Repeat=Chic

Y'all, here's a HOT tip...repetition makes for one stylish space, if done in the right way. No, this isn't some ancient technique passed down by the decorators of yesteryear...it's really current and makes a huge impact in a space...what is it? This:

By taking a pattern, whether it be a wallpaper or fabric and repeating it on multiple surfaces in one space, you get repetition (this also applies to well-edited collections/collectibles, btw). Sometimes you also get a massive migraine too but there's pills for that...ingest, y'all! This treatment can be a chic way to really amp up the glamour and drama in a space, particularly one that's smaller or has peculiar architecture, like an dormer room. I know it seems counterproductive to completely envelope a tee-niny room in a cra cra pattern, but when executed well, the endless repetition, tends to erase the physical structure & boundaries of the room, so you're left with a seemingly vast expanse of space. Are y'all keeping up?

I use repetition a lot in my work, but have never gone full-on immersion like the above genius example...until now. Our bathroom is a cute spot and will make the perfect place to have a pattern blow out! YES! Here's what it looks like: I have this amazing shower curtain that I scored from Urban Outfitters, that sadly enough, is no longer available on their website: So since I can't buy more shower curtains to use as fabric for the wall treatment (which depending upon the specific application, isn't a practical thing in a bathroom anyway)...I'll be painting this pattern, by hand! Uh huh, I'm an absolute d.i.y. dork that way and I enjoy self-torture! But, since it's so organic and hand drawn-looking as it is-- I feel confident that I can re-create it, even if it's not perfect. I'm also going to play with scale of the pattern, just to give it more dimension when it's on the walls...and since I have existing tile work partly covering every wall, I don't have to paint as much...holla! If y'all were to tackle a similar project, remember you don't have to go to such extreme lengths by hand painting a pattern b/c there's a ton of fabrics that are also available as wallpapers or some fabrics can be used with spray starch and made into wallpapers as well...check out my former co-worker and friend, Kristin Appenbrink's post about it on Real Simple's Simply Stated blog, here. And check back soon for progress posts on this project! You're forewarned-- It may take a minute, y'all!

Disa REVEALED!

Y'all, it's been a wonderful journey and I'm thrilled to share the results of Disa's House Of Destiny...special shout out to Hector Sanchez, who's an amazing photographer and a great friend...and thanks to Disa and family for putting up with all of the cra cra! Enjoy:

And of course, for the REAL Disa diehards...check out this special bonus 'behind the photo shoot' video to learn some indispensible table-setting tips!

It's Thrift Whore Thursday, y'all!

There's very few things in life that delight me more than a thrift store. Or whores. So put the two together and throw in a thursday and you've got a situation as 'licious as when peanut butter met chocolate. Yummy!At a recent stop into Goodwill I spied all kinds of treasures that just had to be shared...

Some things have real potential, like this:

Cute enamel fondue set, $8.99? Well, shut the fu%$ you!!! And this poor soul is either just lost in heinous forever or, with the right paint treatment and modern shade will style slap us all into America-Home-of-the-Free-liberty-realness! Ding a ling and spray her with some paint already!

That must be a dinner bell going off, 'cause look who's at attention right here:

But don't fluff, er fret, y'all 'cause these babies are a score: And this just screamed at me, she's so cute: Creating a stylish space is about having pieces that truly reflect the unique people who live in it. So, whether y'all are looking for kitsch or class, I hereby style slap y'all to take a minute and stop into your local thrift shop. They're like a value candy store filled with treasures, inspiration/ideas, and hiliarities...you just have to keep an open mind. Plus your purchases usually go towards a good cause, which is never a bad thing. Happy hunting whores!

It's Disa time!!!

Y'all it's been bed bath and BEYOND forever since our last Disa episode-- so sorry!!! A cliffhanger was never intended for the season, but sometimes a telenovela like ours can get turned around-- y'all know how it is...decorating is DRAMA! What follows is a culmination of the past several visits (& projects) to Disa's Maplewood manse on our road to completion served up in one scrumptious video feast...savor it y'all! Massive holla shout out to Dylan, btw, who made this masterpiece possible...love you! Cue fog machine:

Sweet Monday

Y'all there are tons of things to do when family comes to visit in NYC, but one of the best, by far, is Dylan's Candy Bar!!!

There's all kinds of sweet treats to enjoy but even more decorating 'lisciousness to be had...look at all this yummy:

Talk about color and pattern inspiration?!? Or what about making your own custom candy light box, like those stairs-- genius! Or imagine a wallpaper accent wall done in THAT pattern?! And yes, this is a gumball tabletop-- incredible!

True that, y'all! Enjoy!!!

REVEAL! Office! Dreams! Destiny!

Y'all, it's time to get some full-on eye candy! The office is complete, woohoo, BUT before any hot reveal action can occur, have to let y'all know about a slight curve ball with the design plan/furniture solution. I'd found those awesome Ikea desk/combo units (see previous post for pic) which my client was totally on board with. But then she wasn't liking the fact that when configured in the space, they would partially block the inspiration boards that would be retrofitted over the existing soundproof windows. And baby just can't have ANY kind of blockage...ok? Y'all know that's right...flush IT! So, with some slight design adjustments, each worker will now get to rock these as their desks...

Desktop:

Base 1 (right side):

Base 2 (left side):

I love this new solution! The butcher block desk tops will give us warmth...the bases will serve us lots of yummy storage (hide those computer towers whenever y'all can, biotches!)...mix them all together and you've got yourselves some kind of sassy-chic-home-away-from-home PR/communications office realness!

And just so y'all know how hands-on I am with all my projects...take a look at this mini mountain that I was pushing around Ikea:

But trust that mountain was conquered and an office was born, y'all:

Obvi, chairs will move in along with computers and the other inevitable office trappings, but this baby is ready to rock and roll! I'm really pleased with how it turned out and more importantly, my client (& her staff) have had their new office dreams AND destinies fulfilled! What more could I ask for in life, y'all?

Office Plan

My client threw me a conundrum, or tried to anyway, when she tells me that she needs me to decorate her new office. For a staff of four. In one room. Short sentences with periods equal drama. The pics are in the previous post...here's my plan of attack:

If y'all can't tell what in hell is going on with my sketch, here's the actual product sheet:

I love these cool Ikea desk/bookcase combo units! The lamps are just tres chic, no matter what day of the week it is. Cute cork and metal desk organizers. Clients' existing office chairs are gorg, so they're being re-used, which we love, not only for the environment, but also for the budget. And can we all just writhe around all over that cowhide rug? Go ahead, y'all writhe!!! YES! Clearly, I'm going for a very black and white/neutral color palette. Client is in PR/Communications...she's way hip and way savvy. I wanted to keep her workspace light and airy and unfussy. Let the color come in with her custom inspiration boards...oh, wait...I didn't mention those yet?

So, y'all saw the pics of the atrocious interior soundproof windows...I'm proposing we retrofit them as giant inspiration/bulletin boards! Made from what? C'mon y'all...HOMOSOTE!!! Call back! That's right, we're gonna just cut some homosote to size and take those odd windows and make them work for us! I'll upholster these with a nice neutral linen and frame them out with some chunky molding/trim...and since there are two windows in the space, this new office will score double bulletin board value so client can pin her PR & communications for days on end!

We'll just re-use the existing window treatments and give that space a fresh coat of white paint...and voila-- new office! Stay tuned for more process shots as it all comes together!

Ready...Set...Office!

One of my interior clients needed a new office-- fast and cheap (like my lovers)! As most of y'all know, that's a challenge I'm always up for...sassy scandals! Oh and this room has to comfortably accomodate four peeps...here's the new spot: Uh-huh I've always taken issue with interior windows in spaces, but actually, y'all, this is a former recording studio, so those are actually pretty standard fare. It's soundproofed and hung on a weird angle, that you can't really see in the pics, but I've got a plan for that mess...here's more BEFORE office eye candy: Stay tuned to see my design solution(s) on how I'm going to make this space really sing!!!

Bring me my bulletin board 2- Boards!

It's time to get down and DIY dirty, y'all, with some hot bulletin board action...here's what we're making, in case y'all are too lazy to click to the last post:

Here's what y'all need to do: -measure out your inset panel, height and width, or whatever area you want to create a bulletin board in...and then measure it again...of note: this area should be at least 1/2" deep, if you plan on insetting a bulletin board into it and then framing it out...this will make more sense later, keep reading... -get yourself to a home center or building supply store to purchase the following: * homosote (hee, hee...I typed HOMO y'all!) This is the material that will become your bulletin board. It's normally used for soundproofing and it comes in 4' x 8' sheets (1/2" thick) for around $25-$30 per sheet. Homosote is a great material for bulletin boards b/c it's cheap, extremely durable and can be painted or upholstered to suit your style. Check this guerilla footage of me cutting my homosote right in the Home Depot PJcuttinghomosote, shot by the uber-talented genius, Chris White Here's what I ended up with: *molding/trim- y'all can get as fancy here as you like, I chose a more classic, simplistic profile to stay in line with the existing architecture of my apt so the look is more seamless when completed: Trimming your bulletin board out isn't necessary, but it will give you a much more polished look. You're basically making a picture frame for your bulletin board, like this:

This requires cutting the trim using a miter saw. If you aren't comfy doing this, see if you can bat your eyelashes or push up your 'girls' or 'boys-- whatever you're rockin'-- and persuade an associate at home center to cut trim for you in the dimensions you need. You can also purchase a miter box and handsaw kit that's really easy to use and less drama than a power tool.

*construction adhesive

*finishing nails,countersink & wood putty

*hammer

*level

*paint and/or fabric & batting, staple gun

Once you've gotten your goodies, it's time to get your construction on.

*Apply small dime-sized blobs of adhesive to the inset area on door. Next place your piece of homosote carefully into the panel and hold firmly for a good 20 to 30 seconds. Kind of run your hands all over that shiot to make sure the adhesive blobs spread out and begin to work their sticky magic. *Next, line up your pre-cute molding/trim to one side edge, the trim should slightly cover part of the cut edge of bulletin board AND the door. Be sure the length of molding matches up to the length of the seam you'll be covering...test that the top piece of molding fits at a perfect 90-degrees when held in place to the side edge molding piece. If y'all have a doorknob that you want to cut around, carefully remove the doorknob. Holding your piece of molding in place on the front side, carefully trace the curvature from the backside-- through the existing doorknob hole-- make sense? Cut away curvature from the trim. Now, nail your finishing nails every 12" or so, through the molding into the door. Countersink them. Fill with putty, let dry and sand. Fast tip: y'all can use a drywall spackle in place of wood putty for filling the nailholes-- it dries faster, and it's paintable! Here's what I've got: If y'all don't want to paint your bulletin board, you can upholster it...you'd do this BEFORE you install your trim. Wrap your board with batting, then your fabric of choice and staple. Super easy. Now this is what I call a BULLETIN BOARD!!! (Note: I use t-pins in place of more traditional push pins b/c I like how they look and since they're so long/strong, I can pin up a lot of shiot without them popping back out at me!) I love how it turned out and the fact that I have this much more space for my pinning pleasure is incredible! Remember, I also did the same project on the backside of my closet door, here's what that looks like: I'm not gonna lie to y'all, this project will take a minute, but it's totally worth it! Remember to always measure twice and cut once! Now go get your bulletin board on!!!

Bring me my Bulletin Board!

You’ve most likely heard the edict, ‘Make your walls work for you’ and if you haven’t, well, then…make your walls work for you. But I’m going to get all kinds of cra cra on yo asses and declare, ‘Make your doors work for you!’ Uh huh! Scandal! Y’all didn’t realize your doors could do more for you than just open and close? Oh Dahling…have I got a post for you…

With my ever-expanding style empire, ahem ahem, I found myself in need of a large bulletin board. Y’all know, to pin up all that style and what not. But since my apt walls are almost filled to capacity, I was going to have to get creative and carve out another spot for my pinning pleasure. Hello closet door! Just behind my desk in my office area, is my prop closet with a door that has a inset panel just begging to be used! At 1 ft wide and over 5 ft high, somebody just got themselves a big ole bulletin board. Actually, TWO b/c the back of the door has the same inset! Now, that’s what I call a double style backslap! But before any slapping can begin, I've got work to do...and so will y'all when you decide to take yourselves there and make this tangy treat for your space...check back tomorrow to get all the dirty DIY details...yummy!

Cheap chic served at Target!

En route to a beach housewarming party, Dyl and I put on our big girl panties to brave Target Atlantic Center on a Saturday. Which for those of y'all who've experienced this firsthand, you know I speak the truth...this isn't just some 'Dynasty' tv show drama...this is full on Tar-ghetto at its finest, y'all! Well, well, imagine my joy upon seeing this graphic greet us at the door:

Awww, that's a puppy after my own value-driven heart...y'all know biotch loves a bargain! And lo and behold, we found these wicker wrapped glasses on clearance that were just too cute to pass up, ruff ruff!

Have y'all ever beheld so much joy? That's not a glare from the glasses, oh no...that's bargain shining through!! HOT! And at $4.18 a pop, our new homeowner will have the happiest AND warmest home on the block! Cheers!

A ray of sunshine in an Ikea runner!!!

Y'all, the good folks at Ikea must just be beyond exhausted, what with all the style sass they're constantly serving us...just yesterday I was in the Brooklyn store and was style slapped by this new runner:

I'm just j'adoring the fun, poppy stripes of this beauty...AND the fact that she's a mere $24.99 is just icing on a cinnamon bun!!! (of which we bought a dozen before leaving the store-- oh shiot, yes!!!)

The rug is called Barbro Rand and it's 6'7"L x 2'x7"W...get more details here...I also love the fact that b/c she's a flat weave, I can customize her to fit whatever dimensions I need without all kinds of binding/fraying drama...genius!

So go on and get y'all some Ikea Barbro Rand action for an easy splash of summer style 'lisciousness...the yummy cinnamon buns are optional, of course!!!

Sunset Stitchery

It's no secret that I'm slightly obsessed with vintage yarn art and embroidery...so, imagine my joy upon discovering these beauties while thrifting on vacation in Birmingham:

This absolute score is actually three different vintage unopened embroidery kits that include the printed design on cotton mesh, wool yarn AND needles-- for $2.99 each! Ahhh, Salvation Army Family Store still knows how to slay us with some value, y'all...

There's "Mountain Springtime" (this gal would've cost $24.00 from JC Penney, according to the original price sticker still attached)

"Apple Time" (Her sticker says she was $15.99 at The Craft Showcase, but poor thing was reduced to $10.39 and still no one bought her! Damn!)

And of course, the serendipitous: "Lazy Days" (Oh shiot, The Craft Showcase was also selling her for just $14.99, but no one got off their lazy ass to buy back then-- I sure as hell did!)

I'm not certain how these gloriously heinous kits will become my latest works of art...wall hangings?...pillows? but trust, y'all, that something scrumptious will be served and stitched right into my collection!!!

Brooklyn Bedroom REVEALED

Nov 9th was my last post? Oh shiot, I guess I’m overdue for a giant Alexis Colby Style Slap right about now…but hold that hand, y’all! For the past couple months I’ve started my own LLC, Alchemy Eclectic, gotten three new interior dec projects and have still been prop styling! In fact, as I type this, I’m in the middle of a two week gig in San Francisco for Pottery Barn Bed & Bath – so, shut the FU*@ YOU! Love y’all, Grandbaby Blog A Dazzlers!!! I’m excited to finally be able to share pics from a Brooklyn bedroom I designed almost two years ago…shot by the wonderfully talented Bob Martus.

The room(s) already had this delicious architectural detail, but to make it a real feast, a two-toned paint treatment was added. Yummy!

Like most spaces in NYC, closets are virtually non-existent, so a potentially awkward nook was commandeered as a dressing room.

My client is a real dude, not necessarily a clothes-horse per se, but ANYONE can appreciate a room-turned-closet that’s tricked out with lots of stylish yet functional storage and a statement mirror! Your closets don’t have to be ugly, folks!

Overall, I think this space rocks! It’s just the right mix of modern and vintage...masculine and feminine…

I love that a questionable nook was turned out and became a swank dressing "den"! Hello Don Draper! I also j'adore the celebration of phenomenal architecture with that modern graphic paint treatment! So, hopefully I've given y'all a little somethin' somethin' to make up for my absence...rest assured, there's much more Dazzle goodness yet to come!

Y'all, go get your Art on!

The art you choose to display in your space says a lot about "who" you really are... it's not just a style statement... it can be a real journey into the psyche of the folks who live there... sometimes that's a trip you're eager to take-- especially when we're talking about yummy vintage yarn art-- holla-- or, it can be territory that's best left uncharted. Meaning, anything incorporating LED lights. And scene. Thankfully, the good peeps over at art.com have trusted yours truly to offer up my picks for adding some pizazz to your place... I tried to corral a varied collection of art, without loosing my style stamp of approval. Currently they're featuring a gallery of floral and nature themed art that I selected. Check out my gallery here (just scroll down and click my face - y'all know you want to)... even if my suggestions don't backslap you, you're sure to find something that will help tell the world who you really are!

The bath mat that changed my life...

More often than not, I find myself mired in some sort of decorating dilemma or another. I'm looking for a certain THING for my apartment, a lamp, a coffee table, window treatments...whatever it is. I scour the market trying to find what I want, and a lot of times-- like a lover-- I find the perfect match! HOT! But, usually, the solution requires that I take matters into my own hands...oh ecstasy! And that's when things get all d.i.y. dirty up in Patrician Court, y'all! Such was the case when I was looking for a hallway runner. I wanted something patterned, narrow and long. Most NYC apartment hallways aren't these grand wide spaces that can accomodate the standard 2'.5" x 7' runners that you see all over the market. Even if you go for it, at best, you're getting the look of a stubby wall to wall runner and we don't generally respond well to stubby here at Blog-A-Dazzle. No, no. Besides, our hallway has a kick ass mahogany inlay, why would I want to cover up an inlay, y'all?! Shut the &$ck you, I wouldn't! And neither should you! So, my runner had to be between 18"-22" wide and at least 8' long. We'd found a temporary fix that was as plain jane as they come, but at least it was narrow AND cheap.

In the meantime I went hunting high and low for my perfect runner. And hunting. And hunting. Sweet summer skipped into azure autumn, leaves changed. Fall brought brisk nights, but no runner. Bummer. And then-- a random stop into West Elm changed my fate...forever. There, I found my runner...but not as I expected-- these things never are, folks-- it was a bath mat that seduced me!

Gorgeously patterned, soft and supple, 20" wide, $29 dollars!...and...what? Only 34" LONG?! Cruel, cruel fate! But don't cry for me, y'all...with some simple d.i.y. enhancements I spurned fate and now...for under $100 bucks, I have the runner of my dreams...and y'all can too. Here's how:

1. Purchase the quantity of mats that will equal the overall length you'll want when finished. I bought 3 to give me a little over 8'. Of note: be sure you confirm the widths of each of your bath mats by holding them up to one another before purchasing...I found there was some discrepancies with widths, though minor, even though it's the same bath mat. The widths must match up to look seamless. Lay them out on floor, end to end and then carefully remove the seams of the ends that are being joined, with a seam ripper.

2. Iron flat the loose ends of each bath mat that you removed seams from. Then, align them front to front.

You choose which sides you want to be your front. The pattern is on both sides of the mat, so see which two mats can match up as perfectly as possible...those should be your fronts. Note: the opposite end of your mat is already finished with a hem, so you can simply let that hem dictate which side is your front. Otherwise, you'll have to re-do that end hem as well if you switch it.

Pin the loose ends together, on the back side, being mindful to line up patterns. (I used T pins b/c the mats are somewhat thick and textured).

3. Carefully sew the two ends together. Be mindful to remove T pins as you sew. Go slow with this, y'all, the mats are textured and somewhat plush, so don't force your machine...she'll get angry and stop working!

4. Once sewn, lay rug, front side down. Iron out the two sides of your new seam.

Then trim off excess material.

Iron one last time and flip over your new rug, y'all! Safety first: make sure you use a non-slip rug pad and enjoy...our dog Brandon sure is!

Turkey Time with PJ & Essence magazine!

Y'all, believe it or not, Thanksgiving is just around the corner...and it's not too soon to begin your planning to avoid last-minute manic panic...might I recommend this amazing article in the November 2011 issue of Essence magazine? Yes, considering I styled AND am giving style tips in it, I just might! Get yourselves a copy & get ready for yummy, y'all:

Modern Anthology

Y’all don’t need me to tell you that NYC isn’t hurting for chic stores. That’s one of the best perks of my job is that I get paid to shop-- a lot. In doing so, I stumble upon some pretty amazing spots to get your style on. One of these is Modern Anthology.

Billing itself as “creative agency + retail lab”, this a double value discovery b/c in addition to the amazing store, they’re also a design firm. Genius style slap! Located in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn, this has to be one of the best stores I’ve seen in a long time. There wasn’t a single item that I wouldn’t be happy buying. From clothing & bedding to furniture & accessories, the sophisticated selection is extremely well edited, merchandised and just…well, cool. Think: hip big brother’s room that’s no longer off limits!

The “lab” just oozes masculinity, which explains why I was drawn in to begin with—heehee-- scandal! Vintage clothing, accessories & industrial furniture pieces are seamlessly mixed with awesome new offerings. This is the place y’all come when shopping for a gift for the guy who, “already has everything”. But make no mistake, thankfully, the owners of this place are total EOA--- Equal Opportunity Aesthetes--- giving guys AND gals the perfectly curated spot for some stylish retail therapy! Well played, my friends.

Kitchen Cabinet-liscious Complete!

It was a mere four days ago that our kitchen cabinets were serving some heapin' helpins of 'oak' horrendousness, only to be transformed with a super-easy paint job! Our kitchen is lighter, brighter and feels brand new! And shut the &$ck y'all, this makeover only cost me $60 in supplies! Now, this is what I call yummy, y'all!