hidden rooms

I want a secret, hidden room! I have a big mouth though and would probably tell everyone about it, so it wouldn't be much of a secret. If I managed to keep it to myself, I'd probably mostly use it hide my dirty laundry when guests came over. Literally. I mean my dirty laundry and not crimes I've committed in the past. Here are some of my favorite hidden rooms that I've found and intend to bring to my architect whenever we build a house and I get an architect.

 This looks like a secret bathroom. I would love to have a secret bathroom that my husband didn't know about. I'd also love that light fixture...

 That looks like one hell of a secret room. It has pillars!

This is the most dramatic entrance to a hidden room that I've come across. No one ever thinks to try and move the stairs! I could keep all my diaries from junior high and high school safe forever in there.

 Harry Potter's boudoir.

 I saved my favorite for last. Some genius cut the back off of an old armoire and had it fixed to the doorway of his kid's playroom. I would have loved this/I would love this! (apartment therapy)

Free(ish) Fridays! Paper!

This week's Free(ish) Friday! is inspired by paper. Here are some fun/cute/free(ish) ideas that you can do this week end! And then your next task is to send us the pictures of your finished product. We have faith in you.

Pretty. I don't think mobiles are just for babies. But maybe don't hang it over your bed, low enough to bat around. Or, maybe you should do that? Check out the Origami Club for how-to help.

 

 Click here to get free origami paper downloads in nice prints like these ones!

 Pinwheels are right up there with cup cakes as cute and whimsical favorites. We came across this DIY on Once Wed. You don't need to have a wedding to enjoy them though (there's no ring on my finger). I want one in my window box.

Cute. This would be great for a party. Like, for a dynamo who happens to be turning thirty this summer? Anyway... we found this idea on Lora Jean's Magazine- here's how to make your own. Feel free(ish) to use those origami prints for your banner flag.

This last one promises (according to Apartment Therapy) to be quick, easy and free(ish).  Here's how! I love the variations too. Or, check out these free silhouettes.

Glassy crystal sparkly shine

Melissa is in the process of redecorating her room. Or, decorating it, rather. She moved into her first house a while ago but the bedroom wasn't decorated as much as their hand me downs were placed in the room. I thought the room was lovely but now it's really great. She told her fiance that the accent colour for the room was sparkle and she wasn't kidding. Here's some sparkly inspiration for you:

 I love this Round Glass Knob in polished nickel by Restoration Hardware. We love topping off a redesign with some glassy sparkly shine.

Mmm... mercury glass. Anything that bounces the light around is good in my books. These antique mercury glass tie backs do that and add a lustrous patina. (Country Living)

I mean, it's called a 'sun burst' mirror. There's light, there's mirror, there's sparkle... (Elle Decor)

Ooh! A sparkly picture! A Sort Of Dream by Integrity Studio.

Why, hello. It's our own blue storage cabinet with sparkly knobs. What a coincidence...

Free(ish) Fridays!

This week's free(ish) Friday post is one I'm taking advantage of as I type.  I came across this PDF a while ago on Kind Over Matter and have been waiting for an excuse to use it ever since. I will finally get to use them tomorrow night for Melissa's bridal shower!

These labels were intended for use on Valentine's Day but I think they suit our sources just fine. Oh, and we'll be using them on wine bottles because wine is way more fun than water. Click here to get the PDF!

Colour Inspiration: TEAL!

We're currently painting two custom side tables in a beautiful teal- reminiscent of a peacock's feathers. I'm falling for the colour. SICO paints picked teal as a top colour trend for 2010. In case you're not convinced, here's some teal inspiration for you. 

I love this upholstered headboard. The tufted buttons, mirrored side table, sconces and bedding make the room luxe. The bold, graphic window treatments keep the room from being too stuffy. (idealhomemagazine.co.uk)

This home owner isn't being shy. Way to go for it! Teal walls- bold choice and I love it. It doesn't hurt that the room has beautiful high ceilings. The darker ceiling helps to ground the room. If you don't have that 'problem', try painting your ceilings a shade or two lighter than the walls to create the illusion of a larger space. (styleathome.com)

Our clever client pulled the teal for her side tables from a treasured painting. In this room, the lamp shade colour is pulled from the art. It's a handy way to add a punch of colour to your room without letting the room feel frenetic. (Domino, November 2007 via furniture-stor.blogspot.com)

And for the love of all that's decorate-able, don't forget the exterior. My friend Michelle suggested I paint my door a bold colour when I was thinking of just going for white (I'm going for a lot of white lately). Good advice! As soon as my garden is in, I'm going to pick a colour from it for inspiration and have fun with it.

Ahh... I love paint. It's such a simple solution and you can't go wrong! Well, you can go wrong but then you can just paint over the wrong to make it right.

It's a good thing that the internet is just a fad. There's too much to distract me from my work!

I defy you to go to Etsy to find something specific and actually stay on task. It's very difficult! I went to my Etsy account in order to reply to inquiries and here's what happened instead. (P.S: sorry if you are waiting to hear back from us! Can you blame me for being distracted?!)

I'm just going to take a peak around Etsy and then I'll be able to focus on work. I love my boss! I also love this "Bubble Chandelier by Jean Pelle" by Lighting

I love these "Little Darlings" and everything by Rosebud Beads.

I'm just settling into my coffee now anyway so then I'll be perked up enough to work. Till then...

Cute. I need this to put my stuff in. Like those Little Darlings earings...  "Vintage Faux Jewel Turquoise Tin" by B.Inspired Vintage

Alright. I'm starting to get that feeling like I should get down to business but instead I found this shop and piece:

"Work Hard Sleep Hard- Graphic Design Print", by Hue Concept

I can take a hint. I should put this right above my desk. Plus, I just spilled coffee on my new shirt. Bah.

Free(ish) Fridays!

I first heard about Vintage Printables from the Nov.'09 issue of Style at Home in their High/Low feature and have been a steady stalker of the site ever since. The site is organized by topic and colour and you can spend hours scrolling through the images, from palmistry to lion tamers. Buy some large frames with a generous matting and frame an image that catches your eye or create your own grouping with a complimentary theme or colour story. Et voila! Art that is interesting, unique, easy and free(ish)!