Designer Helen Lockhart of Conway’s Red Chaise Designs blends old and new to create a fresh look in this Morrilton kitchen. We love the little details, including the ACME glass tile backsplash and Arhaus light fixtures.
crafting 101 : light up your life
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Ever since I found my first vintage lampshade frame on the side of the road and suffered extreme sticker shock at the cost to get it recovered professionally, I have been looking for easy and inexpensive ways to dress up the plain (and may I say, boring) lampshades that are more budget friendly.
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Here are a few of my favorite (and easy) crafty lampshade embellishments that will fit any budget:
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A few years ago (my how time flies!) I decorated a guest room and playroom for a favorite client. Because Liz is an amazing chef, I chose the theme of a “sweets shoppe” for the playroom. To embellish the plain Wal-Mart lampshade, I used clip-on curtain rings, ribbon and metal cookie cutters in fun colors.  The look is playful, cheery and easily changable as the grandchildren grow.
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Vintage burlap shades are some of my person favorites, but too often they can look dull and fuddy duddy on their own. I have taken to attaching oversized silk flowers to mine using hat pins. I often change out the flowers seasonally, and sometimes I even replace them with other fun objects- paper pinwheels in the summer, felt leaves for fall… By using hat pins I can change the look easily and quickly without damaging the shade.
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Ball fringe and a hot glue gun can be a huge asset to any lampshade, especially small ones. Because I only had small scraps of this vintage fringe, I wasn’t if I would ever find a use for them. Then I remembered these small chandelier lampshades that I leftover from another project. Together they added a great bit of drama and color to a small powder room.
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Paper shades can be the plainest of the plane when it comes to lampshades. Luckily a single hole punch, some ribbon and a great vintage button can solve that problem.
To create a clean and sophisticated look, make sure to measure and mark before you punch.
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On this lampshade, I used my fingers as my guide. My pattern was 1 finger space apart/punch then two finger spaces apart/punch. Using a pencil I marked off where each punch should go before getting started. If you are nervous about trying this. Wrap a piece of paper into a cone shape and practice measuring and marking your pattern.
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Finally, when in doubt, you can always thrown some vintage hankies over the top edges of the shade and call it a day. This lampshade embellishment is sweet and simple, and goes perfectly in a vintage cottage or  little girls room. Just layer and fold the top corner of each hankie around the top edge of your shade (do not cover the middle or the light bulb portion for safety.)
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Those are just a few of my ideas of how to easily light up your life with some inexpensive embellishments.  Thank you for lighting my life up by letting me share these crafty tips with you today!
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friday favorites : fall favorites, kitchen makeovers, save the date
From associate/online editor Rosemary Hallmark: “Belle Maison’s post about the reasons she is looking forward to fall is really just a post about things that make me extremely happy. How could this not be a Friday Favorite?” {“9 Reasons I’m Looking Forward to Fall” from Belle Maison}
From art director Mandy Keener: “Love this kitchen renovation. They took a boring kitchen and made it bright and exciting.” {“Before & After: Kitchen Makeover” from Design Sponge}
From marketing coordinator Tara Johnson: “I was completely blown away by this kitchen remodel. You won’t believe the before pictures.” {“Reader Redesign: When the Walls Come Down” from Young House Love}
From account executive Rhonda Davis: “Come and celebrate Tulips 10th Anniversary! It’s going to be a fun evening benefiting a great charity.” {“Save the Date: Tulips Turns Ten!” from At Home in Arkansas}
Save the Date : Tulips Turns Ten!
On October 4, Tulips, the Little Rock fashion and family boutique, will celebrate 10 years of business in the Heights by giving back. Owner Emily Brown will host an evening of fun and freebies, from 6-9pm, to benefit Women & Children First (WCF). Bring toilet paper, paper towels or household cleaning supplies to donate to WCF, and you’ll be entered to win one of a bevy of prizes, including products from Juicy Couture, Free People, Ella Moss or a $500 Tulips gift card. Drawings will be held every ten minutes and a portion of all sales from the event will be donated to the shelter.
At Home in Arkansas is a proud sponsor of this event.
color confidential : beach-side serenity
room of the week : modern marvel
In this week’s Room of the Week, we are marveling at this modern, metropolitan kitchen. When Meridith Hamilton of MLH Designs was approached by a client to turn a loft apartment in a 115-year-old building into an urban dream, she focused on horizontal lines and clean finishes, allowing the brick walls and brown undertones of the cabinets to keep the space warm and inviting.
Read the full story in the September Kitchens & Baths issue, in stores and online today.
at home with green design : restore & after 2012
This year’s ReStore and After Event (sponsored by At Home in Arkansas) is just around the corner, September 20th, and I couldn’t be more excited! The event is a silent auction benefiting Pulaski County Habitat for Humanity. What makes this auction so special, and why I’m so pumped, is that the items being sold are furniture donated to Habitat ReStore–one of my favorite spots to shop for home goods– that have been revamped by local ‘artists.’
I put ‘artists’ in quotes only because I was lucky enough to be invited to showcase and auction a piece of furniture, but I am fully aware that I am in NO WAY an artist.
I found my furniture back in early summer at the ReStore on University. It’s an amazing drop-leaf table with matching chairs. It was a bit retro (why yes, that is burgundy velvet you see), but I was ready for the challenge.
First it was time for a little elbow grease. I was sore when I finally finished sanding the table and chairs. I could actually smell the ‘grandma’s house’ smell in the particles coming off the wood.
Thanks to this project, I finally found a use for the ugly, worn towels I’d been hoarding in my garage. I cut them into smaller sections and used them as wipe cloths for staining.
With help from the guys at Spectrum Paint in the Heights, I selected Benjamin Moore Spanish Moss for my finish. After applying a liberal coat, I wiped off the excess.
I think the result was rather pretty, if I do say so myself. Next I chose paint (Benjamin Moore Florida Keys) and new fabric (Ikat print from Fabric.com) for the chairs.
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After the staining, painting, and re-upholstering, it was time to reassemble the chairs. Thankfully I had help (and borrowed tools) from my friend Bryan.
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After a coat of lacquer, this project was in the bag. I’m satisfied with the outcome and can’t wait to see what the other participants bring to the event. (In fact, I have a bet going with two other artists–At Home art director Mandy Keener and her boyfriend, Joe Warren–over whose piece will bring in the most money for Habitat.)
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Tickets for ReStore and After 2012 are still available online or in person at Habitat ReStores in Little Rock and North Little Rock. I really hope we’ll be seeing some of you blog followers on September 20th.
monday must haves : katie henry of passys and parties
Happy Monday! We’re kicking off the week with a glimpse at blogger Katie Henry’s must haves! We loved seeing Katie’s kids’ spaces in August’s Family Living issue, as well as having her guest blog for us last month. Check out Katie’s blog, Passys & Parties, for more inspiring ideas!
1. Sukan Pillows
This seller on etsy has some of the most unique, well made pillows. I have used a couple of her pillows for rooms and they are always standouts in the room.
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2. Cricut Machine
This has been a staple in my life for a few years now. You can create so many fun DIY creations with this little machine. Definitely could not live without my cricut!
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I can not live without the flea markets we have around Arkansas. I live in Northwest Arkansas and have my favorite stops. Daisies and Olives in Prairie Grove is my GO TO place every time and it never disappoints. My daughter’s nursery wasn’t complete until I accessorized it with flea market finds from all over Arkansas… frames, lamps, even the crochet table cloth that I used for the crib skirt, all came together perfectly after I did a little antiquing.
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4. Baskets
As a stay at home mom with 2 little ones, I have toys everywhere! I have baskets in many corners around the house because it is a stylish and easy way to store toys. It’s not only a great way to create storage in your home, but baskets can complete a space by adding texture and warmth to your room. My favorite baskets are from Pottery Barn.
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I am a flea market addict. I find one of a kind deals at antique stores around Arkansas and love to make them over. Vaslpar spray paints have wonderful colors to choose from and are easy to use. Their spray paint colors are more unique and rich compared to other brands.
friday favorites : desktop flair, leather sofa, tangerine pops, lemon-poppy seed
From associate/online editor Rosemary Hallmark: “I’ve been at At Home for nearly four months and it’s high time my office gets a bit of decor. This post had so much inspiration. I better get to work!” {“Desk Accessories” from Good Bones, Great Pieces}
From art director Mandy Keener: “Whoa. That couch is splendid. A great spot to just curl up this winter with a fresh stack of magazines & coffee. Enjoying the best of a Sunday morning…” {“This Sofa” from Black.White.Yellow.}
From assistant art director Laura LaRue: “I love the combination of comfort and style in this home. And, of course I love those pops of tangerine and the basket lights. When can I move in?” {“Desktop Declutter” from Delight by Design}
From marketing coordinator Tara Johnson: “This time of year I cling on the remnants of summer for dear life. Then, something simple like this recipe reminds of the three things I love about fall: baking, boots and football.” {“Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread” from Eat Yourself Skinny}
anatomy of : kitschy yellow kitchen
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