Programming Interruption

We interrupt today's regularly scheduled program to say:

AMOS' ROOM HAS BEEN FEATURED ON TIP JUNKIE!!!!

Tip Junkie is totally awesome and I am totally thrilled. Check it (and me!) out here (#12).

Solutions

Aren't practical solutions the best?

Awkward spaces seem to be the norm around here and maximizing storage is critical.  I love the way these shelves don't let the roof own the space. 

I'm going to have to look around this weekend to see where I could use an idea like this.

Wishlist Wednesday

Today we have a slightly different sort of wishlist.  Its a really daydreaming kind of list.  In Utah we have some really neat home decor stores, many of which I would love to work at part time, just to see what I could learn.  The real dream though, would be to own my own store.  Wouldn't that be amazing?  To focus on such fun stuff for your job? 

So, here's today's wishlist:

Rod Works.  They are currently franchising and this is my most favorite store of all.

Springville Real Deals.  I got an email a couple days ago saying this place is for sale.  Its located in the cutest little house and is only open 2 days a week (not a bad work schedule!). 

A Charmed Home Store.  Probably I'd be best off not having to answer to anyone else.  I'm not really a follower, so the freedom of my own store would be the best fit.  The learning curve might be a little tricky though.

Ok, so if money wasn't issue, a store is what I would really buy.  Why stop at one lamp, one rug, or one chair? 

Tot Loks

We had a bit of a scare at our house yesterday, and it got me thinking about childproofing all over again. My 2-year-old is resourceful to say the least, and he's conquered just about every child-proof technology that exists. Except one: tot loks. They are magnetic cabinet locks and they are truly toddler proof (added bonus they're grandparent proof too =) love you guys!).  They're not the cheapest childproofing solution around, but really, is it worth saving some pennies when your babies are on the line?

They mount on the inside of the cabinets, so no ugly hardware on the outside.

They come with a magnet used to unlock the locks.  We store ours on a number of magnetic things around the house, including but not limited to: switches, the fridge, and the windowsill.

So, if you have a tot, get yourself some tot loks. Right now. Those plastic clips aren't going to cut it.

Go Bold

As I've been exploring the blogosphere, I've noticed that shabby chic, antique whites, and muted tones are everywhere. I can't help but feel like the Charmed Home doesn't quite fit in. The things is, I love those styles, but they're just not our family.

Our bedroom circa 2007

Our bedroom, circa 2010

We crave color and bold statements and that's just who we are. So I hope even if our style isn't your style, you can appreciate a little boldness once in a while.

Secret Doors

It must be the little girl in me, but I think hidden rooms and secret doors are the coolest thing ever.  As a kid, the full length mirror in my room opened up as a door into our attic.  So cool.  When we were finishing our basement I had every intention of including something like this:

Unfortunately, time and budget restraints didn't allow it, but how fun.  Maybe in the next house =)

**I took these pictures in a model home somewhere in Idaho?  If its your home, let me know for credit.

New Beginnings.

We've been busy here working on the New Beginnings program for our Young Women at church.  We went with an Olympic theme to go with the 2010 Mutual Theme "Be Strong and of a Good Courage," ( Joshua 1:9) and to keep it casual.

Here is the cover to our invitation:

Between New Beginnings and the actual Olympics we're keeping busy thinking about games!

(In case you're wondering why there are 8 rings in different colors, the Young Women program has 8 values each associated with a color.)

Wishlist Wednesday

Today I am particularly feeling this wrapping cart from Ballard Designs. It is a great solution for the rolls of wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, scissors, labels, etc. that surround wrapping anything.  I love the look of the cart, and how everything has its place.  Only problem: I am not loving the $249 price tag =( 

Oh well, maybe I'll make my own someday.

I am also really loving this doormat from Target ($19.99):

I was just looking at our doormat and it is in pretty bad shape.  Maybe its time for a new one =)

And finally, how fun are these speakers?  I am digging the purple, and that $49.95 price tag isn't the worst one I've ever seen.  They would sure add some spunk to any office.

Ok, enough of the wants for now.  See you tomorrow =)

Real Deals

So, being a bit under the weather this weekend and then just generally wanting to enjoy a play day with my husband and kids today and well, I didn't get any projects done this weekend.  Brother.  So, I thought I'd share a great find instead:

Yep, that little basket there.  It was $3.75 at Real Deals.  I highly recommend Real Deals if you live near one, and I highly recommend their clearance section.  The basket, though on clearance at Real Deals, is still full price at Roberts ($24.95!). 

I'm just glad to have a spot to put my outgoing mail, etc., and for under $5!

Wishing you...

Happy President's Day!

I hope you're all enjoying the 3 day weekend and maybe catching a sale (or two).  See you tomorrow for business as usual.

Open Frames

I have been wanting to put "open frames" around the canvases in our living room for a while now.  Well, since the moment the canvasses went up.  As I've found myself trying to describe what I wanted to my husband and friends, I realized no one had any idea what I was talking about.  I am a bad description giver, so I thought I'd provided a visual.  Something along these lines:

 Credit info for these first 2 pictures?  Anyone know?

 credit

credit

I've priced new frames and its just not happening.  So, now my mission is to find some mismatched frames that will work.  It could end up being a lot better in the end, but its going to take a little searching and probably some spray paint =)

Relax

I really hope I'm not the only one who has nutso days.  I am pretty sure I am not because Brigham Young University has a very cool "Relaxation Skills Recordings" program that is free for anyone to download.  Go here.  There are many different choices and the recordings last from about 15-20 minutes.  

They are great for days like today when my two-year-old colored on the kitchen table (and himself) with a sharpie =(  They're also great for getting my mind to shut off at night so I can sleep like a baby.  If only they worked on toddlers...

So, everybody relax and we'll get back to home charming tomorrow ;)

Wishlist Wednesday Restoration Hardware Edition

I am sitting in our living room looking at the switch plate cover that Amos broke by throwing something(?) at it, and all I can think about is Restoration Hardware. Thankfully, all we have to replace is a $0.99 white plastic switch plate cover, but I can't help but wonder, what would it be like to replace all of our covers with ones like these:

Or to put these knobs on our cupboards:

Or to have this knocker on my front door. Hehe. I said "knocker.":

Ah, to have blinged out hardware =)

Sand Dollar Found

Welcome to the final day of my found art series!  Today I am sharing something special, that I didn't necessarily have in mind when I was thinking about my found art.

My grandfather, Ward, was an artist and painted lots of things, including this sand dollar:

He took a regular old sand dollar and turned it into art, hence, found art.  If he were alive, I am sure he would have a smashing title for it =)  I've framed it with a picture of us, and I will treasure it always.


Wishlist Wednesday is on for tomorrow, see you there!

Propaganda Framed

Happy Monday! Did you all do your homework and find some found art in your own home? I hope you did and that you think its as cool as I do.

Today, I am going to share two things. I've talked a little bit about both of these items in my Library post, but I thought they deserved just a little more attention, and they definitely qualify as found art. Technically, found art is supposed to be named by the artist, so I am naming both pieces "Propaganda Framed" (parts I and II, respectively). You'll see what I mean in a minute...

First up, the newspapers from Eric's grandmother Catherine's scrapbook. Catherine kept newspapers that related to the location of Eric's grandfather, Harry, during WWII. As we flipped through the pages of Catherine's scrapbook and traced Harry's movements we knew we wanted so much more for those memories than to be stuck in a dusty old scrapbook. So, we took them to the BYU Bookstore's Framing services and had them restored and preserved.

Now, these old newspapers are our "art":

Propaganda Framed, II comes to life in the form of several Sundance Resort Programming fliers that I kept during my years of working there. They are nothing more than advertisements, but I liked the way they looked, so they too have become found art in our library:

See you tomorrow for the final day of my found art series.

Found Art: Pride and Joy Edition

This is THE map.

My husband found it on ebay just after we were married.  I didn't really know what it was or what it meant to him, but I could tell how much he wanted it.  So, I went along with him, and I have never regretted it for a second.  It has become our pride and joy and hangs in our living room above our fireplace:

The map, originally used to distinguish land rights in Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania, is now our "art."  We had it framed and preserved with special glass at BYU's bookstore.  BYU's framing services do great, inexpensive work if you're in the area.

The best part of all, those (Hornes) are our people (which is why my husband wanted it):

Your homework assignment for the weekend is to look around your house for your own found art.  I bet you have more than you realize.  I'll be back on Monday with a few more things to share.  Have a good weekend and don't worry too much about your homework ;)

Stalling

Ok, ok, I know I said I'd be ready to show you some of my own found art today, but its just been one of those days. My kids had taken a shower AND a bath before noon. Thankfully, they didn't keep up that pace, and they've only had one more shower since noon.

So, until tomorrow here's some light browsing of some fancy found art:

Here.

And, this is a totally different kind of "found art," but its a project worth thinking about too.

Here.


Here's to my husband getting home with my Cafe Rio soon and to tomorrow's post getting put up before quitting time.

Wishlist Wednesday Found Art Edition

Before I show you some of my "found art" I wanted to share some things I've found that real artists have created:

First, at $180, the 250 Regrets necklace. It is made from an old stove thermometer! 

Next, this keychain ($14.50).  I know a little boy that would love to take this "bot" with him wherever he goes:

And, finally, The Couple Dance.  While this one has the coolest name, it also has the coolest price: $888.00.

That's it for today, see you tomorrow for some my very own "found art!"

Found Art

I've been thinking a lot about Found Art lately, probably because so much of our decorating involves taking everyday items and turning them into art.

photo credit here and here

According to wikipedia:

the term found art—more commonly found object (French: objet trouvé) or readymade—describes art created from the undisguised, but often modified, use of objects that are not normally considered art, often because they already have a non-art function. Marcel Duchamp was the originator of this in the early 20th century.

My favorite part of the wiki article:

Found art, however, has to have the artist's input, at the very least an idea about it, i.e. the artist's designation of the object as art.

While I was looking around the Internet, I found a ton of really cool projects that involve found art, so I'll be sharing those, along with some of my own found art the rest of this week.

As Promised...

Sorry, I am a little later than usual posting this, just know that our weekend was that good =)  We also didn't get some of our photos, art and things hung up on the wall yet (I told you it was a good weekend), but I promised the reveal today.  So, without further ado, come on in:

The color is a custom color matched to that cute little bird pillow there (Dwell Studio, Target):

I love how the blue looks with our cream trim:

and the black-brown furniture and accents we have in the room:

It is A LOT of blue, but its a nice, calming color that isn't overbearing (to us, at least).