I recently completed an upcoming interview for a fabulous blog and I was asked…

Are there any tools (apps, programs or even just a favorite brand of glue) that you can’t live without?  Tell me what you love about it/them.

Wow, I’m feeling a bit excessive now as I think about this one. So, here we go!  My tape measure, fine point sharpie pens (pink, grey & kelly green are my favs) and  a small notebook are my can’t live withouts.  You never know when you need to measure something and write down the details.  Of course I need a fabulous bag that holds everything too, I love my anthracite pompon because it’s big,(but not too big)  classic and has giant gold hardware! As for programs… Icovia is my go to for floor plans while Adobe Photoshop Elements helps me put it all together.  And of course my Macbook and iPhone are crucial to staying productive.

My favorite places for chic notebooks or “jotters” are Smock & IOMOI. There is nothing better than a fancy little notebook that fits perfectly inside your purse. My go to pens…fine point sharpies and Le Pen! What’s on your list? Have a happy Monday everyone!

- Abbe

Today I wanted to share how creating custom art from an existing piece is easy and affordable. I have worked with artist Chris Judy on commissioned pieces as well as recreations of his existing works.  You can see more details on his latest commissioned piece for one of my clients HERE & HERE.

Let It Be is one of my absolute favorite pieces from  Chris’ collection and it also happens to be the one most of my clients gravitate towards too.  Most of my clients are not looking to make an investment in commissioned art  but I think I have found a way to fill their need for “custom art” without breaking the budget. Chris is able to take a piece from existing collection, digitally change the colors and create a piece that is custom for the client. Each piece can be printed on canvas or archival paper and the sizes are made to fit the specified space.

Here is the original Let It Be

Here is the first custom piece we worked on. The client wanted to bring in a warm turquoise with pops of plum and lime green.

And a few images of it in the actually room it was customized for.

I am working on another bedroom in need of oversized art and turned to Chris for options. This guest bedroom has oversized furniture  and the teal, gold and ivory bedding look beautiful with the Venetian plaster and warm wood touches.  The room’s only blank wall is in need of a piece with rich color, bold scale and a contemporary feel.  We once again decided to work with Let It Be.

Here is the final draft, I can’t wait to see what my client thinks of the custom look.

Image Via: Emily A Clark

I have never been good at hanging a group of art or photographs on the wall, hanging one single piece is something I struggle with too. I prefer to just ” eye ball it” when hanging pieces and we all know what that leads to…lots of unnecessary nail holes in the wall.  When I’m working with a client, I usually bring in the experts to hang multiple pieces throughout the home or office and enjoy the piece of mind that comes along with that service.

I recently completed an arrangement in a client’s lobby. They wanted a rustic Texas fell so I used these gorgeous wood frames in two styles. We used the same ivory mats to keep a consistent look within the arrangement. The overall look is crisp, organized and perfectly rustic!

But if hiring someone to hang your arrangement isn’t up your alley, here are a few great tips to complete the project on your own.  Image Via: Labnol.org

Kristine Kennedy shares an easy trick that won’t make a mess on your wall but will still give you a perfect photo arrangement.

1. Trace pictures onto brown kraft paper and cut out. Label each of the papers with a description of the picture or a corresponding number.
2. Using blue painter’s tape (which won’t pull up wall paint), tape the papers to the wall. Experiment with arrangements until you have one you like.
3. Install picture-hanging hardware directly through the paper. Pull paper away and hang pictures one by one.

Image Via: Cool Photo Ideas.  Here is a great BEFORE & AFTER photo that is a great example too!

Of course there are an unlimited number of ways to create an arrangement. You can use matching frames, multiple sized & multiple finish frames or keep everything the same size.  I think this is why so many of us struggle with hanging frames in groupings.

If you want to keep things simple and clean but still interesting , try using different sizes of frames in the same tone. Keeping the mats all the same will keep the overall look cohesive and won’t junk up the space visually.

In our living room, I used the same style of frame but mixed up the finishes.

Image Via: Life in a Venti Cup

Image Via: Apartment Therapy

I also love to see what people choose to do with frames around and up their stairs.  It’s a great place to be creative and if you like things that are clean and organized, it’s a great way to create the look of order.

Image Via: Real Simple

And, you can alway go for the more eclectic chic look too. Using empty frames in one color is a good way to visually fill up the space while creating that pulled together over time feel.

Image Via: Decor Pad

I love the extreme eclectic looks that combine personal pieces, initial letters and unique mix matched frames.
Image Via: Decor Pad

Image Via: Life in a Venti Cup

Image Via: Decor Pad

Image Via: Curbed

Image Via: Luxe + Lillies

Day two of our vacation was another gorgeous day. The weather here in the Carmel area is warmer than usual. But, the crisp fall air is perfect for sight seeing!
Our hotel is simple, it’s an older building that has been remodeled in contemporary colors mixed with natural elements!
I fell in love with these oversized wingback chairs in the dining room! I think Dru is on board for something like this in our breakfast room!!!!

Here are a few pictures of the other areas in the dining room. The green leather chairs are a nice compliment to the oversized wingbacks! I love all of the color combinations in the space.

The faux stack stone on the fireplaces looks fabulous. You can not tell it’s faux until you touch it but the texture and color is beautiful!

The hotel has a textural vinyl wallcovering throughout the common areas in white. The depth of the pattern compliments the stone accents and is way more exciting than a boring paint.

We are off to watch the 2nd stage of Qschool and may catch a few practice rounds with the guys at Pebble or SpyGlass! Tomorrow, I will share more pictures from the beach, golf courses and details from our shopping trip!!

Many of us can not afford to do a complete remodel or update to our home. But, there are a handful of ways to bring an updated feel with out breaking the bank. “Do it yourself” updates are usually easy and affordable changes that you can do on your own over the weekend or in just a few weeks!  Not only will these small changes freshen the appearance of your home, your hard work and investment will increase the value of your home!

Here are a few easy “updates”  you can complete over this Long Labor Day Weekend  or any weekend that will pay you back. The best news, each costs less than $1,000 and should require less than a day’s work.

Replace Sinks & Faucets

Estimated Price: Sink $400 & Faucet $150. If your  looking to spruce up your house, the kitchen is one of the first places you should start. You can replace a kitchen sink and faucet yourself in a matter of hours.

I LOVE this stainless apron front Kohler sink! It has been on my “to-do” list for our kitchen. We had this sink in our last home and it was awesome. Washing large pots is super easy. It isn’t exactly on the lower end of the price range but worth the investment in my opinion.

Find this one here

I love the look of this sink in the HGTV Green Kitchen. The stainless steel rectangle sink gives you a modern look and instant update.

Pot Fillers anyone? I’m a fan, just wish I had a place to install on in my kitchen!

Image: Decor Pad

We used this gorgeous faucet in a recent kitchen remodel! It totally made the kitchen pop! Your kitchen faucet can be a focal point in the room if you can’t afford to replace any thing else!

Backsplashes

Estimated Price: $14-20 per square foot depending on the brand, style and material you choose.  An updated backsplash is the easiest way to add pizazz to your kitchen.  You can go from country to modern in a snap with a variety of options for finishes and colors. To save money, time and frustration, consider the peel-and-stick tile options now available.  They’re not as bad as you think…they are attractive and will do the job if that’s all you can afford

Keep is simple: We used a white subway tile from Dal-Tile  for the backsplash in this kitchen. It’s clean, fresh and affordable. Subway tiles are available in multiple sizes and colors. The glass subway tiles are beautiful too.

Image: Decor Pad

Here are a few options for great looking affordable backsplash options,  Design for less has beautiful options.

Check out their great sale items too!!!

Image: Decor Pad

This was a bungalow kitchen that we remodeled last year! The backsplash was affordable and brought a modern feel to the new space.

It’s hard to believe that 2010 will be calling it quits in just a few months.  2010 was full of the color turquoise, ground breaking patterns, wallpaper and taking the old and making it new again. Want to know a little more about 2010 trends?  Check out Decorator Secrets.

Image: DominoMag

Image: DecorPad

Image: Graham & Brown

Image: Design Envy

Wandering what will be  the top  2011 interior design trends? Think nature, ethnic colors, casual chic and cheerful.  Experts’ forecasts for 2011 vary and include everything from cool neutrals and muted colors to deep rich colors ranging from icy grays and chocolate browns to bright reds, fuchsia purples and sapphire blue or a washed out denim. Whew…that’s a lot to keep an eye on but I can’t wait to see what designers come up with!

Although we can always expect to see neutrals to remain a staple in fashion and interior design, the turquoise, orange and fuschia color palettes of 2010 are not going anywhere!

Image: House of Turquoise

Image: Decor Pad

From what I have been seeing, Coral looks to be a huge color trend for 2011

Image: Amanda Nisbet

Image: Massucco Warner Miller

Images: Jeffers Design Group

Not sure you can commit to a room that painted coral, turquoise or orange, here are a few furniture and accessory ideas to bring a touch of color to the space.

The Marilyn Side Chair

A garden stool makes a great accent table and really adds a punch of color to a room.

Color and Pattern! Accent Pillows are also another great way to mix up the color palette.

I LOVE this Arabesque Rug from Shop Ten 25

Cheer up a simple table with these Trina Turk Place mats and matching napkins.

Looking for trendy fabrics that won’t break the bank? Here are a few affordable options that will add that pop of color to your space.

Fabrics.Com

Image: My Designer Fabrics

I’m a HUGE fan of Gray and especially paired with marigold/yellow!

…And Pink

And…Turquoise

Images: House of Turquoise

My latest shopping obsession….decorative trays.  Large, small, colorful, metallic and even patterned.  They are a great way to bring a pop of color into a space and a great way to display fun and unique accessories. Of course there are always the ways you can actually use them in your home too.  Use them to carry drinks around for party guests,  to serve cheese & crackers and of course the more basic trays are great for those trips to the BBQ grill!

Image: DecorPad

Image: DecorPad

Image: NY Post, Olivia Palermo’s Apartment

Here are a few trays that might catch your eye! All available from SHOP TEN 25

Arteriors H0me Asher Mirrored Tray.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Cinchwaist mirror tray from Arteriors Home!

These turquoise leather trays from Global Views are available in two sizes!

This black and white Hollywood Regency tray is super chic!

Barbara Barry recently launched a line of accessories with Global Views! This Oval Tray is fabulous, don’t you think?

Most American households have at least one ceiling fan. They lower energy bills by providing a cooling breeze during the warm months, and by circulating warm air during cooler weather. Since ceiling fans replace a room’s ceiling light fixture, it’s not surprising that one of the first improvements made to fan design was the addition of a light kit. Light fixtures are available for almost all ceiling fans, with designs that complement any style of fan or room decor.

This addition works perfectly in the space. Image: Better Homes and Gardens

It looks like you can add more than just a drum shade or chandelier to a fan these days. Really? I’m not so sure about this one. Image:

Looking for a great “how to” when installing a drum shade on an existing ceiling fan?  I feel inspired but not sure how that will work in our house, we have low ceilings. Image: Young House Love

Another great example of a drum shade as an addition to the existing ceiling fan. Image: Apartment Therapy

Here is a GREAT before and after from Gail at My Repurposed Life!

Here are a few chic / unique options if adding a shade to your fan won’t work.

Images: Haute Decor

The Propeller Fan

The Ribbon Fan

From Lumens, this Halo ceiling fan is modern and affordable!

Maybe your not into adding a lamp shade or drum shade to your ceiling fan. How about a chandelier or unique light fixture?

The Mustard See Collective rocked out her fan with this diy teardrop addition

This fixture is from Fantastic Fans, it’s girly for sure but would look perfect in a little girl’s room.

Image: Fantastic Fans

It’s not as exciting as it sounds! Last night I finally did away with the creepy red wall in our dining room.  I’m talking murder movie, make you angry red and it had finally pushed me to the edge.  Here is the  BEFORE picture!

My husband is extremely thoughtful and makes tons of efforts to surprise me! I love him for that and his “biggest” surprise to me was a few months into the remodel of our 1950′s ranch. I was out of town for work one week and left my pile of potential paint chips sitting out. Now, to his credit I did have a red paint chip in them mix but not as an accent wall option. That red paint chip was a potential accent color that was NOT on the top of the color scheme list.

So, last night I decided that hanging wall paper was no big deal and I was going to give it a shot! I have had my eye on Cole & Son’s  ”Woods” paper for a while now. As soon as I heard the rumble of the UPS truck on our street I knew exactly what he was going to bring to the door. As soon as my hubby was out the door for his weekend hunting trip, I got to work.

Here are a few pics of the installation. It was quite easy actually!  I did do a bit of research on wall paper hanging and although I didn’t do the most professional job, it looks great!  Take a look, I would love to hear what you think!

Step One: Well I skipped the real first step where you float the wall to reduce the wall texture and went straight for the adhesive! I also left the red wall. I did a test area first and the red did not show through so no need to prime…plus I was getting anxious and ready to start.  That was great news! More great news, the light bumpy texture on our walls did not show through the wall paper either. The paper is super thick and that was my saving grace here!

So, I created my own step one.  I applied the wallpaper adhesive (the strippable kind) from top to bottom and only went about 8″ wider than the strip of wallpaper.  The salesman at my local Benjamin Moore told me to take it one strip at a time and to make sure I put plenty of adhesive on the wall…but not so much that it would ooze out of the seams.

Step Two: Get with it and start hanging this fabulous pattern. Lining up the seams was super easy and matching the pattern was not too hard. It is however amazing how much waste is left at the end of each role due to the pattern repeat.  A super sharp exact-o knife is key to trimming the paper along the crown and base moldings.

Step Three:  Make sure you have a good rubber squegie, use it to smooth out the paper as you hang it and to work the seams together well. Now all I had to do was cut around the three outlets on the wall.

Almost done!!!! I was really excited and very proud of myself at this point.

With the furniture back in place, the room looks so much brighter and once everything else is in place this dining room will be swanky!

When my hubby came home I was shocked that it was the first thing he noticed. He loved it and told me it was the first thing in our house that felt like him. Yay!!  Here are a few pictures of the finished room!

See this and MORE DIY tutorial at The Lettered Cottage!