Trends? Psh.
It is the end of the year and every one starts rounding up the “best ofs” lists. I have been seeing a lot of lists of trend that people would either like to see more of or never see again. The lists made me ponder. I came to the conclusion that I do not care what is considered “trendy” or “in style”. I like what I like and could care less what others think. Actually, I think that I prefer things that were never in style (both clothing and home decor), because then it can never be considered out of style. Also, if I like something, it is because it speaks to me. It shouldn’t matter what list it is on. I change my mind all the time, but not based upon what other people believe is “cool”. I, personally, never fit into one category anyways, because I mix pieces from all different styles. There should be no rules when it comes to your own tastes and your own home. If you truly love it, go for it.
Whew. With that said, I will step off of my soap box and show you all a visual list of the things that I have loved this year. Not because they are trends or not, but because that was what was speaking to me this year. I hope some one can find this inspirational, but in no way am I saying go out there and copy every picture. (Would that make it a “trend”?) Here goes:
1. The first thing that I have loved this year is collections. They can be utilitarian or completely useless. To me, collections can be like art. Some people think that if objects don’t function, they just sit there taking up space, but I think they can be beautiful. Here is a group of cameras and a small group of stereos.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-framed-vintage-camera-collection-on-the-cheap-072111
Angela and Adam's Mood Change. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/fall-colors-2008-midwest/midwest-25-angela-and-adams-mood-change-066295
Graham and David's Modern Escape. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/2008-fall-colors-southwest/southwest-26-graham-davids-modern-escape-066631
3. This is a little strange for me, but this year I have love all clear, or acrylic, furniture. There are so many great pictures, but here is a gllimpse of one that I am wanting:
This one even contrasts well with the cabin decor. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-modern-cabin-071787
4. No matter what anyone says, I love love love both empty frames and leaning frames. I lean frames as opposed to hanging them all the time. Against a wall, on a desk, on the floor… Just a couple examples:
Damien and Rachel's Chromatic Casa. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/fall-colors-2008-east/east-56-damien-rachels-chromatic-casa-066516?image_id=28726
6. I am loving repurposed decor and furniture. I have always been a fan of old, vintage, or antique items, but it more recently has occured to me how great it can be to repurpose some items into new things in the home. Some of my favrite ideas below:
Mail box used for laundry. Patrick's World of Wonder. http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/121808patrick/001h
This is a vintage sign remade into a sliding door. I'm sorry, but I do not find where the image came from!
7. I am also a fan of decorating in black and white. Don’t get me wrong, I love punches of color, but black and white can make a huge statment and go with so many additional colors. Some great black and white pictures:
I'm not sure where this picture came from, but it is gorgeous!
Quick Trip To The Antique Store
Last night before the ice storm, we took a quick drive to the antique store the next town over. I love this store. All antique stores are fun, but this place is so big that you always see something new. I did find these two little gems:
A coke box with the cubbies still in. I have been wanting to hang one of these up for a trinket shelf.
This is a very old cigar box. I though this would be beautiful to hold little odds and ends.
The cigar box in the TV cubbie.
This was the spot we chose for the coke box. Don't mind those awful curtains! 🙂
The back of the box has a bit of a wierd shape, but this is a close up of the little candies if you can make them out.
The Little Red Stool
Being cooped up in the warm house yesterday as the snow blew outside, I had time to finish up a few projects. One was the stool that I posted about yesterday. It started out green and dirty, but now is a beautiful red. I’m not sure where I’m going to use it yet. I thought it would look cute in the kitchen, but when Tony brought it up the stairs for me, it struck me that it might make the perfect odd edition in our bedroom. Hmmm…
It looks perfect in red.
Here it sits in the kitchen, but might not stay there for long...
A New Project
The other night Tony’s mom offered us a little metal stool that she had in her garage. Knowing my love for all things vintage and all things industrial, Tony snatched it up. The current stool is painted green and very dirty and dinged up. But, we have already started cleaning it and preping to paint. I think it will be red. Our kitchen is mostly black and white, but has some punches of red. I think it will look adorable in there. Here are the before photos. After photos soon to come!
Littl metal stool before.
I think it will look so cute red.
Den Update
The den/office has been an ongoing project. As you have probably seen from the pictures, it needed some work. We were planning some sort of framed art, and also a running shelf high along the walls, for cncert and show memorabilia. We have accomplished the art! We stuck with the music theme and using an idea I had seen somewhere before, we framed Rolling Stone magazines. We wanted to do even more, but 6 was all the space would really allow. I think it has a really nice grouped affect as well as something we both enjoy. Let me know what you think or any other suggestions. The shelving is still to come!
The right side view.
The left side view. No more empty walls!
End Of House Tour- The Living Room
So, I have given a quick tour through our new home at its current state. The only room left to show you is the living room. We are in this room most, and love the feel of it. The black console table was made just for me by Tony (aw). The pictures do look a little dark even though I did turn on the overhead lights, which we never use. Let me know what you think!
Console table with the shelves above it. The black chair was a project I redid.
The TV area. The TV didn't fit into the cubbie that was preexisting, so we just decorated the cubbie and put the TV below.
The close up of the TV cubbie. I love the little antique picture. In the small jar is also small little glass candies. I need to find a better place for them.
These old movie theater seats were a salvaged find. They sit next to the TV on the right. The vintage ad above matches them so well.
The other side of the TV. We love our movie display. Again, I love anything with cubbies, so this was perfect for me!
The couch is directly facing the TV. We still want to replace those flowery curtains, but the couch is comfy and cute- we got lucky for a hand-me-down!
Next to the couch is my pride and joy! My Eames era lounge chair!
My Baby!
Penny Pincher
Gas prices have been falling. Prices on other consumer products still soar. Around here gas is $1.50 per gallon at most places. But, we can’t seem to afford those crazy groceries (ok, not really, but they are rediculous). I have been reading many ideas for penny pinching and doing with less. My favorite idea has always been ro reuse and repurpose. I love making old things new again. And, this way your home will never look like page 7 from some Pottery Barn Catalog. Not that I don’t like Pottery Barn, but I want things to make a unique whole. I love when the items that make up my home have stories of their own. In doing a little research for money saving in the hard economy, I came accross these posters. A project recently had artsists recreating posters from the Great Depression Era. I not only found the posters cute, but their messages inspiring as well.
Now, these have cheered me up for the day, but who is going to pay for those student loans hanging over my head?
I Love Cubbies
I can’t help it. I just do. I love cubbies. Or pigeon holes. I always have. It just feels like there is so much possibility for little hidden treasures. Or something like that in my grown-up house. I am on the hunt for some sort of funky retro display storage peice for my kitchen. I was thinking some sort of mail sorter or even a group of mail boxes. Or, maybe a library crad catalog would work. Or… there’s always something else. I have been hunting, so if you have any suggestions…maybe something like this:
Apartment Therapy featured this picture from Bits and Bobbins. http://bitsandbobbins.com/
Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
We have our tree up! White with blue and silver ornaments. No, Tony, it is NOT Cowboys colors (Go Bears!). It looks so warm and Christmas-y in our house now. I also hung the wreath on the door.
Our tree! The presents even match!
The wreath. I made this with a foam wreath and 2 boas. Then pinned tiny ornaments to it. My mom's idea, I can't take credit.
Guest Room. My Shabby Chic
I have always loved shabby chic. I will admit it. But, it has never fit very well into the decor I have. Needless to say, Tony does not like shabby chic. We agree on almost all decor decisions, but not that. However, we did have another spare bedroom and decided to use it as a sort of guest room. I was able to put a dresser in there and have a space where I can store my extras (curlers and make-up) and get ready for work. So, Tony let me have my shabby chic way with this room. It, as is the rest of the house, is a work in progress. But, its starting to work.
Just as you come into the guest room, you see this chair. It's too bad you can't see it in the picture, but there is a shabby blue frame hanging on the wall behind it. The little plant stand matches another being used as a bedside table. They are antiques, one from my great grandmother, the other found (how crazy!) at an antiques store.
The bed is directly in the door. Chenile bedspread, antique shadow box filled with my antique collectibles, vintage bench.
In the back corner is the only extra closet space of the house. We keep the vaccuum and things in here. The vanity is for me to get ready. I had bought it with the intention of painting it shabby white. But, now I am afraid of taking away from the piece. Any suggestions??
Make Mine Eclectic 