If I could be a designer for a day....

I would be Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design. How could anyone not love her work to not want to be her for one day? And really I just want her brain for one day. That's why I love her Instant Space program. All I can say is BRILLIANT! If you are like me, always on a TIGHT budget, you can't afford a brilliant designer like Betsy. But no worries, she offers part of her services at a fraction of the cost. She offers a do-it-yourself custom design service. She will create an inspiration board, fabric/paint swatch book, furniture plan drawn to scale, a detailed shopping list of resources, and an explanation of how to pull it all together.

Cost breakdown:
hallways, entry-ways, powder rooms: $750
dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices, bathrooms: $950
living rooms, kitchens and family rooms: $1250

Below are images of an actual Instant Space inspirational box. It's so cute......I would display the box!!!!

(images courtesy of www.burnhamdesign.com)

Bongenre Suzani plates

I love these beautiful suzani plates desgined by Jill Fenichell for Bongenre. They would be beautiful hanging in a kitchen or to use!

For Sale!

Well, it is time to say goodbye to the Big-D (Dallas, Texas for those of you non-Texans). My husband and I are moving back to my home town of Tyler, Texas which is only 80 miles East of Dallas. I miss the small town feel of Tyler. And I have to say, I am really exciting about moving back! That being said, my wonderful (at least I think it is) home is for sale. So, anyone in the Dallas area looking for a great starter home in Lake Highlands...look right here! We move back November 2nd and are eager to sell our house and make the transition.

This also means I am buying and new house.....which also means REDECORATING!!! I am so excited.....a brand new palette! I can do whatever I want...well almost whatever I want.

I plan on blogging about my my new house as soon as I buy one and begin the process so stay tuned. I know I have been away for a while....but as you can see my world is turned upside down right now.

Who hates slipcovers??

I DO I DO!!! Until now...

I just stumbled upon the greatest website http://www.stretchandcover.com/. Look how great these slipcovers are! They stretch to fit any type of chair, couch, or daybed. And they come in cute patterns too so your not just stuck with the plain jane blue jean or white cover!

Watch the video here on how to use these nifty things.

And look how cute the pillows are too!

Need a quick fix on an ottoman....

To die for!

And look at this great ebay find! Wow these are gorgeous. They are $192 right now with 8 hours left. Click here.

Ebay Find!

Great bamboo chairs on ebay. They are only at $10.50 right now with 3 hours left! These would be adorable painted and recovered! Click here!

I'm Off to Float the River!

Have a great weekend everyone! I'm off to float the Guadalupe River for a bachelorette party!

My guest room

Lft photo: Before

So....I'm not completely done just yet, but I have definitely done a lot that make this room A LOT better. Thanks to Vanessa de Vargas of Turquoise for choosing my room as her Design 911 and for all of the great advice. I am in the process of painting the chairs in white and already bought green velvet fabric for them. I'm doing just what Vanessa said I should do which is put a brass nail head trim on them. They will definitely complete the room. I still need fun pillows and maybe a rug but all in all I think I'm there.

Below photo: After
The below photo is the other wall. I know I can do more work to this wall but I'm waiting on getting my green chairs back. The prints on the wall believe it or not are from ikea.

Zebra Rugs: Cowhide or Wool?

I was reading one of my favorite morning pick me ups, Stylecourt, and was really intrigued by her blog on Zebra rugs. It got me thinking. I've been on the hunt for a Zebra rug for a while now. I can't find the right one. I would love a real one (yes I know....controversy) but I can't afford them. So I have altered my search to the cowhide printed versions. I can't put my finger on it but I can't bring myself to push the "Buy It Now" button on ebay for one of them. Why can't I do it!!!! Does anyone have a cowhide zebra rug from ebay? Can you ease my mind in purchasing one? Or should I just buy a wool rug that has a zebra print on it?

(photos courtesy of jonathan adler, betsy burnham, HGTV, west elm and flickr!)

Remember....

when Vanessa De Vargas of Turquoise chose my guest bedroom as one of her Design 911 on her blog??? Yes it was in May and it's now August but I'm finally getting everything finished. Thanks to Vanessa, her ideas have really helped my room!

Keep posted...I will post pictures of it tomorrow!

New Items at Horchow

Horchow just keep suprising me with all of their new items. A lot of their stuff is out of my price range but it's justbeautiful. The great thing about Horchow is they offer great deals all of the time. Free shipping, 20% entire site for one day, 75% off linen items,etc. You have to sign up to get their emails here. Don't miss out!

Ikea 2008 Catalog

Has Ikea always had these adorable red bookcases? I just absolutely love theseLINNARP bookcases for $349. What a fun splash of color these would be in a room.

I love my dogs but....

they really determine the pieces of furniture I own. I would give anything to have a white or cream colored couch but I would be stupid to even put something like that in my house. My couch I have now works great with my dogs, but I just don't like it anymore. It makes my room look entirely too dark. I own a brown leather couch. Easy to clean up and doesn't show paw prints. But I'm sick of leather. My den has dark stained concrete floors, green walls and white trim. I have to brighten this room up! Any suggestions on great pet couches? Should I go velvet!! Or a rug that might work? Zebra?

I'm peeing in my pants at my photoshop skills right now. :)

New Arrivals at Mecox

ahhhhhhh......such paradise. Click here to view more breathtaking furniture at Mecos Gardens.

More Monogramming

One of my all time favorite luggage is John Hart. It's the most durable leather I have ever seen. I have had some of my pieces since I was in High School. Not only do they carry luggage but wallets, check books, soft luggage coolers, koozies, note pads...you name it. What's so great is you can monogram all of the pieces along with choosing the color leather you want. So many of their products make great wedding shower gifts, graduation gifts, Christmas presents or presents for yourselves. They will last you a life time.