3-2-1 Contact [Paper]

*kudos to you if you remember the geeky PBS show 3-2-1 Contact*

Do you ever start an internet search looking for something that would make you really embarrassed to share with others? No, I'm not talking about weird physical deformities or the home address of your favorite "Glee" cast member (you should be embarrassed about that). I'm talking about really embarrassing stuff...like contact paper.

I spent nearly 2 hours yesterday searching for snakeskin contact paper, and let's just say it's not how I intended to spent my afternoon. Here's how it all started [cue the standard 'dream montage' music from your favorite sitcom]: 

I was minding my own business checking out Jenny's latest post, when I saw a "you might also like" post about this blogger's dining room. What caught my eye was this bar which was geniusly covered in contact paper.

(via Johns Journal)

Who knew contact paper could be so chic!?!
During my search, I turned up this fabulous snakeskin table that's daring to be recreated with some contact paper:

(via Shelter)

or how about trying your hand at this snakeskin coffee table with some contact paper?

(Ann Coyle's snakeskin coffee table via Stylebeat)

If you don't believe that a search for contact paper was worth 2 hours of my time, let me prove my point with this photo:

(Snakeskin contact paper via Classic Wallcoverings)

Ain't it gorgeous? I just wish it was cheaper...
Now my mind is reeling with pieces to be swathed in contact paper, such as

(the Preston Media Console from West Elm)

or how about these pieces that I already own:

What do you think: can contact paper (especially in a faux snakeskin) be chic?
Would you try a contact paper project?

Demijohns

Demijohns have become quite a "thing" in decorating, haven't they?

Originally created as large narrow-necked bottles used for wine or beer brewing, these often-colorful glass vessels have found a second life in vignettes and tablescapes around the blogworld and in shelter magazines. For more on the history of the demijohn, be sure to visit this site.

The prettiest demijohns are often a beachy blue or green color, and are used to inspire artists:

("Arrangement with a Large Demi-John #3," Robert Douglas Hunter)

to bring light to a dark bedside:

(via Pinterest)

(via Searching for Style)

to support a lush branch:

(via Design*Sponge)

or branches:

(via Southern Hospitality)

From the images above, you can see that demijohns come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.
They can often be quite expensive too, especially if they are vintage.

(a selection of vintage demijohns from Jayson Home & Garden)

Luckily enough though, I stumbled across a vintage demijohn in a thrift store over two years ago for $15! It's been somewhat neglected in my home ever since, but I'm hoping to transform it to a lamp (like the inspiration photos above). To do that, I'll need one of these:

(Cork bottle adapter from Ballard Designs)

Do you have any of these lovely bottles in your home?
What's your favorite way to decorate with a demijohn?

Finds from This Weekend's Flea

Saturday's trip to the flea market here in Philly was a productive one, and let me show you my finds!

I walked away with this emerald-enamel Reed & Barton silver bowl for $2. 

It will be a smart looking candy dish (as soon as I get some candy up in here!):

this hand blown glass decanter for $15:

a copy of Ed Emberley's Little Drawing Book of Birds, for $4:

I also bought a beautiful framed floral poster that I'm going to work some magic on, and want to keep it a secret before it's finished. Expect updates on it posthaste!

What do you think of my finds?

Have you found any great thrifty items recently?

TGIF, 9/9/11 Edition

It's Friday and I couldn't be more happy about that, friends. 

Even though it was an abbreviated week, I felt underwater the entire time; perhaps you can relate!

But, better times are in store for me this weekend, kicked off with a great concert tonight. Adam and I are going to see TV on the Radio and Broken Social Scene tonight at the Mann Center. If you're not familiar with these bands, you may recognize the lead singer of TV on the Radio Tunde Adebimpe, above, who played Sidney the fiance in "Rachel Getting Married". In the movie he covered this Neil Young song, "Unknown Legend". 

For your viewing pleasure:

(via You Tube)

Sorry, I know this post isn't design-related, but I love music and am so excited for tonight. Additionally, I'll be enjoying some good-old-fashioned flea market fun tomorrow with my City Paper friend, Meg.

Hope you are all as excited for this September weekend as I am!

Tah-tah 'til Monday, all. 

Paint the [Bed] Red

If you were me, would you paint your standard, white Edland bed a la Lulu's drawing...

(via Lulu DK's blog Trail of Inspiration)

...or would you leave it white?

Opinions, as always, are cheerfully welcomed and acknowledged with lots of across-the-internet kisses.

Making Changes to Your "Not-Forever" Home

(via Apartment Therapy)

Last week, a post on Apartment Therapy got me thinking about those of us making "home" in a temporary, rented, or decidedly "not forever" place. This apartment is not our "forever home" but it is nonetheless a space that reflects who Adam and I are at this phase in our life. We rent, which means that we are not renovating or setting out on any projects that make permanent changes to this place, even if I may want to. 

The Apartment Therapy post came about after a reader, Vickie, solicited advice on what changes to prioritize in her first home, which she just rented. She toyed with the idea of painting, purchasing a new sofa, and swapping out fixtures in the apartment. She pondered, "My main question is: where do I draw the line with home improvement?" Like Vickie, I often wonder that, too. 

Currently in my fall project queue, there are several projects that involve permanent changes to our apartment, though subtle. Here are a few examples from my list:

• Build floating shelves in the "nook" of the den
• Repaint bathroom (same as current paint, just a fresh coat)
• Change towel bar in the bathroom
• Recaulk around granite backsplash in the bathroom

So as you can see, these are permanent changes but not highly 'taste-specific'. The question is: do I spend my time and money on these things that inevitable stay behind when we eventually leave, or do I go ahead and make these small changes knowing full well that this is only a temporary, a "not forever" home for us?

Readers, please tell me, what types of changes have you made to your "not forever" spaces? 

If you rent, where do you draw the line with improvements?

Meet the Artist: Duncan Grant

("Self Portrait, 1920" by Duncan Grant)

Recently, I came across a series of textiles that all but stopped me in my proverbial tracks, on account of their whimsy and color. The designer, Duncan Grant, was new to me and with a little bit of research, I discovered that he occupied a space in a storied group of literary and art history, the Bloomsbury Group.

Duncan Grant (1885-1978) was a British painter and textile designer who befriended fellow influential Brits such as Lytton Strachey, Vanessa Bell, and perhaps the most notable, Virginia Woolf. Grant's artistic style is best described as post-impressionism, and it often featured deep saturated colors and abstract subject matter.

Grant's talent earned him a role designing elements for the RMS Queen Mary ship in the thirties, which was being constructed at the time. He stated publicly that he had free range over the design of the first class lounge; as a result, he basked in the creative freedom despite the fact that most of his designs were not ultimately used in the Queen Mary.

(Embroidered firescreen, by Duncan Grant)

("Tulips" by Duncan Grant)

("Garden Path in Spring" by Duncan Grant)

("Vanessa Bell" by Duncan Grant)

In addition to dedicating his talent on painting, Grant also delved into the world of textile design during the thirties. You'll see, the prints look modern even today.

(pillows via Blogging Woolf)

("Clouds" print by Duncan Grant)

("Queen Mary" by Duncan Grant)

("Pamela" by Duncan Grant)

Duncan Grant prints, though, are largely unavailable. Personally, I can't understand why they haven't been reissued for modern use. It is hard to believe many date back to the twenties and thirties, isn't it? 

Some of the textiles and reprints of the paintings above are available for sale through Charleston House, a country home and creative refuge for the Bloomsbury Group. The home features murals by Duncan Grant and, as an avid Bloomsbury fan, I hope to visit one day.

What do you think of Duncan Grant's designs?
Would you consider purchasing a few prints if they were reissued?