Organized by Color

These are my library shelves.  I love it when I see books sorted according to color, so I decided to give it a try.  It took me all morning yesterday.  The "helpers" were out in full force.  I wonder how long we'll be able to keep it this nice???

Fabric Ideas

I love browsing through fabrics online.  There are so many great choices that I haven't found locally.  (Maybe I just don't know where to look???)  Anyways, Carolee is thinking about new drapes for her patio door in her kitchen.

These are some of my picks.  They are all outdoor fabrics, so durable and won't fade.  Love the bright colors.

all fabrics from Designer Fabrics

Helpers

We are staining our fence today.  It is gorgeous outside and my two helpers are having a blast.  They aren't the fastest painters I've ever hired, and they keep erupting into giggles about all of their "big splatters."  This job may take us a long time, and the results may be questionable, but we're loving every minute of it!

Ban on Beige

My Mom clipped an article from the paper for me this weekend.  It was written by Sarah Richardson and described her new paint line for Para Paints.  This quote stood out: "...if anyone wants their rooms to look as good as mine they won't use brown."  Sarah goes on to say that she would never ever use the browny taupes and beiges so popular a few years ago.

Since this spring I have been feeling the same way.  My house has been a monochromatic sweep of beige and blah for way too long.  I started reading casapinka and absolutely beautiful things, and I've been craving a white background with bright colors ever since.  More painting necessary.

Foyer inspiration

I'm tossing around different wallpaper options for the foyer:

I've always loved Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis pattern...

photo from decor pad

but I'm drawn to the bold color of the next one...

photo from House Lovely

or maybe something more neutral but still graphic....

photo from Southern Living

or, can't go wrong with my all-time fave (Hicks Hexagon)...

photo from flickr

Before and After: Cabin Wallpaper

Pat and I re-wallpapered the cabin kitchen this spring.  Finally, here are the before and after shots.  Love the result!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

all photos by Carissa

The vintage table and chairs are fabulous too.  Perfect for the cabin.

See this post at Design Refuge!

Relaxing at the Cabin

We just got back from a very relaxing trip to the lake.  The weather wasn't perfect, but it didn't really matter.  Jeff and I loved having a few days to just sit back and enjoy spending time with the kids.  It is amazing how just being at the cabin we can breathe deeper, sit longer, and forget about the lists of things to do.

Pat has done a wonderful job of making the cabin cozy and welcoming.  Here are a few of my favorite spots.

Wallpaper Inspiration

Love this Amy Butler wallpaper through Graham and Brown.

all photos from Graham and Brown

Love this

Check out Stephanie Rausser's Kiki and Coco in Paris slideshow.

What a great project!  I'm totally going to do this for my boys... they both have "friends" that they adore.  They would love a slideshow featuring moments with their favorite friends.  (I only wish that some of those special moments could be in Paris!)

Call me crazy

It's the long weekend.  The weather is beautiful.  Jeff and the boys are at the lake.  Me... I'm at home enjoying two full days of uninterrupted painting!  So far I've done 5 doors on my main floor, stained both levels of our deck, and am currently working on priming the stairway spindles.

You might wonder why I would choose painting over time at the beach on a beautiful day.  I find painting very relaxing.  I find the beach super stressful.  Last time I went I had a full-blown panic attack because there were so many scary swoopy seagulls.  Seriously, how could I possibly enjoy relaxing on the beach with a million seagulls swarming over my beach blanket searching for french fries.  Maybe if food on the beach was outlawed, I could handle it better.

photo from webshots

All I can say is gross.  I'll choose painting any day.