Inspirations

I got a call this morning from a favorite customer asking me to come over and help arrange her office. When I got there, who greeted me but this daaaling little puppy-- the newest addition to their family.  

Meet our inspiration...Louis

I asked what his name is and she said, "Louis!  You know, like Louis Vuitton."  What a perfect name for a purse puppy!

We look at the space and can't help but think about Louis.  I never know where some inspiration comes from and who knew today it would be from a three pound Chiuaua!

My client loves fashion, has a fashion-styled business, and isn't afraid of mixing and matching great pieces to create a fun look.  This helps get the ideas rolling...

Look familiar?  She didn't want this exactly but
this is how I do my research.  I SHOP!

Found this new fall line of office furniture.
Leather & nail trim luggage file
cabinet makes it fun to go to work!

A pair of these guest chairs will add to the sleek
style of the room and size is to scale for the space.

Louis inspired this fabric.  A classic pattern;
colors work beautifully with the
carpet & wall color. 

We loved this fish-scaled shell pattern
for the desk lamp.  Like jewelry for the room!

Two bookcases flanking the desk will
give some nice curve appeal to an
otherwise square/straight-lined room.

Finally a little fun art collection

of silhouettes.  A set of 3 will

set off the walls in between

the bookcases.  

It's a lot of fun to jump into the lives of my clients-- or into their beloved dogs life!   

AH Birthdays...

Birthdays are a celebration.  Some celebrations are bigger than others, depending on your mood.  Turning 37 has been fun so far!

Oh yes...I do love me some birthday cake!

Stayed in my fuzzy slippers all day at home and...

caught up on favorite magazines!

Sat down & wrote some notes
that were long overdue.  One pen
pal is a dear friend in San Francisco.
We exchange notes once a week
when we are good!

I like the idea of just one big birthday candle!

So far, my birthday has been wonderful!  Stayed home with my little son and relaxed.  Dinner out with hubby John tonight.  Thank you to the birthday fairies who left sweet gifts on my doorstep.  Ah...I do love birthdays!

One Day Makeover with Wallpaper!

In my mind, wallpaper is one of the most wonderful tools a girl can use to make any room shine.  Certain design ideas come and go- who the heck came up with cutting a sponge and soaking it in paint and directly applying to walls?  Wallpaper is always in style.  It's all in the color, pattern, and scale for your room.  We had a great time updating the kitchen with one simple change.  Wallpaper!

Like pealing the layers of an onion- you have to really strip things down to see what you've got to work with.  In this case, it was pealing away several layers of...WALLPAPER!  Many layers.  Like reading a storybook into one families history in that kitchen.  So much fun!

Long story short...

The busy pattern on the walls were needing a change.
A quieter look was what was needed.  

First the fun part- peal the papers back and take a trip down memory lane.
This home built in the 1970's and has always had wallpaper in the kitchen.
The walls are smooth so we felt papering again was the answer.
But softer, warm tones was what our client wanted.

A lot of White with brass drawer pulls and knobs.
We gathered some ideas for what the new paper could be
and came up with a few fun ones...

She loved this but decided it would
look too busy.  Napkins, however, a must!

Pretty but not calming- we decided too busy.

Background is too cream but the
subject is simply delightful.

In the amount of time it takes to make a double chocolate layered cake and let it cool...

we managed to redo the kitchen to this:

One Day to Beautiful!

We decided to have longer drapes to the floor

rather than the top valance on the window-

softer look & classic with a linen fern pattern.

What a difference a day makes!

If you are in need of great Wallpaper Hangers in the Oregon area, I know two fellows who do the best job and fabulous people to boot!  Mike & Lee- years of experience and perfect every time.


Mike Maiterth 541-521-3385
Lee Richardson 541-343-4008

Sassy Slipcovers

Slip your furniture into something different! 

When we hear the word 'Slipcover,' many of us think Shabby Chic.  You know...the messy, floppy, sheet-over-the-sofa kind of look.  There is a time and place for Shabby Chic, but for those of us who want a more tailored, classic and form-fitting look, there is an updated solution.  

Introducing Slipcover 2.0

-custom slipcovers by Annette Shank- 

Meet my 'brown-blah' cube ottoman.  I know you have seen his kind before.

This ottoman is a popular item that works double-duty as a footstool as well as providing an added seat at gatherings.  The problem with this little guy is, well, he's just plain dull and boring! 

Goal: let's make this cube a pretty little piece of eye candy!

Nice chair style, but the fabric must go!

Problem: I'm sure everyone has a plaid chair in the family that seems to make the rounds.  This chair was in my parents den and now they've passed it along to me!  Although the fabric is in good shape, it doesn't work anywhere in my house. 

Goal: add a feminine touch to make it a pretty guest room chair.

This is where the magic happens!

To help carry out my wishes, I enlisted the help of slipcover guru, Annette Shank.  Seeing her work with fabric is like watching a sculptor mold their clay...but with the eye of an engineer and the skill of a fine craftsman! 

New fabric--new look.

Annette began by draping my fabric over the ottoman and pin-fitting some options for me to consider.  We didn't want it to look reupholstered, so we tried to add some interest to an otherwise square box.

Shall we pleat here or there?  Add buttons?
Maybe ties...what to do, what to do?

Annette transformed it before my very eyes.

Drum roll...

Voila!

Snug as a bug in a rug!  
This tab helps keep it on and is a sweet detail.
Love the addition of some buttons too!

Goodbye plaid...hello pleated perfection!

Show off that new skirt!

Annette is so darn creative and fun!  Her customers love how detailed she is and that she offers up ideas even the best designers couldn't dream up--all because she has years of experience making slipcovers and working with fabrics to know the best solution.

Before...

After!

Doggie chewed the fabric off of your wing chair?

Don't panic...slipcover it!

Dated jewel tones?  Rejuvenate it!
I love how she fit the cover over the exposed carved arm.  

Contact Annette at: 541-345-5545
This lady knows her stuff!

Mum's Day!

want to get something special for the MUM in your life?

emma bridgewater's BEST MUM Mug is perfect for Mother's Day!

Made in England and now available at our stores-

call 541-617-9799 while supplies last!

Would you like us to ship to your Mum?  We Can!

For more emma bridgewater pottery go to:
http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/

I DO!



Ahhhhhh...the Royal Wedding is finally here!

When a toaster just won't do, here are a few wonderful gift ideas:

Say it with Spode...a classic gift- these gorgeous pieces
should be on every bride's registry.

Betriz Ball Silver pieces offer a double function-
practical as well as simply stylish.

How about some pretty new linens
for the Bride & Groom.

She will love this pretty pillow!

If I were to wear a Fascinator to the wedding...
It might look something like this.

Or this feather beauty made from a clever gal
who dressed up my wedding, PiperEwen.com.

Or this?  Dessert right after the ceremony-
Perfect &  Delicious!

All of these wonderful wedding gift ideas are of course available at our sweet stores, Edman's in Bend & Edman Furniture in Eugene.  The doughnut hat is available at Dunkin' Doughnuts!  Cheers to the Royal couple!  

Look Who's 5 years old...

Our shop in Bend is five years old!  This spring we wanted to kick things off with a shop filled with great new pieces.  The problem with our Bend shop is it's small so when new furniture, lamps, accessories, and pictures all come in at once...it looks like a tornado hit the joint!  I snapped some photos of all the new and pretty spring merchandise before we set it up and then everything finding it's place- like a puzzle that needs finishing!



Day 1 - Unpack all the new stuff!




Fresh new paint to spring things up.



Fun new things but where to put it?



Not a very glamorous job but it's fun..making beds!



28 new lamps that need to find a home...



By lunchtime I was wanting to have a double latte
 and a cuppa yo to jump start my decorating!



Oh dear...what was I thinking?  It's going to take more than a day...

Thank goodness for coffee, furniture glides, hammers, and fun new stuff to make a girl work fast and hard!  We had to get the shop ready for our 5th Anniversary party and with little sleep and pretty new pieces to make it fun to set up...
WE DID IT!  TWO DAYS TO THIS...





Breakfast nook table with an english flair!



Our new Upholstery Line edman&co- fun fabrics and styles.

Layers of books, pillows, candles, & accessories for spring- cute!

Leather, Stickley, and more rustic things fit in with Bend homes beautifully.

A little transitional style anyone?
James Dean makes any space handsome!

This last summer my sisters and I went to London
and found a wonderful line of dishware called
Emma Bridgewater. 
Now available in London & Bend, Oregon!



Emma Bridgewater is known for their floral collection. 
We saw this teapot at Harrod's in London.
 Would you like a spot of tea?



Great Mother's Day gift...BEST MUM!

Crumbs & crumbs plate, fresh milk, porridge bowls,
and breakfast pitcher.  How lovely!

Express yourself with these typewriter letters.
Fun way to spell things out!  Literally!

Books on keeping everything clean & sparkling!

Calendars, stationery, and candles.  Great gift ideas.

Nest on into this comfy chair with birds & butterflies.

Fun for parties- charms for your wine glasses or to wear! 
Lots of pretty styles and colors.  Great hostess gift idea!

New Pine Cone Hill bedding on a Baker Milling Road Bed!  Yummy!

This custom artwork is great for family names
or your favorite place.  You pick a dozen names or
places and we can create a keepsake for you!

Sweet for spring- notepads, cards, candles,
& trays.  Oh my!

Add caption





1020 NW Wall Street.  Downtown Bend, Oregon!



Cheers to customers, family, and furniture!  We painted the shop red to give it a fresh new look after five years.  A little mini facelift?  Something like that!  Stop by anytime and see what's new!  Filled with fresh ideas for spring and loaded with stylish fashions for the home.  Shop Here!