Homefront: Vintage Linens in a Playful Boys Bedroom

One thing I love about vintage linens, is that they are fun to mix and match, for a warm and eclectic feeling. Many, many I have found have stains... and a lot of little cigarrette burn holes. Different time, I guess.

But, kids vintage linens are my favorite. I even found an old care Bears pillow case the other day. Now send me a My Little Pony one and I will be in sugar heaven.

When decorating for my boy's room, it is all about what I can find at a garage sale. I had it all red and blue, but tired of the boxed in feeling of two colors that called for themes such as cars or cowboys.

The great thing about boys, is they don't care what matches... they just like colors and fun. My oldest wanted to have his wooden cargo bed painted yellow, and his comfortor painted green. (I must have been doing a lot of painting around the time I asked him what colors he liked.)

Well, with some addition of vintage Sonic, Scooby Doo, Superman and Battlestar Gallactica linens, the boys pretty much love their furniture free (aka safe) bedroom.

 

And that's coming a lot from a kid whose nickname is "Sonic Boy", thinks all athletic shoes are called "Sonic Shoes" and dressed as Sonic(and Knuckles) for Halloween.

Sweet Lolita Tea Party

Isn't she so cute? There's a *little bit* of a lolita schoolgirl in her. Some days, I feel like getting dolled up like this, then I remember I can't stand tights, and I don't do mini dresses.

I love how the sweets table, everything is proportional and set apart from each other in even spaces. French macaroons, pastel confections, cherry topped cupcakes, bundt cakes, jello molds and perfectly piped cakes, are just the right touch of elegant meets girly.

 I love all of the decadent white as well, from the gauzy curtains and dress, to the tea cart, chandelier and sofa. The neutrals to really make the colors of the sweets and pastel shoes appear magical.

Looks like someone had a sugar crash. What do you think got her, a day of baking, or too many sweets?
From Vogue Girl, Korea, 2007.

July 4th: Party Craft Idea Tutorials and Recipes

 patriotic star garland tutorial

We watched fireworks already tonight with friends and family, and I hope that yours will be fun and safe. I love these ideas from Martha Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens for crafts, food and decorating.

I really feel that a brush up on history to help with the celebration of  the holiday is essential though.

Most of these ideas can be done in any shape or color for a variety of events. Have fun!

 fireworks table setting tutorial

 usa letters tutorial

4th of July Kids Crafts

4th of July Menu

4th of July Desserts
Patriotic Home Decorating

4th of July Festive Crafts (martha)
4th of July Festive Crafts (bhg)

4th of July Clip Art 
Patriotic Picnic Serving Ideas

Flag Display Ideas

clothespin pinwheel tutorial

 

 us map scrapbook page art tutorial

stars and stripes gazebo trim tutorial

 diy bunting tutorial

 berry cupcakes recipe  and cake stand how to

patriotic fans tutorial

 table edging tutorial

19th century whistle stop campaign flag swags tutorial

 red white and blue garland tutorial 

 picnic table runner tutorial

statue of liberty tag tutorial and pattern

Homefront: Colorful Vintage Master Bedroom

This was our master bedroom. Yes, this is the 70's french provincial dresser we had before I was born. We had the works, dressing bench, canopy bed, nightstands, dressers, chest... it's a very popular set and I see it online, in 70's themed movies, blogs, antique malls....  this is the only piece that is left over the years.

My painted striped cake stand tutorial is here. I love how I can add depth and height with it. 

I love my mom's vintage "Merry Mushroom" cookie jar from Sears Roebuck . Too bad the lid cap broke.

I see this mushroom kitchen set all the time at antique malls, Ebay, Ruby Lane and Etsy.

Some fun vintage jewels... the heart and wheat brooch was my grandmother's

I love this mermaid mommy and son aceo by Wendy Gaffaney.

Our only printed family photo... 2 years ago. I dry brushed orange on the raised frame and matted the photo area with a fabric swatch. I used the same fabric on our tv stand windows,  pillows, lamp and other elements.

It wouldn't be our bedroom without a line up of some of our boys cars. They really love organizing them.

I used a vintage sheet to hide the storage drawers of my jewelry making and craft supplies. One day, the jewelry holders and shelving will be painted and organized better, but this is the best I could do for the time.

Many of these haven't even been added to my shop yet, but lots more goodies are at Jeweled Ambrosia.

Some of my favorite prints, from The Dreamy Girraffe and The Black Apple.

Our bedroom plate wall post can be seen here. Basically, I got tons of pretty plates from Goodwill.

Love this Misty book and my little brass owl family. I painted this letter holder a soft pink, and love it.

I painted this popular Ashley furniture headboard I got at a garage sale.

I love changing up vintage lines with our white down comforter. It's very cheerful and springy right now, 

but it can change anytime by simply switching out the linens and a few accessories around the room.

Inspired Room: Designing with Mustard and Chartreuse

I love the combination of everything here. It seems like too much mustard, but the soft floral pillows in the pinks, the roses, the pale blue throw and those industrial light fixtures make it all work. Not to mention the lovely rug, wow. The picture frames matching the legs on the sofa and the dark wood floors add balance through color. Artful Arranging

I may not have revealed this before, but mustard and chartreuse are two of my favorite decorating colors. Decor8 had blogger and Color Consultant Rachel Perls write a little about decorating with these colors here.

Create your own diy silhouette portraits tutorial here

I believe this room is simply perfection.  Mustard looks great with so many colors, but if you want it to pop, keeping it in clean lines and paired with black and white geometric prints seems to be a crisp, and popular choice. One thing I love about decorating in neutrals, is adding and removing colors on a whim is so easy. Living etc.

 "Designers Jean Norman and Meredith Ladik love peeks of art or photography on bookshelves, atop mantels, inside display armoires, or in unexpected spots, such as leaning against a chair back."Artful Arranging 

Even adding these colors to an outdoor space can really brighten up a dreary patio that doesn't boast much color or have a lot of flower garden elements.

A mustard chair, white plank floors and gray polka dot walls with a wallpaper flanking a white mantle, industrial pendant lamps, and aqua vintage duck caddy and a lovely table filled with books. A bear statue with a horse and cowboy photo on the mantle... every element is gorgeous. House to Home via decor8

The chartreuse pillows mixed with aqua and a touch of pink is an interesting mix, but it works. I love the polka dots mixed in here with the geometric pattern on the rug. House Beautiful via Home Designing.

Same with chartreuse and the geometric prints. I love how they went with linen and chocolate instead of black and white to keep the crispness, without being too harsh. ~ Taylor Howes

I never would have thought I would have like the red comforter just laying on top of the blue blanket before... but I love it! And that bedside table, beautiful. The mustard comes in the form of design in the headboard, the upholstered chair and golden tones on the frames. Living etc.

"Very small pieces of art can sometimes drown in big expanses of bare walls. Instead, seek out cozy spots to tuck these tiny treasures. Try the back of a bookshelf, an oddly shaped corner, or minuscule stretch of wall in a small bathroom or kitchen" ~ Artful Arranging

For those who love color, adding small doses in a variety keeps a comfortable feeling without being married to a specific color and  design concept. This is a good way to add in new colors, that one would typically find too bold or shy away from.

I love the simplicity here. Usually the small photo over the bed would annoy me, but because the room is s basic, but with a clear design and minimal color concept, I am quite fond of that little sock monkey.  the 10 cent designer via sfgirlbybay.

I can imagine, that this wall color changes throughout the course of the day when the sun shines through the home, then again when it withdraws. I love the natural wood and white with the mustard walls. Aren't those pendant lights amazing? Joe Nahem via Elle Decor.

Gray, now I'm in heaven. A blast of mustard yellow in the art and the flowers are gorgeous. But the pairing with the gray sofa is my favorite. Elle Decor design by Nate Berkus

This is the same sofa design as the first photo, but without the industrial lights and new pictures, and the chartreuse and mustard remain on the lower half of the room only. Creating a little gallery wall like this is easy... directions here and the peonie download here. Artful Arranging

If you are still not sold on these colors, and you don't want to go out a buy a new knick-knack, pillow or can of paint to introduce it to your room... then settle with a bouquet of flowers to see how it brightens your area.