Casual Unexpected Placement

In my life there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. Organization is key and against my better design judgement my home is much more planned that instinctive.

I do however find a way to mix in what I truly love even if it doesn't match, which also goes against my better design judgement.

Casual living is very much about loving what you have and simply displaying it where you like to see it. Need an image? Here are a few unexpected touches that have been incorporated into odd areas but seem to fit right in with the surrounding decor.

This Country Living room combines a bed with a bistro dining set. Crazy cute!

Word art on a tub...Love that Anthropologie.

Finally a use for the million and one barbie dolls that I have been hoarding beneath the basement stairs of my mother's home. This idea from Home Magazine is so oddly amazing. I LOVE IT!!!

Casual Living

I'm back folks, and while it was harder than I thought it would be to stay away, I am glad that I did. This week is all about casual living. The laid-back no fuss approach to decor and more. Let's start with a few images of homes that compliment this idea.

These spaces seem super chill and amazingly comfortable. Who doesn't love an attractive space that you can actually live in.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie

Flickr: mnerd

A Mental Health Break

Hi folks,

I've decided to take a mental health break for the rest of the week. I have been pretty pooped lately and honestly a bit uninspired. So, I'm going to take a blogging holiday before I bore you all to death.

Hopefully I'll be back fresh and full of ideas on Monday and I'd be ever so grateful if you all would be kind enough to join me then.

Have a fabulous week folks and don't forget to take a bit of time for yourself as well.

Winner of the Cutest Cupcake Contest

Congratulations Julia!

You are the winner of Precious Style's Cutest Cupcake Contest.

Your super cute & creative groundhog cupcake won over the voters, therefore making you the recipient of a $50 Anthropologie gift card and a 1-year subscription to Domino magazine.

Enjoy your prizes, Julia, and thank you to all of the fabulous readers that entered my little blog contest.

And the Winner Is...

The voting is over for the Cutest Cupcake Contest. Tune in Monday for the results and have a fabulous weekend folks.

5 Old-to-New Fabric Ideas

To end this week of fabric transformations, here is a list of 20 ways to breathe new life into your old fabric posessions.

1. Pillowcase to Placemats - Try turning your standard-size pillowcase into a reversible placemat.

2. Pillowcase to Smock - Cut out neck and armholes to turn a worn pillowcase into a child's craft/paint smock.

3. Scarf to Seat Cover - Replace your unattractive seat cover with a loved scarf for a funky revival to your dining chair. (This is definitely my personal favorite from the list. I collected vintage scarves for a few years but stopped because I only actually wore a few. But with this idea I may just start collecting again...just a few of course.)

4. Quilt to Headboard - Completely change the look of a square headboard by attaching a quilt to it. This also works with art supply store canvases.

5. Blanket to Slipcover - With a bit of clever tucking and a few well hidden safety pins, blankets can make for great casual slipcovers for sofas and large chairs. (I have actually done this in my own home, except I didn't use safety pins (though I will now) and I gathered the hanging fabric in ribbon for some added flair.)

For more new ideas for ordinary items visit Real Simple.

Screen Printing @ Home

Did You Know?

Screen printing can be done in the home without expensive equipment.

Screen Tee available through Etsy's Pepperhem Shop

Screen printing can take an ordinary piece of fabric or ready made item and turn it into a work of art. I have forever wanted to screen print one of my illustrations onto a tote or a pillow without paying for a bulk order. Well thank you Instructables for showing me the way.

Not only does this wonderful photo tutorial by member tracy_the_astonishing teach you how to make your own printing screen from old picture frames, it also guides you step-by-step to the finished product.

Ready to print?

T-Shirt Tease

Yesterday's updated Did You Know? inspired this week's theme of fabric uses. Learning to apply fabric beyond the body and furnishings.

I purchased a book titled Tease a while back. It's a compilation of 50 inspiring t-shirt transformations and it's fabulous. While I have yet to break out the sewing machine and complete a project, the book has been intriguing enough to call me through it's pages several times.

Maybe you all will be a bit more willing to buy the book and actually try one of the projects. Here are a few of my favs to tease your crafty bone.

Updated: Fabric Walls

Did You Know?

Fabric can be used as a simple, stylish and REVERSIBLE solution to wallpaper.

Here's an update to an older Did You Know? post that I never got around to finishing. While I did try this simple project in my old apartment, I removed it soon after because it did not work with the surrounding decor. I didn't however post the pics as promised. So, here's a short tutorial on how to pull off a fabric wallpapered look.

Note: My first attempt was with larger pieces of fabric and the results were great.


1. Choose a fabric (100% cotton works well). Cut the fabric according to the area in which it will hang. For this tutorial, I used two scrap pieces of IKEA fabric.

2. Cover the floor of your work area with newspaper, plastic, or drop cloths to avoid ruining your floor.

3. Generously spray or soak the fabric in liquid starch. It's important to get the fabric really wet. You may also spray the fabric while it is on the wall. If you prefer this method, either hold the fabric in place with your hand or push pins as you spray.

4. The fabric may be wrinkled when first applied. Simply smooth the fabric (center to edge) to remove the wrinkles.

5. Here's a pic of the above fabric after the wrinkles were removed.

6. Repeat the above steps with the remaining pieces of fabric. Pay attention to positioning if you are working with a patterned fabric.

7. Here's is what the seam between the fabrics looked like before being smoothed out.

8. Here's the fabric after I used my hand to flatten the seam. Note: Be sure to cut your fabric neatly for smooth seams.

9. Here's the finished project.

As with most home projects, applying fabric to walls can be a bit messy. For that reason, I would suggest wearing gloves.

Vote Now!

Cutest Cupcake Contest

Okay folks, it is time to cast your vote for the Cutest Cupcake entry. The voting poll can be found in the sidebar (<<----) along with pics of the contest entries. Voting ends on Friday, 5/9/08.

Note: Since there were only 5 entries I figured I would include them all and let the Precious Style readers decide.

Vote away folks!

Cutest Cupcake Contest: Entry 5

Cutest Cupcake Contest

Entry 5

Here's the 5th entry for the Cutest Cupcake Contest. Jessie of Cakespy writes:
I just read about your contest! Here is my entry. These cuppies are rendered in polymer clay, then painted with acrylic.

"Cuppies"...I love it. Jessie also has an etsy shop that offers sweet artwork. Very cute. Thank you for entering.

As if I haven't said it enough, today is the final day to submit your entries for the Cutest Cupcake Contest. Voting will begin tomorrow.

1 MORE DAY - Cutest Cupcake Contest

Cutest Cupcake Contest

Reminder: Tomorrow is the final day to enter the Cutest Cupcake Contest. See my preious posts for rules and details of how to enter.

Voting begins on Saturday so stay tuned to choose your favorite cupcake design.

Easy Painting

Did You Know?
When painting old furniture it is not necessary to sand off the old finish.

And all of this time I have been feeling guilty for being too lazy to sand before I paint. Although I never had an issue with the finished product, almost every tip I have seen or read required that you sand the old finish from furniture before painting it.

Well, Ebay's Cosycottage (and I) have a different point of view. Here's what they have to say...

"I never sand off varnish. Why bother? Today's primers are such good stain blockers, they will cover anything. Twice I have had the old finish bleed through. I let it dry, applied a second coat of primer, & it didn't come through again."

"The best primers are Glidden Gripper or Kilz - you can get them at Home Depot or pretty much anywhere you buy household (wall) paint - Eagle Hardware, Ace, etc."

"I love that new "Trash to Treasure" show. But it drives me crazy to see those people painstakingly sanding off old finishes. Get with the 90's! (That's when the rest of us stopped sanding.) Use a stain blocking primer - BIN Kilz or Glidden Gripper are the best."

Though many people may disagree with this one, again I have always done it this way and so far my paint jobs have held up well.

For more helpful guides visit Cosycottage. Pictured armoire available at Layla Grace.

An Old New Look

I discovered Knack Studios through the Domino Magazine Flickr Group. They specialize in refinished vintage furniture and their items are absolutely amazing.

Very inspiring for those of us that like to search for old furniture and give it a new look, and a great resource for those that just enjoy having fabulous furnishings in their country chic homes.

Here's a sample of what they offer...

( I am so obsessed with kelly green. Love love love this piece. )

Update: Casual Floral Displays

Apparently, I am in need of a new USB cable for my camera. Fortunately, through a bit of maneuvering I was able to upload the picture showing how I incorporate yesterday's casual floral idea in my own home. Have a look...


Again this is a repurposed jug that was originally purchased from a health food store and now acts as a vase in my living room. I think it's my favorite!

Cutest Cupcake Contest Ends Soon!

Cutest Cupcake Contest

Hi folks, there are only 3 more days to get those entries in for the Cutest Cupcake Contest.

Cupcake Piñata @ Birchangel on Etsy

Here are the rules again for those of you just discovering the fun.

- Participants must create a cupcake using their choice of materials.

- Creativity is key which means the more colors and textures that are incorporated, the better the chances to become a finalist.

- Entries must be emailed to preciousstyle@hotmail.com by Friday, May 2, 2008 and should include a Name, Mailing Address, and Email.

After two weeks, three finalists will be chosen. The winner will be decided by Precious Style readers through a week of voting.

The Prize: A $50 Anthropologie gift card PLUS a 1-Year subscription to Domino Magazine.

The success of this contest depends on the participation of my readers. So, please don't be shy! Show off your culinary creativity and enter in Precious Style's Cutest Cupcake Contest.
By the way, I took a trip to Anthropologie this weekend and the spring/summer selection is adorable. I'm sure the contest winner will have a hard time choosing what to purchase.

Casual Floral Displays

Country style is all about a casual and put-together look...Displaying the things that you love in a relaxed way.

Here, are a few ideas from Martha Stewart on casual floral displays for a fresh summery twist to your decor.

Paint empty cans of various sizes for a cute and clean and casual look. This is a great idea for recycling soup cans, coffee tins, and even paint containers.

I can't wait to try this idea!

Group empty bottles and fill each with a bud for an interesting floral display. I actually use this idea in my own home. I recently repurposed a large water jug from the health food store into a flower vase for my living room. (I will try to remember to upload a pic when I return home this evening...Update: Unfortunately I cannot get my digital camera to transfer with my new computer which means no pics. Sorry folks.)

This gorgeous display is made using a simple watering can. I've also sampled this idea in my home as well. Unfortunately, there is not an area for outside gardening at my new apartment, so I think I'll permanently transform my watering can into a flower vase.

Cute Crochet

The gorgeous throw featured in yesterday's post sent me on a mad search for casual blankets and here's what I found.






These cute and colorful crochet throws are all available at the My Crafty Corner Etsy shop. A great item to have for those chilly summer nights on the porch.

Shutters of Summer

This week is all about a Country Style Summer. The look and energy that is evoked when delicate textiles, aged furnishings, and a comfortable approach are mixed with the joys of summer. The image above from Point Click Home is a great visual for this theme. It's almost as if you can feel the soft breeze of nature just by gazing at the photo.

The headboard made of distressed frames, shutters, and accessories creates a focal point and guide for the rest of the room, while the sparse punches of color invite in the vibrant atmosphere of the season.

What a lovely space for an afternoon nap in July.

Cutest Cupcake Contest Entries 3 & 4

Cutest Cupcake Contest

It's been a slow Saturday, so I've decided to post two more Cutest Cupcake Contest entries that I recently received.

Entry 3

Courtney of Nesting Instincts made these cute little bird's nest cupcakes for Easter. She says the taste was even better than the appearance. I say, those must have been some darn good treats.

Entry 4

Julia of Dozen Flours writes:
I'm very proud to enter my Groundhog Day cupcakes in your Cutest Cupcake contest. Here's my blog post on them: http://dozenflours.com/2007/02/groundhog-day-celebration-cupcakes_02.html. It's suppose to be a little ground hog poking his head out up out of the snow. I moulded the head out of Tootsie Rolls, the eyes and nose are made out of chocolate chips, and the big teeth are made out of white chocolate.

Keep the entries coming folks. You have until Friday, May 2nd to submit your pics. See my previous Cutest Cupcake Contest posts for the rules and prizes.

Contemporary Round-up

Here are a few pics of some great rooms featured on Point Click Home to end a week of contemporary.

Stay tuned for next week's complete switch...A Country Style Summer.

Cutest Cupcake Contest Entry 2

Here are the latest entries to the Cutest Cupcake Contest.





Katherine of South Africa writes:
Hi, Cupcakes rock, I'm glad to see what you are doing on your lovely blog. Here are my images and details. I had to send you lots!!

Here's what Katherine had to say about her edible cakes:

...I just enjoying using my Kitchen Aid and find decorating them a fun creative outlet. Got started baking them with my little niece to introduce her to baking. I have a busy and fairly stressful job as an Art Director for an Advertising agency so anything I can do that is theraputic and creative is a good relaxing pastime for me.

Sounds like great fun, Katherine. I too enjoy cooking with my 3-year-old niece. However, after the strawberries in the pasta salad fiasco, I think the two of us will stay away from the oven.

For those of you loving these cute creations as much as I am, you may want to visit Katherine's blog at kathblack.blogspot.com.

Again, the Cutest Cupcake Contest has been extended for one more week which means you now have until Friday, May 2, 2008 to submit your entries.

Here are the rules:

- Participants must create a cupcake using their choice of materials.

- Creativity is key which means the more colors and textures that are incorporated, the better the chances are to become a finalist.

- Entries must be emailed to preciousstyle@hotmail.com by Friday, May 2, 2008 and should include a Name, Mailing Address, and Email.

After two weeks, three finalists will be chosen. The winner will be decided by Precious Style readers through a week of voting.

The Prize: A $50 Anthropologie gift card PLUS a 1-Year subscription to Domino Magazine.

The success of this contest depends on the participation of my readers. So, please don't be shy! Show off your culinary creativity and enter in Precious Style's Cutest Cupcake Contest.

Scent Me Pretty

Did You Know?

Soy candles burn for hours longer than paraffin wax candles.

Soy wax is a great investment for someone looking to experiment with making homemade candles. The soy is easier to clean than paraffin wax and burns for a lot longer.

If you would like to try your hand a candle making, here are some basic instructions to guide you through the process.

Materials

Soy Wax

Fragrance Oil

Wax Dye

Sauce Pan

Cotton Wick

Suitable Jar/Container

Instructions

1. Melt the soy wax in a pan on a slow fire. Don’t worry about the pan, as the soy wax is very easy to clean and you can safely put the pan into you dishwasher after you’re through with the process.

2. When the wax has completely melted, remove it from the fire and add the fragrance. The amount of fragrance added should be based on your personal preference and the desired results. For starters, you may use one part of scent for every sixteen parts of wax.

3. Stir the mixture well until all of it is completely absorbed in the wax.

4. During or after adding the fragrance, add the wax dye according to instructions given by the dye manufacturer.

5. Place the wick inside of the container to be used for the candle. You may want to add a dab of superglue to hold the wick in place while pouring the wax mixture.

6. Gradually pour the prepared wax into a container. This should be done at a slow and steady pace as to not break the container or allow the wax to dry too quickly.

7. Allow the wax to cool competely before trimming the wick to the appropriate size. Your candle should now be ready to use.

For more candle making tips visit WSAC.

Contemporary Scents

The smell of your home is very important when setting the mood for yourself and your guests. Heavier, more spicy smells are nice during the winter holidays. Flirty and floral smells are great for the warmer months. But if you are looking for a scent that will carry you throughout the entire year, then Anthropologie is your store.


I know it seems as if I will push just about anything that Anthropologie carries, but here I'm speaking from my little girly heart. I often use Wildberry incense in my home because the scent of the burning incense is so similar to the raw. I actually swear by them for quick fixes to stinky situations.


But for a calming, fresh, and modern air I definitely prefer the scents of Anthropologie. Great for a closed door reading session with a glass of refreshing juice and a slight window breeze. Not to mention they all come in cute containers that can be repurposed once the candle is used.


Try one folks. You will not be sorry.

Mixing Contemporary

Living Etc. featured the following South London home of Mark Homewood, a buyer for the fabulous Designers Guild. Not only is his space exceptionally attractive, it's also a great source of inspirational ideas on how to mix contemporary and vintage furniture.

I love this lovely terrace.

Note: There are many more pics of this great home at Living Etc. Unfortunately, in two days of trying, I have been unable to upload more than the three above. Please click here to view the entire feature.

Growing Up Contemporary

Growing up is a funny thing. I can recall, when my design mind was still 1-dimensional, being obsessed with everything contemporary. I could not imagine that my first home would be anything but super minimal, super graphic, and super modern.

It wasn't long after I got my first apartment when I realized that contemporary was everything I am not. In fact, my taste is leaning further towards vintage-shabby-eclectic-traditional-chic than I ever would have imagined.

Yes, growing up is a funny thing...and a headache when you no longer adore any of the items you purchased as your contemporary self.

While it may not the choice for my home, contemporary design has much to offer. Here's a peek at what is available through a few of my favorite online resources.

Show
Show

Moma Store

Chiasso

Chiasso

An Ordinary Glow

A while back, Jennifer Squires introduced me to her photography which is sold through Etsy. A fresh take on ordinary items, her pieces have a glow that adds to the already beautiful pictures.

Stop by her shop if your home is due for a splash of contemporary. Quite lovely indeed...

Cutest Cupcake Contest Entry 1

Cutest Cupcake Contest

It's Monday folks, and what better way to start off the week than with the first entry for the Cutest Cupcake Contest.


Stephanie of Arizona writes:
"I made this cupcake birthday party invitation for my daughter's first birthday out of felt and beads. The frosting and sprinkle decorated cupcake I purchased as a decoration for her room!"


What a lovely invitation for a baby's first birthday. Thank you for sharing, Stephanie.

I have decided to extend the Cutest Cupcake Contest for one more week which means you now have until Friday, May 2, 2008 to submit your entries.

If you are just tuning in, here are the rules:
- Participants must create a cupcake using their choice of materials.
- Creativity is key which means the more colors and textures that are incorporated, the better the chances are to become a finalist.
- Entries must be emailed to preciousstyle@hotmail.com by Friday, May 2, 2008 and should include a Name, Mailing Address, and Email.

After two weeks, three finalists will be chosen. The winner will be decided by Precious Style readers through a week of voting.

The Prize: A $50 Anthropologie gift card PLUS a 1-Year subscription to Domino Magazine.

The success of this contest depends on the participation of my readers. So, please don't be shy! Show off your culinary creativity and enter in Precious Style's Cutest Cupcake Contest.