DIY: Wrap those Books!


Classic... with a twist-  bring the idea to your bookshelves!  Most of my
clients are trying to simplify and create a cohesive look (especially in their family rooms). 
We all have so many personal items we want to display and most of you have figured
out to use books to diversify height and help create unity.

At times, the combination of decorative books creates even more of a hodge podge look,
thus defeating the purpose. 

Here is a solution for you!


Wrap those books!

My client above took on this task and wrapped each book... at night watching tv,
in the carpool line, whenever she found a free moment... and achieved great success. 

She found a textured vellum, which is frequently found on the scrapbook paper isle.

A great new tip is to use paintable wallpaper-



Great idea from the free magazine Lowes Creative Ideas

Here's How:

1. To determine the height of the jacket, measure the length of your book’s
spine and add 2 inches.

2. To find the width of the jacket, open your book, lay it flat, and measure its span.
Add the width of the covers (not including the spine) to this number.

 
3. Cut a piece of paintable wallpaper (#314377) to these dimensions. Lay the paper facedown
on a work surface. Fold 1 inch in at each long edge of the paper.


 
4. Place the book in the center of the paper. It will overlap the folded long edges and hold
 themin place. Wrap the paper around the book, folding over the book covers.
Insert the covers into the pockets created by the folds, as shown above.

Thank you Lowe's for the tutorial!



Be creative in your wrapping. 

Tie in into your design style... either paint the wallpaper above the color of your choice
or hit the stores to find perhaps:

1.Brown craft paper for a rustic look
2.Burnt orange paper in your UT themed offices (go Longhorns!)
3. Colored scrapbook paper for your kids' rooms







This is a great DIY project, but if you need help... call me!
 
 
Until next time,
Traci
 

The Perfect Panels


Gentle persuasion pays off!

Back in July, I wrote about a new project for my DINK's, which you can read about here,
and we are at the half way point to completion! 

When we finished the living room  tv room a year and a half ago, I just knew
we needed window treatments to highlight the bay window. 
Mrs. DINK loves her simplicity and decided against them.

Along comes a great fabric and in turn.... great draperies! 
 We installed on Friday, check them out!

Before


After


I will get a full view next time I am there, but how great are these!

Now we are waiting for the kitchen table and chairs to arrive- do you know how
difficult it is to find a classy wood table top with a protective finish????? 
We did!

Can't wait to see the white dining table and chairs with red leather pleather seats!
Oh, la la!



I brought a few options for artwork in the kitchen on Friday as well. 
Mrs. DINK and I love this choice...



Hope Mr. DINK does as well.

Here's a few pics of how panels can finish off your room-

Nice choice using grommets


A splash of apple green!


How fun!


I like the way they are installed right on the molding-


If you are thinking of adding window treatments before the holidays, call me asap! 


Until next time,
Traci




DIY: Create your Own Art Gallery

If you missed my Ezine that went out yesterday... here's the scoop!  The info is too
good to fly under the radar...(So you don't miss out next time, sign up here
for frequent design inspiration and decorating tips).



We've all seen the restaurants that have their walls covered with celebrities who have dined there... the Carnegie Deli in NYC was no exception. Photos everywhere!


During my last two design consultations, we have addressed a similar issue:
Where can I display our family photos?

My answer is to create a Wall Photo Gallery...
of course, with a twist!

Here's how:



Find a Space- I am not a huge fan of lining the frames up the stair case wall,
but rather grouping photos together in similar frames to create a focal point.
The idea is to create an "art gallery" look by leaving a very small space between each piece.



Think out of the Box- There are so many configurations to arrange
 your photographs. If you have a narrow wall, use the vertical space and
hang two linear rows of four leaving just a few feet off the ground.

I also love to incorporate ledges in my galleries to prop
some frames as well as overlap to create dimension.

Here is a great resource for you!


and more...




 
Avoid mistakes!- We all do it, but try this next time to avoid hole patching!
Play with your arrangement on the wall by formatting the look with craft paper
and painters tape. Keep moving it until you get the look you want.






If you need a hand, I have two resources for you:
Me... for creative ideas to display your precious memories
and my art installer... who can hang them correctly the first time!



My Favorite "Foto" Look!



 

Number One Perk: The photos are mounted on foam board and can be easily switched out.

Number Two Perk: The art piece can be customized to your design style and room.

 

What a statement!

Until next time,
Traci

Images via* Moi, (missing resources for the other great photos and awesome photo poster... if you have them, send to me!)



I found 5 pounds in NYC...


How can I give you a report about my NYC trip without talking about food? 

First of all, this was ridiculous-

A must have for me was The Reuben... but geez!  I didn't make a dent in it!

My $25 sandwich from Carnegie Deli went to waste, as I had to high tail it to the airport-



Another staple of mine is the almighty Bagel

Thick and doughy from Ess-a Bagel... yummy-
I brought a dozen home on the plane:)




Saw this when walking to dinner!



Yes, Rachel, it would have been fun if I had an extra day...

But ended up here instead-



I had a great dish... Penne alla Vodka (fitting for me)- however, you would
never know I was 50% Italian by the way this Georgia Girl was
pronouncing most of the dishes... sorry Dad!

After dinner around 9 pm (my bedtime), the girls wanted to head here-


Times Square... so I perked up and made my way.

More food...


(Austin's favorite)

which reminded me of Interior Design (always)...

Have you ever seen a chair made of candy?








Thanks to fellow blogger Traci Zeller for these delicious photos!

So, what's a business trip without a little indulgence?



Now back to real chairs:)


Until next time,
Traci

Images via*  Moi, Traci Zeller, Ess-a- Bagel


Mission Accomplished in NYC

I scored in the Big Apple...


As I mentioned in my Bday blog post here, I was on a quest to see the Broadway
musical, Wicked, for the fourth time in nine months!  Yes, you can call me a groupie...
I don't deny it. 

London in December, San Francisco in April, Dallas in June
and NYC in September!

There was no stopping me!



 NYC Mission One...accomplished!

I do have to say that I had a smile on my face the entire show.  There's something
about the music that just "gets" me... not sure, but I do love it~  I have to say
that I am satisfied with my Wicked quota this year:).

The real reason for my jaunt to NYC last week was to attend the
Creating beautiful design work is only half of running my business! 

Now to the next best part of my trip-

NYC Mission Two... accomplished!

I met my Interior Design Mentor... Idol?... Icon?...
(or all of the above!)




She is an Interior Design superstar who not only creates stunning spaces but
has a widely recognized design blog... and now a product line, soon a web based tv show,
art gallery... and more!

Her sense of style and use of color and pattern where the first things that caught my eye
and I'm ready to infuse some of Fun with Color in your home. 

Hey~ if they can do it in Arkansas, we can do it in Dallas!

Here are a few pics of her fabulous work:


Crisp!

I've shown this to several of you for inspiration- love the stripes on the cocktail ottoman



Here I go again with the turquoise and orange- fabulous space!

More on my trip in posts to come, but for now...



Cheers to the vibrant city of New York...




Until next time,
Traci

Images via*  Moi, Tobi Fairley,

The Perfect Dining Chair!

While I am away, my blog is still working!

The one thing
I always tell my clients...

"Less is More"-

...so perhaps I should follow my own advice when sourcing dining room chairs for my DINKs
While searching for chairs that have an upholstered seat and wood back, I came across a
simple Louis Chair and loved the clean lines as well as endless possibilities of styling! 

Although these are not right for my DINKs, they may work for you!



Start here and watch the ideas multiply!



Simple chairs but add drama by using two fabrics-
my personal fav is an upholstered back
with a faux leather seat (practicality!)

(also, totally okay to add two different host chairs at each end of the table..
or in this case with the round- mixed in)


Let the walls do the work! Louis chairs paired with a custom banquette... ahhhh


On top of beauty, here's another way to add a custom feel for less.
 Change out the fabric
on the back side of the chair only-


Another example~


Can't get much simpler than this, but what an impact! Is it the chandelier?


You can always add nailhead and paint, paint paint!!!!


Remember, the chairs don't have to match the table. 
It's all about making the colors, patterns and finishes work together...
 I can help you do that!

You know I'm totally in love with the photo above:)

We are getting close to making a decision for the DINKs dining set and this chair is the front runner...


Will the finish be white? Espresso? Red? Will the seat be a green faux croc?
 Decisions... decisions...

I'll keep you updated!


Until next time,
Traci

Images via* Cottage Living, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Renovation Style,

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