The Most Precious Time of the Year

This year I started decorating for the holidays well before others but right on time for myself. I was so ready for a bit of winter cheer that I could hardly wait...so I didn't.

After lots of hanging and rearranging I think I'm finally satisfied with the results. Well as satisfied as an indecisive design maniac can be, but satisfied none the less.

Of course I wanted to share the pics on Precious Style. Let's start with the dining area.



Here's the centerpiece on my dining table. I think I tried at least 4 completely different ideas before ending with this one. I placed an inexpensive faux tree inside of a clear vase and filled it with snow. I then added clear ornaments for a quirky eating space arrangement.

My initial theme when I began decorating for the holidays was to use baubles everywhere. After my my mum came by with a truck load of other decorations the look began to warp but I did try to use the baubles throughout the apartment to keep a bit of unity.

Here I took the wooden folding screen that was previously in my living room and brought it into the dining area. I hooked a bunch of glittery snowflakes that I collected from Target to the screen and strung two bunches of ornament baubles on the top.

More holiday pics to come...

Artisan Mojo

Hi Folks,



Just checking in with a few updates on my life and latest endeavors.



I've been preparing for a new Fall/Holiday Artisan market that I'm hoping to join and focusing on getting my overall creative mojo going again.




I've been impatiently awaiting the holiday season this year and decided to make my own wreath with a winter wonderland in mind. I also made it as a sample of what I hope to create for the market.


Most of the elements are handmade and quite time-consuming so I've been crafting away as I watch television and what not.




I'm also trying my hand at aprons for the market. I found these cute striped pillowcases at the goodie store and thought they would make for cute pockets. I've made the pattern pieces but my dinosaur sewing machine has put the finished product on hold.

That's it for now. Hopefully I will have new and finished creations to show soon.

Halloween Already?

I had no clue Halloween was in full swing already but it seems that I was hit with it from all angles today. One such holiday surprise came in the form of an unsolicited catalog from Costume Express.

Though Fall is my absolute favorite season I am so not ready to embrace it, so I won't be going all out for Halloween just yet. I could not however stop myself from posting these adorably hilarious kids costumes that gave me a huge laugh this evening.

Little Lamb

Fisherman


Tootsie Roll

Princess Leia

Love it.

A Seamless Garden

I spoke briefly of my mini-vacation in the last post and wanted to share a few pics of the view here on Precious Style.

I was first introduced to this B&B in the Fall of 2007 as a surprise birthday vacation. Two years later I went back to enjoy the blossoms of summer. Its pretty obvious from these pics that I was obsessed with the landscaping. So much so that I barely took pics of anything else.

Many storms brewed about so the natural setting looked like the above pic for most of the trip. The highlight however was the planted landscape. Have a look...

The walk way to our room was just lovely. A heart plaque adorned gate surrounded by climbing ivy. How cute!

This garden shed was a few steps away from the room and served as a lovely focal point for this area of the garden. I even got to watch the gardener transform breakfast fruit/vegetable scraps into compost. Very cool.

What I found most inspiring about the garden were the varying pockets of flowers and colors. It was so interesting to see how they meshed to create a seamless end result.

My Glory Depression

On a recent mini-vacation I re-discovered the timeless design of depression glassware. I remember seeing tumblers very similar to these in the kitchen cabinets of my aunt when I was a bitty girl. As soon as I spotted the antique store shelves full of varying colored, patterned, elegant goodness I almost fell over. Unfortunately it seemed that all of my favorite patterns were the most expensive so I didn't buy any on the trip, but I've been on a frantic search for a few key pieces since.

Have no idea what the heck the glory known as depression glass is? Check it on Ebay...

The find I'm seeking...a few pink goblets. They certainly don't have to be the same pattern for me though (I'm so not a matchy girl).

Side Note ~ Isn't it twisted that the same aunt who owned these gorgeous dishes offered me her vintage goods as a youngin and I refused them because they were "old-fashioned".

Find the Fabulousness: Inside the Greenhouse

Here's the newest edition of Find the Fabulousness with the previously posted greenhouse in mind. I turned to Ebay for the goods.

Vintage Chandeliers

The set of chandeliers used in the greenhouse certainly set a feminine and glamorous tone in the space. I looked for similarly chunky pieces with a round bottom and here's what I found...

Curvaceous Chairs

As even the chairs featured in the greenhouse had to go through a bit of a makeover, I didn't look for chairs that were necessarily ready for the stage. Instead I focused on finding cane chairs with curves. Here's what I found...

Floral Prints

The greenhouse owner decked out her seating with floral cushions of mostly white and pink. I instead chose green with pinks.

Fabulous!

I Heart A Greenhouse

So I've been going through my clip files for ideas during this Spring Cure adventure that I decided to go on and I came across these lovely pics of a pretty little backyard greenhouse.

I don't have a back or front yard to set up shop in this manner, but I would sure love to bring this aesthetic to the inside of my home...in the bedroom.

I heart this woman's style so much!

Thanks for the Support

A Note from Me

Hi Folks,

I've been comtemplating this move for a while and I wanted to share as to not leave you all hanging.

As stated before, I plan on blogging at Precious Style for as long as I feel I have something creative and potentially inspiring to share. However, my attention tends to drift often when it comes to projects and I must admit that it has drifted drastically from what this blog once was.

I still love the products and nice home photos but I've been more hands on lately...tackling things in my own life and space. And while that has proven productive in the real world, it has left a huge bunch of nothing on Precious Style.

No one is inspired by a lack of interest (including me) so I'm taking a break until the blogging spirit moves me again. I'll still be checking in with updates of my own home amongst other things, but posts will continue to be sparse for now.

Thanks for supporting Precious Style.

Spring Curing

My World of Life & Design

Apartment Therapy is at it again with their 2009 Spring Cure and I've jumped on board this season.

I must say that committing to actually finishing a room (or at least making significant change) within a given time frame is not the easiest thing to do. I tend to be very indecisive when it comes to decorating so completed projects are not exactly my pattern. But, I signed up and golly gee I WILL have a livable dining room at the end of this cure (I hope).

I've decided to take Precious Style on this curing journey with me so I'll be posting my progress as it's made. Here is the latest...


After searching second hand shops and Craigslist for months to find a set of old chairs with good bones I found these. The wood was in good condition and the shop owner had recently fixed the cushions.

I immediately fell in love with the set and knew that with a little love I could make them fit in my space. After debating or whether to remove the finish on the wood or paint them I decided to go with the latter.

Here's what they look like now...

The white looks much better with the furnishings in the connecting living room and I love the outcome. The cushion fabric is still quite hideous to me, but since yellow is throughout my living as well I can live with it for now.

Green Book Giveaway WINNERS

Today's the big day for the Green Book Giveaway and the winners are...

Mina of Bohemian Vintage who did a nice feature of Amanda Peet's home on her blog and wrote, "I love domino mag because it definetely illustrates what I want my home to be and feel like. It's unique, eccentric and chic! Great combo, eh?"

And Amy who wrote, "I love Domino because it inspires real people to create chic homes with personality."

Chic is the word I suppose. Thanks for entering folks.

Green Book Giveaway: 1 More Day!

Hey Folks, tomorrow is the last day to enter the Green Book Giveaway for your chance to win a free copy of the Domino: Book of Decorating offered by Simon & Schuster.

Email preciousstyle@hotmail.com and tell me why you love Domino magazine.

Winners will be announced Monday.

A Second Life

ReUse RePurpose Refinish

As we all know, one great way to inexpensively give your world new life is to give your used items a second life.

Craftster has a ton of user posted ideas on transforming items that you already own into new pieces for your home. Here are a few projects that are certainly worth a try...

Entertainment Center to Nursery Wardrobe

Coffee Urn to Lamp

T-Shirt to Pillow

Eat Under $20

$20 & Under: Eat

In recognition of this frugal week I've brought back $20 & Under for the eating sections of our homes. Here's what I rounded up...

Mug & Spoon Set from CB2: $3.95

Potted Herbs from Branch Home: $12

Choices include various types of Basil and Mint.

Bagged Herbs from Branch Home: $9

The herbs grow right in the bag and come in Oregano, Chives, Sage, Dill, Parsley, Thyme, Basil, and Cilantro.

Melamine Plates from Crate & Barrel: $6.95

Mini Fondue Kit from Fred Flare: $10

Set of 4 Cupcake Plates from Sur La Table: $19.95

Pretty, Practical, and Pocket Friendly

Penny pinching is the name of the game right now. So, Precious Style is going on a reality tour this week in search of all things pretty, practical, and pocket friendly.

Let's start with one of my favorite television shows...HGTV's Freestyle. This show is dedicated to inspiring people to redesign their rooms using a $0.00 budget and things they already own. It's so refreshing to see a room receive a new look by simply swapping out a few pillows, adding artwork from the attic, and moving furniture around.

Check out a 2-part clip of the show on YouTube here and here with a few before & after pics of the episode below.

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

Simple interchangeable design is what I live by in my home and the results are always rewarding.

Announcement: Green Book Giveaway

So, Simon & Schuster has graciously offered a fabulous gift to the readers of Precious Style...Two copies of the ultra amazing publication, Domino: The Book of Decorating.

Pretty awesome, huh?!

To enter for a chance to win your free copy simply email preciousstyle@hotmail.com with your favorite Domino image and a brief explanation of why you love(d) Domino magazine.

Submissions will be accepted through Friday, April 3rd and the winners will be announced the following Monday.

That's it...Now get to submitting.

Green Book Giveaway

The Green Book Giveaway!!

I've got a great announcement for you all regarding a little contest that will be featured soon on Precious Style.

While the plan was to tell you all today, I am completely beat. I'm going to get some tea bags on my own eyes and rest for the night.

Nice pretty announcement tomorrow though, I promise.

Tea Eyes

Did You Know?

Tea bags can reduce the puffiness of tired eyes.

After mailing invites, planning a menu, hosting guests, and cleaning messes, a girl is pretty beat. Soothe at least your eyes with a few left over tea bags and a bit of aqua.


Simply soak two green tea bags in cool water and place over your eyes for approximately five minutes. Let the caffeine and antioxidants do their magic and voila...tired eyes no more.

This helpful tip and others can be found at Good Housekeeping.

Festive Intentions

Inform your guests of your festive intentions with a cute paper treat such as these from Etsy.

Etsy: Blackgingham

Etsy: APunkinCardCompany

Etsy: FatMatter

Etsy: Mulberrymuse

Give them a bit of heart flutter by personalizing each with a handwritten message.

Tea for Two, or Three, or More

As the first days of Spring have finally arrived I thought I'd give a taste of the seasons pleasures with a tea twist. Why not treat your lady friends to an afternoon of refreshments and fun with an indoor/outdoor gathering that accessorizes girl talk with the beautiful elements of tea time.


Here are a few decorated settings from Domino that may inspire your tea party throwing creativity with some ideas that combine tea and flowers.

Use the tins that house retail tea to display colorful blooms.

Bunch a batch of petite flowers in a tea cup atop a saucer.

Plant a few little plants and soil in your coordinated teacups and use as a casual centerpiece.

Tea on the Table

If you'd rather your tea dishes are used on the table versus the lighting, then you may be interested in these nice finds of the tea cup/pot assortment.

English Tea Store Miniature Tea Set
The Tea Avenue Lidded Tea Cup

Tea for One Set from Wrapables

Cup & Saucer Set from Stash

Make It At Home

I've come across so many awesome items in stores that I would love to have but simply can't stomach the price. Here's an example...





I spotted this lamp some time ago at Anthropologie. Completely adorable right?! And now thanks to Country Living Magazine I've found a way to make it at home.

Click here for detailed instructions and pics of the DIY process for the above lamp.

I am so excited to make this one for my apartment!

Good Bag Good Buy

I certainly don't intend to try my hand at these bags, but it sure would be nice to have one.

A good travel bag definitely makes for a good investment and the pieces below seem to fit the bill.

This lovely Diane Von Furstenberg set is available through Macy's and is decked out in sweet red and ruffles. Love love love it.

J.Crew offers this and a few other white leather luggage pieces. Simple and classic.

This cutesy weekend bag is prefect for short/overnight trips and is available through Cath Kidston.

Sue Me, I'm Sewing

I've been a busy bag making bee lately folks. I'm trying to master the art of purse design. Not sure where it'll take me, but at least I get a few new accessories in the process.

Naturally, as my interest of the month has changed, so has my inspiration. Coming up with sparkling interior goods has been hard as of late. So I'm going with the wind and using my new found obsession for blog material.

These goodies are all from Etsy and they are majorly fabulous.

Chacha2

DavieandChiyo

Fiazco

Bvann

Patncake

Love Day

Love was definitely in the air this past weekend as I strolled through the streets and shops of a little Bavarian town about 2 hours away.

Unfortunately my camera was forgotten at home so I didn't bring back any pictures to share. I did however bring back a bit of my blogging spirit.

Let's give the Day of Love a belated tribute with this twist on our Fashion to Function feature...

Food to Function: Valentine Edition

Inspiration can truly be drawn from anywhere. The key is to focus on the colors, textures, and patterns of the item and layout your room from there.

Here's a yummy display of just that.

The talented users of Flickr have somehow made the flavors of these deliciously beautiful items emit from the screen. The above image comes courtesy of Flickr User: Bakerella and features an assortment of red velvet cake balls.

The corresponding room is featured on Living Etc and is a pretty literal translation of the goodies. Notice the heartshaped headboard and wall hanging, and the pops of hot pink.

This image comes courtesy of Flickr User: Whipped Bakeshop and truly takes plaid to a new level. The matched Southern Living room focuses on the colors of the cookies and a bit on the pattern, though the plaid is substituted for a checkered bedspread.

This last image comes courtesy of Flickr User: Nanimo and is pretty basic in composition but lends great help for the room. Minimal, White, Clean. I think this Homes and Gardens room is pretty on point.

Hotel Brocade

The Hotel Antico Doge of Venice, Italy is located near many of Venice's famed theatres and shopping centers. A perfect venue for a romantic getaway.

Indulge yourself in old world luxury in this renovated hotel that boasts of silk and brocade furnishings.

A lovely sight indeed.

Romancing Out

Surely romance is not all in the home.

Let's take a trip around the world to a few international getaways that are the perfect setting for romance outside of the home.

Our first stop...Australia

Wollumbin Palms Retreat is a couples only getaway in the rainforest of Northern Rivers in New South Wales, Australia.

The retreat is sectioned into lodges celebrating the elements of earth, air, and water.

This place is amazing to look at. Imagine the beauty it pours in person.

Soft Romance

Does romance have to equate to spice? Red? Dim? Hot?

For me it is femininity...calming...soft. These things to me say romance. And so do these things...

Tracy Porter

Art.com
Laura Ashley

Beach Dwelling

Whispers of Romance

If there is such a thing as romantic art this is it. Excuse the lack of pro terms here. I'm not an art expert so I don't know the technical term for this type of photography.

A bit vintage, a bit surreal, and definitely charming. I love art that whispers romance, and these definitely do.

All available through Etsy.

Alicia Bock

Alicia Bock

irenesuchoki

irenesuchoki

jkphotography

Oh No Domino :(

It is with such a heavy design heart that I write this post in honor of the talented people who created, built, and maintained an amazing magazine...

DOMINO

Budget cuts have pretty much taken over every industry these days and the magazine world is no exception. In its short span Domino has remained one of my absolute favorite sources for creative inspiration and good reads.

The proof has slowly crept up into all of our mailboxes as the packages filled with online goodies have stopped arriving and the subscriptions we so faithfully follow have become slimmer and slimmer by the month.

As with all goodbyes, this one is pretty rough. And as I continue to dig deep within my own creativity to fill the void of outside inspiration, I wish the people of Domino gracious farewells.

Say Yes To Color

While I prefer my furnishings to remain neutral and have even considered converting to an all white palette, I absolutely can't give up my colors.

It's a hard fight between the fresh shabby chic lady and the mod color lover. However, I've committed to making the two work together.

As inspiration for the new confused me I've searched for other homes that have embraced this mixture and pulled it off with grace.

Here's what I found...

This lovely living/dining space comes courtesy of Ideal Home and shows how great little pastel hints can be in a white room.

This dining setting from Country Homes & Interiors mixes a mostly white room with mint floral fabric that blossoms throughout the space. The pink flowers on the table tie the two elements together.

And finally here's another room from Ideal Home that shows the beautiful possibilities of blank furnishings combined with touches of color. This time the white slate is finished with pink accessories in all corners of the room and a window of muted yellow drapes. I love it!

Blue Pops

Blue walls may be a bit much for you, but that doesn't mean you can't spare some room for these accents that pop of blue.

Zgallerie

Delias

The Wonders of Floral

Oh, the wonders of floral. Who knew that an array of flower patterns could actually tone down a room?

Somehow it works in the Maison Francais home and given the right setting I'm sure these beauties below would work as well.

Layla Grayce

Laura Ashley

Cottage Chic Store

Conran USA

Cath Kidston

Vivid Mood of Blue

Ready for this week's excuse? School. New schedule, new projects, tired me. I'm getting used to it but my little blog is looking pretty limp.


My hope is to fill it with a few new posts this weekend while I have some free time (in between homework). So, let's get to it.


This mini tour comes courtesy of Maison Fraincais magazine and is vividly amazing. The home combines an abundance of bright blue walls with pops of floral prints throughout.

So bold...so fabulous!

A Chic Lunch

How cute are these old fashioned lunchboxes?! They're also sold at Warm Biscuit and would go great with Shabby Chic kids & adult decor.


I heart them so much that I went on a search for even more. And of course I...

Found Them on Ebay

Vintage White Enamelware Lunch Box

1956 Flowers & Butterflies Metal Lunch Box

Pale Pink Vintage Lunch Box

Pink Rose Enamelware Lunch Box

Mmm...Warm Biscuits

Warm Biscuit is such a great resource for kids items. If you get just as much delight as your children from classic pieces then this is the site for you.

Here's a sample of their timeless collection that is sure to take even the biggest kid back to the good ole days.

Little Bedding Beds

Great little bedding has no use without a great little bed. So, I pulled up a few to match our Shabby Chic sheets and things for the little ones.

Layla Grayce

Not Too Shabby


Target

Yep, I thought they were adorable too.

Kiddie Context

If you thought Shabby Chic for women was cute, look how adorable it can be in the kiddie context.

Here are a few bedding pics for the kids that definitely mesh with the Shabby Chic look.

Land of Nod

Rosenberry Rooms

Pottery Barn Kids

Back of the Bookshelf Treasure

Did You Know?
Fireplace screens can be used as chic vanity displays.

This great little idea comes from a back of the bookshelf treasure that I acquired from my Mum...Flea Market Finds - Instant Ideas & Weekend Wonders. It suggests using a wire-mesh fireplace screen on top of your vanity/dresser for a display full of character and personal touches.

The example uses a mirror on the middle panel surrounded by other items such as framed family photographs, old keys, and perfume bottles that are attached to the screen. The look is completed using satin ribbon woven through the screen and adorned with vintage jewelry pieces.