You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby!

(Advertisement from Waverly)

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way from khaki, hunter green, and awning stripes.  It used to be you didn’t have much to choose from at all.  Then again, most of the time you were only choosing cushions for chairs and chaises. 

 (Waverly)

Over the past decade, more and more people are spending time in their own back yards.  I believe that this has caused fabric companies to really get a little more creative with the fabrics they offer for outdoor use.  I thought we’d look at a small sampling of what is being offered.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the different colors and patterns that are available today.

 (Duralee)

Many of these fabric selections can coordinate with what you have going on inside your house, making for a seamless transition to your outdoor spaces.

 (Robert Allen)

It’s not just cushions anymore either.  People are inventing new ways to shield the sun with awnings, tents, fabric panels on gazebos or pergolas, and, of course, the standard and traditional outdoor umbrella.

(Kravet)

Outdoor fabric even translates well indoors.  If you have a very active family, have a beach house or ski lodge, or even just rent a summer cottage out, outdoor fabrics are sturdy and really stand up to wear and tear.

(Kravet)

(Robert Allen)

(Sunbrella)

(Sunbrella)

(Sunbrella)

(Sunbrella)

As you can see, you are certainly not limited in your selection of outdoor fabrics anymore!  I think I’ll be recovering my wicker chair cushions in the gazebo with something that has a little more personality.

Technorati Tags: Sunbrella,Waverly,Robert Allen,Kravet,outdoor fabrics,Creative Home Expressions

Sunday Sewing and A Challenge For Myself

Sunday I took some time to do some sewing.  I had a few little projects and since I don’t have a dedicated area where my sewing machine is set up, I figured I’d get as many as I could in while I had control of the dining room table.  The first thing I made was this table runner from a red and tan toile piece of sample fabric I had. 

 

I used some scrap linen I had left over from previous projects to put together a pleat/ruffle for each end.

It’s not perfect, but I love how it turned out!   If you’d like the simple tutorial for this, let me know, as I did take some pictures as I went along.

Next, I made some napkins out of the fabric I got from Joann’s the other day.  This pretty brown, bronze and tan fabric works really well with a lot of the dishes I purchased last year.

Here is one with a set of the dishes, on top of a table runner I purchased last year, too.

The challenge I have made for myself?  I have this decorative planter {11 inches high and 14 inches in diameter} crammed with fabric samples.  Some are long strips, like the toile I used for the table runner, and some are small squares and rectangles. 

Colors and patterns vary.

I’m going to challenge myself to make at least one thing a month using these fabric scraps.  I’m hoping to use a few up in a months time, but I know I can do a minimum of one.  It will be interesting to see if I can come up with a different purpose or project for each one.

Wish me luck!

Linking this post up with:

Boardwalk Bragfest at Bobbypins Boardwalk

Be Inspired at Room to Inspire

Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden

Fabulous Fabric Finds

You know how I love my alliteration!  I hit Joann’s after the day job on Friday {with a list} and I was very good.  Well, except for two remnants; and they would have been a sin not to buy.  I’ll show you them below.  Fabric was on the list for a project I have in mind for my soon-to-be granddaughter. 

I’m not going to tell you what I’m making with these supplies ~ it’s a surprise.  It’s not a quilt; but feel free to guess!

I found these pretty fabrics in the remnant bin. 

I love the brown, bronze and gold in this fabric.  I’ve decided to make napkins out of it.  Especially since I seem to be lacking in that area {as evidenced by my tablescape posts}.

It looks good against placemats and a runner I have for my dining table, as well as my brown and white Country Living dishes that I got from Kmart {thanks to Manuela}!  I also found this blue and brown toile!  I don’t think I’ve seen this color combination before, so I had to get it.

This is just over a yard and I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it. 

Very proud of myself on this trip to Joann’s ~  I didn’t even go near the home decor/floral/basket side of the store! 

Using What You’ve Got

This roll top desk was the first piece of furniture my hubby and I bought together when we were married.  It is solid wood ~ oak.  We’ve had it now for almost 25 years. 

{In this picture, I’ve started moving stuff around.}

I go through phases with this desk where I hate it and then love it again.  I’ve wanted to get rid of it many times and then think about how it has been with us for most of our marriage.  I had thought about redoing it in a distressed black, but I think hubby would have a heart attack {even though it’s not a desk he uses, passes by or gives a thought to}.  I’m sure the phrase, “Are you on drugs?” would be thrown about!

My option is to use it as is for my temporary business HQ, with a mini-metamorphosis.  I took some of my home office items out of packing boxes to dress it up a bit and have it fit in with my living room redecorating.  I can, however, get rid of this chair that has been sitting by it for more years than it should have.   Ain’t she purdy?

I ordered the chair below from Target {$99.00 with free shipping} to take its place.  It’s beige but I like it for several reasons:  1. I will be able to use it anywhere in any house we may down-size to; 2. I love the skirt; 3. I love the details on the back and since this chair will be seen more from the back than the front, I think that is important; 4. I like the slight curve to the top; and 5. I will sit in this beautiful chair and actually use this desk.

Here she is sporting a beautiful pillow I purchased from Rhonda at Blue Creek Home. 

Here’s the picture from the Target site.

 

I also think I will redo the hardware by first cleaning it and then spray painting them.   Not sure what color yet.  I’ve already cleaned out the drawers and got them squared away.  This desk became a catch-all over the years for “stuff”. 

My new, old lamp which I transformed here. 

Here is the after {without the hardware painted}. Some of what I brought in to make me feel at home:  the decorative box I made here; the gold crown I spray painted here; and a black frame I had gotten from the dollar store.  I just printed out my blog banner and put it in the frame with some scrapbook paper {until I get a picture of hubby and I that I like}.  

I’ve also got little nooks for the note cards and thank you cards that I use in my business.  As you can see, I’ve also got my briefcase, wicker storage file, a wallpaper book {that needs to be returned}, and a decorative key from Hobby Lobby {that needs to go on a wall} off to the side.  Just keeping it real! 

 

I still have some stuff packed up, but so far this is working out for me.  Just using what I’ve already got!

Linking up with:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

It’s So Very Creative at It’s So Very Cheri

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk

New In Boutique

I just put these candles in my Boutique Blog, which you can reach by clicking here.  The lovely vintage lady on my sidebar links to my boutique as well.

A few other items will be making their way there later today, so I’d love it if you would check back. 

Here’s Your Chance . . .

Have you seen this great new book from Christina Strutt yet?  Well, I have an opportunity to interview Ms. Strutt!  Here is a link to her website in case you’d like to check it out.

I could use your help in coming up with some creative and out-of-the-box questions.  I’m sure it would be nice for her, as well, to not be asked the same questions over and over again. 

Here’s your chance ~ just leave a question you would like to know the answer to in a comment and I’ll add it to my own.  I believe there will be a giveaway somewhere down the line, so make sure you check back with me!

 

Parade of Bedrooms Party

Debra at The Bungalow is having a Parade of Bedrooms Party and I’m joining in with some pictures of my master bedroom.

Here is a before picture of our bedroom.  I originally painted our peach walls with a dark teal color, but found this made me anxious, edgy and was not conducive to relaxation.  We took out the armoires and bridge that was the headboard and moved the armoire pieces into our walk-in closet/sitting area.

I found a color called Milk Pail by Martha Stewart at Sherwin Williams and just fell in love with this color.  It is a gray blue color and is so spa-like and relaxing. 

I already had the window treatments up and the color worked really well with them.  I got the bedding from Home Goods and added some brown in to add some warmth.

Some little touches.

The faux hydrangeas are from Pier 1 and the container they are in is from Home Goods, as is the decorative box.

I believe I got the lamp from JC Penney and the tassel from Tuesday Morning.

I got the fern prints, the mats and bamboo frames from three different vendors on eBay a few years ago.   I thought they’d help fill the space over the bed until I find a headboard that I want. 

Thanks for visiting my master bedroom and check out some of the other bedrooms over at Debra’s blog!