Category Archives: Pillows

08.25.11

Spell it Out.

It all started with a plan. 
Slowly but surely, things are moving along in Lou’s room. Last weekend I finally made some of her pillows.

I just used iron-on transfer paper from Michael’s.  I am thinking of having them stitched on to make them more durable.

 I also finally ordered two of these sconces for either side of her bed.
And, I am expecting her new chandelier to arrive by the end of the week.  
I am giddy thinking about that chandelier in her room.  I will be sure to share pictures as soon as I get it hung!

08.03.11

A Big Boy Room.

When my friend, Kristin Mika of Hampton Paper Designs asked me to help her with her son Thomas’ room in their new house, of course I jumped at the chance.  Kristin and her family had just moved to a new home, and she wanted to make sure that this was a room that eight year old Thomas could grow into.  Here are some pics of his room today.  I swear, this is bigger than my bedroom!

Kristin’s style is very simple, and classic-  much like her products.  So I wanted to make sure that the room would make both her and Thomas happy.  Thomas’ favorite color is orange, and we wanted to incorporate as much of the current furnishings as possible, there is currently a lot of navy– which will work perfectly with the pops of orange.  Here is the design I came up with:

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I suggested painting the walls a crisp white and adding crown moulding, a chair rail three quarters of the way up the wall, and striped wallpaper above the chair rail.  (A great way to get the same effect, but using much less wallpaper  Although, this wallpaper is a steal!)  Because this room is so much bigger than his old room, we will need to add more furniture- perfect for toy storage.   The fans are a great alternative to Matthew’s Duplo Dinamico.  I have two of these in my family room, and I love them!
I can’t wait to see the progress Kristin makes on Thomas’ room.  I will be sure to send you the completed project.

06.29.11

The Zhush.

Sue De Chiara of The Zhush is certainly no stranger to style.  Just check out these pics of her beautiful home.

This lawyer turned blogger has decided to share her sense of style with all of us, through her online store.  If you haven’t checked it out, you must.  Not that you would need any more incentive to shop at The Zhush, but Sue is offering all Kiki’s List Followers 10% off with the code kiki10.  This special offer is good through July 6. Here are some of my favorite items:
Happy Shopping!

06.15.11

Progress.

Remember this update on Lou’s big girl room?  Well, I was finally able to paint her bed.  This bed has special meaning, it was mine when I was a little girl.  I had to prime it first.  The bed was originally white, but my brother painted it black when he inherited it for his bachelor pad in Georgetown.   Gone are his bachelor days… He’s now living in the burbs with his wife, Milena and baby girl, Olivia.  They didn’t need the bed in their new house and I thought it would be so great for Lou to have it.
It took me almost an entire day to paint this baby.  Here is is (back to white) with the primer.
… And the finished product.  I used Duron’s Melon Shine.  I love the color!
I am somewhat embarrassed to show this picture as there is still so much left to do on “Project Big Girl Room.” But we’ve come a long way, baby.  Here’s a peek at what that poor little girl was sleeping on for two months until her Momma painted her bed.
So uncomfortable.  It was two mattresses stacked together.  No wonder why she wouldn’t stay in her bed!
As you can see, her room is pretty small. Here are some shots of it when we were awaiting the arrival of it’s original occupant. Perfect for a crib!
A little more crammed with a Big Girl Bed…
But we are making progress.   I just picked up the green pillows and coverlet at HomeGoods for a grand total of $80. God, I love that store.   The “Anna” letters will be 86’ed.  I’m in the process of designing her new bedskirt and a few other really exciting changes are in the works.  The bookshelves should be done this week.  I am sorry to say that most of the fabrics that I used (I originally designed the nursery 6 years ago) are now discontinued.
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Stay tuned.. This one’s gonna be GOOD.

04.11.11

Big Girl Room.

The time has come.  Our little Anna Lou will be turning three next month, and refuses to sleep in her toddler bed.  It’s time to convert her nursery into a big girl room.  This weekend she inherited my trundle bed from childhood.  I have a lot of ideas for her new bed and bedding.  To give you a sneak peak, here are some inspirations that came to mind….
Stay tuned!

03.08.11

In the Navy.

If you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you already know about my love for all things nautical. Better yet, if it’s navy blue- I am all in.  I have recently been considering how I can incorporate navy into my home.   I particularly love a crisp, clean palette of navy and white.  We are thinking of rearranging a few things around here which includes a new laundry room.  I am dreaming of glossy white walls with two Hicks Pendants and a fantastic navy and white fabric on the windows….  Alas, we will be paying a big fat tax bill instead.  So my dreamy white laundry room will have to wait, but for those of you who are able to add some navy into your life, here are some great ideas:
1. Carly Chair– $899
3. Wooden Sconces– $1,200
4. Ropes Wallpaper- $195/roll
7. Octopus Throw– $395
8. Portofino Rug– $70-$1790
9. Seahorse Pillow– $105
11. Leather Slipper Chair– Call for pricing

02.25.11

A Peek Into Her World: Jamie Meares.

If you saw last month’s premiere issue of SavorNC Magazine (a new guide to the good life for North Carolinians) you were able to read my interview with Jamie Meares of Furbish.  For those of you who don’t live in North Carolina, you can check out my interview with Jamie below.  Thanks again to Jamie for giving us a Peak Into Her World.




I first heard about Jamie Meares and her store Furbish in one of my many adventures in the blogosphere.  Jamie is also the author of I Suwannee, the blog that was the gateway to her booming business.  Jamie started blogging in 2007.  Through various e-design projects for her clients, she saw a need for a more unique offering of furniture and home accessories.  So, on November 21, 2009, Furbish opened its doors.  Jamie followed her instincts and took this leap of faith and has not looked back since.


K: What was your career before you opened Furbish?

J: Ugggh.  it was in marketing.  I sat at a desk all day passing hours of my life – that’s how the blog was born.  

K: I could imagine that you wear  lot of different hats between the store, online, custom design, etc.  Tell me about it.

J: Oh man the hats I wear.  and none of them are fancy hats.  Right now I have lots of balls in the air – the brick and mortar store, an online store that’s shipping about 50 orders a day, my big design projects, my one hour consultations, people bringing things to the store for us to paint, for us to upholster or to sew and the blog.  Also my husband and dogson, Rowdy!  We’re also battling a mouse at the store (who sneaks in a night and eats soap!) 

K: Describe your personal style.

J: My personal style is bright – and bold.  I’m a lot southern, a little bit modern.

K: What is your favorite piece in the store?

J: I love the soap rocks we just got in — I know that’s not an amazing huge vintage piece that I just reupholstered, but these little rocks are just so glamorous and chic.  I saw them at a trade show in New York months ago, and have wanted to order them since, and just got around to doing it.  I visit them every morning — they smell so good and pack so much of a decor punch in a tiny item

K:  Favorite room in your house? Why?

J: I really like our bedroom — it’s on the third floor and we have a very slanted slot — there’s lots and trees and a greenway behind our house, so it’s sort of like being in a tree house.  We’ve got a nice big room with a few old Turkish carpets on the floor.  I can lay in bed and watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Rowdy sleeps on the sofa at the end of the bed.  I also have a big bookcase filled with books in case I finish one and need another quickly at night.

K:  Tell me your thoughts on how to make a house into a home.

J: I think you make a house a home by slowly bringing pieces you absolutely love into it. Cheaping out to get something b/c it’s inexpensive or because you have to have it right now makes it look exactly what it is: cheap.  Things can be a good deal, but they need to have a story.  I’m all for maximizing a budget, and making smart design decisions, but it’s important to know when to compromise and when not to.  I also think bringing animals into a house makes it a home…  A dirty home, but a home at that… and plants, books and art!  I can’t say how important it is to have these things in your home!! 

K:Best Part of your job?  Worst?

J: Best: being my own boss.

    Worst: right now, the mouse.

K: What are some of the fabrics, textures that you are loving right now?

J: I’m loving tribal prints, and Navajo inspired items right now.  I love a good peach and gray color combo, and I’d love for you to paint your ceiling not white.  I’m also very into spots; not necessarily an animal print, or a polka dot, but the hybrid of the two.

K: Color combos for the new year?

J: Well honeysuckle pink was just projected as the color of the year 2011.  I can support that.  I also love a bright orange, and an almost drab olive green.

K: Describe your perfect day.

J: Maybe a Saturday at the beach.  Get up, go eat a big breakfast, do some shopping at my favorite consignment boutique Hallaju, then check out the home boutiques in Lumina Station – I am so inspired every time I go into Paysage – it’s just such a lovely store, and I don’t go too often to get tired of it.  Then headed out to the beach.  Read a Diana Galbadon book, let Rowdy dog around in the water, and drink 2.4 beers. I love coming in from the beach for lunch and eating a real white bread sandwich with Doritos and French onion dip.

Staying outside until the sun starts to go down, and then eating again – maybe fried shrimp!


Furbish offers a fresh, edgy and eclectic twist to the average home furnishings.  Located in Raleigh, Jamie not only has a store filled with lavish eye candy, she also offers design services at $75 an hour.

Here are the Furbish items that made it onto Kikis List:

3. Soap Rocks– $12 each

6. Zebra Stenciled Hide– $500           

8. Custom Dog Beds– $100- $130

10. Marbled Lamp– $295

11. Driftwood Mirror– $699

12. Ottoman Tray– $95

1020 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.521-4981

www.furbishstudio.com


Photos courtesy of Jamie Meares and High Gloss Magazine.