"Toile Plates"

My love for Toile textiles is very defined to a point, that for a while I have been collecting other pieces such as Toile Plates and this Pedestal Cake. I love the idea of using them on a daily basis but also to use them as decoration. What I like about Toile is the fairly complex scenarios and also the limited combination of colors. Toile China may come in Black, Blue, Green, Red, Brown, and I have seen also a Purple Collection. I collect from manufacturer such as P&K and Churchill. Sometimes I buy new or use, it doesn't matter as long as I love it. It is another way for me to recycle.

Start your own collection!

"Wine Storage"

Now days it's easy to find a nice quality piece of furniture that has multiple purposes. If you love to drink wine and can't find a spot say for instance in your kitchen, see enclosed photo and use idea as an alternative. This Buffee-Wine furniture offers room for 12 bottles, two side doors with shelves and two drawers for napkins, etc. Love the straight lines and the dark wood tones and the simple stainless steel hardware.

Available @ Nichols and Bauer

"Loving Music"

I'm loving music now days.

What a wonderful treat was to see Los Enanitos Verdes in concert yesterday @ the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, Florida. This group is one of my favorite Spanish Rock Bands of all times.

Check out their music!

Have a great Monday...

"Ourdoor Spaces"

"Outdoor Spaces" are so special because it reflects your personality outside the box (your house). No matter what your decorating style is, it can be accomplished. I pretty much love everything about this space. This Arbor is anchor by heavy beams, with supportive Trellis-Columns. The floors are these uneven Flag Stones with some type of golfer's grass. A built-in banquet was placed in a corner upholstered with outdoor fabrics. A round table with a couple of chairs and lots of vintage linens and flowers dress up table. Some details, we may not be able to replicate but it is worth a try.

Have a great wk end!

image by hg

"Pretty in Pink"

Love the idea of a very romantic room with this adorable Pink Chandelier, perfect for a little girl's room. It is available in Pink and White. At the bottom of chandelier you can see a delicate porcelain mini roses, just adorable. Matching sconces are also available for your convenience. Mini-Lampshades can be created to coordinate your decor. Any questions, please visit my studio website.


http://sites.google.com/site/dressmyshade

"Color Purple Project", continuation

This image is from the "Color Purple" project I started a while ago.

This space is one of the Guest Rooms in the apartment. The main piece of furniture is the massive but at the same time Light-n-Airy queen bed. It's a modern Alder Pine frame with a geometric headboard. I use a shiny light quilted coverlet with mismatched pillows with pinks and purples as accent. Wallpaper is very modern, with Taupe tone on tone rectangles. I place a side table that resembles branches. which was a piece the client selected. A couple of wooden cat figurines looking down where place on side table. Across the Bed, a nice long dresser from the same collection was use for storage.

It's a very eclectic-modern-organic look!

"Mantel Make Over"

Having a very small Fireplace Mantel has not stooped me from decorating it. My problem has always been that top of mantel is way too narrow, (about 5 inches). Searching for accessories is kind of tough because they have to fit the space. I found the Indian Candlesticks and Wooden Pears @ Pier 1 Imports a long time ago. The round metal plate in the back is a beautiful detailed charger from a set I use all the time. The creamer is another found items, I like it because it has all the fall colors such as yellow, olive and orange. The pitcher has the same look, I was also lucky to find a piece so flat. The little terracotta vase has spring yellow silk roses and I just added a seasonal small pumpkin picks from a local craft store. My style purpose was to pile items in a grouping by using colors of the season.

Find a spot in your house, gather fall items, group them together, decorate & enjoy!

"Wood Floors Innovations"

Always keep an open mind for new ideas and innovations!

If you are in the market for new wood floors and like a more natural-organic look, take a look at this unique flooring product by Waldilla. What I like about this wood floors is the natural way

they are cut, with all the imperfections and flaws of real wood. These wood floors will be perfect for any design style, from contemporary to traditional.

I can imagine how elegant and easy maintenance they could be!

image by Waldilla Co.

"Jars"

Love using these Kilner Jars for another purpose, decorating!

If you ever happen to run into one of these type of jars, do not pass the opportunity to obtain them. These are called Kilner Jars and they were invented by an English man by the name of John Kilner.

I always see my French friend using them in her kitchen. She stores beans, sugar and even home made pate.

Here is another idea, instead fill it with sand from your favorite beaches.

Do something different...

"Mud Room"

I always wished I had one of this room in my house, a Mud Room!

It doesn't sound very nice but the idea behind is cleanness and organization, in my opinion. Love this particular space from top to bottom. The Slate Tiles are beautiful and perfect for this high traffic area. There are tall cabinets with doors so items can be concealed. The bench is arched and comfy and above the coat rack is wide enough to hand few jackets, not the entire closet.

I live in south Florida and this architectural detail is hardly ever used by builders. Our homes have massive entrances and very tall ceilings with large windows.

Do you have an area in your home to convert into a Mud Room. I think I do, will keep you posted...

"Hopping Frogs"

Here is an idea for lampshades!

This pretty Pink embroidery fabric with a little small frog is a cute idea to dress up a lampshade. I found this coordinating silk plaid to break up the design a bit. I also found this old Scalamandre Tassel Trim to add to bottom of shade. When product is finished, it will be posted @ Dress My Shade...

"Yellow Sofa"

Summer is over for some... but this cute yellow Sofa with Blue, White and Yellow Plaid Pillows is here to stay.

It's transitional lines will never go out of style. The arms are not bulky, the back is high enough to support our back and seats three!

Love this Yellow Sofa...

image from Lane Furnishings.

My Favorite...umbrella

I wanted to call your attention to a very old fashion accessory, the umbrella. This invention not only has gone though lots of transformation for fashion and versatility. Umbrellas come in a variation of shapes, colors, and styles. From an animal zebra print to the above eco friendly purse umbrella in the suave earthy tones. The traditional black umbrella has also gone through a change, looking up you see nice clouds. For last one of my favorites is the bubble umbrella. This one is all clear and you can see all the rain drops falling on your head!!!

*get them @target.com*

"Outdoor Lighting"

Visiting the Dallas International Lighting Market is an eye opening for new innovations and the opportunity to meet vendors and buyers from different parts of the world.

The market offers the chance for new designers to showcase their ideas and established companies to keep up with the trend.

One thing I liked is these step lights by BULBRITE. These pretty round lights are made with led. New this year, they are color changing led. BULBRITE step lights allows users to adjust colors to a certain speed or freeze on your favorite color.

image by Residential Lighting 2009.

"The Magic of Ribbons"

Some times it just take a bit of imagination to transform something plain into unique.

Taking a couple of simple sheer panels from your local linen store and adding your favorite color ribbons, will make this project very personalized.

For this project, fall colors such as yellow, olive and burgundy were use to mark the start of our fall season!

Here is how to do this simple project:

1. Measure the width of your panel (top and bottom) to find out the amount of material to buy.


2. Purchase three 1" ribbons of your favorite color and a coordinating threat.

3. Figure how many pleats fit in your panel. It all depends on the width. For example, a 36 inch panel divided by 4 will give you a 9 inch space between tabs.

4. Cut sets of ribbons, depending on the amount of tabs. Ribbons need a minimum of 20" each, this way you can make a nice bow.

5. Pin and sew the set of ribbons to the top edge of panels.

6. Measure 3 to 5 inches bellow your tabs and that's where you start sewing your ribbons horizontally.

7. Make sure you leave a space of 1" between ribbons.

8. Repeat same procedure to the bottom of panels.

9. Carefully steam or iron panels depending on the type of material.

10. Hang and enjoy your personalized window treatment.

Enjoy the season!

"Clocks"

"CLOCKS"

Love the idea of a very large clock above the fireplace mantel!

This particular picture from the showroom, displays the variation and size of timeless clocks which will add a final touch to any room.

Whether is an antique or a reproduction, clocks are a useful accessory offered in so many choices to match your style. From traditional to modern, the options are endless.

Here are some of my favorite wall clocks...

"Blue Coral"

Our new "Blue Coral" lampshade is a great addition to our Nautical Collection.

This particular pattern is very fresh and conversational. The cobalt blue color is very strong and bold. We will be seeing these trendy tones throughout the rest of the year!

The materials are a cotton blend and a beautiful detail on the pattern is that the blue coral is a tiny plaid fabric. The fuzzy blue trim is made out of chenille and an ecru French gimp embellishes both lampshade and chandelier shades. The Veranda lamp lends itself to so many looks.

Change the crystals to a cobalt blue, imagine!!!

This collection of shades are available @ https://sites.google.com/site/dressmyshade