This is "Couture Classic?"

I get a magazine in the mail periodically (no puns were intended or harmed) called luxe interiors + design (a luxury lifestyle magazine).  It is large and glossy and sells for $9.95 if you are inclined to buy it on the new stand.  I pay nothing for it.  The company I bought a subscription to Everyday Rachel Ray from gave it to me free after they messed up and sent me ESPN (cause it's so similar to Everyday Rachel Ray?) for nearly a year by mistake.  This was intended to appease me and it was free so who am I to turn it down?

Anyway, the interior designs in this magazine are rarely my taste.  In the entire issue (I believe the one I just received is the fourth I've gotten so far), I can usually find no more than one page with an interior I find attractive.  It's not as bad as Dwell magazine, but it's close (again, from my perspective).  This particular issue actually had a number of beautiful photos but for some reason the ones I scanned won't upload.  However, I was able to find a picture of the chair they highlighted on the net to share.

There you have it...or them...sold as a pair...cause one simply isn't enough is it?

 

I wish you could see it up close, not that it looks any better, but ...well, it looks kind of like someone took a black trash bag and affixed it to the chair frame with black duct tape.  And they were in a huge hurry so they got some of the duct tape on the leg and the arm and...well you can see for yourself.

Clearly I'm not design savy or hip enough to appreciate it...for which I'm frankly quite grateful.  Someone who is hip enough to appreciate it is the designer they asked to comment on it.  Here is what she said regarding the chair above:

"The way this traditional, graceful chair is shrouded by a rough utilitarian material is completely delicious!  I would use this in both a traditional interior space to make it less formal and serious, or in a modern space to create texture"

So she likes it...she really, really likes it.

BTW, the material it is shrouded in is not a trash bag and duct tape, but a 19th century Mennonite petticoat.  I'll bet the Mennonites had no idea what they planned to do to those petticoats or they never would have given them up.  No way.  I hope they never find out.

Sorry I didn't share something prettier but, remember that tomorrow is another day :-)

Chalkboard Paint Creations

Today I saw this sweet little vignette that included a handmade chalkboard that someone created with the always popular chalkboard paint.

I've been wanting to create one for my kitchen, but want an old antique looking frame and I want to pay...umm...nothing would be good, but I'll take close to nothing.  Haven't found it yet, but it got me thinking about what DIYers out there are doing with this fun product.  Here's just a small sample of what I found:

The one that started it all...

If I still had my ugly black hand me down fridge, I would definitely do this to it...

Love these walls painted in a kids half bath.  If you can't read the writing to the left of the mirror, it says pee, poop, flush, wash hands, dry hands...never hurts to remind them ;-)

I love this chalkboard back splash idea, but I would probably frame it off rather than go all the way across the wall.

This is a really cute idea on display at an Anthropology store...

 This could be a fun way to test your child's knowledge of geography...

I would think this is taking it a little too far, but I suppose this could work if you're tired of your husband not being able to find anything himself in the kitchen.  Of course, if he needs this much assistance navigating the kitchen, his problems may be bigger than you're willing to admit.

Keeping track of what you planted this year.

You could even do this in an office to label supplies.

More ideas for kids rooms...

 I've thought about doing this to the inside of my pantry closet door as a way to track what I need to pick up at the store.

Of course, it does come in colors, but I prefer the classic black - it has the most visual impact and is the easiest to read.

What have you painted with chalkboard paint?

More Vignettes

A few more vignettes to share...

The first three I found on Style Court

I love the moody, blurry painting (or is it a sketch?) in this one...

From my favorite designer, Grant Gibson...

Mine :-)...

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day (assuming it isn't freezing cold and raining where you are, as it is here).

Vignettes Can Tell A Story...

I love beautiful vignettes scattered around a home. 

You certainly don't need to create one on every surface in your house, but vignettes allow you to make use of all those goodies you've collected or been gifted with over the years while creating interest for visitors to your home.  They can be used to tell a story about you and your family and what you enjoy.

Here are just a few I thought were pretty...

I love the perfect modern simplicity of this black and white vignette.

This classic vignette is by one of my all time favorite designers, Grant Gibson.

Sorry, but I don't know where this one is from, but I love everything about it.

From Absolutely Beautiful Things...

From House Beautiful magazine...

Off to enjoy the sunshine...

Happy Mother's Day Mom

In honor of Mother's Day, and particularly my Mom, here are a few of the things my Mom taught me (in no particular order):

 1. Always check your rear view BEFORE leaving the house.
 2. A hot cup of tea cures almost anything.
 3. Sometimes it's okay to skip the veggies in favor of dessert.
 4. Never exit the car without making sure you have your lips on.
 5. Don't feel guilty for occasionally sleeping late - your mind and body must have needed it.
 6. Clean up after yourself.
 7. Turn to God.
 8. Ageing is ALWAYS better than the alternative.
 9. Sometimes it's better to just shut up and let them think they won.
10. You're wonderful no matter what anybody else says about you :-).

Thanks Mom for these and a million other life lessons that got me this far.  You're the greatest.

xoxo,

Chris