If you like it then you shoulda put some paint on it...

Yes, I'm dorky. And yes I love Beyonce. Shoot me. Anyway, lame title aside, I think its the perfect way to introduce my newest DIY inspiration. I love hunting for vintage pieces and furniture that have great lines and structure, but happen to be coated with some sort of hideous varnish or ugly paint. Usually, you get them for a steal, and you get the joy of turning these little treasures into something you truly love. My newest blogger obsession does just that-and I am convinced she could turn a ball of rubber bands, old socks and some spray paint into something cool. Meet Michelle from Three Men & a Lady (thank you to Made by Girl for the introduction.) She really is a genius.

BTW, it is Michelle's fault that I am now obsessed with finding a ceramic owl to paint white.
How stinkin cute is this?! 

I love that she took thrift store candle sticks and plates and mixed and matched to make adorable cake plates. Wouldn't these be precious for a wedding dessert buffet?!

I love the bold yellow she chose for the dresser, and how she transformed a Wal-Mart Table into a gorgeous entryway table.

My fave project (besides the white owl) has to be the awesome sunburst mirror. She took an affordable find from Home Goods that was a little small and increased the circumference using skewers and some glue, then painted it silver to match her decor: brilliant!

Check out more DIY projects and her house tour on her blog here.

Postpone the wedding!

Ok, maybe not. (There's no way I could wait any longer to marry G.)
My prayers have been answered-just not in time for my wedding.
Anthropologie is introducing a wedding brand!!!!

From InStyle.com:
"Wedding bells are ringing for Anthropologie! The brand’s parent company, Urban Outfitters Inc., announced that it will launch a bridal collection featuring heirloom wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories and gifts designed with Anthropologie’s distinctively ethereal, feminine feel. The still-unnamed bridal concept launches in Spring 2011 as a Web site, through which brides-to-be can schedule local fittings, before branching into stores. “We have found that many brides-to-be are inspired by our aesthetic,” Anthropologie co-president Wendy B. McDevitt said in a statement. “We will unveil a brand that addresses this very special moment in her life with a goal of exceeding her expectations.” Wedding gowns will retail from $750 to $5000, with occasion and bridesmaid dresses starting at $200."

Yay for the brides who get to shop Anthro for their weddings!

What the?

No, this is not some disgusting super-zoomed-in science-y diagram of mucus. Not even close. This is what I did at work on Friday. Confused? I don't blame you. Its actually a super-cool image made from a program called Mouse Path (or IOGraph). Just download it (here), and as long as you have it open, it will track the movement of your mouse to make a gorgeous Pollack-esque illustration. Not only is it beautiful, but it makes me look like I've been super productive all day. Love that.

XO
-L

Mood Boards: Productive Organization Tool or Major Time Suck?

I say both. I love making them! And I spend waaaaay too much time doing it. I really think it is because I am a visual learner and, over my many years as as designer, I have learned that the best way to get an idea across is to draw a picture. Then people get it. And since I am relying on a whole mess of vendors to pull this wedding off, I truly think these mood boards will be super helpful. If not, at least I had fun putting them together. Right? Right. Here are two of my newest ones. (Please don't ask how many I've made so far, its embarrassing...)

XO
-L

 

 Images via Martha Stewart Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, & Style Me Pretty.

Nothing Rhymes with Orange

And, according to Geoff, nothing goes with orange either. When we decided to live in sin, we each brought one bedside table to the mix. These bedside tables don't even come close to matching. Mine is painted black with a black & white striped top, and Geoff's is honey-colored wood. Lets just say neither goes with our chocolate leather upholstered headboard and blue-gray bedding. I love the eclectic look, and prefer things not to be too matchy-matchy, but these tables are so far out of left field that something must be done. So, I have been fantasizing about painting them both orange. Yes, orange. "Lauren, that's not very bedroom-y or soothing," you say...(and Geoff would agree) but I really think it might work. Besides, I've been dying to paint some piece of furniture in our bedroom orange since I saw this photo (below) of a room by amazing designer Ruthie Sommers. Awesome.

Her work was featured on the very first cover of (the now defunct) Domino Magazine (sob) and I've been obsessed with her work ever since. Perhaps when all the wedding madness blows over, I will tackle the beside tables. I'll let you know what happens. In the meantime, have a lovely Tuesday!

XO
-L

A Ruthie Sommers bedroom from her book The L.A. House

Painted Dresser by Dallas's own Again & Again. LOVE this store!

Stunning Orange Dresser via Flickr

Ok, so its not a piece of painted furniture, but I adore the striking orange wall as a backdrop to soothing cream tones. Photo via Living Etc.

And last, but not least, another example of a perfect color story in this bedroom designed by Betsy Burham. Yum. Photo via Lonny Magazine (pg 127 of the current issue.) If you have not checked out this online home publication, you must! Go now!