Happy Home - Inspiration for Joy

Happy Home is a new book out by Jennifer Paganelli, creator of Sis Boom Fabrics.  You can't help but smile and feel happy when you see her bright, cheerful designs.

Here is the description from Amazon.com, where you can purchase the book.

Jennifer Paganelli designs one of the most popular fabric lines in the marketplace. In this gorgeous collection, she shows readers how to whip up twenty-one beautiful accessories to transform their space into a sunny, happy home. Each project showcases Jennifer's fresh, whimsical style—from luxe drapery to cheery tablecloths and napkins. Featuring simple step-by-step instructions, a comprehensive glossary of techniques, pattern sheets tucked into a handy front pocket, and lush color photos, this book makes it exceptionally easy to pretty up every room in the house. 


 I was lucky enough to review the book, and answer some questions based on my review (my answers are in italic.

 · Is there anything about the book that inspires you? 
The cheerful colors of the fabric!  It's scary to go bold and bright, and while Jennifer goes all out, she demonstrates ways to also inject it through smaller projects - like pillows, and smaller decorations.

 · Have you used fabric designed by Jennifer Paganelli (SisBoom) in home décor projects? 
I haven't - but after seeing her fabric, will definitely consider them for my next project.

Here are some I have my eye on right now, for either my bedroom curtains or a set of cloth napkins:

From the West Indies collection - this plum would look gorgeous next to the pale gray walls in my bedroom.

I also love chartreuse with light gray - so if I do a single panel roll-up shade this geometric from the Poodle collection would look good.

   

The print above (To St. Croix collection) and the print below (Honey Child collection) would both make for some fun cloth napkins.

 · When you look at the projects in the book, who comes to mind? Who would you like to make them for? 
 Children.  I don't have any children yet, but when and if I'm blessed enough to have them I want them to grow up in a home that with the aesthetic theme of joy and play than perfection.  I would make some of these projects from Happy Home for various people - for example:

The market tote, featured which I LOVE - I would make for my mother.  I also think they would make fantastic bridesmaid's gifts!

The party banner would be beautiful in a baby nursery, or used for children's parties.  I could see this being a great piece to pass down and be used by family through generations.

These pillows would be wonderful for anyone's bed - grown up or child.  In blues and greens for a boy would be great, and in the pinks for a girl would be great.  It would be a wonderful message for a kid to wake up or fall asleep to.

 · Does your experience and expertise as a design and home décor blogger make you look at the book differently?

Yes, because it allows you to create the decor and accessories seen in the book, as opposed to showing you a wonderful space, but when where you have to buy items to achieve the look.  When you handmake something, it automatically has more meaning, and is more likely to be special to you for a longer period of time.

How wonderful would it be to give this adorable pom-pom pillow to your daughter who is leaving home for the first time to go off to college?

These projects can also save you money when organizing.  Stylish organization tools are always pricey - but check out the boxes below:

They are so pretty!

All of the projects in the book come with a list of supplies needed, a pattern layout, and step by step instructions.  Their is also a great section in the back listing resources for sewing and related supplies.

I am in the process of teaching myself how to sew, and I'll share any creations I make out of this book.

A great resource if you'd like to learn to sew is the book:

Sewing Made Simple by Tessa Evelegh  (This book is a work of art in itself, with gorgeous photographs and beautiful projects.)

Do you feel inspired to make anything happy for your home now?


*disclosure: I received "Happy Home" and "Sewing Made Simple" as samples

Visual Interest - vignette and still life around the home

Creating vignettes and accessorizing is probably the most fun you can have decorating. The possibilities are many, and if you use found object and things you already have, free!

What's your go to object when you decorate a surface?

  1. 91 Mag, 2.,3.,4. Heart Home

A new store that made me heart skip a beat...

I wish more often I would come across stores like Mockingbird Domestics.  There are lots of online stores, but I get tired of seeing the same thing over and over.  Mockingbird domestics is also a bricks and mortar store, as founders Jeff and Laura are launching a location in Austin, TX.  Any readers living in Austin?  If so, you are really lucky, because I would LOVE to see some of these pieces in person.

Here are some of my favorites -

I NEED this table.  Right now, I need any table, as ours isn't fit for a barn.  This cafe style table would make me one happy girl.

How great is this walnut standing table.  They custom made this for a client and then decided they should offer it regularly.  I try to stand at my desk and I have to put my keyboard and mouse on a box on my desk to make it slightly comfortable.

This very cool rocker is made from Texas wine barrels.

How cool is this handtruck ottoman?!?

They also have a lot of lovely accoutrements.  They take pride that many of their products are from local artists and artisans, as well as having some vintage and international products peppered in.

I find this silver pedestal bowl really striking.

My mother would LOVE these barnyard skewers.

Even though I work as a freelance web designer, I am an illustrator by training, and I really admire the work of Chris Celusniak, who painted this whimsical and detailed Texas Capitol.

What do you think of their products?  You can go to Mockingbird Domestics to learn and see more.

A super charming, relaxed & artsy home by a well-travelled mom and her little one

I really like this house tour out of Covet Garden. It's a nice mix of personality and comfort.

Read and see more about the space here.

And the winner of Fashion for Home's Memo Board is....

Lucky #15 - Janet!  Janet says

"seriously love the memo board! please enter me in the drawing for it. already have the perfect spot for it in my office!"  


Janet, please contact me at ashley [at] decorologyblog [dot] com with your shipping address, and I will have your memo board shipped out to you asap!


Congratulations Janet!

Wonderful Friday - Weekend Inspiration

Read that book

Enjoy the light

take in the view

enjoy every minute of the longest days

Enjoy the weekend!


1. High Gloss, 2. Lonny, 3. Sweet Home Style, 4. Smitten, 5. Architectural Digest

Beautiful and creative ways to display art and objects

I never feel like a room is finished until I have hung all the artwork that I have planned for the space.  I even like to hang 3D objects, like musical instruments, objects found in nature, and travel momentos.  It helps that you can find frames for almost anything these days; shadow box frames, digital frames, puzzle frames, memorabilia frames, etc.

It's not always so easy to decide how to arrange these items in their respective frames, or how to arrange the frames on the wall.  Here are some ideas for displaying and framing various art and objects.

Ledges, as seen in the two images above, are probably the least expensive and require the least commitment.  When thoughtfully arranged with your objects are art, they can be really special.

On the left hand side of this image you can see some 3-D objects nicely composed with some traditionally framed art.  If the objects were just floating in a space on their own they would not look like art, but more like an after though.

Trouser hangers are a cool way to hang items that you may want to change out frequently.  If you have a fabric fetish, you could even have your latest fabric purchases on display.

 If you have many objects that fit into one theme, like wine, coordinating display frames and shelving may be the easiest way to fit your needs.

 Bottles are a cute way to display sand, shells, or pebbles
Above via Apartment Therapy

Antique intaglios are framed and displayed above the bed here, but it's also a pretty way to display coins or sentimental but never-worn jewelry.

via Traditional Home

These memorabilia frames/boxes are just amazing. Click on each image for a larger view
 via Time Framed

Fresh and beautiful bathrooms for summertime

In the winter, my bathroom is where I go to enjoy a long hot bath after being out in the cold. In the summer, the bathroom is where I go for a cool, refreshing shower after a hot sticky day.

To create a cool retreat, it helps to keep your summer bathroom as clutter free as possible.  Keep  reflective surfaces clean, as well as and lighting fixtures (Make sure they all have working bulbs, as well).  Since there are more hours of daylight in the summer, it is especially important to keep lighting bright and as close to outdoor light as possible.

Keep colors bright and cheery, or choose simple, crisp whites.

Update anything scented in your bathroom from spicy or musky to light scents, either floral or clean.  Heat activates scent, so you don't want to overdo it.

1., 2., 3. via BHG, 4., 5. Traditional Home