A Golden Addition

I finally convinced my daughter to let me add a gold mirror above her bed. 

A few days ago I decided to gold leaf a thrift store mirror I had laying around.

It's hard to take photos when it is pouring cats and dogs outside. Still need to figure out how to switch lenses. 

Baby steps.

XO Barbara

Inspiration : Mediterranean/Moroccan style decor Ideas

If you love vibrant and exotic colors, and have a taste for stylish and elegant furnishing, Moroccan decor is a beautiful choice! The intricate detailing on furniture, mosaic accents, rich jewel tones..all of them elements of this beautiful Mediterranean decor.

This is such a gorgeous setting! The touch of exotic in a simple setup. I love the flowers, the mosaic mirror, the straw storage boxes. The color palate is chic without being overwhelming. Stacked floor cushions and the carpet are important elements of Moroccan style decor. Bone white with the pop of fuchsia.

The Moroccan style furniture are low with simple, clean lines. The detailing on the furniture and the elaborate upholstery adds to the richness. The living room setting is so inviting. It would be perfect for hot summer months to laze around with friends. The best of elegance without compromising on comfort!

The shade of blue is the focal point here. It reminds of the sea and the lovely luxuriant yellow and rose pink add to the sophistication. There is another theme going with the beautiful marble inlay work furniture. The details are beautiful and shines in the day light. Ornate and intricate!

The colors used in Mediterranean/Moroccan style decor are beautiful, rich and luxuriant. The jewel tones with the shimmer of gold and silver in beautiful silk can be recreated in satin. Moroccan lamps with infuse any corner with an exotic feel. Use simple elements in your home decor, add a little bit of drama and excitement!

This bedroom has all the elements of Moroccan style decor. Low furniture design, lush extravagant upholstery, colorful intricate accents, heavy carpet and a beautiful surreal feel. The bedroom is right out of a fairytale. Its like an experience in itself.

The design above is traditional Moroccan style. This is a more modern take on it. Instead of adding all the curtains and canopy the walls are textured and painted a beautiful shimmery rose pink. The pendant lamp adds the soft dim light. The color theme is reflected in the bedspread as well as accent lamp. It is luxurious without being overwhelming. 

Another modern design with includes some pretty elements from the Moroccan style decor. The lovely mosaic mirror is the focal point. Unusual coral pink dresser add to the mystique. The furniture is modern, yet with the lovely rug thrown in the design is elevated to a contemporary Mediterranean style

If you are unsure about using elements from this style inside your home, convert your patio into a lovely Moroccan bazaar tent. Your guests will be delighted!!! Its not only pleasing to eyes but totally functional. Love the ombre curtains and the luscious use of pink and white. Very pretty!!

Try using some elements of this beautiful style in your home decor. Moroccan style lamps and ornate mirrors are easy to find and lovely to incorporate. Start with a corner and if you like it, incorporate some more elements. Find your own mix of fabrics, accents and colors. Designing and decoration a home is a never ending passion!!

~An Art Wall~

As many of you know I have been

s-l-o-w-l-y 

re-doing my eldest daughter's room
 {I am beginning to sound like a broken record} 
But I have run out of steam, my budget is limited (or non-existent?) and time is not on my side.

So.....

All the materials for the headboard are ready to go, but since I have a saw phobia I am waiting for the husband to help cut the plywood that is collecting dust in the garage. 


Hopefully this weekend after my daughter's 16th birthday party has passed and I can breathe a sigh of relief, I can sweet talk the husband to plug in the saw and help :)

BUT......

One project I ACTUALLY accomplished was putting together an art wall for her room. Being a typical teenager she loves to surround herself with photos. 

What a perfect way to display her photos and other artwork than to create a gallery wall that is so in vogue.

Using a collection of spray painted thrift store frames, a mirror, painted canvases by moi, Ikea frames and monograms, I created a gallery of sorts along her bed that she can add to along the way.

"How did I do it?," you ask with bated breath.

Well....

To create a galley wall that reduces the amount of nail holes, you start by laying out the frames and arranging them on the floor until you have come up with an arrangement you like. 

{This is where I forgot to take a photo}

Next trace each frame, canvas or mirror onto kraft paper. You can use newspaper or a roll of   gift wrap as an alternative.

Start taping each piece on the wall, fiddling with the paper until you are satisfied with the look. I use a level and yard stick as well to make sure I have things lined up.


 Step back to  see if the arrangement is to your liking

Start hanging up the art work, one piece at a time.

{This was a photo taken of my daughter by her friend in a photography class}

Once finished....

Stand back and enjoy! 

I also added small little plastic dots on the bottom corners inside of each frame so they would "stick" to the wall and not shift.

I am thrilled with how the wall turned out. Now onto the headboard.....

Wish me luck.

Linking to:
POP @Domestically Speaking
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Metamorphosis Monday@BNOTP

~A Mirror Transformed~

My daughter's bedroom is finally coming together, I am just adding the finishing touches and a few more furnishings. 

When she came home from her hiking trip she was thrilled with the Stonington Gray on the walls.

 Her words (and my other daughter's words as well) "It looks so grown up!"

 Just the mood I was trying to convey with the colour choice. Glad to have a satisfied client. 

 The furniture is back in, her "collectables" have been edited, new bedding purchased, art hung and I have re-vamped a few thrift store finds. One is this ornate mirror I found at a recent thrift store jaunt, each for $5. I bought two, one for each girl. This mirror will help bring a bit of glam to the room.

This is where spray paint comes to the rescue. 

First I spray primed the mirror frames with spray on primer, then I sprayed them white. 

I didn't like the white frame against the gray, it was too stark.

Spraying the mirror with a bit of black allows it to really pop against the gray walls and now coordinates well with all the other frames on the art wall above her bed. 

{no matter how I tweak the photo, the camera doesn't capture the wall colour}

We are still choosing some photos from her massive collection of photos (teenage girls take a LOT of photos) to place in a few frames.

But here is a sneak peek: 

You can see the peony painting I painted early on in the year.

All that is left is to source out a nightstand and make the headboard, which I will need my husband's help with the jigsaw if I want to keep all my fingers!

Linking to:
Show and Share@Just a Girl

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday@Coastal Charm

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

SNS @ Funky Junk Interiors

Sundae Scoop Party@Chocolate Sundaes

  

~Fabulous Find: Mirror~

This has been my lucky week for fabulous finds. 

I found this fantastic mirror in the clearance section of Homesense for $20.

 It is the perfect addition that will add the touch of glamour for my daughter's room. I wanted a starburst mirror but find this one more original. I love how there is the layering of two mirrors and the overlapping wires that give it the look of a flower. With her walls painted Stonington Gray, a tufted headboard, the mercury glass side lamp along with the thrift store lamp I re-vamped with silver leaf, her room will look elegant and grown-up, very fitting for a girl who is about to turn 16.

 Slowly I am collecting the accessories and furniture needed for her room, I have been enjoying the process and can't wait to put it all together. The challenge is to try to spend as little as possible and so far I have been finding bargains galore!

I have another find for her room that I found on Craigslist yesterday and am picking it up on Sunday which will require a coat of paint. Can't wait to show it to you.

Oh - remember how I was hoping and wanting me some chiang mai dragon fabric? 

Well......

 *sigh* 

I found a store that could order some in but {gulp} the price tag was a bit much, at $256 per yard I think I might just have to win the lottery!

Incredible Series : Mirrored Furniture

I absolutely love Mirrors and they are totally the thing to go for when you would like to jazz up your home ! When I see something I adore, I love to share and here I am sharing some pictures of 'mirrored furniture' at GrahamandGreen.

It is so so gorgeous and totally lust worthy, at least a couple of pieces would definitely be a great addition to any home. These go into my incredible series due to the sheer genius of the use of mirror (check out the dressing table)in the furniture. Drool..

Check out and admire the awesome pieces !


Dressing Table

Console Table

Dressing Table and Stool

Mirrored Console Table and Mirror

Mirrored Side Table

50s Style Mirrored Dressing Table and Mirror

Angled Chest of Drawers

Mirrored Bedside Table

Mirrored Media Cabinet

Using Mirrors more creatively !

It is important that Mirror not only be used in bathrooms and bedroom but for decorating any space in the entire house !

It is specially useful to bring the light because of being reflective in nature and it create an impression of space. So whether its your balcony or hallway, over your living area..add it to any space and it will jazz it up in no time !!





Mirrors come in all shapes and size and its framing gives you the satisfaction of designing it according to your taste. Make it wooden, line it with shells and pebbles or use any metal...just go on and be creative.




Budget restraints ??!!?? Not to worry a simple assembly of mirrors can turn any stark corner into an interesting one !! You would love to look into it and admire :)




Put flowers or interesting nick knacks and the reflection will make the piece of decoration twice more beautiful.




Its sober as much as classy !! It speaks of style..get one for your room today and watch it transform.

It suits all age groups so just keep changing the layout and make it quirky !!

Plane Glass might be not enough so get some beveled and mix them up as shown below..

See how beautifully it reflects the light and adds romance to this simple setting !

Interesting framing and choice of color can be an easy way to effortless chic.

Use them in singles or get a group of them in different shapes and hang them on to your wall..They have the added advantage of being easy to dismount and keep rearranging at your will !!

So Classy !!

Uber cool and totally fun..such an easy installation.