Peace

New Question for our 2012 Challenge:  

From Lindsay- I want to have a general "spa-like" inspired tone to my house. Any suggestions on colors, accents, design, decor, textiles, etc to get this overall desired feel?

Generally, "spa-like" brings to mind rocks, water, bamboo, and a monochromatic color scheme.

inthralld

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You can add elements of this style to any part of your home.  Colors typically include green and blue, but purple and grey are also great additions.  Patterned textiles fit in perfectly... fabrics with flowers, leaves, etc.  And don't forget plants!  Raw wood is gorgeous for this style... look at this simple headboard:

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Simplicity is the key.  I love this wall... even though there are an abundance of frames, the wood and plants create a slice of zen:

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And I love these little wood crates to create the more rustic side of this style:

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And Happy 4th of July!  What a wonderful day it is!

-Steph

Loving

Trying to focus for a minute on design...

and I'm loving these:

Shelter

Shelter

Finally painted one of the sofas... will be posting progress pictures soon.

-Steph

... I was born to fly.

This is going to be one of those "on a personal note" posts...

so if you came for design advice, I would be happy to share another day.

I have been consumed for two weeks in thoughts of the afterlife.

On May 26th, my lovely cousin, Tanner, returned to our Heavenly Father.

Tanner's wonderful personality and contagious humor cannot be fully described in a few words.  If you were fortunate enough to know him, you know what I mean.  Anything I say about his fabulous qualities seems to be an understatement.  He was just amazing.  I loved laughing with Tanner because he knew how to keep the laughter rolling...  He could quote any movie on the spot...  He had no fear... He didn't experience one dull moment in life, that I know of...  He knew how to express his love for others...  He never judged...  He was a leader, always setting his own trends...  He gave...  He experienced joy...  He was a Christlike example for us all...

I had a dream last week about the plane crash.  I watched the plane take off and a hand come down from the sky...  The hand picked Tanner up with his three friends, and the plane fell to the ground.  I find peace in that image because I know where Tanner is, and I know that the hand was the Savior's.

While we are suffering here on Earth because we will have to wait to hug Tan again, I know he is experiencing peace.  

Tan, I love you.  You were born to fly.  Until we meet again, Hurrah for Israel.

-Steph

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Frame Inspiration

I'll be honest... I've been uninspired for the last several months.  I thrive off projects, accomplishments, and new ideas so to be uninspired has left me in a funk.  

I'm happy to say I'm back.  The inspiration is pouring in, as well as supplies for future projects.  I've even begun to complete projects.  All this is snowballing into more projects and things to do in my home and so my to-do list around here is ever growing.  But I'm inspired again and that's lifted my spirits.

One of my projects will be to update the gallery wall of family photos in my living room.  When I saw this picture below I was inspired by the configuration of the frames on the wall.  So inspired that I'm now planning on replicating it in my own living room.  

Melanie Turner featured in TradHome

And in case you're wondering what my project list looks like... here you go:  

paint curtains

sew pillows for sofa

paint walls

build new coffee table top and paint legs & stain top

build dining table

hunt for new dining chairs... and build a bench

reupholster living room chair

build a new desk for Mike

update gallery photo display on wall (this one will be ongoing... and not finished until fall when we have the new little bundle)

~Risa~

Pinspiration Projects ~ Patriotic June

Since I haven't done a Pinspiration Project in who knows how long I've decided to be an over achiever this month and do two.  Here's what I'll be doing.

Patriotic Wreath

Ruffle Pillow

What projects will you be doing before the 4th?

~Risa~

Pillows

It's been a while since I've posted, but that's because I had family in town for 2 weeks.  It was great.

Remember that coffee table I bought off craigslist?  Well... that was a rough day for me, and I would like to blame it on pregnancy, but I don't know if I can.  Long story short that coffee table has a laminate and not real wood top.  I don't know how I missed that.  So, I can't just sand and re-stain.  I'm going to need to make a whole new top for it.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

In better news I've been brainstorming what pillows I want to make for the sofa because right now it's a bit bare and unfinished looking.  Plus pillows will lead to paint color.  Here are two fabrics I've ordered swatches for. 

I'm leaning towards the top fabric more than the bottom one but we'll see when the swatches arrive. 

I was also looking for inspiration on Pinterest and here's a few images of pillows that I like and could recreate in coordinating colors depending on which ikat fabric I choose.

~Risa~

Cake Decorating - Who Knew?

I have one more week in my cake decorating class, and I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone...  My latest adventure in decorating surrounded cookies:

I had a blast making these, and I am so looking forward to my next batch.

And I will let you in on a little secret and one that I am very proud of:

I have not had even ONE bite of any cake, cookie, or delectable treat I have made in the past two months.  Self-control, I tell ya!  Self-control. :)

-Steph