the best way to display children's art

This is from the September Martha:



Pretty much perfect when it comes to decorating your child's room... especially when it happens to have 15 foot ceilings. Not that I'm envious of the house or anything. But even with normal person ceilings, this is one of the best ideas I've seen in a while. Definitely filing this away for a future must-do project.

(PS. isn't it scary when you start getting September magazines? Am not ready for apple bobbing and talk of turkey.)

Simple ribbon garland

I think I've made it clear that I will love bunting and garlands forever and ever. But the same old same olds do get a bit tiresome when you see them every single day, decorating every single DIY wedding on in the blogosphere.

But isn't this a cute, pared-down version?



Excellent way to use up little bits of ribbon, me thinks.

From Naturally Nina.

a rocker

I was highly unproductive this weekend, in terms of having anything interesting to show yous, but sometimes it goes like that. I'm embracing my time to be unproductive while I can.

We did do like 1 million errands though, which always feels nice. And made a grand master list of all the things we want to get done pre-baby.

And I found our rocking chair.



The Risom Rocker from DWR. yayyy.

I'm of the belief that one should not fill one's house with things for baby that you wouldn't like to have in your house if you didn't have baby (stroller and crib and some other necessities notwithstanding). Especially when it comes to plastic things, but that's a different topic altogether. I know we need a rocker, but I just cannot stomach one of those huge poofy lazy-boy-for-moms upholstered gliders. Apologies to anyone who has and loves theirs, I'm sure they're terrifically functional, but they make me want to throw up a little. If we're going to buy a rocking chair, I want it to be a chair that we will enjoy in our home forever, not just while I'm nursing 12 hours a day. Naive? Probably, but let me exist in my fantasy world while I can.

It's expensive, and we might not end up getting it. But I'd rather spend a little more on a beautiful piece of furniture that we will keep for always. Plus I haven't even tested it out yet. Of our 1 million errands, none took us past a DWR. So that is a project for this week. Maybe the floor model with be on sale.

We're going to end up blowing our entire baby budget on our rocker and our stroller, but really, aside from diapers and a breast pump, what more do we need for the first 6 months?

Also, I purchased my first official piece of maternity apparel. Milestone! I am so thankful that I live in the age of premium denim. Those poor moms who had to come before us were forced to wear hideous jeans throughout their entire pregnancy. And it turns out maternity jeans are super comfy! Perfect for airplane rides! I think everyone should have a pair. They're like denim sweats.

project inspiration

I was trolling blogs yesterday for a bit and came across this awesome office re-do by Pearl Street Interiors on Abbey's cute blog. I probably wouldn't have reposted was it not for the wealth of DIY tutorials that came along with it. Mega inspiration.

She gives a tutorial on how to refinish two pieces of furniture in an extremely cost effective way. And, I'm more interested in these others, how to cover bulletin boards and how to make fabric window shades from your existing mini-blinds. I think I've gone to redecorating heaven.



We have mini blinds on every window in our house. They drive me insane but for whatever reason I've be able to live with them for the last 7 years. Look out mini-blinds. You're about to be stripped to your skeleton and covered with fabric. Possibly this weekend.



And then there's the bright red credenza/dresser thing and patterned cork boards. The credenza I'll probably skip, but appreciate. Corkboards... you will be mine.

Also, I've always liked that Ikea rug... might be cute for baby's room? I had a mini meltdown last night about our lack of space, our insane amount of stuff, and the impending introduction of lots more stuff into our life. Does everybody go through this when they're about to have a baby? Brock reminded me that we could live in New York in a one bedroom apartment. True.

I'm desperately clinging to the idea that our house will remain and adult house, even with a baby. Tell me it's possible.

i made bunting

And simultaneously conquered my fear of the bobbin. Good job me. This is called bunting, right? I never know if I'm confused or not.



Though I didn't end up using the sewing machine I have at my house. The one from 1965 that's been lurking in our guest room closet, behind our luggage and sleeping bags and old stretcher bars from when I used to paint. Yeah. I lugged it out. It weights approximately 75 pounds and I'm convinced is made of either lead or steel. And even my mom, who happened to be passing through town, couldn't figure out how to wind the bobbin. You have to wind it in place. Like under the foot. It was kooky.

So instead I went to The Urban Craft Center (where I took my sewing class) and happily sewed away using a brand new, easy to operate, unmysterious machine.

(Cannot recommend this place enough, LA locals! You can pay to use studio space and supplies whenever you want. And it's super cute and the girls are really nice and helpful. And they have laminated printouts demystifying the bobbin.)

I've already put in my request for the exact machine for Christmas.




Clearly, my favorite part about sewing is the fabric and patterns and colors.








I also think I may have made the most complicated, time consuming bunting ever. I realized after I already had everything cut and pinned and ironed that I could have easily just used pinking shears to make the flags and strung them along a length of yarn and the effect would have been the same.

But I was sooooo excited about sewing something. And these are a present so it's nice that they might be a little more permanent.

Also, I'm digging these colors for a gender neutral baby room. Thoughts?

recycled houses

This is quick because we're just about to get in the car to head to the mountains for the weekend.

My friend Danielle sent this link from a little story the New York Times did on a crafty old gentleman who builds/remodels houses using seriously recycled materials.

The photos are so beautifully inspiring, aren't they?











Floor made out of corks! Ceiling made from frame corners!

Thanks for the link Danielle.

a sitting room...

full of sunshine and succulents. Wouldn't you die to have one?



From Melanie's dear friend Kate's house (her mom's house actually), an insanely beautiful, special, walk-around-with-jaw-on-the-floor type of California craftsman in Hollywood.

This sunroom used to be a porch on the second floor but some time in it's history, was enclosed and turned in a perfect home for books and plants and afternoon readers.

I wish I had a better picture, but alas...