the sister sophisticate: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Its a go for...Concrete Painted Floors?!! (I think)

In the past, I have mentioned that I want dark (really dark) wood floors like you see below. Where you see the hash marks above, which is what I always refer to as the main living areas, is what we would like to cover in wood. We also thought about including our master bedroom as dark like the one you see below...

Image Via

Well, we have priced it first at what we really want and then at what would be practical. Neither one is really a cost effective choice for us right now. So I got the idea to paint the concrete?!!! Just to live with for now because the white "Triple B Threat" (blah, boring, and builder grade) carpet in not working for us with four young kids. Well, a few things run through:

How safe it will be?
How commercial it will look?
How maintainable it is?

I just really would like to know your opinions on this to help me out a little with the decision we have made.

We have already decided to go for it, but not before I do lots of research, in July! This is what I do know I am looking for:

A finished look
More of a matte and not too glossy
Nothing marble or inconsistent
Not too industrial

So here is where I just did some research on the look that I am going for:

So now you can get a feel of what I am wanting. Now lets take a look at some photos of really cool painted floors:

Via

I am a sucker for anything black and white and I would do this in a heart beat if I knew that I could live with it for a long time. But for now I will just dream of what could be...

Via

This, I have always loved! The stenciling added so much character yet it did not overtake the room like the black and white would. Just the right amount of charm!

Via

This steals my heart. I actually appreciate the glossy effect in here because it looks like you could walk on water. Aqua in this white kitchen is just sooooo...right!

Via

This is so rustically pretty to me because the floor actually looks like poured concrete with a gentle white floral stenciling on top. I love it!

So please give me your opinions on what I should do or think about if you have been there done that!

UPDATE:

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Upholstered Headboard Inspiration

As some of you may know, I am currently in the preliminary stages of designing my girls bedrooms and I have been pulling form all kinds of inspirations. I hope to soon be able to create a mood board and kick the gear into full blast!

Via

Going through some images of this new found blog I love, I came across this headboard design. I love the mix of the modern upholstery and the traditional carved wood. It still has my scalloped look that I am going for ,but its really unique to me! The modern fabric, which I learned, is an ethnic Guadalajaran embroidery, sometimes called Otomi! The designs are sketched by the village men and sewn by the village women.

Friday, May 27, 2011

A Go To Place

Home Decorators is just one of those places you can go to to find any and everything. Its definitely a decorators dream. You can always find a great piece.

For instance...

This chest is on clearance for $180. Its a whopping $100 cheaper than what it first retailed for. Its a good size too at 36"H x 28"W x 16"D.It would make the perfect night stand and its a very trendy distressed turquoise. And I love the trendy Greek pattern molding.

This piece I love...

I still have not decided yet what I want for my dining room, whether its two side chest or two open bookshelves. But htis piece makes me want to go with open bookshelves. At 70"H x 31.75"W x 15"D this is a perfect fit for what I need. I also like the height of it because I am a very tall stallion of a woman at 5'-10.5"! This shelf would run me about $500 for two plus shipping.

Peacock feather rugs...Gorge-a-Must! You know its good when you make up your own words. I do not know which one I would do because they are both beauties. Its the perfect starting point for my master bedroom design. An 8x11 in this will run you a grand! Its 100% hand-tufted plush soft pile wool! Which color would you do?

So I feel like splurging......!

A Rue Issue

So I finally carved time out of my day to take a gander at the latest issue of Rue. I am so glad I did it because I fell in love with this issue. Here are some inspiring images that made me look twice.

A cozy sophisticated nook in a design boutique!

A beautiful shelf display!

Dining in style!

A play on color and finish in a designer's stylish apartment!

Beautiful antique market finds!

A new way to display!

A practical and sensible book shelf display!

When magazines become art!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

My $3 Bamboo Dishes

I am really loving the idea of monograms right now. The perfect sophisticated personal touch in my opinion! Thinking of doing something like with my dishes I purchased below!

Via

I got these babies last week at Ross. 6x8! I would have got more if they had more, but this was good enough (I went in with a set budget, never works, you know how it goes)! But check this out:

Via

You will not believe my surprise when I saw this after doing a bit of research. A case of 36 for $85.99! Do the math on that! No deal at all for me! :( But I still think they are cute! Great price if anyone is planning an event.

One Cute Office Inspiration

I just came across another website favorite and adorable blog! These are far few between, but I love it when I can find them and know that it is definitely one I will be referring to alot! This has to be the cutest office I have seen yet. Tamara Kay-Honey of House of Honey has the most adorable eye for her designs. Her style is modern and eclectic as you can see in this home office.

My favorite are these fur covered chairs and her use of the lattice screen. I love a color scheme of yellow and blue. This room just gets me all kinds of excited.

Look at the size of that desk. I love it! It looks really functional and I love that it is modern but classy and really grounds the rest of the room. Just beautiful!

Ocean Breeze

Work with me and just imagine...

You and your long distance lover decide to meet up at a beach island resort. And at long last your lover has been waiting your arrival in the resort entrance foyer. So you have just exited your limo and are ~~running~~ walking elegantly up the resort entrance stairs as he greets you with a gentle kiss to the forehead and then to your right cheek and then on the lips! (Whew, is hot up in here or is it just me?)

Ocean Breeze by The Sister Sophisticate featuring beaded wrap bracelets