Desgn Tip: Pillow Cases

I was having a conversation with a Friend the other day about "wall stickers". I think we have all seen this DIY item that promises to add character to your home. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan. Although some of them are very unique and work with certain spaces I find a lot of them are not used properly, especially the script wall stickers.

Exhibit A -



 {via} 



 

 

Do you really need a daily reminder beside your bed to "Live, Love, Laugh"?

 

I would much rather see a beautiful silver mirror on this table leaning against the wall reflecting light into the space, and a mirror is much more functional.

 

Exhibit B -

 



 

{via}

 

To really make an impact I believe you have to have large scale wall stickers, and these are not inexpensive items to purchase.

 

I think this is a great idea for a children's room or nursery. The added cost can sometimes be too much when expecting a baby though. There are other ways to add impact to your child space through accessories, wallpaper, accent walls and furniture that aren't such large dollar amount items.

 

After talking with my Friend I remembered some images I saw on instagram. Personalizing pillowcase with script. Having your favourite quote stitched into your pillow case is a great idea. You are able to see it when you go to sleep and when you wake up. It can be easily hidden by turning the pillow over or putting accent pillows in front of it. And from a designer perspective it will not interfere with the overall space. I had told my friend to run the script up the side of the pillow case on the open flap, here are some other interesting ways to personalise your pillowcase.

 

 

 

{via}

 

I saw this one on Kim Kardashian's Instagram. This could be done with fabric paint and a stencil or even iron on lettering.

 

 

{via}

 

Rhianna's Instagram shows a lot of different embroidered pillow cases, this is just one of them. This could be done with a sewing machine at home if yours has the setting or at a fabric store for a small fee.

 

I think the bedroom is a great place to add some personal touches that not everyone will see but that wont affect the overall design of your space. Remember the bedroom is supposed to be a sanctuary, with minimal clutter and a place where you can escape to. This is a fun way to make it  your own and be playful all at the same time. So remember, have fun.

 

Come back soon, and ill share some more design tips with you

 

-AR



 



 







Wake Me Up, When September Ends...

Now that Summer is officially over, I can blog again....

If any of you follow my good friend Nicki, you will know that she outed me a few weeks back, about why I haven't been keeping up with my blog. I think she's really just upset she didn't come up with the idea first ;)

So what have I been doing this Summer?

Well... not much! I did spend a big portion of the summer planning an at times stressful engagement party. I have a weird passion for party planning, I don't know why I do it to myself.

I've also been dreaming big for this little blog of mine. Hopefully you will start to see some changes soon. I will finish my Desgn on a Dime as well as post some new projects I have on the go right now.

Come back soon, and I'll share my desgn ideas with you!

-AR

My First Canvas

I know that I have mentioned in a few posts before about the love of Our first apartment. It is something I will never forget. A first apartment means so much, freedom is the first word that comes to mind for me. Not having to answer to anyone, to come and go as you please. To do what you want when you want and not have to clean up the mess. It is just overall fantastic. I love being a host and having people over, that is why I insisted on a two bedroom apartment, and I wanted to have another space to decorate. Our friend penned it the Penthouse because it was the first apartment at the top of the stairs.

For me, I enjoyed every thing that happened inside those crooked walls. I spent time on every room and found the best pieces. I told a friend once that when it was time to move out I wanted to sublet my apartment fully furnished so I could re do a new place, and kind of pretend I was Carrie from Sex and the City. That did not happen though. Eventually it was time to move on to the next, and although I am enjoying making a new home for us, there is just something about Main St I will never let go of.

So, for now, here are some pictures of our apartment. I took these pictures on the day we moved out. It was kind of bittersweet. My Mom and Sister went to take the last things down to the car, and it was just myself and the camera.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone that helped us on moving day. First off, my Mom, who did such an amazing job packing up everything in my kitchen. Not a single thing broke, and tape over the salt shakers was genius. My Sister, who came to help even though she had a 6 month old baby to take care of. For packing all our clothes, which is a HUGE job, and scrubbing my fridge so well. To my little brothers, who aren't so little anymore. I told them not to lift anything heavy but they surprised me by being such great help that day. To my other brother Kenny who didn't have to help us at all, but did. Todd for waking up at the crack of dawn to take a bus from the city to help us move at 9 am, and then when we go to the new place tiled our floor so we could have our own toilet. Glen for letting us use his truck which was a huge help. We would of had to make 6 trips if we didn't have him there. Paula who could of spent the day at Ryan's soccer tournament but came and helped pack and let us stuff her car full of our crap. And Sarah for entertaining Lil'Miss Ava and helping me put together my new entrance bench, twice :) Couldn't have done it with out you guys!


Come back soon, and I'll share with you what I did with My First Canvas.

-AR