Burlap...not too shabby

We LOVE burlap! Burlap is a very versatile fabric that can add dimension, texture and interest to your space. This fabric has gained popularity since the days when it was only used as grain and coffee sacks (even though we love those too). It can now be seen as furniture upholstery, table linens, accent bedding, and drapery fabrics. The great thing about burlap is that is can be added to any space no matter what the style or decor. It goes well with fun and funky fabrics as well as traditional silks. The best thing about burlap is that it is cheap, cheap, cheap! It can be found for as low as $1.50 a yard!!! At that price, it's a trend you can easily incorporate into any space.

You can recover a chair seat with plain burlap or grain sacks



Add texture to a table with a burlap table runner



Use a variety of coffee and grain sacks to cover a padded cube ottoman for a contemporary edge



Or add plain burlap with a ruffle edge for a sweet little seat



Stenciled burlap throw pillows are a great addition to a comfy sofa



Full length burlap draperies add a dramatic and luxurious feel to a space for a fraction of the price of other fabrics



The easiest way to use burlap is to cover a bulletin board. Simply attached the fabric with upholstery tacks for a great finished look



This fabric is easy to work with and you really can't go wrong wherever you use it. I hope this inspires you to use and love burlap like we do!

~ Cassie

What can you eat on, wash, and use as art?

Plates. Yep. Plates!

I don't know why I have a fascination with them, but I do. And the possibilities are endless. Here's a few ideas.

Blue Plate Special! Arrange plates with the same color or style.

Have a cluster of prints or designs you like!


Find some old china (flea markets, thrift stores, antique stores, grandma's house), get some letter transfers from your local Hobby store, and then get creative!

If you are out and find one plate that doesn't match anything else, why not make a collage out of all the fun prints?!

This is my favorite! If you are like me, I find things that speak to me and keep them lying around. Plates can be part of conversational art piece. Take the old and the new and mix it up! You never know what you might get....


Have fun,
Karen

The Look for Less

Lighting is very important to the design of any room. The right lighting sets the mood and adds dimension to a space. Lamps are especially important to light a space and also add to the decor. I had been searching for a silver ball lamp for my bedroom, but I did not want to spend a lot for the look. After months of shopping around, I came across the perfect lamp at TJ Maxx for only $25!! If you have never ventured in this store, you must make a trip. I love to shop the closeout stores to find great deals. TJ Maxx, Homegoods, Marshalls and Stein Mart are my favorites. You can find great linens, rugs, home decor and even furniture. You really don't have to pay the big bucks to achieve that perfect look.

Happy shopping ~ Cassie


Compare this lamp at Macy's for $210


My $25 lamp from TJ Maxx, looks similar enough to the lamp from Macy's to achieve the same look!

Retro Desk Chair

My project last week was very interesting!
As, you designers know, Steelcase is a common manufacture we see, sell, and specify today. With that in mind, I had not done my research very well. Apparently the fun, retro Steelcase items are everywhere. I had no idea until I got the heavy metal chair home and looked it up!
So, I was thrifting (shopping the local thrift stores) when I came across a desk chair. This type is super easy to come by. You see them all the time. Anyways, I inspected it, sat in it, and then gave it a good test drive. It was to my satisfaction- and at $10 I couldn't pass it up!
The chair was not in bad condition. The way office furniture was built back then usually lends to a very sturdy, long-lasting piece. You would have to torture it to break it. So, the only down fall to it was that the finishes were outdated.
DON'T FRET PEOPLE. This is one of the easiest solutions. We are going to have to learn in this hard economy to start being practical. If it is functional, in good shape, and you can use it, BUY IT! New paint and sometimes fabric (this applies to anything) can go a long way. Learn to look at the lines or the physical shape of whatever piece of furniture you are looking at purchasing. Try not to look at the outdated finishes, stains, or the usual wear/tare. That can be fixed!
So, I got it home, took it apart, very easily I might add, and painted it silver. Found some left over fabric from a pillow project and simply recovered the existing black leather. Put it back together and WALLAH- a "NEW" chair!
IT'S REALLY THAT SIMPLY, GUYS! Don't be intimidated. You never know what you can do with a little imagination?!


Before:


Before Paint:


After:


Have fun guys,
~Karen

The first of many...

We are so excited to start sharing our wonderful finds and easy ideas with the world! It's an honor to be able to do this along side a friend who shares in the same passions and creativeness. This will be a new journey and experience for us both! So here's to a new year full of fun, friends, inspiration, and design!

~Cassie and Karen


P.S. Get ready to buy cheap and use a lot of burlap!