Know Your Decor Patterns

My pinterest account is full of design ideas, beautiful spaces and decor!  I've noticed that the spaces I am most drawn to create a lot of visual interest using color and pattern.  If you find spaces you love and want to recreate a similar space of your own, it's helpful to know the names of prints and patterns so I thought I would help you out!  Here are some of the most popular prints and patterns, feel free to use this as a guide for your next decor project.

Ikat

Ikat is created using a resist-dying technique.  You can easily identify ikat by it's blurred appearance.  You will often find ikat in damask, chevron and geometric prints, amongst others.

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Damask

Damask is a heavy print made of a reversable figure.  Mostly commonly, damasks are a single color.

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Chevron

This print is all the rage right now!  (I've used this pattern to make chevron clutches.) This zig-zag print comes in many colors and can be used in any part of your decor!  This print is so easy to re-create.

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Paisley

Paisley looks like a twisted tear-drop or similar to a kidney shape.  The print is actually of Indian and Iranian origin.



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Floral

Pretty easy to identify flowers! :)



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Geometric

Geometric prints are made up of regular or repeating lines or shapes.

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Toile

The toile print reflects English & French design and can be a very formal print.  It is easily recognizable by the scenery repeated on the fabric.

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Next up - I'll share some tips on how to mix and match patterns to create the look you want!

Have a great Wednesday!

New Window Treatments

I have to say that I am pretty proud of myself because I finally made progress on my living room plan list that I shared with you in this post!  This weekend I (actually Adam) hung our new curtains.  The part that I am most proud of is that I sewed these curtains myself.  If only you knew about my 4-H sewing days, you would be proud of me too... my sewing projects were nothing short of a disaster, just ask my mom!  Haha!

Here they are!

New Window Treatments

I found the material on the Calico Corners website.  It is called Kalah Blue.



84" Panel Curtains



Here is a reminder of what the living room looked like before.

This is where my curtain inspiration came from.

Remember I said I made the curtains myself?  They were easy as pie to make - if you can sew a straight line, you can make panel curtains!

I made three 84" curtain panels so I ordered 7 yards of material. 

I cut the material into 84" long pieces of fabric and finshed the rough edges with a straight stitch.

After I was done sewing, I ironed each panel to make them look crisp and new.

The curtain rods are from my all-time favorite store, Target, and so are the curtain hooks.

Last, I had my personal handy-man (Adam) help me hang up the curtain rods.

Ta-Da - the new curtains are hung!

Curtains are the first item I can cross of my living room to-do list!  My next project will be to re-cover the throw pillows on the couch.  In fact, I just go the material in the mail today! :)  Below is what is left on the list. 

1. New window treatments, add curtains

2. Re-cover throw pillows

3. New wall hangings

4. Add accessories

5. Replace rug? 

I admit that I have a little bit of work yet to make it all come together, but it will.   

*BETH

Great Fabric with a Personal Touch

I love stopping at the mailbox when I pull in the driveway - I always hope for something good and once in awhile it happens! 

Last night I opened the mailbox to find the fabric I ordered to start my living room makeover project from QuiltHome fabrics.  I was so excited!  QuiltHome fabrics is an awesome website that has designer fabrics from Amy Butler, Ty Pennington, Joel Dewberry, and others.  Below are two fabrics that I ordered to re-cover throw pillows for our living room.

L to R: Joel Dewberry 'Modern Meadow' and Amy Butler "Lotus"

The blue fabric is designed by Joel Dewberry called Modern Meadow and the cherry color fabric is designed by Amy Butler called Lotus.  The fabric is pretty inexpensive in comparison to going to a fabric store without a coupon! :)  I can't wait to start sewing this weekend!

Now, here's the BEST PART....

I got a PERSONAL NOTE on my receipt!  It totally made my day and now I can't wait to order more fabric from here!  What a neat touch from an online store!  Lesson learned for those of us that work in sales, always say thank you.  People love a personal connection and hand-written mail because today handwritten notes are far from the ordinary.  I will definitely be sending out more notes!  When was the last time you sent a handwritten note, letter or card?