CottonColors Is a Lovely Etsy Find of the Day!

CottonColors is featured as the Lovely Etsy Find on the blog, Lovely At Your Side! There are some beautiful dresses featured today as well. Visit this blog for some handmade loveliness!

Bring on The Cool Days and Hot Colors!

The vivid colors of Fall!

Each season, Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to identify the 10 most directional colors. These are the colors in the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall, 2009. I love deep, vivid hues and the diverse palette shown here. American Beauty is gorgeous, saturated and lively! I adore the rich, dark shade of blue that is Majolica Blue. For neutrals, I am most drawn to Iron and Honey Yellow. This is a really beautiful palette, although a little light on the greens for my taste.

I am looking forward to seeing how these colors will show up in both fashion and home decor this fall. It looks to be a colorful season ahead!

Filling a First Apartment with Love and Style!

I've been spending a lot of time helping my daughter furnish her first apartment. She has her own ideas and tastes, not necessarily what I would choose, but some of her style is growing on me. We have been really doing some bargain-hunting to make her place look great on a college student's budget!

We've made great discoveries in some of the local re-sale shops, like these candlesticks. Very ornate and they are in like-new condition!

These mirrors are the perfect size to hang together on one wall in the bedroom. They are from a re-sale shop too! The mirror came off one of them, but she was able to glue it back on.

This gorgeous lamp was on sale at Hancock's! I think we paid about $35 for it.

And finally from another re-sale shop, these cool wall plaques with a beautiful aged relief pattern and fleur de lis!

All told, I was out less than $70 that day for these finds and I think they will make a great statement of her style. Now, if I can get finished with the throw pillows, pillow shams and curtains she has requested, she will be all set! I'll post photos of the finished room soon.

Stay tuned.

CottonColors in The Design File!

The Design File is a wonderful and informative blog, highlighting unique, contemporary interior design. CottonColors was a featured Etsy pick this week!

Furnishing the Multi-Purpose Room

I've been considering the best way to use an empty bedroom in my house. I would like to make it a multi-use room to serve as guest accomodations as well as a place to watch movies and just relax. I considered a futon for this room, but I think I will go a more traditional route with a daybed. I think a daybed is a little more comfortable to sleep on and I really like the look of one, especially when filled with a big variety of pillows!
We owned a daybed many years ago, a very basic design. I was surprised at how many style options there are to choose from in daybeds.

For a really unique look, check out the Lea iRoom II Daybed from Kids Furniture. I love the design, but it might work best in a child's or teen's room.

This is the Astoria Steel Daybed I found on Overstock.com. It has a great contemporary feel with a champagne finish. It looks super sturdy and modern!

For a more traditional look, I found a couple of very pretty ones at Daybeds.com. This is the Casey Daybed. It has a rubbed black finish, with beadboard panels and round finials. I think it has a French feel, especially with the wonderful bedding shown with it!

This one is the Surrey Daybed. The sleigh bed design is classic, with a warm wood finish. It would work beautifully with traditional furnishings and bedding!

Here is a really simple design from IKEA. It is the Hemnes Daybed. I love the storage underneath. It's a bit plain, but with the right bedding, this could be a nice, neutral backdrop for some bright pillows and accessories. I like to change things up a lot, so a neutral white starting point can be a good thingThe Powell Kawayan Bamboo Daybed from YWD.com is a fun change of pace! It is a simulated bamboo, constructed of steel. It has a tropical flair and the chocolate brown is so warm and inviting!

If price was no object, this John Kelly J1 Daybed from Name Brand Beds would be wonderful to own. It is simple, yet beautiful!

Another favorite from Name Brand Beds is the Miami Daybed. I love the textured bronze design and it definitely has and old Florida feel, one of my favorite styles!

Pottery Barn has some great choices in daybeds like this Seagrass one, made from renewable fiber. With bright, crisp linens and pillows, this organic daybed would look great in a sunroom, too!

The Claudia Daybed has that wonderful old, antique iron bed look. I love the crystal knob finials and Edwardian style! Sweet and comforting, like Grandma's house.

This last one from Pottery Barn is the Caden Daybed. I like the combination of wood and woven jute. It feels casual and comfortable. The jute gives it really nice textural appeal!

Seeing Red in The Kitchen!

Over the years and in various homes, no matter what color my kitchens have been, I have always loved having a few pops of red in the decor. Red adds warmth and liveliness to the room!

My favorite little touches are those old red utensils from the fifties, like this beautiful pastry blender.


I love this red colander and the crock for keeping things semi-organized.


I found this gorgeous set of red utensils at http://www.salvo.co.uk/ . Anything I could cook with these would surely taste just like grandma used to make!

And I'd love to have this brand spanking new little beauty (from Williams-Sonoma) to add to my red collection! Fabulous function mixed with retro beauty all wrapped up in my favorite kitchen color. Who could ask for more?

Pastry blender photo by passionforvintage
Colander and crock photo by eraphernalia

A Pretty Place to Call Home!

I have been shopping around for some things for my daughter, who will soon be moving into her first apartment. We have somewhat different tastes in decor, but I am starting to really like some of the styles she favors. She likes ornate details and fairly neutral, understated colors. A little French style, a little shabby chic, and just a touch of Hollywood opulence all seem to be a part of her favorite "look". I think some of these accessories and furnishings would work nicely with the things we have found for her so far!

These suitcases are from Chloes Chic Boutique. Both pretty and functional, they could be used for storage of extra bed linens or out of season clothing!


This mirror has nice detail and is a great size! I found it at Paris Couture Antiques. It looks so pretty with the sconces, hung over this fireplace, but it would work in a bedroom or dining area as well.


No French decor is complete without a depiction of the Eiffel Tower! This poster print from All Posters adds a little romance and a pop of color to an old favorite image.


I love the buttery yellow of this faux bamboo chest from Paris Hotel Boutique! The tall, slim shape makes it perfect for a bedroom with limited floor space. And, the multiple drawers will hold all of a lady's essentials!


And for the "piece de resistance", a lovely crystal chandelier from Home of Decor will add the right touch of elegance and opulence to a dining space!


A first apartment will almost certainly not contain all of one's dream decor right off the bat, but we are searching the antique markets and resale shops for some look-alike styles that will make her new home all her own!

Patio Style!

I have been looking for interesting planters to use on my patio. I have already purchased some colorful annuals and I've been keeping them alive in their tiny pots, but they are ready to spread their roots in some bigger homes! Here are some great ones I found.

These colorful self-watering pail planters are available at Gardeners. I have a small fence where I think they would work perfectly!

If you're looking for something more contemporary, this square, steel planter with stud details fits the bill! You can find it at SimplyPlanters.

Target has these lovely blue planters. I love the colors and I think they look cool, peaceful and beachy!

This Smith and Hawken planter is also from Target. The steel and iron filigree has a burnished copper finish for great style indoors or out.

With my penchant for color, I adore these Talavera pots from Plowhearth! The colors are so brilliant, they really don't need flowers and will probably look best with just green plants in them as shown.

Color Me Happy!

It's well known that color affects our moods. It can have a strong influence on how we feel, both mentally and physically. If you're redecorating or simply freshening up your decor with some new accessories or a complete paint job, keep in mind how certain colors can affect you and your well-being!




If you're looking for peace and tranquility, blue may be the color you need in your home. The soothing shades of sky and water represent harmony, unity and security. It has been shown to slow the pulse rate and lower body temperature.


Green is named as a favorite color by many people. It represents nature,
health, renewal, youth and fertility. It's calming and is considered by
many to have a healing quality.











Yellow is a joyous color and represents happiness, optimism and
imagination. The color of sunshine, it can add a bright note of hope and
inspiration to your home!










Brown is warm and earthy. The color of wood, stone and earth, it is neutral and can be used with lots of other colors. Found so frequently in nature, brown represents stability and simplicity.









Red is an energetic color! It increases the heart rate and raises blood pressure. While it may not be a great choice for wall color, red accessories can add a pop of interesting color to a room! It creates a strong first impression, so don't shy away from red!









(If this red room looks familiar, you are probably a Real Housewives of NYC fan. It's the recent redo of Alex and Simon's living room!)

Tuesday Trends: Choosing Artwork to Brighten Your Home!

Spring is here and that always brings out the desire to liven up our living spaces! Adding artwork to your home is a great way to bring in color and pattern. Art sets a tone in a room and can be a focal point in your room's design. Choosing the right artwork and the best place to display it can really bump up the appeal of your living space!There are a few trends in art this spring that are worth noting. Bold colors and patterns create a striking visual and draw the eye.














This painting, Tree Rings, by Focuslineart on Etsy has a great balance of color and pattern.



















The trend toward green living conserving our resources has increased the popularity of art with a focus on nature. Here is a Filigree Tree print by Meartdesign on Etsy. I love the delicate branches and tiny birds on the peaceful green background!


















Here is a beautiful original that combines the nature theme with a bold color palette and geometric designs by Edenfolwell on Etsy. It is painted on wood and I think it has a wonderful earthy feel with a contemporary twist!

Choosing artwork is a very personal endeavor. You will want to select pieces that you will enjoy looking at for a long time. Take some time to browse these and other Etsy artists to bring some color and pattern into your décor.

A New/Old Table for My Living Room?

I need a new coffee table and I recently came across some with "aged" copper on the tops. They are kind of rustic, but beautiful! I have become pretty much obsessed with owning one, but they are quite pricey.



As it happens, my sister-in-law is a copper artist whose beautiful work can be seen here: Copperworx
I am thinking of pulling some family strings to get a top made for an existing table that I have. The style of the table is similar to the top photo, but a little smaller and rectangular. If it works out, I will post photos soon!

Tuesday Trends: Staging Your Home for Sale!

With all the competition in the real estate market, home owners and real estate agents are looking for any edge they can get that will help make a home more sellable! Enter the professional home stager.

The concept of home staging, on its surface, is a fairly simple one. Show every room to its best advantage. Easier said than done, right? So, hire a pro or DIY? Whichever option you choose, becoming familiar with home staging techniques can definitely help throughout the process of getting a home ready to be put on the market.

• Reduce clutter. Pare down furnishings and belongings to make the space feel larger.


• Keep walls and decor fairly neutral.


• Minimize personal items and family photos. Potential buyers will find it easier to imagine themselves living in the home if the current owners' personalities are not obvious.


• Let in as much natural light as possible.


• Use fragrant candles in main rooms and add fresh flowers when possible, especially for an open house.


• Don't forget curb appeal! Trim shrubs, plant flowers or plants with colorful foliage. Keep grass neat. Garages should be organized and porches and walks should be edged and swept.

There are so many things to think about when showing your house and details are important! Ask a friend or relative to look over the house with the same critical eye that a buyer would use and make suggestions. A first impression may be the only one you get to make, so set the stage for buyers to feel right at home, in your home!

Tuesday Trends: Global Decorating!

I love a room that looks as if the owners have been lovingly collecting its contents over many years. The growing popularity of global decorating is bringing a beautiful "world traveler" appeal to many homes.

This Tibetan Chest from The New East India Company has great storage possibilities along with its exotic good looks.

Moroccan decor from Sweet Smiling Home is inviting with spice-colored tones and warm wood pieces.

An all-weather, Turkish patterned rug from Gaiam can be used indoors or out. It's 100% recycled from soda bottles!

This beanstalk design bed set is from West Elm. It has a clean, uncluttered look that would look great with global or ethnic home decor!

Even if you can't get to Morocco, Turkey or Tibet right now, you can bring home a few bold, colorful accents to make your home feel like part of the global community!

CottonColors in Exemplify Magazine!

My Etsy shop has been recommended in the Christian Women's magazine "Exemplify" in an article titled "Creating a Sanctuary With Personality". The article gives advice for decorating your home with beautiful, unique fabrics that inspire!

Use It Up Sewing!

I hate to waste anything, especially my fabrics. I have been saving the scraps from my pillows and bags for a long time, especially if they are of a size that might be useful.

I decided to use some of them to make a throw for my family room, mostly to use as a cover for an ottoman that has seen better days. I think it is turning out great! I love the color combination and the sophisticated damask patterns all sewn up in a funky patchwork design!

And I love using up all those lovely bits of fabric that have been sitting in my scrap basket!

Grow Something Wonderful!

by bucklava

Last summer, I made my first effort at container gardening. It was a lot of fun and I was really surprised by the yield we received from just a few large pots, planted with tomatoes, bell peppers and herbs.I can't wait to get started again on this year's "garden in pots"! There are a few things I learned last year, and I will be more prepared. If you want to try container gardening, here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Get a soil mixture that will stay fairly loose. I like the ones that have the little water absorbing granules that release the moisture between waterings.
  


• If your pots will be sitting on a concrete or brick patio, raise them a few inches off the hot surface to keep them cooler in summer temperatures.
  


• Don't underestimate the eventual growth and yield of tomatoes. Put tall, strong stakes into the pots early so you can tie up the stalks as soon as they start producing their heavy fruit
  


• Be prepared for pests before they arrive. A metal pie pan tied with string, allowed to blow in the breeze will frighten birds and other critters that would eat your lovely produce. Be on the lookout for the hideous creature shown in the photo below, the tomato hornworm. I had many visits by these yucky critters last summer and they look so much like the foliage of a tomato plant, they are hard to spot. They will eat up the plant, leaves and all, within just a day or two. You can handpick them off (eww, my hubby did it!), but use gloves, they will try to BITE! There are also insecticides to use for them, but I try not to use chemicals on my garden.

Good luck and Happy Gardening!
by naturegirl 78