the happy living Blog

myperfectcolor : the blog

I have mentioned Myperfectcolor before when I was looking for that perfect Martha Stewart green that my friend used in her kitchen.  They are a New Jersery based retailer that matches colors from every paint company and can even make colors that are discontinued like that perfect green.

They have been blogging since January and I am enjoying their posts.  God knows we have a lot of painting to do around here and I need all the help I can get.  There's a fun one titled How to paint and save your marriage in three easy steps....  What I love most about Myperfectcolor are their 16 oz. sample cans.  All this, and now they are offering free shipping on orders over $50!  Yes, you can get all your paint samples and full size cans of paint delivered right to your door.

shop : read

Check them out and happy painting!

beautiful things :: Saffron Marigold

You must see these beautiful hand-crafted and block printed bedspreads, duvet covers, curtains and more over at Saffron Marigold.  I love the sari-inspired prints and the bright colors.

So pretty and so affordable.  Their 26" x 26" cushion covers are $20!  Saffron Marigold also supports Fair Trade.  I received the most lovely email from Anisha about how Saffron Marigold came to be and just had to tell you about it. 

looking for :: bedside table lamps

I was inspired by this lamp (via housemartin)...

and really love these hand blow glass lamps from Ochre...

but found these which are more in my budget range.

Amber glass table lamp for $93.99

White glass table lamp for $53.99

I really like finding comparable items for much less money, don't you? 

hable construction at Garnet Hill

I have an ongoing love affair with hable construction and now they have teamed up with Garnet Hill on an entire bedding collection.  Right now it is not in the budget for me since we have lots of upcoming projects at the house but I am thinking of adding a couple of pillow cases to satiate my appetite.  :)

 

pic from Garnet Hill

mini moderns

I don't post that much about kids and kid stuff, but I have an expecting bff and am absorbing lots of fun sites and links.  Keith from Absolute Zero Degrees emailed me back in the fall about mini moderns.  Today I just noticed some new to me wallpapers that I love.  On a personal note, my first bedroom in my parents house was yellow and had an accent wallpapered wall.  When my brother was born (I was 4 at the time) I moved to another room.  Can you believe I still remember the wallpaper in that yellow room.  I am sure I can dig up a picture of it.  It had yellow, orange and green colored pull toys on it.  So I think something graphic in a baby or child's room can have a great impact on their memory and understanding of colors and shapes.

The architect geek in me is partial to the "Do you live in a Town" wallpaper.  That milk chocolate would go amazing with so many other colors.  I also think all of the wallpapers above are timeless and could be used in a baby's room all the way up to a teenager's room.  What do you think?  Also, don't miss the other mini modern stuff like the cute plates and bowls.

some things I learned about hanging window treatments

First, collect all your tools before you begin that way you don't have to run up and down two flights of stairs multiple times.  Second, don't assume that the shade manufacturer has provided all the necessary hardware required to properly hang your shade.

I decided to hang the shades tight up to the ceiling.  Our ceilings on the second floor are 7'-6" tall, which is fairly low and our bedroom is pretty big so I wanted to introduce some vertical-ness to the room it has seemed to help.

Now to get some color on those walls!

Lenkart, The Art of Decor

More handcrafted goodness by Lenkart...lovely decorative pillows.  Check out the monthly specials!

A few of my favorites...

 

 

weekend & jersey city apartment tour

We went to the Yankees game on Saturday.

And then we spent the rest of the weekend with friends in Jersey City.  As promised, here's a mini tour of Annisia and James' great apartment.  You can see the full size photos and tour here.
 

my new favorite snail mail catalog :: at west end

Maybe I have have been living under a rock.  But before the at west end catalog arrived over the weekend, I had never heard of them.  Their address is from Mississippi.  Anyone there know of them?  Probably the slowest I've browsed through a catalog in a long time...move over anthropologie.  I was also pleasantly surprised by most of the prices.  Reasonable, I thought.  Shop online.  I am so in love with the bee hive baskets and birdhouse. But I can't decide if I love the products more or the location of their photo shoot!?  It's like breath of fresh catalog air. (all photos are from at west end)

 

  

 

  

good book :: Let's Get Comfortable: How to furnish and decorate a welcoming home By Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams

For a long time I have been a huge fan of MG and BW's furniture and classic style.  I think this book appeals to many different tastes because their pieces are so versatile and definitely gives both great inspiration and practical space planning solutions for home.  There are tips on finding your own comfort at home, how pieces of furniture affect a room, a "stressless way to discover which furnishings you like", furniture arranging and mixing furniture, colors and textures.

Some quick highlights...

"Making people feel at home begins at the front door.  Much more than a pass-through, the entry sets the comfortable tone for your home." (pg. 36)

"Think of it as collecting, rather than decorating.  Surround yourself with pieces you love." (pg. 75)

"Imagine Your Rooms Naked...Comfort comes not only from the right furniture but also from furniture properly placed."

Check it out!
(images from letsgetcomfortable.com)