Faux Fireplace

My dad got us this darling little fireplace grate. He was worried Santa wouldn't find us if we didn't have somewhere to hang our stockings;) I've always wished we had a fireplace, so this called for a little decorating magic. We laid out a few extra tiles left over from the remodel and put some firewood and Christmas lights in a rod iron dish drainer. The garland and stockings were just the finishing touches to make our faux fireplace complete!

I'm still busy wrapping up last minute Christmas projects and presents. (Wrapping up= finishing, not actually ready to wrap the presents yet...) The countdown to Christmas is rapidly winding down. 


L

Festival of Trees

Yesterday we set up our display for the Festival of Trees. I think it turned out to be quite lovely. There were so many fun trees being set up! I was very impressed with the creativity and work that went into every display. So many of the trees were created by families who have lost children to cancer and other ailments. I love knowing that the money earned will go directly towards Primary Children's Hospital. It's nice to see the community come together for such a great cause! Today the trees are being bid on and they will be on display tomorrow through Saturday. I hope our little display goes to someone who really enjoys it!

With Love,
L

Festival of Trees

I've been a busy little elf working with Danny's mom and sisters on putting together a display for the Festival of Trees. While brainstorming about our tree I came up with the design for a "Burlap and Lace Christmas." I found lots of great inspiration ideas online, and we put our own spin on each of them. I think at first everyone was a little unsure about putting burlap on a tree, but they kindly went along with the idea;) I knew burlap and lace were a big trend in interior design and thought it would translate nicely into a Christmas display. Sure enough, it seems to be the trend of the season. We've even seen burlap used on the main tree displays at several home decor shops. Everyone has been busy doing their part--sewing, crafting, painting, etc. I sure have a talented family!! I think it's really coming together nicely!

Danny's mom made a beautiful burlap and lace ruffled tree skirt (she altered the instructions a bit, but the originals are found here). She used vintage lace from old table clothes and curtains. It's absolutely stunning!!  I'm hoping to find time to make one for our tree too! Jill made three beautiful burlap stockings and I helped her embellish them with my handmade flowers (instructions found here). Jenee wrapped the gift boxes in beautiful brown paper and we embellished them with my handmade flowers, doilies, and others little bits left over from the tree. Leisel made the lovely glittered ornaments with vintage sheet music and the darling lace ornaments trimmed with holly berries. We've all worked together to dress up the tree and it's nearly complete! Danny's mom purchased the entry table at Hobby Lobby and Danny and I refinished some thrifted doors to match. The doors will be a backdrop dressed up with a custom garland and Jill's stockings. They aren't quite done, but you get the idea... I think everything is coming together beautifully! If you live in Utah, you should check out the Festival of Trees and see it all put together in person! Our tree will be auctioned off and the money earned will go to Primary Children's Hospital. Once it's all put together I'll get a complete picture, but I thought it would be fun to post a few of the details along the way!

Enjoy!
L

Interior Inspiration

Inspired by:

Via Chikkaboom.blogspot.com

Scrapbooked:

I know, I know... I said I would post a new installment of Interior Inspiration weekly, and it's been two weeks. Sorry about that;) This page has actually been done for quite a while... but with all the birthdays, our anniversary, etc... I had too many things to share!

So here we go again... I loved this little nook in what I presume is a living room space on the ChiKKaBoom  girls' blog. It's a mom and daughter design team blog full of fabulous inspiration. Like our last designer, Laci Davis, they do a little spot on KSL's Studio 5. Their DIY projects are so stylish and affordable! You have to check it out!! They just did a special on doilies and I was Smitten! I have to make a doilie scarf immediately;)

Inspired by:

Teal. (Last year's color of the year, but still SO very on trend)

"Keep Calm and Carry on" (pretty much EVERYWHERE in the design world.
Thank you England.)

Damask prints

Ruffles

Chairs (Big trend in the Scrapbooking arena)

Vintage suitcases (love the mustard color!)

Thanks ChiKKaBoom ladies for the inspiring decor! I'm quite happy with how this little page turned out.

Be sure to watch next week for more inspiration!

With Love,

L

Introducing: Interior Inspiration

Inspired by:

Via Laci Davis at lacislatest.blogspot.com

Scrapbooked:

I'm SO excited to introduce a new scrapbooking and design feature here on my little blog! You'll be seeing weekly Interior Inspiration posts introducing you to beautiful interior design, amazing designers, and more scrapbooking goodness!

As a professional Scrapbooker, I look for inspiration everywhere! Interior Design is just bursting with elements that can be translated into beautiful pages. I'll be looking to color stories, patterns, and motifs and drawing inspiration to create my work, while of course keeping up with the latest trends in the scrapbooking industry. So without further adieu...

Today's feature highlights a bold yet feminine living space designed by Laci Davis. Laci is a local designer and photographer with impeccable style!! She has a fun little feature on KSL's Studio 5 and blogs about the latest trends in fashion, home decor, and all things stylish. You have to check out her blog!! She's super adorable and her Laci's Latest features are FULL of inspiration!

Inspired by:

Stripes, stripes, stripes!!!

Honeysuckle Pink (Pantone's Color of the Year)

Ruffles

Bows (look at that adorable pillow!!)

Chandeliers

Houndstooth and Zebra Stripes: pattern, pattern, pattern!!!

Thanks Laci for the oh so inspiring decor!! I love how this page turned out so much! Hope you'll check in every week to see more!!

With Love,

L

Vintage Fire Extinguisher

My Danny knows me SO well! If it's old and random, I LOVE it! He found this little beauty while cleaning his grandma's farmhouse. It's an antique copper fire extinguisher... which you probably can't really tell from the cropped photos. Sorry about that... they were the most interesting shots.

My family has learned if it's going to the thrift store, they might as well show me first... before I go there and buy it;) Thanks team!

Not sure how I want to display our newest treasure just yet, but I know it will be a great little addition to our evolving decor. It matches our living room color scheme quite nicely!

I am also in love with the vintage tag... so distressed and worn. It's the kind of thing scrapbookers like me LIVE for. (Perhaps a little over the top, I know... but I really do love it!!)

Thanks Danny and Grandma Johnson!

With Love,
L

Studio 5 Contest

Any of you wondering what my little project was that I mentioned yesterday? A local morning show called Studio 5 is hosting a contest!! The rules: create a home decor or craft item for under $5. When I heard about this little contest I knew I could pull off something fabulous, fresh, and creative. I wanted to make a real statement piece, something you might pay beaucoup bucks for at Anthropologie. I'd like to point out that I came in well under $5 with a total cost of $3.49!

Allow me to introduce you to my custom organic chandelier. Why not bring that outside summer evening feeling indoors this winter!! I love the romantic and rustic appeal of my little DIY lighting feature.

Of course I've seen mason jar lanterns hung outside in warmer weather, but in my mind I could picture the most magical indoor table-setting with my custom chandelier hung above. Picture it with me! A gorgeous table-scape with vintage linens, candelabras, glassware, fresh flowers, and dancing glowing light shimmering above. I love the ambiance of a candlelight spread.

Oh, in case your interested, here's the cost breakdown:

Mason Jars: 6 @.25 cents each at DI 

Craft Wire: .99 cents at Harbor Freight

Votive Candles: $1.00

Branch: free

Ribbon: allowed one item on hand

Total Cost: $3.49

I'm really hoping to be a finalist in the contest. I'll let you know next week. If I get to be a finalist, I'd love your vote!!

Hope you like my little creation. It makes me HAPPY!

With Hope,
L

I Love It!

You know how I was daydreaming of bicycling about the streets of Paris just the other day? We've transformed our living room into something right out of my dreams. I'm so excited to share our decorating goodness with you today! I've been designing this wall in my mind for months. Finally with Danny's expert handyman skills we made it happen!

I love the vintage teal window pane!! Several months ago Danny went to the ghetto to purchase a bunch of fabulous old window panes for me. It was an act of true love and bravery! To mat the salt and pepper ring photo, we simply purchased a piece of foam board and covered it with some fabric I had in my stash.  Seriously, the photos, the colors, the touches of Paris...Je l'aime! (translation: I love it!)

We still need to finish it off by adding a little touch to the middle of the pink embroidery hoop with the fabric inside. I have my eye on something, but it needs to go on sale first;)

Enjoy!
L

xoxo

I'm still fighting off the effects of that icky gluten attack! Yuck! Lesson learned: always delegate when dealing with wheat!

Earlier this week I did a little decorating for Valentines. I love home decor! It makes me so happy to create a space that is beautiful and inviting. I've been a lot slower than I imagined at decorating our home. I think that old perfectionism stinker kept me from moving forward, but since bidding him farewell it's time to get to work! Well, once I'm feeling better, that is.

Xoxo,
L