Happy New Decorating!

Ugh! I am a few days behind on uploading the second issue of Royal Diadem Magazine because of some unexpected distractions during the holidays. I am in that sweet and agonizing last stage of almost giving birth--exquisite and painful all at the same time. It also doesn't help that my paying job has been pretty busy since Tuesday. It is time this momma took a creative break. Check out these fantastic Polish Posters I stumbled upon via printmag.com:

 

Amazing visual design. I am feeling better already. Was stunned to discover that this bold piece is actually a textile:

 

Pretty fantastic, huh? This alphabet is by Alexander Girard, also via printmag.com. On the home front, I was listlessly clicking through scads of gorgeous pics just wanting something to grab my attention, but all of you web/print people are like me, scrambling after the holidays to get the new stuff posted!

Any hoo, who knew it would be stamp art that caught my tired eye.

via trendir.com

Different, no? Perusing Pinterest, I found this industrial graphic sign. Mixed with the tangerine and sophisticated decor, it kinda stopped my heart for a beat or two:

 via pintrest.com

Pretty stunning! And speaking of tangerine and needing a break, I stopped by my local thrift shop during  lunch today (told you I needed a break). I couldn't believe that I found two pairs of tangerine drapes for the living room for just $6--go me!  It kills me that I can't do ANYTHING with them until I finish the mag though. I have furniture to strip, a website to build, and cruise to go on, oh, and and some bottles to spray paint. That is when I am not at work.

Anticipation is one of the best parts of  the creative process, though. Gets me all tingly. I usually can't wait to see how my ideas turn out, but they will just have to keep on ice until the right time. Still, I want to play house!

I love Christmas, but the minute the tree is down and the Christmas lights grow cold, I get restless to redecorate. It's like a disease, ya'll. I cannot help myself.  Anyway, happy New Year!

Winter Solstice Antedote

Seeing that tomorrow is the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, what better time than now to warm up these long dark days and nights than with some beautiful lighting.

I stumbled across this gorgeous outdoor lighting arrangement via dolak.
 
Although many of us might string lights from the eaves, there is more to lighting up the night than that. After you've hung up the wreath, don't forget to light up outside entrances, porches, and decks. I have on my to-do list making my own wine bottle outdoor lamp and this one from etsy is my inspiration:

Outdoor lamps are not just for the summer. If you are having guests over for the holidays, light up the entrance for a warm welcome. You could spray paint them a glittery gold or silver and stencil with some Christmas greenery, bells, angels, or whatever else your imagination can dream up.

Or how about this gorgeous outdoor room I found posted at enchanted home:

Who wouldn't want to hang out here for a holiday party? If you aren't lucky enough to have an outdoor fireplace but have a deck or patio, don't neglect it, deck it!

 

via outdoor lighting

via imparting grace

via between naps on the porch

Lighting definitely sets the mood this time of year. I mean really, who wouldn't want to come to a party at this house?

via diy network

Do your part to dispel the dark!

Sumpen Out of Nuten

My bathroom needs serious help. I currently have nothing, nada, zip, zero hanging on its forlorn walls, that is until now.

 

Excuse the glare, but it's a small bathroom on vanity light steroids. I picked up two of these beautiful frames and mats for $1 a piece at a local thrift shop. They were originally a matching art "set," I'm guessing circa 1985 because of the ugly mauve color scheme.

The moral of this short story is, don't overlook ugly. Take a look at the bones and determine what you can makeover. Heck, us girls do it all of the time! The frames were a solid wood painted ivory with two beautiful and contrasting mats. Though this photo doesn't show it, the frame, the glass, and the mats are all excellent quality. I printed out two art photos I found on the internet that I really loved and framed both prints. I can now at least relax a bit until I paint. Bare walls screaming at me? Yep, they honestly do.

2012 Color of the Year

It seems that the Pantone Color of the Year for 2012 is Tangerine Tango. I am already using an orangey red color in my own decor, but it is nice to have some of my design choices validated.

 

This summer I spray painted my lamps a color called Georgia Clay. And the prominent color in my patterned drapes is orange. I have been in love with the orange-turquoise combo for some time:

And my living room and dining room already has a mix of blues, turquoise, reds, and tangerine splashed about. 

I don't decorate based on trends, but I do get infatuated with new and interesting fabrics and colors. I will often times try to incorporate a trend I like when I can do so without compromising the overall design. I suspect a lot of people who enjoy pattern, textiles, and design in general, such as myself, just get caught up in seeing something different as well. As someone who loves art, patterns, and color, I would feel deprived if I couldn't indulge in something that catches my fancy. How about you, do you get swept away with trends and eye candy?

Breakfast via Pinterest

If you have not yet discovered Pinterest, you must check it out.  It is full of ideas for the home, recipes, fashion, interior design, crafts, photography, art--just about everything I love and can't get enough of.  I repinned this time-saving idea of baking eggs in a muffin pan for my weekday breakfast and it was as easy as they said.

I now have breakfast for the next six days. You could add any ingredient you like. I made mine on whole wheat bagel thins sans cheese to save a few calories. They were delicious!

Seriously, if you have not checked out this site, you are missing out. Follow me and visit my board "Cool Stuff" at http://pinterest.com/laflaherty/.

Maybe It's Love, Maybe It's Infatuation

I think these wingback chairs are smoking hot in his fabric. And the peacock upholstery? What more can I say!  To top it all off, they threw in my favorite color: turquoise. It's going to be a good day.

I must say I hate the floor though. I would so take this room with this floor. The white sofa and white chairs against the wood would just sing:

And for the cherry on top of my Friday morning, Galley Direct is 50% off plus free shipping. This M. Drake oversize (48 x 48) painting I have been pining for, like, a year, is less than $150.

I am dying to mix a big, modern piece of art into my home design.  For whatever reason, this girl just speaks to me. After "visiting" her online for at least a year, I haven't grown tired of her in the least. I say I need to just go on and buy her and not be afraid of how to make it work.

I also love this painting by Cecil Peacock that I could see hanging in my bedroom, but you can't build Rome in a day.  I love her confidence and aloofness. Still, if you look at her long enough, she seems vulnerable, like it is all just an exterior shell.

As much as I love these pieces, I don't have experience in mixing modern with a more traditional, cozy feel. I am nervous. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Into the Typing Pool

I am really loving the type art everywhere on pinterest and how some very creative crafters have been playing with it. I haven't ventured into any home projects using type outside of my page makeup program, but I am collecting some ideas. I have been working on the next issue of the magazine so I have not had any time to indulge in my love of design.

I needed to build an ad for a prophecy radio broadcast advertisement, and I chose to use type to convey the message. I'm not there yet, as this is just a first draft, but it has been fun.

I think for my holiday decorating this year, I will try my hand at spray painting some wine bottles like the ones I found on pinterest  from Maryann Rizzo.

How gorgeous is this from something you would have thrown in the trash? I am also feeling this lake sign, only I would feel it more in turquoise:

I am not into the monogram thing, but I do like the rustic look of cork.

 

I am researching and learning how and what I want for my website and wanted to tweak the fonts in the magazine. A good link to learn all about type is Smash magazine, but enough swimming in the typing pool. 

I'll leave you with some eye candy I found at my favorite blog, House of Turquoise. No matter how little time I have to drool over design, I always make time to check out Erin's blog. She did not disappoint today either. I love, love, love this table and chairs. 

I have seen wingback chairs used as dining chairs and absolutely love the idea of it. If you like eclectic design as I do, check out her entire post. It's a beautiful blend of sleek modern and rustic.