Monthly Archives: February 2012

Etsy Pick of the Week: Modern June’s Chalkcloth for Entertaining

29 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Dining Room, Etsy Pick of the Week, fabrics, Shops We Love, textiles

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

"Sewing with Oilcloth", banner, Chalkcloth, chalkcloth charger, , Kelly McCants, Modern June, oilcloth, Oilcloth Addict, Pennant, placemat, table runner, The Oilcloth Expert

In pursuit of new ways to use oilcloth – check out Sewing with Oilcloth by Kelly McCants and a plethora of online resources listed at The Oilcloth Expert - I found chalk cloth.  Now that chalk paint is the new grail of fun ways to use paint, chalk cloth is surely its counterpart in the textile world.  The chalkcloth charger/placemat is one of many creative uses of chalkcloth that I found on Modern June.

Scalloped Chalkcloth table runner

Deluxe Scribble and Splat Mat

Chalk and Oilcloth Pennant

Possibly my most favorite use of chalkcloth is the fun banner above.  So colorful with the oilcloth and useful with the chalkcloth!  And, would be great for a garden party, birthday party, housewarming or in a craft area.

Between the charger, table runner and splat mat, there seem to be so many uses for chalkcloth to be explored.  Modern June is a great shop for these items and chalkcloth yardage.  And, to make the most of your investment there are even instructions for caring for your chalk cloth.

Nominations for 2012 Homie Awards are Here!

29 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Contributors, Inspiration

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

2012 Homie Awards, Apartment Therapy, Nominations

We are honored to be nominated with other amazing home design blogs for a 2012 Homie Award.  Currently we are in the top 50 out of over 300 nominated blogs for this award, and we need your help to reach the top six by Friday (voting ends March 2nd, 2012 at 11:59PM EST).  We love blogging about our favorite home design ideas and items, and winning this award would give us the resources to bring you even more fabulous finds and projects!

It only takes a couple of moments to vote. Just go to Apartment Therapy, and vote for Chateau & Bungalow (the vote button is below the list of all the nominations, but above the comments). You’ll need to sign in to vote (which you can do using your Facebook or Twitter account), but it’s just to avoid people stuffing the ballots and it does not mean you’re signing up for emails or anything like that (we wouldn’t do that to you!).

Thanks so much for your support!

~Sarah, Pamela, and Amy

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Need Even More Inspiration? Follow Us on Pinterest!
Introducing the Newest Contributors to Chateau & Bungalow
A Look Back at Our Top Posts from 2011 

Let There Be Light…at Last!

29 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Dining Room, Inspiration, lighting

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Barbara Barry Fabric, Custom Shade Chandelier, Jonathan Adler Nixon Rug, , Linen Shade Chandelier, Mahagony Dining Room Set, Newburyport, Ransom House, Red Bird Trading, Shade Chandeliers

Do you know how there is that one thing in your house that you just want to cover up every time someone comes into your home because you are embarrassed by it? For me that thing has been my dining room chandelier…or lack there of. And it was not exactly easy to cover (although I tried)! In my case, there was a ceiling fan in the dining room because the previous owners of our house had used the space as a bedroom. But I finally found a chandelier to suit the space and make me happy!

I found the chandelier on my trip to Newburyport. Come may, we’ll have been in our house for five years. Some people might wonder how as a designer I could live for five years with a ceiling fan instead of a chandelier in my formal dining room, and surprisingly I actually have a pretty good answer. I’m particular. Not only am I particular, but I’m also on a tight budget and consider myself at least a moderate environmentalist. I refuse to buy a piece of crap just to fill the space with the intention of throwing it out when I find the real right piece. I’d rather hold out and save my money to put towards the right piece.

Truth be told, I had actually finally broken down and gone to the fabulous Ramson House in Newport to design a shade chandelier just a few weeks earlier, but I hadn’t yet pulled the trigger and actually ordered it. I had designed a linen white shade with a navy banding. The price was very reasonable (it’s actually not that expensive to design what you want), but when I laid eyes on this linen shade chandelier, it was more versatile, only slightly more expensive, and I could take it home and avoid the six week lead time (not like after five years that makes a big difference!).

I still need to have the hubby put this new light on a dimmer, but overall I’m quite happy with it. I like to think that that room is now done, but the truth is that finally finding and installing a new light only means that I can now focus on finding the right fabric to re-upholster the chairs (which are essentially a scrapbook of my mother’s decorating over the years) and work on getting the furniture refinished and repaired. It will probably never be done, but at least I can cross one more thing off my 2012 To-Do List!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Sneak Peek:  Nautical Stripe Staircase Makeover
Mason Jars in the Pantry
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Super Simple DIY Envelope Liner

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, D.I.Y.

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, Envelope Liners, invitations

While completing invitations for an upcoming birthday party – more on that later! – it became apparent that our white invitation inside a white envelope didn’t pop.  And, with an immediate need to complete this project, we had to get crafty.  So with a quick glance at our available supplies we jumped right in to make our own envelope liners.

Quick step-by-step:  DIY Envelope Liner

1. Supplies:  Construction paper or medium card stock, scissors, and double sided tape.  A sturdy colored paper is much easier to use than typical colored printer paper because it doesn’t flop around when making the template.

2.  Make the liner template:

2a. Place paper on the envelope just a little inset so that the liner will be smaller than the envelope when the liner is completed.  Important so that liner will fit into envelope.

2b.  Cut paper to size of envelope.

2c.  Recut the triangle at top so that it is a 1/4″ smaller and leaves room to activate sealant on envelope.

3.  Insert into envelope and use a piece of double sided tape to secure in the envelope.

Use the template to cut out as many envelope liners as needed.  So easy and looks amazing for a couple extra minutes of effort!

And, doesn’t our invitation look better?!!

Small Projects, Big Impact!

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by in D.I.Y., Inspiration, Kids

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, How About Orange, orange, stenciling pencils, wrapping paper

I am all about making my own wrapping paper and decorating gifts with stuff I have around the house.  While checking out the cool little DIY wrapping idea from How About Orange, I found all these incredibly colorful DIY pencil decorating ideas!  I think this is just the kind of craft I need to keep my daughter and well, me, busy particularly when there’s school vacation or foul weather weekends.  Head over to How About Orange for links to the tutorials.

If you like this post, then you might like these:
DIY Pennant Invitations
Super Simple DIY Envelope Liner
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Tangled Up in Blue…Lacquer

27 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by in Furniture, Home Office, Living Room

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Crate and Barrel, high-gloss, Indigo, lacquer, Skye C-Table, Skye Rectangular Coffee Table

So many tables, and not enough space.  The Skye C-Table is a high impact table because of its sleek design that doesn’t take up any floor space; it tucks in over a sofa, chair or chaise to create a serving area or a place to rest your cocktails.  Perhaps the most intriguing element is the high-gloss indigo finish.  Yes, anything lacquered is amazing, and the indigo is a unique color choice offered by Crate and Barrel.

If you love this finish, but need a larger piece, then consider the Skye Rectangular Coffee Table.  This slim lined table is another great way to introduce this lacquered color into your decor.

These tables would be a great pop in any decor.  For the navy fans out there– you know who you are– this is another way to use the new neutral!

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It’s a Red, Red World

27 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by in Inspiration

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Allure, Barbour, Bitten and Bound, Bono, chanel, , Flamenco in Red, Gwen Stafanie, Home and Decor, J. Crew, Painting Here, Red, toile, toile wallpaper

While out walking recently it occurred to me that I may have an issue with red outerwaer and accessories.  I mean, I have a red stroller and red car, add some new J.Crew red finger-less gloves, my incredibly warm, red Barbour quilted jacket and well…I think you get the idea.

So why all the red I wonder?  It is a color that makes me feel strong and vibrant and like orange, I feel a little more fun and feminine when I am wearing it.

So with that in mind, here are some inspiring reds for you today.

Image credits:  

NW Online, Bitten and Bound, Etsy, Painting Here, Home and Decor, Allure

The Paisley Kitchen

24 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by in Accessories, Outdoor, Parties, Shops We Love, Tabletop

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

dinner plate, Elle Decor, French Bull, kitchen knife, lazy susan, paisley, plate, Raj collection, salad servers

Paisley is back according to Elle Decor‘s latest trend alert.  A traditional paisley may not be terribly exciting, but check out the Raj collection by French Bull.  The Raj kitchen knife is a fun way to bring paisley into your home.  This is a heavy-duty, high carbon stainless steel knife printed on one side, and is available in three sizes.  High fashion for your kitchen!

If this paisley doesn’t fit into your knife block, then consider some of the colorful dish ware.  I can’t decide between the plates, lazy susan or serving pieces.  Which one do you like best?

Raj dinner plate

Raj lazy susan

Raj salad severs

All the dish ware is made of melamine, which we love, and is perfect for your next outdoor party.  Just a couple of candles, great music, and yummy food and you’re ready!

 
If you like this post, then check these out:
Fiestaware: Color for the Table
Who Knew Navy is the Color of Neutral? Oh Right, We Did!
Form Meets Kitchen Function Using Color

Reusable Cozies for your Food!

23 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by in Accessories, Eco-friendly, Kids, Kitchen

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Abeego, Branch Home, brown, Food Cozy, food storage wraps, green, LDPE plastic, magenta, reusable

I love all things graphic and colorful for accessories.  And, when possible, I try to minimize my footprint on the environment.  So when I came across these reusable food cozies on Branch Home, I was hooked.  Correct me if I am wrong, but plastic baggies are a staple in my kitchen and probably in yours?  Wouldn’t these be far nicer packaging for your on-the-go food needs?!  If Magenta isn’t your color, then check out the other colors and options.

Food Cozy in Green

Food Cozy in Brown

These are sold two in a package, made of LDPE plastic (*LDPE is a low-density polyethylene, and is free of BPE, phthalates, PVC – so safe!) with a Velcro closure, are 13.5″ round, and have a hand-washable surface that can double as a placemat when out and about.  And, if you like these cozies but want more options, then check out the Abeego food storage wraps and more on Branch Home.

Bon appétit!

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Simply Wrapped
Food Coloring

Caitlin Wilson Textiles Brings Classic Style to Modern Times

23 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by in Accessories, fabrics, pillows, textiles

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Caitlin Wilson Textiles, Fabric by the Yard, fabrics,

It was love at first sight when I laid my eyes on the patterns of Caitlin Wilson Textiles. This collection of bold prints in bright colors is what I like to call smile inducing. And while it feels modern and bright and fun, it would be equally at home in a private mansion on Bellevue Avenue.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Wilson’s designs are the colors. The combination of pink and orange, pink and aqua, and navy and pink along with the greys, greens, yellows, and more work just as well on their own as they do layered on top of each other which is really great because it means I don’t I have to go in one direction with her patterns (although I must say I’m really partial to the Fleur Chinoise pattern).

Wilson’s designs are currently available as pillows in the very reasonable price range of about $50-$75 and fabrics are $50 per yard. While I love the pillows, the headboard and bench seat pictured certainly exhibit that these fabrics are amazingly fabulous as upholstery.

Fabulous style at fabulous prices–it doesn’t get much better than that!

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