We Have a Winner

 Sorry for the watermarked stock photo, but this is a blog on a budget.

For all of you who have been waiting breathlessly for the results of my slipcover fabric washing experiment (and you know who you are), it's clear:    Ticking wins.  It was what I was leaning towards, but it held up much better in the wash.

Sorry it's taken so long to post the results, but a great work opportunity came up ( a commission for 5 largish paintings for a commercial space) that was deadline sensitive.  Hopefully, I'll be able to start on the slipcovers soon.

Slipcovers Part Deux: Let the experimentation begin

My samples have arrived, and phase 2 begins.  When I mentioned this to Thomas, he said, "Is that when you figure out how to pay for them?"  Silly, Thomas, that's actually phase three, which occurs after I've gone through his wallet and checked the sofa cushions for loose change.

No phase two is the washing test---both samples which made the final round (I had ordered a couple of other ticking, including periwinkle that didn't make the cut) are now enduring the extra hot two hour deep cleansing cycle in the washer  (so as not to waste water I've included in the load of towels that have been gathered in frightening large piles in the bathroom hamper.  To be fair, a couple of them starting moving to the laundry room on their own, so I took pity).

These two are spinning away, preparing for the final caged death match in the dryer...

Personal Style

My slipcover project is still on hold--the fabric I found locally has to be ordered--it's not in stock, so I decided to go ahead and wait for the samples I ordered before making my final decision.  Besides, I tend to be one of those impulsive people who, if they can't start on the project right away when the inspiration and desire for change is burning bright, tend to lose interest  and move it to the back burner.  And I also decided I really wanted to think about it and make an informed descision.  Since we moved into the house in Oct. 2007, I've already had occasion to change some of my inital choices.  Some things have changed because of changes in circumstances--never having an indoor dog before, I had to adapt to that, some things changed becuase I'm one of those people who just like change, and some things I've had to change because I tried some new things that didn't really suit my personal style--I decided to stretch outside my comfort zone, and I ended up not liking a couple of those choices.  From now on, I'm going to focus on making sure that the design choices I do make reflect my style. 

But in order to do that, I need to define what that style is.  I realized I've never really done that on this blog--set down in black and white what I personally like to live with.  My style doesn't have a clear label, but I grativate toward a cottagey, bohemian feel.  I like to think of it as an updated, much more colorful shabby chic look.  I love found objects, natural fabrics, morrocan prints, slipcovers, books, and glass lamps.  The main atmosphere I want to create is that of comfort, with a touch of boho decadance--the feeling that a visitor would want to settle in with a glass of wine or whisky for a long discussion about, well, anything and  everything under the sun.

Some of my favorites:  old equipment crate as coffee table, piles of books, burlap curtains, clipcover in natural cotton, 70's lamp, funky faux raccoon pillows, dog on the sofa, and chipping old window turned into mirrors.

I also love cats on a sofa, as well as origanl art (glimpsed in corner) and plain terracotta pots used indoors and out.

I love cheerful paint in a kitchen, shaker style cabinets, and a working look--accents coming from utensils and plates instead of accessories.

I love fresh flowers, especially in something  unusual as a vase, and food used as decoration---for a non-Italian, I love me some garlic.

I also love to accent the kitchen with colorful friends---here is the vamp over for a Mardi Gras party.

I especially like bouquets made from foilage from my own yard.

And I love found pieces, like this great sign I found by a dumpster, used as art.  And horizontal stripes, i love those.

I love gallery walls.

And cozy rooms piled with pillows and an ottoman to put your feet up on for watching tv.

And pink flamingos in the front yard. No matter how bad your day, it's hard to be too grumpy when you're greeted by these guys on your way in the door.

I love upholstered head boards and neutral bedding.  And kitties enjoying a sunbeam.

There's nothing like a porch  swing.

I love orange, white and turquoise, and even more when they're all together.

These things may not be to everybody's taste, but that all right.  That's why ice cream comes in at least 32 flavors.  For me personally, I'll always choose colorful over chic, comfortable over elegant, and personal over convetionally tasteful.  After growing up in a quiet house with every wall clad in pecan paneling, sensible brown furniture, and an aura of respectibility, I always yearned for somthing a little more La Vie Boheme---colorful, and funky, and over-run with animals and guests.  Be careful what you wish for... you just might get it....and it just might be exactly what you wanted.

Decisions, Decisions

In my last post, I showed three possibilities for new slipcover for my living room chairs.  I won't be able to make a truly informed decision until the samples arrive, but right now, the classic black and ivory ticking is Thomas's choice, and the one I'm leaning toward as well.  Since it's also the cheapest option ($4.99/yd), I'm hoping I'll still like it the best once the swatches arrive.  Until then, here are a couple of inspiration photos from Country Living via Willow Decor (here).

But, I have to say, these prints remind me a lot of the printed slipcovers in Megan Arquette's (Beach Bungalow 8) living room via Cote de Texas (here), and I do like the way those printed chairs look...

So, what do y'all think?  (I will warn you that I'm stubborn and don't listen well to advice, even though I frequently solict it--one of my more annoying traits.)

*UPDATE* I'm leaning very heavily toward the ticking, I'd really like to get started right away, have the time this holiday weekend, and found a comparably priced ticking locally (it's a little more, but I do try to buy from local businesses whenever possible), so I may break down and get the ticking before the swatches even arrive--gee, with this kind of impulsiveness, how DO I make decorating mistakes? *UPDATE*