Becolorful

A Modern Take On the Traditional Quilt

2012-02-24T17:29:36-06:00

Quilts, how wonderful are they to curl up in?

I'm definitely a fan and I have used them in our home for years now but as I get ready to trade up from my 2004 family room to something a bit more updated I am wondering if these fallback throws will still be an option for me.

Back in the 1990's I saw this red and white quilt in Monica and Rachel's apartment on the show Friends and I knew I wanted one too.

I never found one just like it that was affordable but I have had several machine made versions on the sofas in our family room for years now. Like throw pillows they are an easy way to change up a room for the various seasons.

As you may know, I recently sold most of the furniture from this room and I although I still like this look I am recreating it into what I call our "green room 2.0".

This time around the sofas will be a soft off white and there will be a pair of vivid green swivel chairs. I hope to accent the room with different colors throughout the year. The pillows will be easy but I'm not sure that most of the quilts that I've acquired will really work in this updated space.

So, like every red blooded American woman that is questioning her design direction, I went to Pinterest and Google for some inspiration and look what I found...

quilts sprinkled in numerous thoughtfully designed 2012 homes.

Not only were these colorful and whimsical creations used in on - trend bedrooms,

Ankas Treasures

House Beautiful

but they frequntly had a fresh look in some less traditional color palates.

E-Store

Plus, many of these newer quilts flaunted the dramatic and graphic designs that are popular right now.

Elle Decor

I discovered quilts being used as wall art,

Casa Sugar

as table runners,

as tree skirts,

and in pillows.

I want to use our quilts as something to wrap up in while watching television but will they work well as throws in a more contemporary space? I think so.

via Indulgy

New Home Interior

This time around I think I may opt for less pattern. I may even go for a solid quilt like this tangerine beauty from Trina Turk

or this texturally intriguing yellow seed stitch number from

Urban Outfitters.

Yes, I could definitely curl up in that. So after a bit of internet confirmation, I think these tried and true elements with their roots from the past will work amazingly well with the 1960's inspired sofas I just ordered for my soon to be updated 2012 family room. A style for the decades if you will.

The Estate of Things

Now I just can't wait for the sofas to arrive.

xoxo,

February Organization - The Kitchen

2012-02-21T12:00:00-06:00

Kitchens, no matter how many cupboards and drawers we have, we are all wishing for more. Since remodeling and adding on aren't easy options it might be infinitely easier to find some ways to make better use of the space we do have and incorporate some of these useful storage and organizing ideas I found while perusing the internet. You can thank me later.

So here you go peeps, pin your little hearts out.

A colorful piece of vintage or new furniture can add numerous storage options.

Creative re-purposing of items like this cake plate can make even the mundane, needs to sit out, storage more appealing and fun.

Vinyl lettering gives these sterilite containers a bit of organizational pizazz.

Cookie Cutters stay together when strung on a paper towel holder.

Cubies or something like an Ikea Expedit unit make housing larger counter top appliances a breeze. I love how this person added Scrabble letters for an added dash of style. Sitting out in the room or tucked in a broom closet or pantry, this orderly look is a good way to keep your kitchen looking great.

We add baskets to our cabinets and shelves so why not add them in our freezers too? Vacuum pack your soups and sauces and store them in a tote in your freezer so they will be easy to find when you are ready for them.

A message center and peg board inside a cupboard door keeps everything looking neat and uncluttered.

Reconfiguring an unused or faux drawer front for paper towels is nothing short of genius.

Pipe straps from the hardware store attached to the inside of a cupboard or the back of a door keep frequently used utensils within quick reach.

Short on drawer space? Using a silverware caddy on the counter top might be a viable and attractive solution.

Perhaps you have more drawer than cupboard space. If so, then this might be a new way to organize your spices. Jars purchased at a craft store, Ikea, or even baby food jars would work. Paint the lids with chalkboard paint and you can add to or change out the labels easily.

A vertically divided cabinet or cupboard is great for storing trays and cookie sheets

but if you don't have one and are looking for a quick and easy alternative then consider these tension rods that can be purchased at any big box store in the drapery aisle.

While you are at it, you could buy a couple more tension rods and use them to corral pot lids too.

Are you tired of standing on your head to reach something in the back of a base cabinet? Perhaps you could consider removing the cabinet door and adding some baskets. They give your kitchen that customized look and can easily be pulled out allowing you to see things so much easier.

Don't overlook those vertical surfaces.

How about these "off the wall" or in this case "on the wall" storage ideas?

A kitchen will function so much easier and clean up will be so much faster if there is a place and a space for everything. Hopefully you were able to find something here that might help your space work better for you.

xoxo,

Motivated Monday February 20th

2012-02-19T20:00:00-06:00

The calendar says February but it feels like Spring here in the Midwest. It seems, though, as if Spring fever and the desire to lighten up and spruce up is kicking in not just here but everywhere. I always relish seeing what all of you have been up to and this past week was especially fun. I'm thinking that apparently we are all feeling motivated by this great warmer weather.

For example, did you catch this Pantry Organization submitted by Domestic Imperfection?

How great is that design on the back wall? Love it and

her idea of removing the door and installing an old screen door? Well that is just truly unexpected and inspired!

Then there was this great reversible tote and Kindle cover from

Happy in Red.

For the commuter or a day at the beach this would be perfect.

Next there was this doll house from Caught My Fancy.

I always wanted a real doll house and when I grew up I thought I would have one for my daughter.

It never happened for either of us but I still am totally intrigued by them.

I love how this one is set up for larger dolls like the American Girls and was made from a re-purposed TV cabinet! This is a definite must see.

The door slides open to reveal the house inside.

What a creative mom and what lucky little girls she has.

Looking ahead toward St. Patrick's Day, I thought this Lucky Canvas from Mollie's Mom was an easy, creative and cute idea that could even be incorporated into some sort of door candy.

It just looks so fresh and welcoming.

Finally, there was this boy's room update via

The Wannbe Mermaid that really "rocked" me out of my chair.

"Dharma", as she likes to be called, is one of my favorite bloggers.

I have always loved her sense of humor but now I will have to add sense of style to that list of attractions too.

I told her after I read her post that I would imagine that all the other boy's moms in her area must hate her now for setting the bar so high. :D

I'm not worthy.

I'm Slipping - Our Valentine Dinner

2012-02-15T17:43:16-06:00

We have celebrated Valentine's Day with the same group of friends for the past five or six years. Usually we go to a restaurant but this year we decided to change it up and we all ate here at our home. Everyone contributed something so it was kind of a classed up potluck. :D I pat myself on the back for having great friends that also know how to cook.

( It didn't hurt that one of our guests is a chef and owns a restaurant)

As for me, I had known about this dinner for about a week but how did it get to be February 14th so fast?

You know I have never claimed to be anything like a cook but I have usually taken some pride in setting the table. For some reason though, this time, I found myself totally unprepared.

Earlier in the month I had added a few Valentine vibed decorations throughout the house and I even had something for the dining room. It never occurred to me to buy something for the table because I didn't think we would be eating at home.

( I hate having the router there on that table but with these old plaster walls it seems like the only place that we can get a good wireless signal. Note to self, find something to disguise it.)

Anyway, the morning of our dinner I discovered that I didn't have any napkins to go with my red table cloth. I also didn't have a plan for the centerpiece. Well, that isn't entirely true. I had this garden like angel made out of stone that I have been planning to paint for maybe two years now. I thought he resembled a Cupid and that I could have him holding a heart or a valentine wrapped box of chocolates or something and he would look very "Cupidesque". I remembered him the morning of our little soiree but I thought he might still smell of spray paint by dinner. I had to move on to plan B but, damn, he sure looked good in my head.

With only hours to go before our guests arrived, I headed out on a search for red napkins, fun napkin rings and some sort of centerpiece. I was hoping to find vibrant pink napkins because I was going for a pink and red palate. I somehow have a knack, though, for always wanting the odd thing that nobody else wants and as a result the thing that none of the stores stock. I finally settled for a red napkin that blended well with my red table cloth and I found these cheerful napkin rings that leaned a little bit pink at Pier 1. They aren't really Valentine themed but they will be easy to use again and will work well with other colors too.

I figured the easiest thing that I could do for the centerpiece would be a collection of crystal candlesticks in varying heights but after multiple stops at department and discount stores and still coming up empty handed I had to move on to a plan C.

I was running out of time and I still needed to stop by the store for some champagne. It was there that I spied these pretty tulip plants so I bought two of them. I wasn't sure what I would do with them but, hey, they were on sale, I would make them work somewhere.

I put one on the buffet and created a little vignette.

But what to do about a centerpiece?

I had this plate holder and big glass bowl that I thought I might use. I could float flowers or candles in it.

Unfortuately the bowl was too shallow to float enough to make much of statement.

Where am I now? Plan D???

Well I decided to take some Valentine ribbon I had on hand, wrap the plate stand with ribbon to create a basket effect and I nested my second pot of $10.00 tulips in the middle and called it done.

I was cutting it close. I still had to change clothes, clean some veggies, and make the easiest appetizer ever.

Because I had bought the champagne just an hour or so before I was worried about getting it chilled so, of course, I threw it in the freezer for 45 minutes.

I knew I might get distracted and forget it so I set the kitchen timer to remind me to take it out.

The timer apparently went off while I was setting the table. I stopped what I was doing to go move it to the refrigerator.

What I didn't show you is that with all the effort, not to mention the gasoline, that I spent pulling this table together I completely forgot to set out spoons! Guess that is what I was doing when the timer went off.

Seriously? No spoons? How did I not see that? Yes, I'm slipping.

I remembered to light candles throughout the house, set up an "In the Mood for Love" playlist, and even made room in the frig for party trays. The only thing I forgot were spoons... kind of a basic.

Funny thing is, my guests never mentioned it. Not one of them.

I think this may be the reason why...

Last night.

This morning. Yes, they are all empty.

My friends weren't just being kind. I don't think any of them noticed.

Hope yours was a Happy Valentine's Day.

xoxo,

Motivated Monday February 13th

2012-02-12T20:43:18-06:00

Happy Valentines Week

When it comes to a Valentine post this one via

Blue Velvet Chair

is the absolute Be All End All.

So okay peeps, consider yourselves warned, you will be pinning to Pinterest for the next 30 minutes for sure.

This was one of my favorite ideas from this post but you will have to check it out for yourself.

Recycled sheet music from Secret Pie Shoppe

For a house/decor project I thoroughly enjoyed

Hell On Heels Housewife's

Magnetic Chalkboard post.

Gluten Free A-Z shared some very helpful hints and a few internet finds in her post. These egg shapers may have to go in my cart. How fun would they be for Easter brunch or May Day? With a breakfast this fun I would be smiling all day.

I am always drawn towards a good door candy idea and this rustic wreath created by

DIY Kinda Girl

really caught my eye. Complete with a tutorial, you will want to pay her a visit.

Finally, I wonder why with all the organizational posts I have been doing recently that I hadn't thought about organizing my own blog post ideas. I usually have little folders on my desktop or a blog idea board on Pinterest for keeping track of prospective blog posts but I was so inspired by this printable Blog Planner from

Between You and Me

that I am rethinking my own methods.

This is the cover but there are printable note pages, give away pages, and places to keep track of links. She thought of everything.