How To Thursday - Shop your house

When you have a Snowed in Saturday like this......


......what else is there to do but organize and move around furniture in your house? Well that is exactly what I did this past weekend, it felt SO good to organize a few rooms! It's as if I am
starting the year off with a clean slate. After the purge was complete, I focused on a little redesign of my bedroom.


*First I decided where I wanted to move my bed and other pieces I knew I would keep in there than I decided what pieces I could swap out.

*Next I walked through the house looking at every piece of furniture with an "outside eye". It's great to scout for new pieces within your own house.

*I found a small wooden (no upholstery so items can sit easily) accent chair in the Living Room which I decided to use for a side table and moved a lamp from the office to the bedroom. I stacked 3 coffee table books on the seat just to give the lamp some height.


*Colorful fabric boxes that were in the closet were pulled out and added to the bookcase for a bit of brightness! I also moved all the books stacking horizontal and vertical to create some interest.

Its amazing what a few new pieces (those that don't cost anything) can do for a new outlook in the same room. Now I love the "newness" feel and it's the room I want to spend all my time in!
Below are a few bedside table examples. The key is to think outside the box, nothing should be permanent!


luggage propped up on wooden blocks with a tray on top


do you have a small chest of drawers in an entry way or even in the BR you could multiple use as storage and a bedside table?


this small table could have been taken from a living room or even another BR it is a sweet little piece that could be used in multiple rooms!

Have you "shopped" in your own house lately? Do you love the feel of a room when you move the furniture around to create a new space?

(images from Jace Interiors, House Beautiful and Better Homes and Garden)

Quick Share - the rotating bookcase

Check out this very cool Revolving Bookcase from Pottery Barn Teen! I would love to use it in a kitchen. You could store cookbooks, stack up colorful tablecloths & tea towels along with extra bowls (though I might turn it ever so slowly unless they are melamine bowls) or vases! It's a great use of space! My only wish is that it was available in a wood finish as well.


A Special Glass Love

What is there to say? At times I come across a photo (in this instance twice ) and it makes me gasp! My love of hand blown glass started the first time I went to Italy and toured the Murano glass factories in Venice. So when I stumbled upon the ridiculously talented Elizabeth Lyons, I fell in love with her glassware and had to share! It might not be a typical CreateGirl item but there needs to be those special pieces we dream about and eventually buy, keeping for a lifetime. This is definitely one of those pieces for me!

The jeweled toned big jars with their oversized stoppers scream in a delicate way for attention. With each jar created by Elizabeth herself, you know you are getting a one of a kind item.



The Square Vases will add an interesting dimension to any vignette. Imagine it on a window sill with the light streaming in? Lovely!

"Little Vases for Big Flowers" quite possibly could be my favorite piece especially since the peony is my favorite flower....it only takes one!


amazing colors!

Visit Lyons Glass to see more images of her beautiful work and if you are like me walk around your house daydreaming of a possible "home" for one of her jars!

(images from Lyons Glass)

Wishing Upon a Star for 2010

With the start of a New Year and new decade (gasp where does the time go...!) we are presented with the opportunity to start over. We can leave the struggles from the past year in the recycle bin and just carry forward the good memories. It's that one time of year where everyone seems to be much more hopeful in the unknown of whats to come! So here I wish upon a few paper stars in the hopes that this year is filled with:

good health for my family, many more creative & inspiring days, supportive people to collaborate with, the opportunity to meet new blogging/twitter friends in person and spending quality time with the friends I have here in Boston. Most of all to continue to bring you the best most affordable products and rooms I can find. If I inspire you, you inspire me!


2009 was a great year of growth for both Jace Interiors and CreateGirl and I am incredibly excited to see what 2010 has in store. Let the possibilities become my reality! What is your one creative goal or hope for yourself this year??

Enjoy & thanks again for being such great friends, collaborators and readers
jul

(image from one of my favorite place for inspiration - frolic)

Your Own Times Square Crystal Ball

I would have to say the ultimate chandelier is the crystal ball we see in Times Square each New Years Eve. With its 504 Waterford Crystal Triangles it sure does pack a punch. Not sure you would really want to light your house (..hello ridiculous electric bill) with it but these options below could make a similar statement and kick off the year right!


The beauty in Times Square




just a bit of fabulousness!



Deco Glam Chandelier



Blown Glass Teardrop Chandelier



Create Fireworks with the Squiggle & Crystal Chandelier


(images from Shade of Light and Room via Point Click Home/Paul Gray)

Merry Merry!

Buon Natale!! I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks so much for being the best readers a blogging gal can ask for!! If I could buy a little thank you gift for each of you and put it under the tree I would! I hope you all take some time to "unplug" and enjoy a big dinner (of course around a gorgeous table) with your family and friends! See you next week for a few posts before we end the year, xoxo jul



(image via Coastal Living)

Shop Boston Etsy Designers

In November I was asked by Stuff Magazine to pick a few of my favorite local Etsy Designers to be featured in a shopping article! I was so honored and was even happier to see Marni Katz's write up. Below are the artists and a few additional items from their stores along with 2 other Etsy Designers I really like. In true affordable CreateGirl style all items are under $55. Check them out. Etsy is a great easy and quick way to support your local Designers!!




Woof pillow from BumbleBellyDesigns $40


Cheap Date Jewelry Recycled Guitar String Earrings $22

The truth is told by Chris Piascik - Gocco Print $15



Chroma Lab Orange Burst Clock - its like a bit of sunshine! $45



Blooming Pillows from Two Yellow Shoes $55 (set of 2)


eThreads recycled t-shirt bag $19 (you can even send in that beloved worn tshirt to have repurposed...love it!)

What a welcome!

When I saw this photo over at "One Kings Lane" I just squealed with delight! Isn't it the most beautiful welcome to a home? The wide molding, topiaries and bright turquoise door are the perfect unique combination. The dogs are an adorable accent as well! Welcome Home!



look at that detail!!!

Dining chairs full of color!

If you are like me there will be many days in the coming weeks around the dining table. This is a quick round up of my favorite colorful dining chairs. I chose to stay with the solid colors, they add such a fun dimension to the room. It's also a nice way to break up the traditional dining set, from subtle to bold, inject some color!







Which is your favorite? It's hard for me to decide, I love them all!
Do you have a traditional matching dining set or do you use colorful chairs? Please share, I would love to hear from you!


(images from top to bottom: House Beautiful/Jonathan Berger, HB/Ashley Whittaker, HB/Jonathan Adler, Metropolitan Home/John Lyle, Traditional Home)

Reusable Gift Wrapping Ideas

Ask anyone who has ever received a present from me, I am a BIG fan of wrapping with reusable items. Maybe it's because I can always find use for tea towels and decorative boxes or just love the creative challenge. Below are a few of my favorite wrapping paper alternatives!



A tea towel is always useful and a perfect way to wrap your present! Check out this "teapot and jugs" option from skinnylaminx, so bright and cheery!


Paper Source is one of my go to places for interesting wrapping ideas! I adore these fun "suitcases" and at $11 I know it is a good solution. Plus it is a great design accent for storage!



I love The Hip Hostess for her fun aprons, especially this "Cherry Me" one! Wrap it around a few cooking tools like wooden spoons or spatulas and you are set to give!



If you don't want to spend extra on the wrapping than use the brown bags you get from the grocery store. Turn it inside out so you don't see the writing and dress it up with this decorative tape. It's a fantastic accent and even better you get 27 yds for $9.99!



Holiday mantels on a budget

A mantel can be the focal point of any room and even more so at the holidays! You don't necessarily have to decorate every inch of your room in holiday cheer (I actually like to just decorate a few areas) so just focus on the mantel and make life a little easier. Its a quick place to decorate and also one that can be inexpensive. Below you can see a few examples of using items you might already have in your home.


Pile up all the ornaments you are not using on your tree. The key here is to stick to one or 2 colors and vary the sizes. You can mix in some sheer white tissue paper or batting to help the ornaments stay in place and it will also act like a bit of faux snow!



Wrap a few presents in festive paper, add tea lights (which I bet you already have in your house) and drape a single strand of garland over the picture or mirror. Instantly you have an easy make over!



Candles can create drama to any mantel! Vary the heights and use similar colors. Gather frames from around house and fill them with family holiday photos from the past. It's the perfect opportunity to reminisce a little and make fun of each other, that is if you are my brother! A casual swag of green adds the holiday cheer!



Greens, Greens, Greens! One of the absolute easiest and inexpensive ways to decorate. Jump outside and see what you can gather from the backyard or go down to the local Christmas tree yard and see what they might give up. There are always tree limbs which have dropped off and need to be discarded.


What do you think, would you try these inexpensive ideas on your mantel? Please share ideas you might have used this holiday season!

(images: Canada House and Home, My Home Ideas/Homes and Garden, Traditional Home, Traditional Home)

Quick Share - Sequin, Jewel & Glass

Here's a quick share of my favorite Ornaments this year! I love how each one adds a BIG sparkle to the tree! Check out the sequin option and in that fuscia...talk about styling a tree!!


Brilliant Fuscia Sequin



drape with a Jewel


My Favorite Gifts from Wisteria & A Hint For Santa

I love this time of year because there are so many unbelievable gifts at amazing prices! Here are a few of my favorite quick decorating and gift giving items from Wisteria:


I must admit I love the perfect hostess gift that is not wine or flowers! How absolutely FUN are these Christmas Tree Party Glasses? Who wouldn't want to "Top it off" and "feel a little festive"? 4 glasses on sale now for $13! Seriously, how can you resist?


The perfect accent - glass trees that seem to just sparkle all on their own! Group on the dining table, on a dresser or even nestled in some greens on the mantel. Set of 3 $44.50



Now if I am really good Santa might just bring me this Suzani inspired Dhurrie. Isn't it fantastic? A perfectly timeless piece

I love the serene feeling of this room! I imagine myself reading for hours on the sweet settee!


(images from Wisteria)

Welcoming Bombay Duck to the US

On Monday I received the most wonderful email from Laura at Bombay Duck, they have officially launched their US online store! If you remember back in July I posted about my love for this company and how I was hoping to one day shop there. It could be their description of style "indulging imagination with quirky designs" or the happiness of each products colors. Regardless I look forward to start spending money and most importantly shopping for some of my favorite people! Take a look at a few holiday gifts I have selected below...ok so they might all be for me, but you get the idea! Please pop on over to Bombay Duck and give them a big USA welcome!


So Sweet, I can't wait to use these for a dinner party!! Set of 4 Rick Rack Napkins and Napkin Rings $29.95


The Colette Chandelier is just dreamy with its burnt colored crystal and glass flowers. $246.50



Their tabletop mirrors would be the perfect addition to my Gram's dresser in my bedroom. The Mini Scallop Venetian Mirror above is $76.50 and the Isabella with Etched Flowers for $32.95 looks like a piece you would hand down for generations to come!




Knobs! What first caught my eye at Bombay Duck is their huge selection of knobs, an instant pick me up for any room!! Love it!

(images from Bombay Duck)

Daydreaming of Dreaming

This amazing bed has been in my inspiration folder for the last few months and with my lack of sleep lately well lets just say I have been daydreaming of it more and more! Isn't it just fantastic? The height is so commanding but the reeding and finials so delicate with its curves. I love the mixture of purple tones and warm yellow - it has a comfortable old world feel to it. As a designer my personal likes really change from day to day but I have a feeling this bed and image will stay with me for years to come! So cozy!


(image from House to Home)

Back with December!

Morning!! I am slowly coming back to the land of the connected via twitter and the blog. Its only been a few weeks but feels like it has been months, I have missed my friends here! Can you believe we are at December? Where does the year go? After 3 long weeks in the hospital, we are hoping to have my mom back at home this week. Thanks SO much for all the well wishes and prayers we are both so grateful! I am excited to get back to my design clients and to share with you my inspiration folder which is BURSTING at the seams with holiday decorating ideas and affordable gifts. Please pop back when you have a minute during this crazy time and thanks again for being so supportive. I love our online community, it seriously rocks!


(image from Living Etc)