Anthro's DIY Hardware Tool

Have you seen Anthropologie's new

DIY Hardware Tool?

you can play around with hardware on

cabinets, desks, and dressers.

I designed this little dresser and I think

it would be PERFECT in my living room

under a flat screen TV mounted to the wall,

and wall mounted lamps on either side.

Go on and check it out, and leave the link to

your creations as a comment, I'd love to

see what you came up with!

Before and After- Kitchen

Here is a kitchen design I did while I was

working full time at a design firm.

It was one of the first projects of mine that

I designed and then saw come to life.

There's nothing quite like the feel of

seeing a design completed after working

so hard on it.

Here's the before plans that I drew up

in AutoCAD.

(unfortunately I misplaced the pics)

It was a large space, but it just

didn't have a good layout.

There was a lot of wasted space.

So after working with the client,

we came up with this plan

And here is the completed kitchen.

Oh how I miss designing kitchens!

Book Review- Shoestring Chic

I recently checked out this book at

my local library thinking it looked

cute, and might have some fun ideas.

Well... don't judge a book by the cover.

I was very unimpressed by the book

and even though I like the look of country

and shabby chic decor,

this just didn't do it for me.

I wouldn't recommend going out of your

way to check this one out.

But don't worry, I just checked out a few

more books and I'm much happier

with the ideas and inspiration I found,

so stay tuned next week for another

book review.

Check This Out-Bathroom Renovation

One of my friends from design school recently

finished a bathroom remodel in her home.

She lives in this charming 1940's home

which came with one not-so-charming

bathroom.

Here's the before:

outdated, and boring

Here's the during:

more during:

and after!!

new toilet, new paint, new trim, new

lighting, new window coverings,

new accessories,

new subway tiles in shower

and new travertine floors.

And it's beautiful!

I know this transformation took a

lot of hard work, but with a reasonable

budget, they made a HUGE improvement!

Don't you love it?

Nautical Nursery Design

This is the nursery I was working on last

weekend in Salt Lake City.

And thanks to Danielle's tips we

were able to find lots of great ideas!

Here's the inspiration board I put

together for the nursery:

1. PBK Darcy Changing Table from

DownEast Home

2. We found these GREAT oars at

Home Goods similar to these

3. Cute blue lanterns found at

Emilie Jayne

4. Blue Sailboat also at

Emilie Jayne

5. Land of Nod Rocker in Navy

from DownEast Home

6. Navy upholstery on rocker

7. DIY rope lamp

8. Sofia navy and white stripe

fabric from Ikea used to

upholster ottoman and cribskirt

9. PBK Harper Crib that

client already owns

This little boy is due in just one month,

so let's hope this nursery gets finished in time!

I can't wait to see what she decides to use.

Book Review- domino

I recently checked out this book from

my library and enjoyed every bit of it!

It was page after page of inspiration

and some great tips.

Here are their 9 tips on getting

started on a design

1. find inspiration

2. determine your style

3. consider how you'll use the room

4. assess your stuff

5. draw up a floor plan

6. set a budget

7. research, research, research

8. create a design scheme

9. make a decorating schedule

I graduated from design school 3 years ago,

but I still enjoy reading design books

and finding inspiration for new projects.

If you need help with designing a

space email me for pricing information.

This Aint Your Mommas Wallpaper

I heart wallpaper.

I'm not talking about the 1970's kind,

I'm talking about the new and improved!

Like this:

which is currently on sale at Land of Nod for

$14.95 a roll!

It would be perfect in an entryway,

or a small powder room.

Or how about this one:

It's a little more fun and modern.

Cute for an accent wall in a nursery, playroom

or even the back of a bookcase!

What do you think?

Thumbs up or thumbs down when it

comes to wallpaper?