Shop Local, Part II

My second stop on Black Friday was the new location of J. Paris Designs in Cuyahoga Falls. This was a particularly gratifying experience. Just what shopping should be. I had been to J. Paris Designs' previous location, so it was exciting to see the store grow. The lovely owner, Jessica, and I chatted it up. We talked about repurposing, art, decor, color, etc. It was great fun! Everything that Jessica puts her hand to turns to gold. Not only is she a great artist, but she is a great businesswoman. So exciting to see a young woman know herself so well, and to be so brave. Jessica is a great example of following your dream.  She's doing what she loves and making it happen. Jessica, you go girl! There were so many beautiful things in the store, I was there for a while. I should have taken more photos, but don't worry, there are photos on J. Paris' website, and I plan to go there again soon!

Look at this dresser!  Swoon! I hemmed and hawed about buying it. It perfectly fits my modern aesthetic, my love of gray and would look great in my bedroom. The price was reasonable too. I am totally in love with Jessica's take on ombre.  The drawers are done in a light to dark ombre.  The handles are the exact opposite, done in a dark to light ombre. Genius!  I never would have thought of that. I agonized over my desire for the dresser and my desire not to spend money (what am I doing shopping?). I measured the dresser, discussed layaway and delivery terms with Jessica. Walked around the store and seriously debated the dresser in my mind. I may be moving (yes, again) and am trying to hold off on buying anything big. I knew full well the dresser wouldn't last. I didn't buy, and it sold that night.  Ah c'est la vie. It makes me happy to know that someone is loving it.

This piece also caught my eye.  It's a bit ornate for my taste, but I am so digging that deep turquoise color and the skillful application of paint. Jessica and I had fun arranging these gorgeous pillows on the chair. This piece didn't last either. In fact, a customer who came in just a few minutes after me bought it.

This lovely gray cabinet is done by one of the vendors of the store. Even though I'm not really into the washed look of shabby chic any more (this was a look I did for a long time), it's a great piece. I found myself fantasizing about arranging my tea pots and pottery collection on it.

Now here is something more my style, and I dearly love it.  Love the retro look and the simplicity of this desk. There was so much I wanted in this store, including some of her fab fixtures which I neglected to photograph - oh well next time.  I did buy a couple of unexpected items for my apartment.  So, of course, this prompted another rearranging of my apartment.  Stay tuned, I will show you my new stuff in an upcoming post.

Design Obsession: A Mood Board for Haley's New Apartment

My good friend and artist extraordinaire, Haley, has a new apartment!  I am so excited for her.  It is perfect for her.  It's a gorgeous space.  Sort of like a 60s lodge.  It has high ceilings, a large sleeping loft, great windows.  The best part is that the area is wooded, and there is a large deck overlooking tons of trees!  Haley is a nature girl, she needs to be surrounded by trees.  As you know, I am always decorating places in my head, it's an obsession.  So, of course, Haley's place is no different.  I've been having a ton of fun thinking what I would do if I were her interior designer.

The place is still a work in progress, but it's easy to see how gorgeous it is.  This is the view to the living room from the sleeping loft.

Here is how her living room currently looks.  As you can see, she is on her way to having a fabulous place that is all her own.  The theme for decorating Haley's place is FEARLESS.  We are not afraid of color, pattern, texture, DIY projects and money is no object.  We trust our instincts.  Her home should be a mix of Moroccan, Asian, rustic and mid century modern.  And very, very Bohemian.

Haley has a great start with her chartreuse pillows and her organic rug.  I've merely added my three favorite colors (pink, turquoise and orange) and a little texture.  The over sized vases are lacquered bamboo from Z Gallerie and would hold the bamboo branches she got from Ikea.  Poetic isn't it?   Bamboo vases holding bamboo branches.   A good example of the versatility of bamboo.  The fleece pillow is from Anthropologie.  A trio of ottomans is a great solution for a coffee table.  The nail heads provide a Moroccan influence.  Haley has nephews who visit.  Ottomans are perfect for tea parties, playing games or occasional seating.  Kids love them!  Image via Girl Meets Glamour.  Pink and gold painting of the sunset by Peggy.

Haley is a wonderful host.  In addition to needing a beautiful tea set, she will need several beautiful trays for serving.  This one from le souk would work well.

Here is a custom Arc lamp I envision to the right of the sofa.  This lamp would balance the height of the bamboo shoots and honor Haley's love of rusticity.  The base of the lamp is made of a railroad tie. The lamp provides a nod to mid century design, which I think is an important part of any room.  In addition, the lamp would highlight the beautiful high ceilings as well as mimic the ceiling beams.

Here is how her dining area looks at the moment.  She spray painted a mural on the paneling, but decided she didn't like it and is taking it down.  We've all been there.  Mistakes are made, but it's no big deal.  It's only paint and you have to take risks.  She got the gorgeous table from Craigslist and painted white.  Here are a few changes I envision to this area of her apartment.

She's on the right track wanting to paint that ugly paneling.  I went round and round attempting to design a swirly, Moroccan mural for this wall.  After much consternation, I finally decided to do a simple accent wall in a Tiffany box blue.  All girls need one Tiffany blue wall in their home.  Haley loves plants and would love to do a living wall, so perhaps this is a good place to hang it.  She is more aware of lighting issues than I am!  I'm not good with plants.  This cute living wall is from Etsy shop owner sosucculent.  Makes me want to give it a try in my place.  The hanging light is another nod to the mid century, but also has somewhat of a Moroccan inspired shape.  It's from Etsy shop owner AntiqueAddictions.

Perhaps a buffet under the living wall.  I adore this partially lacquered piece with wood peaking through.  It nods to rusticity as well as mid century glamor.  Image via (now defunct) Domino Magazine website.

Haley has a deck overlooking a beautiful wooded area.  It's heaven.

She needs a few over sized pots for her garden.  These lovelies are reasonably priced from Marshalls.  She has a green thumb, so maybe she can plant some herbs.  And maybe some wonderfully aromatic lavender.  Her deck doors open to her studio, which I am sure will be totally fabulous when she is done with it.  I am hoping she and I will collaborate on some art together.

Here is the window to the sleeping loft.  This must be heavenly on a rainy day.  I wouldn't put window treatments here.  Maybe just some pretty votive candles.

Haley dyed this lovely gossamer fabric with tea.  She's going to hang it over her bed like mosquito netting.  I've always wanted to do that!

Inside the netting she plans to hang her favorite chandelier made by her mom.

Here's an idea I've always wanted to try.  Painting a headboard on a canvas.  Maybe this would work in Haley's bedroom.  Image via Penny Farthing Design House via sfgirlbybay.  I envision her bedroom painted a lovely pale lilac.  Very Jamie Drake inspired.  Of course, she would need some luxurious bedding.  This organic bedding from West Elm would work very nicely.

For her dresser I think she needs this fab patchwork dresser by namedesignstudio.  I adore it!

This is just a start.  I know her place is going to be great when it's done.  It's been great fun thinking about it.  I'll be sure to keep you updated!  Thanks for reading!  xo

So many ideas, so little time....

Dear readers, are our homes ever done?  If you are like me - and I know you are - you have a long list of things you'd like to do to your home.  Even if you are a renter.  I have a very long list, and a fat inspiration folder.  I'm kind of surprising myself how colorful my inspiration folder is for Spring.  I used to decorate in all white!  I know, hard to believe.  But now I am addicted to color.  Here's a couple of ideas I'd like to try in my apartment.

My apartment is a quirky attic apartment.  The living area is a strange L shape, with two alcoves.  I still miss my studio apartment, I love how open it felt.  I've been thinking of moving my bed to the living area and making it into a Moroccan-inspired daybed.  Then I'd  move my studio to the bedroom.  The benefit of this would be that I could shut the door on my painting mess.  Right now when I work on a painting, I do it on the living room floor.  It's a pain to pull the supplies from the closet, and a pain to put away.  Sometimes I get an idea and then don't even bother because I don't feel like the prep and clean up.

I love this idea for the day bed!  A fabric covered headboard that wraps around the corner.  I'd pile it high with pillows.  I know using too many pillows is breaking one of the popular design rules.  But I don't care!  I love them.  They are an easy way to add color and satisfy my urge for textiles.  I even love them piled on the floor, thanks to Tricia Guild.  Image via The Style Files.

I'm really unhappy with this part of my apartment.  I hate those mirror tiles!  I asked the landlord if I could take them down and he said no.  And don't even get me started on the yukky beige my walls are.  My whole apartment needs a coat of paint, but I don't think I'll be living here that long.

I saw this picture on Desire to Inspire and fell in love.  It's from a reader's home.  I love the black and white chevron-inspired pattern on the fabric.  I also adore the dresser sitting in front of it, flanked by pillows.  It's got a great Moroccan vibe to it.  I may do something like this.  Dressers are not just for bedrooms, they are great for storage.  Here's a couple of rugs I'd like to have for Spring.

I like this one for the awkward area I'm describing.  I love this rug!  It's kinda Bohemian, and kinda girly.  It's 3" x 5".  I'd like to order two and sew them together.  Every time I see a rug like this I think I should take up crocheting again.  I used to make purses when I was a teenager.

I like this one for the living area.  It also kinda scares me.  I may be going too OTT with color and pattern.  Of course, if I had this fab rug, I'd have to have an acrylic table.  Wouldn't want to hide this rug with a coffee table.  Images from Urban Outfitters.  What about you, dear readers?  What new things would you like to do to your home for Spring?