Make A Stationary Stagecoach Valance

Add a stationary stagecoach valance with adorable decorative ties to your window.  This valance is a nice soft finishing touch that can be used in conjunction with drapes, sheers and/or hard treatment like blinds or shades.

We made this one below for a little girls room giving it a loose casual feel.  It was easy to make and inexpensive!

What you will need:
-Fabric four inches longer than your window
(for the backside you can use lining or fold over the same fabric)
-Sewing machine
-Strips of 2 inch ribbon 2 1/4 times longer than the stagecoach valance (for a 6 foot window we used 4 strips)
-Needle and thread the color of your ribbon and fabric
-Hot glue gun

Steps We Took:

1. bought enough yards of pink cotton fabric to cover the 6 foot window with an extra four inches for hemming.

2. folded the fabric in half and sewed a pocket rod opening at the top and hemmed the edges to length of the window (if you are using lining instead, you need to sew it to the back of the fabric instead of folding fabric then sew a pocket rod opening and hemming the edges).

3. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon each 1 1/2 yds. long, placed them equally along valance, folded them over the top of the valance (see photo above) and sewed them just on at the pocket rod stitch line.

4. Spread the valance out on the floor (see the photo above) and rolled the bottom up so the stagecoach measured 16 inches in length. 

5. Hand stitched a few running stitches along the roll to keep it in place (you want it to look like the ribbons are keeping the roll in place but the few hidden stitches actually keep it in place).

6. Folded each ribbon over and behind the valance so it equal in length on both sides.  Attach the ribbon by sewing it on at the pocket rod stitch line.

 

7. With the valance spread out on the floor again we tied the ribbon ends into bows.

8. Hot glued the bow loops to the roll so they stay in place.

9. We hung it on a basic steel window rod then dressed it with yellow drapes from Target online.

We love it.... love it.... love it!!

To see how to create Fake Flower Head Art CLICK here

To see how to create Personalized Initial Pillows CLICK here

DIY Flower Top Art

Ever wonder what you can do with all those fake flowers you see at the Dollar Store?  Make art out of them!  Grab your favorite color(s) and make a major wall statement.  This DIY project is so easy and inexpensive that you gotta try it!   

CLOSE UP

Supplies you need:

-Canvas board (I used a 36"x24" size)

-Faux flowers (enough to fill up your canvas board)

-Hot glue gun

Get fake flowers for $1 ea at the Dollar Store

Decide on the size of your canvas

 1. Pop the heads off the stems.

 2. Start hot gluing the flowers to the canvas board.

2. Keep going....

 

 3. and going.......

4. Until the entire board is covered.

 Extra Credit Step- Add light weight flying friends like birds or butterflies using thin floral wire.  I found these very thin metal butterflies at the Dollar Stores (they were supposed to be outdoor chimes)

I wrapped the wire around the wings (you can barely see them in the photo above) then twisted the wire around one of the flowers that I had hot glued on, and twisted more and more so it moves when touched but stays in place.

I used this Fake Flower Head Art piece in this little girls room I call Pink Me Up.  I will blog about how to get this room look Wednesday May 17 so come back!!

Go ahead and smell the fake roses!!

To see how to create a Stationary Stagecoach CLICK here

To see how to create Personalized Initial Pillows CLICK here

Make Personalized Letter Initial Pillows

What better way to finish off this super cool young man's bedroom than with big bright pillows with his initials large and in charge!  And for this project you don't need to make the pillows themselves so it is a 'semi handmade' project. For this bedroom I used store bought pillows I found on sale at Kohls.  I completed this project in less than two hours.

 Supplies you need:
-2 throw pillows (18"x18" or 20"x20")
-1 yard of felt in your favorite color (figure out the size of your letters in Step 1 to know if you will need more felt)
-Needle and thread that is the color of the pillow
-Measuring tape
-Scissor
-No Sew Glue
-Pencil

 Meet my new bff!

Step 1 - determine the size your letters will be. For my 20" pillows I used 16" high and wide letters.
Step 2 - using your measuring tape and scissor cut two square pieces of felt the size your letters will be.
Step 3 - using a pencil, trace your letters and then cut them.

 Step 4 - Machine sew or hand sew a running stitch all around the letters.

 Make sure your beginning and ending knot are on the backside so it won't be seen when you attach the letter to the pillows.

 Step 5 - Run a line of no sew glue all around the letters like this.

 Step 6 - Adhere the letters to the pillow and let dry.  FYI-The glue looks white until it dries.

All done!!

To see how to create DIY Fake Flower Head Art CLICK here

To see how to create a Stationary Stagecoach CLICK here

Artists That Rock Beyond Time

My Grandfather was an amazing painter (oil and watercolor). He worked and lived art. He was the one who took the laugh lines out of old celebrity photos, touched up movie posters, and added the cup of Folgers to the still photo of the man in the suit and the mother of three. This was all before computers could touch up anything. In his spare time he created many inspiring pieces. He always smelt of ink and the tips of his fingernails were black. He was an incredible source of creativity for me. When he passed away he left me his collection of pipes and books on some of the greatest artists including Degas, Picasso, Chagall, Lautrec and Corot to name a few. I love sitting down with those books and reading them cover to cover. I get a bit carried away on the subject but I am a lefty and truly appreciate how incredibly talented they are. Last year I spent three and a half hours at the Philadelphia Museum of Art by myself and didn't make it through all the exhibits. Below are some of my my 'Old School' favorites. Enjoy!

Edgar Degas- 'The Star'
Love the point of view -he was looking down on her. And the colors. This is pastel on paper.



Pablo Picasso in his Rose Period - 'At the Lapin Agile (harlequin w/ glass)'
Interesting fact about this painting: Picasso shows himself dressed as a harlequin, which, in the 19th century, symbolized artistry. The guitar player in the background is assumed to be Père Frédé, owner of the Lapin Agile and father of Margot Frédé, the woman with the crow. What is he thinking..and what is she thinkg?




Marc Chagall - 'Vision de Paris'
Chagall is known for his abstract post-impressionist style with biblical undertones that embodies a deep passion for life. I admire the color combinations and whimsical strokes. He captures pieces of diff. scenes in one picture.



Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - La Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge w/ Two WomenLa Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge with Two Women
His artwork is loved by many. He used bold strokes. I love the overly confident snooty facial expression.


Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot - Canteleu Near Rouen
Known for his landscapes. I just plain like how realistic his trees look. Seriously, he has a steady hand & shows his passion w/in each piece.

Decadently yours,


Shoshana

I'm Back With A Lot Of Ideas

Hello friends!

Sorry I was gone for April.  It has been one of those fly by night months, gone faster than a speeding bullet.  I missed blogging so much so I am christening this post with a glass of champagne!  I can't wait to share with you all the projects I am working on and the fantastic people I have met!  I have been all over the place.  I wish I could get car mile points like the airlines give out.  Sadly no, just spending lots of dough on gas which goes up so fast; it is up five cents as I write this-now ten cents!!

For this blog post I am attempting to recap all the bits of fun design info I have been involved in since my last post.  I have a before and after to show you that made me so happy because it has been a year since I did the design; Also I included articles from some amazing print publications I have been involved in for March and April that are full of great tips on some timely topics.  And have you heard of Houzz.com?  It's a great place to get detailed ideas on every design and decor dilemna you can think of.  I am writing featured ideabooks for them now (so fun!!).  Below I have shared a DIY that was featured today.  

April wasn't all work and no play for me.  I also flew to Florida for some family time (first vacation in a year!).  That is my cool Dad in the blue hat.  This was the first photo taken of me without a drink in my hand!

1. THIS JUST IN!

I was just told by Roeshel, creator of DIY Showoff, a wonderful and popular blog all about renovations, before and after home improvements, DIY design and decor on a budget, that she will be including a link to my how-to create a photo gallery in tomorrow's post!  Thank you Roeshel! And thank you to all those DIY lovers who stop by!!  CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO CREATE A PHOTO GALLERY POST.

2. IT'S DIY TIME

If you ever wondered the wall of circles in my home office was created, or just want to know how to re-use a pizza box, you can see step by step instructions featured on Houzz.  

3. Publications I Was Featured In Recently

Get all my tricks and tips on how to make A SMALL ROOM FEEL LARGER published in the Hakol Newspaper March 2011- CLICK HERE to read it (pg 2-3)!

Get my easy to add ideas on HOW TO CREATE A MEMORABLE GUEST ROOM published in the Hakol Newspaper March 2011- CLICK HERE to read it (pg 8-9)!

Care For Your Outdoor Furniture- Refurbish And Replacement Options

As the days get longer, it¹s getting on time to pull the patio furniture out of storage and plant it next to the garden for the spring and summer. If it’s looking worn, you have a choice: refurbish or replace it. Read what to do in The Morning Call Newspaper Sunday Feature April 11, 2011 edition- CLICK HERE.

4. A designs by Shoshana Room Transformation

A Master Bedroom Transforms From A Bare Space To A Deep Rich Tuscan Getaway

My clients Kelly and Wayne wanted to create a haven that mixed their taste of a simple natural feel and their love of Italy.  They also had a major request to incorporate a sentimental quilt and pillows hand made by Kelly's mom.  This was a challenge for me because I wanted to use the rich warm colors found in Tuscan style.  The beautifully made quilt was crisp white with soft green and bits of yellow in it.  My solution was to use the quilt at the end of the bed as an accent throw and tie it in with the walls through the soft green.  

Here is the beautiful quilt-

Here is the BEFORE and AFTER 
taken with my new iphone

AFTER

The changes made were cosmetic-easy to achieve! To add the richness that the Tuscan style is soaked in, we added tons of golden Mediterranean colors in brilliant golds, dark bronze (the chandelier and lamps) and rich reds.  We kept the furniture, because heavy warm chunky wood works well with a Tuscan feel.   We used a lighter tone of green on the ceiling and man does it bring up the comfy level in the room!

The focal point became the space above the bed.  As soon as you walk in, it pulls you in.  All we did was find a calendar that had gorgeous pictures of Italy.  They were framed and hung in a tight grouping.

We played up the embellishments, true to Tuscan style, by using fringe on the pillows, layering the window treatments with a creamy diamond patterned sheers, and tassels on the armoire, and beaded trim add to a multi-layered look.

BEFORE

AFTER

5. PROJECT I AM FINISHING UP TOMORROW WITH SJ

If you recall I went on television in March talking about my design for a little boy and a little girls bedroom CLICK HERE to see the news segment.  SJ, Designs by Shoshana's amazingly talented coordinator, and I, have been hard at work executing the plan.  Here is a peek into the DIY pillow solutions for the bedrooms.  Stop by again May 18 to see the bedrooms come to life and the DIY ideas, step by step! - and I can't wait for you to meet SJ.  Soon.  Very soon!!! 

Yes it is vinyl and so fun!!!!!!

6. PRODUCT I AM SO DIGGIN'

I know this is not a design recommendation but this is a new love of mine that I want to share:

Would you like a coffee that packs a powerful packet of hot chocolate in it?  Then welcome to my K-cup Cafe Mocha addiction - who would have thought that something so small could make me so happy!