Updates

I spent some time last night updating the "About Me" and "Blog Lovin" tabs above, check them out!

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Thank You card by Etsy shop VIVIDandLIVID

Home Offices to Make you (Almost) Love Working

Even people with jobs they love don’t always love going to work. For who work from home “going” to work isn’t really a choice, but you can make the days more enjoyable if you work in a space you love. I would love to start my interior decorating business from any of these spaces.

Such a great transformation from a garage to a home office by Rosa Beltran, via Apartment Therapy (check out her blog for info on a lot of the great DIY projects!)

Those red bookshelves are gorgeous! Via Elle Decor

A cute and happy office from Apartment Therapy

I love the big inspiration board and the green parsons desk here. Via Elle Decor

A beautiful and sophisticated office that you could hang out in all day. Via Elle Decor

Another bright and happy home office with picture ledges and a great pendant light. Via Decoration Finds

This clean and crisp office is beautifully organized. Maybe one day I’ll be that organized. Via Delight by Design

 

Which office is your favorite?

Weekend

Other than the time I spent working on school projects (which was pretty much all day Saturday and Sunday), my weekend was pretty fabulous.

Friday night I went to Lidia’s for a good friend’s birthday dinner. It was my first time at Lidia’s and it definitely will not be my last. I had their “Ravioli di Zucca,” which was butternut squash filled ravioli with sage brown butter, zucchini, and almonds. It was absolutely incredible! Best pasta I’ve ever had. We also shared the chocolate torte for dessert, which was one of the richest and most delicious desserts I’ve ever tasted.

The restaurant itself is also gorgeous. I love the glass light fixtures!

Photo via Downtown KC Living

Saturday night I stayed up to watch Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live. I love SNL and I love JT, and I have to say that this might be my favorite episode ever.  I don’t make that judgment lightly, folks.

both photos via SNL’s facebook page

If you didn’t watch this episode do yourself a favor and watch it here, now. There’s even some stuff that you older SNL fans (*cough*, Mom, *cough*) will love.You’re welcome.

DIY St. Patty’s Day Art

The DIY bug hit me again. Since St. Patrick’s Day is only about a week away I decided to make an Irish inspired art piece. I was inspired by this Easter egg art from julep. I also borrowed the quote from this DIY artwork by A Beautiful Mess.




I created a print on Word with a simple four leaf clover shape and the phrase “I was lucky like a four leaf clover” in a fun font about it. I printed that out onto a piece of white cardstock. In addition to the template I used:

• Blank white cardstock
• Glue stick
• Craft knife
• Gold sharpie
• Cutting mat
• Paper cutter
• Four sheets of green scrapbook paper

My first step was to cut out the four leaf clover using a craft knife.


Then I traced over the letters with my gold sharpie.




Then I cut strips of the scrapbook paper with the paper cutter. They’re each approximately 1/4” wide.



I traced the four leaf clover onto the blank piece of cardstock and started laying out the paper strips to make sure I had enough. Once I was happy with the pattern I glued all the strips down.


Then I used the cut out clover as a template to cut out the cardstock with the strips. I initially skipped this step but you could see the extra green paper behind the white cardstock.


I flipped it over and glued it onto the original print.


Ta-da!!


To make it look a little more finished I outlined the clover with my gold sharpie.


The final step was to trim the 8.5” x 11” paper to fit in my 8” x 10” frame. Then I popped it in and voila!


I’m really happy with how this turned out! The shape is simple and graphic but the different strips of scrapbook paper add a lot of fun pattern. I also love the little bit of extra glitz the metallic gold sharpie adds.
If you’d like to make your own version of my St. Patty’s day art, feel free to email me at blue11interiors (at) gmail (dot) com and I will send you my template.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Scalamandre Inspired Zebras Style Under $25

One of the most popular designer prints out there is Scalamandre’s Zebra. It was originally designed by Franco Scalamandre for Gino’s restaurant in New York City. The restaurant's owner, Gino Circiello, had always wanted to go on an African safari.  Though he didn’t have the funds for a trip, he figured he could at least afford to have zebras on his wallpaper.

The wallpaper has made appearances all over the place, from Elle Décor to The Royal Tanenbaums to Kate Spade’s bathroom.

via L.A. Design Concepts

via Design in Bloom

via Habitually Chic

The wallpaper is now available in six different colorways in addition to the original red. The print has also made its way onto fabric, accessories, and a new china collaboration with Lenox.

images via Scalamandre

Of course, these fabulous designer items also come with a high price tag, which is why I’ve rounded up seven items inspired by Scalamandre’s famous zebras, all under $25 each!

 

 

1. 8 x 10 Pink Zebra Watercolor Giclee Print, $22

2. Red zebra tray, $24

3. Set of 10 personalized zebra notecards, $15

4. Jonathan Adler zebra stacking dish, $24

5. Red zebra scarf, $18

6. Pink zebras gift wrap, $7

7. Baby Zebra Print by Sharon Montrose. $25 for 8.5” x 11” print

 

Which is your favorite? I love them all! The baby zebra print would be absolutely perfect for a nursery or kid’s room. The red tray or Jonathan Adler dish would be really chic in an office.  I’m thinking about getting the pink gift wrap, which comes in two pieces, and framing it in my guest room. What do you think?

Monday Loves

Good morning friends! I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  I spent mine watching college basketball, Downton Abbey, and Silver Linings Playbook. How’s that for a fun mix?

Speaking of a fun mix, here are some pictures and items that I’m currently drooling over…

This tiny but oh so chic apartment by Sarah Richardson:

This floor to ceiling gallery wall from AD:

This bath light fixture from Shades of Light:

This photo from Downton Abbey (I’m late to jump on board but now I’m obsessed!)

This blog. It has so many great features and the author is also a fabulous artist!

This blue velvet chair from West Elm, on sale now for only $424!

This op-ed piece about last week’s Oscars: “Seth MacFarlane Isn’t the Problem”

 

What are you loving now?

Gallery Wall Part 2

Two days ago I  finally got around to hanging artwork in the upstairs hallway.  That big empty gray wall had been bugging me for so long.  I knew I wanted a gallery wall but I just hadn’t taken the time to put it together.

I was in one of those moods to get stuff done now so I didn’t take the time to trace out my design like I did last time.  I did still arrange the frames on the floor first but from there I just started hanging without any marking or measuring.

I think it turned out pretty well! It does look like a collected gallery instead of something that’s been well planned and measured, but I like that. It allows for more flexibility to add more artwork in the future. 

Here’s the view toward the master bedroom as you walk up the stairs.

And here’s the view going the other direction.

Please excuse the glare from the window on the front of the house.

The colors in the pieces go together very well. Lots of black and white with pops of pinks and greens. Do you recognize the paint chip art on the far right?

I also added a little ornate gold mirror that I picked up at a garage sale last year.  I can’t decide if I like the unexpected color and shape or if it throws the whole thing off.  What do you think?

Overall I’m really happy with my new gallery wall! It adds a lot of color, interest, and personality to a previously blah space.