John Derian's Fantastic Plates and So Much More

from John Derian.com

 Does everyone know about John Derian, and I'm just late to the party?  I discovered his brilliant decoupage work this summer, in one of my favorite shops, Cottage and Garden, in Newport, RI. 

John Derian at Neiman Marcus

I picked up a gorgeous plate, similar to this one with the rabbit, and I fell in love.  With the plate. Okay, and then everything about the guy when I checked out JohnDerian.com.  

John is a decoupage master.  His isn't the stuff of a kitchen-table craft project.  Every glass plate he creates is art.  He works out of his studio in New York City, and has a store in the East Village.  If you check out his website, you'll see his work is carried in shops everywhere.  Who knew.

I took a few images from his site to show you, but don't be fooled by the ones I chose -- his subject matter is highly varied.

You really have to check out his collection.  On line, he also shows his additional offerings...

Furniture he designs...

Heaven help me, I want these pieces in my home.

Vintage lighting...

Linens...

Who wants to visit his store in the East Village with me?  Uh huh.  Knew you'd like him :)

By the way, I don't know John Derian, and I've got zero personal connection to his stuff, other than I wanted to share it because I found his plates, in person, to be gorgeous.

Hope you have a fabulous day!
Carol

Decals and Stencils -- Low Cost Impact

Yesterday I posted about the power of paint using my friend Lisa's new house.  Now for a decal and a stencil.

Her powder room is, like many, fairly uneventful save for the nice wood flooring and mill work.  So, I suggested she stencil the walls with these colors and add a little wow factor.  It's a work in progress, but here's a peak...

background: Ben Moore Warm Springs with Ben Moore Apple Blossom stencil color

Now for the gorgeous progress she's making on her daughter's bedroom.  The blue paint is Behr Peaceful Night, and the branch decal comes from Stickerbrand.com.  (She did this all without me, I can't take the credit.)  I did, however, convince her not to get rid of the dresser, and instead paint it white. :)

Clearly, the room is in the middle of chaos and redo, so don't mind the mess. :)

Keeping it short today.  Have a great Thursday!

Carol

Making Rooms Feel Complete With Paint

Paint color can go a long way when a house needs to become a home.   It can fill the void in an unfinished room like nothing else, and be a great bridge from undone to warm and homey.

Take my friend Lisa's new house, for example.  It's got gorgeous bones (I have total molding envy), but with four teenage kids inside, completing the decorating is a challenge.  Paint to the rescue!

The living room, above, was off to a great start with furnishings from the old house.   (Except for the builder's pinky beige on every wall and ceiling.)   So, in came Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray...

The paint color was inspired by the fabric we chose for the cornices, which will have cream drapes underneath...

A library feel is the goal for this room.  The SW Comfort Gray helps balance the warm/cool affect in this room perfectly, I think. 

The adjoining dining room color was next.  Here's the blah before (fyi, the rug is now in another room, too matchy)...

When Ben Moore Trout Gray went on the walls, and BM Rich Cream got slathered on the tray in the ceiling, this happened...

Goodbye builder beige, hello home!

Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray, Ben Moore Trout Gray and Ben Moore Rich Cream (with white trim)

What a difference the right paint makes, yes?

Here is the progress on the paint change in the foyer.  From total pinky beige...

To a well-defined staircase with Ben Moore Northern Cliffs (looking a bit cooler here than in reality)...

In this picture, you can still see my roller marks on the wet paint!  And yes, Lisa and I did all the painting (in three days, in between entertaining 6 teenagers!)  Never underestimate the power of paint or the determination of women on a mission :).  The back wall (facing you) of the upstairs hallway will also be the Northern Cliffs.

Now, with the addition of the right paint colors, this house is starting to look like home.  Color will be Lisa's bridge to completing her gorgeous spaces.

It's nice to be back in blogland...
Carol

Need help choosing the right paint colors?  

I'm ready to help -- email me about a paint consult.

Thank You, Carla Aston Designed!

Have you checked out Carla Aston's new website, Carla Aston Designed?  You MUST!


Carla and I started blogging about the same time a couple of years ago, and she has taken a giant leap, creating Carla Aston Designed, a gorgeous new website, while launching her online business.  Already a success in her hometown of The Woodlands, Texas, Carla is taking her business to the next level, and I wish her all the best. 

I've been incredibly blessed to meet some fantastic designers and design enthusiasts through my own blogs, and I'm proud to say that Carla Aston is among them.  Take the time to visit her, won't you?  She has great inspiration in her portfolio.

Thanks, Carla, for the Link Love you showed me and House and Home Defined on your debut of Carla Aston Designed.  This thanks is overdue, but comes with no less gratefulness.

Happy 4th of July from Newport, RI

Happy 4th of July!

I got chills on my arm this morning, watching the "Colonials" sound off the cannons with a 21 gun salute, followed by some taps and a moment of silence for all who secured our freedom.  It took place on Memorial Square.  We watched some kids in a pie eating contest, had a picnic lunch by the water, and we'll end the day with a sunset and fireworks.  No matter what, it's still a great thing to be an American.

I hope you are enjoying your day.

Carol

Sony Bloggie Camera -- Worth Buying

Hope you are enjoying a great 4th of July celebration!

My daughter has a Sony Bloggie camera -- hers was about $179 over a year ago, and though a newer model has taken its place, I thought I'd show you what it can do -- it's a great little camera/video recorder that I'm sure can do more than I know about.  I believe you can still score them for $99 online, but my guess is the newer models are killer.

The other day, she told me she was going out to take some pictures in the garden.  Check out the quality of her shots.  This little camera seriously rocks.  (And, okay, I'll admit this is also an excuse to show off her good eye.  Designer by day, but always a mom.)

Isn't the clarity crazy for a little camera like that?  I don't know why it's called the Bloggie, I must confess.

The clarity is lost a bit on the next one, but I loved the composition...

And here's the photographer's self-portrait...

Were they cropped?  Nope.  Color enhanced?  Nope.  Magnified?  Nope.  All just normal setting stuff, no editing.  I swear.  The little camera is brilliant, I tell you.

My husband gave my girls these cameras this past Christmas, thinking they might like them.  Um.  Good choice. :)

Unrelated, but Happy Fourth of July my friends!

Before and After: Orange Bedroom Progress

Here's a peek at what's been going on in my daughter's bedroom makeover.  We still have furniture to paint, slipcovers to make, and lighting to install.  (So it's been moving at a snail's pace for 6 months...I've still got a couple of years until college!)  But, here's where I'm at...

My girl loves orange like here mama, so her totally blue room...

Has been striped and fabric'd in a bit of modern orange...

These phone pictures are pretty crappy, but it gives you an idea of what's going on with the room.  I need to finish the bedding, too.

If you've been wondering if I fell off the face of the planet, not so.  Just super busy with life stuff.  But, I do have some great posts coming up for July.  I hope you'll stick around.

Good luck with any last-minute 4th of July planning!  What are you up to?