Monday, September 30, 2013

CMM: Reese Witherspoon

 
Celebrities...they're just like us. Except, not.
 
 
Reese Witherspoon
Location: Ojai, CA
Price: $6,950,000
 
I am so delighted to do a CMM for one of my all-time favorite actresses. Reese Witherspoon is not only an amazing actress, she's also one that has really good taste! She purchased this stunning historic ranch back in 2008 and within months popped up on the cover of Elle Décor. As of May 2013, apparently, she's sold the ranch and bough a quite small house next door. Pictures of the inside of this home are nowhere to be found, thus, I am going to talk about her previous home.
 
 
 In all it's wonder, this Tuscany-style ranch home, designed by Kristen Buckingham, is a whopping 4-bedroom, 3-bath mansion located in Ojai, California, just north of Los Angeles.
 
 
Inside the living room. you'll find a pair of 19th-century leather chairs and an upholstered settee. I love the small table made from an apple-tree stump; it's a nice way to bring the outdoors in. The chandelier, pair of antique lamps, and rug are all pieces that add a variety of textures.
 
 
The gorgeous staircase has Mexican tile inlays in bright, vivid colors. You can tell from this picture the magnitude that the wooden beam ceiling places on this space. The gorgeous wrought-iron railing, plaster walls, and wood floors are original to the house. The nook built-in under the stairs is a perfect place to fall into a good book. The room beyond the living room is the family room.
 
 
I love the Aztec theme that's going on in the finishes throughout the home. A decorative ottoman like the one in the family room is a great way to add an unexpected pattern to your space. In the far left corner of the space, you'll see a small balcony. I've always wanted one of these in my home. They remind me of the scene in Rapunzel where she is waiting for her prince.
 
 
In the kitchen, minimalistic cabinetry is accented by bold, cherry red bar stools, and hints of mint green in countertop glassware and the painted door and window frames. Again, the flooring was existing but gives a nice country feel in this space.
 

I searched for hours trying to find the master bedroom of this home and all I found was the master bath. But, it's just as beautiful as the rest of the home. This airy bathroom definitely evokes a calm and relaxing feel. Who wouldn't want to take a bubble bath in this huge freestanding tub?



 
Taking a look at the outdoors of this home, the views are breathtaking. You can see in the distance the rolling hills of California. The ranch also has a barn, horse stables, and a carriage house. It sits on 7 private acres that include an organic garden and a pool.
 
Fun Fact: Libbey Ranch was originally owned by designer Katheryn Ireland. I always love to see how differently the same spaces are decorated. Ireland is no foe of color!
 
I hope you enjoyed the tour of Reese's beautiful Tuscan home. Like I said, she no longer lives here so I am on the hunt to find her new abode. Enjoy your week and stay tuned for a fully week of creative ideas on Thirty Seventh Avenue!
 
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Friday, September 27, 2013

Lancaster Whitewash

 
I love the simplistic nature of an ultra-neutral color scheme.
 
***
 
I found this rug and automatically knew what great potential it could have. There's a mixture of stone and wood-looking textures that are beautiful and make the geometric pattern not look so busy. If you happen to purchase this rug from Bassett, please invite me over of coffee so I can see it. It's actually on sale right now!
 
I threw together some other pieces to go along with it and I have to say this would make a beautiful living room. I could see this room in the hustle and bustle of a New York city loft or in a cabin deep in the mountains of Colorado. There's a sense of warmth to this very cool palate that is very pleasing to the eye. The color of the paint is Benjamin Moore Lancaster Whitewash and I totally stole this name for this color palette because it sounded too good.
 
See something you like? Click the links below to check it out.
 
 
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Friday Favorites

Finally
 Boy, let me tell you this week has gone by so slow. I'm so ready for the weekend because I get to take my nephew to the McWane Science Center! Shhh.. it's surprise!

I hope you enjoyed your week and I hope you have an even more fabulous weekend. As always, I don't post on the weekends so that I can spend time with family. Cheers to the week and cheers to a few Friday Favorites.

Favorite Designer
 
 
A husband and wife duo who's design style is both chic and elegant. The picture above is the living space of a New York Apartment. I am a woman of symmetrical balance and this is jus that. Stunning.
 
Favorite Pinterest Find
 
Jars Wrapped in Yarn, Then Spray Painted White.
 
Hurricanes wrapped in yarn then spray painted. Add a candle and a cute ribbon and wah-la! Definitely doing this for Christmas.
No actual tutorial found.
 
Favorite Puppy Treat
 
 
As many as my dog eats, these are a must.
 
Favorite DIY
 
 
Speaking of dogs, I love this dog silhouette pillow from Cottage Hill. I need one for my Mila. :)
 
 
Favorite Laugh
 
I just find this video hilarious.
 
Y'all be good now. Happy Weekend!
 
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

DIY Wine Bottle Fall Bouquet

I found this wine bottle sitting in a cardboard box outside of someone's apartment! I hope they were planning on getting rid of it... 



Anyhow, I had bought the cranberry branches from the Hob Lob on clearance at the beginning of the season. The wine bottle was already foggy and the perfect size. Here's how it turned out! 


I love it! I found this adorable chevron burlap ribbon at Hobby Lobby and it came in a bunch of different colors. I've already stuck it on everything in my apartment! 


The whole bottle was super easy and took about 10 minutes. It probably all cost under $10 if you take in account the 40% discount and the fact that the bottle was free. All you need is a bottle, burlap, ribbon of your choice, twine, and a decorative bunch. 




I'm thinking about adding a flameless candle for some added effect. It would be really pretty! 

Have fun! 

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Fall Decorating Tips


 
I love the idea of throwing pumpkins in an open fireplace.
It's a small touch that makes a big impact.
 
 
1 | This faux leaf letter "wreath" would be awesome hanging on an old window.
2 | Two round glass hurricanes filled with dry and a decorative candle create a warm ambiance.
3 | This felt leaf banner is fun and cheery and would brighten any room.  

 
4 | Rustic jars make a perfect vase for a bunch of fall flowers.
5 | Yarn wreaths are a super easy and inexpensive way to share autumn greetings.
6 | A small bowl filled with miniature pumpkins invite nature into your home.
 
Are you ready for fall?
 
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Decorating on a Dime

A lot of us do not have a lot of cash lying around to revamp our space. There are a few of foolproof ways that you can do to reinvent your home's décor without spending a lot of money. Before you get too discouraged, read this list of easy, peasy decorating tips.
 
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  1. Fill your space - A cheap trick for decorating a wall space above a couch: Add a grid of clean, white frames displaying black-and-white photos.
  2. Hang a shelf - Make a narrow room appear wider with a long, sleek shelf that doubles as a mantel.
  3. Toss a pillow -  Colorful accent pillows revamp a sofa without forcing you to spend a fortune.
  4. Add a rug -  Use a large sisal rug to ground a space. Want glam? Top it with a second rug: a fur rug.
  5. Bring in bling - Mirrored furniture is a clever way to reflect surrounding colors and patterns, says designer Jonathan Adler in his new book, Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Colors.

  6. Reflect on this - Designer, Bunny Williams says, "Place several mirrors in a dark hallway to open up the space and reflect light."
  7. Shop wisely -  Spend money on your furnishings and fabrics, but accessorize with discount finds for a high-end look that’s affordable.
  8. Be unexpected - Paint the interior of a closet an exciting color for a nice surprise when you hang up coats. But keep your closet clutter-free so you can see the pop of color!
  9. Create an accent wall - Spruce up your bedroom by painting bold, clean stripes on one wall.
  10. Make a two-second upgrade - For a breezy, whimsical look, drape a vintage scarf over your headboard.

  11. Fix your kitchen - Add personality with a backsplash for a big impact at a low cost. The square-footage need is surprisingly low!
  12. Plan for storage - Figure out what kind of storage you need, and then plan for 30 percent more so that it’s easy to stay organized over time.
  13. Plan for paint - The walls and trim set the tone of a room, so give them a fresh coat of paint. I love painting the doors black and the trim white and if replacing your cabinets is not in your budget, paint ’em!
  14. Amp up lighting - Good lighting is key to making any room welcoming and functional. Upgrade your light fixtures with a mix of finishes, like oil-rubbed bronze fixtures paired with polished nickel or antique brass hardware. Check out this tutorial here.
  15. Punch It Up With Pink - It’s a shockingly elegant accent. If pink’s too feminine, try a rainbow of colors to punch up your home.

  16. Go for DIY Slipcovers - Home Depot drop cloths make great upholstery and slip covers. They look like old homespun linen, but cost a fraction of the price.
  17. Fake Architecture - Instead of painting walls one flat hue, just paint the bottom one shade and the top another! A chair-rail-like line emerges.
  18. Create Ambience - Put votives in old jam jars when dining alfresco to create a casual, romantic mood.
  19. Go for a Bohemian Bedroom - Your bedroom doesn’t need to be matchy-matchy. You can give it a fresh look by changing out your linens and mixing them up.
  20. Add a Pop of Color - Brighten any office space by painting a lamp a bright color.

  21. Mix Materials - Modernize a traditional interior by introducing an acrylic table or modern side tables in chrome.
  22. Play With the Fifth Wall - Decorative ceiling tiles can add texture and a polished look to your room.
  23. Define Your Focus - When considering a makeover, always remember that a successful room needs an object of focus. A piece of art, something inherited like a piece of furniture, or even a found object.
  24. Create Rooms to Live In - “Life is messy,” says Annie Selke, author of Fresh American Spaces. “Choose fabrics (and slipcovers) with real life in mind so you can laugh (not cry) when red wine spills or the dog jumps on the sofa.”
  25. Accessorize in Color - Update your bathroom without major renovations using new, colorful towels, curtains and bathroom ensembles.

  26. Use This Curtain Trick - If you would like the illusion of higher ceilings, mount your curtain bracket close to the ceiling.
  27. Choose a True Blue - You can never go wrong with blue and white.
  28. Get Floored - When wood floors are not in the best condition, painting or staining them can make them come alive.
  29. Try a New Finish - Don't think paint jobs have to be a standard solid color. Pattern and finish can make all the difference in the world.
  30. Declutter Your Coffee Table - Are oversize books taking over your coffee table? Stack similar-colored ones several feet high so that they become the table.
  31. Upgrade a Side Table - Entertaining at home? Don’t add more furniture to your room. Simply make your existing pieces do double duty. Your side table can become an instant bar station! Place an ice bucket, 8 to 10 elegant glasses and some mixers on a butler tray for a quick and easy cocktail party tray.
  32. Make Storage Pretty - Update and organize your home office with DIY storage boxes. Take plain white storage boxes and customize them with painted stripes, wallpaper or washi tape.
  33. Reupholster Small Pieces - Instead of buying new pieces, reupholster an old bench or chair for an updated, inexpensive look.
  34. Be Bold in Small Doses - Feature a fun new splash of color without major commitment by painting smaller items like a mailbox, an old rocking chair or even a small room you don't use often, like the guest bath or a front closet.
  35. Don’t Be Dull - I love to use high-gloss paint on a dining room ceiling. It adds a wonderful dose of understated elegance and really makes a room sparkle for evening entertaining.
  36. Accent With Paper - Wallpaper does not have to just be for your walls. Paper the ceiling of a room for a surprise burst of pattern or color! Get more wallpaper ideas here.

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12 Clever Guest Book Ideas

Whenever you have a special event, you want to remember who shared that day with you. Guest books are always a must whether you're getting married, having a baby, graduating from high school, or simply a milestone birthday. There are many different unique ways to capture everyone who came out to celebrate with you.
 
For weddings & receptions:
 





 
For baby showers:




 
For graduation parties:



 
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