Tufted Faux-Leather Amazingness

Yes, that is what this bench is, clearly. It did have a weird factory-plastic smell though when I first unwrapped it, hopefully that dissipates soon.

Yes, Toby is in all of my pictures. It's because he knows how pretty he is, of course. Here's a closer shot, with Muffin now inspecting the construction underneath.

I'm in love. The tufting on the top softens it up a bit, and it makes the room feel more mature to me. Pottery Barnish maybe? I'll take it.

Area Rug Aftermath

Ok, I'll admit it, when I buy one new item for a room I feel the need to redecorate the room completely. This was the oh-so-familiar story yesterday. I had ordered a new area rug for my living room, something with more color and a large scale pattern, and it finally arrived at my doorstep! But, of course, with this new rug came the need to adjust all the other decor in the room. Starting with the throw pillows...

I had some Pottery Barn pillows I had purchased on sale, which actually fit really well with the color pallet in the room now. The rug has darker yellow, olive green and turquoise/blue colors in it, which gives the room warmth that was lacking before (I had a beige damask print rug before).

So, the rug changed, most of the pillows changed, and then I had to remove the hope chest in this room because the print was way too bright for the softer/warm tones in the room (actually going to reupholster the hope chest again because I don't love the print anymore, haha). So, in place of the hope chest I ordered a faux leather storage bench with tufting (gahh so cute!) to bring some texture and richer tones into the room.

I'm smitten. I think, possibly, that when this bench arrives today I might not need to redecorate the living room anymore. I can't make any promises though, and luckily the bf has gotten used to coming home from work to a completely different arrangement every day. Hehehee.

So, in summary, we have the old living room rug in the office now, hope chest is in our bedroom, and a new storage bench and area rug for the living room. And, in other news, check out the awesome mirror my antique restoring uncle gave me! Can't wait to give it a fresh coat of white paint, it's primed and ready!

More details on this later though, time to set my eye on another room in the house to redecorate, wish me luck! :)

The Makings of a Gallery Wall

I have loved the look of gallery walls for months now, but was having trouble figuring out a good location for one in my home. In a moment of genius (and because of another crafty idea I am working on), I took down the large frame I had by itself in our entry way and replaced it with a new family of smaller frames.

We have a cute pair of love birds...

A pretty picture of the sunset in Santa Cruz I took that I had been meaning to frame...

Some scrabble inspired lovin' found on Etsy....

I don't have the before photo of the other frame, but it was a large distressed brown frame with a black and white photo in it, which felt too dark for the room. Sooo, I went on an Easter egg hunt through my house and collected some new frames, and basically free styled the arrangement.

I tried to avoid a really symmetrical arrangement, and went for a more free hand approach. It's really cool to view from the kitchen also, because the frames I have in there mimic the arrangement in the living room now! Almost like a continuation of the gallery wall in another room.

I've been meaning to add more frames to the arrangement in the kitchen too, so this will vamp up the look as well. Love it, and it cost me nothing since I had all the frames! Free is my favorite.

The Day that Heidi Discovered Spray Paint

In reading many interior design related blogs, I found that spray paint is a DIY'ers best friend. However, I was always more of a paintbrush kinda gal. Maybe I just never really needed to spray paint anything, who knows. In my quest for more outdoor lighting, I discovered the perfect use for a little spray painting TLC.

I had these cute little candle holders given to me recently, and I was having trouble finding a place for them inside. So, I figured I could use them outside instead, maybe even for citronella candles when bug season comes.

The only problem with this plan was that they would blend in too well with our wood fence, so a pop of color was needed. Insert spray paint here.

After a few good coats of bright yellow spray paint, the bf installed some wood screws to the fence for hanging these beauties.

ta da! I especially love how they contrast with my bright blue ceramic pots I have next to them. I am kinda crazy about bright blue and yellow right now, hence the lemon tree in a bright blue pot (now if only it would produce some nice Meyer lemons already...)

Also, I can see them from my kitchen window! It definitely makes our outdoor space feel like an extra little room.

And they are oh so pretty at night time too, and will give our seating area a little burst of light.

I'm thinking maybe some tea lights in mason jars for them too, then wind won't be an issue and I love me some cutie mason jars.

Overall, this project cost me $4 for spray paint, totally worth it. Now to scrub the rest of the bright yellow paint off of my fingers. Lesson for next spray paint adventure? Wear rubber gloves. :)

Muffin in a basket

This is my kitty, Muffin, and she loves our new basket/controller keeper/tray in the living room.

You can tell by her squinty eyes just how happy she is that we upgraded the basket size on our coffee table. And it makes the perfect spot for attacking her brother, Toby Flenderson.

It's good to know that she appreciates our home decor as much as I do :)

Finished Hope Chest

Ok, now I don't even know if I like this pattern anymore.  I am too indecisive when there are SOOO many options for fabric, so we'll see how long I stay with this one.

It works with the room, better than the fabric before, but I get the feeling that it is too young looking. Not sure what look I want to go with for it though....

Maybe it just has to grow on me, we shall see.

Hope Chest Update

Ahh my hope chest. I've had it for many years and many fabric upgrades. In my past studio, I went for a neutral sage brocade, which fit well with the shabby chic/beachy cottage look I was going for at the time. With my new brighter pillows, my poor little hope chest was starting to look like the neglected step child of the room.

Sooo, for ten bucks of fabric and a few staples, I'm going to upgrade the hope chest once more with a brightly patterned fabric to fit the current decor of the room better.

I still went with a brocade pattern, but one with much more contrast and depth, and in a color that compliments the other fabrics in the space. So far, the animals approve.

Especially Muffin, who inspects every new change in the room, just to be safe. Here she is testing the new fabric for comfort, a huge factor of course.

Time to grab the staple gun!