Light Cage Industrial Pendant Lights

I'm your go-to girl when it comes to finding affordable lighting solutions for making a builder-grade house look a little brighter and a little less cookie-cutter.  One of my many home decor motto's: "Boo to the boob lights!"

This time around I opted to transform the basic pendant lights hanging above our kitchen bar into industrial cage light pendants.  And what did I use to do it, you ask?  These guys!

Believe it or not - the "lamp guards" came in this amazing YELLOW!  That's right, I didn't have to lift a finger to the spray paint.  I ordered them from 1000 Bulbs {here} and they showed up in a matter of days ready to be hung.

Here's where I started:

I simply removed the bulb and unscrewed the screws to release the glass globe.  Then, I grabbed a lamp guard and a screw driver, and tightened the lamp guard collar around the outer rim of the pendant's ceramic bulb socket.  Replaced the bulb, and voila!

Now they look like this...

Definitely upped the industrial ante with my stainless dining room pendant, huh?

Understandably not every one's taste, but definitely mine!  Now they're fun, sculptural, industrial, and colorful.  And, I'm guessing not too many of my neighbors will have ones that match.  Take that builder basic...Operation Unique accomplished!!

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

What do you think of my little update?  Not a bad pick-me-up for only $10!

Get Your Summer Reading On!

Why is it always so difficult to find the perfect book?  I've been on a reading binge over the last few months to catch up with not making time to read over the last few years, and because it was so tough for me to find books that peaked my interest, I decided to make it easy for you!

I've paired a few pretty rooms with recent novels that I've read and enjoyed - the rooms remind me of a setting, time period, or character in the book.  I thought it was a unique way to peak your interest and maybe find a book or two that you can indulge in this summer.

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I'm not a literary genius by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love to read and I do appreciate literature, so I can say these books were well worth the read.  I highly recommend clicking on the book source links which will direct you to Amazon where you can read a book description and browse a few reviews from other readers.

Has anyone out there read any of these books?  Anyone have any other good summer reading recommendations for us?  Which book would you be most drawn to read based on the inspiration rooms?  Happy reading!!

Friday Fun Home - Light, Bright, & Colorful Design

I came across this lovely home in the June 2013 issue of HGTV magazine and was happy to see that they had posted pictures of the beautiful abode online as well.  The home belongs to the Stephens family of Birmingham AL - and it had me at "hello!" with all the bright yellows, blues, and greens.  Take a peek inside!  (all photos curtesy of hgtv.com)

Check out that glass-front fridge!  A kitchen dream of mine...

Oh vintage yellow gas stove, how I covet thee.  (p.s. they found it in the basement when they moved in!)

 Love their bold use of color - especially the rug and art in this room.

 This banquette is seriously fabulous (and yellow)...it seats 10!

 Art - yes!  Fiddle-leaf fig tree - yes!  Bright accents - yes!  Mid century mod lamp - yes!

 Every home should come with lockers...and shoe shelves.

 Wood moulding + cork board + white paint + nail gun = huge frame for kid art

Yet another map wall done right.  This map was from Sky Mall...you know the catalog on the airplane?!?

What do you think of this fun family home?  Which is your favorite room?  I'd move in!  How about you??

Flea Market Art from Rio de Janeiro

I owed you quick post to share some of our art finds from our Rio de Janeiro trip last month.  When we go on vacation, we like to bring back some art that will forever remind us of our trip.  Some people buy shot glasses...and we buy flea market art!  Go figure.

Of course, we couldn't decide on just one piece of art, so we'll have a spattering of Rio artwork throughout the house.  First off, we have the "spatula" piece depicting the favelas of Rio - the artist used a small spatula to cake on a thick layer of white acrylic then scraped it off, revealing the rooftops, windows, and doorways.  He then painted over it with (lovely!) vibrant colors.

Next, we have a mini abstract of the bay that sits at the base of Sugar Loaf mountain.  I love the multi-colored dots, square-ness, and simplicity of this piece.

We had to find something that displayed the graphic black and white mosaic sidewalk pattern from Copacabana beach, where we stayed.  This watercolor on fabric did just that...

And, this little palm tree print was too cute to pass up for $2.50.  Again, it has the Copacabana sidewalk wave goin' on.

Finally, we have our "yellow" oil painting that shows the Christ the Redeemer Statue in the foreground and Sugar Loaf mountain in the background.  I can't say no to yellow, and we loved how this painting vividly shows how amazingly lush and green it was in Rio.

There they are...happily sitting on a sheet before being hung (or propped up) throughout our home.

Anyone else like to find local art while on vacation?  Which of our paintings is your favorite?  Which would you have opted to take home with you?

Ikat Dot Lampshade Makeover

I adore all things polka dot - fabrics, fashion, interiors, lady bugs, you name it.  The geometric pattern is just so classic and preppy and upbeat.  Sometimes polka dots can look juvenile, but when executed properly they can provide the perfect pop of pattern in any space.

I was inspired by the modern and graphic polka dot patterns below - one on wallpaper and one on a Kate Spade handbag - to add a few dots to a lamp shade in our dining room...

 Pienet Kivet Wallpaper from One Kings Lane

Kinkley Small Karen Satchel from Kate Spade

And, here's how it looks:

I was going for the imperfect ikat stacked dot look - that's what I'm calling it.  Should I coin that phrase??

Here's how I did it...a super easy project you can do during naptime.

Materiels:
Lamp shade
Craft Paint
Dot Sponge
Small plate

Instructions (I'll try not to insult your intelligence...):
1. Pour paint on plate.
2. Dab sponge in paint.
3. Press sponge on shade.
4. Repeat.
5. Let dry.

I know I'm shocking you with my brilliant idea...but hey, sometimes the best projects are those we can do in 15 minutes with stuff we already have on hand.

I think it pepped up the room a lot!  What do you think?  Like I always say, go graphic or go home...ok, I don't always say that.  (I just said it once, and I promise not to say it again.)

Globe-Trotting Girl Inspiration Board

I took a little inspiration from these two rooms with map walls...

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And created an inspiration board for an adventurous girl who has (or one day will) travel the world!  All sources are provided below the inspiration board...

Sources: 1. World Map Mural, 8'x6' ($64) - Amazon // 2. Jubilee Collection 4-Light Harp Chandelier ($179) - Wayfair // 3. Avoca Multi-Color Check Throw, small ($113) - Pure Luxuries // 4. Wire Eiffel Tower Sculpture ($97) - Amazon // 5. Russian Nesting Dolls ($17) - Etsy // 6. Indonesian Daybed Frame, twin size ($400) - Cost Plus World Market // 7. LexMod Philippe Starck Style Louis Ghost Chair, white ($152) - Amazon // 8. My Heart Print, 20"x28" ($70) - Erie Drive // 9. Peekaboo Clear C Table w/casters ($180) - CB2 // 10. Handmade Malibu White Shag Rug, 5'x8' ($194) - Overstock // 11.  Stuffed Moroccan Pouf, Silver ($138) - Amazon // 12. La Fiorentina David Hicks Wine & Magenta colorway Pillow Cover, 20"x20" ($125) - Etsy // 13. Industrial Task Table Lamp, yellow ($79) - West Elm

I'd love to create an inspiration board for your home!  Click {here} for more info on this incredibly affordable and totally customizable service that can help you completely transform a room.  And the best part?  We can work with whatever budget you may have!

Great Gatsby Art Deco Inspired Design

Have you seen it?  Have you seen it??  

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The Great Gatsby came out on May 10th, and despite the lackluster reviews, I must say that I LOVED it!  I'm a little biased since the book is one of my all-time favorite pieces of literature, but they truly did a wonderful job with the movie casting, the costumes, the music, the set production...really everything.

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I typically don't love art deco design and the over the top fancy, shiny, frilly, swirly, shimmery opulence that comes with it. However, because I was so inspired by the movie, I was able to round up a few very pretty rooms that definitely have the Great Gatsby vibe.

Art deco is done best with a little restraint.  (Just don't say that to Gatsby...restraint was not a popular word back then.)

The first two rooms are actually from the move - the first is Gatsby's bedroom, and the second is Daisy's sitting room.

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The next few spaces are a few other art deco-inspired rooms I found that are really quite exquisite...

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After looking at all these spaces, I'd say my favorite Gatsby-esque decor statement has to be a daring art deco light fixture, like one (or a few) of these...

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Of all the bling, which thing draws your eye in to art deco design?  The mirrored finishes, the grandiose furniture, the gilded details, the luxe fabrics?  Any one else see the movie, and love it as much as me?  Do tell!