Celebrity Flea Market Finds

I came across this an article about celebrity Flea Market Finds on Instyle.com. Here are a few of my favorites.

Constance Zimmer's Book Collection

The actress loves to shop flea markets for vintage editions. The books get displayed around her home and help to create the overall "eclectic, flea-market vibe" she's looking for.

Molly Sims's Chandelier and Chairs

The Las Vegas actress furnished her guest room with chairs and a chandelier found at a Paris flea market. "Sure, it's convenient to go into a shop and buy a ready-made couch or chair," says Sims, "but I think it's more original to customize antiques." And that includes flea-market finds: The actress loves salvaging and recycling cast-off relics with hip fabrics and accents.

Brittany Murphy's Perfume Bottles

"I grew up flea-marketing," says the actress, who has been collecting vintage perfume bottles over the years. Murphy caught the collecting bug from her mother, who owned an antiques store in Edison, N.J., and instilled in her only child an appreciation for heirlooms.

Nicky Hilton's Chanel Tray

A vintage Chanel serving tray, which Hilton scored at an antiques store in the Hamptons, was converted into a side table. "I only buy things that have some meaning to me," says Hilton. "I don’t put objects in my home just because they look cool."

The Traditional Home Bedroom Sweepstakes

Win a $20,000 Bedroom Makeover from Traditional Home Magazine!

The Traditional Home Bedroom Sweepstakes is underway now and ends June 21, with the winner being announced around July 2. It’s free and the best part is that people are allowed to visit the site every day and enter again and again.

Enter to win the sweepstakes at http://www.traditionalhome.com/bedroom/

The winner will receive a professionally designed bedroom plan plus furniture, flooring, mattress set and bedding from vendors Darryl Carter Design, Thomasville, Scandia Down, Armstrong Floors and Vera Wang by Serta.

Best of Interior Design Award

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I feel in love with this bedroom design. The colors are so uplifting and charming. The combination of fabrics on the headboard, bedding and drapery fabric are very bohemian and whimsical..

Washington Spaces' 2009 Design Competition

Interior Designer:Barbara Billet, Billet Collins LLC

TUFENKIAN Annual Sale 45-75% Off

Tufenkian Artisan Carpets are recognized as among the best values in the
market with their unparalleled handmade character, premium materials
and timeless design. Now you can get all of that with savings of 45–75%,
along with the satisfaction of supporting our award-winning worker welfare
and humanitarian projects with every purchase. This year’s sale is better
than ever with broader selection and additional savings on
designer rugs by Barbara Barry, Clodagh, Mark Pollack, Kevin Walz, and
Vicente Wolf plus on our Core Tibetan and Armenian collections.

To be notified of our next sale in your area, please register

Size Retail Price Sale Price
Rugs range in sizes from 2'x 3' to 10' x 14':

Dallas Sale Dates and Times:

April 30th - May 1st Designer Preview Days May 2nd Open to the public until May 9th

Monday-Wednesday 9am – 6pm/ Thursday- Friday 9am – 7pm

Saturday – 10am-6pm/Sunday - CLOSED

New York Sale Dates and Times:

April 30th - May 1st Designer Preview Days May 2nd Open to the public until May 10th

Monday -Wednesday 9am - 6pm/ Thursday - Friday 9am -8pm

Saturday 10am - 6pm/ Sunday 12pm - 5pm

DIY Sink Skirt

A skirted sink dscan provide you with additional under sink storage while hiding unsightly plumbing pipes. It also breathes new life into an older bathroom. It’s simple to do and can be easily accomplished even if you don’t know how to sew. And if you have any leftover fabric, you can stitch a fabric border on your hand towels or your shower curtain to give the room a custom look.

1. Measure the width, depth and height of the sink. Most sinks range in height from 32” up to 36” and since most fabric is 54” in width, a solid fabric or one that can be turned sideways (railroaded) will prevent you from having to sew any seams, creating fewer sewing hassles. For a fuller skirt, measure between 2 and 2 ½ times the width and depth of the sink; or for a more tailored look allow 1 ½ times the width and depth of the sink.

2. Cut the fabric to desired dimensions allowing an extra 1 ½” on top and bottom, plus an additional 5/8” on either side for hemming.

3. After hemming all four sides, sew 2 lines of basting stitches about 1” from the top and gather the fabric to the fullness you like. An easier option is to use shirring tape (available at any fabric store or online). Shirring tape comes in lots of styles and sizes so you can easily achieve different looks depending on what style you buy. It’s even available in iron-on options, so no sewing is required.

4. Cut and glue Velcro onto clean, dry sink. Then stitch Velcro to the skirt about 1” down from the top of the skirt.

5. Press the skirt onto the sink starting from the middle and working out to the ends.

6. If all else fails, take your fabric to your local tailor with your measurements, and for a minimal fee let them do the work for you.

Images {Ballard Design}

Make Change. Save Green from Target

It's Earth Day! Go eco-friendly with Target for smart, affordable solutions. These cute accessories are made of recycled magazines.

More Le Papier Designs

Custom Silhouette Pillow Idea

Use your silhouette or your loved ones for an adorable look on this throw pillow from Le Papier Studio.

Perfect for an early Mother's Day gift.

You can chose the color of the silhouette as well as the subject's name.

Pillow measures 12"x12"
250 thread count cotton blend (machine washable)

Baroque Bookshelves

Check out these avant-garde baroque style metal bookshelves from Graham and Green

Home Improvement Projects Under $20

I came across a great article on Better Homes and Garden's website and selected some of my favorite ideas. These home improvement projects may not cost a lot, but they will surely make a big difference in how your home functions.

1.Drawer and cabinet dividers are a must when it comes to keeping pans, lids, spatulas, and chip clips in their respective places. Some units match your cabinetry for a completely integrated and customized look.

2. Replace a standard floor grate with a more impressive -- and possibly more efficient -- wood or metal register grille. An inferior grate might not channel air in the best direction for optimum flow.

3. Make sure you have the correct threshold strip at room entrances where flooring changes. Some moldings adjust to various floor heights and have hidden fasteners.

4. Swap flimsy metal curtain rods for a hearty wooden dowel or a rich cast finial-and-ball unit. Match the rod to your wood trim or design elements such as your door hardware.

5. Replace a plastic switchplate with a wood, metal, or ceramic cover. Some are even textured to blend in with marble, tile, or stone surfaces. Do this for light switches, electrical outlets, and phone and cable jacks.

6. Update your cabinetry by replacing the pulls and knobs on all your drawers and doors. They'll keep your cabinets free of messy fingerprints and add a finished look to your kitchen or bathroom.

7. Create a between-the-studs shelf or cubbyhole where you need a little extra storage, especially in a bathroom. Use the space as a magazine rack or to house towels.

8. Hang a hook for each family member near the door where belongings get tossed upon entry. When coats and totes have a home, you'll feel super organized as you grab and go each day.

9. Dress up your windows with an herb or flower garden. Terra-cotta units are an affordable option or construct one from cedar planks. Attach your planter with brackets below a window.

10. Don't walk across the room to grab a towel. Add towel bars where you need them, or move the bars you have to make them more accessible. Hunt for bars that complement existing hardware in your kitchen or bath.

11. Replace mismatched, missing, or damaged moldings, end caps, baseboard, or quarter rounds. Curved areas may require a special piece or trim made of an alternate material.

12. Install a fixture to shed additional light on a dim area. Think about dark closets or corners where you sit and read and decide if you need more illumination.

13. Adding a lower bar to a closet lets you hang tops above and bottoms below and can effectively double your closet space. You might need to move the existing rod up a bit to accommodate the new arrangement.

Ideas for a Vanity

Darby Vanity by Ballard Designs

You can't help but feel pretty sitting at this graceful Victorian vanity with hinged wing mirrors for a side-to-side view. Crafted of solid alder and birch, the generously sized top is large enough for writing. Five working drawers rest on gently turned legs with reeded corner details. Side mirrors can be locked into full open position with rear latches. Also comes in Fruitwood or Antique Ivory.

Meredith Vanity Desk

The vanity desk is a dressing table and a desk because of the Smart Technology™ powerstrip is hidden at the back. It provides a centralized plug-in point for hair dryers, laptops, phones and cameras. Three drawers hold everything from makeup to wiring supplies; the wide middle drawer has dividers. Framed in hardwood with tapered legs and molded drawer fronts. It also comes in black.

Vinstra Dressing Table from IKEA

Contemporary dressing table with mirror in off white has smooth running extra deep drawers with stop and adjustable feet for high stability.