Emmy's Parisian Chic...

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When my husband and I found out we were having a little girl, my wheels immediately started spinning and construction began! I have always loved wainscot, so that was the first DIY project my husband tackled. I maximized space by setting the armoire caddy-corner with a changing station to the left and the crib directly on the opposing wall. The glider and ottoman is also caddy corner next to the changing station. I found an antique mahogany two-tier table with scallop edging from Craigslist -$50- and refinished it in a black pearl stain with gold etching and tulip flowers with the letter M for Baby Madison. The picture-in-picture was a design inspiration that my mom found in an interior decor magazine. We replicated the idea, wallpapering each of the inside panels bordered with molding, and placed vintage pictures that have been with my family for several years. On the 'changing station' wall, the other two picture-in-pictures have wired vintage figures of a manikin silhouette and Eiffel tower for that Parisian flare. My mother-in-law made all the bedding, drapery, and diaper hanging sack from fabric we picked out a local fabric warehouse in Buena Park, CA. The crib cornice and curtain tie backs were a great find at the Princess Canopy Shop on Etsy. They are stained in black pearl with brass/gold etching. My husband designed the M font and worked with an online wood-work company to produce the finished product at a greatly reduced price -under $40-. I bought the hanging chandelier on closeout with black shades and matching pink bows were tied using the leftover pink satin bedding fabric. The furniture is by Munire, purchased at USA Baby and the lamp was purchased on clearance at Tuesday Morning -$50-. I shopped around for the rug after finding that on an interior design website, I bought it for 50% less than retail from BoldRugs.com after they price matched another competitors price. The crib mobile was purchased on target.com.

The Fountain Patio

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When we talk about blending home and garden this is a perfect example.

Drawing on California's Spanish Colonial architectural heritage, the garden works to enhance the architecture of the home. The plants, common to the Mediterranean, are both colorful and drought tolerant. The use of wrought iron is a tradition directly from the Old World. It is timeless, durable and looks like jewelry.

www.casasmithdesigns.com

Craftsman's Front Po...

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My front porch has 5 separate spaces. It's also in desperate need of some love. With a sagging wooden floor in 3 different areas, a roof that floods the 2 terra cotta (and hence the 3 wooden areas, and few working fixtures, it needs a makeover!

Merry & Whimsical

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1979

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Very interesting kitchen built in 1979. I've never seen this type of lighting and rotating fan before. My desperate attempt to update it was to paint the back splash black enamel and I put a white horizontal line of tape. I also took out the original 2-piece oven/convection oven and put in a regular oven and microwave. I changed the handles and went over the indented lines in the cabinets with a silver Sharpie. As a single, retired lady, it's difficult to make many changes. I want it to be black and white. Please make other suggestions to update.

Please look at the dining space to see what look I'm trying to achieve. That space is basically the way I want it.

Our Terra Cotta study...

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Our main goal was to make this room functional, comforting and inviting. Since it sits right off the foyer, we also had to make sure it was clean and organized. We did a paint glazing technique where we painted the wall and pressed and peeled off plastic sheets. It leaves these vein-like lines on the wall. It was fun but little messy. All worth-it in the end. Please feel free to rate it and give any suggestions and/or comments...deeply appreciate it.

Update:
Thank you to everyone that viewed and rated my space. I've made a few changes to the room, hopefully it's for the better.

Few people asked about the wall. Paint color is Terra Cotta from the Martha Stewart Signature collection at Lowes. Mix 1 part paint and 3 part glaze. Section out part of wall approx. 4'x4' and roll on glazed paint. Place plastic sheets over wet paint and press down to create vain-like lines. Release plastic sheet from wall and discard.
Continue small sections of wall until completed.

French country dining ...

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This is my small dining area...the terra cotta walls are a great backdrop to my french country side board with it's scalloped design. I bought the bottom antique buffet and handpainted it, then had the top custom made to display my vintage Johnson Brothers china. I also made the chair covers with our momogram.

Stranded on an Island,...

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Our kitchen was been assembled from used cabinets and home made pieces over 7 years ago. My husband got us this far, then family deaths and my husband's heart attach brought things to a halt. Being self employed we have felt the crunch and now the island has just been too expensive to finish. It was made from plywood and some broken granite and marble laid about on the top. That was supposed to be just for a prototype. It has a nice KitchenAid gas cook top and a down-draft vent, that is not installed. We have been told that having one built could be $10 thousand dollars! The rest of the kitchen is nice enough although also un-finished. We have KitchenAid double oven sitting on a box, and a nice used Hotpont refridgerator and a Kenmore Elite dishwasher. The cabinets were purchased used from a design store when they moved. They have a great Tuscan style finish, although they didn't exactly fit and there is no trim. They have an upper and lower Lazy Susan and although there is an appliance garage, it has no door. The nicest feature is the recycling bins in the lower cabinets. The counter tops are plain white Wilsonart laminate with a back-splash. We wanted to do some sort of tile but now that is out also. We have a big space but need more counter top area.
The floor plan is large so there is room to change things a bit. The wall color is a terra cotta and use of " Bullnose" on all corners. This has been a DIY project with lots of scrounging and using used or slightly damaged appliances as we have little $ to work with. How can we finish this?

Stairway Black Rabbi...

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I painted this Mad Hatter style Black Rabbit on the wall as you go up the stairs. Hes fun & whimsical.

Terra Cotta Kitchen

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Our Cucina...terra cotta theme functional elegant. I thought it had a Tuscan feel but no one seems to agree...so I dropped that word from the title ;-

Southern Traditions L...

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This is my living room / dining room. I have tried to adhere to the very traditional stlye of the exterior of my home as it was built around 1910. I have stayed with rich wood tones with the the floral prints and accents that is the south right down to the the 1880's chippendale chairs and dining table.

Traditions In Our Iri...

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Dining Room,Living Room, Hall Entryway, Powder Room, Guest Bathroom,