Restoration Hardware's "Wish Book" Publication

FREE IMAGES Hello lovely friends!  Have you seen the new Restoration Hardware catalog "Publication".  They are calling it their new "Publication" instead of catalog as it it 600-something pages long and includes some articles.  Mine came via email and I had fun scrolling through it.

They have some really unique new pieces so I thought we should discuss. 

Restoration Hardware has lost me a bit over the past few years because they became very monochromatic in shades of grey and kind of, dare I say... depressing.  They've also taken on a very masculine look that wasn't there 10 years ago.  I can really appreciate the masculine style they are going for, it just isn't the look I want in my home.  But that's fine, I still like to look. :)

*All pictures in this post are courtesy of Restoration Hardware.
 

This pic is an example of why they've lost me a bit...

 Restoration Hardware still had some fabulous stuff of course, their prices are just TOO HIGH! 

Like, insanely high. 

Like even if I were rich I would still think twice about spending $4000 on a replica of WWII Celestial Binoculars (Yes, I am serious... scroll down to see photo) to sit in my living room and collect dust.
That's why I'm looking and not buying.

Anywhooo.  Let's check out some of the items from their catalog "Publication".

I was blown away by the light fixtures, very unique, some fantastic, some, just plain different.  The first that caught my eye was this bird cage chandelier.  I've never seen anything like it.  For some reason, to me it's screaming "Moulan Rouge".  Definitely very interesting and a conversation piece if you were rich brave enough to put it in your home. 


$2995



Feminine Bling meets Masculine Metal??

Special $2195



 This one looks like it's missing something...

A "steal" at only $750

BIG for $1175

These chairs are great ($329 each and a somewhat easy knock-off) with the table and metal chandy.

These chairs are really masculine and kind of odd dining chairs if you ask me (they didn't ask me).  I like the light fixtures and even the moose antlers! :)





Ok, here's the $4000 WWII replica Celestial Night Binoculars... (for people with so much money they don't know what to do with it.)  I know what I'd do with it, not waste it on these replica binoculars! :)

Restoration Hardware has been doing these 1940s Hollywood Studio Floor Lamps for the past couple years.  Interesting but not very practical for most people at  $1995 on Special for $1695.  I like the use of the metal chandy in here with the very cool aviation coffee table, an awesome man-cave piece.

 



More man cave stuff...  The aviation metal pieces are really striking and cool.  Definitely masculine pieces for manly men. 

Aviator Wing Desk
$2195

These next photos are pieces and styles that I still love about Restoration Hardware.

Fab mirror, couch and throw pillows.

 

Love the whole look of this dining room.

 

Lovely bed and chandelier and beautiful overall.

 

Another fab vintage looking chandelier

Well, since there are 600 pages in the Restoration Hardware catalog "publication" I could go on and on but I'll stop now, hopefully while you're still reading. 

I was not paid to do this post, I just love design/decorating and love getting my new catalogs in the mail or email.  This "publication" had such interesting stuff in it I had to discuss it with someone who cared (Mr. Chic was not interested in looking at a 600 page catalog and discussing decorating trends with me, can you believe that?!) ;)

Have you read the latest RH "publication"?? What do you think of it???

A Pretty Dining Room

FREE IMAGES I was playing catch up on my DVR the other night watching a decorating show.  Surprise! 

It was not the train wreck of a decorating show Million Dollar Decorator (read about my thoughts on it HERE)

It was an episode of Sarah 101 on HGTV.  I love to watch Sarah because she is so talented (obviously) but she also often surprises me.  She'll add a splash of unexpected pattern or color and when she shows the swatch I'll always think to myself  "Hmmm, that one's a little ugly different, Sarah."

But then, at the end of the show, it always looks amazing. 

Always. 

Maybe that's why Sarah gets paid the big bucks and me, not so much ;)

The episode I watched was a dining room makeover that she dubbed "Jewel-like dining". 

It was so unique and fabulous I thought I'd share it with wonderful people like you, that appreciate unique and fabulous.  (As opposed to Mr. Chic who fell asleep on the couch next to me while we were watching some non-decorating show.  He woke up and I asked what he thought of the lovely "Jewel-like dining" room, he glanced at the tv "Groan... I'm going to bed."  Party pooper.)

Unlike Mr. Chic, you will love it!

Here it is in all it's "Jewel-like" glory...

via HGTV.com

I learn so much by watching other designers.  Look how much is going on in there... different fabrics on the chairs, different colored chairs (see the yellow ones flanking the buffet) the wallpaper, paneling, funky mirror shape, curtains, etc. but it flows together so nicely.

The gold leaf wall paper is really amazing. 

I admit at first the wallpaper scared me with the yellow geometric chair fabric, but it totally works!  

The only thing I don't really like is the chandelier.  Sarah said she kept it simple because the rest of the room was not.  It's a little too Medieval Times-ish for me.

via HGTV.ca

I find this room extra appealing because I would never have chosen most of these fabrics, colors and textures for my own home, but I really think it turned out beautifully.

What do you think of it? 

French Script Here to Stay?? (last day for Cutting Edge Stencils Giveaway!)

FREE IMAGES Hello lovely friends!

Today is the last day to enter my Cutting Edge Stencils $50 Giveaway, enter HERE now!

Has the suspense been killing you?!?

What suspense?!?

Well, you know... the results to my very fun and scientific poll about French Script being "here to stay" or "on the way {out}".

Oh yes, that suspense. 

You've been losing sleep I'm sure. 

I won't keep you waiting any longer...

French Script is HERE TO STAY.

This is according to my very scientific survey which resulted in 120 (73%) voting here to stay and 43 (26%)voting on the way {out}.

I'm so happy French Script is here to stay because I happen to love it (when done properly of course)! 

I have been looking for ways to work some French Script to my decor for quite some time without breaking my shoestring budget. 

Since Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs (I'm sure French Script showed up way before the PB and BD catalogs in some fancy schmancy designer line but that's the first I saw it) came out with French Script pillows a few years back it has been popping up everywhere. 

In my hunt for the perfect and affordable French Script I've found that not all French Script is created equal.  Some of it is just plain ugly just doesn't look right. I've found a lot that was just plain ugly just doesn't look right in my price range.



I like this pillow but not so much the Pottery Barn price...

via Pottery Barn

 . 
A fabric swatch from Ballard Designs

via Ballard Designs

The Ballard's print looks lovely on a pillow and even nice on a chair

via Niemen Marcus

But anything bigger than a chair....

via Soft Peach Boutique

is a little much for my taste.   Although, I like this sofa and think it is very tastefully done, I think I'd be sick of it sooner than later. 
.
That's why French Script is great for accessories.  Because, even though my super scientific poll showed that French Script is here to stay right now, that doesn't mean forever.


So, why am I all worked up over French Script right now?

Well, I finally found some fabulous French Script pillows in my price range that will work in my house... this was super exciting for me (is it weird that I'm super excited about pillows?)

Here's a sneak peak at the French Script pillows I found...

I'll show how and where I used French Script in a post very soon. 

Thanks to all who participated in my "fun" survey.  I'll be posting another here in the next few weeks, stay tuned!

Here to Stay or On the Way {Out}: French Script

FREE IMAGES Happy Weekend, friends! 

Today I'm stenciling my bedroom (hint hint) preparing for a fab surprise giveaway coming up Monday.  I needed a quick break so I thought I'd do a fun little survey.  (Are surveys ever fun??) 

Anywho, as a lover of decor and design I always find it interesting to see what trends last more than a year (or sometimes a season).  I like to use my "decorative intuition" to guess these things as I see new trends appearing or hanging around. 

I thought it might be fun to do a survey (again, fun survey = oxymoron) called "Here to Stay or On the Way {Out}" once a month or so to see what my bloggy decorating peeps think.  

What say you? 

Fun or Dumb?

Ok, don't tell me if you think this is a dumb idea, just don't take the survey and when no one responds I'll get it that it's dumb. Thank you.

So, the first (and maybe the last) "Here to Stay or On the Way (Out)" survey will be for decorating trend French Script.

I decided not to tell you what my answer to the survey is because I don't want to sway your opinion and the results of my very scientific and fun survey.

Here are some examples for you to check out before you take the super fun one question survey at the top of this post. :)

Hand-painted French Script Table:

Via Red Hen Home

Chandelier light shades from Ballard Designs.

via Ballard Designs

French Script Chair





via Niemen Marcus 

French Script Throw Pillow

via the cottage cupboard on Etsy



via Bella Maison Francaise





via Niemen Marcus



via Ballard Designs

 What does all this French Script say anyway??  Besides "amore" it could be a bunch of curse words for all I know. :) 

Ok, time for my "fun" survey!!  :)  Please feel free to comment as to why you feel the way you do about French Script.  I'd love to hear all about it!



A Bee Pillow for Me!

FREE IMAGES Happy Weekend!! 

My giveaway from sponsor Kate's Creative Salvage ends tomorrow... sign up HERE for a chance to win $50 worth of cute handmade tags or knobs!

I have been admiring from afar many French inspired burlap-ish stenciled  pillows.  I've seen lots of stencil how-to's in blogland but never actually tried it.  Maybe because I already have 6000 other projects going on... I'm trying to be very picky about starting something new.  Plus, did I really need another decorative pillow??  Don't answer that.

I came across this lovely bee pillow at TJ Maxx, I happily swiped it up since I had a Mother's Day gift card burning a hole in my pocket.  Plus, it was super cheap!  I could buy more with my gift card!  Woot Woot!!

I love how it pulls the colors from my damask curtains and softens the look of our leather chair.

To make this pillow I found a similar stencil for sale online for $14.99, plus I would've had to buy fabric paint ($5), a stencil brush ($3) and a pillow ($10, if I was lucky to find the right color for that cheap).  It would've cost me approximately $35 to make (plus my precious time) and I bought it for less than $15 (with a gift card no less). 

So, this it the anti-diy project.  Why spend your time making it when you can pay half to buy it (and use a gift card!)!  Ha! :)

I realize you can't always find what you want for the right price and if that's the case, by all means, make it yourself.

I just happened to get lucky!  Hope you do too!! :)

Linking: Tatertots & Jello

Mirrored Furniture, Trendy or Here to Stay??

FREE IMAGES If you are even a little bit into decor you've probably noticed the mirrored furniture showing up all over the place... 



Image from ebay

Is it trendy???



Image from glamfurniture


Probably...

 

Photo courtesy Nieman Marcus


Do I totally love it?

Image from google

Ummm...  YES!!!

Image from Google

I try not to be a crazy decor trend follower, especially if it doesn't jive with my home.  For example, the whole antler thing, I didn't do it, it doesn't work in my house... and, I just don't like it.  It will probably be out of style next year, but if it works for you and you like it, I say go for it.

However, this crazy mirrored furniture trend has me swooning.  I think it is absolutely beautiful.  I mean, I really love it!   

There's just one problem with it, (besides being completely breakable, especially with small children around... not to mention the little fingerprints and smudges that will constantly need to be wiped off of it) it's CRAZY EXPENSIVE! 

I had given up on getting any mirrored furniture because I don't really need any furniture... and did I mention it's crazy expensive.

I had come to terms with the fact that I was just going to have to look at pretty pictures of mirrored furniture until the trend passed along with my longing for one. 

Until yesterday.

Yesterday, while having a very unsuccessful trip at Tuesday Mornings trying to shop for a client, I stumbled upon a little mirrored sidetable in the back corner.  I could tell it was a beauty and that it also had a clearance sticker on top. 

The sticker said "Retails for $399, Tuesday Mornings price $149, Clearance Price $30". 

Wait... WHAT?! 

$30!!!!!!  For real?????????????

What's the catch? 

Just a little broken mirror.... actually 2, a skinny side piece and one of the drawers.



Yikes!

Ugh.

I literally stood there for 5 minutes looking at this thing thinking "how can I make this work... it is insanely cheap and awesome!" besides the broken pieces of course.

Look how pretty it is, even with the broken pieces (and missing knobs)...

Being in the garage is not doing it any favors reflecting all that dirty concrete floor.

Here's a side view...



Believe me, this table has good bones.



I knew there were some glass/mirror replacement companies in town so I thought, what the heck, how much could it be to replace some little mirrors... even if I put $50 into it it's still a steal of a price.

So, I bought it. 

I got it home and my husband thought I had lost my mind.  The conversation went something like this... 

Me:  "Why yes honey,  I did buy a broken mirrored, mirror covered side table.  No, I did not forget we have small children.  No babe, I don't think it looks like it's from that gaudy drug dealing Al Pacino house in that old movie Scarface.  Just trust me on this one, K babe."

So now I have to get to work.  I'm so excited to get this thing in my house and looking pretty.  Stay tuned!

xoxo

Linking:  Whatever Goes Wednesday, Spunky Junky, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Tatertots & Jello, Under the Table & Dreaming; Elements Interiors.