I know I want this, but...

this is a child's tea set. Somebody make it in big-person size, PLEASE?




Schylling Modern Tea Set
$19.95. Available here, here, and here.

A tiny peek at the new arrangement

Home Upside Down

Well, I am in the process of rearranging my living room. Because I will be moving furniture, it means I will have to confront all the picture frames, mirrors, vases, and misc. objects that have been either stored behind or under my furniture. It also means that the resulting dust bunnies will need to be dealt with too.

In order to move the furniture to its new location, I also have to empty out the drawers and shelves. While doing that, it's inevitable that I will go through those papers, books, and supplies trying to see if I can eliminate any more of that stuff.

So that is what I will be doing for a while. I'll let you know how it goes.

This intrigues me...

A new piece from IKEA:

The LERBERG shelf unit for $15, perfect for a bright shot of color.

Why can't I arrange my pictures?

kimhas4cats

I really am going to attempt it this time. I have two great expanses of off-white walls to cover. However, I am terrified of putting little holes all over the place and still being disappointed. I have done my research, I have my inspiration photos, and I have framed the heavy hitters. Now I just need to start playing with display arrangements.

I have my research, like this article from the Better Homes & Gardens site. [By the way, have you checked out the magazine lately? Not bad at all.]

Rentaldecorating.com also provided these helpful and easy rules.

But I still wish it was as easy as this interactive salon wall tool from Cottage Living's website. While playing with this, I came out like a pro and everything looked fabulous.

Some great examples of what other people have been able to do, all found on Flickr:

Photo credits: darwinbell, aoneko, scrtagentmarten, thomatically, and jiminycrow

I made the AT Slinks column!

I made the Slinks column at Apartment Therapy: Chicago for my first SHELTER Study interview. See the mention here.

Thank you Chicago AT!

Finally, Caribbean Blue Le Creuset!

In March, I blogged about an apartment in Blueprint magazine that I loved. In the article, they showed these incredible aqua Le Creuset dishes, however, I found that color was not available in the U.S. at the time.

Well, now it is!

Caribbean blue is available at Sur La Table, Bed Bath & Beyond, Chefscatalog.com and numerous other land and online retailers.

More retailers can be found through the Le Creuset America site. There you can keep up to date on all the new products, link directly to their online retailers, or find a store that carries the brand.


Note: Every retailer chooses which particular items from the line they will carry. Therefore, I found that BB & B had more pieces available than Sur La Table and that Chefscatalog.com offered a pretty sweet 9-piece set for $340.

Another curvy lamp

Vase shaped table lamp in Orange $99

Also available in yummy high gloss shades of Chartreuse, Mediterranean blue, and Fuchsia.

The Slipcover Finale

Here is a corner of the slipcover after it was basted and turned right side out.

It made me happy.

This is how it works:

Cushions are placed on top of the fabric that actually used to be tucked behind it.

The elasticized fabric portion is pulled up, over, and around the cushions.

Now, minimal tucking is required for it to look like this.

Note: Even though it looks separate, the slipcover is still one big piece, all of the sections are still attached to each other.

The bolster pillows are now in place, adding style and color.

My inspiration images: