House Beautiful 2009 Kitchen of the Year

The House Beautiful 2009 Kitchen of the year is located at Rockefeller Center in NY. Last year my husband and I were there celebrating our first wedding anniversary and I wish we could be there again this year. The kitchen of the year would definitely be one of our spots to visit. I would also be heading to the fashion district since we didn't have time to do that last year (instead we went to a Yankees game :).

Here are a few pics from House Beautiful and a video tour with the Barefoot Contessa that you can watch as well!

Dream Vacation Home

maluna

Isn't this amazing? Can you imagine living in a place like this?!

Wish List

A few things I've been lusting after...




I see a kitchen in the works.

One thing leads to the next

This morning I had an appointment with a client who wanted window shades in her sunroom addition that would block the ugly neighbor's house without obstructing her beautiful large windows and the amazing view she has to the Mississippi River. We quickly chose a textured shade that was very simple for only the windows facing the neighbors house. It will let light in during the day if she wants privacy and at night it will be opaque for ultimate privacy. After we decided on that, the client brought up that she would like to replace her drapes in the family room. So we choose the fabric for those and worked with the custom drapery designer that was at the appointment with us. From there we moved downstairs to the family room where she mentioned that she was tired of the fabric on some large throw pillows and she rarely used them because they didn't go anymore. So we ended up choosing a new fabric to cover the pillows and also to replace the cornice window treatment she had in her office so that the fabrics would be coordinating now. We also chose a new paint color for the family room as well. We ended up replacing much more than we had originally set out to do (which usually happens) and it was such a fun meeting because of it. This client is one of those clients that is really up for anything. So fun! Of course it was a refresher for me as well to remember how to properly measure for window treatments. Here is what I normally do:

First, measure the width of the window from the outside of the trim and/or the inside of the trim depending on where you will be mounting the hardware. Second, measure the length of the window. Measure above the window to the ceiling and below the window to the floor. Also measure the wall space to the left and right of the window. While you are doing this make sure to note any special architecural details and angles if they are bay windows. Make sure to check that there are no obstacles in the way of placing hardware such as a cabinet door opening in the kitchen or a window that is close to the wall corner. When figuring out how much fabric I need for the fullness of draperies and curtains, it works best at 2-1/2 or 3 times the width of the curtain panel to get desired fullness. And there you have it-pretty simple!

Images from here.

In style...again

Since wallpaper is becoming hot again, I thought I'd do a little searching for some fun and modern papers. Here's what I found...

Paper Mills

Nama Rococo

Sum


Walnut Wallpaper


So enjoy looking at all the cool stuff out there now and after you've found the perfect wallpaper, here's a few steps on how to do a general estimation for how much wallpaper you will need for your space:

1. Multiply the height and width of each wall. Add the figures together.

2.Divide the total by 30(or another number depending on the wallpaper's repeat) to get the number of rolls needed.

3. Subtract 1 roll for every 2 openings (doors and windows). Wallpapers are packed in double roll bolts.

4. You need to know the width and the length of the paper and the pattern repeat. (straight match or drop match)

5. If you are having a professional install it for you, make sure they measure the room to be sure everything is correct.

Easy enough, huh? Now if only I could convince my hubby that it is easy to wallpaper!

Learning to Sew

I'm really excited because my MIL found me a $5 (yes that's right) Brother sewing machine at a garage sale. It is in perfect condition, works like a charm. I've been wanting to learn how to sew for a while now, but wasn't wanting to shell out the big bucks for a new machine. So, now I can fulfill my summer goal of learning to sew without having to spend anything. Yay!

Here she is in all her five dollar glory:


So for my first project I plan on sewing some basic pillows with these fabrics that I had leftover from my school days:




So now I'm off to find some simple pillow instructions to give this a whirl. I think I spotted some that look interesting. Wish me luck!

Ice Hotel

Doesn't this look like an amazing place to vacation? I would love to stay here in the Ice Hotel in Sweden. You sleep wrapped up in long underwear and a thermal sleeping bag with reindeer skin atop a bed of snow and ice. Usually this is just for one night and the next night you sleep in a warm room. When you sleep in the cold room, you wake up to a warm glass of lingonberry juice and head to the sauna to relax your muscles. Sounds refreshing and very cool.

And beautiful. Can't you imagine a romantic night here with your honey? Perhaps a unique honeymoon or an anniverary celebration....


Where is the most unique place you have stayed for a vacation? I'd love to hear about it!

Fair Trade?

I just received my first issue of this in the mail today....

because it now replaces my subscription for this canceled magazine...

Fair trade? Probably not. But it is nice to have a magazine sent as a replacement, I guess, that I am vaguely interested in. It is a nice gesture and I'm sure it was the best they could do. The shelter mag selection out there is a little spare though and I'm hoping some new ones pop up soon! I did just start receiving this one and I like it so far.



It is a new version of a DIY magazine, which I find to be geared a little more towards women than some other DIY magazines and it has some fun ideas to try. Any other new magazines or even old, that I may not know about? I'd love to hear what some of your favorites are that may not be the typical ones we all know and love.

Happy 4th of July!

How I spent my weekend.....

Strolling through Minnehaha Park and the falls with my hubby, and sailing on Lake Calhoun. Fourth of July was spent with great friends barbecuing and sitting by the bonfire. What a great way to spend a summer weekend! Hope yours was just as relaxing!

Budget-Friendly Accessories

Found all of these at Home Goods for $14.85 total. Not a bad find! I plan on putting this arrangement in my entryway on a blank wall to jazz things up a bit. I may add more keys to this arrangement at some point as they have many different keys in frames at Home Goods. I love Home Goods for so many reasons. First of all-it's design on a budget there. Which I need right now. Lots of brand name items for lots, lots less than other places. Kinda makes you wonder why they are marked up so much at other stores... I like to send friends and family there when they are looking to find some cute things for their house and don't want to spend a lot of money.

What about you guys ? Any of you out there have great Home Goods finds? Other favorite places to find deals?