you can see by the last post, I am in a new, uncluttered home. The downside is that we have practically NOTHING for furnishings. We weren't able to bring all of our things with us to Wyoming and being a thrifting girl I assumed it wouldn't take long to replenish what was needed. Boy was I wrong. For some reason the prices of "used" home furnishings are CRAZY!! Even the trash! And we are a million miles from any IKEA, Target, or other decent store. I love our new town, really I do, but I can't even find a Domino magazine here. It's all Country Living and Quilting Digest!

So now as Week One is about to begin I am trying to go through the questions in the Apartment Therapy book to determine my Decorating Style which isn't going well. I am to eclectic to catagorize. (That's my way of saying I am a mixed up mess).

Favorites:

1) Actress:

Sandra Bullock

Ashley Judd

Anna Faris

Emma Thompson

2) Actor:

Kenneth Branagh

Simon Pegg

John Wayne because he was a man above men. I just love him the way you love a grandpa!

3) Artist:

Henri Matisse. I do love the colors

Andrew Wyeth because his work is so haunting

4) Writer:

Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters:

Dave Barry

Amy Tan

Elizabeth Berg

Anne Lamott

5) Music (my most eclectic area)

Rock (KISS, ACDC, The Donnas)

Pop-Rock (Pat Benatar, Blondie)

Jazz/Blues (Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday)

Celtic (Clannad, Loreena McKennitt)

6) Restaurant

I rarely eat out. But I love retro diners.

7) Automobile

Mid-60's Plymouth Valiant

8) TV Show

Smallville

Paranormal State

Charmed

America's Next Top Model

Fawlty Towers

9) Clothing

Jeans Jeans Jeans

Bright and Funky accessories

10) How would you describe your style (3 words)

Eclectic

Down To Earth (is that a word?)

Fun

Personal History

Where have you lived:

Born: Vermont

Grew up: Vermont

As an adult: Vermont and now Wyoming

Whom would you consider a role model:

Wonder Woman :)

Quality Admired In This Person:

completely sure of herself

strong

intelligent

Apartment:

What is the problem with your home?:

bland

lack of personality

not enough storage

If your home could speak what would it say is the problem?:

"I am soooo bored! Would you people give me a little help here?"

What would you like to do or do more of in your home:

Have cozy family times

In 8 weeks how would you like friends to describe your home:

cozy

funky

fun

My Manifest Destiny...

2008-01-12T07:03:00.000-05:00

That's it! In just one week we will be leaving our home state of Vermont. Leaving our families, our friends, and everything familiar and heading west! Welcome to Lander, Wyoming! We have been itching to do this for years now and finally we decided it was time. We are renting a little (emphasis on little) ranch house in town and it will be a new experience to say the least. Going from a large farmhouse to a tiny ranch is a squeeze but we are looking forward to it. Time to purge the un-needed, un-necessary and un-loved from our stuff. Getting rid of the seven years of accumulated clutter is like having a painful growth removed....hurts at the time but feels great later!!

So here is the new home. Cute, eh? It was killer trying to find a rental in Lander but the personnel director at my husband's new company did the impossible and discovered a three bedroom home that allows our pets!! I just couldn't bear to get rid of my animals! Could you??

So, today I am asking for

KITCHEN HELP

We have this great eat in kitchen with lots of cabinets and nice white appliances. As far as I know right now, I can't paint anything, so any advice I receive will have to be the simple stuff. Also my husband won't even HEAR of me wanting to change out the light fixtures since he doesn't plan on living here more than a year and "the lights are fine" in his opinion. Men!
So we are looking at CURTAINS, BARSTOOLS, WALL ART, ETC.
Here are some shots of the house that the landlady took for us. None of the items (including the cute doggie) are ours since we are still freezing our butts off in dismal gray vermont.

There is an odd little "pass through" from the kitchen into the living room which is visible in the second photo.
The folding closet doors house some storage and the washer/dryer. That space in front of the closets is where our dining table must go.

Walls are white. Floor is ka-ka colored vinyl tile (but neutral and won't show up the doggie mess which is a plus). I am already itching to paint that back door since it is so dingy. Maybe she will let me just do that....(slap me please!!)

I am thinking of blues, apple green, and yellow in the kitchen/dining area. Here is my 'thought collage'
KITCHEN IDEAS but there isn't enough of the apple green in it. Hm.

I would LOVE to hear your ideas. Gimme a shout! elevenhounds@yahoo.com

Ps: do you like my new banner?? Finally figured out how to do that. Now if I could only get the rest of my blog in line I will be all set!!

Find Your Personal Style

2008-01-03T09:42:00.001-05:00

I hope that most everyone has heard of Martha Beck by now. Lifestyle coach extrodinaire, Beck is the author of the incredible book "Finding Your Own North Star" and is a frequent contributor on Oprah who calls Beck "one of the smartest women I know." That is pretty high praise, and I must agree. The book "North Star" has spent many months on my nightstand and is completely bent out of shape and dog-eared.

Buuuuut this isn't a life design blog....it is home design I want to focus on and Martha Beck comes through with some awesome advice for finding your personal style for your home.

The following style quiz was originally published in Winter 2006 O at Home. I hope I am not being naughty by posting this.

1) Look Within

A) How would you describe your favorite outfit, the clothes and accessories that make you look and feel your best? Study that outfit in your minds eye, then write down three adjectives that describe it (for example, pretty, tailored, or funky).

B) Consider an activity you love such as reading, horseback riding, or formenting revolution-whatever gets you most involved. Describe the energy of that activity using three more adjectives (like exciting or peaceful-if these are the same words you would use to describe your favorite person, that's a good thing).

C) Picture a favorite place-city or country, real or imaginary. What are three adjectives that define it?

2) Look It Over

Next, imagine you're watching a movie that's just beginning. The screen shows a person dressed in the kind of clothing you described, engaged in the kind of activity you prefer, and placed in a setting like the one you love most. Now put the movie on pause and without waiting for the story to unfold, describe the character's personality. Just take a wild guess. Is this person romantic, exciting, quirky, or genteel? Choose three adjectives that describe this character.

3) Look Around

That was the ten-minute part. Now you have a collection of words and images that you can take out into the word. Go shopping or visit friends, and imagine that you are the set designer for the character's movie and must arrange a set to be "her" (your) home. What does it look like? Can you "spot" her style in a store or the homes you see, or in the magazines you read? Do you see a wall painted a perfect color? A painting that is just right, hanging in an antiques store? Within a week, you'll notice your style items everywhere. Jot down light fixtures, chairs, towels, or any other detail, and when flipping through magazines, tear out and save pictures of rooms that appeal to you.

4) Bring Home Your
Personal Style

Once you begin to identify your style, be brave and start incorporating elements of that style into your home. If you're about committing to large pieces, start with the small things such as "you" paint accents or throw pillows. And always follow the "one in, one out" rule. For each new item you bring into your home, remove an object that feels less representative of you. Soon your personal style will feel right at home, at home.

Finds In Odd Places

2008-01-01T11:25:00.001-05:00

Lehman's Non Electric store has been the go-to spot for country folk. If you needed a wringer washing machine or a milking stool you were all set. I love to peruse the site because deep down I have a "Little House On The Prairie" fantasy. Imagine my surprise upon finding some super cool items at budget prices. Here are a few of my picks but you are sure to find more. Check them out. The Amish would thank you.

I love this Crosley 3-speed Record Changer with
"Stack-O-Matic" technology. At $169.95 it is a cool deal!

These great 50's style stools with folding steps are a bargain at $59.95

And the Folding Cypress Table ($129.95) and Chairs ($99.95) are a bit on the expensive side but well worth it for the quality. Amish made. Simply beautiful!

I may not actually use Vaseline Soap but dang! wouldn't a few of these boxes look fantastic in the bathroom??
Package of 3 bars for $5.95

I am surprised IKEA hasn't thought of this one yet! Battery Storage System for $12.95. It ain't pretty but neither is a miscellany of Duracel packages!

In Red or Blue, enamel ware dishes look like something out of Wagon Train. In white they are CLASSIC! White Enamel Tableware: $2.95-$19.95. White Stock Pots: $12.95 and $14.95

The Handcrafted Glass Candy Dish is just beautiful...don't you think? Lovely cotton ball holder in the bathroom! Only $20.00

These are just a few of the great finds at Lehman's so check it out.

Masks As "Art"....?

2007-10-09T10:11:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time there were thousands of little children in America poised on the brink of Halloween and searching for the perfect costume. A costume that said "I am cool. I am hip. I have little to no taste. I don't breathe through my mouth."

These children begged and pleaded with their parents for this super-hot character costume trend. Prepackaged and designed by Ben Cooper or Collegeville, I may be dating myself by admitting that I was one of those kids. I believe that I was Wonder Woman one year. Another year, a princess. And, dang, that Miss America mask looks awfully familiar.....

As a tribute to Halloween I thought I would post the awesome decorating potential of these possibly lead-based paint masks. Hung on the wall in a collage they could be fantastic! Funky, retro, nostalgic and just plain creepy. If
you have a taste for the odd, or a yen for large smiles and empty eyesockets check out http://www.ebay.com/ and search Ben Cooper or Collegeville to bring up a plethora of the good, the bad, and the fugly!

My passion? Superheroes. I found these lovelies on Ebay and am considering a purchase. Also spotted: Batman and Wolverine. How cool is that??

Is it just me or is Spiderwoman BUTT UGLY?? GAD!! The mouth paint doesn't even fall on the lip creases! LOL! All the better!!

Some more fun styles I found: Beatnick Man and Woman. Too adorable!

The ubiquitous Miss America..very white and very blonde.

Listed as "Oriental Dancer" (!) the Geisha-esque is one of the more artistic examples.

Great ones here: Scary tomato (wtf?) and black cat.

And who can resist the juxtaposition of Chuck Norris and Alfred E. Neuman????

For more Ben Cooper/Collegeville fun check out http://retrocrush.buzznet.com/costumes/
for a selection of more obscure and hilarious examples.

So come on, 'fess up....what plastic mask did you wear??

Global Responsibility

2007-04-10T18:35:00.000-05:00

I want to take a minute to talk about Ten Thousand Villages.

"At Ten Thousand Villages, we work with over 100 artisan groups in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to bring you fair trade jewelry, home decor, gifts and more. As one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations, we build long-term relationships with artisans that are based on mutual understanding and respect.
Fair trade enables artisans to earn a fair wage and provides the opportunity for a better quality of life."

The bonus for the consumer is that these beautifully crafted pieces are very reasonable price wise. You know that I am always looking for inexpensive ways to make my home pretty, and by purchasing items from Ten Thousand Villages I know that my money means something...not just to some anonymous corporation that would rather exploit the foreign artisan.

And now, for your viewing pleasure:

And like many of you, I am a SUCKER for trees!!

Items are:

Wooden Giraffe (Kenya) $14.00

Mother and Child Sculpture (Kenya) $28.00

Tree of Life Box (Vietnam) $38.00

Animal and Flower Pillow (India) $28.00 Can you BELIEVE that???

Tree Of Life Bedcover (India) $110.00

Tree Of Life Jute Wall Hanging (India) $68.00

Chulucanas Vase (Peru) $38.00

(And if anyone can clue me in as to how to put my tags directly under my photos without using the html I would sooo appreciate it!!)

Eugenio Recuenco Makes Me Swoon!

2007-04-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

Oh boy, oh boy! I scored big time! I just won a Lavazza Coffee 2007 calender featuring the amazingly beautiful photography of Eugenio Recuenco. The calender is The Incredible with these fun scenes of the superwomen doing their day's work....with a cup of Lavazza coffee of course.

Below are some examples of the hauntingly gorgeous art-photography that is Eugenio Recuenco. I urge you to visit his website and be knocked off your feet. You will most definitely want to see these photos full sized.

Cool Things On Craigslist - Boston/Hartford

2007-04-04T12:10:00.000-05:00

Being wrapped up in the AT Home Cure I have neglected to post. To be perfectly honest I feel so ashamed that I have the nerve to write a design blog when my own house looks like total CRAP. Oh well, I am working on it, aren't I?? (Defensive, aren't I?)

So as usual I was poking around Craigslist Listpic and there is nothing good in the Vermont and New Hampshire area so I branch out to Boston and Hartford, CT areas. Found some cool things, too. Since I won't be getting Mr. DesignAnxiety to drive 3 hours for one fab piece I may as well share the wealth for those of you who are a bit closer.

Great original bar stools! Three for $90.

Cool vinyl chairs...free!

C&B Laminate table .. $40.

Metal doctor's cabinet .. $80.

Table (w/leaf) and four leather chairs...$85.

Why, oh why, don't they make tv's like this anymore?

1960 GE B/W TV WORKS!! ... $95.

Addam's Family Chic

2007-03-01T13:49:00.000-05:00

Inspired originally by the photography of Douglas Little in Grown Up Goth, I thought a creepy and kookey post would be in order.

Although, personally I wouldn't completely goth up my living abode, I do enjoy the tongue-in-cheek cemetery chic (I just coined that phrase!) that the Addams Family embodies. Why not add a dark touch to your room...a skull and crossbones, some black lace or an onyx drop chandelier. Some more ideas (budget as always) are below:

And wouldn't you just LOVE a sign that says "Beware Of The Thing"?? I certainly would. With four kids, three dogs and three cats it wouldn't be entirely inacurate. :)

For fun check out Gothic Martha Stewart, a website devoted to creeping out your pad.

Photos are (in order):

Addams Family Movie
Doug Little Photograph
Pillow - Resist Today
Mirror w/sconce - Urban Outfitters
Lace pattern curtains - UO
Skull and Crossbones stencil - Stencil 1 Graffiti
Frankenstein stencil - Stencil 1 Graffiti
"Toxic" goblets - UO
Black chandelier - UO
Manbat art print - Resist Today
Black picture frame - Well Dressed Home
Fishbone soapdish - WDH
Doug Little Photograph
Black roses candle holder - UO
Addams Family TV series

Palest Blue, Red, Black and White

2007-02-18T13:05:00.000-05:00

I found this delightful picture on MidcenturyJo's Flickr set "Color Scheme Ideas". She describes it as her "latest color passion" and I have to agree. This pale blue with the bold red makes me drool. I would love to do this somewhere in my house but where?? My bedroom maybe?? What would you think of a bedcover in my favorite Urban Outfitter's spread: Flowering Branch or a plain white Matelasse with pale blue sheets. Mmmm. Like sleeping in the sky!

Well, since one of my favorite things to do is copy a look on the cheap, here is a super-budget-friendly way to get a similar look to the picture above.

1. A simple Ikea Tullsta chair in bright red would look sweet in a pale blue room.

It isn't quite as bright as the original but at $99.00 it would be hard to find too much fault.

I would pair it with this fantastic red coral pillow from Amazon.com which is adorable and a steal at $20.99. Too pretty! (and for some reason I can't upload the photo so click the link and enjoy!)

Then again if you prefer a shinier, bolder chair, you can pick up this cute slipper chair for $180.00 although it is a bit 'orange' toned for me. (and not all that cheap for an occassional chair, IMO) Again UO.

For the walls, Ikea will sell you the Fjallasta black, matted picture frame for $19.99 which will nicely contain (with perhaps a bit of creative trimming) the Red Coral 1, 2, 3 and 4 prints from AllPosters.com, each are only $17.99 unframed.

I have to admit, even if it is trendy or "so last year" I just love the look of red coral. I love trees and branches so coral gives you the same look but in red. So sparse and lovely.

Now the blue vase on the floor of the picture turns out to be the trickiest bit of all. To find a pale blue glass vase of that size you are going to pay some big bucks unless you find one at a thrift store, ebay (like the 25" example to the right) or someplace like TJMaxx. I can't see spending 200 bucks on a vase that one of the dogs or one of the kids will knock over. I mean, come ON!!

Anyone have any suggestions? What could take the place of that gorgeous vase for people who have REAL LIVES?? Let's here it.

Having Fun - Daily Turn On

2007-02-13T10:50:00.000-05:00

Today's daily turn on is Pylones which has an online shop LOADED with fun, and I mean FUN! This is also budget fun which makes it even better. I was turned on by Apartment Therapy, which featured Pylones as "goofy chic" which I must agree with. What could be better than a cake server shaped like a dachshund out of Beetlejuice, or a bride and groom dustpan and broom set?? Hysterical! Whether you want to add some silly items to your child's room or to your main living area, you will find something whimsical and irreverant at Pylones!

What Color Orange Am I?

2007-02-11T10:11:00.000-05:00

You are Apricot

Soft and sweet, over time you let your provocative nature shine through.

You are definitely unconventional, but you don't broadcast it.

You offer people a fresh perspective on life - so fresh that it can be shocking!

What Color Orange Are You?

What Co lor Orange Are You ?

I Love You Supershoppertoo!!

2007-02-09T12:13:00.000-05:00

As I dig around Flickr for photos of rooms that stir me to want to actually de-clutter my house, I occasionally find "deecor-gold". As you know I am a proponent of budget decor, as in: I can't justify spending $400.00 on a duvet cover that someone will eventually throw up on. My joy was unbounded when I found Supershoppertoo who has not only made her space lovely on a budget, but took it from 70's paneling hell to modern gorgeous! And if she can do it, so can we!!!

Here are some examples of her beautious work:

Livingroom before and after ^

Diningroom before and after ^ in fall colors and summer colors. BTW could you DIE for that cowhide rug?

This ^ is the basement Family Room, before and after.

And finally a glorious Sunroom ^ before and after. Every sunroom/porch I have ever had looked like this before picture!!

So go check out Supershoppertoo using the multiple links on this page and let her know how wonderful you think she is, too!

Obsessions

2007-02-06T08:14:00.000-05:00

I have an obsession with blue-green. When I pull photos out of decorating magazines I find that most of them are some shade of turquoise, aqua, teal, cerulean, beryl, ultramarine....etc...etc.... but so far I have been terrified to decorate my home in these colors. I fear that in my dark, cold, Vermont farmhouse I will be dooming myself to a frigid decor. (I should be living in Greece. Or at least Nevada)

Thanks to the helpful people over at Apartment Therapy, I have come to realize that blues and greens do not have to be cold if mixed with the right accents. The main recommendations were either orange/red, yellow and/or hot pink.

Here are some of my favorite rooms in my favorite colors although the best picture I have is a tiny cut out from an old magazine of a white iron fence in front of the perfect blue-green with the sign "Conch Salad" on it. Here is to "conch salad blue"!!

To my absolute shame I do not have links for these gorgeous rooms. Many of them I found on Flickr and I was only planning to keep them in my style folder. If you come across your pic and want me to link it or take it down I would be happy to do so. XXOO

Some I do know:

Mount Vernon

Ikea Bedroom 2007

2007-01-30T19:39:00.000-05:00

However you feel about Ikea quality you have to admit that their room designs are fantastic. They run the gambit from sparse Scandinavian style to country cozy.

The new bedroom "designs" are available to view online and I am salivating over them. Fairly soon we (my husband and I) will be moving into the downstairs bedroom which is now buried in the lifetime accumulation of a twelve-year old girl. The aforementioned 'girl' will be sharing our bedroom with her ten-year old sister and their new sister soon to be adopted from Ethiopia. I can't wait to have three pre-teen girls sharing a room with all of their precious "stuff". It will be an adventure.

So to get on with it, our bedroom will soon be MUCH smaller than we have had. My grandmother's old veneer furniture will not fit, that is for sure, and it is questionable as to whether or not we will be able to have a king-sized bed anymore (imo essential to a happy marriage). So I keep my eyes open to new and interesting (and cheap) ideas for our "new" room. Ikea fits those requirements.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some pictures of bedrooms from the new promotion:

I love the use of space in the first picture and the second pics color combo of lime and purple is just yum-yum-yummy!!

This last pic would be a great way to design a kid's room that needs a lot of storage--turning that daybed into a regular bed for one child.

If you want more information about our adoption of four Ethiopian children you can check out my other blog: Our Adoption Journey.

Whaddaya Think..??

2007-01-22T13:42:00.000-05:00

This post is for all you Helpy Helpertons out there. My project is my living room and I need suggestions from you. Maybe this will get the comments coming.

My living room consists of copious amounts of dog hair, magic markers, Transformers, piles of dvds, Polly Pocket Paraphenalia and these items:

One brown leather sofa (JC Penney online: $689.00)

One brown leather chair (JC Penney online: $449.00)

One brown leather ottoman (also JCP: $249.00)

One Magiker entertainment center (Ikea online: $600.00 +/-)

*note that the lovely sofa and chair photos are NOT taken in my living room but in the JC Penney design studio by professional photographers.

Now this is where I start, with extremely neutral furnishings and a crap-load of ideas. I just can't narrow them down to one that will work for my entire family.

Husband: likes blonde wood (like the finish on the Magiker) the colors: green, brown, black, some red, some yellow. Likes woods and natural looks along with sparse, streamlined, (whether it be modern or shaker) also loves touches of whimsey, eclectic looks, weird movies, fast cars and loud music. Does not like: pink, purple, lavender, florals, dark woods, formal or traditional style, clutter, too much blue, indie films and pop music.

Self: likes all wood finishes but has no idea how to mix them, pale blues, greens and blue-greens, yellow, brown, tan, nature themes, bold patterns, shiny things, rounded shapes, some pinks, some corals, cowhide, streamlined but cozy, mid-century modern, lots of light, branches and buds, dogs, eclectic style with touches of whimsey. Does not like: purple, too much red, ugly things, too much pattern, anything that the cats want to scratch.

The House: Older farmhouse in a southern Vermont ski town. Livingroom is a decent size, three windows and two doors with lovely trim (painted white) wood floors (honey toned) and that nasty popcorn ceiling.

Family: Four children ages 12, 10, 8, and 4. Three dogs (2 big and 1 little). Three cats (scratchy and stinky). And we are in the process of adopting four children from Ethiopia ages 12, 11, 10, and 9.

Use: Watching TV, movies, playing video games, reading, drawing, toy playing, napping, dog lounging, etc etc etc.

Okay, people, if you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know. I would love to get a bit of 'outside' advice on this.

Budget This.

2007-01-13T15:31:00.000-05:00

I don't get the whole "budget" idea. I mean, maybe to some people spending $1,000.00 on a lamp is a steal but ... ?? ...I didn't even spend that much on my SOFA!! (Snagged it on sale at JC Penney).

I thought, for fun, I would try and recreate one of my favorite bedrooms in Domino Magazine (April '06) on the cheap. The REAL live cheap. Let me know what you think.

1. Fabric headboard and Dust Ruffle: This is tricky. The headboard and fabric were custom and ended up costing the homeowner $1,750.00 excluding the fabric. (Which I have a hard time understanding since isn't the dust ruffle fabric?? I guess it was a custom deal. Most NORMAL people can't really afford "custom" unless it means DIY or asking dad if he will make it for us. However, Ikea has a fabric bedframe called the Morkedal (add appropriate umlauts) which has a clean white headboard and dust ruffle. The one in Domino is more of a creamy muslin color but I think this is a decent facsimilie. And there is always RIT dye to fall back on. This beauty will set you back a mere $309.00!

2. Antique Mirrored Chests as Nightstands: Okay, if you want an antique you will pay for it. The owner of this bedroom certainly did...$2,130.00 A PIECE!! (Currey & Company). If I wanted to replicate this look on a budget I would head on over to one of my fave sites: Urban Outfitters, and pick up two Mirrored End Tables for the reasonable price of $200.00 a piece. Now that's a deal! They don't have the gorgeous patina of an antique but you get the same idea for pennies instead of $$$.

3. Lamps: The lamps in this picture are a lovely matte silver with white shades. They are $239.99 at Lamps Plus. While I agree that they are really beautiful, I am sure we can find something a bit more "wallet friendly". I found this Silver Shine Table Lamp for a mere $50.00 a piece at Pier 1. They are brushed chrome finish over brass and the white fabric shade has a pretty little design. I really like these. Nice shape and fairly unbreakable for little ones who like to tornado around my bedroom!!

4. Duvet: I am not sure exactly what size this bed is. In the photos it looks to be a full/double size. The duvet is a gorgeous custom Medura Lapis from John Robshaw textiles and it cost the homeowner $590.00. Once again I headed over to Urban Outfitters where I rather like the Giant Damask Bedspread . It isn't a medallion print but the colors are right and they also have styles featuring medallion prints but in other colors. This coverlet is 101 1/2" x 91 1/2" (which is nearly the size of a king spread) and can be yours for the low, low price of $34.00. That's right! It's not a typo. Only $34 bucks and if the backside looks crappy you can always buy two for that price and sew them back to back or make them into a duvet cover. What a deal!

5. Sheets: West Elm Morocco sheets here. Nice ones too and not a terrible price of $79.00 for the sheet set. In the pictures you can't really see them very well so I would imagine that any sheet set from your regular retail shop would be fine in this case. They have a small chain pattern on the edge which is nice but not necessary in my opinion. Suit yourself on this one.

6. Pillow Covers: I think that this means the blue throw pillows which are also West Elm (called Layered Geo) and do not seem to be available online anymore. West Elm has many other great pillow covers. As a matter of fact, pillow covers are pretty easy to find in the budget range. I particularly like the Denise Schmidt Strings Attached Sham from RetroDepo which fits a standard sized pillow. Great deal at $18.95. Also check out some of these from West Elm (on clearance) and Pier 1:

7. Curtains: I am terrible at choosing curtains. I can never decide what type of material I should get, or if they should have liners. Also, they cost the EARTH! Even Kmart window panels (one per package) are crazy prices considering you usually need two per window and have more than one window per room. It's a pain in the butt. The homeowner's curtains are made from Rosen and Chadwick's fabrics at $19.50 a yard and hung at ceiling height on a black or dark brown rod. They seem to be a plain blue color. Hmmm. In this case I would recommend taking your new bedcover or throw pillow to the store and attempt to match one of the shades of blue.

8. Light Shade: The magazine doesn't list the price of the big round chinese lantern shade on the overhead light. They SAY that it is an "inexpensive lantern". Pearl River is the undisputed KING of paper lanterns for less. They have different sizes and colors available. The largest sizes are under $30.00. Beautiful!

Nick Olsen Turned Me On

2007-01-09T22:34:00.000-05:00

Do you know what sucks about being married? You have this man living with you who usually has NO opinion about the decor of you home...(you ask him if he likes mocha and azure together and he says 'whatever, honey, I trust your taste')...and then you show him a fabulous bedspread from Urban Outfitters (see previous post) and he says "Um...nah, I don't like that." What is with that?? Aarrgghh. I need to learn to STOP asking his opinion. If I like something that should be enough, right? lol.

Anyway, today's post is about turn ons. Lately I have been turned on to a few websites with fantastic deals by other bloggers. In turn I want to take this opportunity to turn you on as well.

Daily Turn On:

RetroDepot Fabrics has some of the coolest fabric I have seen in a long time and at great prices (well some prices are great, others are just good). This was the find that Nick Olsen turned me on to.

These are just a sample of the many gorgeous fabrics available (including Marimekko which is lust inducing - at least for me). They also sell some gifts and t-shirts and in my humble opinion the piece de resistance: a Vermont state map pillow. Could you just die??!!

Urban Outfitters

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While perusing Urban Outfitters for throw pillows I came across some great deals including this gorgeous mirrored console table.

I admit that I have been drooling for a mirrored piece for a long time but the idea of all that shiny surface just waiting for jelly hands and wet dog noses makes me cringe. I'd be at it with Windex all day long. Oh well, we can all dream can't we?

For those of you without sticky, icky family members, check out Urban Outfitters and the lovely console table can be yours for only $299.00!!

Other items that I am lusting for:

Starting A Design Blog

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We all have dreams. Big dreams. Mine usually involve throw pillows and coffee tables, Ikea and Ebay, thrift stores and tag sales.

Anyone can decorate a home if they have the cash. Whether they do it themselves or hire someone with taste to do it for them, money changes everything...including bad carpeting. I am not one of these lucky ones. Design Within Reach is waaayyy out of my reach. I don't have a decorating budget because there is nothing left after paying the bills and buying the food.

So here I am in my Design Anxiety working with the best online sites and discount stores to make my home beautiful, stylish and able to stand up to the harsh reality of kids, dogs and cats.

This is my mission statement and I am sticking to it. Maybe along the way we can help one another find style for less and 75% off. Ya think?