week 3: one room challenge

i am standing in the kitchen typing as i wait for my french pressed coffee to brew in an attempt to get this post done by 9 a.m. (we are still on spring break and today is ratatouille day.  my son has wanted to make ratatouille just like in the movie.  he's talked about it for a year now, and i suppose the time has come.  a movie and food fest if you will).  we are doing a "staycation" this year, head on over to my instagram to follow along for some of our ventures this week. 

 

just 5 minutes ago, my doorbell rang, and i looked out my window to see the fed ex guy running, yes running, back to his truck...goodness have we lost all forms of interpersonal communication in this crazy/busy world?  i look down and there was the most anticipated orc item laying at my doorstep!!!  no surprise that it's zebra in some way, shape or form. 

 

hard to believe it's week three of the one room challenge.  click the links below to view weekly plans and progress:   

• week 1
• week 2

the plans are coming together nicely, with a couple of exceptions.  my daughter (teen) does not want her harry potter posted changed in any way...ugh!  what to do now?  i've tried negotiating with her to let me cut it into 4 panels, mocking chinoiserie panels, and then mounting or gluing them onto 4 rectangular canvas boards...not gonna fly.  another idea she didn't agree on, placing the poster onto cork and then embellishing it...nope again.  back to ground zero here. 

 

progress here though...i painted a blackboard wall this week...not part of my original design, but my client/daughter requested it.  our old house had a blackboard wall in the dining area, the kids loved to draw on it, and i guess it's sort of stuck in their happy memory place. 

 

the alternative scalamandré fabric will arrive tomorrow.  i opted for a less costly fabric as a. it's for a teen room and b.  the repeat on the scalamandré was too wide to do a skirt for a small desk chair and throw pillows.  

 

and, i found this groovy accent table at my fav resale/vintage shop (doing happy dances here)! 

 

 

looking forward to getting back into full swing next week.  in the meantime, check out what all the other talented designers are doing this week here (or click the logo above).  much love, dana

 

 

week 2: one room challenge

here we are at week two of my traditional meets modern jungle funk room design.  oh my, how fast the last week has come and gone...and, here i stand with wide eyes in disbelief!  the one room challenge details are here for those just following along and my week one plans and photo details are here. 

 

modern jungle funk design update

 

the major focus last week was to find the desk.  i scoured local resale stores, online sources and looked around my house in hopes to stay within budget.  i found the grand-daddy of all desks online; over 6 feet long, with inlaid wood on top, cool carved legs, and all the bare bones required for my design.  i was all set to cross this off my to-do list when the owner called to tell me some of the inlaid wood pieces are loose and are popping up.  after speaking with a furniture painting expert, it became clear the top with those troublesome inlays would be too much work to deal with.  darn, this piece would have been so cool and i would have extra funds for fabrics.  like this iconic scalamandre zebra print that i'm just dying to use somewhere. 

here is the print done as wallpaper in red and yellow...strikingly cool i must say.

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 week one accomplishments

• i found a reading chair!  and, my daughter loves it!  major brownie points for moi! and, the teen daughter/mother relationship is getting stronger through all the constant communication. 
• the scalamandre fabric source is secured (my design center can order it in!); i am considering this alternative fabric (the iconic scalamandre fabric is pricey).
• sourced and secured the large area rug.
• found a possible campaign desk alternative to the "project" desk mentioned above.

i was able to score this sweet unicorn figurine searching for a desk and cool stuff to style with at my fav furniture resale/antique shop. 

and, here's a visual of the fabric alternative to the scalamandre zebra print...a pretty good compromise, and a fraction of the cost. 

moving on with hopes of ordering the desk and finding more things to make this modern jungle funk design come together.  xoxo dana

 

 

 

 

 

iris apfel sale starts today

legendary fashion icon, decorator and textile designer is selling 800 items from her private collection today at one kings lane. 

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what a lovely lady! i hope to be this cool in my 90's.  xo, dana



week 1: one room challenge

it's here...the very first week and first time for me in this challenge!  how very exciting and nerve-wracking as well.  for those who've not heard of this challenge, linda at calling it home has created a creative/interior designer magnet in the blogosphere (link on her name will give more info.)  there are really great designers lined up and some newbies like me.  each thursday visit me here to see my progress and you can also peak at what some of the other designers are doing here.        

 

for my room, i hemmed and hawed and have so many rooms needing attention; i nearly needed some meds to decide!  focusing on one room and one room only was a challenge in itself for moi.  in the end I chose my daughter, alexandra's room.  we moved in last july, so in all honesty it should be done by now but life just happens (at least this is my story).  working with a teen (my own) has taught me how to a. breathe deeply and b. remember teens have lots of biological things going on inside.   

 

her bedroom vision was a harry potter meets edgy, computer geek vibe (she built her own computer and is a budding youtube videographer).  she chose the orange and white bedding set from ikea to start, and wanted to keep her childhood bed, nightstand and chest of drawers (good for me as the budget is tight for this room).  her collection of posters she also requested to keep as well.  did you the word posters make you cringe like me?  yep, my challenge is using posters.  maybe i'll decoupage them or try something totally unconventional.       

 

this is my vision for her space...I call it traditional meets modern jungle funk...

 

the whole area was painted light peach which didn't work for this space.  we painted it in benjamin moore's chantilly lace in a matte finish.   i really love the pure white look and matte finish it gives. 

the entry to the teen dungeon...aka a refinished basement. 

a collection of horse memorabilia on the chest of drawers will be updated since her riding/horse days are done.  the italian ladder back chair(s) were from my dining set when we lived in the country.  they were snagged when we moved to use in her room to fill the large space and...

 as desk/gaming chairs for her and a friend too. 

that's a harry potter poster above her bed (the glare makes it difficult to see).  there's the ikea bedding she loves so much.  a keeper for sure, unless i want to go to war. 

 books on the floor.  the bookshelf hasn't been put together yet.  these need a home. 

 the unfinished bookshelf, also from ikea.  needs books and styling. 

the lamp we bought shortly after moving in, she and i both fell in love with the style and color; and the inside of the lampshade is gold!  too cool.   

 

my plan:

• add lots of textures, pillows and add a rug or two to make the room come together.  alex wants a reading chair...she reads a lot.  so, there will be a reading area, a computer area and her sleeping area.  somehow, i need to make all this work in one space.
• find another desk, the one she uses now is just too small for her and the space...and, do it on a small budget...fun, fun, fun! 
• add some storage bins or some sort of storage for her gaming/video making accessories, programs, disc and such.  seeing this stuff out literally makes me have a panic attack...not so pretty.
• frame the harry potter print or make it look like a piece of art!  right now, it's in a poster frame; i just bought them on a whim to get something hanging on her walls.
• find a chair, one that is large enough for her to lay and hang her legs over the side while reading and writing (she writes novels too). 
• put the bookshelf together, add her books and style it
• if there's any money left, find a new desk chair or add slipcovers to the ladder back chairs. 

there you have it...in black and white...dana

 

 

 

weekend color inspiration

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bright macaroons tempered to this soft mauvy-pink.

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enjoy the weekend...♥dana

dream vacation home: villa contenta {bahamas}

hard to believe this beauty was once on the verge of decay.  the villa contenta, a circa 1960 georgian gem is back and with much flair. 

♥dana

photo credits:  max kim-bee

design inspiration: lupita nyong'o blue and gold

on Monday, i posted about lupita nyong'o at the oscars.  her dress!!!  oh, that color...i am still in awe with that blue.  i am calling it lupita nyong'o blue for now. 

so smitten i am that i created a mood board using her dress and the setting surrounding her  (the towering gold ocsar statue in the background, minus the lovely raspberry carpet) as inspiration.  have a wonderful weekend.  ♥dana   

valentine's love fest

pink and red and all shades of make-up this loving holiday...and hearts!  what's not to love about it?   this year i'm lovin' dusty rose and coral-y pink, somewhere in between a warm pink and a coral.  here are a few of my favorite things.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

some lovely links:

diy valentine cards:   camillestyles

valentine's décor:  designchic

valentine's treats:  barefootcontessa

 

wishing you all a day of heart-filled love and happiness.  ♥dana

  

sources:
bow earrings:  amanda deer (etsy)
forget me knot necklace:  amanda deer (etsy)
love birds book:  amazon
stud earrings:  kate spade
dress:  elie saab
wax stamp:  back to zero (etsy)
heart necklace:  amanda deer (etsy)
satchel:  chloe
flower dress:  oscar de la renta

weekend roundup: warm and cozy faux fur throws

this year i bought a faux fur throw and a pillow to match.  they are now one of my most favorite things!  seeing the throw on my bed, softens my mind from any daily worries and keeps me going until I can snuggle up with it at the end of the day. 

draped over a couch like this one from angela lamars design adds softness and texture.
  

 

this is where mine usually stays, at the end of the bed.  so simple yet it ups the luxury levels immensely. 

 

the choice of color and fur textures are wide, like this image from google.ca. and, 

 

 

 

this brown one from splendid willow. 

 





today, one king's lane has some great deals on faux fur pillows and throws; they have quite the inventory with different colors and textures.  visit my instagram (click here or on the camera icon under my photo on the home page) account to see my own throw in use this weekend!  stay warm and cozy, dana

 

 

 

monday morning feng shui: using yellow to add sun to your house

this is for my northern hemisphere readers.  with temps dropping, precipitation increasing and the long winter haul setting in; your energy levels can get sapped.  an instant boost to remedy this is the sun.  while it would be great if we could all jump on a jet and head to the nearest beach, it's not practical for most.  instead, adding bursts of yellow things into your home will energize both you and the space. 

 

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how soft, buttery, warm and inviting are the pair of couches above?  yellow can be mellow.

 



 

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for more vibrant energy, use a lemon yellow, or shade of, in accents and pillows to infuse the room with the sun. 

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adding lemons, flowers or even a bowl of bananas are quick, simple and easy ways to add yellow and the sun's energy to your home.  happy  monday and happy ch'i, dana

a pink merry christmas

wishing you all the most happy, joyous and beautiful day and season!  it's been a short 9 months of blogging so far and I look forward to a continuance into 2014.  

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much love and peace, ~dana