The Writing on the Wall

In my post last week about our livingroom, I mentioned framing a quote from a song we both love. Then I received a few emails asking what the lyrics said. The lyrics are "Love has no limit, lets spend it slow forever" the song is The Light by, Common featuring Eryka Badu. If your not familiar with the song check it out here on You Tube and listen to the words.The husband and I have been fans of Common since we were teens and I've always loved the vibe of the song, and whenever I hear it I think of my love.

I created the Lyric quote using publisher and picked a font that look a little vintage 'bauhuas 93' I kept all the writing tight and wanted the word forever to to fall into the page { that's why they word bleeds into the page }

Computer view of the lyrics

The lyrics are a deep blue in the picture it appears more black then blue. I printed the lyrics on nice linen paper I had left over from our wedding invitations. I framed it with a simple white frame and matte I picked up on clearance at Walmart for $7.00. The white matte really sets off the deep blue.

Whenever I glance at the words in the living room, I smile. Have you created your own word art for your home that has special meaning to you?

Design with the TV in Mind

Last week I shared with everyone one our updated living room and mentioned in comments that I was contemplating add more art to the TV wall. Well truth be told, I have a three ideas to better blend our TV into our living room. Since we have a small house we only have a living room, so its needs to multifunctional.  Our living room needs to be able to entertain quests socially, and entertain my family.
So when I was deciding on the layout of our living room, I made the focus of the living room conversational by facing the the chairs and sofa towards each other. I didn't want our TV to be the main focus of in the room. Here are my ideas to make our TV blend into the design of our living room { in the future are our TV will be wall mounted a little above our TV stand }

I planned on taking a better picture of our TV wall last night, but you know the saying April showers. As you can see in the photo, its a blank TV wall.

Idea # 1

Art Wall: Blending the TV into the living room using an art wall

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I like that using art to surround a TV is really pleasing to the eye. In our living room, I would using a variety of frames in various sizes and styles and an eclectic mix of artwork to complement the art we currently have in our living room.

Idea # 2

Bookshelves: Modern Bookshelves to flank the TV

For our living room I would used two clean lined bookshelves on either side of our TV. I like the idea of using bookshelves for a few reasons. We will be able to use storage baskets in the bottom shelves to store movies and magazines. I would also have books, and small framed art and photos on the shelves. Bookcase options would be West Elms Modern Newkirk Media Tower or the much more affordable Ikea Expedit shelving unit. Since we have a dark entertainment unit ( and other dark wood furnitre in the living room } I would use white bookshelves instead, or maybe paint them a color?

West Elm's Modern Newkirk Media Tower: I like the chunkier lines

Ikea's Expedit  Shelving Unit: Would work perfect

Ideas # 3

Bookshelf & Art: A mix of bookshelves and art to make the TV blend in.

The last option I've been thinking about for our living room is one bookshelf on one side of the TV and then using a bunch of art to fill in the the reaming wall. Last night I also planned on drawing a sketch I could share my third idea, well that didn't happen. So in the photo below picture a bookshelf where the window is. With this option I might have the best of both worlds? I will have art and more storage solutions I mentioned.

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How have you designed with the TV in mind? If so what worked best for you? I would love to hear and see pictures or suggestions.

Calico Corners Discount

By now I'm sure you all know how much I love shopping for fabrics. I couldn't wait to share with everyone a 20% off coupon I just received from Calico Corners good though April 17, 2010. The coupon is good online and in stores. If there's a Calico Corners store near you, stop in, they have an amazing selection of fabrics that will get your inspiration flowing. Please click here for the coupon, print and enjoy!

Wanna see some projects I've completed suing Calico Corner fabrics? Please click here for a bench makeover, here for lumbar pillows for our living and here  for adding whismy to simple Ikea curtains.

If you use the coupon, please send me an email, I would love to you see what fabric you found and how you plan on using it!

Ps. Calico Corners also has outlet stores, with discontinued fabric at alarmingly low prices.

Weekend Away

I mentioned last week my husband took me on a weekend getaway to celebrate my 30th birthday. My husband likes to surprise me, so he planned the entire weekend without any input from me { which is always a plus } He wouldn't tell me where we were going. We left our home on Friday, he blindfolded me and we began our trip, but I told him I know our neighborhood so well, I could tell which way we were leaving. He quickly began the job of making me disoriented driving all around and off we went. After what seemed like forever, especially when your blindfolded he pulled over the side of the road and opened my car door. I heard a gush of water, he removed my blindfold. Of course I couldn't see for a few minutes. but when I did....it was breathtaking. The river and snow....perfection. We were on our way to South Lake Tahoe for a romantic weekend away


Here are a few pictures from our weekend celebration of my birthday on April 3.

And away we go...

The view from our car window, on the way to Tahoe

Overlooking Tahoe lake

We had a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to going back next winter and maybe learning to ski? This summer we are thinking about a family trip to Tahoe or Sea Ranch.