"I'm Happy!"

I had the best day on Friday because Joey got his cast off! He's doing well and slowly getting the strength to walk. He was very sore at first (especially when he moved his leg as it came out of the cast.) Although in pain, as we were leaving the doctor's office he announced, "I'm happy!" (See pic below)

We also FINALLY sold our dining room furniture. That means we started redecorating/repurposing the room. We are going to make it a multi-functional space that is an office but that we can also use for dining. Here is the inspiration.

Here is a sneak peek of the room in its current state. Its pretty messy. I spent 4 1/2 hours painting yesterday... straight... without even a water break. I'm hurting today but I'm glad we're making progress.

We'll be applying a second coat this weekend and then adding moulding around the doors. After the moulding is painted we'll be ready to start moving in furniture. I guess I should buy some!

Do you have any multi-purpose rooms in your house?

From My Kitchen...

I am thrilled that spring is right around the corner! That means fresh and local produce is on its way. I'm excited to return to our favorite Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. I'm ready to move on to a new season! Fresh lemon verbena ice cream anyone?

Since Joey broke his leg our dear friends and neighbors have been so kind to cook dinners for us. One of our favorite meals was stuffed shells from our friend Mary Marshall. I don't even like stuffed shells! These were amazing. The recipe is so easy and makes a lot of food. It took us three days to eat it all. A link to the recipe is below.

Stuffed Shells

I know I have declared my love for Hot Squeeze before. This weekend we tossed in 1/2 cup Hot Squeeze with a pound of frozen meatballs and cranked up the slow cooker. It was delicious. And the original Hot Squeeze is soon getting a sister flavor, Orange Ginger Zing. I'm probably a little too excited about it.

Hot Squeeze Meatballs

And last but not least, our new snacking obsession, Trader Joe's Kettle Corn (the pink one.) It's salty and sweet and the bag always gets opened on the way home.

Trader Joe's Kettle Corn

My post is titled "From My Kitchen" but I'm realizing that none of the above items really came from my kitchen at all. However, in the spirit of kitchens, here are a few photos. I'm really into the traditional roman shade trend in the kitchen.

Sheers looking current and absolutely gorgeous.

rosshoward.com

via decorpad

Lovely scalloped edge detail...

James Howard

Look what Fran at Green Street created for her home...

Green Street

Nice Rack!

OK OK OK I know my blog is titled "OUTSIDE THE WORKROOM" but sometimes I just have to share something neat that's going on inside. This week there was a lot of construction going on here at the shop. Our workroom now features a rolling fabric rack! (Wait, do I hear crickets? Was that a tumbleweed that just blew across my desk?) I realize this might only be exciting to me and my sewers. Sigh. But here's a picture of my new beauty. It holds 7 bolts of fabric and can be rolled anywhere in the workroom. That means we can cut on any table at either end. A big high-five goes out to Master Carpenter, Mike Allen, who assisted with the design and constructed it.

What is your favorite work-related tool or gadget?

Happy Valentines!

Happy Valentines Day! Are you doing anything special today? I'm not doing anything special today other than looking forward to the good night's rest my husband promised me tonight (he's on kid-duty if needed in the middle of the night.)

Our Valentines Day celebration was a little unconventional. On Saturday night we attended the annual Dancing with the Stars event hosted by the Fragile Kids Foundation. For 20 years, the Foundation has assisted over 400 children each year with grants of equipment, by sharing items for rehabilitation and referring families to partner organizations working to meet a variety of challenges for medically fragile children. To learn more about this AMAZING organization click here. It was a great evening and a wonderful way to celebrate Valentines Day.

So if you're getting flowers for Valentines Day you're probably wishing you had one of these gorgeous vases to put them in...

Arteriors Garrison, Large Brass/Glass Vase, $141

Blanc De Chine Embossed Gourd Vase, Tozai Home, $550

Michael Aram "Bark" Collection, Macy's, $90-150

Ebanista, VERSAILLES VASE, price upon inquiry

Horizontal Vase, CB2, $9.95

Augusta Vases, Horchow, $85-215 (on sale today!)

All Things Velvet

I'm sure you all know what velvet is... but to give you the technical definition, it's a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile. It's the rug of textiles. There is no duplicate for the look and feel of velvet.

Here are some different applications of velvet...

Wall Panels

Caldwell Flake, Howard Lee Puckett Photography

X Bench

www.masonstyle.net

Chair with contrasting piping

Stacey Branford Photography

Pillows (and sofa)

decorpad

Draperies

david jimenez

Pillow and bedding (how amazing is the mirror above the bed?!)

Ron Marvin

Valentines Day "season" is upon us! I've already had enough of the radio ads promoting their special dozen red roses for the low price of $18.99. For Valentines Day I'd like some salted caramel candies and a good nights rest.

Although V-Day is not my favorite holiday, I do enjoy a little pink and red. I may be a loner on this one, but I think it's a winning color combination.

http://uktv.co.uk

oragami hearts on etsy

silicone baking cups, the way the cookie crumblesivillage

Jennifer Flanders

The Fabric Fairy

the lenoxx

Pink and red? Feeling the love? Or not?

I'm Back! With Headboards...

First and foremost, thank you to everyone for your kind words about Joey. Joe's injury has been a major challenge for all of us. We are so grateful to all those who have supported us in the last few weeks.

Things are still crazy at home and at the workroom. Earlier this week I worked with some wonderful clients on an upholstered headboard. I can't wait to share the finished product with you. (Bedskirt and bedding are now in the works.)

In the mean time, here are some great upholstered headboards for inspiration...

Melissa Warner, house beautiful

bedded bliss

Annsley Interiors

Living Etc.

beds-headboards.net

decor pad

decor pad

Do you have a favorite?