Three new tabletop intros found success
Three new tabletop intros found success
Are you looking for a great way to create a beautiful, stylish bathroom? If so, then think about glass — one of the year’s top bathroom trends. Here is a quick look at the many stylish ways the design world is putting glass to work in the bathroom.
If you want to decorate with glass, then the shower will be an essential part of your theme. Here are a few ways you can really take off with glass:
There are two great ways to incorporate glass in the bathroom sink: One is to make use of glass sinks, particularly vessel sinks, which tend to resemble old-fashioned washstands.
The other way to use glass around the sink is to go with a glass countertop over an open-framed vanity. Continue the theme using a glass vessel sink on the glass counter or choose a vessel sink in a contrasting color. In some high-end bathrooms, the glass counter is even illuminated from below, which adds a pleasantly modern ambience.
The shower and sink aren’t the only places you can use glass! In fact, there are tons of smaller accents that will help you create a stylish, cohesive look. Consider the following ideas:
As you can see, there are many ways to get the look you want using glass fixtures and accents. Make your bathroom beautiful with glass, and this is one trend that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Find here best dining room decorating ideas and designs by Kitty&Company Interior Design llc, Who is one of the best interior designers and decorators in Chelsea, Michigan, United States.
If you have a previous experience with dining room designs by Kitty&Company Interior Design llc, please leave your review in a comment and share our readers your experience.
Forget Hillary, Bernie, or Trump. The really big deal is Apartment’s Therapy’s Big Reveal Makeover Contest. See, this lucky lady made over her apartment bathroom a few months back & decided to enter it in the contest. A refresher of the budget-sized but impactful makeover:
Do you know what I could do with $1000? How far that would go at Target and IKEA? That I could buy some fantastic creation from a starving artist or a fabulous piece of furniture?
Voting ends in one week, October 28, so I need as much help as I can get. Unfortunately, AT posts new contestants each day, so those who were announced earlier on have more time to receive votes. That was not me, as I just learned I was accepted a few days ago.
That’s why I need your votes! To help a sister out, go here, log in/register, and then click the heart to “favorite” my room.
Thanks so much for your help! Together, we can do this!
Thanks for visiting! Let’s stay connected!
Filed under: Bathroom, Before & After, DIY, Rental Decorating, Reveals + Makeovers
We’re back this morning with another edition of Clearance Treasure Tuesday! We’ve just moved some new products to the clearance area, and many of them are priced 20-50% off! Here are a few of our favorite items and biggest savings.
Christmas Past napkin and Christmas Past place mat – both 55% off!
Keys wall sign – 47% off!
‘A little birdie…’ dish towel – 38% off!
Rooster kitchen towel – 47% off!
Small Goodnight Santa – 25% off!
Burlap Bird Ornament Set – 53% off!
Balsam and Berries Mantle Scarf – 43% off!
Sir Flurry – 25% off!
Wine Jug Lamp with Shade – 47% off!
Faith Family Friends shower curtain – 46% off!
If you have spent any amount of time with me talking topcoats, you will know within 30 seconds that I am a wax girl.
I have written blog posts and gotten on my soap box during workshops and demos listing the benefits of wax. So, I don’t feel the need to rehash much of what I’ve stated so frequently (If you are interested you can read about my wax tips here, here and here).
Instead, I thought I’d talk a bit more about the differences between the colored waxes and variations in the application process now that I’ve had a chance to work with all the different shades of the new Annie Sloan waxes.
We sell and regularly work with two different wax products. The first is a beeswax that we carry as part of the Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint line. The second is the Annie Sloan Soft Waxes. Although they are both wax topcoats, the application and finished result is quite different. Here’s how I break it down:
Miss Mustard Seed’s Wax
When it’s all said and done, Miss Mustard Seed’s Wax offers a wonderfully protective finish that is very easy to apply and it has a matte look and feel.
Annie Sloan Soft Wax
Your furniture painted with Annie Sloan Paint and paired with her Soft Wax will have beautiful and lustrous sheen to them that can only be achieved when you pair her products together.
Which begs the question, can you mix the product lines?
Yes…and, no.
Anytime you start mixing different product lines, you always want to test an area of what you are painting to make sure that the two products will be symbiotic. You just never know what may be in one product that compromises the integrity or finish of another product. So, as a general rule of thumb I recommend that you stick with products in the same line (On a side note, I strongly discourage using Briwax or Minwax Finishing Paste as a top coat on either of these product lines as I’ve seen some pretty dramatic negative results).
That being said, I can sometimes be a bit of rule breaker!
I have paired Annie Sloan Soft Wax as a top coat to Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint and vice versa. In doing so, I was hoping to achieve a similar sheen on MMSMP as I get with Annie Sloan Paint. That wasn’t the case and I have since learned that the ONLY WAY to achieve the characteristic “Annie Sloan Look” is to pair her products.
Unlike any other product on the market, wax has the capability of not only serving a functional purpose in protecting your piece of furniture, but also as a very decorative and artistic element. So, the next time you are working on a piece of furniture, I challenge you to stretch your artistic abilities and find new ways to use the wax decoratively….whether you incorporate some shading, add color or mix waxes. And, if you are so inclined, we offer a two hour waxing workshop dedicated to the many finishes you can achieve using both wax products!
Zeal and gusto fueled your modern bathroom design some years ago. Now when you see your bathroom, maybe you long to transform it into a vintage oasis, yet you don’t know where to begin. By swapping out a few pieces in your modern bathroom, you’ll ignite the zest you once had, and begin transforming your bathroom into a vintage bathroom full of old-world charm and exceptional comfort.
A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to be complicated at all. Infuse your modern bathroom with classic pieces from Modern Bathroom, including tubs, bathroom accessories and fixtures, to transform your bathroom in a weekend.
From traditional bathrooms to modern bathrooms to vintage bathrooms, clawfoot tubs are a great choice. Accented by vintage copper, satin black or tumbled bronze fixtures, your tub sets the tone. Beyond the design, your clawfoot tub is perfect for hours of soaking following your bathroom remodel. The tub’s therapeutic qualities make it a must-have when your goal is comfort and vintage.
Pro tip:Consider installing a toilet with a detached tank to complement your freestanding tub.
Introduced in the late 1800s, pedestal sinks complement clawfoot tubs well. One of the most popular types of sinks back then, they continue to be elegant, yet functional. What’s even more fascinating about pedestal sinks is the multitude of options you have to choose from these days. Whether you desire an integrated sink or want a pedestal sink with an attached 20th century-inspired porcelain basin, you are only limited by your imagination.
Pro Tip: Bow-front pedestal sinks add dimension to your vintage bathroom.
Bare walls are a no-no when it comes to creating your dream bathroom. You can line your walls with accessories that are functional and those that simply enhance your design. Consider installing a hanging shaving mirror, wall-mounted soap dispensers, and artwork from the period that inspired your new retreat-like bathroom.
Pro Tip: Enhance your lighting and remain true to your design by adding sconces that reflect the popular designs of the period you are imitating.
Checkered tiles are a classic choice when it comes to transforming your bathroom. The time-honored look achieved by installing checkered tiles will never be a bathroom faux pas. It is the marriage of simplicity and vintage design realized. You can’t forget wallpaper. Wallpaper is a simple way to capture the vintage look you crave. With tons of print to choose from, choosing the right design will bring your bathroom to life. To get a truly vintage look, opt for a classy baroque print or a ’50s-inspired striped print.
Pro tip: Add a single chair to your bathroom to drive home your vintage look.
It doesn’t take much to rejuvenate a modern or traditional bathroom. If you want to convert your modern bathroom into a vintage bathroom, then a few inspirational pieces from Modern Bathroom will quickly get you started. Browse our website for the tub, fixture and bathroom accessories you need to take your bathroom back in time.
No log cabin is complete without comfortable, rustic bathrooms that reflect its cozy style. So whether you’re building a new log cabin or updating the baths in the one you already have, it’s important to think strategically about the fixtures you choose. From bathroom vanities to bathtubs to bathroom faucets, you’ll want to look for fixtures that complement the overall design and style of your log cabin home. To help you create a cohesive home design that incorporates the log cabin feel that you desire, here are some important ideas to keep in mind.
Are you redesigning a tiny powder room or a large master bath? Before you pick any bathroom components, determine how much square footage you have to work with as you’re shopping for bathtubs, showers and other components. You may love the rustic feel of a certain vanity, for example, but your small space might not accommodate it. Everything from your bathroom sinks to your mirrors must be in proportion to the room.
Remodeling a bathroom on your own can save you a great deal in terms of cost, but do-it-yourself projects aren’t for everybody. Evaluate how much needs to be done. Are you just replacing a vanity? Ripping out wall tile? Putting in wood wall paneling and sealing it properly? Ask yourself how comfortable you are taking on that task. If you’re looking at a small job or one that you already know how to tackle, you can confidently do it yourself. If, on the other hand, you don’t have the time and/or skill to do it yourself, it’s probably best to hire a professional.
The prices of bathroom remodels vary greatly, depending on how much you’re changing, what products you’re buying and where you’re buying them, labor costs, etc. Based on your specific project, set a budget and stick to it. Likewise, shave your supply costs by shopping at Modern Bathroom, a supplier that saves you up to 70 percent and offers free shipping on everything we sell.
To help you recognize the common themes in the log cabin look, explore log cabin websites, magazines and photographs for inspiration. Look for common elements: natural colors, greenery, photos or artwork featuring the woods. When you have a good sense of what defines the log cabin style, you’ll be better prepared to shop for new bathroom features.
Decide what you want your bathroom to feature. For a log cabin vibe, you probably want wood tones, natural colors that are found outside (browns, tans, greens, blues, etc.) and textiles and accents that can create a cozy, rustic feel. Incorporating these components in the bathroom means choosing natural elements such as wood floors, wood walls, a natural stone shower and maybe a textured sink or accents of copper or iron. Explore options to see what works for you. You could even continue the unmistakable wood chinking that defines log cabins into the bathroom walls.
When it comes to creating the log cabin bathroom you’ve always wanted, there are many ways to get creative. Use the tips above to guide your decision-making, and simplify the experience to maximize your enjoyment. Then, for the best products on the market, come to Modern Bathroom, browsing its web catalog of factory-direct products.
Modern Bathroom is proud to be your best resource for all kinds of bathroom products, from bathroom vanities to sinks to bathtubs to mirrors. Visit either of our showrooms in California to learn more about what we offer, or explore our extensive online catalog and order online. We not only offer everyday low prices, but also provide a 110 percent price-difference guarantee: Find the product you buy from us at a lower price elsewhere within 30 days, and we’ll refund the difference plus an extra 10 percent.
Search online now to see what we offer, or contact us today to learn more.
Winter is here, and cabin fever is setting in. Feeling a little S.A.D.? There’s a reason. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing, probably known best by its other name, the “winter blues.” The best way to chase away your funk is by getting started on brightening your space for spring. Read on for five home decorating ideas that will help you fight your cabin fever.
1. Color Play
Want to make the gray skies go away? Bring in some color play! A surefire way to elevate your mood is to surround yourself with home accents in a variety of bright and cheerful hues.
2. Lighting
Winter days are especially short, and all the extra darkness sure is a bummer. Swapping out your old lamps for new, stylish lighting can help uplift your room’s vibe and give it a new look.
3. Greenery
Being forced to stay indoors keeps us from experiencing nature, which can really kick start the winter blues. Since spring won’t be here for a few more months, bring some greenery indoors with gorgeous faux succulents and spring and summer floral.
4. Florals
There’s nothing like a little flower power to kick you out of the winter doldrums. Iconic floral prints invoke the feeling of spring while refreshing any room.
Did your recent home refresh cure your case of cabin fever? Be sure to show us using #AtHomeStores.
The post 4 Ways to Fight Cabin Fever appeared first on At Home Blog.
The world of furniture painting is small. Close knit. In constant communication! It seems weird, but one of my favorite things about carrying both Annie Sloan Paint and Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint is this tight community that is fostered through the product. Not just the community of customers, but that of retailers as well. We’re like a big family of furniture painters. I bring that up because months and months ago, our Milk Paint family participated in a survey and informal discussion about some desired new products. There were so, so many great ideas. One that kept popping up, though was the desire for a new line of stencils. Really, it made perfect sense. Miss Mustard Seed is an avid free-hand painter. Creating stencils that are inspired by her free-hand painting is the perfect pairing to MMS Milk Paint!
I am NOT a free-hand painter. Let’s just say, I know where my talents lay and that is not one of them. I happily volunteered to be among the first to try out the new stencils and photograph our projects!
My first piece is an antique dresser that I base coated in white and then added a custom mix of Kitchen Scale and Linen MMS Milk Paint.
I used Linen for the stencil and mixed a much thicker than usual batch to minimize the paint bleeding beneath the stencil.
This particular stencil design is very simple, so to add a bit more complexity and give the more free-hand painted look, I had pattern shoot off in a variety of directions all over the drawers. As a result, it looks much more free-hand painted than stenciled (enough so that all of my employees were fooled).
And, of course I love the minimal chipping on the drawers and front.
What sets the new Miss Mustard Seed stencils apart from other stencil lines is the simplicity of the designs and the ability to layer multiple stencils and create a unique pattern that doesn’t fit into a more rigid design formula.
As soon as I find out more about the availability of the stencils, we will post it on our instagram feed and facebook page! In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for those perfect stencil projects!
While these tips are specifically intended for applicants hoping to become vendors at the knot too shabby BAZAAR, you’re likely to find that this is a secret recipe to getting accepted at any craft fair or vintage market.
Here is a preview of the vendor application for the knot too shabby BAZAAR that you can print out and use to refine your responses before submitting the official vendor application on the knot too shabby website. Once you’ve filled it out, made revisions, and have a final draft that you’re proud of, make backup copies and save them somewhere so you’ll be able to use it again as a reference for future festival applications.
Selection for the #knottooshabbyBAZAAR is a juried process. To impress the selection committee, you need to show that you have quality merchandise that fits in with the festival’s guidelines and that you are prepared to act as an ambassador both online and in-person at the event. We’re looking for artisans with products we can get excited about and who will make customers excited to shop at the fair.
I’ve read a lot of applications in my five years coordinating the knot too shabby BAZAAR so I’m sharing with you 5 of the biggest mistakes applicants make and how to not only fix them, but how to make your application stand out no matter what the competition!
Don’t take your photos on your kitchen counter, on your couch, in your dirty garage, at night, or in direct noontime sunlight that you try to hide with a filter (it will look like it’s waiting for an old west duel with the sheriff). Please don’t. I’m begging you.
I get the feeling–it’s late, you’ve just finished that project you’ve been working on, the kids are finally asleep, and you’re in a hurry to snap a photo on your phone and instantly share it with the world. But with a few simple steps, you can make a photo that actually draws viewers in and entices them to buy your product–even if you don’t have a fancy camera.
Lighting: Near a large window or in open shade is often best. Avoid your living room’s tungsten lamps or your kitchen’s florescent lights–these could make your product seem discolored and they never provide enough light. Natural daylight is ideal, but pay attention to shadows–direct sunlight can create harsh unflattering shadows in addition to stark glare, but tree shade can also cast distracting mottled shadows.
Setting: Arrange your merchandise in a way that makes it easier for the viewer to picture it in their home (or even better, their dream home). Stage a vignette that looks inviting by mixing textures. A soft throw blanket and a live plant can add a homey touch to hard wood furniture.
If you make apparel, jewelry, or accessories, spend a late afternoon or early morning photographing it on a live person in a setting that matches your style. Rustic? Take a trip to the great outdoors! Coastal? Head to the beach and find a lighthouse! No matter which location you choose, your setting should complement your product; not distract from it.
Alternatively, you can use a minimalist setting to make your product pop. An all-white backdrop means that your merchandise stands out without any other distracting elements in your image.
Whether you use fabric, a painted wall, or a sheet of 8.5×11 printer paper like I did above, make sure your backdrop is completely clean of any scuff marks or lint, and that you have a large, bright light source to keep shadows to a minimum.
Angle: Do you know what your best side is? No, don’t look in the mirror–look at your merchandise. Often one of the best angles to photograph it from is the angle that customers will most frequently see it from. That means taking a moment and thinking about how your product is meant to be used. Sure, you may be on the floor already from painting those table legs, but customers won’t know what the tabletop looks like from that angle.
The first description gets the ballpark idea across, but won’t set you apart from the many, many other furniture painters out there.
Specificity is key. What is it that makes your style unique? What feelings do you want your products to evoke? What is it about your process that no one else could replicate? Those aren’t rhetorical questions–sit down and make some notes about what defines your work and no one else’s. Then take those topics and incorporate it into your new tagline.
Did you notice the second description makes no mention of furniture at all? If you’re pairing it with a quality photograph or a well-designed logo you won’t have to. Some of the most memorable slogans bypass the literal for the emotional: Apple’s “Think Different”, Capital One’s “What’s In Your Wallet?”, and Las Vegas’ “What Happens Here Stays Here” to name a few.
The second description may be slightly cheesy, but from the wording any reader could easily infer that vendor offers casual furniture pieces painted with eclectic patterns. Being vague is like a pair of old sweatpants: it may be comfortable, but if you want to go anywhere exciting, you’re going to have to make decisions and change.
The knot too shabby selection committee looks for vendors who can help attract the most customers to our annual shabby chic festival. We want vendors who have vital online followings. Having a large number of followers can be helpful, but having followers who regularly comment on and re-share your posts is even better. Engaged online followers are most likely to become customers who are enthusiastic to visit the knot too shabby BAZAAR and spend money shopping there.
Incomplete or inactive websites and social media accounts discourage would-be customers. In addition to making it harder for them to contact you, it can also hurt your reputation. Especially if you don’t have a brick-&-mortar shop, your online presence is the face of your business. A profile that lacks descriptions, quality photos, and current updates gives the impression that you’re not serious about your customer service or your products.
Building an active online presence is about showing your products in the best light possible while building a relationship with your customer base. When posting photos, include a mix of product photos, work-in-progress pics, and yes, a few photos of yourself. Consumers who appreciate vintage and handmade products want to support small business owners who are authentic and relatable. Be careful not to fall into the trap of spamming your followers with constant self-promotion. No one likes to be bombarded with non-stop advertisements. Interact with your followers and fellow handmade & vintage enthusiasts on a genuine, personal level. Regularly like and comment on their posts. Consistently show quality work and kindness and you’ll go far. It’s as easy and as difficult as that.
Especially when you’re responding to open-ended questions such as:
Write your answers as though you were responding to your ideal customer. Not only will you create more vivid descriptions, you’ll have sales pitches that will be ready for use in conversations with customers at the knot too shabby BAZAAR and beyond.
Who is your ideal customer? If you answered “anyone with cash” then you have some critical thinking to do. You’re never going to please everyone all the time and you’ll spread yourself too thin if you try.
Think about the lifestyle, spending habits, and interests of the ideal customer for your business. Is your customer someone who prefers quality or quantity? Do they appreciate originality or nostalgia more? Would they care about practicality or luxury more? What need does your product fulfill for your ideal customer? What changes in their life would prompt them to want your product? What concerns might they have before buying your product? The more clearly you can define your ideal customer, the better you can market your products to the customer base you’ll have the most success with. Know where they’re coming from, how they like to spend their free time, and which social media platforms they interact on. The more you understand about your ideal customer, the easier you can make it for them to discover your business.
Lots of customers may come and go, but if you can find your ideal customer they’ll shop with you again and again.
What’s your style? If it’s vintage or shabby chic, perfect! But that’s only a start. Every applicant’s style is vintage or shabby chic–don’t be afraid to stand out!
Use every relevant comment box on the application to your advantage. The multiple choice questions will tell the knot too shabby BAZAAR jury all the necessary basics, so there’s no need to duplicate that information. If you answered the multiple-choice question “What types of merchandise do you offer?” by choosing the option “Live plants” then your response to the short-answer question “How would you describe your merchandise?” should elaborate much more than also typing out “Live plants.” I’m not saying you need to write an essay for each comment box; after all, brevity is the soul of wit. Choose your words carefully to concisely create a vivid image of your business. Give us your best elevator pitch! If you only had 30 seconds to get a complete stranger excited about your business, what would you say?
Be as specific as you possibly can. Odds are, there are plenty of other applicants who share the same category as you. If you sell vintage clothing, what sets you apart from other vintage clothing sellers? Knowing your ideal customer will help you distinguish your individual style (and vice versa). Someone who sells rare items meant for collectors will have a different perspective than someone who’s selling items for everyday use. If you’re making items by hand, do you have a technique or tradition that sets your business apart from other makers? Perhaps you use antique tools to make your jewelry or the stationary paper is made from the flowers of distant lands you’ve traveled to–these are the kinds of details that will get the knot too shabby BAZAAR jury excited about your application!
In a nutshell, be original and go the extra mile to give your words and photos that “Wow!” factor. Whether your application gets approved or not, you will have crafted a portfolio for your pop up shop that will be beneficial for as long as you keep it updated to reflect your growing business.
When you’re ready, submit your application for the knot too shabby BAZAAR. Don’t take too long–the deadline is March 28th!
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Our best recommendations for using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan.
(Image credit: François et Moi for homedit)
There’s nothing like seeing back to school supplies everywhere to make you realize, man, I miss having a reason to buy 64-count box of crayons. And, oh ya, it’s probably time to get my life in order. With new modern DIY message boards, that first step to organization gets a little more fun.
Redesigning a bathroom and like the look of the sea? Whether you live near the beach or just wish you did, you can create a nautical bathroom remodel simply by incorporating a strategic blend of colors, appliances and features into your space’s design. A nautical look is one of those bathroom themes that has had great staying power throughout changing trends. When you’re interested in a nautical look, give yourself permission to have fun!
Here are some great ideas to keep in mind to create the kind of nautical bathroom décor you’ll love:
Decorating a bathroom is a great opportunity to showcase your style and call attention to parts of ocean life you love. Whether you keep everything understated with a few pictures of the sea hung on the walls or go all out with nautical colors, accessories and anchor-shaped hardware, you have plenty of options for customizing your space. Get inspired with the ideas above and enjoy the process.
When you’re looking for bathroom features and fixtures offered at great prices with free shipping, come to Modern Bathroom. Search our online catalog to find all the elements you need for your nautical bathroom design.
Last month, I went on a whirlwind of a trip to Oregon to take a painting class with Annie Sloan.
By whirlwind, I had to align the sun, moon and stars to pull together childcare, store coverage and the dollars to get myself to Oregon all within an eight to ten day time frame. But, IT WAS COMPLETELY WORTH IT!
I stayed in Oregon City right on one of the many rivers and commuted the short fifteen minutes into Canby where Annie Was teaching her class.
This workshop was like taking Annie’s Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and bringing it to life! Of her books, that one is my favorite and I’ve read it multiple times, sometimes in sections and cover to cover. But, nothing compared to having her teach the content of that book!
It’s entirely impossible to convey in writing the experience I had learning from THE BEST in the industry! But, I’ll try.
This is what I love about Annie Sloan Paint, her products, the person…everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is done with complete intentionality. The colors she has created are made with versatility for mixing and blending and an authenticity for the inspiration in which the color has been named.
The workshop began with tips on curating the design and style of our shops (there were around sixty shop owners taking this workshop with me) and understanding the various definitions of “vintage style.” Oddly enough, I had an e-mail exchange with Annie about five years where she helped me to understand and be able to communicate what my design style is. You can read about that exchange here.
She then, seamlessly transitioned into teaching us how to use color, both within the context of our stores, but also in our homes. For some, pairing colors and/or mixing them together is intuitive. You can see a lime green and just know that English Yellow and Antibes will give you that perfect shade of lime green. Because I’ve been mixing colors for so long, and because I’ve read much on the subject, I’ve become quite good at it. But, that isn’t the case for most people. I learned the “non-intuitive” way of understanding color which will be an amazing tool to have in my pocket both when I teach about color but also when I work with our customers on custom color mixing or pairings.
I couldn’t possibly even begin to summarize everything that I learned, but I’ll pass on a couple of fun nuggets of information from Annie Sloan herself.
If I could pass along one tip, it would be that understanding the neutral colors will completely change how you infuse color into your design!
And People…I’m always here to help inspire confidence in your projects and share tips and tricks. So just come in and ask!!! (Or take a workshop ;))