The Modern Materialist : decorate

Quick Tip of the Day: Writing on the Wall

Laureen Mahler — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:27:00 GMT

Whether you're a kid or adult, drawing on the walls is just one of those things that'll get you into trouble. Thank goodness for IdeaPaint, which will turn any wall into your very own dry erase board:

That means you can write, erase, list, draw, organize, make turkeys shaped like hands, and more... right on your walls. And since IdeaPaint can be used on any drywall (painted or not), plaster, wood, veneer, or laminate surface, you can turn pretty much any wall into a free-draw zone:

[$4 per square foot, IdeaPaint]

Though before you go crazy painting your house up in dry erase boards, note that a can of IdeaPaint will cover 50 square inches and set you back $200. Small price to pay for wall-sized creativity? As much as I love to make colorful, oversized lists, that's a tough one...

[via swissmiss]

Design Synthesis: The Gilded Home

Steph Auteri — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:05:00 GMT

[$698, Anthropologie]

I am so addicted to furniture I don't need (or can't even fit into my condo) , so of course this side table from Anthropologie caught my eye. Now, of course, I'm going to obsess about all the pretty pretty pieces I can surround it with.

I went a little wild on ShopStyle, pulling together an entire bedroom around the tiny Anthropologie table.

The bed I "picked up" from Macy's, on sale for $1,299. The rest of the furniture comes from JCPenney. I was pleasantly surprised by their line of French Country pieces, such as the chest ($499), mirror ($169), and armoire ($199.99) pictured above. They also had a great set of drapes ($14.99-$16.99) that matched quite nicely. As I've been in lust with boldly-patterened wallpaper lately, I decided to add in the above wallpaper ($310 for two rolls) from Design Public. Following in the theme of gold embellishments, I also included candles ($9.95-$10.95) from Crate and Barrel. All of this, in my opinion, would look fabulous with some carefully chosen, deep purple accents. For now, I've shown a Ralph Lauren throw pillow ($157.49), and vases ($38-$98) from Unica Home.

Think you could do better? Send in your suggestions!

Domestic Wish: A Window Seat

Steph Auteri — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:09:00 GMT

Apartment Therapy recently posted about banquettes, easily built into alcoves, corners, and the like as a means to build a dining area into a small space.

What intrigued me most about the photos were the window seats, a home feature I've always lusted after, and imagined as the perfect spot in which to curl up with a good book, the natural light streaming in, my spine curled into a pile of smooshy pillows.

Any readers lucky enough to have a reading nook in their place? Take pictures and link to them in the comments! Also: What's your favorite spot in the house for escaping into a book?

After the jump, photos of more lust-worthy window seats:

[Photo via]

Design Synthesis: Bedroom in Bloom

Steph Auteri — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:04:00 GMT

[$28, Urban Outfitters]

I'm so charmed by this bedside makeup mirror, it made me wonder how I could possibly incorporate it into my decor. As my bedroom's pretty much a blank slate at this point...a mishmash of old furniture and blank walls...I figured that the only way to do it was to buy more things (duh).

After the jump, a few pieces to pick up along with the mirror above:

Anthropologie's mirrored side table, $998
Macy's decorative pillows, $75-$125
Velocity's Roost porcelain flower vase, $68-$96
JCPenney's jewelry armoire, $169

Chaise Lounge Is One Hot Tamale: 2

Steph Auteri — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:15:00 GMT

Just yesterday, I posted about a burgundy chaise lounge with a lot of personality. (A lot.) How to build a room around such a strong piece of furniture? After the jump, some pink accent pieces, and some darker pieces of furniture to offset the overwhelming brightness:

The chandelier is $2,199 from Neiman Marcus.
The drapes are $34.90, also from Neiman Marcus.
Neiman Marcus has also provided us with a coffee table ($1,829) and end table ($1,279). (It's a pity I can't actually afford anything from Neiman Marcus.
My favorite accent here is something I've posted about in the past...this ingenious chandelier wall light. How perfect is that!?

Chaise Lounge Is One Hot Tamale

Steph Auteri — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:24:00 GMT

Apartment Therapy is asking readers whether this pink chaise lounge is hot or not. I think there's no question. This lounge obviously has a first-class ticket on the hot tamale train. The only question left? How do you decorate a room around such a distinctive piece of furniture?

I'm taking suggestions in the comments, and will add a few of my own tomorrow.

[$1,300, Laurel Crown Furniture]