decor

Ottoman Bed

August 27, 2009 By Kristie Barnett Leave a Comment

This is so ingenious! At first glance, it’s a slipcovered ottoman. Which is a versatile piece to begin with. It can be used to rest your feet, topped with a tray to convert it into a makeshift coffee table, or put into use as extra seating. The slipcover comes in white and in hot pink.

But if you remove the slipcover, it folds out into an extra sleep space for friends. No more making pallets on the hard floor! It has a metal frame and velcro straps to keep the mattress in place. It takes twin-sized bedding and is strong enough for kids and non-huge adults. You can find this nifty convertible space-saver at Pottery Barn Teen.

There are so many cool things in the Teen catalog from Pottery Barn. And it’s not JUST for teenagers. It’s like a funkier, more creative version of the regular Pottery Barn catalog. It must be where all the edgier, hipper Pottery Barn designers go to work. Anyway, the Ottoman Bed is currently priced at 299.00. It could be used in front of any casual chair or sofa, or at the end of a twin bed. Park two in your den so the space can play double-duty as a guest room.

http://www.pbteen.com/products/girl-ottoman-bed/?pkey=cfurniture-sale

Tack Boards

August 9, 2009 By Kristie Barnett 1 Comment

My latest bargain was found at my local Goodwill store. Just stopped in to find a gray belt, which I found. I always go through the leaning stack of framed art in the back. I found not one, but two bamboo tack boards with white frames. They looked so cool, I thought at first they were just framed bamboo. Then I realized someone had made them to be tack boards. They totally look like they are right out of a Ballard Designs catalog!

That’s What I Like!

August 5, 2009 By Kristie Barnett Leave a Comment

Let’s play “That’s What I Like!” I sometimes use this exercise with clients who are at a total loss as to what they want or would like to have in their homes. It’s a great way to discover what you love and why, and a good way to get you in the habit of making choices. Grab a friend and go window shopping at any store that sells home-related items.

The game is this: you have to make a choice and decide on one thing you would buy from that window, display rack, or display table. Don’t actually buy anything – but decide to pick up one thing you would take home if you had to. You have to pick something, even if you hate everything you see.

Wall Stickers

August 3, 2009 By Kristie Barnett 9 Comments

Over the last couple of years, I have noticed some promising developments in wall design that doesn’t involve the expense and permanence of wallpaper, painted murals, and the easily-cheesiness of do-it-yourself stenciling. Yay for vinyl wall stickers! Michaels carries some called Hip in a Hurry. Most are geared for children’s rooms, but there’s one that has graphic shapes that might work in an informal, modern room.

I found a couple of sites that carry some much more original and imaginative patterns that I wanted to share with you. One company called Single Stone Studio has got beautiful ones that would look great in a modern home. You’ve got to check some of these out!

Scrabble Tiles

August 1, 2009 By Kristie Barnett 9 Comments

I love to come up with interesting ways to use everyday items in decorating. Yes, I have even been known to go through my children’s toy box for styling ideas. Who doesn’t have a game of Scrabble somewhere in their home? Scrabble tiles are a great way to graphically express a decorative thought, especially for holiday styling, dinner parties, and special occasions.

Glass Bud Vases

July 21, 2009 By Kristie Barnett 2 Comments

Do you guys shop at Dollar Tree? What a great place for finding mini-gifts, party favors, paper party products, stocking stuffers, holiday trinkets, and sometimes even good decor! So I’m at my local Dollar Tree to stock up on Old London’s Melba Toast – but they don’t have it anymore! Sad, but I did find these beautiful blue-tinted, delicately etched bud vases. I scooped up 5 for a mere $5 and brought them home to do some styling.

Have you ever put a large centerpiece on your dining room table only to have to remove it to be able to see your guests? Well, here’s a simple but elegant idea for a table “centerpiece” that doesn’t interfere with conversation. I simply grabbed my new bargain bud vases, clipped some hydrangeas from my yard, and lined them down the middle of my table. If you do this, it’s important to use items in odd numbers – 3, 5, or 7.