Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts

Friday, July 17, 2009

Intergalactic

I had been so excited for August 27th this year, the day when Mars was supposedly going to be the closest its been to Earth in thousands of years. I wanted to throw an outer space-themed party complete with spiked Tang, and silver space balloons.

balloons
I recently found out, unfortunately, that this event already happened in 2003.

*sigh* So much for our imaginary trip to the Red Planet!

*swoon*
Paige

Photography by Patrick Muller

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

DwellStudio Tabletop

I have always loved DwellStudio (and the less expensive DwellStudio for Target), but unfortunately I'm just not at a point in my life where I can go out and splurge on beautiful bed linens (I wish!).

Luckily, DwellStudio is coming out with a new line of tabletop & kitchen items to brighten your space for a little less cash (although they're still pretty pricey for placemats!).


Gorgeous pieces, aren't they?

*swoon*
Paige

Photographs via DwellStudio

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Chic for Cheap - Pillows

Have you wanted to keep your sofa or bed updated with cute pillows, but know that your wallet just wouldn't be able to handle another shopping spree? Take a look at these affordable look-alikes!

Thomas Paul via Anthropologie, $88 (left);
or the alternative, JMCCreations via Etsy, $45 (right)


Thomas Paul via Burke Decor, $100 (left);
or the alternative, milkandcookiesCanada via Etsy, $20 (right)



Jonathan Adler, $98 (left);
or the alternative, Dwell Studio for Target, $19.99 (right)



Sure, they're all a bit different, but if you're looking for a bargain, I'd say they definitely work. I'll be doing the same with blankets and duvet sets later this week, so make sure to come back!

*swoon*
Paige

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thrifted Thursday - Bell Jar

I've always enjoyed thrift shopping, but when I started to get really into it (circa 2006), I kept noticing bell jars on thrift store shelves... but I didn't realize what they actually were for awhile. (Yes, silly, oblivious me.)

"That's the stupidest candle holder I've ever seen! The flame won't burn because it won't have any oxygen!"

"How is this cup supposed to work? It doesn't have a flat bottom!"

I promise I don't usually have such stereotypical blonde moments. (I still can't believe I'm actually admitting this happened... *smacks forehead*) It wasn't actually until 2007 when I returned from studying abroad in India that I realized these strange glass cups' true purpose.

Near the end of my trip, I had purchased a perfectly sized little Buddha. It was a typical tourist gift, but it really is beautiful; and because I had perfected my bargaining skills after five months of speaking Nepali, it was really inexpensive! *proud grin*




A few weeks after I got home, I found myself in a thrift store (of course), and came across an odd-looking jar that would fit my little Buddha perfectly. It was then that I finally realized what it was for. (It's still so embarrassing to admit how stupid I was...)

So I bought it, and voila! He is now quite happy and dust-free.




*swoon*
Paige

Friday, June 19, 2009

Glassybaby

I've always loved glassbaby, the Seattle-based company that makes beautiful hand-blown glass votive holders/cups in all different shades and opacity levels.


After finally visiting their site last night, I discovered their backstory: The woman who started the company is a cancer survivor. For her, the light from each glassybaby votive was like "that deep breath that we often forget to take." Simply beautiful.


A good portion of glassybaby's proceeds go towards cancer research and other cancer-related organizations (buy commemorative glassybabys here). Beauty is always amplified when it's combined with a good cause.


I definitely plan on including these more often in my personal events, and at the events I'll be planning at my new job I started this week(!).


They have stores all over the country, but their flagship store/studio is in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle. I hope I get a chance to stop in very soon!

I hope your weekend is filled with beautiful light, from candles to sunshine!

*swoon*
Paige

Photos from Glassybaby

Thursday, March 26, 2009

In the Boudoir

Someday I will have a fabulous dressing room all to myself, complete with a chaise lounge, chandelier, and wine fridge!

Oh, right, and all of my clothing and accessories. Can't forget those!

And, of course, this dressing room will also be filled with beautiful art...











OrangeWillow

*swoon*
Paige

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Wedding Lighting & Decor: Up, Up, and Away!

Bride-to-be, Melissa, is wondering what to do with her reception space. It's spacious, has exposed brick, and dark chocolate wood beams stretching above - gorgeous! Because it is such a wonderful venue, she doesn't want to overdo the decor; keep it simple but still interesting.

The collage above exhibits three different venue decoration ideas, plus a little surprise ending in the upper right-hand corner. Let's start in the upper left and go counter-clockwise, shall we?

The lanterns idea has been all the rage the past few years. They're perfect for indoors or out, can be lit or unlit, and are relatively inexpensive (not to mention portable - they're completely collapsible at the end of the day). You can do a few, or go all out (like in the picture). The first time I saw this done was in a cafe about eight years ago in downtown Seattle. It had bright red painted walls and the highest ceiling I had ever seen. The lanterns brought the ceiling in closer so your eyes didn't get lost in the space. I can still remember being completely awestruck and wanting to replicate it someday.

Next is the parasol idea, which has also been done quite a bit, but not nearly as much as the lanterns. Hang them at angles (like in the picture) or simply upside-down over the dance floor, or even from trees if you have and outdoor ceremony (like in the movie, "Meet the Fockers"). If you have bridesmaids, you could also have them carry them down the aisle. Hanging them above the dance floor would reference back to the ceremony and tie everything together. It's almost a theme, but not too hokey.

The third option is Martha Stewart's tissue pom poms. These are probably my favorite out of the three, and the one that Melissa has talked with me about the most. They're the least expensive (but do require the most work), and they add a beautiful texture (and any color you want) to the space. When people ooh and aah, you can brag about how you made them yourself (or commissioned good friends to make them for you)! These aren't lit, but you could purchase slowly-twinkling white mini-LEDs and tuck them throughout the tissue folds for some sparkle, but avoid too many lights, otherwise they could end up looking like an X-Mas Sparkle Ball (unless that's what you're going for...).

The last photograph in the collage above captures a lantern release, which is apparently common at Thai weddings, but slowly coming to the US, too. It is supposed to signify the couple's problems floating away and starting a new, wonderful life together. When I first saw the idea, I was worried about all of the lantern pieces eventually fluttering back down to earth and killing fish and ducks and other small animals (there's my hippie side...). BUT you can get biodegradable ones! So cool! My guess is that the flame would eventually go out due to lack of oxygen as it ascends, so hopefully a flaming lantern landing in a field of dry grass isn't an issue... hopefully.

White lights are always a beautiful addition to any evening reception. A multi-clothesline effect like this would be beautiful in an open space with high ceilings.


Or, do the same thing with hanging mason jars with candles. If you're worried about real flame, frost the jars with frosting paint and use fake LED candles (frosting the jars helps because the fake candles are not very attractive on their own). The mason jar below is actually lit by a solar-powered lightbulb! A great solution for an outside afternoon wedding that goes late into the night. Buy them here, or make your own here.


What other ideas have you heard of/used? Please share!

*swoon*
Paige