Saturday, March 17, 2012

Pull Up An 'Animal Print' Stool

Recently, House Beautiful Makeovers featured an article entitled, "10 Ways Accessories Can Transform a Room" dedicated to perking up your color palette or personality of your home without redecorating completely.  Well, guess what caught my eye????

"Stools are the perfect spot to perch or place a tray with drinks. Designer Nancy Boszhardt chose one upholstered in a zebra print for the fireplace of this New York home because it offers a lot of flexibility." LOVE IT!!!!

black painted library with fireplace and zebra print stool

Here are just a few animal print ottomans and stools via Larissa Hill Pinterest that have definitely upped the 'personality' factor in these rooms.   

An artful mix of vintage benches with Clarence Houlse fabric via Elle Decor.

Fabulous Zebra bench via Houzz 

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard introduced these spectacular
zebra ottomans into this traditional Beverly Hills living room.

Sophisticated living room - floor to ceiling bookcases and chinoiserie chair
Sophisticated living room via Decorpad

nice
Blue and White and Zebra too!!!


Sophisticated
[ fur + leopard + brass + a blown-up photo* ]

Leopard
Google

Head on over to Larissa Hill Pinterest Wild Things Home to see more animal print touches that yield big design results. 

Let me know what you think....

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Susan of Between Naps On The Porch featured her 'faves' in a recent post and Gina of  Renewed Spaces did a  feature on her Favorite Things in May 2011.    It just  happens that one of Gina's is also one of mine, Spray Paint Handle.

So, here are a few of my favorite things....in no particular order because they are all equally important to me as a DIYer.

#1 - My 'go to' wax,  Howard's Citrus Shield Premium Natural Paste Wax is always in my cupboard and it can be found on Amazon for $9.75. Such a deal!!!

Citrus Shield

#2 - Any and all brands of Un-Sanded Grout for my Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe but I must confess that recently, I have fallen for DAP Plaster of Paris and am now substituting it in my Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe.  It is the perfect addition to flat latex paint and voila....chalk paint.  I will be featuring a few of my furniture makeovers with my 'new' chalk paint in the near future...stay tuned!

Thx to Scribbler and Mah for bringing Plaster of Paris to my attention in your comments.

DAP® Plaster of Paris (Dry Mix)

#3 - Klean Strip Easy Liquid Sandpaper deglosses surfaces much easier than sanding to help new finishes adhere to old finishes. Works on paint, varnish, enamel and stain and is great for kitchen cabinets, wood moldings and all types of furniture.

Klean-Strip 1 qt. Easy Liquid Sander

#4 - Rub 'n Buff is made from imported carnauba waxes, fine metallic powders, and select pigments. This unique blend gives objects decorated with Rub 'n Buff® a finish that no paint can duplicate! Available in 16 colors.

It's so easy to apply. Just rub onto any surface with finger or soft cloth, then buff to a beautiful luster. Rub 'n Buff® is ideal for: restoring cherished antiques, stenciling, frame finishing, antiquing, home decor, restoration and any and all craft projects.



#5 - The original Greased Lightning formula is time-tested for superior cleaning and stain-fighting power. Greased Lightning conquers the toughest stains and can be used throughout the home. It cuts through grime, removes red wine, and helps pre-treat all of your tough laundry stains, including grease, grass and ink and so much more...  Greased Lightning has a new look!!!

Greased Lightning Super Strength Cleaner

#6 - Rustoleum Spray Grip turns every spray can into a spray gun for a smooth, professional finish.  The soft-touch trigger reduces finger fatigue, the locking collar keeps the can tightly attached and the safety lock keeps paint from spraying unexpectedly.


#7 - Simichrome Polish is an all-metal polish that can be used on any non-ferrous metal surface including brass, gold, silver, aluminum and stainless steel and it leaves a thinn protective coating to help prevent tarnishing. 

As promised Simichrome Polish cleans brilliant to a shine....everytime!!! 


#8 - Goo Gone is my 'go to' product for all of my sticky, gummy, greasy, gooey problems! Goo Gone can be used on hard surfaces, carpeting, upholstery, clothing, and more and helps me out all of my 'sticky' situations!!!

GGHS12_340.png

#9 - All of my favorite bloggers and there are far too many to name.  Without their inspiration, DIY advice and support, I couldn't do this.

#10 - And finally, a fine glass of Savignon Blanc when I totally exhausted!!!

I'd love hear what your 'favorite things' are....


Monday, March 12, 2012

Friends, Pittsburgh & "Fashion Star"

"NBC's 'Fashion Star' is going where no reality TV show has gone before. The fashion reality show debuts next Tuesday and puts a new twist on how consumers buy clothes."



One of our very own, E.J. Johnston is the co-creator along with fellow Pittsburgher, James Deutch.  E.J. is the son of Eddie (former NHL player, coach and GM) and Diane Johnston of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.   E.J. is featured along with menswear designer John Varvatos in this Yahoo! Finance Daily Ticker interview.  The newest reality show on NBC, Fashion Star will revolutionize not only reality TV but retail as well. 

For more on E.J., go to Fashion Star Press Tour.



And finally, congratulations to E.J., Eddie, Diane, Michele, Gerry, Lacey, Joe and Kiri.  We are so very proud of E.J. and so very happy for all of you.  We will be tuned to NBC on Tuesday, March 13th @ 9:30!!!

Make sure you watch and then let me know what you think...

Friday, March 2, 2012

And The Winner Is....Graphique Giveaway

And the winner of the $25 Graphique Giveaway is.....

Kimberly of blogspot Tiaras And Bowties!!!  Congratulations,  Kimberly.  I can't wait to see what you create with your new Graphique images. 

AND, Larissa Hill Designs was a winner today with a great feature at Power Of Paint on my For Me Or Not For Me - Annie Sloan Chalk PaintThank you, Mary Ann

PoP Larissa Hill compare chalk paitn
Power Of Paint is a great new site dedicated to all things PAINT! So if you're a paint lover and you adore the instant transformation that paint makes, then this is the place for you. 

Finally, I injured my hand and am in a splint for a couple of weeks, typing is difficult and so is everything else.  Bottom line, I'll be MIA for a couple of weeks. 

Have a great day....