Crafty Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Brentan and I have been crafty around the house yesterday and today in preparation of Halloween. We had a party to go to yesterday evening, and Brentan spent most of the day making a Stanford Cardinal mascot tree costume. He is learning how to sew:

Costume in progress:

While Brentan crafted, I baked some Halloween Whoopie Pies for the party, based on Martha Stewart’s recipe.

They turned out quite delicious, and I had some leftover cakes, so I created a quick jack-o-lantern stencil and dusted them with powdered sugar. Easy!

 

Happy Halloween! Hope you got a chance to dress up, or will this evening!

-Liz

Upholstery Fabric Found!

I found the secret stash!

In the back of Joann Fabric, behind the rolls of stock upholstery fabric lies the mother lode–racks and racks of upholstery fabric that can be ordered. I borrowed a few of the super cute patterns that I found last night (as my husband was shopping for supplies for his Halloween costume), took them home, and compared swatches on my chair and bench. I looked for fabric that:

• Had a bold, graphic pattern
• Would be sturdy (thanks to my mom’s tips)
• Matched  at least two colors in my living room (dark gray, cream, spring green, yellow, or orange)

I love the ikat red and yellow linen pattern above, but after comparing it on the bench and chair, I don’t think it will work. It might be cute as a pillow on the couch, but Brentan vetoed that, saying it isn’t geometrical enough.

Next fabric: Robert Allen Home Cat’s Cradle in Sunshine

aka Mustard linen geometrical lattice fabric

I like this pattern. It’s bold, it matches the theme of the living room (1950-60 modern with clean lines). But the mustard color might be too much, and it’s not my favorite ever. Do you know what is more of my favorite color?

Next Fabric: Robert Allen Home Square Pegs in Kiwi

aka Nubby Cotton Houndstooth in Spring Green and Cream

I love this fabric; it’s luxurious and sturdy. It reminds me of a 19650′s woman’s coat, with a matching pillbox hat. And gloves. Long cream colored gloves. Maybe Grace Kelly Rear Window-like. But does that translate to a bench in my living room? I’m not sure. The pattern is much smaller than the others, and that doesn’t translate to a picture very well.

(Something like this jacket below, from the movie Sex and the Single Girl from 1964. Photo via Sweet Sunday Mornings)

Next Fabric: P/Kauffman Linked/Circa/Dawn

aka The most beautiful linen lattice fabric with grown up colors.

This is most certainly going on this chair. The lines and curves in the fabric go with the lines in the chair. I had originally thought of painting the wood white, but with this fabric, I might just sand and re-stain it a wood color.

Any thoughts on which directions I should go? You can vote in the poll below for the bench, which I am especially torn on…

-Liz

Modern/Postmodern: Upholstery Fabric

A multi-generational dialog about home

We’re trying out a new format here with what we hope will be a semi-regular feature: Modern/Postmodern. It’s a dialog in blog form in which we share perspectives taking advantage of our mulit-generational experience.

Liz:

I have two upholstery projects that have been on my radar for a few months now, but I haven’t been able to find fabric that I like. I’m unable to start these projects and practice my mad upholstery skills until I find some fabric! I found both this chair and this bench at an estate sale this summer— I like their lines, and the scale works really well in my living room right now. But the color of the fabric is off– dirty white doesn’t go (with anything!).

I’ve looked at a few fabric stores, like JoAnn, but their upholstery fabrics are really traditional and not trendy or interesting. I’ve looked on etsy, and there is lots of fabric on there, but I can’t tell which are good quality fabrics, and which will look cheap or see-through. I need a few good sources for beautiful fabric. Since both projects need less than 1 yard of fabric, I’m willing to splurge a bit. What brands are good? How do I find good upholstery fabric?
Secondly, I want a graphic and bold pattern that will look good with my living room, without looking too dated in a few years. What patterns should I look for? What colors? I feel like I’d know what I would like if I saw it, but I’m a little lost for design on these projects, which doesn’t often happen!

Peg:

The fabric you pick for your upholstery project is pretty important. The do-it-your-selfer doesn’t have a heavy duty sewing machine to sew through heavy fabrics. Some upholstery fabrics have a backing that is made from something like latex  that gums up a sewing machine needle – stay away from those fabrics.  When you are planning a project, think about how much you will use your chair or bench. If the chair will be used in your bedroom for example, it will most likely be covered with clothes!  I’m your mother, I know you!  It will be protected from sunlight and dog hair! In that case, you can use delicate silk or cotton. On the other hand,  if you plan to use the chair to slouch around in while eating pizza and ice cream, then use something more durable like a synthetic blend. The tighter the weave, the sturdier the fabric. If you can’t find anything you like, you can always pick a solid neutral fabric and jazz it up with pillows. You have to be practical when picking fabric or you run the risk of hating the project and the entire process because it becomes so difficult to work on that you  put it away and never go back to it. Believe me, I’ve been there.

Here are some tips to get the best results:

1. Use the best quality materials you can afford  - if you skimp, you will always kick yourself. I know you are laughing because I am the queen of cheap but I always look for quality first…I just look for quality at a cheap price!
2. Take your time – if you make a mistake, correct it.  it is worth taking the time to do it right, otherwise, you will only see the problem and never see the beauty of your project. Iv’e been guilty of not following this advice from time to time so do as I say and not as I do.
3. Do your homework. Make a plan, read a how to book. Make a test pattern using cheap fabric before you cut into your expensive stuff. Yes, I’ve made this mistake once or twice.
4. You will get stuck at some point. Don’t give up. Ask for help and push on. Persevere.  Someone could write a book titled “How to Upholster a Chair and How to Live Your Life in a Few Easy Steps”.  Hmmm,  ”Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Riding”? Zen and the Art of Upholstering?  There is something there.

My point is this…Your time is valuable so commit to a project only if it is worth your while. Be certain that you will love the project when it is done. You will then be sure to finish the project! The worse thing in just about the whole world is having a bunch of unfinished projects laying around the house. You will never be happy because you have wasted a bunch of money and time and now you have a mess that you have to store (or hide) in a closet that is stuffed with other half finished stuff. Soon, you will feel that your life is spinning out of control, your house is a disaster because you have nowhere to put things and you will trip and fall over your half done chair and you will end up in the emergency room and out of work for a week. Next thing you will know is that that simple re-upholstery project cost you more than you ever thought possible. It would have been so much simpler to buy a new chair…

I’m sorry I got carried away. Did I answer your question about fabric? I have a coupon for 60% off at Mill End Textiles.  I can send you some samples.

About the graphic and bold patterns that you like, they will look dated in a few years no matter how great they look today. You can be assured, however, that they will come back in style in approximately  30 years. That is just how the world works. I don’t make the rules.

Liz:

Thanks! These are some helpful tips, but you do get a little carried away. Is it from experience??

The chair and bench would be great in my living room, so I want them to be sturdy statement pieces. I’m glad that I haven’t settled for anything that doesn’t seem perfect. I’ll wait until I find some great fabric, even if it will go out of style…. These pieces aren’t huge investments, like a couch.

Also, please send me some samples from Mill End Textiles! I would love it if they had a store out here!

Do you have any other tips or comments or experience with upholstery? We’d love it if you shared with us, just leave a comment below!

-The Just About Home Team, Liz and Peg

Design Star- my new addiction!

Somehow I stumbled across Design Star winner Emily Henderson’s blog. And things snowballed from there.  She does a great job of styling rooms specifically tailored to her clients- just watch the first episode of her new show, Secrets of a Stylist (available ONLINE here).

So then I was looking on Hulu for something good to watch. Did you know that you can watch every episode of HGTV’s show Design Star on Hulu? All 5 seasons of it.  I am hooked. And so excited that I started watching season 5 from the beginning to see how Emily won.  And unbelievably, she nearly goes home in the first episode.

And then!! Emily writes this great post about reupholstering vintage furniture on her blog: Reupholstering thoughts. or tips. or just words about it. Very useful to me right now.

I highly highly recommend everything. And Emily, will you please come to my house for your next episode of Secrets of a Stylist?

-Liz

Can you tell me what time of year it is?

Oh it’s late October? Really?

Because these babies make it seem like it’s mid-August!!

I’m still eating and enjoying my summer tomatoes, and one tomato plant has another round of flowers on it.

Will I have a scary delicious tomatoes for Halloween?

Will I have stewed tomatoes for Thanksgiving?

Will I have spiced tomatoes for CHRISTMAS?!?!

I just love Northern California sometimes.

-Liz

Finding Inspiration from the Beach

On my trip this weekend down the central coast I was inspired by a few things that I saw and photographed.

Mexican paper cut outs

I love the look and feel of Mexican paper cutouts.  They say ‘party’! These pretty ones were hung outside of a new taqueria in Avila beach. Urban Outfitters has some inexpensive placemats that look like these cutouts in colorful patterns. Alternatively, you could just hang up some cutouts on the wall or over a patio. Cheap too: http://www.amols.com/browse/content/29

Blue and White

Blue and white together just scream ‘BEACH’ to me. It’s an easy color combo that can go in lots of shades. Maybe that’s why my relaxing bathroom is blue and white?

Natural Elements

I love the greens and browns and wild roughness of these pictures. A home without some nature is a little sterile to me, so I like to cut greenery and  bring it inside or have some unfinished pieces with natural wood or stone. Maybe something like this driftwood candle holder from etsy, or a driftwood frame? (Notice those gorgeous wild succulents behind my brother in the first picture. That’s what I want my backyard to look like!!)

Happy Dog

A happy dog is a dog at the beach. This really has nothing to do with home, but Daphne is so cute and happy here, I couldn’t resist putting it in! She loves loves loves going to the beach and had a super dog happy time this weekend.

-Liz

Wrath Winery Inspiration

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I just got back from a beautiful trip down the central coast from Salinas to Paso Robles to Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo to Big Sur. I went beach hopping this weekend! But, one of the non-beach highlights of the weekend was wine tasting near the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterrey County.  I tasted some delicious wine, and got some gardening and outdoor space inspiration from one of the most design-forward wineries I’ve been to, Wrath Winery.  From the moment I drove up to the tasting room I thought, ‘this is beautiful, I want to frame this view and have it outside my window at home.’

One of my favorite things was just the arching movement of some of the landscaped grasses in the wind, which whips through the valley (and helps give Wrath its’ name!).  The grasses inspire me to plant more California natives in my garden and create a peaceful sanctuary in my backyard. How could I recreate those mountain views….?

Other highlights of during the Wrath journey:

• Picturesque pond
• Old abandoned Victorian house which they might spruce up one day for a tasting room
• Other delicious wineries on the River Road, specifically Pessagno (excellent article here about River Road)
• Authentic Mexican food in Gonzales
• Fantastic views of strawberries and lettuce and pumpkins (for now) growing in Salinas Valley

Want to come with me to visit again?

-Liz

Better Paper Towels

 

Pull from middle

 

I do not remember when paper towels became a necessity but I do know that I grew up just fine without them. Paper towels were invented the early part of the 20th century but did not catch on in popularity until (I think) the 1970′s. We considered them an extravagance and unnecessary. Cloth rags were free, worked and could be used and washed over and over. I often think about things that I  throw into my grocery cart today that  I consider staples yet were never  on anyone’s grocery list 20 years ago. Paper towels are one of those things.

I like the convenience of paper towels so I decided to make my own. These are free and can be washed and re-used. I still use paper towels occasionally, but I have cut way down.

For this little project,  I use a paper towel for a pattern and cut up some old white cotton tee shirts. I then fold them into thirds, stack them, roll them and put them into an air tight container.  This takes about 5 minutes. I then take 1 cup of water and add  1 ounce  liquid castile soap along with 6 drops of lemon essential oil. I pour it over the rolled up towels. I now have home made ‘wet wipes’. Pull each wipe out from the middle and voila,  instant cleaning cloth. I keep a jar in my bathroom and a jar by my kitchen sink. The cloths can be rinsed out and re-used. If I clean the floor or something gross, I rinse and wash the cloth and then toss it wet into the microwave for 2 minutes.  The cloth then comes out sanitized. Give this a try! It’s super easy! You will be doing something good for the earth!    -Peg

 

Use a paper towel as a pattern

 

 

Fold

 

 

 

 

Add 1 cup water , 1 ounce liquid castile soap and 6 drops lemon essential oil.

 

Help Me!

Oh no! Help me! I found some more great chairs! They were cheap! They are heavy and solid! they do not wiggle! They have cushioned seats! They are comfy! They will look good with new upholstery around my dining room table! Good Lord what have I gotten myself into!  The price said  ”set / $5.00″. The  man said “everything is half price!”   Stay tuned!   -Peg

 

Cheap!

Curb Appeal Before and After

This was the front of my house last year before any work*. It’s not too bad, but doesn’t exactly say, ‘Welcome. Please make yourself at home!’

But this is the entry from the outside after a little TLC. Notice:

• Green lawn. Yay for plants that are alive!
• White security door (and a new front door which you can’t tell from this picture). I am always amazed at what a can (or 5) of white spray paint can do.
• New house numbers on the garage.
• Painted blue porch swing re-done from the Alameda Flea Market. Color matched to Martha Stewart’s Wrought Iron in Behr outdoor latex paint.
• Lamps on the garage.
• Painted garage door with inserted plexiglass windows.
• New plants to the right of the front door. They’re newly planted in this photo, and will hopefully grow in a bit fuller. I also planted a succulent and some grasses in front of that ugly blue piping by the swing, but it probably needs to be painted white too.
• Festive pumpkins!

This is a closeup of the garage door redo, DIY by the Mr. This has probably been the most dramatic of the exterior redo. Compare it to the previous door…. yeah….. much better now!

I <3 my new exterior.

-Liz

 

*Not completely true… the roof is fixed and does not have an ugly blue tarp, and the jungle that existed in front of the house is mostly cut back…