Good with Style

Decorating How to: Replace Your Sofa Legs

Pottery Barn has been my default-go-to for home furnishings at various times in my life (what a surprise). Such was the case when purchasing a new sofa six years ago. It just seemed like the easiest thing to do (translate=I am lazy). Now, knowing more, I would have done things differently. For one--I prefer upholstered furniture so much more than slip-covered. Also, I would have chosen a different fill for the couch pillows. As it is, the down just isn't my thang. For one, I'm not patient enough for the constant fluffing, and also--have you ever noticed that the feathers poke through and prick you? It's like the goose is getting back at you posthumously or something. I also made a teensie mistake by letting my kids jump on the couch--it's a bit saggy in the middle. Not unlike my own middle. My point is--I'm looking to remake the sad overused wretch that is my sofa. First step--replace the couch legs. Of course, I want to use legs made from Sustainable Wood. I happily discovered BingLtd--an online shopping, bricks and mortar home furnishings business. Now, if I can just get my husband to turn the sofa over so I can check out those legs.

The next step: Replace the cushions and upholster (rookie style) the couch. Good luck with that, right? I do have a simple (really!) how-to upholster project in my Eco Chic Home book. I'll keep you updated on this little home decorating project as it progresses. 

*Photo: Atwood Sectional. $3199. 92"L x 65"W x 27"H. Available in Cabana Hemp (as shown) or Urban Tweed Ink. FSC-Certified Wood Frame. Available at Area 51 Furniture Store, Seattle.

More about the different types of sofa legs:

eco-friendly container and vase inspiration

Source: hutchstudio.blogspot.com via raccoon on Pinterest

I'm seeing a lot of newspaper plant containers, these with chicken wire are especially clever. I love to make designs using wire hangers (which can not be recycled--fyi). Here's my take on the wire container idea, which was inspired by Steaks Frites, which I believe are often wrapped in newspaper in their containers, n'est pas?

Photography Credit: Seth Smoot and Kendra Smoot from Eco Chic Home by Emily Anderson

my hashi reuseable chopsticks via @AplusRdesign

Japan has some other things to contend with at the moment, but one of their biggest eco-issues is the amount of chopsticks made and discarded each year--25 Billion per year, and 200 sets for every person! I love this cheery video about a reuseable alternative--My Hashi from Yuen'to (find other great items like this at A+R Design). Sushi and other Chopstick-worthy food is pretty common all over the world, so maybe we should all get in on this--plus, you'll be supporting a Japanese business which is pretty great too :) Check out how nicely designed this product is with sustainable packaging that is beautiful and functional. The packaging compliments and elevates the aesthetic of the product itself. I think this is what all product design should strive for, especially if it's supposed to be eco-friendly. XO Emily

My Home Organizing Tips

In honor of today, which I have designated as a day (week?) of organizing, here are a few solutions you might like.

 

Make it yourself, or find it at the.com.(This is no longer a working site--any ideas where you can find this?)

Here's another clever way to put vases or jars to work on your wall, via Postro Advintage on Etsy.

This Martha Stewart towel caddy looks really easy to make, and what a great thing to do with your old bath towels.

 

Never find yourself without entertainment for your kids--take this little drawing crayon pouch with you wherever you go.

One of my favorite ideas from the Editors at Martha Stewart--this is made with two identical bookshelves.

 

This is a project from my book, Eco Chic Home, and I actually have this hanging in my home. It's really useful for stashing receipts, sunglasses, money.

 

This is my little girl's "office" that I created for her right before my son was born so she would a space that was just for her (they share a room). I just used an Ikea table with telescoping legs, set it on the lowest setting. Everything else are items we had around the home that I repurposed--a muslin covered tack board, vertical files, and the table. These are my "Organized Monday" ideas. Please share some of your ideas (with photos!) and I'll post about them next week.

 

Easy Decor Ideas Anyone Can Do

It really doesn't take much to add a focal point in any room. Sweet Paul features this ten minute decorating idea in which he uses magazine tear sheets from Vogue--which if you're like me you have plenty of. Add some strategically placed dogwood branches and voila. Have a wonderful weekend!

Any idea that is fast easy and fabulous is A-ok with me.

Cherry Blossoms by Carolina Herrera

 

This moment of Spring is brought to you by Carolina Herrera. Cherry Blossoms are the ultimate harbingers of warmer weather on the way, don't you think? I love the combination of pink and zesty green in this image, a flash of color against a creamy background. It's the same simple, affordable approach to design I embrace in my own home. It's an excellent example of how a couple of luxury items--the velvet and damask fabrics--can add drama and synergy to a space. There are even ways to make your own Cherry Blossom branches so that you can have a little bit of Spring all year long.

If design govern in a thing so small*

  
(photo & styling: Kendra and Seth Smoot)

Practically everything I design is derived from everyday materials. 

Newspaper, cardboard, glass. I especially like working with 

wire hangers, I think it's because I love fil de fer so much.

It is surprisingly simple to work with a deconstructed wire 

hanger, all you need is a good wire cutter and some medium size 

pliers. I made the compote above with two wire hangers and a bit

of fine gauge copper wire. You can see the detailed

instructions when the book is released. 

In the meantime, feast your eyes on these fantastic wire 

creations by Marie Christophe. 

*This line of poetry is from:

Design

by Robert Frost

I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,

On a white heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth --
Assorted characters of death and blight
Mixed ready to begin the morning right,
Like the ingredients of a witches' broth --
A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,
And dead wings carried like a paper kite.

What had that flower to do with being white,
The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?
What brought the kindred spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth thither in the night?
What but design of darkness to appall?--
If design govern in a thing so small.