Dressing your Windows

The holidays will soon be here and with that brings lots of entertaining family and friends. Everyone thinks to update a space or two in their homes. How about our windows? They are a big focal point in a room and pretty easy to update.

 This first window is an example of Puddled drapes, which are my favorite. The rod I hung as close to the ceiling as possible and the fabric lays in a puddle on the floor. Works best with softer fabrics. The width of the curtains should be 3 times the window for a fuller effect. Measure ceiling to floor with a metal tape measure,for accuracy. Add 8-10 inches to the height.

These have a pretty wood rod with rings to match

These are puddled as well, with an embellishment.

These are hung close to the ceiling and touch the floor. For this look, measure 1 inch above the floor to height above the window frame where rod will go. Can be 6 inches above the frame or to the ceiling if you like.

The higher you hang the rod, the fuller the curtains should be. Width would be 1 1/2 to 3 times wider than the window

There are so many options at many different price points. You can have a more casual look with the metal grommets or a more formal look with wooden rings and a matching rod. I also like the tabs that are placed in the back of the rod, so you see pleating but it is a good I between casual and formal style.
                 Have fun Dressing your windows. Email me if you have any questions.

Plaid and more Plaid

Plaid reminds me of a few things, but when the weather starts to turn to Fall and cooler temperatures, I feel cozy with plaid. Whether it's a soft throw that I am nestled under, or a plaid scarf I have wrapped around my coat, I just love the feeling that plaid evokes in my crazy little mind.  This Fall season I gave found more Plaid to check out than ever. Wanted to share some finds with you. Check out my Instagram as well. see below.

 Target has some awesome plaid going on. This pouf is 50.00. Looks great with a cream sofa or chair, or a black leather chair.

Saw these trays in Target and was instantly thinking where I could use it. Comes in orange for the Fall. Would be great in the center of a table with a vase and some flowers and a small candle.

For your bar.

WestElm is showing this modern version of Plaid with a broken line design.

So many to choose from

To me, plaid is somewhat of a masculine design, but not here in the soft pink 

Bed covering. Also, West Elm

Saw this throw months ago during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but forgot to order it. So comfy looking. 

More of Target's offerings.

I always say fashion mimics what we style our homes with. These pumps are so perfect.

They are Coach

Ah, saw this on Anthropologie and fell in love. It s a big splurge, 1500.00 but such eye candy!

Thoughtful Hostess Gifts

Last week on my Instagram account I posted a great Hostess gift idea. Wanted to add a few more ideas. This is the time of year we start opening our home to watch Football games, Holidays, and just to gather family and friends for a great meal.

Here are a few ideas for you hostess, that canbe easily put to good use and they don't give your hostess extra work.

First, I love the idea of pretty hand soap. Your hostess can use right away in the bathroom, or save for a special addition to the powder room at a later time.

This one is from Bath and Body Works. 

Next, who doesn't enjoy, Chocolate! A box of Godiva never disappoints.

Candles are my all time favorite to give and receive, hint, hint.

This one is from Le Labo

Cocktail napkins are such a thoughtful and useful gift. So many styles and colors to pick from. These are from Kate Spade. I found them at Nordstrom.com.

Decorating Tailgates and my family Pizza receipe

The next few months are ALL about Football. Seriously, my two boys play, and if we aren't attending a game, we are watching a college or NFL game on TV.
Last week I instagramed a photo of my mantle, complete with both my boys teams represented.

These banners are readily available at all the craft stores and Target too. Just be creative with how you incorporate the team colors.

An easy idea for a snack for tailgating is any treat like, candy, popcorn, pretzels and decorate these little brown paper bags with stickers and Team name. I found these at HobbyLobby.

These mason jars are great for drinks at your tailgate. The lids are good to prevent spills and bugs. The colored straws can coordinate with your team colors. You can even add white tape to mimic the laces on the football.

Here are a few great examples to check out

This one courtesy of piggyback parties.com

This is courtesy of creative home.mohawkflooring.com

Finally, the FOOD. I'm sharing with you my family's homemade pizza receipe. It is great for a tailgate because it can be made the day before, easily transported, and SO TASTY!

Purchase the fresh dough from a pizzeria or food store. I buy two at a time as two will fit on one baking sheet. Take them out of their baggies and sit them, separately in a bowl covered with a towel and let rise. 

Take a baking sheet  and spread with alittle cornmeal. Spread the dough, after it rises, square n thick. Two will fit on one large pan. Cover and let rise some more. For the sauce I use whole tomatoes in a large can. Break them up with your hand. Then in a pan sauté some garlic,onion,parsley,oregano and a few fennel seeds. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt n pepper. Add some grated cheese. Bring to a boil then simmer on lowest setting. You want it thick, so do not cover it. 

Back to the dough, make little indents in the dough with your finger, as it will help the sauce grab onto the dough. After sauce as simmered for at least an hour, spread on the dough ,and spread grated cheese over it as well. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then follow dough directions on the package for temperature. When it looks like it is almost done, move to the top rack in the oven for a few minutes, you want the sauce to be dry. Let cool and cut with a scissor or a pie cutter. Enjoy! It transports easily in a container to your tailgate. 

ESSENTIALS

ESSENTIALS
I am offering something new for the upcoming months when we all start to think about little projects we want to tackle before we start entertaining and enjoying our homes for the upcoming holidays and dare I say, colder months ahead. I know that I nest big time during the upcoming months.
So I am offering this:
To help with ESSENTIALS such as, but not limited to:

Dressing a bed: blanket, duvet or spread, pillows, throw, skirt, sheets

Setting a table: dinner, lunch, holiday

Change out decorative pillows and throw: change colors or style

Here is a pretty table set for a lunch, it has a early September feel. Love the colors in the table cloth. I used celery green napkins but you have other options to pull from the fabric. Stacking the plates gives height to the view, but it gives guests an idea that there are courses to look foward to during the meal.  I combined items I had at home already, with some new items.

Here is the same table but with a more Fall feel to it with velvet fabric pumpkins and leaf accent plates. I can customize the table to whatever your vision is. 

It is $50.00 for an Essentials project

Included is:

-e-consult or home visit if you are local. We will discuss budget, vision, etc.

- you will receive a plan and 1 revision

- source where to purchase, add items you already own

If you are local and want me to shop for items, additional charge will be added

Taking Appointments now. Email is damcraig@optonline.net. 

Hounstooth is named for a Hound's tooth, Who knew?!

My dog, Stella, was lounging on my houndstooth patterned pillow and I took a picture and thought it was clever as she is a Hound breed.  I then decided to do a post on Houndstooth and discovered the origin of the design.  Wanted to share with you.

The pattern originated in Scotland in the 1800's, as a woven wool fabric worn by Sheperds.

I don't usually like the pattern in any other color but black and cream or white, but this is fresh. It looks like a square that went off track. It was first called Sheperd's check or Dogtooth, and the smallest version was called Puppy tooth.  In the 30's it became a favorite pattern of Christian Dior. 

Here it is shown in a tile floor.

Accent chair

In caramel and black, cozy

Bedding 

Interesting focal piece for maybe an office or a bedroom

Love it paired with florals for a more feminine look.

Bigger is Better, sometimes

i stumbled upon this designer from California, Hilary Thomas. Her own home was featured in Tradidional Home magazine, and I wanted to share some of the photos with you. A theme thru some of the rooms is Oversized lighting which is just beautiful. There are very high ceilings in the home, both indoor and outdoor spaces.

I also really like the mix of wicker chairs with the slipcovered chairs. 

This foyer is so neutral, yet not boring at all. Love the lighting. 

So much to look at in this small shot. That chair is eye catching. Love the dark bookcases.

This room has so much to inspire us. That lampshade, the wood ceiling, the over stuffed monogram pillows, that pink desk and chair..

Hilary has a great shop on her blog site where you can find some amazing items. I love these finials. They add just alittle bit of character and unique style to a lamp. These are pretty and there are more styles to choose from on the site. Check it out, Enjoy!

The Dog House, not really

So my husband and boys have been working on a project that I wanted to share with all of you.
There are many posts out there about taking a shed and using it for more than just storage. We have a shed that my husband divided in half and finished off part of it as an outdoor hang out room.

So this is the shed. We purchased it from Kempton Sheds.Thsnk you Bill Smith. 

They added flooring and stained it. 

Some knotty paneling for the walls.

A place to store the surfboard and it adds alittle character to the room.

We had a hard time finding furniture because it is a small space, so my husband and my boys MADE the furniture. 5 chairs and a coffee table. 

I found cushions that fit, which was difficult as the chairs were larger than most standard seats. I added a few pillows and a throw. There is a TV on the opposite wall of the seating and it is on a swing out arm so you can face the TV outside if we are having a fire. The chairs can easily move to the grass area if we need extra seating. We need a few more items for the walls but I think it turned out awesome.Family effort.