8/30/12

NOVOGRATZ


Inspiring
Bold
Colorful
Creative
Urban
Funky
 

All those words, and many more can be used to describe the design team and married couple, Cortney and Robert Novogratz.
 
Robert & Cortney Novogratz with their 7 children.
 
They moved to New York 20 years ago with the philosophy of designing their own home to be a reflection of who they were. Now they create inspiring interiors with a vibrant style that mixes modern and vintage elements with a focus on artwork.
 
You can see their design process on 'Home by Novogratz', their HGTV shows which airs Saturdays at 6pm (central). Their television career began years ago with a Bravo show, '9 by Design', which gave America a taste of the Novogratz style and how they balance their work and home life. (They are parents to 7 children!). Most recently, they have wrote a book, 'Home by Novogratz' which will be available soon. You can follow the Novogratz Design Family: [http://thenovogratz.com/] with links to facebook, twitter and more.
 
Here are some of photo's their design projects. Use them as inspiration in your own home. Don't be afraid of color. Incorporate modern and vintage elements. Do the unexpected. Be creative. Most of all, your home should reflect your personality.
 


 



 


 


Update since original post
(Love this which was featured on the very next episode!)




8/29/12

HEADBOARDS

[Rest your weary head.]

My son and I taking a nap in our headboard-less bed.
While the above photo isn't necessarily flattering, it does prove a point. I am in need of a headboard!

Two years ago, my family moved from Colorado to Illinois. A time in our life we now refer to as, "The Two Year Vacation", due to the fact that we only lived there for a period of two years. That was a time of picturesque postcard scenes for my family. Blue skies and mountains everyday.
 
With our decision to move back to our home in Illinois, we rented a largest moving truck we could drive ourselves - and it still wasn't large enough. The truck had to carry all of our belongings. So, in an effort to bring only the most important items, my headboard had to stay behind.
 
A curtain is a cost effective alternative to a traditional headboard.

A curtain can help center a bed on a wall
and hide unwanted architectural elements such as windows.
 
 My husband and I have discussed purchasing a new headboard, but some other expense always ends up trumping. As you can see, another main issue in our headboard discussions is what to do with the window, which is off center, above our bed. I have seen curtains used as the headboard, to help center the bed on the wall, even with un-centered windows. (see above) While this is a great idea, its doesn't really feel like "us". I do like the idea of sheer curtains framing the bed as a make-shift canopy or four poster bed, as seen in this photo:
 
Curtains hung can give the illusion of a four poster bed.

 
 
 
 
Canopies aren't really my style. I like a more industrial feel, and not so formal. After much shopping, researching and planning - I received this email from my husband yesterday:

"Send me a photo of the headboard you want. I will build it."

Aren't those the sweetest words you have ever heard? Its not even my birthday? I have inundated his email with photos. I love the idea of repurposing wood to build this headboard. Finding so many amazing photo's, I decided, why not involve "everyone in this fun process?

Clever ideas:

 
This bookshelf ( available at Ikea)
hung sideways makes a useful headboard.

Old doors and a chandelier dress up a bed.
This looks great, but I can imagine my husband bumping his head on this old mantle.

Very bohemian and ecelctic for those who sew.
(I am not one of those who sew.)
 
After much consideration, I decided we should make our "new" headboard out of old barnwood. Here a few of my favorites I am using as inspiration:

Looks like an old pallet.
 
Almost there... I like this one.

And, (drum roll, please) this is my favorite:

 
So, there you go. Hopefully within the next few weeks, this will be my new headboard. I will post photos once the project is completed.
 
- Stacey Olson, Featured Contributor
Stacey Olson is a Featured Contributor to the Living Lola Style blog.

8/24/12

FLASHCARDS

This time of year always brings the same thing... proud (or relieved) parents posting photo's on facebook of their children's first day of school. Well, embrace this Back to School time of year with some creative decorating inspiration using flashcards!
 
Frame the alphabet in a playroom or bedroom. Adorable!
 
Funky wall decor? Why not! 
 
Framing vintage flashcards are a creative way to express a message. Frame cards with your favorite sayings (bake), reminders (do dishes), mark important dates (2+6 , if your anniversary is the 26th) or my favorite, find your house number(12+5, if your house number is 125). The idea's are limitless.
 
One word framed can, in reality, say a lot.

Frame a few flash cards to spell out a quote

A grouping of flashcards makes a big impact.

Flashcards are perfect for framing, but there are so many more creative uses for these vintage gems. The idea's are endless. No idea is wrong. What are your creative uses for flashcards???
 


Make unique gift tags with a vintage flair.

Sweet garland for any occasion.

Teachers, hang flashcards in your classroom window.

Be creative, like making these flashcard wallets.

Use flashcards as table numbers for a party.
 
Lola's always has unique items and merchandise to help promote creativity.  Want to spell out your favorite phrase, initials or numbers. Just ask, we love to share the creativity. Here a few favorites available at Lola's:
 
New arrival: vintage flashcards.
[Find your phrase only $1 each @ Lola's.]

 
 

 
 
Always popular, vintage game cards
Frame an initial or a spell out a phrase or name.
[$1.00 each @ Lola's]

 

 

Whimsical Kids Flashcards
Frame an initial or your child's favorite animal.
[$3- $5 each]
For flashcards and more vintage finds, visit Lola's
126 E. Washington Street, Morris, IL 60450
815-513-5788
Monday thru Saturday 9am - 7pm

INSPIRATION

 

8/22/12

SIMPLE STORAGE

Need storage ideas? Think outside the box, literally. Find a new purpose for old items. Recycling isn't only for paper or plastic. Reuse vintage items for organizing your house. Look at all that junk in your basement with a new attitude.
 
Here are a few simple storage ideas for inspiration:
 
Stow away picnic items in a vintage suitcase.
Bring the entire suitcase to your next picnic.

Vintage picnic baskets make perfect storage for larger items.
 Hide gloves, serving trays, craft supplies or toys in decorative picnic baskets.

Add caters to a vintage picnic basket.
Presto, you have an adorable and mobile table.

 Metal picnic baskets can serve as hidden storage in a kitchen.
Storage all your baking and decorating items out of sight.

Utilize an old wooden tool box for organized desk storage.
Fill it with glass jars full of paper clips, pins and other small items.

A recent Lola's customer bought some vintage tool boxes at the store.
Her idea? Attractively hide her office supplies.


Do you have clever new uses for everyday items?
Share your ideas by posting them here!

HOUSE VS HOME: CRATES

 
This quote is so true. Its not necessarily the things surrounding you which make a house a home, its the people you share your house with. People make the memories. Try incorporating pieces into your decorating that represent a memory.
Here is one example...
 
My husband grew up on a farm. He had his own poultry business by the time he was nine. He would collect eggs from his 200+ chickens and sell them to the local restaurants in town. He has a strange love of chickens. While my decorating is far from country, I look for ways to combine both of our interests into decorating. Here are some photos of creative ways to utilize chicken crates.
 
 
Add a casters to give a crate an industrial look.

Reinforced as risers under bed, crates add an element of outdoors. 


The hot trend in reusing crates is as an outdoor table.



Displays mulitples of any item makes a statement, including crates.

Roll it indoors or outdoors depending on your need.

Crates are agreat way to add storage in a small bathroom.

What a creative idea. The crate is the base for an outdoor chandelier.

Add old ban wood to the top of a crate to make a table.
My favorite!

A crate can become a casual coffee table by adding casters and glass.

Do you have other ideas on how to decorate with crates? Post them here! Looking for crates? My husband, the chicken lover, buys crates whenever he finds them. Currently there have three available at Lola's, retailing at $ 40.00 each.
 
It can't be said any clearer than the quote above... Make your house a home by filling it with memories and mementos of times with the ones you love. In my house, its chicken crates, camera's and vintage advertising signs. Think about what is a common thread throughout your favorite memories and incorporate it into your decorating.
 
- Stacey Olson

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