Picking Paint Colors : Brightly Painted Doors

One of my favorite design details on a house is the front door, so I always figure the best way to highlight a door is to paint it a vivid shade that really stands out.  A cheery door can make an otherwise dull exterior really sing!

It's not always easy to pick paint colors, especially really bold colors, so the best way to go about it is to:

1) Find colors you love online via blogs and Pinterest for inspiration, then match paint swatches to them.  

2) Keep in mind that most colors look darker in person, than on the swatch.

3) Lighting matters - look at the color in the setting it will go at different times throughout the day.

4) If possible, sample a few of your favorite colors before you make a final choice.

5) Remember that paint is not a major commitment, if you don't like it simply pick another color and repaint.

For the perfect no. 2 pencil yellow...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Sunflower:

For a cool blue hue...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Rocky Mountain Sky:

For a striking kelly green...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Baby Fern:

 For an eye-catching lilac...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Amethyst Cream:

For a warm orange...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Citrus Orange:

For a bold fuchsia statement...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Hot Lips:

 For a spunky chartreuse...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Tequila Lime:

For a classic lipstick red...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Million Dollar Red:

For a tasteful turquoise...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Fairy Tale Blue:

 For an all-grown-up bubble gum...

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Try Benjamin Moore's Rhododendron:

Do you like brightly colored doors?  Would you ever paint your door to make it stand out?  If so, which colors are you drawn to?  Please share your most useful paint color picking tips with us!

Bohemian Chic Bedroom

I finally made it over to photograph my dear friend's master bedroom, which we decorated a few months ago. Thankfully she's super tidy and keeps everything in order so I was able to crash their house on the drop of a dime!  

My friend has impeccable taste, so I simply helped her by arranging the items that she already had, hanging items up (they were leaning against the floorboards), and giving a few pointers here and there.  It really came together as quite the Bohemian Chic retreat!

Now for the detail shots...

 We laid the gallery wall out on the bed first, so we'd know how to best arrange the items on the wall.

 The grouping on her dresser was created by items she had on hand.

 She had ordered this gorgeous dresser off Etsy...it's the most divine turquoise hue.  The Moroccan lanterns hung in the corner were a clearance aisle find at Homegoods.

 The headboard is an old door, refinished with tin inserts.

This is an old dresser that was passed down.  The curve on the front is so unique and the patina is one of a kind; however, this may be the one item that gets a little extra love with new paint in the future.

Ordered from a flash sale site, the tissue paper poufs were hung to frame the mirror above the dresser.  I love this focal point in the room...it really makes the space come together.

The comforter and window panels are from Anthropologie.  The sunburst mirror came from a flash sale site.  The rug is from Ikea.  And, the bedside tables also came from Etsy.  If you have any other sourcing questions, please let us know!

What do you think of how the room came together?  Are you digging the Bohemian Chic retreat?

How Amazing is This? A Cross-Stitch Chair

I saw this cross-stitch cane chair by Cintia of My Poppet blog on Roadkill Rescue the other day, and couldn't help but share it with you guys!

Isn't it the coolest thing ever??  Mad creativity on this one, I tell ya'.  I'm officially on the hunt for a cane chair so I can do this very thing myself!

Here are a few detail shots of the front and back...

It's even pretty from behind!  Huh?

Cintia provides a how-to on creating your own cross-stitch chair {here}.  Her blog has all sorts of lovely things that she's created, so be sure to browse around a bit.

Have you ever seen such an inventive way to fix-up an old cast-off chair?  Who's ready to cross-stitch?

Oh Say Can You See - Fourth Decor and More

"Tonight, as you lie on the grass with your family and watch fireworks don't forget to take a moment and remember those who fought to make it possible for you to lie on the grass with your family and watch fireworks"... (derived from Boston's 4th 2013 Program)

On the 4th I can't help but dwell on our Soldiers and Airmen (and their families) past, present, and future who embody the words of freedom, faith, sacrifice, commitment, courage, perseverance, fortitude, and strength.   Our "red, white, and blue" abound because of them.

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Finally, a quote to remember today and everyday:

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.  It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.  It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.  It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."
- Father Dennis Edward O'Brien

Whatever you do to celebrate the 4th, don't forget why we celebrate this day and the heritage of sacrifice this day represents.  Happy freedom day!

Easy-Sew Envelope Pillow Cover

I confess, I'm no sewing machine wizard...I keep it on the same settings, fear having to replace a needle, shy away from anything with "zipper" or "sleeve" in it, and often have to review the instruction manual when it comes time to rethread the thing or make a new bobbin.  (And, quite frankly, I should probably wear a helmet when operating it...)

All that aside, I finally made my first pillow cover and now I'm not so scared of the darn thing.  No fancy schmancy zipper for the pillow insert y'all - we're talking an "envelope" pillow cover where the insert just slips right in.  Yay easy!  So easy, in fact, I made (gasp!) two of 'em...

That's right, the fine looking front and center polka dot one's mine!

And, here's how you can make one too...

Materials:

Fabric - you only need about 1/2 yd

Fabric Scissors 

Straight Pins

Thread

Sewing Machine (or you can always hand-sew, if desired)

Instructions:

1. Measure out your fabric to the desired pillow size, leaving an inch or so on the sides for your seam.  I used another pillow cover I had as the template, so I'd know how much fabric I'd need to fit the pillow insert.  Cut fabric to size.

2. Pin along the length of the two short ends, then sew about 1/2" seams on both ends.

3. Now flip your fabric over so the "inside" of the fabric is facing out and fold both finished ends over to meet at the middle, fitting to the size of your template (or measurements).

Make sure to overlap the two finished ends by at least 1" because this is where your insert will slip in and the cover will remain open or "envelope-d".

 4. Pin along the open edges on either side, allowing for 1/2" seams, then sew them up.

5. You're done sewing!  Now just reach in through the "envelope" opening, and turn the fabric right side out.  Ensure the corners are popped out to a pretty point.

This is what the "envelope" opening looks like close up...

It just runs across the back of the pillow, and you'd never know it's there.

6. Finally, pop in a pillow insert through the opening (down fill preferred, unless you're allergic...) and give it a good karate chop.  Come on, you know you want to!

Easy enough, huh?  I think I made the two covers in about an hour, which isn't bad for a beginner.  Or, so I tell myself...

The other pillow ended up in the same room on the curbside-recovery rocking chair.  I just love me some dots!

Anyone else like making pillow covers?  Any good tips for the rest of us non zipper sewers??