House Beautiful

Home Improvement

If you read this post or this post, you know I’m on a mission to get our sweet little rental house spiffed up for summer, and for my own sanity.  I’ve had 99 unfinished projects just hangin’ out since I moved in last June.  So, last night’s weeknights consisted of a lot of painting, sewing, rearranging and tweaking.  You’ll see these pics and think I spray painted my entire house in gold and decorated in lilac, but they’re just accents.  The walls are all pale, airy colors with a neutral upholstery.  Here she blows, en photos:

GUEST ROOM

Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Opaline

Floral Pillow: Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock Print in Tobacco ($92 a yard?  Yeah right!  I just used the $5 swatch I ordered and made an 18×18 pillow.)

Otomi Fabric: This was a table runner I got in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Cut it in two, backed in linen, made into 2 oblong pillows.

Charcoal & White Shams:  Calico Corners Cross Section Charcoal – $17.99/yard

Bench:  I reupholstered this guy I’ve had for awhile (reupholstered = staple-gunned).  Gold spray paint.  Lilac Fabric from eBay.  Duvet from Goodwill, $2.

Bedskirt: eBay burlappy-linen I’ve had for years that I just tucked between the box spring and mattress and hand pleated it.  Idea via Rachel Halvorson.

COFFEE TABLE UPGRADE

I snagged this sweet gold tray at the Eclectiques Antique Mall for $25 bones in my ‘hood.  She’s PERFECT with peonies in a Ball Jar and plenty o’literature.  PS, look who just haaaad to be in the shot.  What up, Gus?!

DINING CHAIRS, RE-DID

Antique Louis XVI Dining Chairs: purchased YEARS ago in Charleston.  Gold spray paint.  Cestlaviv Lattice in Raspberry Linen, $27/yard.  I cheated and didn’t *fully* reupholster these guys; I just upholstery-pinned them in, since I think I was still pinning them as weekend guests were rolling into the driveway.  #whoops

DINING ROOM PILLOWS SEWN…  FINALLY.

(Is it sewed or sewn?  …ah whatever.)

Pillow Fabric: Lee Jofa/Threads, via Shannon Darby at Designer’s Attic.  I made (2) 18×18 pillows out of 1 yard for $50.  Wanted to use it EVERYWHERE.

Rug: Rugs USA Windsor Overdyed in Violet.  50% off right now, and also awesome in Turquoise.

Settee: World Market Hayden Linen Banquette.  Got it on super sale a few months back.

Wall Color:  Benjamin Moore Hushed Hue.  It’s a good, pale greige neutral with the faintest, palest hint of green.

OUR FIRST BIT OF PRESS, FINALLY FRAMED.  IT’S ONLY BEEN 3 YEARS.

I will never forget the day in 2010 when I got the most gracious email from House Beautiful Editor-in-Chief (and now Hearst Design Group’s Editor-in-Chief) Newell Turner.  I don’t think I let out a little pee, I think I let out the whole tank of pee when I saw it in my inbox.  He proceeded to say that he’d just spent 45 minutes perusing Covet Living, and thought it was “fresh, fun, and original.”  Then I proceeded to ask him to keep us in mind if they had any upcoming features we could contribute to.  And so they did (!)  That entertaining spread is MONEY – 101 genius ideas from Celebrity Party Planners like Colin Cowie, Celebrity Designers like Kelly Wearstler & Miles Redd, and then Blogger Muggles, like us perched at Tip #59.  I still keep a copy of it in my kitchen cabinet.  READ ‘EM ALL HERE.

ENTRY TABLE

A sweet little addition to the entry table, with the happiest photo ever taken from a wedding last year.  Notice our tongues are out in unison.  What a coupla nerds!

Frame: Preppy Patterns Jodie Picture Frame from Joss & Main

Lamps: Vintage Gerald Thurston for Lightolier

Curtains: I made these out of this fabric I saw on Young House Love.  I called the store and scored the rest of the bolt for $9.99/yard.

It’s gettin’ there!  Hope you guys have a great rest of the week – Happy Hump Day!

xoxo,

7 Responses to “Home Improvement”


  • Love it!! You will be on my speed dial when I’m finally ready for a Master Bedroom re-do!

  • Yayyyyy!! I was anxiously awaiting the pictures after reading the previous posts about how anxious you were to get the guest room done. I LOVVVVVVVVE it when I stay with someone who puts a little pride in the guest room. Love what you did, especially the custom pieces you made yourself. Nice work sister!

  • Hey Laura,

    C’EST LA VIV Raspberry Lattice Shadows makes a very regal match with your gold Antique Louis XVI Dining Chairs ! Here’s a few experts tips on folding corners and taut re-covering for chairs on my blog. Check it out http://cestlaviv.blogspot.ca/2011/05/weekend-project-no1.html

    ~ viv

    • Hey Viv! Thank you so much!!! Whenever I re-do my Adventures-in-Babysitting-speed-demon job, I will definitely use this! And the fabric IS a great match with the gold, isn’t it??? Love. Thanks again for all your help!! XO

  • Do you know the source of the image that has the texas leather door? I am not 100% sure that is Benjamin Moore Texas leather and would like to try and find out.

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