Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial

All you need to make your own shabby chic lampshade:  a wire lampshade frame (mine is a vintage one – it’s former shade was made of paper and got torn) and strips of white fabric.  I got this idea at Halloween when my daughter dressed as a mummy – I had all these strips of fabric from that costume, and I hated to throw them out. 

DSC 26721 Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial

 

 My fabric was already cut into strips (or ripped into strips, actually) when I made the mummy costume.  I’d say you’d want to cut/rip your fabric in 8-10 inch wide strips.  The strips then need to be cut to an equal length – long enough to wrap around the frame vertically once, then tied off into a knot.

DSC 2674 Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial 

 

You keep tying fabric strips all the way around the frame until all of the wire frame is covered.

DSC 2676 Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial

 

First, let me say:  my lampshade turned out a little more frou-frou than I meant it to.  I will probably redo this with strips of muslin rather than the heavier cotton fabric I had on hand.  I will also cut the strips a bit longer so the end hang down more rather than puffing out (that probably has to do with the thickness of the fabric, too).

DSC 2682 Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial

 

I think it kinda overpowers this small lamp in my daughter’s room.  And it kinda looks like I made it out of toilet paper in the above photo.  Here’s a shot with the light on:

DSC 2686 Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial

 

Perhaps I should stick to shopping for fabulous lampshades, rather than attempting to make my own!   Here is a photo of the costume that spawned this frou-frou lampshade.

DSC 1955 Shabby Chic Lampshade Tutorial

 I guess that’s what happens when mummies go shabby chic!

Limed Wood: Hot, Hot, Hot

Everything old is new again, right?  But always with a twist.  Remember the pickled wood in the late 1980′s?  Limed wood is reminiscent of that, but with a twist.  Wait for it . . .

limed wood dining via mstreetdenver Limed Wood:  Hot, Hot, Hot

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Pickled wood had a slight pinky undertone that screams late 80′s/early 90′s to this day.  Limed wood is also reminiscent of the whitewashed look of shabby chic, made popular by Rachel Ashwell in the 1990′s.

limed wood furniture via nynottinghill blogspot 718x1024 Limed Wood:  Hot, Hot, Hot

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But here’s the twist:  [Read more...]

Heart and Soul

I just finished a lovely little decorating book:  House Beautiful’s The Finishing Touch – Details That Make a Room Beautiful.   The writer often stops to ask designers what they think on given design subjects.  What gives  a room Heart and Soul?  Let’s see what these designers had to say about it: What Gives a Room Heart and Soul Heart and Soul


“Family photographs, a dog, and a sofa you can vacuum.” – Kitty Hawks


Rachel Ashwells dining room 300x300 Heart and Soul “Evidence of life.  Anything from children’s art to dog-eared magazines to fresh-cut flowers that aren’t perfect.” – Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic

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Euro Trash Girl – Annie Brahler

OK, I admit it.  I’m kinda obsessed with Annie Brahler.  I’ve been following her for the last couple of years.  I’ve saved every picture from every magazine layout she’s ever had of her home – she’s been featured in two issues of Country Living, two issues of Home Companion (now defunct), and in Romantic Homes.  I’m sure there have been more.   Photos from this post are from those publications.

Annie in Bedroom Euro Trash Girl   Annie Brahler


She lives in the most amazing home I have ever seen.  Annie lives in Jacksonville, Illinois.   Doesn’t sound like a terribly exciting place, but check out this unbelievable Beau Arts home!!!  She lives here with her 3 perfect children, 2 perfect dogs, and presumably, her perfect husband.  She certainly has a perfect lawn care guy.

Annies Beaux Arts Home Euro Trash Girl   Annie Brahler

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Signature Style

DSC 7265 210x300 Signature Style There’s been a lot of talk over the last couple of years about defining your signature decorating style in a sound bite – I think it all started with “Shabby Chic.”  Designers and decorators started coming up with 2-word catch phrases for their style.  A few years back a couple of women started their own business where you sent them several hundred dollars, and they told you what your signature style was based your answers to a series of questions.  This was supposed to get you focused so that you acquire new things with purpose and stay focused on your vision.

 

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New Rachel Ashwell Book!!!!!

shabby chic big pic 248x300 New Rachel Ashwell Book!!!!! THIS is the kind of thing I get excited about!  Rachel Ashwell has a new book coming out September 1st: Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic Interiors – My Rooms, Treasures, and Trinkets.  Rachel Ashwell is a self-made businesswoman who founded the iconic brand known as Shabby Chic in 1989 when, as a single mother of two young children, she looked to open a small shop where she could sell “pretty things” without spending much time or distance from her children. Rachel opened her first store on trendy Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, California and now has a brand that is known worldwide.


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pixel New Rachel Ashwell Book!!!!!