Oh, How Do I Love Thee...

IKAT. This beautiful fabric. pattern. weave. is so traditional and classic. Ikat (pronounced ee-kat) is the method of weaving that uses a process similar to tie-dye that is used in so many cultures. South American. Central American. South East Asian, to mention a few.

Circle Ikat fabric found at www.spoonflower.com

Gorgeous classic Ikat pattern.

Love these fun pillows...adds a little spice to any room.


I love the different patterns in this room.


Perfect Ikat upholstered bench with a large mirror in the back. And the drum table with the pop of color from the flowers really complete the room.

I remember quickly passing by this photo about a year ago at a magazine stand and could not remember which magazine it was from...BUT here it is, I found it....and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I absolutely adore everything about this space...I want to copy it ALL, including the adorable pooches. OK that's it, I'm transforming my office to look like this. {last 3 photos from ELLE Decor}



Modern Vintage space with a pop of IKAT


Beautiful Madeline Weinrib Rug.


Go BIG with an Ikat reupholstered sofa..works perfectly in the black and white pattern. {image from thisbautdesign.com}


Check out what Jenny from Little Green Notebook blog did with a console table. I Love and may do this myself:-)


And how Chic does Heidi Klum look (as always) in this Ikat pattern dress?

So start searching for that perfect Ikat fabric and start sewing up some pillows or a console table cover (like I might do) :-)

XoXo,

Iris

Parents room make over

So, my parent room needed some serious TLC. It was very...well Blah. I was finally allowed to kick them out for a few days to get my hands on it, with the condition that I wouldn't make a drastic make over and would use things they already had. UGH, no fun right? Well, I made it work with what they had (well some things) and of course saved them some money. I don't think much was done, but it definitely made the room more cheerful and romantic...and less Blah :-)

Here it is before....



another before, that book case was driving me nuts.


So with a little bit of paint (Behr Classic Taupe)...



a little help...

a little shopping (so of course I was going to shop)...


some good finds...




and a little prep work...


HERE is the final result :-) I left the window treatments the same (just styled differently) went to the garage and found their old comforter which I like much better than the brown one they had. And the only think I bought was the Head board...since they didn't have one. I initially wanted to make them one, uh but never got around to it and I don't think they trusted me in making a head board haha (I swear I can make one, I know I can...I mean how hard can it be right?)


I have always loved this telephone table (always thought it was an old school desk haha) My mom wanted to get rid of it, and I said "oh no no no, it's staying" I guess I can always take it for myself later :-)



I brought "Las Meninas" by Diego Velazquez from Museo Prado in Madrid last year and had it stashed because I couldn't find a place for it. So how perfect does it look in my parent's bedroom.

This dresser with mirror used to be mine when I was a kid, and I think it was dark wood. It was painted white a while back and obviously needs another paint job, but I still think it looks good.



I love this old bedside pitcher and bowl....been in the family for years.



Sitting area.



Swan hooks I found at Anthropologie :-)

How different does the book case look?? I wanted a cheerful splash of color so I went with red. Those are all of my moms momentos, which really personalizes and makes this space unique.


Very old jewelry case belongs to my aunt... with some books.



and here is the extra TV that I gave them for an anniversary (because every marriage needs 2 TV's right?). I am not a fan of TV's in bedrooms at all, but hey...this is not my bedroom. The framed drawing above the TV I remember seeing in pictures of me when I was a baby. Love that we still have it.


So in the end, I think it turned out better that I used things that they already had and I didn't go out on this huge shopping spree. It makes the room special, with many memories and heirlooms that carry a story of who they are. Remember my last post??

XoXo,

Iris

Living With What You Love...

Living With What You Love by Monica Rich Kosann fits right into what I believe make interiors special, personal, and unique. I can't say it enough, but I can't stand walking into a home and it looks like a "model" home...where if I pick up the catalog for Living Spaces (eeeeek!!!) or Macy's furniture, that's the look they were going for. Sorry to sound harsh, and I know everyone has different taste..but I just can't help it (so bare with me please, haha). There is nothing like walking into a home, that has a unique scent, personal photos and memento's, and every room, corner, niche tells a story about the person living there. It can be as simple as a single photo on a mantel with a flower on a vase, but it tells a story about who and what the person is about. Here are some of my many favorite photos from the book. So many great ideas on how to decorate using family photos, cherished heirlooms, and collectibles.































Didn't get enough and want to see more? Get the book here.

Have a wonderful week

XoXo,

Iris


Oh, and stay tunes to see what I did to these chairs...my dad freaked and got so upset that I "ruined" them ha-ha. But, hey, they are just not me :)

Don't be afraid.....

to mix colors...like Orange and Blue. I love this color combo. I think they compliment each other very well and give this funky cool look, think beachy fire (if that makes sense).



This gorgeous pattern would make great pillows on a white sofa or curtains too or on a blue upholstered chair...oh my, too many ideas for this pattern. And check out the leopard print in there too.



Love love love this pattern. It's a kimono from vintagekimono.com. I would love to get my hands on it.



Modern vintage room...the blue desk with the vintage painting on the wall are perfect...and the orange chair really completes the room. {image from decor pad}



I really like all the elements in this living room, but I especially love the rug...it's gorgeous. {image from parmamelissa.blogspot.com}



This project of interior designer Lauren Liess is really coming along. Very brave to decide to have the sofa done with a patterned fabric. It works so well. {image from pure style home}


How cute is this cottage room? {image from design sponge}


Gasp!!! I can't breathe!!! Go-go-gorgeous!!! That's all I can say about designer Kate Schintzuis' apartment in West Hollywood.


AND I saved my favorite room with orange and blue combo for last. Yes of course the DOG painting on the wall is my favorite too...but I really love everything about this room. It's so warm and inviting, modern but charming. Ahhhhh!!! {image from besthomegallery.com}

So don't be afraid to mix colors..there are so many color combos that go well with each other, even when we don't think they will....they do. I'll post more color combinations in the future. I have so many favorites. What are your favorite color combos??

XoXo,

Iris

Dia de Los Muertos...dogs....and trick-or-treating

DAY OF THE DEAD (Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated by many in Mexico. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

I love this photo of a calabera with flowers...a little creepy and not true to the day of the dead calaberas, but I still love it and wanted to post it.

and how gorgeous are these photos? They can be found here and I am obsessed with how whimsical they all are. Gayla, the photographer, is amazingly talented.




AND you all know how Peter and I are HUGE dog lovers....SO yesterday, we went to the Belmont Shore Haute Dog Halloween Parade. We love going every year. People really go all out. We didn't take our pooches because of course being the protective owners thought "it's too hot for them...there are too many people for them...we don't want them feeling overwhelmed...bla bla bla." So the poor monkeys stayed home while daddy and I had fun. Yes I know...sad. Here are some photos of the parade.
Cute pug!! (Pugs were so popular)


Our Favorite one...too cute and creative.






AND now for some trick-or-treating fun with my adorable God Daughter...the Kitty Kat!! Meow!!

having dinner at the Magic Lamp on 2nd St. YUM!!!



So Halloween is over...Dia de los Muertos is almost over...and now the HOLIDAYS!!! YIKES!!! I love the holidays but they are so stressful.

Happy week

XoXo,

Iris