SNEAK PEAK OF CHRISTMAS 2011

Just a quick peak of what's in store for Christmas 2011.

All my one-of-a-kind arangements along with

some creative and unusual primitive decor will be on display on October 31st.

Stop in early for first dibs!



Just for kicks...

I had fun last week taking photos of my new PURE Kicks Collection of organic fabrics.  You may wonder about the name...  I was having fun messing around with my existing patterns - changing scale and colors - I did it just for "Kicks" OR the fun of it.  I loved the results so much I had the fabrics printed!  I'm so glad I did - I love the FRESH and FUN color combinations!!

Curvaceous Kitchens!

I wanted to do my kitchen up recently but this is one area of my house that I have shamefully neglected, so I wasn’t fully clued-up on what I would like; the kitchen doors I wanted, the surfaces, even the colour! A quick online search led me to an awesome looking design though that I immediately knew I wanted!

It’s all about curves! Curved little kitchen islands, curvaceous kitchen doors and smooth, round edges where ones where harsh little corners. I loved the look of this little bubbly-kitchen idea, so took it upon myself to investigate exactly how to achieve this look. I started my search by typing “curved kitchen” into a search engine and absolutely loved the outcome! Curvy little kitchens can be done in all types of typical kitchen materials – from the ultra-modern high-gloss shiny cabinets and kitchen doors to the gorgeous wood doors. I loved the way that these kitchens seemed to flow and put me in mind of softness, comfort and luxury! Combined with a really soft, floral wallpaper and opulent, poufy cushions for my kitchen chairs, my kitchen now looks like a little, white cloud of a haven!

It’s not just all sweetness, girly and light though. If you fancy a kitchen with curves to rival Nigella Lawson you don’t have to have a girly haven – opt for heavy wood kitchen doors in a slightly darker shade or even black ultra-gloss to give your kitchen a bachelor-pad feel. And of course, forego the flowery wallpaper!

Sneak Peek { PURE Kicks Collection }

Here is a sneak peek at my new PURE Kicks Collection of organic fabrics!  I hope to get the photos started tomorrow so I can share more!!  I'm loving the color palette and patterns!

Friday FUN Find { Petit Collage }

These are such cute prints by Lorena Siminovich creator of Petit Collage.  I LOVE the shapes and colors - the maple softens the image and gives it a beautiful natural backdrop.  Wonderful inspiration for a nursery!!

What makes Petit Collage eco-friendly?

• printed on sustainably harvested maple
• formaldehyde-free
• handmade in the USA 

Choose An Oak Console Table To Reinstate Your Living Room

Only a few short years ago most people had telephone tables in their hallway which meant that every time there was a phone call your home had a designated space for taking it. Nowadays with the popularity of mobile phones and landline phones which can be carried around the home, often time taking phone calls seems to encroach on creating a happy and relaxed family environment.

If you’re fed up with teenagers or other family members taking or making calls in your living space there is a quick and simple solution.
If you purchase an oak console table it can easily be placed in a hallway or box room and house your telephone, meaning that phone calls coming in or going out will no longer encroach on your space.

You can say goodbye to disturbances when you’re watching your favourite programme and your teen decides that they must make that all important phone call.
Dinner time can be dinner time again as your dining space won’t be invaded by ringing phones, so you can have better quality time with your family.
There’s a lot to be said for the old tradition of keeping your phone separate from your living space, especially these days when we use technology so much. Particularly when you consider that most of the technology we use only serves to make us more solitary.

Most parents would agree that technology can make it harder to spend quality time with your family. That’s why it’s a good idea to have rules about what happens in different spaces in your home.

When you purchase an oak console table for your hallway then you and your family can all agree that family living spaces are for spending time together, rather than everyone doing their own thing and any telephone conversations can be kept away from the living areas of your home.

If you’re simply looking at ways to save space then an oak console table could be the perfect solution. Console tables are more slimline than conventional tables meaning that they can fit snugly into a small space without encroaching too much on the surroundings. That means they’re ideal for small bedrooms, bathrooms, studies or box rooms. They also work well near front doors as they can be used to store post or other important papers and are an ideal place to pop your keys when you come in.

So reinstate to your living room and encourage your family to spend more time together simply get yourself an oak console table from Cambridge Oak

Perfectly imperfect??

I spotted these Distortion Candlesticks by Gretel Home in Dwell magazine over the weekend - I LOVE the unexpected, whimsical shape! Who says you have to be perfect - this is a lesson I need to learn!!!

Friday FUN Find { Design Shuffle Edition }

Hi, I’m Susi, a writer for Design Shuffle, a fabulous online community of design lovers and professional from around the world who share their work and inspirations. It's a great place to browse pics of design projects for inspiration. As a writer, I'm lucky to visit cool design blogs as a guest blogger. I love Samantha's gorgeous new organic textiles... so beautiful. I'm excited to be here at PURE Inspired Design to do a Guest Edition of Friday Fun Finds. I had so much fun pulling these decorating ideas together. Hope you enjoy these fun finds.

Have a great Friday!   

I love these prints, available on Etsy or as DIY projects, on old book pages. The screenprint can be transferred to fabric for DIY textiles and pillows. Infinite possibilities. So fun!

 

This chandelier is such a sunny splash of color. I love the amber/yellow beads. This might make for a good DIY copycat project. Love it!

 

Love the yellow velvet button tufted sofa but the real finds are the pet silhouettes. I love silhouettes and think including the family pet (or fur person) makes for charming art.

 

A custom painted wall is a great bedroom design idea. A little tape, some paint and a level is all you need to make it. Beyond the wall, love the large vintage lamps next to the bed. So chic.

 

Okay, last yellow find... but I love this cabinet from Ikea. It would be great in an entry for shoe storage, the kitchen as a pantry or china cupboard, the bathroom... so many places.

 

Love a simple but oh so pretty DIY project. These paper pumpkin shaped lanterns are so chic and easy to make! Perfect for a sophisticated fall party or Halloween.

Birds are such a hot interior design element that doesn't seem to be fading in interest or charm. I love these owls that follow the bird trend but feel more original. Beautiful artwork.

 

Another beautiful paper project, this wreath is made from book pages. A great use for that marked up copy of The Great Gatsby or an outdated textbook or encyclopedia. [ Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 ] Head on over to Design Shuffle where you can get inspired by the talented work of Los Angeles interior designers to New York interior designers and more!

How To Add Interest To A Neutral Decor

Everyone knows that it’s the finishing touches that make a home feel like a home. That’s why it’s so important to get your home accessories right.

The objects and ornaments that you keep around you say a lot about who you are, so if you truly want to express yourself through your decor then it’s a good idea to put some thought into the things you choose to surround you.
Many people these days choose to decorate their homes as a blank canvas, which is a great move if you plan to sell your property as most people prefer homes that they can imagine their own belongings in.

However, a blank canvas can be a bit boring when you are living in it every day, but it’s easy to put your stamp on your home and keep the decor neutral by choosing clever accessories.

Choose Accent Colours

One way to do it is to decide on two or three accent colours for your home and keep within those colours when buying accessories. This doesn’t mean that if you choose blue as one of your colours all your accessories need to be exactly the same shade of blue. You can keep within the colour palette but choose blues of different shades to add variety.

A great way to add colour is through items such as cushions, curtains and rugs. These can be relatively inexpensive which means you can change them as often as you want to give your home a new feel. Many people who do this choose to change their curtains or cushions with the seasons. This is a great idea as you can use warmer colours during the winter to give your home a cosier feel and choose lighter colours in the summer for a more airy atmosphere.

Express Yourself

If you’re a fan of bold, modern design then let your home reflect it. Choose modernist prints and sharp, primary coloured accessories to really set your rooms off. If you prefer a more romantic style then fill your home with gorgeous antiques, crystal and cut glass. There’s no reason not to surround yourself with the things that you love.

Change The Atmosphere

You can completely change the atmosphere in the rooms of your home just by adjusting the lighting. If you really want to make an impact you could fit coloured lighting strips around the tops or bottoms of your kitchen units, or replace your light fittings with dimmer switches. For a cheaper and quicker effect try scattering tealights in gorgeous tealight holders around a room. When lit they give a truly magical feel and will almost make your room feel like a completely different space.
However you decide to dress up your neutral decor, remember your home is an extension of your personality, so have fun, experiment and give yourself a treat by filling your home with items that you love.

Beautiful Sea Glass Colors...

I love the recycled glass Blazestone tiles by Bedrock Industries!  They looks so organic and handmade. I especially love the colors, and they don't even use pigments just the original color of the glass.  They remind me of sea glass - AMAZING!

What make glass tile by Bedrock Industries eco-friendly?

• made by hand with 100% recycled glass
• no pigment is used when making the tiles
• to date they have recycled hundreds of tons of glass
• packed and shipped in 100% recyclable materials
• established and operates several community programs
• committed to sustainability, good employment practices, & community service

Color sneak peek...

I'm just about ready to send my new patterns to the printer!!  Here is a sneak peek at my new color palette!  It includes:  dark gray, fresh green, turquoise, indigo, and mustard.  Of courses the colors will not appear all at once on the same fabric and they will be popped against light natural organic cotton, but I wanted to show you the entire palette.  I'm excited - I can't wait to share the actual fabric!!

Creating A Relaxing Bedroom Environment With The Right Bedding

Whilst there are those of us that are fortunate enough to enjoy a sound sleep most nights; many often find that their sleeping pattern is interrupted or struggle to drop off. The stresses of modern day life mean that it can be difficult to switch off at the end of the day and we can wake up in the morning feeling more tired than we did the night before. In order to improve your sleeping pattern it is a good idea to try and create a serene environment within your bedroom and your bedding selection can go a long way towards achieving that aim.

An uncomplicated design

In the world of children’s bedding we see many crazy patterns that are designed to draw their attention and spark their imagination. As most children don’t have any worries to keep them awake at night their bed linen can be as busy as it gets without having a detrimental effect. However, adults are much better advised to go for something a little simpler. It is a good idea to go for bedding that is either one colour, or that has two different colours on opposing sides.

If you are keen to add some element of design to the bedding then a wise choice is to try and incorporate some nature, which the human mind instinctively associates with calmness and serenity. Floral bedding remains a firm favourite as do designs involving trees.

For something a little less traditional there is always the option of bed linen that depicts flowing water in the form of rivers or waterfalls. Whichever pattern you do decide on; make sure that it isn’t too busy.

Selecting the colour

Many of the different shades of colour are associated with emotions dependant on the society in which we live. For example; most Western cultures associate the colour red with love, passion and anger.

Research has demonstrated that just seeing the colour red can have a physical impact on the human body and serve to increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Whilst this might make the right bedding colour for some situations; it’s probably not the wisest choice when you are looking for a restful night. Again your best option is to go for tones that are intrinsically linked with nature, such as browns, beiges and greens. Pastel yellows, blues and pinks will also create a soothing vibe.

Quality materials

We all like to make a good saving and it can be tempting to go for cheap bedding options. However, you really do get what you pay for with bedding materials and it is worth paying that little bit extra to get superior products. Whether you are going for cotton, silk or satin bedding sets or Egyptian cotton bed linen; a higher quality material will feel much smoother against your skin and provide a relaxing comfort.

Having the right bedding really can play a huge role in securing a good night’s sleep, which can have a real impact on your energy levels and productivity throughout the day. When you consider that we tend to spend around a third of our lives in bed; paying a few extra pounds to get quality items really isn’t a big deal.

Top Tips for Updating Your Bathroom

When was the last time you spruced up your bathroom? I’m not referring to paint, or tiles, but to the bathroom fixtures themselves. What sort of work did you have done? Getting a bathroom re-fitted can be a lot of hassle. For the duration of the job your plumbing is off, and you don’t have access to your washing and toilet facilities.

If you have more than one bathroom, that’s not too much hassle, but if your home has only one bathroom, it can be a less than appealing proposition. That’s where bath repairs such as bath resurfacing come in. If you pick a company that specialises in bath repairs to do the work for you,

bath resurfacing can offer you a “good as new” bathtub for a fraction of the cost of a high quality replacement.

Save time and hassle

If your existing bath is serviceable, but has scratches, cracks, or pit-marks that make it look scruffy, then why not get it repaired instead of shelling out for an entire replacement. You can breathe new life into all but the most damaged of tubs through bath repairs, and the process is far less intrusive than getting a replacement fitted.

Shower Tray Before

Shower Tray After

DIY or professional?

It’s possible to purchase bath resurfacing kits online, and while these can do the job well enough, they can be difficult to use. The chemicals used in those kits are incredibly strong, and can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. If you aren’t used to working with such chemicals, and have never tried to do your own resurfacing before, then it’s probably not a good idea to make re-doing your bathroom your first DIY experience.

Professional companies that specialise in bath repairs have access to better equipment, and more experience in performing even difficult bath resurfacing jobs. When you get the treatment done by a professional, they will guarantee the work, so you have some recourse if the new surface cracks, flakes, or peels after a few uses.

When is replacement better?

Bath resurfacing is not always a good idea. If your tub is a fairly new and inexpensive one, and you plan on getting a similar replacement, then you may find that replacing it would be less expensive than getting your existing one repaired. Resurfacing is best for high quality and antique tubs which may be irreplaceable.
Most jobs can be done on site, but some companies recommend sending tubs away for more sophisticated treatment. This does have the drawback of taking longer, and being more intrusive to your daily routine – since you’ll be without access to your bathtub for a while – but the treatment can restore even cast iron tubs to their original glory.

Once you’ve got your bath sorted out, don’t forget to pay a little attention to the rest of the room, simple jobs such as replacing taps, or changing the toilet seat, will all go a long way towards making your bathroom look as shiny, new, and inviting as the ones you see in top class hotels.
This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Hometech. James writes on the subject of home improvement and DIY.

HAPPY Random Dining...

I'm always looking for inspiration and today I discovered a Dutch website called vtwonen with tons of inspiration.  It has a lot of photos - I found these great dining pictures under { Inspiration - Food } or { wooninspiratie - Eten } I really love these dining spaces - they are simple, relaxed and a little quirky.

HAPPY Dining everyone!!

DOUBLE DOOR, ANTIQUE WINDOW CABINET

Great new cabinets are arriving at

C&C to stock up for Christmas!

This cabinet was built

around two antique windows.

Plenty of storage space in these deep drawers.

Don't forget, we specialize in custom furniture,

so if you are looking for a very specific piece,

stop in and see us, I'm sure we can build it for you!