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Handmade Picks for Fall

Sep 13, 2010

With cooler mornings and an orange leaf peeking out here and there, I automatically start craving cozy stuff: wool socks, fluffy blankets, chai tea, and maybe a little mac & cheese! I like to change things here and there throughout the house, too. If you're buying something new for your home this fall, consider handmade goods. They bring a certain richness and personality to a space that you can't get from a catalog. I've turned this blog post into a great excuse to spend some time browsing Etsy for cozy, handmade stuff just for autumn.

Click here for my Top Ten Ideas for "fall-ifying" your house, plus a great recipe for Butternut Squash Risotto— my ultimate fall comfort food.

Mountain Lodge Wool Blanket from Massanutten Hookery, $188

Chunky, earthy and warm, with a bold design that's decidedly simple and modern.

Storage Basket from Claudine Ehlers, $18

A handy catch-all with a textured geometric design.

Driftwood Candle Holders from NaturesCabinet, $29

A perfect warm, rustic touch on a coffee table or as a fall centerpiece.

Organic Mug Cozies from KnitStorm, $16

Knitted to keep your drink hot and your hands comfortable, with cute appliqués, for mugs and take-out cups.

Upcycled Vintage Mirror with Birch Bark Frame from TreeMirror, $150

Simple and beautiful, and a great price for a 28-by-32-inch mirror. Also check out the little 8-by-8 accents mirrors for $16.

Eco-friendly Table Napkins with Tall Stems Design from EcoInspired, $40 for four

Switch up your table decor with this subtle design on organic cotton/hemp.

Don't miss this!

Shop for original handmade goods direct from the artists and crafters this Saturday, September 18, at the first Traverse City Maker's Market! It's an exciting new event at Inside Out Gallery in the Warehouse District.

Do you have a favorite source for fall-ish handmade goods? Link it in the comments! —Diane

TAGS: handmade etsy fall autumn accessories ecoinspired treemirror knitstorm naturescabinet massanuttenhookery claudineehlers

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Craving: Ruffles for the Home

Sep 09, 2010

Wow, I never thought I'd say I craved ruffled anything. But, here I am getting sucked in by the new way ruffles are being presented in fashion and home design. These aren't the ruffles of my childhood, all fussy and fancy. They're much more relaxed and casual, less perfect, less… ruffly.

Here's a smattering of ruffled goods for your home. I'm not suggesting anyone go out and buy everything here— a piece or two will do. See below for my tips on keeping the look up-to-date.

1. Bustled Shower Curtain, Anthropologie, $118.
2. Gray Ruffled Pillow Cover by crannyfoundfavorites on Etsy, $29.
3. Ruffled-Circle Quilt and Shams, West Elm, $24-149
4. Vintage Modernist Ruffle-edge Aluminum Coasters, from DendelionGirl on Etsy, $6.65
5. Mixed Media Rug, Urban Outfitters, $28
6. Ruffled Sheet Set, Anthropologie, $48-168
7. Ruffles Pillow, shown in Smoke and Sand, Pier 1, $30
8. Waterfall Ruffle Duvet, Urban Outfitters, $128-148
9. Ruffle Charger set in Berry, Crate & Barrel, $15 for four

Tips for Keeping Ruffles Looking Modern in the Home

Follow these tips and you'll never even think about those mauve moiré balloon valances at your grandmother's house.

• Seek out loose, imperfect ruffles with a tousled look to avoid formality.
• Look for ruffled details arranged in linear or geometric shapes. This keeps it from looking too sweet.
• Keep colors neutral and unsaturated. If you do ruffles in pastels or bright colors, it can look juvenile.
• Look for ruffle shapes in hard objects, like dishware or decorative glass.
• A little goes a long way. Stick with one or two ruffled items.
• Avoid prints. It's too much.

Want to update your space, but fear you'll make style mistakes? Let me create a custom room design plan for you, based on your personality and style preferences. My eDecor Plans are all about you, and they can save you time, frustration, and money if you feel less than confident choosing colors, fabrics, and finishes. Whether you need a little bit of advice or a full-scale interior design plan, I have a service that will give you just what you need. For more information, please email me. Or check out all the details here. —Diane

TAGS: ruffles home decor decorating design interiors trend fall 2010 how to use ruffles in the home modern updated edecorating e decorating e-decorating moodboard inspiration

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The summer I finally made the chair cushions.

Sep 07, 2010

Three years ago I found the perfect metal chairs to go with an outdoor table that a friend had given us. They've served us well over all that time, except on chilly mornings and evenings when you sit down and have to wait a few seconds for the shock and numbness to pass. Yeah, yeah… the cushions. I'd get around to it eventually. See, I was a bit daunted by the fact that they had to be round. I foresaw frustration at the sewing machine, wasted fabric, and a sheepishly placed order to some online purveyor of nondescript, ill-fitting cushions in some crummy fabric.

I finally did it. In July I decided it was time, no matter what resulted. As it turned out, the result is quite good, and the process wasn't nearly as difficult as I'd imagined. Here's a tutorial on how to sew round chair cushions with side panels, complete with zippers and ties. If you know sewing basics, you can do this.

Finished cushions on our now-more-comfy screened porch. The awesome vintage woodgrain tablecloth came from the dependably fabulous Treasure Mart in Ann Arbor. Chairs are from Pier One, several seasons ago.

How to Sew Round Chair Cushions

Preparation

1. Measure the chair seat diameter. If the seat is completely flat, match the cushion diameter to the seat. If it falls away or rises at the edge, plan to make them about 1/2" smaller.
2. Make a cardboard template. Use a compass or two pencils connected with string to draw a circle with the correct diameter. Lay this on the chair and mark where the ties should attach.
3. Sketch out the pieces with measurements. Each cushion will require 5 pieces: a top round, a bottom round, a long side piece, and 2 short zipper-panel pieces. Loosely sketch the shapes with notes on exact measurements. Mark the measurements of each piece including seam allowances and the number that should be cut.
   
   (Click any photo to view larger.)
   
   
   
    
4. Buy fabric. Choose a durable upholstery weight. My four cushions took about 3 yards of 54" fabric. I bought Crypton fabric (which is nearly indestructable and comes in cool modern prints) from New Toto Stores, my favorite online source for discount home decor fabrics. I bought more than I needed because they sell it in bolts or remnants instead of by the yard.
5. Buy foam. Use the same sketching method to determine foam yardage. With round cushions it's a little tricky, so buy a little more than you think you'll need. I used 2-inch foam.
6. Decide on a tie design. I wanted to add some texture and a custom look, so I bought a spool of hemp twine and some chunky wooden beads to create loop ties. You could make ties from ribbon, braided trim, cotton cording, or sew them from matching fabric.
   
   
   
    
7. Buy zippers. For my 16.75" cushions I used 14-inch zippers. Make the zipper opening just large enough to squeeze the foam through.

Cutting

1. Cut the upholstery foam. Draw out the rounds using your cardboard template and a permanent marker. Then cut the foam using an electric knife. (They're easy to find at thrift stores.) If you bring your template, they may cut the foam to size for you at the fabric store.
   
   
   
   
    
2. Cut the fabric pieces for one cushion using scrap material. I used some old quilting cotton that I think I got in a box of fabric scraps at an estate sale. Don't forget to add seam allowances. I used a generous 1" seam allowance on most of the pieces, which I later trimmed off. It gave me room for error! And I grabbed an old 14-inch zipper from my plentiful stash.
   
   
   
   
   
   Mark each piece with its name and stitching/fold lines for ease of construction.
   
   
   
   
    
3. The top zipper panel piece (shown above) should be wide enough to create a lap to cover the zipper. Add about 1 inch to its width for the fold-over.
4. Fit the side panels to the foam, trimming if necessary for a snug fit. Below, I pinned the pieces together and wrapped them around the foam to get the length just right.
   
   
   
    
5. Don't cut your good fabric yet!

Assembly of the Mock Cushion

1. First assemble the zipper panel, with the wider top piece folded back to create a lap. Install the zipper in the middle. Below, the narrow lower panel (already stitched) lies atop the wider lapped piece, unfolded and ready for stitching.
   
   
   
    
2. Second, sew the side seams to attach the zipper panel pieces to the long side piece, creating a ring.
3. Cut 1/2" notches all around the outside of the round pieces to make them more flexible.
4. Sew one of the round pieces to the circular side piece. Feed the side panel piece flat through the machine, and "mold" the circular piece to fit, maintaining an even seam allowance. See below, the side panel piece is on the bottom and stays in position as it glides straight through the machine. Guide the circular piece into place as it's about to hit the needle.
   
   
   
   
    
5. OPEN THE ZIPPER. I forgot to do this a couple of times and it was a real pain turning the thing inside out. Duh.
6. Sew the other round piece using the same technique.
7. Do NOT trim seam allowances. You'll need them later when this becomes your pattern.
8. Turn the mock cushion inside out and fit it around the foam piece. If you measured and sewed correctly it should fit well, and the mock cushion cover becomes your pattern.
   
   
   
   
   Folding back the upper lap on the zipper panel:
   
   
   
    
9. Disassemble the mock cover with a seam ripper. Now make any adjustments to the fitting by trimming or adding on to the pattern.

Making the Finished Cushions

This is basically the same procedure as above, with a couple of changes to accommodate the ties and trim seam allowances.

1. Cut the fabric pieces using your disassembled mock cushion cover as a pattern.
2. First assemble the zipper panel, with the wider piece on top folded back to create a lap. Install the zipper in the middle.
3. Pin the ties in the center of each side panel seam so that they are stitched in place during the next step.
4. Sew the side seams to attach the zipper panel pieces to the long side piece, creating a ring.
5. Cut 1/2" notches all around the outside of the round pieces to make them more flexible.
6. Sew one of the round pieces to the circular side piece. Feed the side panel piece flat through the machine, and "mold" the circular piece to fit, maintaining an even seam allowance. TIP: If you're using fabric with a directional pattern or nap, make sure it's straight based on the location of the ties.
7. OPEN THE ZIPPER.
8. Sew the other round piece using the same technique.
9. Trim seam allowances.
10. Turn the cushion cover inside out and install the foam.
11. Tie into place on your chair!
      

You'll notice I skipped the piping. I admit, originally the reason for this was that I predicted it would add difficulty to the already daunting task of getting a smooth seam all around the circle. But in the end, I don't think I'd want piping anyway. Sometimes it can create an uncomfortably hard edge on the cushion. I like this sleeker look.

So, I categorized this post under "Easy DIY." While it's not the usual half-hour project I normally write about, it really was easy for anyone with basic sewing skills. Creating a mock cushion is a crucial step because it allows you to mess up (many times if needed) without sacrificing your good fabric.

Do you have a DIY project that turned out well? Did it save you a bunch of money? I'd love to feature it here on the blog and inspire my readers to take their own ideas to completion. Send me a photo and a brief description of what you did and what it cost. Click to email me. —Diane

TAGS: how to make round chair cushions with side panels zippers ties instructions step by step photos illustrated sewing upholstery patio chair cushions pads diy do it yourself homemade how to cut upholstery foam how to determine yardage for upholstery projects

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Changing Colors: September Deal!

Sep 06, 2010

All through September, buy a Color Consultation either online or in-home in the Traverse City area, and get a second room free! Dwelement Color Consultations are good for interiors and exteriors. The first one costs $75, and this month only, the second room is free!

Nature's changing her colors… maybe you should too. Color Consultations give you a complete color scheme that can be applied to walls, floors, ceilings, built-ins, fixtures, fabrics, and finishes. It's a complete color plan for a room with a professional yet personal look. You'll fill out my online questionnaire (or talk with me in person) about your style and preferences. I'll give you the confidence to go for it with colors that express your personal style and make the most of your rooms.

Click here to download a sample eDecor Color Consultation.

Interested in finally getting those colors right? Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: edecor edecorating e decorating e-decorating online color consultations decorating color palette scheme from photos long distance traverse city michigan interior designer decorator

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Transformed: Haystacks boutique in Traverse City

Sep 02, 2010

Last spring I started working with Lizzi Lambert, owner of Haystacks, on some graphic design projects. (That's what I do in my other life.) With a polished new identity, Lizzi took on another improvement to her unique casual-clothing business by opening a new store in Traverse City, expanding upon her established spaces in Leland and Suttons Bay. She asked for my help creating a plan to transform the former dark/earthy tea bar into a light, bright space that would show off her colorful prints and original designs. And, ever-ambitious, she wanted to open in 30 days.

I had to come up with ideas that would make the most impact in the shortest amount of time, and on a pretty tight budget. Covering the former chocolate-olive–terra cotta-mustard color scheme was most important, and it needed to be done quickly and beautifully. Black Oaks Painting did an excellent job, and the whole place was finished in less than two weeks, including the very high ceiling.

I also developed a color scheme for the exterior to show off the crisp new logo, designed a plan for a fitting room space that required no carpentry, and did some secondhand shopping for vintage seating that could be turned into bright little jewels for each fitting room. The Dwelement concept worked for Lizzi because she wanted to do most of the work herself. She paid for a creative plan and a bit of footwork, but saved the expense of installation and product mark-ups. She took some liberties with the plan, too, and I think that's great! It's another advantage of my "relaxed" interior design services— as opposed to being at the mercy of a designer with an all-or-nothing approach. You keep some control, if you want it.

Click to enlarge the before and after photos below, then stop in and see it for yourself at 232 East Front Street, Traverse City, Michigan. Haystacks is filled with fun, ever-evolving clothing designed and fabricated in Leland, Michigan. You can also shop online: haystacks.net.

Before

Before: The former Serenity Tea Bar had a color scheme befitting its product, but the beautiful tin ceiling was downplayed, and the space was all wrong for the Haystacks brand.

Before: The service counter would become the checkout area. What to do with those laminate countertops? See the solution below. (Hint: We used a product I've written about before.)

Before: A seating area would become fitting rooms. Without building any walls.

Before: Color scheme aside, this paint had taken a beating after seeing the likes of so many cups of matcha and rooibos.

After

After: The space is a bright but neutral backdrop for Haystacks' colorful knit clothing. Walls and fixtures were painted with Sherwin-Williams Alabaster, my favorite shade of white. It's a softened white without yellow undertones.

After: The front of the store is welcoming and has a view of the renovated State Theatre. I specified a gorgeous Candice Olsen chandelier for the front (at an unbelievable price!). It's still awaiting its moment to shine— for now we'll let the original ceiling be the star.

After: The hardwood floors are the only thing recognizable from the previous design. The tin ceiling and lighting fixtures were sprayed with a coat of Sherwin-Williams Pool Blue. The effect is like shopping under a clear sky.

After: Lizzi Lambert's original designs are crafted in Leelanau County. Shown here, a rack of Bias Skirts in her summer fabrics. Coming soon: gorgeous knits from France for fall!

After: A former seating area was transformed into a fitting area with conduit piping and cotton duck drapes, which Lizzi made herself. A long drape also conceals the business area of the store in back. Flooring in the fitting area is peel-and-stick tile, covering the former brown linoleum.

After: Each fitting room has a piece of vintage furniture painted in a juicy shade and reupholstered with Haystacks fabric. I found the furniture at Riverside Resale and Reclectia for $20-30 apiece. Lizzi did a beautiful job refurbishing it herself.

After: Fitting room draperies are hung from the conduit pipe using ball chain looped through grommets. This solution was fast, inexpensive, and do-able thanks to Lizzi's DIY skills. It also lends the space an industrial feel that contrasts nicely with the girly prints in the shop.

After: Countertops, formerly a shiny faux-stone laminate in a mustardy shade, are now pearl gray after a coat of Rustoleum Specialty Countertop Coating in Light Ash, a product I discovered at Lowes. Lizzi said the process was easy (though smelly), and the finish is holding up well despite a somewhat slapdash job. She plans to replace the counters eventually.

After: Space under the former bar is maximized as a merchandising area that customers see while waiting to check out.

After: The exterior stands out from its neighbors in a deep navy blue with white column accents. Stop and shop at 232 E. Front St., Traverse City. Also visit Haystacks in Leland or Suttons Bay, or shop online: haystacks.net.

ALL PHOTOS: Diane Kolak, Dwelement Home Design, LLC

Do you have a small business that could use a little design help? No matter where you're located, I can create a design plan for your space that you can manage and/or execute on your own schedule. Sometimes a commercial project is best handled by a full-service on-site designer, but if you're on a limited budget and you just need a creative nudge or a few ideas to improve the look of your space, Dwelement eDecor Plans are perfect! Email me for more details. —Diane

TAGS: traverse city michigan interior decorator designer commercial space cosmetic update  haystacks clothing boutique store shop leland suttons bay design color consultation quick fast turnaround budget renovation rustoleum specialty countertop coating paint review sherwin williams pool blue alabaster painted tin ceiling diane kolak

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