HomeGoods Happy

I am so happy the House Beautiful March 2012 issue is featuring the color green. 

I must confess that I used green in my home decor for many years, until last year when I went head over heals for blue and white, gray and yellow.  Thank you House Beautiful for bringing the color green into the spotlight.   Here are a few finds from HomeGoods to inspire you to rediscover green.

 

 

Glad you stopped by.

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

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Kitchen Banquettes

Beautiful kitchen banquettes are a cozy place to host breakfast with your girlfriends, enjoy afternoon tea, and take advantage of a view of the outdoors.  Your family and friends will stay a little longer.

To give your kitchen a feeling of history, mix and match chairs.  It also makes the kitchen more relaxing.

Banquettes are great for small spaces.  A built-in will provide seating and storage.  In the kitchen, yellow is my go to color.  A little yellow makes me happy.

images via Traditional Home

Do you have a kitchen banquette?  Want to share your pictures?  Email me at info@ivydeleon.com

Thanks for visting.

 

 

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Sweet Day

  Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

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Enjoy the day with family and friends.

 

Via Dering Hall, Teleflora, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn
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One-Of-A-Kind Pillows

I am very excited to introduce Isabel Huelbig of Isabel Huelbig Textiles, based in Hightstown, New Jersey.  I met Isabel on a decorating project.  I was impressed when I saw her signature pillows and had to share them with you.  Isabel turns a digital photo into a one-of-a-kind creation by transferring the image onto fabric and using an appliqué technique.  Each color and piece of fabric is carefully selected to produce her signature pillows.  It’s like putting together a  puzzle.   Isabel prefers to work with photos taken outside on a bright overcast day.  The pillows are so amazing, I consider them art.

Jasper is the inspiration for the pillow above.  Jasper’s family is the dynamic duo, Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke of the interior design firm John Loecke Inc.  Visit their great blog at demystifyingdesign.com.

Jasper, Baby!

via Demystifing Design Blog
 

Here is a picture of Jasper sitting on a Manuel Canovas custom covered sofa.  We’ll have to make a pillow of  Weenie.

When I saw the Marilyn Monroe pillow, I had to have it.

Isabel has been commissioned to make pillows for events.   The Peddie School falcon for their annual auction.  A fabulous school.  Both my sons attended the Peddie School.

These beautiful pillows make a great gift for all occasions.  If you are interested in purchasing one of Isabel’s unique pillows, they are currently available at Perennial Home, 119 West Ward Street, Hightstown, New Jersey 08520, 609-448-8830.  Perennial Home is owned by Karen West.  She carries a large selection of beautiful home accessories.  For custom orders and pricing,  please contact Isabel Huelbig at isabelhuelbig@gmail.com.

 

 Thanks for stopping in.  Please leave a comment or contact me at info@ivydeleon.com

 

  

 

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Nailheads: Hammer Away

There is a lot of beautiful furniture with nailheaded details.   However, have you seen the “wow” factor when nailheads are added to walls and ceilings?  The clever use of brass nailheads on walls in Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber’s  home is stunning.

I like the unexpected tangerine colored lacquer ceiling, the painted floors, the lithographs of Native Americans, layering of fabrics and use of geometric patterns.

Jeffrey Bilhuber, Designer        Photo credit: Jeffrey Hirsch
 

Did you catch the detail on the doors?  I’ve been totally inspired to grab a hammer and a whole lot of nailhead strips after seeing the DIY project on the Simple Details Blog.

Amazing use of nailheads on ceiling.  Nailheads are little details that matter,  would you agree?

 

 

 
 
 
 
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Pillow Talk: Decorative Pillows

We all love decorative pillows.  There are many beautiful fabrics to make pillow covers to include color and texture to your home decor. How many pillows do you need for your sofa or bed?  How do you know when you have added too many pillows? Are 3, 5, or 7 pillows enough, or too much? 

Massoud "Dante" Striped SofaPillows, Cushions and Table Coverings

If you cannot sit comfortably without moving pillows off the couch, it’s time to put some away, better yet, donate them.  I say, “less is more.”  Use no more than 3 to 5 pillows for a sofa up to 7 feet.   In the bedroom, I use the same rule.  No more than 5 pillows total for a queen or king size bed.  Who wants to remove 6, 7, or 8 pillows from the bed each night when you are tired from working, making dinner, and taking care of the kids, only to put them back on the bed in the morning.

  

 

Consider the size and quality of your pillows.  Buy the best fabric and pillow insert you could afford.   Luxurious down/feather blend pillow inserts are comfortable and keep their shape.  Make an investment now.  You’ll save money by not having to replace the pillow insert three months later.  Purchase already made, or custom pillow covers with zippers.  Check the quality of the zipper and seams.  Consider these questions when you are making your next pillow purchase.   Does the zipper move easily?  Is the stitching tight or is it coming apart when you pull at the seams?  Is the fabric appropriate for the room?  Don’t put silk covered pillows in a busy family room used by kids and pets.  Decorative pillows look great when applied appropriately in your design.  Balance is everything.

Have a decorating question?  Email me at info@ivydeleon.com

 Photo credit: Horchow, Calico Corners, House Beautiful

 Thanks for stopping in.

  

 

 

 

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HomeGoods Happy

Like this little vignette?   I love using plates on the walls.  All the items are from HomeGoods, except for the books.   Make your house a home.  Personalize your space with items you love.

 HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

Thanks for stopping in.

  

 

 

 

 

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Out and About: Oyster Bowl and Men Talk Man Cave

If you are near Princeton, NJ come out for the annual  Blue Point Grill’s Oyster Bowl to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Central and South Jersey.  The event has become a Princeton tradition before the big game.  On Sunday, February 5th, oyster lovers can compete in several heats, while others can watch the fun.  There will be lunch specials at the Blue Point Grill and raffles.  Close to 300 participants and spectators turned out in 2011!  Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible.  Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 participants.  Watch the video of Oyster Bowl 2011.

via Freshbump.com
 

There’s a lot of talk about Super Bowl Sunday and man cave.  I visited a luxury car dealer and asked real men what they want in a man cave.  They answered the question, with some surprising responses.

1.  A big screen TV, the bigger the better

2.  Surround sound

3.  Dark furniture to hide the stains

4.  A beer keg

5.  Cigars

6.  Food, Chicken Wings

7.  A server

8.  A dance pole, honestly guys…

9.  Video games

10.  Pool table

There you have it.   Boys will be boys.

 Thanks for stopping in.

Share your thoughts, leave a comment.

  

 
 

 

 

 

 

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Display Your Vase Proudly

 the_vase_wallpaper_yellow_clarence_house

 Wallpaper:  The Vase by David Hicks for Clarence House, via House of Fifty
 

Jennifer Dengel Designer
 
via Traditional Home
 
 
 
Wallpaper:  more colors including red, orange, brown, and taupe
Image: courtesy of Clarence House
 
 
  
 via Traditional Home
  
Fabrics:  Get the Look
 The Vase, David Hicks          Image: courtesy of Clarence House
 
  Caroline – Forget Me Not, by Charlotte Moss.

Thanks for stopping in.

  

 
 
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Hand Block Fabric

 Fabric is a great way to change the feel of a room.  Galbraith and Paul have a new fabric collection for Spring 2012.  Their block print fabrics are a refreshing change for Spring.  The patterns are hand block printed in their Philadelphia studio.   Fabrics are available through showrooms.  They also have a once a year public sale in their Philadelphia studio, not to be missed.  Below are a few pictures from the public sale I attended last Fall. They had beautiful fabrics, lighting, wallpaper, rugs, and a friendly staff.

  Seville Medallion 1 

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