POP OF COLOR

[Current Temperature at Lola's: 49 degrees, with steady rain]

My green back splash.

Planning your next paint project can brighten up any day, even rainy ones!

For years I have had a light green kitchen. Its bright, cheerful and the color was chosen due to my love of gardening. Even on rainy days, such as today, it tends to make me feel refreshed. However, after years of the same green color - I have grown bored. I thought I was stuck with it because the back splash is a green glass tile and my husband will not let me change it. (I don't even dare suggest that project!)

Two weeks ago I gave my kitchen a mini make over. I put some of my favorite pieces in the kitchen. A giant painting with every color imaginable. I then added in pieces from around my house. An old red bowling pin being used on a bookshelf, a colorful vintage owl cookie jar which was stored in a cabinet, and a colorful array of cookbooks and serving dishes. I ran to my favorite store, Lola's, and picked up a few more accent pieces. (My favorite? A vintage red cabin sign that says Starbuck). I combined all that I love in this one room. I took it a step further and changed out the chairs. I placed mismatched chairs around my table. Final result... I don't even notice the green back splash. Its now a supporting character instead of the star. I am amazed by how adding a few "pops"  color a room could be completely transformed!

A touch of any color and change the feeling of a space.

Vintage Cabin Sign - One of my favorites!!

Summer color inspiration:

Colors inspiration by Circa Ceramics

When deciding on paint colors, take inspiration everywhere. Do you have a favorite piece of artwork? The days of "matchy-matchy" are over. If you like turquoise, pull in a piece that color. The entire room doesn't have to be the same three colors anymore. Don't be afraid of color either! Color is where you personality has room to scream out!! Like red? Use it boldly! Love tangerine? Accent with it. Want a pink nightstand? Do it! Your husband won't have to live in a pink bedroom, but you can still the color!

Here are some great examples of using color:

An amazing table from Someday Violet @ Lola's

The yellow bunny pops, and instantly updates the old piano.

The turquoise tray adds visual excitement for your eye.

What is not to love about this???

While on facebook, I stumbled upon this company in Wilmington, North Carolina called The Wookey Hole . I love how they transform vintage furniture pieces! They showcase before and after photos which will inspire you!
 

Take a look:

A daring transformation that works!

BEFORE....

 ... AFTER

 BEFORE...

...AFTER

So, don't throw away that old furniture. Transform it.
Reinvent your living space.
Brighten up your room. Blend in new colors.

Show your personality in the way you live!

 

That is Living Lola Style!

Send us photos of your transformed furniture or spaces. You may inspire someone else!

- Stacey Olson

Stacey Olson is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

HAVE A SEAT

[RedBird Style Chairs]

I think I'll soon be known as "that chair lady" here in n.e. Illinois, and with good reason! 

I'm powerless to resist the charms of even the plainest-Janest chair or stool. This all started when I spotted 4 green metal folding chairs at a shop in my hometown.  I knew I had to have them! And although I didn't know what I'd do with them, they soon were sporting grain sack stripe seats and numbers! 

SOLD! - Green Metal Folding Chairs

I think that for me and for whomever buys a RedBird chair, they are about being one-of-a-kind and not seen everywhere.  They definitely make a statement in a home and border on being kind of edgy!  They do provide lots of rustic cottage charm, though, and without being cutsie!  Just say NO to cutsie!  Be sure to visit the shop often for more RedBird-style chairs (and pillows!) 

SOLD! - Folding Wooden Chair with '6'

SOLD! - Motel Chair with "RedBird Cottage'

Swiss Cross Primitive Milking Stool

Vintage Stadium Seats with 1952 Army Tent Fabric

Pillow Made from a 1952 Army Tent & Childs Metal Folding Chair

Vintage Seed Bag Pillow & An Industrial Red Chair

- Kay Holsted, Guest Contributor

Kay Holsted is the owner of RedBird Vintage Home. Her boutique in Lola's is a combination of industrial, rustic modern, and is vintage inspired - a style she refers to as "New Farmhouse." View Kay's line of pillows on Etsy.

MIDWEST LIVING

[Getting ready for visitors]

Corner of Franklin and Washington Street, Downtown Morris, IL

Yesterday, we were pleased to welcome visitors from Midwest Living Magazine. They walked through our store, asking questions and snapping photos. Their comments: "I love that store! I am so glad we went in there!" We were thrilled by their visit, but honestly, getting ready was half of the fun. Making sure Lola's and our two new boutiques were 'camera ready' was a fun, group effort. We dusted, decorated and laughed along the way. While the store is picture perfect, we wanted to share a few photo's... Hopefully it will inspire you to visit Lola's soon!

There is always something new @ Lola's!

Lola's. Gifts, Books, Wine & more.

Home Decorating and Lifestyle Books.

Grilling 'Must-haves' and Entertaining items. 

Gifts for everyone on your list!



Decorating inspiration - like the wall of frames.

Wedding (& party) planning idea's

Kitchen Kitsch: Cook books, Aprons & Vintage Flatware.

Unique wines that pair well with food!

Kids items to keep any age entertained.

Ask! We love to help you find the perfect gift!!

Wine Tastings every Friday 4-6pm.

Boutique by RedBird Vintage Home

A new boutique featured in Lola's.

Great Cottage Gifts and Decor.

Hand Stenciled Pillows..

Vintage Decor and Decorating Magazine.

Treasures for the Gardener.

Explore RedBird Vintage Home!

Boutique by Someday Violet

Another feaured boutique at Lola's.

Vintage Inspired Sewing Creations.

Pillows, Bags, and Lavender Sachets.

Adorable Doorway Puppet Theaters.

Little Guy Tie - a favorite!

 Every time you shop at Lola's, its a new adventure.

Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 7pm

GOOD DEEDS

[SHARE THE LOVE]

"Let no good deed go unpunished."
 - Oscar Wilde

eco.love Riesling: good wine,  good deed & good shopping (@Lola's)

At Lola's we say, "Let no good deed go unrewarded."
...and its even sweeter if the reward is wine!

eco.love Wines

eco.love winery believes that everybody can be innovative and creative in their own way, eco.love Wines is their way. It’s their vision to create wines that enrich a celebration of life, beauty, and optimism, for the betterment of humankind. eco.love Wines is all about being accessible, beautiful, sustainable, and tasty!

Sustainability

eco.love wines are made in New Zealand at the first carboNZero ^Cert™ winery in the world, made possible through our partnership with the New Zealand Wine Company Ltd. This means a sustainable approach to farming, composting and wine making, utilizing clean production methods throughout. They also use recycled glass for our bottles, natural inks for labeling and ensure the continual restoration of a natural wetland habitat beside the winery.

The McBride Sisters

The Reward

The McBride sisters,  Andrea and Robin, own the eco.love winery. They try to do good things while producing good wine! As our good deed for you, Lola's carries the eco.love Riesling. Its a fruity, and juicy style of wine. Enjoy this wine outdoors, with your friends (or sister), and a nice plate of cheese.

"Human Kindness, no matter how small, can change your life. I have so many people to thank that have shaped me through simple acts. I try to return the favor, by passing it on." - Andrea McBride, co owner of eco.love wines

What is Share the Love?
Share the Love is a good deed collective, develped by the McBride sisters. It's a place to get involved and show your kindness, sense of humor, generosity, good intention, whatever makes you…YOU right now. 

Click for iPhone App

How it works:

1. Do a good deed
2. Post your description / image / video.   
3. Click to share the deed with your friends
4. Log at least 5 good deeds 
5. receive “mates rates”.

Lola's Good Deed

A good deed should be done simply for that warm warm fuzzy feeling in heart. (But, that's not the way the word works, does it?) Bring the "mates rates" code into Lola's. Receive 15% your purchase of eco.love wine. Please note: the "mates rates" code on Share the Love may say 25% off, but our mark-up at Lola's is so low, we can only offer 15%. (That is at least something good, right?).

Go do a good deed ... now!

Share and Inspire

Download the free eco.love iPhone app to share your deeds. [click here] If you don't have an iPhone, you can still participate. Share 5 good deeds here, on Living Lola Style. They don't have to be all at once. Share your good deeds as you perform them, and inspire others. Once you post 5, Lola's will email you the 'mates rates' code. Its an easy way to be rewarded for your good deeds! (Share this with your friends too!)

QUIPS & QUOTES

[Smile and the world will smile with you.]

Quotes, Quips, Mementos and Photographs can bring a smile to our face and inspire us. Some stash quotes in a file on their phone; some plaster inspirational photo's on the walls; and others stash away memento's in hidden boxes. However you organize the things that inspire you just make sure you bring them out whenever you are feeling down or need a boost of creativity.

Here are some original ways to store your inspirational thoughts.

Write favorite quotes on rocks and keep them displayed in bowl.

Write quotes on pretty paper and store in a clear jar.

Start an inspiration journal. Its a therapeutic creative release.

Here are a few quotes to jot down:

• Sometimes I have to remind myself that I don't have to do what everyone else is doing.
• Be the type of person you want to meet.
• Wake up everyday with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.
• Be nice whenever possible... it is always possible!