House of the Week

Around a curve on a beautiful street in Druid Hills....





















click on any picture to enlarge

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Tips to Decorate Kitchen in Apartment

The key to successfully decorating a kitchen in a studio apartment is to create a space that flows with the rest of the room, rather than one that tries to separate itself from the apartment. Decorating small spaces can be a challenging prospect for any resident. Focus on scale, color and storage in the kitchen space to achieve a cohesive look.
     
Scale
Studio apartments, by nature, are small spaces, while most kitchens tend to hold a lot of things, from food to kitchen gadgets. Kitchen furniture, like dining tables, chairs and storage units, tend to be large. A smaller round table with chairs that tuck easily underneath will be less jarring in the space than a full-size dining set, according to the Oh My Apartment section of the Apartment Ratings website. Keep accessories on top of counters on the smaller side to prevent the space from appearing cluttered.
     
Color
Color can add personality to a studio apartment kitchen and prevent it from looking too utilitarian. Base the kitchen's color scheme on colors from other accessories in the apartment, such as a large piece of art or decorative curtains the living area. Choose table linens, dishes and storage containers in these colors. Stick to bright and light colors, which will infuse energy into the kitchen space. Colors like yellow, bright blues, orange and red make the space feel happy. Dark colors and furniture may make the space feel smaller.
     
Mirrors
Hang a mirror in the dining area to help the kitchen appear larger, suggests House Beautiful. Mirrors reflect light, giving the room a feeling of added space. Mirrors, especially those with ornate frames, also add a decorative touch to the room. Avoid hanging mirrors with heavy, dark frames.
     
Vertical Storage
Storage is a major issue in studio apartments, especially in the kitchen, so maximize your vertical space. If kitchen cabinets do not reach the ceiling, use the space above the kitchen cabinets as storage, adding wine bottles, serving dishes and colorful containers. Choose items that are pretty and appropriate to be put on display. Also consider converting a small area into a pantry or adding shelving in a nearby hallway. Suspend a pot rack from the ceiling for your cookware.
     
Unexpected Storage
Use other areas in your studio apartment for creative kitchen storage. The experts at This Old House recommend adding wine racks below a coffee table, for example. Use a bookshelf as a false wall to separate the kitchen space from the rest of the room and serve as a storage unit for cookbooks, dishes, glasses and even pots of home-grown herbs.

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February in Review

Since February is almost over, we thought we'd take a quick look at everything accomplished this past month. Here are few of the highlights.

We executed an amazing Groundhog Day sale on February 4th, 5th, and 6th, with record sales each day!  A big thank you to our staff,  the Mover Dudes, our loyal customers, and all of the new friends we made!

Speaking of new friends, in February, we added 125 new friends on our Facebook page.  If you know someone who would make a good friend, be sure to send them to our Facebook page and friend us.

After taking January off, we reopened our Design House.   The Design House is a once a month showcase full of inspiration and interesting finds.  The next Design House will be March 4, 5 & 6.

We started posting new items for our Fresh off the Wagon page each week.  Now you can get the scoop about some of the unique items that arrive at the store each week.  While we're on the topic of arrivals at the store, in February, Heather brought in a 40 foot trailer load of springtime goodies for her portion of the shop.  Anne had her own unique find - "Nelly the zebra" has made quite a stir lately.

Since we are never short on ambition, we cleared the main room out and sanded the floors for a new weathered look.  The day after our biggest sale of the year, Groundhog's Day, no less.

In February, we continued preparations for our 12th annual Spring Market.  The market will take place on our property this year and we're expecting more than 120 vendors.  Be sure to mark your calendar and save-the-date for May 21st & 22nd.  This is gonna be good!

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The New Boston Shoulder Bag

Yes, this purse is actually made from tractor and bicycle inner tubes that were on their way to a landfill. The entire exterior is waterproof, undeniably durable, and completely unique. I designed it to be great for every day use with three pockets, magnetic closures, and fully lined interior.

- 1 large interior pocket
- 2 small exterior pockets
- Fully lined with a washable black satin
- Leather-like rubber exterior
- Chrome magnetic closure
- Comfortable rubber handles
- Measures 17" x 10" x 4 1/2"
- Machine washable. Lay flat to dry.
- Chrome hardware

10% of your order will be donated to Susan G Komen for breast cancer research in memory of my sister.

All my orders come with free gift wrapping and a 30 day money back guarantee. I want you to be as happy receiving my products as I am making them.

I Love with a capital "L" the hardware/ biker-chic look lately and I especially love how I think this design really captures the leather-like look that I really strive for. I'm one of those crazy people that is drawn towards leather but don't like the idea of wearing it. 

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Monday Music - Underneath The Radar...

This is where it all began (personally one of my fave articles ever!!).

Music is SO important to the happiness of my home. :)

Now most Monday mornings when the working week looms I'll try to post a fave song or some music I'm listening to at the moment to provide some musical motivation.

So my little groovers......... here's today's installment!

*****************************

Gawd I love '80s music. Just LOVE it!

Here's Underworld with their biggest hit 'Underneath The Radar', from 1988.

Enjoy.

And don't forget, if you're looking for more great music, Bec over at Memory Garden often has a lovely song to listen to on Mondays as well!



And, as always when thinking of our 'Musical Must Haves' section...

Ask yourself: 'Do I L.O.V.E music?'

Which leads to: 'Have I got enough of it in my home and in my life?'

Because: Good interior design caters to ALL our senses, not just our eyes.... that's why I call it 'Atmospheric Design' instead!

Linda. xox

******
The Original Musical Must Have:

Where Did The Music Go? - Alternatively Titled Hugh Grant and I Have Something In Common With Our Bottoms!

******

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Egyptian Style Wall Decoration

Ancient Egyptian history is rich in distinctive art and imagery, and it is an excellent inspiration when you are looking to give a room a hint of color and style. Egyptian wall decorations are perfect for studies, for the library in your home or for the bedroom of a child who can't get enough of Egyptology or archeology. Bring formerly flat walls to life using motifs from ancient Egyptian history, focusing on the motifs that range from delicate to bold.


Relief Plaques

Egyptian temples and tombs were carved with reliefs, where the image rises up from the surface. These images ranged from depictions of normal life to inscriptions that were meant to guide people in right behavior to images of the gods. Relief plaques are available from museum reproduction stores, where actual reliefs are cast or otherwise duplicated. These reliefs add texture to the walls, and when they are hung, they also provide your walls with an important focal point.
     
Hieroglyphic Borders

Hieroglyphics were the incredibly complex form of ancient Egyptian writing. Each figure was carefully distinct, and they could be written in a horizontal or a vertical format. Choose a premade wall border of Egyptian hieroglyphics, or make one yourself by using a pencil to sketch in the lines of a border and then painting hieroglyphics directly on the wall. Make up your own images or look up actual hieroglyphics and copy them directly onto the wall.


Framed Scrolls

The ancient Egyptians used paper made out of papyrus, scientifically known as Cyperus papyrus. The paper was made by soaking strips of papyrus stalks and then pressing them together, resulting in a distinct texture. A papyrus scroll was often beautifully inscribed with hieroglyphics, much the way that European monks illuminated large books. Look for reproduction framed scrolls and hang them up on the wall to give your room some visual variety. Use a gold or bronze frame to bring out the rich tones of the papyrus.
     
Cloth Wall Hanging

Look for cloth wall hangings that are printed or woven with ancient Egyptian art. Choose a cloth tapestry that features the banks of the Nile river, or the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. Hang the tapestry by tacking it up on your wall, covering as much of your wall as you can. If the tapestry is large or valuable, sew a thin strip of muslin on the back and thread a curtain rod through to hang on brackets. This covers a large bare patch in the wall while providing it with a vibrant splash of color.

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"Happy Chic" Jonathan Adler Store coming to Atlanta March 25!

above, the Jonathan Adler LA Store

“Happy Chic” Vibe Comes to Atlanta
Jonathan Adler Set to Open New Boutique in Westside Urban Market


WHAT:
Just in time for spring, Jonathan Adler is thrilled to announce he will open his 14th free standing boutique in Westside Urban Market. Other store locations include New York City, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Situated in a reclaimed building next to Taqueria del Sol, the store will carry Jonathan Adler’s “Happy Chic” designs in order to bring style, joy, and a general feeling of grooviness to the homes of Atlanta.

The 3,000 square-foot store full of Happy Chic marks the retailer’s first foray into Atlanta. Happy Chic lovers are now able to shop new collections, including bedding and juniors, as well as register for their wedding.


Adler's NYC Store

WHERE:
Jonathan Adler Store
1198 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta Ga 30318


WHEN:
Store opens Friday, March 25, 2011

ABOUT:
Jonathan Adler is a design company specializing in decorative home accessories, groovy gifts and all things cheeky. We are dedicated to bring style, craft, joy, and a general feeling of grooviness to homes. The Happy Chic aesthetic of Jonathan Adler is punctuated throughout its handcrafted designer pottery, modern furniture, contemporary lighting, and decorative textiles. As a purveyor of happy chic home decor, Jonathan Adler maintains a commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and panache to keep homes happy. For more information about Jonathan Adler or to purchase items online, visit www.jonathanadler.com

Below -Interior Design by Jonathan Adler:

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A Big Apple, A Purple Phone, A Pink Rug...... Love It!!

There's so much more to this room than what's mentioned in the post title!

What do you think?

Image from Plays With Scissors on Tumblr

I love the eclectic mix of colours and objects.

The chair looks comfy.... and the view doesn't look half bad either!

Oh, and it has cute cushions! You know how I lurve cute cushions!

Linda. xox

******

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HILLSIDE breaks the rules of linear designs

A clear break with the conventional modern. Straight elements give space to geometrical shape, conventional neutral tones are abandoned to embrance bright vibrant happy hues.

Designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, Hillside is a modular wall unit system which allows you to create your own wall composition. The big difference is that it develops horizontally through a series of modern connection elements , storage elements and floor elements such as benches and storage units. Hillside is dynamic and gives your walls a thridimensional look . Modern geometric elements in different depths, lenghts and shapes give your living room a modern unique look . Each element can be open or equipped with doors, available in wood or gorgeous matt lacquered colors.

Hillside is available in different sizes. You can have more info by visiting our modern Italian furniture website www.momentoitalia.com and download the pdf catalog.

At momentoitalia you can find the best in modern high end Italian furniture. High quality Italian made modern bedroom and living room furniture to create your dream home. Perfectly customizable Italian modern sofas, available in many fabrics and leather selection, minimalistic modern wall units, modern beds and lounge armchairs for the ultimate modern home.

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Bathroom Decorating Ideas

Decorating a bathroom can be as simple as putting up a new shower curtain or as complicated as a complete renovation. No matter how in-depth your bathroom redecorating project will be, it is an excellent time to give the bathroom a good scrubbing, clean out the medicine cabinet and replace worn-out towels.
Luckily, the bathroom is the smallest room in most houses, so decorating it is a quick weekend project that can yield results you can enjoy immediately.

Colors and Paint

Choose a bright, cheerful color of paint for the bathroom, as it will reflect light better, making it easier to see when shaving or putting on makeup. This is especially important if the bathroom has no natural light.
Choose a color for the trim that matches the shade of white of the tub and toilet. This will bring the room together and make it look planned and finished.
Ask for paint designed specifically for bathrooms, which is formulated to stand up to moisture and is less likely to grow mold or begin to peel.

Storage Solutions

Never store cleaning or styling products in the cabinets under the sink if there are children in the house. Instead, use this space for towels and wash cloths and move products a child could swallow somewhere else.
Installing a small shelf above the sink creates extra space for things that need to be kept nearby, such as razors and toothbrushes. This trick is useful if the bathroom has little counter space.
Look for storage baskets that fit on the back of or on the floor next to the toilet to store smaller items, such as an extra roll of toilet paper and magazines.
Consider installing another shelf and lining it with small baskets to store lotions, hairbrushes and other odds and ends, organizing them by category or by family member. This will reduce bathroom clutter and improve the look of the space.

Shower Curtains and Details

Choose any shower curtain that makes you smile, as a change in the shower curtain makes the entire bathroom look new. In fact, it is a particularly good option if you can't afford to completely redecorate the bathroom.
Hang framed art on the walls, choosing a theme that matches the styles and colors of your bathroom.
Changing the hardware also gives the room an immediate face-lift, so find new doorknobs, towel racks and cabinet handles.
This is also a good time to make sure that everything in the room is baby-proof. Put child-safety locks on the cabinets and install child-safe electrical outlets.

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Woodlands at Barnsley Gardens Part II

Yesterday Woodlands was the House of the Week. Today we are stepping inside this Italianate Villa.




Covered entrance next to the veranda, on top of this was the office and tower




Drawing Room, here and below - on top of which would have been the master bedroom




Library, on top of which would have been a guest bedroom


Dining Room, on top of this room was the upper drawing room




From the DR, looking through the entrance hall to the drawing room


Side Foyer, a guest bedroom would have been above


The Pantry, bedroom on top


Photos from the museum housed in the old kitchen

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New Cassette Tape Jewelry Boxes

My Vinyl Record Jewelry has been going great and I wanted to show something new that's functional and cohesive, but slightly unexpected. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Jewelry boxes made from recycled cassette tapes!

Each unique box keeps 14, well-loved cassette tapes out of the landfill and is even fully lined with felt made from recycled plastic bottles. Your jewelry, keepsakes, and other precious mementos will be safe, scratch-free, and protected.

-Retail: $37.99

Fully lined with felt made from recycled plastic bottles
-Durable, hard case exterior
-Made 100% from recycled materials
-Functional as a jewelry case, catch-all, or generic organizer
-Made from 14 cassette tapes

10% of your order will be donated to breast cancer research in honor of my sister.

All my orders come with free gift wrapping and a 30-day money, back guarantee. I want you to be just as happy receiving my products as I am making them.

I'm thinking about posting an editorial on how I did this. Should I???

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House of the Week - Woodlands at Barnsley Gardens

Woodlands at Barnsley Gardens


This week we are featuring a different sort of house - the house is in ruins! Yet, it is still beautiful. In fact, I would say that its bones, the brick architecture of the house, are more beautiful than the house was when it was whole. Located an hour from Atlanta in Adairsville, Georgia, the house has quite an interesting story to tell. Take a look at the house before it sank into disrepair..



An Italianate structure built by Godfrey Barnsley in the 1850's for his wife Julia and their children, the house's roof was torn off by a tornado in 1906 and it has not been occupied since. The story is below:




Looking from the parterre gardens toward the house. The house and gardens were inspired by the work of Andrew Jackson Downing, a landscape designer and proponent of Italianate and Gothic revival architecture.


















The family lived in the kitchen structure to the right above, after the roof was ripped off of the main house by a tornado in 1906.



Click here to read more about the history of the Barnsley Estate.

Tomorrow we'll have photos of the interior - so stay tuned!

all photos by whitehaven

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