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

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

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

a few of my favorite things: holiday gifts under $25

i am definitely feeling the season of giving bug!  having family come visit, spending time shopping and entertaining, and feeling the joy of this all make me want to share and give.  this week i did my first ever give away, i discovered some great ideas and blogs to read (more on this in a later post), and i found some great buys in the process.

 

here are a few of my favorite things (song buzzing in my head as i type!): 

essie $16

flowers mesmerize me...and, i have always thought about becoming a floral arranger.  this french tulip manicure is so feminine and pretty, i  cannot wait to try this when things slow down a bit.  get the tutorial here.   




etsy $10

 

 

wouldn't this cake topper be great for a valentine's party...or a wedding?

style sweet ca $24

jcrew $19.50

etsy $22

lollia $25

cross design $24.95



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the lollia hand crème is to die for!  from the beautiful art work covering the product, to real shea butter with rose buds and jasmine leaves; it is one sensory experience after another when using this stuff.  i'd really dig the pink, etched water carafe set next to my bed but have yet to decide on a paint color or possible wallpaper to start the room design with.  what are some of your favorite things?  ~dana

 

 

 

 

 



monday morning feng shui: the power of green

happy monday morning!  today's post is about the color green and what it means in feng shui and how it relates to the bagua map. 

the area represented by green on the feng shui bagua map is family.  if you want to strengthen familial relationships (whether is be those you are biologically related to or other close friends in your periphery that can be considered extended family), focusing on this area of your space with the proper intention can do this. 

 

the element wood is associated with both the color green and the family area in feng shui.  adding wood objects (trees, plants and flowers are wood elements) enhances your intention.  think of a tree; they are rooted in the earth,  and adding a plant or potted tree to this area adds stability, growth or re-birth.  flowers or photographs and art with these images is a super way to bring in the wood element.  again, it all need to be personalized, to feel "right" to you.  this is your space, make it your personal sanctuary!  happy monday and happy ch'i, dana 

 

friday fashion crush: brocade pants and a room design inspired by these

i could not resist creating a room inspired by these wonderfully-designed pants!

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that brocade, the colors, the rich and warm texture and those shoes!  it just had to be done, a room designed around this palette of colors and textures. 

the color of this sofa and dreamy, soft fabric.  equal parts of beauty + practical comfort. 

this photo does not show the taupy/purple tone in this vintage oushak rug. 

 

 

Sources: 

sofa:  cross design

rug:  one kings lane

striped fabric for pillows:  beacon hill

velvet brocade fabric for pillows:  beacon hill

black empire coffee table:  one kings lane

antique gilded wood side table:  one kings lane

gilded italian chandelier:  one kings lane