armoire part I

I've been wanting to paint the living room armoire for some time now. Just how long? Well, I consulted my blog archives and it looks like I got the big idea last July, as documented here.



In some ways painting the armoire seems as disruptive a project as painting a room because it holds the TV and all that goes along with it. I never truly enjoy painting but the results are always so worth it every time.



The drawers are packed tightly with CDs and VHS tapes and will need to be emptied. I realize this will be a good opportunity to sort and make donation piles. {Record club CDs from the late '90s, anyone? Teasing!}



Even though this idea has been on my mind for a while, it's not completely sorted out. I am thinking of layering coats of aqua and gray and finishing with watered-down white on top, which will ultimately be sanded here and there for a distressed look.



I'm also in the midst of deciding whether to (a) keep all hardware as-is; (b) give it a shabby coat of white with some silver; or (c) replace handles with something interesting a la Anthropologie (but not so pricey).



As always, any ideas are welcome! The painting begins this Saturday!

xo
elyse

robby benson, skipper and me

I recently did a guest-post at Annette Tatum's The Well-Dressed Home blog and it was so enjoyable for me to assemble, photograph and write that I would like to share it here, too. If you read it at Annette's, I apologize for the rerun ...

When asked to publish a post about Annette's beautiful book The Well-Dressed Home, Fashionable Design Inspired by Your Personal Style, I knew instantly that I wanted to explore the premise for myself:

{Personality is key when developing your wardrobe, and the same is true when creating a unique decorating scheme for your home.}

As a teenager, I was very proud of my bedroom. I recall feeling how the space was an extension of my personality; that someone could walk in and know it was mine. While my mom had picked out bedding and curtains, I was given free reign to hang posters and display collections. Whether it was a poster of dreamy Robby Benson, my plaid Preppie calendar, or the pink and green Sex Pistols album cover: it was me. Somehow, these attributes still apply: a mix of sweet, practical and fun.

In the Design Style Guide part of Annette's book, styles are broken down into lavishly presented categories of Romantic, Couture, Classic, Casual, Bohemian, Retro, Resort, Modern, Eclectic, Vintage, and Eco. It was fun to assign a mix for myself which appears to be Romantic-Casual-Vintage ... for now!



When I scouted for clothing in the colors of my home office (aka the Girlie Office), the accent colors of pinks and aquas were an easy find. However, no yellow: not a shirt, not a shoe, not an earring. I've always felt sallow in yellow yet am very happy surrounded by the sunny hue.



The scheme in the dining room and kitchen are similar to the Girlie Office: pale with bright; this time mint paired with bright shades of blue, red and raspberry.



The living room is all about tones of grays and blues with a bit of white and occasional sparkle. A coordinating outfit was quickly located as I tend to wear quite a bit of gray and blue with a little sparkle.



Shoes are always flats, thanks to my style icon the Skipper doll.



Again, quite a bit of gray ...



with a little sparkle.



And comfort is always a priority in both my fashion and furnishing choices.

xo
elyse

ps



{tee hee}

well-dressed winners announced

Thank you to everyone who read my interview with Annette Tatum, visited my guest post at her blog and returned to enter the giveaway. Using random.org, three winners have been selected and each will receive their own copy of Annette's book The Well-Dressed Home. The winners are Kelly, Danielle, and Lisa. Congratulations!

As an extra thank you from Annette, treasured bloggers can receive 10% of orders from her website ANNETTE TATUM by entering the code: tinkered.

Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Weekend!

xo
elyse

well-dressed giveaway x 3 (+ interview)

When I was approached by Annette Tatum to do a book review and guest post in celebration of the launch of her new website ANNETTE TATUM, I was beyond excited. Not only have I been swooning over Annette's pale floral House Inc fabrics since discovering them via CountryHome magazine (June 2008) but I had been wanting a copy of her book The Well-Dressed Home, Fashionable Design Inspired by Your Personal Style, for my very own. Now thanks to Annette, I own a copy and 3 of you have a chance to win one for yourself, too! {Details below}

The Well-Dressed Home is a truly beautiful book; even its surprising heft adds to the sense of substance. The photographs by Karyn R. Millet are beyond lovely and the book features many "mood" or inspiration boards that illustrate harmonious blends of fashion and furnishings. After all, this is the premise of Annette's book: Create a personalized living space that reflects your style sensibilities.


Blending in with my Girlie Office {Necklace by Debi}

I really enjoyed creating a guest post for Annette's blog where I pulled shoes, clothing and accessories from my closet to see if they indeed coordinate with decor around my home. I hope you will visit the post and be inspired to play, too.


Annette (l) in her inspiring office

Hello, Annette! First I want to say that your writing is so eloquent, it was like reading a prose poem. Before you fell for textiles and design, did you write?
Annette: I was never that compelled to write until I started to blog. Seems like for many like me there is a writer in all of us! For the book I summoned friends and family to help proof read and help me write. It's hard to put your own style and ideas into words without sounding redundant at times so I took all the help I could get!



I especially enjoyed the Design Style Guide part of your book where you break down styles into categories of Romantic, Couture, Classic, Casual, Bohemian, Retro, Resort, Modern, Eclectic, Vintage, and Eco. It was fun for me to assign a mix for myself which turned out to be Romantic-Casual-Vintage . . . for now! What would your own mix be? What was it ten years ago?
Annette: I am Eclectic at heart. I like a little bit of everything and have such a hard time committing to a certain style. However, I notice that my home is probably Classic with Casual -- and not enough Bohemian. The free spirit in me would love to lead more of a "Boho" lifestyle; I also wish I had more of a "couture" lifestyle but four children keeps that look far from my reaches.



I think it would be great to be a set designer where I could create rooms for movies and experience it all. I love the movie Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. The sets, the props, the wardrobe . . . in another lifetime perhaps! Ten years ago my style was more Romantic and Vintage; I have since discovered I like a more sophisticated look which I find in Classical design.



You created your first collection of bedding in 1994. Because I am guessing that we are around the same age, that astonishes and impresses me! What would you consider to be your big break and any details of how that came about?
Annette: If someone had just told me to do what I loved I probably would have even started printing fabrics earlier in my life but the road that lead me here also contributed to who I am and the lessons I have learned. I have always been creative and transitioned from architecture to product design. I dabbled in lighting, furniture and packaging design and graphics before landing in fashion. It was in fashion that color entered the picture and with fabric you could do so much more and have so much fun.


Love these top-tying curtain panels!

I found my calling and started to make apparel and then finally landed where I am right now in Home. My lifestyle has also played a part in what I do. I started Nursery as a young mother and now that my children are getting older it's no surprise to me that I am looking to branch out into more interior design and home decor fabrics.



I am also in awe of all that you accomplish, knowing that you have four children. With my own two boys I have completely embraced chip-forgiving Cottage style in most rooms. What style works for you in your busy home? Any storage tips? Annette: In my home everyone has a little bit to do with the overall style. For the common areas like our family room and kitchen, I have graduated from my "all white" color theme. When the kids were little, white was always easy to clean -- a little bleach and gone were the stains -- now I have a pale blue linen sofa and am proud to say it is still blue! I now have more antiques in my home and one of a kind vintage pieces that are not broken or falling apart because someone decided to use them as a jumping gym! So, slowly over time I am creating the home I want with an open mind and a willingness to collaborate with others.



I am not a big fan of storing; I usually discard. Every six months or so, I go through the house and throw away or donate things we don't need or are done with. It's so energizing and healthy to get rid of the clutter. In this process I often find myself moving furniture around to try new combinations. I have a good girlfriend who will come over and we have fun rearranging furniture for the afternoon -- sometimes with surprising results that often work better than when we started.



What room in your home or office would you best fit in at the moment?
Annette: Like my wardrobe, spring is here and it's a good time to clean house again and get some new ideas going. In a perfect place and time I would say my home office best reflects my style sense in clothing -- it's full of inspiration that I love and like my wardrobe holds some treasures that I might never wear or use but I keep them because they make me happy!

Warmest thanks to Annette for her thoughtful answers and generous giveaway!



BOOK GIVEAWAY x 3
For a chance to win one of three copies of Annette's book, The Well-Dressed Home, simply leave a comment. Three winners will be chosen at random. The giveaway ends on April 23, 2011.

For additional entries:
Please do any or all of the following and leave a comment for each letting me know:
- Visit my post at Annette's blog and leave a comment about which photo you like best
- Sign-up for the Annette Tatum newsletter (find at right sidebar of Annette's blog)
- Become a Fan of The Well-Dressed Home on Facebook

Thank you for reading and good luck!

xo
elyse

Photos provided by ANNETTE TATUM

novica giveaway winner announced

Thank you so much to everyone for entering my NOVICA giveaway.

Using random.org is elementary my dear, and the winner is Sara at The Sherlocks Home blog. Sara is the recipient of $75 to spend at NOVICA which was generously provided by the fair trade artisan website.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the dual-post AnnetteTatum palooza!


Source: The Well-Dressed Home

xo
elyse

novica giveaway

Recently I was approached by NOVICA to see if I would consider trying them out, writing a review and then hosting a giveaway. I was ready to politely decline but then visited their site and was so impressed.



NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. They work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. NOVICA has thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts and home decor items on their website.


fyi: (l) Rose quartz dangle earrings "love fest" (r) Pearl and rose quartz flower earrings "honey peach"

I am easily overwhelmed by a large range of choices so I focused on earrings and picked two. In the product descriptions there is information about the artist and their materials.



When my order arrived, each set of earrings came in its own box along with a small booklet and artisan story card with a handwritten note from the artist. The care and service reminds me very much of ordering from Etsy, where most sellers add a personal touch to each prized sale.



NOVICA gave me $75 to spend and $75 to share (making sure to factor in shipping and handling in the total cost). So, here's the fun part: Please leave a comment on this post to be eligible to win $75 to spend at NOVICA. A winner will be selected on Monday, April 18, 2011 at random.

Coming up:



Tuesday (April 19) I will be posting a book review and interview with designer, author and mom Annette Tatum and hosting a giveaway of her beautiful book, The Well-Dressed Home.
- On the same day, I will have a guest post at Annette's blog where I search my own closet to see if my personal style is truly in sync with my home's decor.

xo
elyse

making your mark

With so many beautiful books available, why not have pretty bookmarks, too?



These bookmarks are so simple to make.



- Bring pieces of your favorite fabrics to a copy center and ask for color copies on white cardstock
- Cut the printed cardstock into strips
- Trim the top and bottom with a pattern-edge scissors (optional)
- Punch a hole close to the top
- Loop a short piece of embroidery floss through the hole



Easy with minimal cost and a sweet idea when giving a book as a gift, too.



Thank you so so much to everyone for your happy comments on my contributing writer = me post. Your cheers mean the world to me!

xo
elyse

contributing writer = me!

I'm probably too excited to contain my enthusiasm and concentrate to write a blog post but I can't help myself, I have news to share with my blogging friends and I'm no good at waiting 'til morning! The summer issue of Romantic Country just hit newsstands and it includes my first full article, titled Tiffany Blue.


Many, many heartfelt thanks and hugs (x 1000) to Fifi O'Neill for providing me with the opportunity to write about Marie and Chris Vera's beautiful bungalow.


Photos by Mark Lohman

I had the best time writing along with providing catchy titles for paragraphs and photos, like this one which I titled Shady Character. Homeowner Marie was so sweet to interview and she has a wonderful blog called Marie's Maison. Romantic Country always has beautiful layouts but I am really swooning over how my piece looks on printed pages with the pretty combination of fonts and colors and photographs.



I am thrilled to be listed as a Contributing Writer.
(Click to enlarge)



And Fifi, my very own fairy-rockstar also included Tinkered Treasures in the Sweet Shopping section.

To new blogging friends and those who have been with me since being published was a someday-wish, thank you for always cheering me on, encouraging me, and filling my heart with your always-appreciated warm comments.

Think I might need to buy some celebratory cupcakes!

xo
elyse



On newsstands now!

ps
{Please excuse any me-me-me! tone. Excited = me!}