goodwill inspiration guide...

The other day a friend left this catalog in my mailbox with a note...

'This doesn't bode well for us Goodwill girls.'

Nope, it sure doesn't!

 Looks like Goodwill is stepping it up in their marketing approach with their

 Spring 2013 Inspiration Guide. 

DIY Inspiration and how to...

A preview of likely merchandise...

Announcement of sales and coupons...

And, a new membership program offering 20% off with purchases over $25,

and gift certificates after accumulation the required amount of points. 

Makes me wonder if higher prices are on the horizon?

Based on a items I saw a few days ago, I'd say they're still good...

Target's Threshold Round Captain's Mirror $9.99 

currently available at Target for $29.99

  

From that to this...

Target's Threshold Wood Lamp Base $14.99

similar available at Target for $54.99 

An assortment of colorful vases arranged by color....

Easy to recreate these looks...

This basket was cool, maybe I'll go back and grab it for my client.

$7 - BIG and heavy, great to put on the floor for books, throws, towels, logs in the winter!

I may have talked myself into it...

Like my stylish friend Kate...

Loads of Target paper goods... about half of the price in the store...

Some great lamps, a Murray Feiss, may go back for that! 

When I go in I make a 'quick' trip through and try to focus on what I need! Ha!

I've had a few emails about which Goodwill locations I like.

I go to the Wadsworth and Mississippi store, or

Littleton at Simms and Belleview, or Glendale at Leetsdale and Forest.

Happy weekend, friends! 

our spring mantel and bookcases...

My 'modern meets antique' post yesterday was inspired while I was updating my
mantel and bookcases. I wanted a sophisticated library look for the bookcases,
but needed something with a little edge to mix it up. Remember this
diy framed abstract fabric, it was in the dining room, and had the look I needed to keep
 the gold frames from looking too formal. Since every bud and blossom in our yard is
 buried in snow I resorted to Hobby Lobby for my forsythia branches.

I've always loved the look of artwork hanging on the frame of bookcases, these three
 pieces were cross-stitched years ago by mr. simple's mom and we love having them out.
The sunburst mirror is my all-time favorite thrifting find from a few years ago.
I had planned to line the back with a patterned paper, but decided it would have been a
 bit busy with all I had going on and opted for a clean, simple background.

Fingers crossed, 'Fifi' my Fiddle Leaf fig is still doing well after two months. :)
One leaf turned yellow and brown and dropped, I'm hoping that was because of the transition
from FL to CO. It gets a lot of light, I put it in the sink and give it a good soaking
about every 10 days or so. It's next to the window and fireplace...I'll let you know how it goes.

I think it could use a couple more modern accessories in the mix,
something with a fun jolt of color...maybe for summer. :)
Do you know before blogging I only changed my mantel and bookcases at Christmas.
Do you change yours up?

Come check out the inspiration at:
 Kim's @ Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays

modern meets antique...

If I could define one of my favorite styles I'd call it 'modern meets antique.'
One of the keys to creating interest in a room is to include a piece of antique
 furniture in the design, the addition of  modern elements lend a youthful, casual feel
 to keep it from feeling too formal.

A chevron rug and abstract painting pair with a leather tufted back sofa...

 sketch42blog.com

The modern chairs and coffee table seamlessly mix with the rugs and accessories
creating this collected look...

 fernando santangelo

The popular upholstered headboard with nailheads and striped wall takes on a fresh
 look when combined with traditional sconces and oval framed mirror in gold....

 nicetylivejournal.com

A timeless white kitchen gets a distinct custom look with the addition of
industrial pendants and a timeworn island...

 bhg.com

Warmth is added to the white backdrop, modern bookcases, lucite ghost chair,
 and trendy striped rug with the antique wood desk...

planete-deco.fr

Modern framing and artwork set a less formal mood when combined with this Asian chest...  

mark sikes

Do you like mixing it up or a more traditional style?

diy flower petal pillow

The first time I saw this room I loved the vibrant, energetic feel, and the layered petals
 creating that awesome texture on the pillow caught my attention. I knew it could be an
 easy, inexpensive diy using my glue gun, it's just like the Pottery Barn Poinsettia knock off
I did at Christmas, plus 100 petals!

zsazsabellagio.tumblr.com

 Ta Da...

I wasn't tired of my Anthropologie Dianthus Knock-off Pillow from last spring and brought it

 out again. I have it in the family room this year paired with black and white for spring and

 summer. I think it might need a stripe in pink/orange or pink/green or pink/yellow to mix

 it up a bit. Btw, we love our Ikea Ektorp sectional.

Don't let that cute little face fool you, he was a nightmare with those petals!

My photos aren't the best, because this is what happened at our house today!
Very pretty, but my tulips are buried under there. :(

 The tutorial for the pillow is basically the same as the Pottery Barn Poinsettia
Pillow here. This pillow is 20 x 20, I used 4 sizes of petals.
 Approx. 24 - 4" x 2"
     28 -  3.5 x 2"
32 - 1.5" x 2"
48 - 1" x 1.5"  (that's a close guess, I lost count!)

I used 7 squares of Fuschia felt from Hobby Lobby @ .25 ea - $1.75
2/3 yard of fabric Hobby Lobby $1.88 on sale
I had a 20 x 20 pillow insert.
Total - about $4

The beauty of this project is you really can't mess it up, just about any size and number
of petals will work, just lay them out before gluing them down to get a feel for the the look
 you're going for, and have fun!

Sharing at:
Savvy Southern Style - WOW us Wednesdays

builder beige to breathtaking...

 Do you guys have me figured out, if I have a productive weekend you get a DIY reveal
 on Monday, if I've played you get something else. I played...you get to reap the benefits,
 a tour of my friend's finished bedroom. A few months ago I shared her new home in this post,  Builder Beige to Black Beauty.
If you remember, she had all of her interior doors and trim painted black, and
 incorporated several custom features including stunning lighting choices. Her bedroom
 has the same eclectic, global mix, and she successfully combined high and low pieces by
mixing family antiques with less expensive items from Ikea.

Artwork Ikea Premiar

Ritva Curtains with Tie Backs 
She had the reversible duvet cover and bed skirt made from Ikea Ritva 10' curtains,
both are beautiful, you'd never know they weren't more expensive.

Ikea Akerkulla Embroidery Pillow
Three pillow shams with inserts Ikea Ursula

Both of her lamps were thrift store scores, this nightstand was painted in Annie Sloan
Chalk Paint - Graphite, but she added black ink to get the darker color.

"Wilson" a treasured piece from their travels holds colorful beads.

Paint Color - Sherwin Williams 8785 Iron Horse

Opposite the bed a gallery wall of favorite family photos helps to 

camouflage the television.

 I think she did a beautiful job creating a timeless and collected look.
Thank you for letting me share it, sweet bff!