LYR Wishes You Joy This Season

Happy holidays to you all and may 2016 be amazing!

....of course this chair is a DIY project just completed ;)

Pantone Announces Two Colors of The Year for 2016 - YES TWO

Pantone has unveiled its Color of 2016!  They delivered us twins, introducing, not one, but two colors!

Designers that set the tone for the beauty, fashion and interior design world chose these colors to represent a sense of balance and peace.  Also noting that the colors were chosen according to "societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity."

Please give a soft and comforting welcome to

ROSE QUARTZ & SERENITY

Pantone 13-1520 & Pantone 15-3919

Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure.

Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.

Here is what Pantone said of why they chose these colors:

"A softer take on color for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Color of the Year.

As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association.

In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer's increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage."

I can't wait to see how people incorporates these colors in 2016!  I can easily see them in nurseries and kids spaces.  I can also see the Rose Quartz in a Ladies Lounge or other grown up room you want to add a little pink to!  Why not?  Men wear pink ties and pink shirts so its not just a girly color you know! :)

The 2016 colors are much softer than what Pantone has chosen in prior years-

Wingback Chair Reupholstered

My new happy place!

I believe in surrounding ourselves with stuff that makes us happy.  So as I slowly renovate my 'newish' home (moved into a 1970's home 1 1/2 years ago), I am adding happy furnishings as I can afford them.  I always wanted a hot pink wingback chair but could not budget in the quality piece I wanted.  Finally my dream came true!

This past summer I picked up this wingback chair at a garage sale.

Its a really well made chair but needs a new cushion.  Great deal!

I took the chair to the upholstery shop.    

They stripped the chair and let me come back before doing the upholstering so I could sand down the legs, then spray them with silver spray paint.

Use quality fabric that is specifically for furniture use-

This is the fabric I used to reupholster the chair.  Its from Maxwell and is extremely soft and yummy!  I mean its called 'Delicious' for a reason! 

I just received the finished chair today!

When reupholstering a piece of furniture, remember that this is your opportunity to add nail heads, tufting, and any trim!  I chose chrome nail heads and decided not to do tufting to keep it modern.  

FUN!

How To Fix A Short Drape

Has this happened to you? 

  

I am in the middle of a client project and we are working with a tight budget.  We installed store bought drapes but they are too short.  

This became our opportunity for a DIY fix!

This project does not require sewing or anything that is costly and stressful so its right up my alley!

Materials you will need:
-Stitch Witchery
-Iron
-Scissors
-Fabric
-Velcro dots

First we measured the bottom of the drape to the floor.  We are 6 inches short.  

Then at a craft store I found a fabric that coordinated with the drape; I chose a smaller pattern with the same color hue but in a lighter shade.

I cut the fabric to the same width as the drape (54 inches) PLUS 2 inches (for a total of 56 inches) because I will be finishing each side.  Also made sure it was the same length of 6 inches needed PLUS another inch (7 inches total) because I will be finishing one end.

Using the stitch witchery and an iron, I finished one long end and both sides.  Simply fold in the fabric an inch and iron down with stitch witchery. No need to have a finished end on the other long side since it won't be seen.

When done, flip the fabric so the front side is facing upward.  Add velcro dots along the unfinished edge as shown above.  

Take the other half of the velcro dots and place them along the back hem edge of the drape high enough so the added material will just about touch the floor.

Lastly, velcro them together as shown above.

Since this project is still in progress, I don't have better quality photos.  I will share them soon though!  I'm almost finished.

Happy Thanksgiving

My Mom circa 1980s

Black, Gold and Rustic Chic Thanksgiving DIY Table Decorating Ideas

The elegant look of black and gold, matched with the comfort of rustic materials, makes a Thanksgiving Day feast look personalized and dazzling! These are some EASY DIY and TREND WORTHY ideas to make your Thanksgiving table as special as your food and your guests.  

START WITH FABULOUS PLACE SETTINGS

See below for details on how to get this look:

NAPKINS WITH STYLE 

(you'd never guess how easy these are to make!)

HOW to create these unique napkins:

Buy fabric quaters like I did (see above photo) to create one a of a kind napkins.  

*You can find quaters, cut up fabric tied in bundles, at local craft stores.

  

OR

Find yards of fabric you like and cut it up into 18" x 21" sizes.

A NEW TWIST ON NAPKIN RINGS

Forget about buying expensive napkin rings; go outside and find fallen branches.  

These branches are four to six inch high.  

Just one step to this DIY: Spray the branches on both sides with spray paint.

Fold your napkin and place a golden branch on top. Tie a satin black ribbon around the branch to finish the look!  If you have selected specific seating for your guests, include a chalkboard name tag to each napkin branch.  I picked this tag up at Hobby Lobby (comes in set of 4).

PLASTIC CUTLERY SHINES IN GOLD

Whether you are hosting a sit down dinner, or buffet style, plastic cutlery allows for easy clean up after the meal!  The gold color makes it look more expensive.  Place cutlery in mason jars for a down home touch that shines.

Masonry Jars Are Inexpensive And Have Many Uses!

 A BURLAP TABLE RUNNER

Buy a roll at a craft store.

Cut pieces of the burlap the width of your tablecloth to have them under each, or every other place setting, OR make one long runner by cutting it the length of the tablecloth.

Add metallic spray paint to both ends of the runner for an ombre shine!

CHARGERS MADE OF WOOD

You can buy wood slices or have your local lumberjack cut you some pieces for your Thanksgiving table.  They are so unique and available at numerous online websites like saveoncrafts.  I ordered mine from there and they arrived less than a week after I ordered them.

 CENTERPIECES FOR THE TABLE

Pumpkin Stands: Use various sized candle holders with flat tops and place pumpkins on them!  The different heights add interest and can be scattered down the center of your table.

Tree Branch Centerpiece: this tall decor can be placed on any table including a dessert or buffet area!  I love this one because you can personalize it by adding paper shaped tags with written messages of things you are thankful for!  Ask your guests to do one and place each on a branch.  

Get your guests to write on each tag what they are thankful for, then place it on a branch!

How to make a Tree Branch Centerpiece:

Take a vase and wrap painters tape around it, then spray it with spray paint 

(in a well ventilated area).  Takes 5 minutes to dry!

Fill vase halfway with rocks to give it weight.  Find fallen branches and place them in the vase, then add moss at the top!

From the branches, you can hang anything from sparkly feathers, paper leaves, to my favorite, written messages of thankful thoughts!

Here is a previous post about another popular DIY project DREAM TREE.  

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO CREATE A DREAM TREE 

Don't forget to include a signature drink for your guests! Makes a great personal touch and can create it ahead of time.  Have it ready for them when they arrive.  They will immediately feel special!  

Have a signature drink on hand for guests.  Place in a mason jar like this one above.  Garnish it with a lemon!

Here is a great recipe:

Gin shandy-

 Mix 1 cup lemonade

One 12-ounce bottle ginger beer

¾ cup gin

Watch Shosh talk to viewers about all the ideas above!

CLICK HERE

I Can't Wait Until Wednesday To Get This Thanksgiving Table Look

Try a black, gold and natural chic theme this year for decorating your Thanksgiving table!  These ideas will add charming glamour that your guests will appreciate while feasting.

Wednesday I will show viewers on WFMZ 69 News At Sunrise how to get this look!  Tune in at 8:50 am.  If you miss it, you can catch the segment online on their website, and can come back to this blog to get complete instructions, and tips!

CLICK HERE to see all great ideas presented on the TV show!

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day to my Dad and all those who served, and are serving our wonderful country!