Shaken Not Stirred

There's no reason to feel like you have to have a custom bar built to house your libations. On the other hand, you don't want to have bottles of alcohol or wine just sitting out on the kitchen counter when there are so many easy and inexpensive ideas for how to create a bar area. Here are some interesting ones:

 How about an old suitcase on a luggage stand?

 Simple and chic.

Floating shelves, strategically placed, are a great idea and a bargain at Ikea or the like.

 Looks like a fireplace at first glance, no? It's actually just a credenza with the doors removed!

Trays are your friend and help to create a grouping that looks like it was purposeful and not so haphazard.

I have been on the hunt for an old library card catalog for years! My thought was to use it for jewelry, but this is even better!

West Elm

 

This turned into this...

By using these:

The great thing about acrylic bars is that they allow your glassware and bottles to shine and don't take up much visual space.

Love this.

Enjoy your Sunday! Toodles!

The Beauty of Burlap

Don't turn your nose up quite yet and stop focusing on how "scratchy" burlap is. This inexpensive fabric is a great solution for when the budget doesn't allow for linen and also even when it does. The texture, the colors and the visual warmth of burlap and grain sacks made of said fabric make it a wonderful option for all styles.

The classic and beautiful combination of black and camel done perfectly here with a grain sack.

(redefine home)

Even in the most high-end spaces, burlap (seen here as drapes) can fit right in.

(abby rizor)

Grain sacks on classic French chairs bring them down a notch and create a great juxtaposition. 

(paris boutique hotel)

Cute little kitchen valance done in burlap and trimmed out in a contrast fabric. That burlap tassel is great.

(wish i knew)

 A grain sack used in it's natural shape.

(elizabeth's point of view)

Even on a table scape, burlap provides amazing texture and interest.

(a beach cottage)

Find instructions on how to make these here at Sew Dang Cute.

(jennifer agan)

Burlap is such an inexpensive option when you need lots of fabric with little money. The panels are simply trimmed out in grosgrain ribbon that was fabric-glued on and hung with drapery clips making them no-sew.

I'm not a fan of the setting this piece is in, but it's a great diy idea incorporating tea stained book pages and a grain sack.

(studio 625)

Soooo pretty. I'd own this white burlap bed in a heartbeat.

(katy oh)

Casual and chic, burlap is a great way to ground an otherwise too traditional space.

(color outside the lines)

This and the following two pics are all by Paula Caravelli. I want to climb through the pictures and move in. I adore the orange, black and white color palette and especially think the burlap drapes trimmed out in orange are stunning. Loving that desk.

(paula caravelli)

Only $199, this is the perfect option to bring in a bit of the look while still being totally functional.

(pottery barn)

(the lettered cottage)

Just Hangin' Around

Bare walls got you down? Here's a few ideas to inspire you!

Ya know when we were kids and you would say, "I love that!" and then your smart alec friend would say, "If you love it so much then why don't you marry it?!". Well, hire the minister and bring on the cake, because I heart this whole design. OMG. That carpet on the stairs is KILLING me!

 (Eric Cohler)

I can't wait to steal the idea for these silhouettes.

(wish I knew)

Perfect example of the fact that no, your frames don't have to match. They don't have to be the same wood and they don't have to all be metal. Sometimes, you've just gotta go with it and keep adding and trust yourself to know when it's done. Nail holes can be filled and a paint touch up cures all oops. 

(How do you make "oops" plural? oopses?)

That duck is hilarious with her fancy pearl necklace.

(via decorno)

Newspaper's your friend. Trace and then cut out the shape of each item you hope to use in your wall arrangement and then with double stick tape you can play around until you get it right. Designer tip: When your tracing the item, mark the paper with and "x" where the hanger is and then you can hammer your nail right through it and pull out the paper for easy hanging.

I know we've looked at this pic before...but I can't get over how much I adore not only the wall arrangement but the whole space.

(b eclectic)

Oh, so chic and symmetrical. Works so well because of the similar subject matter.
(wish I knew)

This is not a very original wall treatment...but, come on, that pup is the cutest! Oh, and don't you just love the shoe tray and that delicious vintage watering can full of flowers?!
(BHG)

(decorno)

You don't see this style of arrangement very often, but I kinda like that middle split. I think is successful because of the use of all black frames and black and white photography. What d'ya think?

(the nester)

Don't be afraid to mix it up and remember, it's really not that serious. If you love it, hang it. If you end up hating it, take it down.  

Hey, in this economy, sometimes a girl just can't afford what goes inside the frames. 

(claudia bryant)

Is it weird to be so attracted to a hallway? Probably, I guess.

(house beautiful)

Loving these leafy gems? We ship!

(global views)