Free Printable Art (update: now 2 versions!)

Last post, I was talking about layered mantelscapes and mentioned some of the things I hoped to include on our new mantel when we move. One thing I want to include is a framed graphic of one of my favorite Bible verses, Psalm 19:14. So today I created one in Photoshop to go with the projected color scheme in the space, and I’ve made it free for you to access for yourself!

click the image to download

As far as frames go, I’m not sure what to do. I was originally thinking an aged gold frame, but after playing in Photoshop I’m not sure it works with the colors in the print.

The direction we are going for the entire house is modern with rustic natural elements, so now I’m thinking something ultra textural, like rope or rough wood…or these cool wood rounds. Here are some Photoshop mock-ups. The images of the frames are not good quality since I just copy and pasted from Google images, but it gives the general idea.

Hope you like it!

Do you have a favorite verse or quote you’d like made into art? Contact me and we can make something happen! Click here to send me a message!

**UPDATE!*** Here’s another version of the same verse! Click to download.

Linking up here, here, here, and here.

Exposed Brick Walls

With the strong possibility of us being homeowners in about a month, both Calder and I’s mind have been reeling with project ideas! Our house is an old home (built in 1900) with brick exterior walls and party walls. The wall between us and our neighbors (we’re the end unit of a triplex) runs the entire length of our house and we are playing with the idea of exposing the brick. It’s visible from every room except the basement. Once we get the official approval (talk about a long process…) I will post pictures of the actual place so you can see what wall I’m talking about!

Calder wants to leave it red…if it is red haha we won’t know until we uncover it…and I want to whitewash it. I think red brick is also beautiful, but will be too overwhelming for our space. However, I’m loving the more subtle, yet still highly textured look that the white washed brick achieves.

This London apartment is to die for. Click the picture for a full tour! (Bedroom pictured below)

This is the same kitchen pictured above but with moodier lighting. The picture links to a DIY tutorial for whitewashing brick if you’re interested!

So what is your vote? Are you guys fans of exposed brick? Do you prefer it white washed or are you not partial to either style?

Business Expansion!

A month or so ago I shared about my business venture called Main Street Charm offering e-design packages. Well, now I also offer graphic design of invitations, announcements, thank you cards, and whatever else type of stationary product you can think of!

Pricing is $15 for complete custom design and $5 for previously designed products (includes customization of name and information).

Contact me if you’re interested!

Be sure to “like” my facebook page to stay updated with new additions and promotions!

Wood Palette Fun!

Wood palette’s have been popping up a lot lately in DIY projects. I love their rustic characteristics. Check out these fun inspiration pictures! All images were found on Pinterest.

I love the idea of using it as a gallery space. One big frame for lots of smaller ones! The addition of the small trinkets gives it even more depth of character.

This shows how you can cut them to make shelves. I just now noticed those are picture frames in there, not books! That is definitely a creative way to display your framed pictures…although I have to say I would prefer to be able to see the whole thing. I like the idea for cookbooks in the kitchen or children’s books in a bedroom though!

This person just used the palette as is for a headboard. Love that idea. You could also paint it if you wanted. PS that antler necklace holder is pretty awesome as well. Maybe that’s what I’ll tell my husband we can use the antlers for when he finally gets his buck hunting! 😉

Now this is an idea I can really get into! I like how the heels can hang on the outside while the flats can fit easily into the slots. I can’t tell right away how they made this but I bet with some thought and careful studying of the images you could figure it out!

Here is an idea for those of you who like gardening! It is perfect for a condo or apartment space that only has a small outdoor balcony. Just make sure you get enough sun for the types of plants you use. You could also implement it into a bigger garden as well as a point of interest!

This one is similar to the first one but they kept the slats evenly spaced to create a more sectioned off display area. It goes great in this rustic kitchen and the beautiful stoneware.

Who knew one object could be so versatile?! Do you have a favorite from these images? Or do you have any other ideas of how to use wood palettes creatively? Does anyone else keep wanting to spell it “pallete” like I do?! Haha. Have a great weekend everyone!

Card Catalog Re-do

If you’re like me, you had to look up what I card catalog was when you first heard the name. And if you’re like me you loved what you saw after you looked it up!

Today I am headed to Colorado Springs to visit my friend Caitlin. They just moved there in March (we were so happy to have them move close to us again!) and I have been helping her here and there with getting her house set up!

She is also a pro craigslist shopper and garage saler. Seriously, this girl should write a book! So when she told me she wanted to get a card catalog (it was at this time that I learned what it was!) off craigslist or at a garage sale and spruce it up I was all for helping out! She ended up finding a piece that is more like a dresser but with card catalog tendencies.. so it will be fun to see what we come up with! Here are some inspiration photos I have been looking at and if we get it done tomorrow I will be sure to make a before and after post!

This is one of my absolute favorites. I love the color, I love the legs, I love the brass/gold hardware. Check out this amazing before and after at design sponge right here.

I also love the idea of decoupaging the drawers with a fun fabric like in this example!

We could paint it in varying hues of the same color as demonstrated here…

Or paint the drawers all different colors!

Here is a nice before and after shot!

I am excited to see what we can make! What do you guys think of card catalogs? I think they have so much charm and character, and I remember my grandma had an asia inspired one in her house and I would have a blast opening and closing all those drawers…I bet she loved that…haha.

Bathroom Design Concepts

As you may know, I have been working on a bathroom redesign project with my friend. Her mom is the client and the bathroom is her 3 daughters’. Here are some concept boards I presented at our last meeting! They are all pretty different styles, but all with a light and soothing feel. She wants it to be reminiscent of a spa (who wouldn’t want a bathroom that felt like a spa?!). Check them out!

This one would be mostly white with pops of bright color! For the board I chose tangerine and lime green, but it could be any bright colors.

This one is much softer in color palette with several feminine touches. It is the girliest of the concepts, but I really like it!

This one brings in the natural accents that are often found in a spa with a very light & neutral color scheme.

This is the direction the client decided to head towards!

Again, these are just concept board to give a general idea of what the room will look/feel like. Actual material choices may vary! I am excited to share pictures of the finished product, whenever that time may come!

Do you have a favorite?!

Shower Curtains!

I mentioned a few posts back that I am working on a bathroom redesign right now. Right now we are in the early stages and I created a few boards to show different concepts we could go for (which I’ll probably share in a future post) but as I was creating them I included a shower curtain example on each board. I was amazed at all the variety in shower curtains and while it may seem weird to dedicate an entire post to them, I’m going to do it anyway 🙂 A shower curtain is a great (an inexpensive) way to make a big impact in your bathroom space! There are so many patterns and colors it can really help create a cohesion in your design. Check out these different examples!

I just love the bold colors and patterns in this Kate Spade”Candy Shop” shower curtain, found at Bed Bath & Beyond.

This one is found at Target and is by Boho Boutique called “Haute Hippie.”

How fun would this one be for a kid’s bathroom! Also found at Target.

I LOVE this ikat design from World Market. It features Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s color of the year.

This is a modern interpretation of a more traditional pattern. It gives off a very airy and relaxing vibe! Available at West Elm.

Bold stripes are always a classic. Also from West Elm.

This is a very feminine pattern that has a country chic feel. “Vintage Chic Brompton” from Bed Bath & Beyond.

The ruffles on this option are a good way to add texture, especially with a monochromatic color scheme. Available at Target.

With trends always changing, it may seem hard (and expensive!) to keep up. If you are really loving a certain trend but are wondering if it is worth it to change anything in the space, keep in mind that by just changing your shower curtain, your paint color, and maybe some accessories, you can inexpensively change to whole feel of your bathroom.

Stay tuned for a peek at some full concept boards soon!

West Elm Obsession

So I just looked through the most recent West Elm catalog and I wish I could buy out that store! I haven’t really ever that I can think of seen something there I didn’t like. Anyway, I thought i’d share some of my favorites!

I just love the texture in this and how it brings such a natural feel to the room.

This duvet looks SO comfy and has such casual elegance.

These floor poufs are so fun and can be used for extra seating or as a table when a tray is placed on top!

This mirror has a great character and gives off a bit a retro vibe with a modern feel.

I’m loving the bold simplicity of these platters. How fun would it be to serve food on them!

They had so many fun vases to choose from. I personally think vases are some of the best accessories to add either color, texture, or just personality to a room!

Dream Job: stage the photos for west elm’s catalog…hmm how does one make that happen?

Now let me go harvest the crop from my money tree and get to shopping! 😉

http://www.westelm.com if you’d like to join me!

Bathroom Design

Right now I am working on a side interior design project with my friend Melissa from design school! She lives here too and since we’ve moved here Melissa and I have gotten the chance to hang out several times and grow our friendship. Her mom wants to re-do their bathrooms and Melissa so generously included me in this project! So far we’ve just started but today I was pulling some inspiration photos and I thought I’d share them 🙂

Melissa’s mom mentioned she wanted it to feel like a european spa, so I started with looking for images of actual European Spas! I love the natural elements against the bright white spaces in these photos:

Also, we were to steer clear of earth tones. I pulled a couple potential schemes from Design Seeds and these are a couple of my favorites! (ps- you should def check out design seeds if you haven’t before, it’s awesome!)

I also found some images of potential features to include. I absolutely LOVE glass mosaic tile and I think these inset shower storage cubbies are a great place to feature it:

This piece of art is actually a secret medicine cabinet…how COOL is that?! I want one! I’m trying to figure out if it is possible to DIY this with an existing mirrored medicine cabinet. If you have any ideas please share!

This image reveals the secret…

They have a very LARGE builder’s grade mirror, but it is very functional for them because at any given time there could be 3+ girls doing their makeup and hair in there. But I found these examples of how to beatify that builder’s mirror you may have in your home! Tutorial HERE.

I would love to do this mirror thing in my own home if I have a builder’s mirror in the future.

I am having a lot of fun with this project–it’s like I’m back in studio minus all the outside stressors of other classes! As the project progresses I’ll be sure to post updates! I also hope to continue to be able to do interior design related side jobs regardless of what day job I end up with, so if you have any design needs feel free to contact me! 🙂