Meet Me in Philadelphia

TGIF, 2/10/12 Edition

2012-02-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, friends!

Is it just me, or are Fridays better when they are preceded by a Thursday night episode of "Parks and Rec," am I right? If you agree with me, then you'll be happy to hear that you too can buy a custom designed/hewed wooden creation from Ron Swanson (also known as actor Nick Offerman).

(via Offerman Wood Shop)

I have to credit my husband Adam for finding this little piece of decor-celebrity irony for me.

Now, if you aren't a massive fan of "Parks and Rec" (and, perhaps more generally of Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, or Chris Pratt), then I recommend you spend your weekend catching up on all of the hilarity.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

New Series: You Better Shop Around

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I posted a round-up some of my favorite "steal vs. splurge" finds that promised to save you tons o' cash on products that varied only in terms of price. As it turns out, I received such overwhelmingly positive responses to this post that I thought I'd make this into a semi-regular feature, which I'm calling "You Better Shop Around".

The truth is, I love hunting for deals and sharing them with anyone who will listen.

So, let's dive right into the first entry into this series!

On the look out for a linear metal-framed coffee table?

The steal: Dakota coffee table, $120

The splurge: Box frame coffee table, $280

(a difference of $160!)

Need a touch of brassy, twiggy goodness to pair with your favorite chair?
(thanks for the heads up, Dina!)

The steal: Twig accent table, $50

The splurge: Twig table, $470

(a difference of $420!)

Longing for a handsome upholstered bench to add a bit of masculinity to your space?

The steal: Hampton pillowtop bench, $360

The splurge: Marit ottoman, $600

(a difference of $240!)

Want to introduce some woodsy lighting to your walls?

The steal: Branch sconce, $315

The splurge: Bare branch wall sconce, $550

(a difference of $235!)

What is your take on these steal and splurge options?
Does more expensive always mean better?

And, if there's anything you're longing to find in a less-expensive option, send me an email or a tweet and I'd love to track it down for you!

What, no Lazy Boy in your house, Brooke Shields?

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ever seen those Lazy Boy commercials where Brooke Shields tries to pretend she has many pieces of the mid-range furniture brand in her home? Yeah, well, she wasn't being honest it seems.

Her artfully decorated Manhattan townhouse appears in the latest issue of Architectural Digest and reveals spaces where the bulk of a recliner would definitely be at odds. Take a look at her real digs:

(via Architectural Digest)

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes 'Round Here

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend, when nearly the whole population of the United States was gearing up for the Superbowl, I was hard at work spiffing up this blog of mine. What changes do you spot?

I started by revamping the blog header, which now is made up of Sister Parish's "Albert" fabric.

In addition to changing up the blog header, I tweaked the font styles throughout the blog and love the new look that a great typeface can bring.

Oh, and just in case you needed more Ashley and Meet Me in Philadelphia in your life, I finally got with the 2010 program and joined Twitter (@MeetMeinPhilly).

Want to follow along? I'd love to here from you!

I promise to share all of my best Ashley witticisms with you there.

There's nothing like a little change to make a Monday great.

TGIF, 2/3/12 Edition

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

February is my birthday month and in just a few short weeks, I'll be another year older. Another year closer to 30.
Am I the only one who does a lot of reflection around birthday time?

Oh, who am I kidding, I reflect all the time. I reflect uh lot. I'm in my own head even more than Angela Chase.
So much reflection means so much over-thinking on my part, you know those thoughts that we're all subject to:
--Why did that relationship end that way?
--What could I have done differently at that job?
--Why don't ___ and I hang out more?
--Should I have worked harder in school?
--Why haven't I been to the gym in so long?
--Where is this blog going? How can I advance it to where I want it to be?
--What is my next move?
(insert your own particular neurotic thoughts here)

So, I've decided to make a personal 28th-birthday-promise:
To stop being so damn hard on myself.
To forget this person or that person who caused so much sadness or grief.
To show the world that I'm pretty spectacular and funny and clever and cute (okay, maybe I'm not that bold...yet).

To celebrate this resolution of sorts, I'm getting my hair did today, getting back to the gym, and treating myself to the best life possible. To 28 and all that follows.

Happy Friday, everyone.
Thanks for reading and for making each day a little brighter with your comments, emails, and support.

The Green Vase Brightens Any Winter Day

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

We're a few months away from the blooming buds and vibrant flowers of springtime, so I thought that I would use the occasion of February 1st to highlight the spectacular work of Livia Cetti and her company The Green Vase . The Green Vase offers a seasonless take on flowers that can brighten even the bleakest, coldest mid-winter day.

Cetti's floral work, if you're not familiar, regularly appears in Martha Stewart Weddings and is sold in choice shops like John Derian. What makes Livia Cetti and her company so unique you're thinking, right?

Livia Cetti produces awe-inspiring floral arrangements and bouquets made of candy-colored crepe paper!

For all of us who were born with a black thumb, Cetti's flowers are perpetually bright, beautiful and need no care at all.

How gorgeous are these pieces of floral art?

(all via The Green Vase)

If I had to choose, I'd gladly welcome the aubergine hollyhock arrangement above into my home.

Cetti's florals aren't simply meant for wedding editorials though, and can be purchased on The Green Vase website as well as at John Derian in New York. Chelsea from Frolic snapped these paper geraniums, which require extra-close inspection to see that they are actually crafted from paper and not created by nature.

(via Frolic!)

Would you consider bringing one of Livia Cetti's expertly crafted crepe paper blooms into your home?

You sure know I would.

More Changes to My Living Room

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for the lovely comments to yesterday's roman shade tutorial that I shared.

I included a few "after" photos in the post that showed I also made several small but effective changes to the living room.

One change sparked another, and another, and so on.

Since several of you had commented on my dotty spotty pillow, I thought I'd mention that it's Groundworks print called "Twister". I bought it as a fabric remnant from Ebay because it's awfully spendy at full price.

I also relocated some of my artwork to add a bit more color to the space, including our Carter Kustara silhouettes and the Bella Foster print that we received as a wedding present.

Remember the $22 Moroccan-style table I found in Maine over Thanksgiving?

At such a low price, the table wasn't exactly in the best of shape and definitely needed some TLC.
A careful coating of "Wrought Iron" paint by Martha Stewart for Home Depot in a semi-gloss completely changed the overall look of the table and played off of the deep navy from my Groundworks pillow.

Just a couple of quick, easy changes to the living room that make it feel fresh and new.

Easy-Peasy Custom Roman Shades

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you all so much for your very sweet comments to Friday's sneak peak--I could hardly wait to make the reveal!

Well, Monday is here and I'm excited to share my easy-peasy (and inexpensive) custom roman shade project with you all.

WARNING: This post is long, but the project was very simple. I hope you'll humor me and read along.

As the year began, I decided that I wanted to go a little bolder with my decorating choices, and I thought the plain white roman shades in my living room were the perfect place to start.

Here the shades were on Thursday of last week--fine but nothing to write home about:

The plain cotton roman shades were purchased at The Christmas Tree Shops (of all places!) about two and a half years ago when we moved into our current apartment. Each shade was $10, and are still available at The Christmas Tree Shops.

As a matter of fact, they were in this week's flyer.

I contemplated a block print fabric, but I broadened my search and found this batik-style cotton coverlet from Etsy that offered a lot of fabric for about $40. Fabric chosen; decision made!

The color ("that signature Ashley red," as Camille said) was a perfect match for the red-banded curtains in my living room!

Honestly, up until Thursday afternoon, I wasn't 100% sure if I was going to do the sewing myself or hire someone to sew the shades...then, I thought:

Wait, Ashley, you can do this.

Why spend money for someone else's effort?

You got this, girl.

(seriously, this was my thought process)

After the pep talk, I decided I could use the existing white roman shade as a template, backing, and foundation for my roman shade. If starting from scratch, I'd have to buy muslin, string, eyelets, and other bits that I didn't need with this solution.

I decided to do a little "mock-up" before I made any cuts to the fabric.

Ready to go, I first laid my printed fabric wrong-side facing up on the floor (the largest surface area I had to work with).

I laid the roman shade directly on top of the fabric, also with its backside facing up.

With the roman shade laying atop as a template, I was careful to straighten my printed fabric and pull it taut.

Always be mindful of the direction of your pattern before you cut!

Once the fabric was perfectly taut, I began to cut it about 2" wider than the shade on the vertical sides of the shade.

Cut the fabric 2" longer on the horizontal sides of the shade as well.

The extra 2" on each vertical side then got folded and pinned to the existing roman shade.
I made the hem about .25" wider than the roman shade so that none of the white would show.

For the bottom hem of the shade, I cuffed and pinned the printed fabric to the back of the shade, which looked like this:

I'll address the top hem (the part of the shade that's closest to the ceiling) later.
With 3 of 4 sides pinned, I was ready to sew the printed fabric front to the white roman shade backing. I chose to sew by hand because I didn't want the stitches visible from the front of the shade, but you could use a product like Fabri-tac or Stitch Witchery if you don't like to sew.
Just remember: when using Fabri-tac or Stitch Witchery, your project is permanent.
By sewing, I can swap out my front fabric anytime I wish.

The last and final step before hanging the newly-jazzed up shades was to secure the top hem of the shade (the edge that abuts the top of the window). There are several ways to do this, but I pulled out my staple gun and stapled the extra 2" of fabric to the wooden dowel at the top of the shade. You can also choose to glue the fabric to the dowel, if you like.

Okay, are you still reading?!

I know this was long, but I promise the project was pretty quick.

All told, the shades were done in about 2-2 1/2 episodes of Dateline on Investigation Discovery (my new metric for time).

So, to refresh your memory, here's the before:

And the after, which I'm absolutely crazy about!

This project was really fun and simple, and made such a big impact in my living room.

It felt great to reuse the shades I already owned and spend very little (only about $40) for fabric.

What do you think?

Would you try this easy-peasy project in your own home?

P.S. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about this project!

TGIF, 1/27/12 Edition

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Where has the week gone?
I've been in the midst of several projects all week and, because I just can't wait until the reveal on Monday, I had to give you a sneak peak (or two)...

For one, a bold change to the roman shades in my living room:

And another--a new pillow for my sofa:

I can't wait to reveal the full step-by-step roman shade tutorial on Monday.
Be sure to come back next week!

Happy weekend, all!

New, Limited Edition Bella Foster Prints!

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Are you familiar with the website Stampa?

If not, let me share with you a little about this great new site which offers limited edition prints from buzz-worthy artists represented by the firm Art Department. Recently written up on the nytimes.com, Stampa offers a rotating list of artists, including Bella Foster, for only four weeks at a time.

I've written about Bella Foster before on Meet Me in Philadelphia (see here and here), and I'm really crazy about her dreamy sort of abstract style. She manages to elevate the most mundane household items into watercolor dreams.

I love each and every print, but here are a few that I'm simply giddy over:

("Cups" / "Tabletop" via Stampa)

("Interior" / "New York" via Stampa)

("Love American Style" / "Radish" via Stampa)

There are sixteen prints available for a very limited time, so be sure to snatch up these beautiful pieces of artwork quickly.
Wouldn't they be a great birthday or Valentine's Day present for someone special?

On The Pinterest Bandwagon

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I joined Pinterest after bloggers and friends alike were raving about how awesome/addictive it was. It took me a few months to develop a full-blown addiction, but I can now proudly say that I'm really, really into pinning things!

I'm gathering lots of inspiration, and here's a sample of what I've got so far:

Want to follow me on Pinterest?

Let's be Pinterest friends, share pretty images, and pin-pin-pin away!

You Better Shop Around

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Thrift store shopping didn't yield a new piece for my living room this weekend, but I did do a little online window shopping and I realized something: as the song goes, you better shop around (oh yeah, you better shop around).

Sure, it can be easy to just snatch up something you love without doing due diligence to see if you're really getting the best deal, but I'll show that mucho dinero can be saved with a little patience and internet investigation.

Perhaps I'll save you some cash today...

Crazy for a glassy architectural coffee table, like me?

The steal: Almar coffee table, $730

The splurge: Origami coffee table, $1,298

(a difference of $500+!)

Desiring a gorgeous leather mirror in which to admire your beauty?

The steal: Hanging circle mirror, $410

The splurge: Captain mirror, $1,200-$1,600
(a difference of $800-$1,200+!)

Need an African-inspired table that doubles as seating in a pinch?

The steal: Carved wood side table, $200
The splurge: Village table, $575
(a difference of $375!)

Looking for a woven basket to help organize your stuff?

The steal: Rectangle basket, $40
The splurge: All-in-one organizer basket, $70
(a difference of $30!)

Desperate for a little porcelain light in your life?

The steal: Bone china table lamp, $195
The splurge: Hector table lamp, $225
(a difference of $30!)

What do you think of these steals?
How much have I saved you?
(and, lest you think I got all "spendy" on you, many of these items are relative steals--I'm a bargain hunter, through and through)

TGIF, 1/20/12 Edition

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

'Tis Friday again, friends, and I have some miscellany to share before we head into the weekend.

Recently, I snapped this powerful message on a building a few blocks away from our apartment and felt like everyone could benefit from such a validation that I had to pass it along.

Secondly, this is making its way to me and, more importantly, to my living room.

You know I luuuuuhve me some red.

Finally, I'm heading to a few of these places this weekend to hunt down a piece for the open expanse in my living room.

Seems like January is a good time to find treasures as people clean house and donate their wares.
Wish me luck!
(P.S. Impact is opening a new store, which might be the largest thrift store on the East Coast...I cannot wait!)

What do you all have planned for this weekend?
Wishing you all a fun-filled weekend, blog buddies.

Feasting for 100+ Followers!

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I might have the sweetest, most thoughtful husband on the planet because he offered to celebrate the 100th follower of Meet Me in Philadelphia (a pretty big blogging milestone in my book) with a feast at whatever restaurant I chose. Isn't he great?

If you're not familiar with Philadelphia, those of us living in the City of Brotherly Love are tremendously spoiled by the bevy of fabulous restaurants here. Really, there are so many great dining options.

For my "100 Follower Feast," we went to Matyson in Center City Philadelphia.

The unique feature of this particular restaurant is their themed tasting menu, which rotates on a weekly basis. For example, we enjoyed a variety of duck-themed dishes in our previous visit and we enjoyed a series of cheese-based options.

My "100 Follower Feast" was perfect, except for one thing:

I wish I could have enjoyed this yummy meal with you all.

Going, Going, Gone

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've had a love/hate relationship with the 4x4 Ikea Expedit shelf unit in my living room for a long time now and, in a frenzied moment yesterday, I decided to finally say goodbye to it.

Here it is, going:

going:

gone:

Now I have all of this empty space to work with as you enter my apartment.

I want my home to be comprised only of things I love, rather than place holders, and my 5-year old Expedit just didn't meet that criteria any more. I want to create a welcoming first impression that represents who I am now--a bit more grown up and ready to invest in a piece of furniture for the space.

So, what will fill this void, you say?

How about a sleek console?

(via Markham Roberts)

A skirted table covered in a fun ethnic textile?

(via Beach Bungalow 8)

Or a small chest for the storage of mittens, keys, and other "stuff" of entryways?

(via One Kings Lane)

The possibilities are endless...but I needed to let the Expedit go before I could realize those possibilities.

Do you have a piece that you are finally ready to let go of?

Striking Lamp Gold!

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I didn't make it to the auction I mentioned on Friday but I did manage to strike lamp gold at a Habitat for Humanity's Restore in New Jersey.

I walked away with two beautiful lamps with a crackled finish. Each were in fantastic condition and, get this, only $10 a piece!

One of the two lamps was quickly set up on my end table in my living room.

And the second lamp I found, also in a crackle finish, was absolutely brand new. Still had the tags on it!

And, as it turns out, it was a $225+ Martha Stewart Lamp! For $10!

It never ceases to amaze me what can be found at a secondhand/thrift store!

Have you benefited from the "new year" donation cycle and found any great thrifted items recently?

TGIF, 1/13/12 Edition

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did you notice that it was Friday the 13th today friends?

While those days are typically reserved for murderous rampages on a group of scamp counselors, today is one I'll be celebrating because the full-length trailer for Wes Anderson's new movie has been released!

It's called "Moonrise Kingdom" and the only thing I'm thinking is:

hallelujah for a Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman reunion.

You know I love me some Jason Schwartzman).

(via Youtube)

I'm so excited to delve into the Wes Anderson cinematic universe again when this movie comes out!

Finally, I want to thank you all again for getting me to 100 (and now more...) followers. I'm thrilled and Adam is treating me to a celebratory dinner to commemorate posthaste. We're also planning on checking out a local auction on Sunday, if the weather cooperates, so wish me luck!

What's on tap for your weekends, friends?

'Tah-tah 'til next week.

100!

2012-01-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

Oh em gee you guys, I now have reached a little blogging milestone: 100 followers through Google Friends Connect!

Yay!

To think that 100 of you, most of whom I will never actually meet me in this lifetime, take even a portion of your day or week or month (however frequently you read) to check out this blog...I can't even understand.

Reaching 100 followers is a big deal to me, and and grateful for every single one of you, whether you're a chatty-kathy with your comments or more of the silent type.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear readers!

Switch It Up

2012-01-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

Before detailing the rearranging that I've recently done around my apartment, I wanted to take a moment to credit Beverly Hills 90210's own hitmaster David Silver for inspiring me to "switch it up".

(via Youtube)
After hearing the influential words of Dancin' Dave, I knew my kitchen could benefit from a "switch up".
Here was my kitchen before last week: not terrible, but I wanted a fresh look without spending lots of cash.
Why not rearrange a little bit?

And after a little "switch up", my kitchen:

I swapped the two Claire Nereim "Calendar" prints and the chalkboard because I thought there was an imbalance of black (table base, chairs, chalkboard, wine rack) in the previous arrangement. Now the chalkboard sits atop my grass green sideboard.

And, for the sake of symmetry, we're purchasing another 9-bottle Vintage View wine rack, like the one we already own.

I moved my cheery green Dash & Albert rug from the main kitchen area to underneath the table.
The logic here: the rug grounds the table and keeps it from feeling like it's floating in space.

Oh, and I painted the frame of the chalkboard a nice glossy "Cup of Milk" from Martha Stewart's paint line for Home Depot.

Moving things around, keeping the arrangement of rooms dynamic, and switching things up allow spaces to grow and change along with us. And this little "switch up" cost me all of $0.

What can I say, it's good to switch it up. Yeah, I switch it up-up-up.*
*you must watch the 90210 clip to get this reference

Perfect Backdrop for a Bronte Novel

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

(via Anthropologie)

Since discovering the "Etched Arcadia Mural" from Anthropologie recently, I've imagined all of the 19th century love stories that could be enacted against this beautiful backdrop.

Perfect enough for Catherine and Heathcliff, for Jane and Rochester, for Lucy and M. Paul.

Could you see introducing this gothic-inspired paper to your walls?

The Accoutrements for Cleaning

2012-01-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

The close of the holiday season and start of the new year has a profound effect on me, I'm convinced. When I'm busy packing away all the ornaments, gathering all the dying evergreens for disposal, and putting away the presents we've received, I get the strange itch to get to work on a major deep cleaning around my home.

And here's where I make a big admission: I am a clean freak, and am picky enough to have a list of all-star cleaning products. If you're feeling a similar need to clean, clean, clean, I want to introduce you to a few of my favorites:

1. Niagara non-aerosol spray starch, $2

2. Microfiber dusting cloths, $6

3. Bar Keeper's Friend powder cleanser, $2

4. Panasonic NI-L70SR cordless steam/dry iron, $55

5. Miele "Olympus" canister vacuum cleaner, $300

Here's why I like these products (and, no, I'm not getting paid to plug these things):

--I've admitted before that I love the hotel-worthy feel of freshly-ironed sheets. I iron my cleaned sheets before they make their way to the bed and it makes all the difference. Niagara non-aerosol spray starch is environmentally-safe, smells great, and gets that smooth look that can only be found in magazine editorials.

--Not quite sure if you're ready to give up your paper towel addiction? Try microfiber cloths, like these from The Container Store, and I promise you will be relying on paper towels less and less.

--What if I told you that Bar Keeper's Friend is the perfect product for thoroughly cleaning brass, copper, tile and chrome? Would you believe me? It is! Oh, and a full-size can is about $2, so forget all those other products you spent more on.

--I loved all of the items we received from our wedding registry, but my favorite item was this Panasonic NI-L70SR cordless iron which has changed my life. Remember how free you felt after the invention of the cordless phone? Well, this cordless iron has transformed the way I iron, I tell you. This product is the perfect companion to the Niagara spray starch I mentioned!

--Last, and certainly not least, the Miele "Olympus" canister vacuum cleaner embodies German engineering at its finest. When on, this vacuum is nearly silent. It is lightweight and has really powerful suction to grab all the crumbs, dustbunnies, and hair that your home might have. You cannot go wrong with a Miele, I'm sure of it.

So, there you have it, my favorite cleaning products. Cleaning, while we might not all love it, is the only way to set a sparkling base for a beautifully-designed room.

What are some of your favorite cleaning products?

Are you on a New Year cleaning binge like me?

TGIF, 1/6/12 Edition

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

(the piles of things I'm ridding from my house)

With the opening week of the year nearly completed, I am already so pleased at where this year is going.
I'm gathering donation piles of things that Adam and I no longer need and, boy, does it feel good!
Are you also in the midst of a post-holiday purge-and-donate process?

Before we head out into the weekend, I wanted to first send a gracious hello to some of my new followers who decided to join in on the Meet Me in Philadelphia party this week. Hello, new friends! Thanks for stopping by!

And second, I had a funny, flattering thing happen to me after posting about my previously-undiscovered love for designer Lindsey Coral Harper's aesthetic: the designer sent me the kindest email on Thursday!

How cool is that?
I'm always so flattered when anyone stops by and expresses a kind word about this 'lil blog o' mine.

Happy weekend, friends!

Contemplating Coffee Tables

2012-01-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

In the last week, I've decided that I need to make a few revisions 'round this apartment. Perhaps it comes with the territory of the new year, but I'm planning some rearranging in the near future. Swapping things around won't exactly placate the need for some freshness and change though, so I know what I need to do:

2012 must-do #1:

Get a new coffee table, stat

Here's what I'm currently working with:

My mid-century table isn't terrible, and I like its height because we eat dinner at this table more often than not (just keepin' it real). Yet, I'm desperate need to banish some of the wood tones in the living room and would love to introduce some glass, some brass and/or some marble in its place.

The simplistic lines of Jenna Lyons' vintage Knoll coffee table as well as its substantial size are just what I'm looking for:

(via Casa Sugar)

and I definitely want a table with sufficient surface area for displaying books, like Jordan Ferney's:

(via Oh Happy Day)

At this juncture I'm gathering inspiration and opinions; but if money were no object, I'd have a tough time deciding between these pretty (and pretty pricey) options:

(Harvey Probber travertine coffee table via 1st Dibs, $3,800)

(Origami coffee table via Anthropologie, $1,300)

(French brass hoof cocktail table via 1st Dibs, $4,450)

(Two-tier coffee table via 1st Dibs, $1,980)

(Two-tier brass coffee table via Ebay, $595)

Ideal characteristics of my new coffee table:
--glass
--brass
--marble
--sizeable

Do you have any great options that meet this criteria?
Opinions are welcome!

A New Design Crush: Lindsey Coral Harper

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did your copy of the February 2012 House Beautiful arrive in your mailbox yet?

My copy arrived yesterday, and quickly proved that my love for interior designer Lindsey Coral Harper is loooooong overdue.

These shots from HB's February issue have me going wild for her use of color and layers of detail:

Can I move into this red-white-and-blue bedroom? Clearly it's up my alley.

I'm so envious of the Kathryn Ireland drapes in this living room:

And, even though these images may be familiar to you all, I had never realized the source of these genius designs:

(via Stylebeat)

Here's to seeing more of Lindsey Coral Harper's talent in the new year.

My Custom Monogrammed Shower Curtain

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

In the midst of all of the holiday hoopla, I started working on our apartment bathroom that I'd never really considered much in the nearly two and a half years that we've lived here. It really was the forgotten room.

I decided to do the right thing and paint the walls a bright white, do some very deep cleaning, and purge a lot of unused toiletries. With a nice, clean, bright base I could start with a simple palette of black and white.

There were so many black and white bathrooms that just felt fresh and perfect for our little bathroom.

(via Decor*Pad and Pure Style Home)

While gathering inspiration, I fell head over heels for Matouk's "Newport" shower curtain, but I knew it would be hard to convince Adam that a $367 shower curtain was a good investment:

(via Horchow)

With inspiration to boot, I knew I what I wanted:

--a black and white color scheme

--a monogrammed shower curtain

So, while Matouk's monogrammed shower curtain was pricey, I found a reasonable alternative that I could further customize from Alphabet Soup Gifts for only $55. When it arrived (on Christmas Eve), I was very pleased. I chose to create a monogram that represented both Adam and I (hence the AHA).

Pretty chic and oh-so-preppy.

As great as the monogram looked, I knew this embroidery in a sea of white cotton wasn't enough of the look I was going for. Think Leontine Linens on a budget.

For this project, all that I chose to use both 1/2" and 1" black cotton trim. Spools of each can be purchased at Joann Fabrics. Before any cutting and sewing, I planned out my trim pattern:

As you can see I wanted trim to frame the edge of the shower curtain, as well as an interlocking square design around the monogram. I spread the shower curtain out in my parents' dining room and set out to lay out the trim.

With the 1" edge trim measured and pinned, I tackled the interlocking square design that framed the monogram. I used a thinner 1/2" cotton canvas trim for this. There was a lot of measuring and adjusting to make sure that the squares lined up correctly and professionally.

Once everything was pinned, Mom managed the stitching.

Overlooking the fact that my bathroom is teeny-tiny (and, therefore, very difficult to photograph), I love the results of this project that I just had to share:

So, for $55 plus $10 in trim and an hour of sewing, I had my very own custom monogrammed & trimmed curtain!
What do you think?

Hopes for the Coming Year

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

(photo taken by moi on New Years Eve on Walnut Street in Philadelphia)

Happy new year, friends!

In the ten day respite from blogging, I spent time with family and friends here in Philly and in Connecticut and enjoyed every minute of it. During that time, I had some free moments to ponder my hopes and goals for 2012.

At this point, 2012 is so new that its possibilities are endless.

Goal #1 for 2012: Find a job that is satisfying and rewarding

It's been two months since I said goodbye to a job that felt mentally and emotionally burdensome. But all that is behind me now. A great new opportunity is just around the corner, I know it.

Goal #2 for 2012: Begin the preparation and search for our first (and forever!) home

While Adam and I love our Society Hill apartment, we are excited to take key steps towards finding our first (and hopefully forever) home. We are in no rush and want to settle into a place that will grow and work for us throughout our lives. I am certainly looking forward to sharing our progress with you all here!

Goal #3 for 2012: Expand my blog following

Blogging is incredibly important to me and has facilitated so many friendships and supplied countless inspiration, but it's not my full-time job. I am not an interior designer--I'm just a novice who loves design. Knowing this, I sometimes get into a rut where I worry that I'll never be as talented as this blogger or have as great a home as that blogger--do you ever feel that way?
What a terrible trap of self-loathing that I need to learn to avoid.

Well, when that happens, I have to remember that this lil' blog of mine has grown by leaps and bounds over the last twelve months and, as a result, strangers have become friends thanks to an appreciation for a well-lived and well-designed life.

.....

So, those are my hopes for the coming year. Just three large goals.

I begin this year at a different place than where I began last year, and I'm really looking forward to everything that 2012 has to offer all of us, blog friends.

TGIF, 12/23/11 Edition

2011-12-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

(via Rifle Paper Co.)

As I type this, I am falling more and more into the holiday spirit thanks to the original "Miracle on 34th Street" and excitedly awaiting time with family over the next few days. Presents are wrapped, cards are sent, halls are decked and, now, it is time for reflection.

The year, and this month in particular, has moved so quickly that the next week will bring a welcomed pause from activity and that old familiar harried feeling. Posting 'round here might be light, so I hope in the meantime you will be enjoying some special moments with family and friends like I will be.

I am so thankful for you all, for your daily visits and sweet comments.

Whenever I see a new follower or new comment here, I feel like its Christmas.

Happy Holidays to you and yours, dear readers!

Christmas Craft #3: Foil Christmas Light Liners

2011-12-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

I think I've already mentioned just how much I'm digging our Christmas tree this year, but allow me to mention it again. In addition to the toadstool ornaments that adorn the tannenbaum, I wanted to add a bit more sparkle to the tree.

And, even though we're just days away from the holiday, there's always time for a quick craft, am I right?

That's when I happened upon this tutorial for "twinkle lights" made with silver foil cupcake or candy cups.

(via Family Fun)

To create your very own foil star Christmas lights, you'll need:

1. Christmas lights

2. metallic foil cupcake or candy cups (I used these from Wilton, which were less than $2 at the grocery store)

3. scissors

Want to create your own?

Step #1:

Take your foil cup and flatten it.

Then, fold the flattened foil up into eighths (so, fold in half, then in half again, and half again once more).

Step #2:

Now, you will star shaping your folded foil cups into stars. Cut off two corners so that they form a triangle, and then cut off the tip of the point (this is where the Christmas light will fit). Repeat for as many foil stars as you would like to make. Don't worry: this goes very quickly!

Step #3:

Hang your lights and, once in the tree, on the mantle or banister, slide the foil star onto each bulb so that it rests on the base of the bulb. No need for tape, glue or any adhesive.

I did not to make a foil star for each light on the strand, but chose to scatter them around the tree in a random sort of way.

The silver stars certainly add a bit more sparkle and reflective light from afar...

...and up close:

With just a detailed touch, standard Christmas lights become all the more special and festive.

Want even more foil-y Christmas inspiration?
Check out this similar-but-colorful version of the foil garland from the Martha Stewart team:

(via Martha Stewart)
Happy crafting!

P.S. Head over to Camille's blog The Vintique Object, where my custom tissue box cover inspired a post on your craziest design obsessions. Be sure to check it out!

Living Like a Rock Star

2011-12-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

Who would have thought that this home, filled with trinkets from a worldly and a well-traveled life,

(via xoJane)

would belong to Courtney Love?

As a fan of Courtney Love and Hole from way, way back (I was so very dark in 8th grade), it feels strange but satisfying peering into Love's NYC townhouse.

How do you picture your rock idols living?

TGIF, 12/16/11 Edition

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's Friday once again, friends!

And this weekend is a special one for Adam and I, as we are hosting our annual holiday party tomorrow evening. We sent out invitations to our party (see above) using Paperless Post, which allows you to create and send customized invitations, cards, and save-the-dates via email.

I'm looking forward to celebrating with friends tomorrow eve, especially because I've been sidelined this week with a bit of illness (perhaps you noticed my absence). But, I'm healthy once more and happy to welcome visitors to our apartment.

I wish you could attend our holiday party because I'd love to share some cookies, some 'nog, and some yuletide cheer with you.

The merriest and happiest to you all.

My Custom Fabric-Covered Tissue Box Cover

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

(Sister Parish-covered tissue boxes, $58, via The Zhush)

In the last week, I've been working on major, deep cleaning and redecorating my bathroom. After all of this work, I've been asking myself: Why are tissue boxes inherently ugly?

Would it be so difficult to offer a chic tissue box design once and awhile, Kleenex or Puffs?

For this project, I used the following supplies:

1. fabric of your choice (I chose a sample of "Lascaux" by Alan Campbell in white/black that I had)

2. spray adhesive (optional)

3. tissue box cover (I purchased this one from West Elm)

4. paintbrush

5. vanishing fabric marker

6. scissors

7. bottle of Mod Podge

Want to jazz up an unfortunate tissue box in your home?

Step #1:

Start with crisply ironed fabric and lay it wrong-side up. Place the top of your tissue box cover face down on the fabric. Trace the top and opening the box cover with your vanishing fabric marker. Then, lean one side of your box cover (the face of the box) and trace about 1/4" larger than the edge of the box. Continue with all of the faces/sides of your tissue box cover.

Step #2:

With your outline marked, cut the edges of your box (it should look like a cross) and then snip the opening of the cover. Do not cut the opening out entirely.

Step #3:

Put your fabric aside for a second and begin covering your tissue box cover with either Mod Podge (which I used) or spray adhesive. Start with the top of the box first and stop. Apply the fabric to the top of your tissue box facing rightside up. Smooth out bubbles as you go. Then, proceed to the next side/face of your box cover, applying Mod Podge to the cover as you go. Fold the extra 1/4" of fabric around the corners of one side.

Step #4:

There will be 2 sides of the box cover that will have extra fabric wrapped around their edges. To create a clean edge, tuck the extra fabric you have and apply the fabric with Mod Podge. You will be left with 2 sides with crisp, clean edges.

Step #5:

Apply Mod Podge to the bottom of the box and fold your fabric over the bottom edge. Hold until adhered.

Step #6:

Brush your Mod Podge around the inside of your tissue box opening and hold the snipped fabric against it until adhered.

Step #7:

Last and final step: apply Mod Podge to every side of the tissue box cover. At this point, be sure that there are no stray fibers on your fabric-covered tissue box because, when Mod Podge-d, they will be there forever! Also, Mod Podge dries clear so be as liberal with it as you want.

And, voila! Like that, your tissue box is much, much more chic.
In less than 30 minutes (plus drying time), my bathroom has a fun fabric accent.

As you can tell, my bathroom is taking on a black-and-white color scheme and I'm looking forward to revealing more projects very shortly!

Would you try this easy-peasy project?

Christmas Craft #2: Holiday Song Garland

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

(via Katie did)

Last year, Adam and I held our first holiday party and, while looking for great festive decor ideas, I found this idea for holiday song garland over at Katie did's blog.

I created several garlands for our den last year and loved the look, so I thought I'd create more for our living room!

To create these holiday song garlands, you will need:

1. 8.5" x 11" colored copy paper (no need for to spring for expensive cardstock!)

2. twine or string

3. scissors

4. clear tape

Pretty simple list of supplies, no?

Step #1:

Start by selecting the holiday song phrases you will be creating. Don't be overly ambitious; limit yourself to memorable segments of your favorite Christmas songs. Here are a few that I chose--see if you can identify the whole song:

"rockin around the Christmas tree"

"please have snow and mistletoe"

"Jack Frost nipping at your nose"

"may your days be merry and bright"

Step #2:
Now that you've decided which song phrases you will create, begin by cutting your colored paper in half, then in half again. Each sheet of paper will produce 4 letters (use this to determine how many sheets of paper you will need for your chosen phrases). Then, focus your attention on one letter at a time. Cut all the E's at once, all the T's at once, and C's at once, etc. I did not trace or draw the letters, but created simple block-style letters that were easy to create.

Step #3:
Once you have the letters prepared for a whole song phrase, clear out a large area on a table or floor and start spelling the song segment backwards (letters and words backwards!). Determine the spacing you'd like to see between letters and words in your garland, and run your string or twine continuously along the top of each letter. When you're happy with the spacing, begin taping down the portion of string that touches the back of each letter.

With every letter secured with tape, flip your phrase over to reveal it's finished look!

Step #4:
Hang your garland with the same clear tape and continue creating more until your home is a holiday song wonderland!

I have more to work on for my living room so I'm off to work.

Would a holiday garland like this put a little song in your heart?

TGIF, 12/9/11 Edition

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Friday is upon us once more, and this weekend will be busy with lots of holiday activities.

I've been loving my nature-themed Christmas tree more with each passing day since Adam and I put it up on Sunday evening, so I thought I'd share it before the week was out.

I've been working on holiday projects and lots and lots of work in my bathroom (which I've never shown you all before). Hopefully it will make its first blog appearance in the very near future.

On Saturday, Adam and I will be enjoying his company holiday party at the beautiful Philadelphia Museum of Art. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but this will be my first time there! I'm a sad excuse for a Philadelphian, I know.

(via Flickr)

I hope your weekend is filled to the brim with evergreens, ornaments, cookies, eggnog, and parties.
'Til Monday, friends.

Southern Belle

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am a Yankee lady through and through, born in Connecticut and now living in Philadelphia, but I have recently discovered an deep appreciation for a certain Southern belle. It appears that there are lots of inspiring designs being produced below the Mason-Dixon.

Of course, I'm talking about Southern Living magazine. Like my love for Country Living before it, I have been pleasantly surprised at the homes featured in this publication. Each seems so beautifully composed...and don't get me started on the choice fabrics each room seems to contain.

But, it wasn't until Caroline posted this image recently that my love for our Southern friends was cemented:

(via A Flair for Vintage Decor)

Isn't this room gorgeous?

How about a few more Southern spaces for your Thursday?

(all via Southern Living)

And, if you're looking for more inspiration from down south, be sure to check out these fab blogs:
Cottage and Vine

My Interior Life
Honey + Fitz

Me, you and a Weiner

From the Right Bank

A Flair for Vintage Decor

Chattafabulous

After all of this evidence that there are beautiful things happening in the south, are you contemplating checking out Southern Living more often?

A Sucker for Holiday Films

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have a favorite holiday movie, readers?

You may think the subject of today's post is a bit of a diversion from my normal design focus, but I've come to realize that much of what I visualize about the season comes from cinema. Usually I'm a not a schmaltzy person, but there's something about a great Christmas movie that really gets to me.

I hope you'll find a little holiday inspiration from some of my favorite seasonal films.

Up first: "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944).

Were you ever curious about the name of this blog?

Well, it came from this Vincent Minelli movie starring Judy Garland as a love-struck teen whose family is preparing to depart from their beloved home in St. Louis. Another special bit of trivia: the yuletide classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" appears for the first time in this movie!

I doubt that I ever believed in Santa Claus but, nevertheless, I have a soft spot in my heart for "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947).

Natalie Wood plays a little girl, wise beyond her years, who befriends "Kris Kringle" and believes in him when no one else will.

"Elf" (2003) is the one modern Christmas movie that I know I'll be watching with my children in the future.

Because smiling's my favorite.

...And there is one movie that is new to me this year, but I'm looking forward to seeing it this weekend (hallelujah for Netflix!):

"Christmas in Connecticut" (1945)

Let's see: Barbara Stanwyck, Chrismastime, and a Connecticut setting?

I'm in.

The biggest Scrooge among us would get into the holiday spirit with these films, but certainly there are more.

What are the holiday films that shape your vision of quintessential Christmas?

Holiday Gift Guide: Presents for a Pen Pal

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's ironic that I'm here today extolling the value and sentiment of the lost art of the hand-written note when, just yesterday, the Post Office announced that they will be reducing their delivery services and personnel as letters make way for the modern expediency of email and instant messaging.

Is the art of letter writing really dead? I, for one, am not ready to believe it.

If you're passionate about all things epistolary, this gift guide is for you:

1. collection of various unused vintage stamps, $6

2. custom wax seal stamp, $13

3. 12-count le pen assortment, $17

4. twig colored pencils, $14

5. "just a little note" boxed cards, $16

6. "colors of the rainbow" stationary set, $30

For those among us that cherish receiving a hand-written piece of mail, this holiday gift guide is perfect.

Christmas Craft #1: Toadstool Ornaments

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

(via Martha Stewart)

I'm so excited to share with you all my first Christmas craft of the season!

Last December, those Martha Stewart geniuses concocted a project that I've been excited to try all year (yes, all year long). Now that December has arrived once more, it's finally time to create my own toadstool ornaments for my Christmas tree.

Toadstools and other elements like acorns, pinecones, or walnuts reinforce the natural aspect of the forest and harvest season. Toadstools, mushrooms, or champignons (whatever you call them), are a recurrent theme in German holiday ornaments and decor, and I thought that I would infuse our Christmas tree with these toadstool ornaments that give a nod to nature.

(via Wikipedia)

To create my own toadstool ornaments for this year's tree, I needed a few special supplies, such as:

1. metal clip-on candle holders, $9 from Ebay (where I bought mine)

2. papier mache toadstools, $10 from Pier 1 (no longer available)

3. fine white glitter (I used "Carrera" by Martha Stewart), $5

4. small flat-sided paint brush, $3

5. red and pearlized white craft paints (I used colors from Martha's line in "Cayenne" and "Pearl"), $2/each

Note:

You will also need to have some white glue and hot glue on hand for this project, but you probably already have that lying around! While I purchased my papier mache toadstools from Pier 1, I've found some options that would also work for this project:

Find these options here:

1. Moose-r-Us craft toadstools

2. Tom Floral toadstools

3. Create your own with this tutorial from Folksy

Once you have your papier mache forms, follow these easy steps.

Step #1:
Paint the toadstools in the vibrant red-and-white combination.
My toadstool forms were orange, yellow, and green (which don't exactly scream "Christmas"), so I used colors from Martha Stewart's line of craft paint. Allow enough time for all of your painted mushrooms to dry.

Don't forget the dots atop your toadstool caps!

Step #2:
Clean your paintbrush and use it to cover the caps of your mushrooms in a thin film of white glue.

Step #3:
While your mushroom caps are still tacky with glue, take your glitter and sprinkle the tops with lots and lots of sparkle. Allow time for your glitter and glue to dry before proceeding to the next step. Use a cup or plate to gather excess glitter for reuse.

Step #4:
Next, you want to begin transforming your toadstools into ornaments. Dab a generous amount of hot glue on your candle holder clips (right in the center where the stem of the mushroom will go). Take your first toadstool and hold it to the clip until the glue has adhered. Repeat for all of the mushroom forms you have.

And, like that, you are done!
This project took me the better part of an afternoon, with enough time factored in for drying paint and drying glue.
But, let me tell you, the rewards of waiting are worth it: just check out my completed ornaments:

Very Anthropologie, no?

I had a lot of fun working on these ornaments and know I'll love bringing them out year after year.
Hope you like my first Christmas craft of the season!

Holiday Gift Guide: Crazy for Prints

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have someone on your holiday shopping list that isn't afraid of a little pattern or print?

I thought that this year, I'd round-up some fun gift guides for the idiosyncratic and less-than-typical person on your shopping list.

If you're gaga for graphics, this gift guide is for you:

1. "Big Lotus" pillow from Roberta Roller Rabbit,

2. "Flowers for Cora" print from Lulie Wallace, $35

3. "Color Moves: Art & Fashion" by Sonia Delaunay from Amazon, $23

4. "November 15" print from Jaime Rugh, $45

5. K by Keaton (yes, Diane Keaton!) Hayloft plaid blanket from Bed Bath & Beyond, $140

6. Sister Parish ice bucket from The Zhush, $125

If you had me on your list, you know I'd be pleased with any of these printed presents.

Happy holiday shopping!

Something From Nothing

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's been two years since we moved into our 'lil apartment and, over time, Adam and I have slowly occupied nearly every corner in this place. Storage is limited around here but, because we are not planning on buying a house just yet, we had to figure out a way to best maximize space.

I had been frustrated by a nook in our "den" that served no real purpose for a very long time.

As you can see, this awkward, unused little area was large enough for an awkward little 5' 3" woman to fit into. Really, it was wasted space.

After Amber shared her DIY book nook months ago, I knew I wanted to try my hand at a built-in nook of my very own. Certainly you're familiar with Amber's gorgeous little series of shelves.

(via Amber Interior Design)

To be specific, the nook I was working with measured 84" from floor to ceiling, 14" in depth, and 46.5" long from wall to wall. And just to keep things interesting, the corners were not exactly square. Little architectural quirks like this certainly keep me on my toes with projects around this apartment.

First to go up were the shelf rests/batons, which were made from MDF. These rests were screwed into the wall and were about 1/2" at the widest point.

1/2"-thick MDF were cut into sheets and were placed on the MDF rests. The shelves were coming together!

The MDF shelves were fully secured using screws and, for extra hold, wood glue.

We clamped the MDF pieces together and let the glue set for a day or so before proceeding with paint.

Note: Adam and I chose to go with MDF because, let's be real, this is a rental. If we were building floating shelves in our own home, we'd use pine like Amber did.

The shelves really started looking like something with a little paint.

Rather than opting for a bold color, I chose to paint the floating shelves in the same off-white paint as our apartment's walls. This way, they felt permanent and intentional.

Forgive my lack of super-inspiring styling, but I have so much extra surface area for tchotchkes, books, framed pictures that I don't have enough! It's definitely not a bad to need to find more special treasures to fill your home, is it?

Now my "nothing" nook has purpose.

The three floating shelves are permanent, and will stay in this apartment (hopefully) long after we depart.

I think they fit in perfectly and have inspired me to work on a few more projects in the den that I'll be sharing over the next few months.

So, we managed to make something out of nothing.

And in case you're curious, NO, we do not plan on taking these down when we move out.

I'm sure our landlord will love them (if he even notices at all)!

My Thanksgiving in Pictures

2011-11-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Much of last week was spent enjoying quality time with my parents and extended family. To see my grandmother, aunts, uncle, cousins and their children, Adam and I traveled to Maine for a few days. On our way through Kittery, Maine, we stopped at Bob's Clam Hut on Route 1. The food, even in late November, was fresh and yummy.

Adam ordered the lobstah roll and I ordered a clam strip basket, which doubled as a funny moustache in a pinch.

On Thanksgiving, I was sure to clean my plate.

There was a lot of good eating happening during the past week.

I mentioned on Friday that I was opting-out of the Black Friday craziness and, instead, shopping for vintage wares for (hopefully) good prices. Well, well, welly, well, well...did I find some goodies or what!?

'Member my recent obsession with Moroccan tables?

I found one for $22 and my mom thought it would be a great early Christmas present for me!
Jealous?

I also found a fab scrollwork shelf for my bathroom (for $12!) and three vintage ornament decorations (for $28).
I love my new treasures.

Aaaaaand, last but not least, Mom made a beautiful wreath for our apartment door--isn't it pretty?

Hope you and yours had as great a Thanksgiving holiday as I did.

Now on to the Christmas season!

TGIF, 11/25/11 Edition

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy [Black] Friday, all.

I hope that you all had your bellies filled with great food yesterday and are ready to officially start the holiday season. I personally cannot wait to break out my Christmas decorations and begin decking the halls.

Adam and I are visiting my extended family in Maine for the Thanksgiving weekend, and are opting-out of the "door buster" madness in exchange for some local antique shopping.

Wish me luck hunting some great vintage finds.

Have a lovely weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

During the passing year I have experienced a number of substantial changes in my life and, despite fears and uncertainty, I have been so fortunate to feel unending support from family and friends. This Thanksgiving I can't help but feel an abundance of gratitude for the the special people in my life.

I also feel so grateful to have lovely readers like you all. It means so much that you spend a few moments of your day with me here at Meet Me in Philadelphia.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, blessed and happy Thanksgiving today.

But For the Grace of God Go I

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

It can be difficult at times for me to see outside of my own situation which, despite being unemployed, is comfortable and fortunate. And yet, there are constant reminders that others are not so comfortable or so fortunate.

On Thursday, I'll be enjoying a homemade Thanksgiving feast prepared with thought and love by my family; but it would be ignorant to assume that all Americans are going to be enjoying the same. If you want to know a few ways to contribute to the comfort of others at this time of year, there are great organizations working to provide the less fortunate:

Nationwide:

Feeding America

In the greater Philadelphia-area:

The Food Trust

Philabundance

And, as promised, I wanted to announce the winner of the Martha Stewart Living subscription giveaway:

Congratulations, Danielle of Fresh Quince!

Danielle, I'll be contacting you for your details.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.

My Ch-Ch-Ch-Chip-en-dale Mirror

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Let me begin by saying that I fully intend on sharing my repainted Chippendale-style mirror with you all, but can we pause for a minute and just talk about the connotation I have with the word Chippendale?

Two connotations, actually.

This:

and this:

(both via You Tube)

Both are glorious reminders of the late eighties-early nineties.
Now, back to the subject at hand, my $30 Chippendale mirror, which started out with an unbecoming glossy cherry finish that did not blend with the other tones in my living room.

I solicited color advice from you geniuses a few weeks back and finally got around to painting the mirror.

I know it's a bit unorthodox for a home decor blogger to paint something off-white, but that's exactly what I did. The paint was from Martha Stewart's Home Depot line (the color is "glass of milk") and like the the mirror both recedes into the wall and, yet, still has a presence thanks to its silhouette.

-AND-
Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for a one-year subscription to Martha Stewart Living!
All you have to do is be sure to be a follower of this blog & comment here.
A winner will be announced tomorrow!

My Imaginary Thanksgiving Table

2011-11-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year (nor have I ever); but if I was, my table might look something like this...

1. Fleur-de-lys juice glasses in dark yellow, $6

2. Coupe place setting in french gray, starting at $17

3. Birch napkin rings set in silver, $54

4. Hemstitch napkins in copper, $12

5. Thankful forest place cards, $8

6. Set of pinecone candles, $29

I'm not crazy about cooking, honestly.
So, if I were hosting Thanksgiving, I'd devote most of my time on the decor.
Still need more Thanksgiving spread inspiration?

(via Country Living)

(via Elle Decor)

(via Eddie Ross)

(via Martha Stewart)

(via Styelist)

I'm sure you've all got a beautiful and scrumptious Thanksgiving holiday feast planned for Thursday!

*If you haven't already entered, be sure to throw your hat in the ring for the Martha Stewart Living subscription I'm giving away as a "thank-you" to my lovely readers*

TGIF, 11/18/11 Edition & A Giveaway!

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, blog buddies!

I hope you all enjoyed the week-long series where I shared just "a few of my favorite things" and some of yours, too. Really, there are so many more favorite things I love throughout my home. Let's see, there's the matching pair of marble lamps in my kitchen, my two Claire Nereim calendar prints, my extensive collection of Martha Stewart Living magazines (as far back as '94)...clearly, I could go on.

Since this is the season to be thankful and giving, I wanted to giveaway one of my favorite things: a one-year subscription to Martha Stewart Living magazine (worth $25)!

Want to win?

Make sure you're a follower of Meet Me in Philadelphia and comment below!

Be sure to have a valid email address so I can contact the winner for their address.
(Sorry, U.S. readers only)

*To become a follower, click on the "Join this site" button on the sidebar on the right that looks like this:

The giveaway will be open until Tuesday, November 22 at 8PM EST and a winner will be selected using random.org.

Check back on Wednesday, November 23 to see if you've won the subscription!

Happy weekend, all.

And thanks again for taking time to visit Meet Me in Philadelphia--truly, you all are of my favorite things!

Your Favorite Things

2011-11-17T08:30:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited for today's post, and I am so happy to share with you the favorites of some of the kindest readers out there. Enjoy!

Today's first favorite comes from Anathalia, who has been a faithful reader of this blog and so, so kind in her comments. It's easy to see why Anathalia would have a soft spot in her heart for this rustic rocking chair, isn't it?

Anathalia's favorite thing

Next up: Kate's favorite.

Kate has an eye for trends because her favorite thing, an African Juju headdress, is frequently the subject of blogger lust. Apartment Therapy also wrote about these headdresses just this week.

More than just a trend though, Kate's favorite thing has a very special connection to her husband's family.

Kate's favorite thing

Kelsey's favorite thing is actually a pair of items that, together, represent family. I love that Kelsey decided to display these handpainted wooden utensils as a way to honor their meaning.

Kelsey's favorite thing

Heather, who is so kind and creative, emailed me saying that she had such a hard time all week trying to narrow down her "favorite things" to just one--isn't that great? Shouldn't we all have a home full of things we treasure?

Heather's favorite thing

Lovely local reader and blogger Kat emailed me with a fabulous repurposed yard sale find that I just love. If you get an itch to switch things up and move things around every now and then, you will love Kat's favorite thing!

Kat's favorite thing

Last, but most certainly not least, we have Naomi's favorite thing (two things, actually).

If you're familiar with Naomi's boho-glam-world-traveler look at all, you will see how perfectly these favorite things personify her style.

Naomi's favorite thing

How awesome are these favorite things?
I love that so many of them have a direct connection with family--clearly our family connections shape so much about our homes.

Thank you so much, ladies, for choosing to share these favorites with me (and other Meet Me in Philadelphia readers).

Now, readers, be sure to visit the fab blogs of these ladies at:

Anathalia at Scavengenius

Kate at Kate Collins Interiors

Kelsey at A Life +1
Heather at Love Your Space

Kat at Maple Leaves & Sycamore Trees

Naomi at Design Manifest

Thank you all for joining the "favorite things" party and hope you enjoyed the fun!

My Favorite Things, Day 3

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

For today's installment of my week-long "Favorite Things" series, I thought I would take you all into the second bedroom I lovingly redecorated this past summer.

Favorite thing #4

I'd love to be able to display one-of-a-kind artwork in my home, but that doesn't exactly work with my budget right now. When I happened upon an old book on mushrooms, however, I found a set of coordinating prints that were perfect for the once-blank wall space in my guest bedroom.

These prints add a natural, albeit slightly weird, element to my guest bedroom and they are definitely some of my favorite things!

Reminder:
If you want to submit your favorite thing, there's still time!
Just email me by this evening with a photo of your favorite thing, a description of it, an explanation of why it makes your house a home, and where it lives in your space.
Your favorite things will appear on Meet Me in Philadelphia tomorrow!

My Favorite Things, Day 2

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today I have two more favorite things to share with you all, both of which are subtle reminders of being totally, completely in love. Hope you'll agree that these pieces are easy to "love".

Favorite thing #2

Favorite thing #3

The Greek tile and the embroidered pillow shams, when glimpsed, both remind me to celebrate these early days of my marriage and to treasure the commitment Adam and I have made to each other. Our home is built on and decorated with love.

Are some of your favorite things reflective of your most loving relationships?

My Favorite Things, Day 1

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new week, blog friends!
Starting today, I'll be sharing some of my favorite things around my home.

It's easy to become consumed with the need for new things, better things, or prettier things when blogging; but I wanted to take some time to consciously celebrate what I am grateful to already have because, really, I am very fortunate. I hope you'll enjoy this little exercise and will join in (I'll be sharing your favorite things on Thursday--so email me with something in your home that you love to pieces, and I'll be sure to include it!).

Favorite thing #1

Most people who know me would characterize me as a serious, quiet person, but the truth is: I can be silly and lighthearted, too! These vintage spun cotton birds, strangely enough, remind me to let more of that silliness show whenever I see them.

Life, like design, benefits from unexpected humor and irreverence.

So, why not display it?

Join me tomorrow for another of my favorite things.

TGIF, 11/11/11 Edition

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

(via Wikipedia)

Here we are at the end of yet another week, and also at Veterans Day.

Several members of my family, including my father, uncle, brother, sister-in-law, and cousin, are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and have served in conflicts in Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. While I'm a pacifist through-and-through, it is important to recognize, honor, and continually support those brave citizens who have given their time, efforts, and possibly lives, for this country.

I hope you'll join me today to be thankful for the commitments and sacrifices that these honorable men and women have made. On a related note, I wanted to remind you all that next week will begin the "My Favorite Things" series around here at Meet Me in Philadelphia. I'll be sharing some items in my home that I'm thankful for and I've invited you to submit your favorite things to appear in next week's feature.

I'd love you to join in!
All you need to do is email me with a photo of your favorite thing, a description of it, an explanation of why it holds a special place in your heart (or even just makes you smile), and where it lives in your home. If you've already submitted your favorite thing--thank you! If not, what are you waiting for?

After all, 'tis the season to be thankful.

Happy weekend, all.
I'm so blessed to have this creative blogging outlet and to have wonderful readers like you!

More of Deborah Needleman's Country Home

2011-11-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

Can't get enough of Deborah Needleman?

Did my post on her feature in November's Martha Stewart Living simply whet your appetite?

Are you poring over every page of The Perfectly Imperfect Home?

(don't rub that in; I don't have my copy yet!)

I just came across a spread of Needleman's garden at her Garrison, NY country home that appears in the November/December issue of Garden Design, and I think you'll agree that there are many scenic images that ward away the fall chill.

(all via Garden Design)

Now, wasn't that tour just lovely?
Note to self: purchase a country home and get really, really into gardening.

What would your ideal country home look like?
Could you image yourself in a vacation home like this?

You're Invited to Share a Few Favorite Things

2011-11-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you're all thinking that I'm getting ahead of myself with the visual above (created by me! yay!), buuuuuuuuuuut the spirit of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is already upon me.

Rather than focusing on what I don't have, why not focus on the thankfulness and gratitude I all feel for the things I do have? I'm feeling so very blessed lately, and now have more time to appreciate the special pieces in my home that really make me smile.

What about you? What are some of your favorite things in your home?

Do they tell a special story or connect to a dear memory?

Want to play along?

Send me an email with a photo of "your favorite thing", as well as a description of the item, why it's so special to you, its origin, and where it lives in your home.

*be sure to include the name and url of your blog in the email, if you have one*

I'll be spotlighting a few of "my favorite things" this coming week and would love to highlight yours, as well!

Hope you'll all play along!

Still Looking for a Campaign Dresser?

2011-11-07T19:58:00.007-05:00

How about two Campaign dressers?

I came across this posting on Craigslist just this eve.

One is $60 (with mirror) and the second is $50 (without mirror), and they are both located in nearby Newtown.

Get on this find, Philly friends!

Roundup: My Current Fall Craft & Decor Favorites

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I type this, I am in the middle of a very long project list that I concocted about a month ago in an attempt to make the most of my little "vacation from employment" (wink, wink). The list contains a lot of sewing and painting, but I'm hoping to squeeze in a few more seasonal projects before the autumn escapes.

One of the reasons I love fall and the lowering temperatures is because I can spend more time at home and on crafts than in the summertime. Here are just a few of my favorite craft and decor ideas that are perfect for a season focused on opening our homes to family and friends.

Talk about making a grand first impression to Thanksgiving visitors!

Why not bundle your Japanese maple, with its vivid red leaves, and transform it to a seasonal sculpture in your foyer?

(via House & Home)

These wheat sheaf place card kits are perfect for welcoming your Thanksgiving guests to their seats.

(via Paper Source)

To imbue your turkey day tablescape with a little autumnal essence, why not use a bark charger under your plates?

(via Martha Stewart)

If you're feeling ambitious, may I recommend these papier mache faux bois planters?

I'd love to see a jewel-toned arrangement in these at the holiday table.

(via Martha Stewart)

Are garlands just for Christmastime? No way! I like this leafy garland idea from Women's Day.
Personally, I'd forgo the silk leaves in favor of preserved leaves (from Save on Crafts) to play up the all-important natural quality of nature (duh, right?).

(via Woman's Day)

Have I inspired you to get cracking on some seasonal craft and decor projects for your home?

Any fall project ideas you are itching to try? If so, please share!

P.S.

Thank you for your overwhelmingly kind comments on Friday's post. Many of you responded that it brought tears, and I have to admit that your comments did the same for me. I'm still feeling my way around this new world of mine and am forever grateful for your thoughtfulness and support.

TGIF, 11/14/11 Edition

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

(photo by me)

I've been quite the negligent little blogger this week, haven't I?
Let me explain: Monday (yes, Halloween, the horror!) was my last day on the job and I've been struggling to get my bearings being at home ever since. I've been taking time for home projects, and have certainly been busy reflecting.

***

When I was in the fifth grade, my teachers Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Mangini were required to complete our report cards, those white-yellow-pink carbon versions, on a quarterly basis. I always liked school, considered myself to be an excellent student, and anxiously awaited the moment I could lay eyes on my grades every few months.

Teachers weren't required to use traditional A, B, C marks in the fifth grade; instead, they used other letters like O (for 'outstanding'), S (for 'satisfactory'), and NI ('needs improvement'). Teachers also had the option to further qualify each grade with a plus or minus after the letter (for example, O+ was a concise way of saying, 'wow, this kid is really awesome and super-smart').

All four quarters of the year had passed, and just before my class was ready to formally move on to the sixth grade, the time came for grades to be handed out. Mrs. Mangini, the fifth grade teacher who covered social studies and language arts, was the bearer of the report cards that would represent our progress in fifth grade. I don't remember my individual marks today, but I do remember the message she wrote on that collection of carbon sheets.

It read:

"The world needs more competent women like you, Ashley. Good luck in 6th grade."
***

I'm not in the 6th grade anymore. I'm in my late twenties, married, and still learning as I go.
I want to live up to those great expectations. I want to believe that I'm competent and that the world still needs me.

I know my next career adventure is just around the corner.

Happy weekend, all.
The regularly-scheduled posting will resume on Monday, I promise.

Folding Screens

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

What's your take on folding screens?

As of late, they keep popping up in various spaces that catch my eye.

Folding screens, also known as room dividers, add height to any space and function both as furniture and as artwork.

When mirrored, folding screens can buoy the brightness in any room.

(via Apartment Therapy)

When upholstered, folding screens can soften the harshest of corners.

(Domino via Design Dump)

When lacquered, folding screens can mimic the glossiest fragment of sea glass.

(via Elle Decor)

When painted, folding screens can double as large-scale abstract artwork.

(via Interior Design)

When ribboned, folding screens can complement the existing upholstery in a room.

(Domino via The Lovely Lifestyle)

When caned, folding screens can recall the best of exotic vacations.

(via Elle Decor)

When paneled, folding screens can strike the ideal balance between Hollywood Regency and traditional styles.

(Kelly Wearstler's guest house)

When stenciled, folding screens can introduce a handmade element to a space.

(via Martha Stewart)

When patterned, folding screens can negate the need for wallpaper.

(via Apartment Therapy)

When decopauged, folding screens can fake an extensive book collection.

(via 1st Dibs)

And, when DIY'd, folding screens can be whatever you want them to be.

(via Elle Decor)

Folding screens can be a great many things; what function would you like one to serve in your home?

TGIF, 10/28/11 Edition

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

(via Martha Stewart)

Happy Halloween weekend, blog goblins!
As per usual, I am still unsure about my costume, but am hoping to finalize everything quickly tomorrow.
Do you have Halloween party plans?

Before I let you depart for ghoulish weekend shenanigans, I need your opinions:

Meet my new over-the-bar-cart mirror, which I picked up last weekend at Elephant's Trunk.

Love the mirror, but currently questioning the maple tone of the frame.
Should I paint it? If so, what color?
Black? Red? (Court, you're voting red lacquer, right?)

Wishing that all of your Halloween candy dreams come true.
'Til Monday, friends.

To Quote Liz Lemon

2011-10-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

"I want to go to there."

--Elizabeth Miervaldis Lemon

(via Livingetc)

Want to come with?

Newest Obsession: Moroccan Side Tables

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Betcha you were starting to wonder what to get me for Christmas, am I right?*

Lately, I've become obsessed with hunting down a small Moroccan-like side table for my living room.

It all started when my dear blog friend Kate highlighted Wisteria's take on the Moroccan table.

(via Wisteria)

This style feels like the best combination of a round and square table, and certainly adds a worldly charm to any room in which they appear. Like any small piece of furniture, these tables offer more surface area for lamps, books, or knick-knacks without consuming too much precious floor space.

I've noticed this style of table popping up in many well-designed spaces, and almost always stealing the show.

These six- or eight-sided tables can be...

Painted a solid color with limited decorative detail:

(Domino via Decorpad)

(Mona Ross Berman's beach house features 2 of these tables via House Beautiful)

(Katie Denham's revitalized table)

(via Casapinka)

or the Moroccan-style table can be

Decorated with engraved or inlaid accents:

(via Pinterest)

(via Habitually Chic)

(via Pinterest)
Which do you prefer: clean and unadored or flourished with detail?

For my living room, I'd like to keep the detail and color subtle, so that the table does not compete with the other elements in the space. During my quest for affordable options, I came across several tutorials to build your own Moroccan table (see here and here). This DIY option from Fresh Home Ideas seems doable and fits the "subtle" requirement.

(via Fresh Home Ideas)

What do you make of this style: classic worldly design or passing trend?
Would you try your hand at constructing your own?

*Remember, only 59 days 'til Christmas. Start constructing this table now if you want it wrapped under my Christmas tree!*

Cyanotype Artwork

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

[Forgive me, friends, for not sharing this post last week like I promised I would...somehow time just slipped away from me!]

About a month ago, the building that I work in was wrapping up a few renovations, and decided to do away with some framed posters that decorated the hallways. While I wasn't interested in the actual poster, I was interested in the brightly-colored cobalt metal frame. It was free, and apparently I'm a scavenger.

Here the frame was, as I found it:

The oversized frame would have cost me a pretty penny if I went out and bought it. It was in great shape and the perfect color for my red-white-and-blue bedroom (inadvertent Americana, seriously).

Based on the color scheme of my bedroom and its perfect coordination, I knew exactly what piece of art would soon grace the frame: a set of cyanotypes.

If you're not familiar with the term cyanotype, it refers to a printing process that produces a cyan-blue image. The process was developed in the 1840's and used initially to reproduce notes and charts (i.e., "blueprints"); however the process was revolutionized when photographer Anna Atkins began using it capture images of her botanical specimens. The result was a unique blue and white silhouette effect.

Aren't they beautiful?

I purchased my cyanotype prints from the New York Public Library Digital Gallery. I wrote about the extensive collection of digital images offered by NYPL just about one year ago and, now with a perfect frame picked out, I was ready to select my prints!

I chose the Fucus vesiculosus var. linearis (left) and the Polyides rotundus (right), and proceeded to crop my image and select the size of the printed image. [Note: I decided to have my selected images printed by the NYPL printing company, Pictopia Collections, rather than saving the images on a flashdrive and bringing them to Kinko's to print. You certainly have the option to do either.]

About a week after placing my order, the prints arrived, were gorgeous, and were printed on quality photo paper.
Now they were ready to be matted and framed.

I love the way the piece turned out, and it feels like a custom pair that are uniquely mine.

But that's not all, lovely readers:

I wanted to also share a special Discount Code for NYPL printing through Pictopia Collections.

Get 10% off your order by using the coupon code 123XYZ when checking out.

Hope you'll all enjoy the vast selection of images the New York Public Libary Digital Gallery has to offer!

A Visit to Elephant's Trunk Flea Market

2011-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Adam and I paid a visit to the large Elephant's Trunk Flea Market in western Connecticut on our way home from visiting my parents. This market opens nearly every Sunday between April and late November and always offers a great find! If you have heard of Elephant's Trunk, it's probably because you know it's one of Eddie Ross's favorite flea markets.

Sunday's trip to Elephant's Trunk was our fourth or fifth, and decidedly the gloomiest (weather-wise, that is).

Nonetheless, the lot was packed when we rolled in mid-morning.

A mid-fall chill won't get in the way of dedicated shoppers, now will it?

Every time Adam and I have stopped at the flea market, we've always walked away with something that we love.

Today, I'll highlight some of the offerings that caught my eye on Sunday. Hope you enjoy!

Up first: the extensive selection of rugs. Clearly I have a thing for Persian and Turkish rugs because, had I the means, each of these would have been rolled up and carted back to Philly with us.

Many styles of furniture can be found at Elephant's Trunk, all for reasonable prices.

The warm tone of this table, along with its delicious spool legs, stood out in the crowd.

It was being sold for a fair price of $110.

Wouldn't this cabinet be a precious addition to a child's bedroom or playroom?

I could see painting it a soft color and organizing baby's first book collection in it.

The traditional carved details of this pair of chairs would be the perfect unexpected combination for a modern, graphic print on the seat. Can you imagine it? They were less than $25 for the two.

Certainly many mid-century pieces could be found at the market, including this pair of chairs, which look to be Paul McCobb (albeit covered in a hideous leopard-print fleece--seriously, what is that?).

A MCM log holder:

One dealer had a set of 8 tulip chairs (I didn't look to see if they were authentic) that were in excellent condition.

This set of 4 bentwood armchairs made me weak. Gorgeous. I hope they went to a good home.

Like furniture, the many vendors of Elephant's Trunk offered a diverse selection of artwork, and I snapped a number of them that I think you'd all love to see.

Need a English hunting scene for your '30's-era smoking room or library? Voila:

This oversized floral piece was spectacular, I swear! It appeared to be handpainted on silk and was approximately 4 feet x 2.5 feet.

Still into the antler craze?

Why not try this metal buck head ($110) for a spin on the trend.

Portraits were also available at a number of great prices.

This large painting was $15 and the colors were very soft in person.

Are you curious about what did make it home with us?

A small oil seascape painting (which I didn't manage to take a photo of) and this mirror (which was $30).

Oh, and no trip to a fall fair is complete without some sugar-covered fried dough.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and had fun thrifting, crafting, painting, creating or flea marketing like I did.

I highly recommend the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market and suggest you all go, as long as you leave some good finds for me!

TGIF, 10/21/11 Edition

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

The weekend is upon once more, friends, and this one is special because Adam and I are traveling to Connecticut to spend some time with my parents. I suppose I'll age myself when I say this, but I hope that the leaves have changed because I love just admiring the seasonal beauty of the New England area.

If the autumn weather cooperates, Adam and I are planning to stop by the famous Elephant's Trunk Flea Market in western Connecticut on our way back to Philly. We've been several times and have always found some unique treasures at reasonable prices (including my surprisingly valuable Maurice Ascalon snail/ashtray).

For more on the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market, visit their website here.

I'm also planning on sharing more on its offerings next week.

Wish me happy hunting!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Toodle-loo, blog friends!

Deborah Needleman in Martha Stewart Living

2011-10-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

In honor of the impending release of her new book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well, former Domino editor-in-chief and current editor of the WSJ Magazine Deborah Needleman appears in the November issue of Martha Stewart Living. If you haven't yet grabbed a copy, be sure to pick one up and check out the lovely spread. Needleman provides a tour of her upstate New York country home as well as 11 tips for creating a chic-but-lived-in space.
Some of my favorite bits of advice from the article:

"Make places for drinks, books, and feet"
Home is about comfort and good design, and Needleman suggests decorating with those two objectives in mind.
The ottoman, below, is a prominent feature in the living room of her country home.

"Open storage can be liberating"

Chic baskets and hooks can elevate the look of your scarves, towels, and hats and need not be hidden, Needleman states.

This photo reminds me I need baskets around here...

"Give some love to the guest room"

Though "no one expects Four Seasons service from you" says Needleman, it is important to consider the small details in the guest room, such as scented candles, a notepad, and a carafe of water.

"Furnish the bathroom"

In the article, Needleman urges us to warm up the bathroom with "a patinated piece or two" to "imbue it with the feeling of a well-lived life". Note to self: apply these tips to our bathroom STAT!

"Indulge in the bedroom"
Needleman is a big proponent of purchasing the best linens you can afford. While I can't splurge on Frette or D. Porthault linens (pictured), it's easy to add a touch of luxury with crisp and smooth sheets. After washing my sheets, I take about 10 minutes to iron my pillowcases and sheets before remaking the bed. It makes all the difference, I swear.

(all via Martha Stewart)

And on Monday, Kevin Sharkey (Martha's main decorating guy) featured a Q&A session with Deborah Needleman that touches on more of these tips, as well as the items on Deborah's decor wish-list. Be sure to check it out here.

(via Martha Stewart)

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait until Deborah Needleman's book is released on November 1st to get more tips from this stylish decorating expert.

Through the Looking Glass

2011-10-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Having finished my goldleafed barcart (thank you for all of your uber-kind comments, btw!), I see that there is a gaping hole in my living room. The wall space directly above the cart is between two windows and also is the location of a poorly-placed dimmer switch. I'd like to find a mirror to a) open up the space (currently I have 0 mirrors in the space) and b) cover up said switch.

But...I'm at a loss about what type of mirror to choose, so naturally I turn to you geniuses for guidance. I've begun gathering some inspiring mirror-related images that make my heart go pitter-patter. Clearly, I can go in a number of different directions with this, so please chime in with your suggestions and favorites!

Option 1: White with a hint of detail
Ballard Design's Atoll mirror has been popular for awhile, and I like the contrast it would offer to the gold tones of the barcart.

(via Lonny)
Wisteria recently started offering a similar looking mirror that I also really like. Check it out here.

Option 2: Sleek and brass
I'm really drawn to the soft curves and warm brass finish of this mirror, from designer Philip Gorrivan's own home:

(via NY Social Diary)
Anyone know what type of mirror this is?
I don't think my generalist "curvy, brassy mirror" search is going to turn up much on Ebay or elsewhere.

Option 3: Oversized and convex
Convex mirrors: suddenly all the rage but not very practical unless you want to look like you came out of a Busta Rhymes video (fish-eye lens, anyone)? Nonetheless, the impracticality can be overlooked. Also, I like the rounded shape of the convex mirror to balance out the square lines of the barcart.

(via Pinterest)

Option 4: Some bamboo action
Tobi Fairley used a mirror with a bamboo accent in this year's Traditional Home showhouse in the Hamptons, and I'm digging it. This option has a subtle Asian influence without screaming it.

If I could swing it, I'd love to find an antique that fits the dimension of the space, the look of my living room, and my budget (can't forget that! So, no 1stDibs for me).

So there you have it, 4 options for my over-the-barcart mirror.
What option would you recommend?
Any great sources for mirrors you can share?

Care For a Drink? (Barcart Reveal)

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

Nearly two months in the making, may I present to you all my newest project: my goldleafed barcart.

My inspiration:

The "Roland" bar cart from Worlds Away, which is understated in its elegance and out of my price range at $825.
Surely you'll agree that this piece has style in spades.

(via Material Girls)

(via House and Home)

What I started with:
A free (!) bar cart from Craiglist that was structurally similar, but a little clunky.
Just remember the operative word here: free.

The rounded trim on each end were quickly removed:

Instead of their rounded edges, I added a streamlined squared dowel to the two short sides and the back of the barcart.
I bought 2 dowels (cut in store) from Home Depot for about $2 each.

The rounded handles weren't the only thing to go.
The original casters were pretty heinous and fell off more than once, so I replaced them with 4 ball casters in brass.

Here is where the real work begins and where I keep it really, really, ridiculously real.

Goldleafing is torture.

There, I said it.

If anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying to you.
As a result, I didn't bother to take process pictures of the goldleafing (I was trying to power through, forgive me).

All that matters is this, the final results.

To recap:
--free barcart + $825 inspiration
--roughly $35 spent on gold leaf, adhesive and sealer
--two months of on-and-off process to complete this work

Hope you agree that all the time and energy spent was well worth it!
Now, who wants a drink?

TGIF, 10/14/11 Edition

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another fall Friday, friends.

Firstly, thank you all so much for your sweet words on my newly-upholstered living room chair and ottoman earlier this week. I'd like to think Sister Parish would be proud of my choice. I've got a few more projects up my sleeve and a few ready to be revealed very, very soon. On tap for next week:

A lot of this

and a couple of these

Not to reveal too much, but these two clues are not part of the same project.

I hope you all have a relaxing, but fun-filled, weekend.

Tah-tah 'til Monday.

New-to-Me Artist: Alanna Cavanagh

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Just this week, I discovered a new-to-me artist from Canada, Alanna Cavanagh, who produces very whimsical illustrations and large-scale screenprints that elevate mundane items into works of art. Perhaps you'll agree.

Cavanagh is an illustrator, screen printer, and typographer, with her work being featured in Canadian House & Home, The Wall Street Journal, Better Homes & Gardens, and Real Simple, among others. I was instantly drawn to her casual pen-and-ink-type scissor illustration, which feels like a doodle from your middle school notebook; but when I saw her aged-looking Penguin Book cover screenprints, I knew I had to see more of this talented lady's work.

("Brooks Brothers Suit, 2011")

("Big Orange Scissors, 2011")

("An Empty Belly, 2011")

("A Room of One's Own")

Be sure to check out Cavanagh's portfolio here for more not-so-serious prints that would add a welcomed touch whimsy to any home.

Fabrics For the Rest of Us

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel like the fabrics options that we "ooh" and "ahh" over are just too expensive?

Maybe I'm alone here, but I love beautiful fabrics and hate their often too-high price tags. Sure, options from Kelly Wearstler, Kathryn Ireland, Lee Jofa, Trina Turk and the rest of the lot make us giddy with their designs; but I'll be the first to admit that I just can't afford the $80+/yard prices, especially if I'm looking to spruce up a pillow, sew some napkins, or refashion a roman shade.

There's no shame in being on a budget, am I right?

I've written about my love for vibrant printed patterns many times here on this blog, but until recently I was at a loss for a new, untapped source for great fabrics.

Well, tah-dah, I found one: Alexander Henry, a company that produces bold, modern prints in cotton. Alexander Henry largely produces fabrics for quilters, and I could see these prints used beyond the blanket at the foot of your bed.
Here are just a few of my favorites I've rounded up for your enjoyment:

"Joy of Life" in red abstract, $2.99 per half yard / "Anja Floral Paisley" in dove, $4.49 per half yard

"Taupe Stripes on Cream" in cream, $9.99 per yard / "Zanzabelle Safari Zikat" in green, $2.49 per half yard

"Vie en Rose Floral" in dove, $2.99 per half yard /"Sage Flowers on Cream" in cream, $9.99 per yard

"Anja Floral Paisley" in black, $2.13 per quarter yard / "Africa Spinning Stick" in red pink, $2.99 per half yard

"Amelie" in rose, $2.99 per half yard / "Still Life" in multi, $4.49 per yard

Okay, so no, these aren't upholstery-weight fabrics, but why not use these lightweight cotton options (with lining, of course) for a fabulous pair of drapes? Or a shower curtain? Or a table runner? Or a bolster pillow?

And...no need to go through a decorator for "to the trade only" fabrics. Be sure to try Etsy and Ebay, as well as online fabric stores, for the very best price.

Fabrics for the rest of us, and we didn't even have to sacrifice style.

Weekend Excursion to Impact Thrift Store

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

It was a sad weekend 'round Philadelphia, friends, on account of a majorly depressing loss by the Phillies late Friday evening. I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that a somber sort of mood hung over the city the next morning, and certainly we all needed some kind of pick-me-up.

What's a better cure-all than a trip to a great thrift store?

I was overdue for a trip to the local Norristown branch of the Impact Thrift Store chain. I've written about this particular store before and usually find many, many secondhand finds that I have to share with blog friends far and wide. So, without further ado...

These chairs would look as cool on your lanai as in your living room.

Reminiscent of Anthropologie's "Banda" armchair (at a much more spendy price), no?

Sturdy and in excellent shape. $50/each.

This large dining room table, $35, was unfortunately covered in a pea green finish.

Wouldn't it look great refinished and paired with Ghost chairs?

Yeah, I thought so, too.

This brass etagere was only $50 and in great condition.

Apply a little Brasso and it would be a perfect foundation for your collection of books and vignettes.

This small chest, only about 3 feet tall, caught my eye.

At $35, it would have come home with me, too, had I the space for it.

This mid-century armoire was around $65 and it was fantastic looking.

Shiny and pristine.

Flamestitch sofa, anyone?

I'd tear off the skirt and never look back.

Okay, go with me on this one.

Get rid of the millions of separate cushions, and replace them with a single one and a bolster on each arm.

What you really need to notice is the shapely detail at the legs.

I recall this might have been ~$100.

All in all, lots of good finds. No, none of these items came home with me, but I did walk away with a $4 lamp shade for my demijohn lamp (still to come).

Can't beat a weekend afternoon visiting a great thrift store.

Sister Parish Chair and Ottoman Revealed!

2011-10-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

This project has been a long time coming, but I am thrilled to finally reveal the "after" results of my reupholstered $40 Craigslist chair and inherited ottoman. Both now happily occupy my living room and I'm so happy that I waited to purchase the fabric that was my number one choice (Sister Parish's "Tucker" design in the beige/white colorway).

I love having pieces reupholstered because it is like breathing life into the well-designed-but-outdated.

To see the "befores", be sure to visit this post.

A few detail shots for you all to enjoy:

For the time being, I think the ottoman is best suited with my Alan Campbell-covered side chair.

They make a fun little couple, am I right?

I also have a fun Turkish kilim pillow coming (a recent Ebay purchase) that should add another fun print to the chair.

What do you all think?

Were the results worth the wait?

I must give full credit to the fabulous upholsterer I worked with, Molly of Chairloom. Thanks, Molly!

TGIF, 10/7/11 Edition

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

(via Roberta Roller Rabbit)

Friends, you may have noticed this week I've been a) MIA posting here on Meet Me in Philadelphia, and b) absent from the comments section of your blog posts.

Truth is, I'm going through some stuff...you know, the usual late-twenties "where am I going"-kind of stuff. It can all be linked to my career (read more about that here). I have been feeling lost, discouraged and unsure about what unique contribution I have to offer this world.

Then, I read this (Thanks, Kate):
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything --all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." --Steve Jobs

If you have time, be sure to watch the rest of this amazing commencement speech given by Jobs:

(via Youtube)

Blog friends, I have nothing to lose, and I'm ready to see where this life of mine is headed.
I'm fortunate to have lots of support, including the wonderful support of you all.

Thank you for bearing with me.
I'm hoping to have several inspiring projects to share with you next week!