An Industrial Chic Lament

I know, I know...everybody and their pooch has blogged about the "it" style of Industrial Chic. I hate to beat a dead design horse, but all the cool images of rustic, metal and a bit rough-around-the-edges furniture has put me in a wistful mood...

A few months back, Ben's family was sorting through the estate of his recently-deceased grandparents. Besides the obvious sadness that comes along with such a task, there's also a lot of sentimental AND logistical debate - Should we keep this? Does anyone have a particular fondness for this? Do we have room for this? Are we being cruel to the memory of our loved ones if we part with this? It was grueling work - physically and mentally - to sort through a lifetime.
One of the things Ben really hoped to keep was a pair of his Grandfather's work stools. They were worn, and dusty, and had been a part of his Grandfather's tool, tinkering, and repair area. They were fantastic. Alas, Ben's uncle also desired the stools - and rather than split them up, Ben relinquished his bid on them. So long awesome stools. At least they remained in the family...
Needless to say, whenever I show Ben pics of killer "industrial chic" stools, he laments his decision...but that's him - selfless - just like his Grandfather.... As for me, I can do without amazing old stools so long as I get to keep my great guy (but that won't keep me from oohing and aahing whenever I see them!) Here's some cool IC looks for ya!

My fave is the rustic+glam combo

via Cote de Texas

Jessica Helgerson Interiors

via Country Living

Whenever there's vintage, french cafe chairs in play, I sit up and take notice!PB has bought the license for the original, Trolix design ... at $225 a pop, I think I'll stick to vintage originals...

This guy's the Real Deal, from Marsh Garden Decor

Also, if you're in the market for some SERIOUSLY authentic Industrial goodies, be sure to check out Get Back Inc.

I think I could work here...

via apartment therapy

You don't have to forgo casual-beachy for this look...

via Country Living

RH goes industrial chic: The Refined Version

I'm eyeballin' this bookshelf big time - really wanting something for our book storage that doesn't feel hulking, but also isn't too dainty - THIS would work in a heartbeat!

via latrunkshow

Catching Up

Can I just say that MLHP readers are Da Bomb (does anybody say "da bomb," anymore?) I don't care; all I know is that Y'all are the sweetest, most warm-hearted, and Real Life style-minded people I've never met! ;) Your comments to Friday's post kept me grinnin' all weekend, and I truly appreciate each and every one of them.

O-Kaaay! Whew! - Did ya'll have a fun, holiday weekend? Hope so - Cheers to (North American) Summer!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So, I never had the chance to tell ya'll the story of our recent Brazilian Garage Sale....Actually, it wasn't ours - another American family was hosting one, and they let us throw some of our excess stuff in...Let's just say it was INTERESTING! First, let me give you a bit of background info: Very few imported products are allowed into Brazil. Because of this, items made outside of Brazil are rare, and extremely expensive. Consequently, Americans have found that we can sell our gently-used items for about what we paid for them, and it is STILL a better price than the Brazilians can get. Win-Win, right?

So...we hired this woman who works as a Garage Sale Coordinator - she sends out private invitations to "clients," brings in security to monitor the sale, and tells us if our pricing is appropriate. Apparently, this woman is a Must Have if you intend for any Brazilians to actually show up and buy anything.
It kills me that I didn't take my camera so I'd have proof of this tale - but trust me, it happened!
Among other things, we sold a bed, a bookshelf, a lawnmower, strollers and carseats - in each case either breaking even, or earning a profit (nuts, I know!)
I was feeling pretty savvy - until I saw people walking out of the house with opened, half-full bottles of booze - with "Sold" signs on them! I think I've just about seen it all...

So, I've been itching for this lens for my SLR for some time...If you follow Darby or Erika, and have admired their pics, you'll understand why...
I had in mind that I'd treat myself to the lens if the results of the Sale worked out...and they DID, so....

I was told I'd go crazy over it , AND with the quality of the shots - crisp, rich, and full of life...even in low-light with very busy subjects

I couldn't be more pleased! What are you saving up for?

Thank You

Please remember what this day is all about. Happy Memorial Day.

Cure for the Common DBRB

Early last week, I posted about a nasty disease making its way around the design blogosphere - Design Blog-Reader's Blues. Apparently, many of you have experienced those feelings of design inadequacy that are the hallmarks of DBRB. After hearing from so many MLHP readers who said they relate to having the symptoms of this plague, I knew I had to do something to help.

Often, we question the Real Life aspect of the truly inspirational, but impossibly-perfect images we see in shelter mags or amazing design blogs. Perhaps we need a bit of assurance that yes, one can enjoy beautiful design on a Real Life level - even where there's messy home offices, toy-riddled rooms, and unattended dust bunnies (all being the case in MY own home!)

If there's any people who know how to bridge the gap between top-notch design offerings, and the real-life limitations of time, space and budget, it is the Designers themselves. I figured, what better cure for the Common DBRB than to see the Real Life homes of fantastic Interior Designer/Bloggers!

I emailed six of my favorite Interior Design Blogstresses asking if they'd be willing to participate in my DBRB therapy session. Would they be willing to send me a pic or two of a room or part of their home they feel best represents their sense of design? Most important though, was that they not "spiff up" the room too much before snapping the pic. After all, the medicinal value is being able to view stylish yet achievably-imperfect images!
I can't even tell you how gracious each and every one was - so willing, and excited about playing along. Sit back and relax - You Are Going to LOVE this!

Do you live in an older house? Maybe a cute little Cape Cod big on appeal, but missing the grand Master Bath? Well, so does Camila - you know her from High-Heeled Foot in the Door. Look what she's done with her tiny full bath! She embraced the theme of the bath's original black and white tile (saved a ton of cash by keeping it, too!), then upped the ante by painting the walls black. This amount of drama and charm turn a small space into an asset!

This next group of pics come from Erika of Urban Grace Interiors - you may have heard of her...

This is Erika's den/laundry room - a room she says is definitely a favorite in her home. I can certainly see why. This is a very cozy space, one I feel has a lot of heart and soul because you get such a sense of the person who lives here... Isn't that some wonderful natural light? You know what I spied first? The industrial-looking curtain rod. I've seen Erika's clever use of non-traditional materials before, and knew there was something to this. Can you guess? How 'bout galvanized piping, typically used for plumbing and electrical. I know, brilliant!
That restful greenish-gray on the walls is Sherwin Williams "Hardware" (SW6172), and the capiz shell chandelier was a $99 West Elm find.

Do you ever feel like you need a little (or a lot) of cool art to fill your walls? Erika snagged this entire collection of vintage matchbooks for $20 at a Flea Market, bought frames at Target, and mats at Hobby Lobby. Makes a rather smashing focal point, doesn't it? Remember, you don't have spend a fortune to get wonderful, conversation-piece art!

I hope you're sitting down, 'cuz you just might faint...This lucite coffee table - TWENTY DOLLARS - Goodwill. Yes, I'm weeping with you. You know, I always thoughts "scores" like this were Urban Myths started by Eddie Ross! P.S. - I'm going to wager that a year from now, that humongo papercutter will no longer reside at crumb-cruncher level! Hint: see that antique yellow bassinet in the first pic? ;)

The room's casual elegance disguises its all-important functional capabilities
Don't you ever wonder what's hiding under the skirted tables and closet doors of published homes? I'm kinda nosey, though!

I was extra-excited to get these pics from Shannon, who blogs at Pink Wallpaper. You see, Shannon is an Interior Designer who also has a daughter who's the same age as my Avery. I always wonder if there's any hope to having stylish interiors once kiddos and toys come into the picture. Looking at Shannon's pics shows the two can co-exist beautifully!

Shannon's design philosophy mirrors my own: Anyone with a big budget can "buy" style, but to be able to pull it together on a slim wallet takes truer "Style Chops."

I had just been introduced to the blogosphere when I read her post about finding this vintage chrome sawhorse desk on Craigslist. I remember being a) Highly impressed with her Craigslist-scoring skills, and b) Pea Green over said skills!

The lucite lamp was a recent find at a local antique store, and the vintage rotary phone was a junk-store snag - $12!! Shannon, can I trade you my blah-blah ivory one for yours? Turq-waz is sooo much more me - I'm sure you understand... ;)
My favorite thing, though? The silhouette - a portrait of little-girl Shannon found at her grandmother's. Awwww! Love it!

Here, in her entry resides an inexpensive (i.e. we need furniture now) console that looks great vignetted with the botanical chart, vintage fan, foo dogs, and totally indispensable storage baskets - oh, and her daughter, Tay's favorite body-slamming critter!

Shannon reminded me that indeed, there's lots of keepin' it real going on in her house...Palettes, toys, and a snoozing Retriever were only slightly out-of-frame, plus, she was emailing from a laptop plunked down on a bedroom floor because her wireless router crapped out. Now THIS is a life I can relate to!

When I found Interior Designer Marianne Strong's blog, Haven & Home, I remember thinking, where have I been? Her posts never fail to satisfy my sweet tooth for all things house and Home, PLUS she is wonderfully down-to-earth!

When I first saw the pictures of Marianne's living and bedroom, I thought - "Wow, that's pretty close to perfect," but upon closer study, I realized that in fact, the rooms are very achievable. Let's take a look-see...

Here's her living room. Fantastically done, I think! Marianne admits that much work has gone into the room, and many of the elements were either custom or bought from a "to the trade" source - Drat! I still think it is a "touchable," realistic, and very welcoming room.

In her cozy bedroom, she incorporated more readily-available items like the West Elm headboard, the Target roman shade, and Pottery Barn bedding. The scene-stealer: the crab trap she snagged from her parents to use at the end of the bed - I LOVE it!

Marianne understands, though, the importance of showing the reality of interiors - that they are almost always always in a state of flux. This is the other side of her bedroom - where her had-forever-chest and waiting-for-some-reupholster-love side chair reside. See, not EVERYTHING is perfect! ;)

The next designer on my DBRB-recovery board is Joni from Cote de Texas. I feel like I've earned an honorary degree in Interior Design from reading the blog written by this wonderfully talented, wealth-of-knowledge, TEXAN design maven! I only have one pic from Joni's home: this small sitting area in her family room. (It was the only area she said was "decluttered enough" to share!)

I'm immediately drawn to all the layers that make this vignette special, noting the ever-present-with-Joni near wall-to-wall seagrass rug (classic, awesome!) Joni recently edited this sitting area, removing some fabric and accessories. The Take Away: Designers have doubts and desires about their homes, JUST LIKE US!

I don't know about you, but the cause of my DBRB isn't limited to visions of interiors. I often get dizzy looking at heavenly landscapes - probably because I have to factor in lots of time and patience to envision such cultivated greatness for myself - not exactly two things I have a lot of...

So, I was extra-happy when Becky of Harmony and Home sent me these pics of her beautiful patio. Becky lives near San Jose, CA - where the weather is darn near perfect, and I imagine one feels rather naked without a fantastic outdoor living area.

I don't think she has a thing to worry about - the outdoor fireplace is gorgeous, and with a nice glass of wine from nearby Napa, I imagine one can feel like they've found Heaven on Earth!

Becky, next time I'm in CA, can I crash at your place? :)

So, you see - Wonderful, beautiful-but-attainable homes - the perfect tincture for Design Blog-Reader's Blues. For more "dosing," be sure to visit these ladies' blogs (see links above).

Muito Obrigada to Camila, Erika, Shannon, Marianne, Joni and Becky!

Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend!!

So we wonder why we ever go Home....

...And by Home, I mean Texas! Actually, I don't wonder, but that Buffett song is one of my favorites, so...

We're 24 hours in, and it's no wonder it feels good to be Home...There's lots to appreciate here at my parents' casa... Like perfect spots to sit and watch sunsets..

Or surround yourself in South Texas tropics...
And, of course, there's the Welcoming Committee

Survived the trip, am still catching up on some rest, and have (what I hope you'll agree) is an extra-special post para mañana!

Hot Tip: Dining Room Red

We had a request for the name of the red paint E&M used in their dining room....It was Glidden Rapture with a Gripper Gray base/primer

If any of you have never experimented with red walls, it is key, key, KEY to use a tinted primer - one that usually has a gray/maroon cast. Doing so will ensure a rich, true red, rather than a deep hot pink!
Hope that info is helpful, and thank you to everyone for their sweet comments on the DD update - I'm sure E&M appreciate the resounding applause!

DD Update: Dining Room Divinity

I know you all have been craving some DD updates....Remember my brother & sister-in-law's Dining Room DD - their hopes to take it up a notch in the elegant, yet inviting department?
Well....take a lookey-look at what I had in my inbox this weekend...

Direct View
Before:

After:
Side View
Before:
After:
If you ever needed convincing on the power of good lighting - here's your answer. I'm amazed (though not surprised) at the drama the lamps/lighting add to the room. The gothic church window just comes to life and takes center stage in the room - as it was meant to do.
I think Erica plans to replace the empire shades with black drums to tone down the traditional element of the trophy lamps, and perhaps add some more of that essential accessory layering, but I think this is a fantastic start - Well done, E&M!
FYI: here's the deets on the lamps

While I'm in Texas, I'll also have the chance to work on my Aunt's bathroom re-do, so I hope to have some good B&A pics of that DD before too long. If I can just survive the looooong travel day(s), many good times await!