Photos via Jeffrey Bilhubercraft room makeover by jerusalem greer
This week, we’re introducing you to our new columnists! Last week you met Tracy Porter and Chris Olsen. Today, meet Jerusalem Greer, the talented and creative craft artist and self-professed “nest fluffer” behind Jolly Goode Gal! For a sample of her unique style, check out her home featured in our July 2010 issue. As a mom, she’s perfected DIY projects on a budget, and we knew she would be a great fit for the At Home in Arkansas blog.
Jerusalem’s monthly column on crafting begins today with tips on creating your ideal craft space.
Everyone loves a great make-over story! A fun, and often inexpensive, makeover is to create a craft space in your home.
Whether you have a whole room to dedicate, a closet or perhaps a small corner of an existing room (dining room, family room, kids room,) you can achieve an adorable and inspiriting craft zone that will fit your personality and your pocket book, and bring some order to your crafty chaos.
So, how do you go about creating the perfect craft space for your needs, space and budget?
Here are a few easy steps to get you started:
1) Decide where your craft space is going to be based both on what space is available in your home, and what kind of crafting you do there. Reflect on what type of crafting you enjoy most. If you enjoy machine sewing your space will need to access to a table surface and an outlet. However, if knitting is your forte then perhaps you just need easy access to ample storage for your yarn and needles and a portable craft bag or box that can travel with you from room to room as you work.
2) Once you have decided on the type of space you need and the location, you can begin the fun task of gathering and collecting inspiration pictures. The Internet, catalogs and magazines are full of inspiring ideas. One tip: don’t just look at “craft rooms†and storage pictures per se; look at everything that inspires you, from floor to ceiling. I have found great inspiration for craft storage in farm & feed stores, education supply catalogs and many other unlikely places.
Here are some of my all-time favorite craft areas:
Photo via here
Photo via here
Photo via here
Photo via here
3) After you’ve chosen your inspiration pictures, you can begin narrowing down the exact items you will need to purchase, re-purpose or re-store for the project, and those that even thought you love them, maybe are not the best choice for this project.
4) After you have narrowed down your choices. you can create an inspiration board (like the one above, featuring a patchwork theme) to help keep you on track as you forge ahead. Having an inspiration board can help motivate you to take the steps necessary to accomplish your project goal, such as saving those pennies, only purchasing what will fit your space, and staying true to your design.
So, regardless of how big or how small your craft space is, now is the perfect time to jump in and give it a make-over that both inspires and encourages you, turning your craft dreams into craft realities!
garden illustration by hannah alexander
One of the things we love most is showcasing talented Arkansans. That’s the reason we’re over the moon about introducing Hannah Alexander! Not long after we began browsing her adorable blog, Sundry Mumsy, we discovered she’s an amazingly gifted illustrator. So, you can just imagine our delight that she’ll now be illustrating her favorite pages from At Home in a column on our blog!
Hannah’s column begins today with a garden container rendering inspired by our May issue. Isn’t it lovely?
I’m a sucker for “befores and afters,” so this month’s issue of At Home in Arkansas is right up my alley. As I visually devour every page, I get the itch and start seeing everything in my house as a “before” shot, wishing I could re-do and renovate each room. But, alas, significant renovations require two things I am short on: time and money. But that doesn’t mean minor renovations are off limits. I might not be able to afford the whole face lift, but I can certainly apply a little lipstick!
My favorite cheap and easy trick to brighten up a room in need of renovation is some fresh flowers or an indoor plant. I LOVE the arrangements featured in the Container Makeovers segment of At Home this month. They are works of art, so beautifully composed! And, I greatly appreciate that everything I need to know about recreating the specific arrangements is spelled out for me: what plants are what, how to tend to them, etc. I need directions, people!! And I NEED these plants!
tulip louise: spring cleaning {wardrobe style}
Remember how effortlessly Anna Chatelain of Tulip Louise styled and modeled these top looks for spring? Well, we certainly do, and we were so impressed that we snatched her up to be a monthly columnist on the At Home blog!
Stints in the fashion district of New York City and the corporate division of Neiman Marcus make her a top choice for wardrobe styling in our state (visit Tulip Louise to marvel at her eye for fashion). We believe in living a well-styled life, and you can bet we’ll be anxiously awaiting Anna’s posts each month, featuring everything you need to know to get your wardrobe in tip-top shape.
Have you spent countless hours daydreaming of the perfect closet to hold your perfectly curated lovelies? Wow, we have so much in common! In days past, the simple thought of organizing my wardrobe exhausted me. Limited square footage {and cash flow} can leave a fashionista feeling downright discouraged. “Inspiring†images of sprawling wardrobes only made the task seem that much more daunting:
1: Mariah Carey / 2 & 3: Jenna Lyons / 4: Domino Magazine
Worry not! Below is a client’s closet that I recently helped tackle for spring:
Are you inspired yet? Wonderful. Here are four simple steps explaining how we did it:
1.    Switch out mismatched hangers for the same style throughout. TIP: Wooden hangers out of your budget? Opt for something like this!
2.    Separate your pieces by style {i.e. slacks, skirts, shorts}, then via colorway.
3.    {Space allowing} Store all shoes and clutches in individual rubbermaid containers. TIP: Take inventory photos of each item, then tape photo to exterior of coordinating container for quick reference.
4.    Place occasional pieces {i.e. swimsuits, belts} in storage bins to cut the clutter.
Now that you’re armed with the necessary steps, go forth and organize!
Yours truly-
friday favorites: lucite, beach style, sunlit spaces & Mountain Living
From art director Mandy Keener: “This is rockin! The lucite and skull combo is brilliant.” (“Style Inspiration: Lovely Lucide” via Burrs & Berries)
From advertising coordinator Laura LaRue: “I’m a bold color kind of girl, so this outfit and room definitely caught my eye. Now, if I could just get to the beach, wear that outfit and sleep in that room! Happy Friday!” (“Fashions to Furnishings: Under the Sun with Anthropologie” via Zesty Nest)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “Oh. my. goodness. These spaces make my heart sing! The streaming sunlight, the feeling of being tucked away with a bird’s eye view of the city. And I love that it doesn’t take itself too seriously, with tape rug outlines and books propping up the coffee table. Thank you, DesignLoveFest!” (“Lovelylight via DesignLoveFest; click here to see more)
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “All sorts of favorites come together here: a favorite magazine, Mountain Living, (one of our sister pubs) features The City Sage as a guest blogger, and the post pairs rustic interiors with comfy and casual clothes. Fun all the way around.” (“Guest Blog: Anne Sage debuts “Outfit to Room” via Mountain Living)
paint a backdrop
You’ll probably recognize At Home’s friend, Chris Olsen, a nationally known home and garden guru, designer, author, TV personality and public speaker. We featured his own home garden in a 2010 issue, and we’re excited to introduce him as one of At Home’s new monthly blog columnists! Check back as Chris shares his landscape and gardening knowledge along with his unique flair for home decor and design, beginning with this clever idea for creating a painted backdrop.
Indoors or out, the color and feeling of a painted wall affects the look of the accessories you place on, or in front of, that wall. You don’t have to paint your entire room to highlight a piece of art or decoration. You don’t even have to paint the wall. You can get the look of an aged, painted, even distressed wall, with nothing more than a width of canvas and some paint.
You’ll need:
Acrylic paint for a base coat
Acrylic paints for highlighting- Three is the best number to use; one light, one dark, one a hue that matches or complements your base coat
Glaze
Spray bottle of water
Large (wide) brush
Canvas, stretched or cut on a frame. We used 16 x 20. Stretched canvas on a frame also makes installation easier.
Freezer paper
Painter’s tape
1. Tape freezer paper to any surfaces you’ll be propping your canvas on while you paint. Paint canvas chosen color. Allow to dry.
2. On a paper plate, or roller pan, pour large puddles of each chosen color and glaze. Dip brush into lightest color first and glaze, then heavily spread across top of canvas. You will want thick application. Repeat process with each color, dipping brush into paint and glaze each time.
3. Stand canvas up and spray water directly in the paint just applied. Watch as it runs. Continue spraying until you get the striped aged look you want. Prop canvas up to dry. Although we’re showing this project with a piece of art, just think how much better any decoration will look, highlighted upon its own custom wall!
sit & stay awhile
Foyer // One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven
As art director, I love spending days in the homes we feature. While they’re usually filled with the hustle and bustle of all things “photo shoot/styling,” I always find inspiration somewhere. Take this rad entry (designed by Garry Mertins and featured in our May issue), for example. Wouldn’t you love to sit and stay awhile? Grab one of your favorite design books or magazines and just relax…
Here are few pieces I think would totally help do the trick. Hope this gets some color and creativity flowing… Enjoy!
room of the week: before & after
The At Home in Arkansas office is abuzz with befores & afters (not surprising since our May Before & After issue is now on stands and online)!
You won’t find a more dramatic example than this Little Rock living room. Can you believe the transformation? Dark colors and an over-abundance of accessories were replaced with a heaping dose of springtime hues and clean-lined furnishings. The homeowners wanted to keep it “light, airy, sort of Old World, with some contemporary details,” says interior designer Garry Mertins. “They also love wood and things that are a little bit earthier.”
The result is pure magic.
tracy porter’s ideas to simplify summer gatherings
We are thrilled to introduce Tracy Porter, an exciting addition to the At Home in Arkansas blog team! Tracy is a lifestyle, home and fashion designer, author and photographer. Her publication appearances include O, Better Homes & Gardens and InStyle, she’s appeared on Oprah, E! and HGTV, and her eclectic designs in home and fashion are sold in thousands of retail stores and boutiques around the world, including Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s.
We had the pleasure of meeting Tracy at the recent Design Bloggers Conference in Los Angeles, and she charmed us with her warmth and kindness. Her monthly column, about all things entertaining, will showcase her unique style, inspiring At Home’s readers to live life to the fullest.
Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for her $250 giveaway!
With summer nearly here, entertaining becomes more top of brain than ever! But…I get it entirely…having people over can overwhelm even the most seasoned entertainer! All of our days are terribly busy, we seem to easily fill them with activities, events and running about…throw in a wagon full of kids + pets and the idea of friends for dinner can seem utterly daunting!
However, it CAN be easy (sigh of relief). It takes a bit of planning, and some winging it…and in my book that’s how you get to easy. I have a handful of tips…that I hope inspire your next gathering to feel fabulous in mind and spirit
I keep a basket full of folded cloth napkins in a range of colors and prints… Ok, I keep several of them, truth be told! It is just so easy to have them handy, right in your kitchen or pantry all the time, and one less thing to be running around after when company comes!
Have a few “go-to†cocktails… and a range of pretty glassware sitting out. Everyone loves the idea of “being entertained†so when your company shows up…be ready! A choice or two is nice….we make a great Meyer lemon cosmo in our house (I’ll share that recipe down the road!) that’s always a crowd pleaser. Add to that a gorgeous martini glass…ahhhh, irresistible!
Always add flowers. It is one of my favorite things to do once most everything else is covered! (Sort of like playing!) It makes any eating and gathering experience just that much more enchanting. A little charm goes a long way. Don’t spend a fortune…if you must buy flowers, go simple…all one kind. Plunk them into little vessels or teacups…and scatter them about the table. No fuss…! If your yard is abundant, then get out your nippers and have at it! Clip bits of this and that and again plunk them into lower simple vessels that you gather from around your house. I often times will just set flowers on the table in my gathering basket…never mind that they slowly wilt a bit here and there…still so lovely…nature adds beautifully to any meal!
Dim the lights…ALWAYS! I have walked into more fully lit kitchens in the evening (wanting to put on my shades) than I care to admit to. No one wants to be blasted with light…low light is calming and sensual…and it hides everything! Next, keep a stash of “ready to go†candles. Mine change often (I cannot help myself) but I keep a basket in my pantry full of candles. Right now, I am onto jam jars (with 4 little boys, we go through lots of jam…too bad peanut butter jars are not cuter!). I keep a little votive in each. Sometimes I will spritz some rosemary with water and drop a small bit of it in the jar…you’ll catch an occasional whiff of goodness that is over the top…try it!
I adore large trays, and I truly use them! I have them out on my countertops ready for action! I cannot tell you how well this works! If you like your plates, then keep them out in a nice stack on a tray. Then dig up a great vessel, fill it with useful utensils and…viola! Sounds simple…but when you see it you use it!
Zero in on your “go-to recipes.” I love knowing that everything will (for the most part) work out when company comes. There are always surprises, but a good recipe is worth its weight in gold! My best example is chocolate sheet cake! No brainer…everyone loves it…no one ever tires of it…and you can make it in a snap! I even let my kids doll up the top with little cookies and candies. No matter the occasion, this sort of thing adds magic to any gathering! So, find a way to round up your top recipe picks and go to them for fearless entertaining. Even little sticky notes popping from the tops of your cookbooks (as I do) will do the trick. Just mark the ones you can count on anytime!
I keep the appetizers really simple. I just find this approach easier for all! Keep several cutting boards in various sizes on hand. Add to that a few odiferous cheeses, some pretty little knives, a mix of nosh-able crackers…almonds, salami, salt and vinegar chips…use small pretty bowls…and you’ll have something to set on your counter or nearby coffee table, or wherever you and your company are hanging out!
A few more thoughts…It’s sometimes the little things that throw us off last minute, so the “do ahead and plan list†can also include:
~ Finding a no commercials music station (try www.pandora.com) that sets the mood with one tap of your finger!
~ Decide if you will be setting the table or going more casual family style buffet (so easy and fun for all!)
~ Choose recipes that are make ahead if at all possible…even a few hours really can help!
Most importantly, I share these ideas with you to lessen the overwhelm. I have been there, running around swabbing my forehead, shoving toys into random drawers, scooping dog hair tumble weeds off the floor. I NOW choose the EASY route. I plan a bit more, dim the lights, have a sip of my drink beforehand…..and calmly, happily…await my friends and family to show up!
Cheers to you!
Tracy
I am so excited about my first of many columns with At Home in Arkansas that I want to celebrate it with a wonderful giveaway for a $250 gift certificate! Besides my love of writing, and sharing inspiration for all lovely things in life, I am also a designer of delicious home and fashion goods!
Surely you’d love a shopping spree?! Well alright then! In order to enter this gem of a giveaway, all you need to do is post a comment here (by clicking on responses at the top of the post next to the date, or scrolling down underneath the current responses below) about my first column…let us know what you think! How simple is that! The giveaway will run today through May 23. The winner will be picked randomly. Please check back on May 24th to see if it is you!!
P.S. You may want to pop over to www.tracyporter.com to check out the goods in case you are the lucky winner! Also please “Like” us on Facebook here.
I am there to chatter every day, would love to meet you! Â Good luck & happiness to you!
xoxo
Friday Favorites + Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Fun to see our friend Mona Thompson of Providence Ltd. included here, with a great roundup of guest bloggers talking about their favorite antique pieces. Love the Swedish style, and love Mona’s bathroom too (we featured her house in November of last year!). (2 Cents on Antiques (Via Fab Blog Friends) via Splendid Willow)
From art director Mandy Keener: “This makes me giddy! Love this & such a great cause.” (“Lisa Bengtsson for Save the Children” via decor8)
From advertising coordinator Laura LaRue: “Wow….you had me at frilly cake. These all look delicious. Beautiful images too.” (“Table for Two: Call Me Cupcake” via This is Glamorous)
From account executive Stevi Jackson: “I’m so happy to have D Home back in blog world! I could curl up with a good book in a chair full of these silk pillows for a mini-vacation any day.” (“Vintage Scarves Make Pretty Pillows” via D Magazine)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “A beautiful tribute to mothers this holiday weekend from Coco+Kelley.” (Happy (Famiglia” Weekend” via Coco+Kelley)
In case you missed it:
Don’t forget to enter this giveaway worth $200 before midnight tonight!
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