NEW PRODUCTS, NEW WEBSITE!

It's been a busy last few months! Loft32 has developed and published a new website with 100 new decor products available for purchase! Of course, we still offer our Custom Drapes, Pillow Covers and Table Runners, but we have also added some amazing design elements such as Lighting, Mirrors, Accessories, Fabric by the Yard, Outdoor items and Furniture! Our new website is: WWW.LOFT32.COM . Please stop by the website to view the products I have personally selected and want to offer to all of you. Here's a glimpse of what you might find:

Snail Shells in Gallery Frames (set)

 

City Names on Distressed Wood, New York City Names on Distressed Wood, and Beach Cities on Distressed Wood

Greek Key Lamp

Black Weathered Clock

Reclaimed Wood Cocktail Table

Zander Weathered Wing Chair with Nail Heads

Antiqued Quatrefoil Mirror Wall Art (set)

Silver Leaves on Wood Wall Plaques (set)

Authentic Sheepskin Rugs (in a variety of colors)

Custom Made Modern Sheers

Custom Made Imperial Trellis Inspired Drapes

Custom Made Pillow Covers

Authentic Zebra Cowhides (other cowhides also available)

Feel free to share this website with others, and visit it often, as we will be adding new items regularly!

KEEPING YOUR VINTAGE FINDS MODERN

I love going to flea markets, secondhand stores and vintage shops to find a great piece that can immediately transform the look of a room. It's true, vintage or antique pieces stand out as works of art when paired with the right decor style. Traditional decor can feel old, and modern decor can "get" old, but regardless of the style of house, you can always incorporate a few vintage or antique finds to keep it interesting. The challenge is keeping your vintage finds modern. Keep in mind that interiors aren't meant to "match", but rather "coordinate".

The best way to incorporate vintage/antique pieces into your decor is to intersperse them throughout. This will act as a more eclectic and international feel. Designers do this best by making sure they have one vintage piece in every room. If you're lucky enough to travel abroad, you can probably bring home some amazing finds....for all of us others, we will continue to scour the endless sea of vintage items at our local flea markets!

The only rule here is to make sure you balance cultures, styles and time periods. You can't go wrong....and these pieces make your style really stand out!

This vintage yellow tufted wingback chair adds color and character to the corner of this elegant dining room.

Believe it or not, this is a "mud room"! The room includes vintage items such as the white hall tree against the wall, the settee from an antique mall and a vintage table found on ebay.

In this sophisticated, turned rugged living space, these red vintage number signs (once used at an old gas station) add color to this space.

This room's designer created an illusion of height by placing wallpaper on the ceiling and to inspire the rest of the furnishings, she added a vintage couch (still in it's original upholstery).

While updating this home, the designer opted to keep the original 1947 molding over the doorway. It brings charm to the room, don't you agree?

All photos courtesy of Lonny Mag

The painting in this sitting area was purchased by the homeowner at a market in Thailand. Always bring back pieces when traveling.

Bottom line is to mix vintage finds with modern pieces, don't over think it, go with your gut, and if you buy what you love and put it where you'll enjoy it, it will always work!

 

Money Well Spent!

If there's one thing you can learn from my home remodeling experience, it's that you CAN decorate like a designer-without the high price tag!

Many of my friends know me as the woman who can always find a great deal. My husband says "I have champagne taste on a beer budget". However you spin it, I can find the look I want at a price I can afford....and that means NEVER paying full price. I've gone to the extent of having furniture custom made, simply because I couldn't find what I wanted for a price I was willing to pay. By doing this-you avoid the retail mark ups, and in most cases, get better quality at the same time!

Let me explain....I searched and searched and searched...for a simple dining room table. I wanted solid wood...none of the veneer stuff! I found ONE I loved, but they wanted $2300! Umm..NO! Even though it stole my heart, I was unwilling to invest $2300 into a table! So here's what I did....

I was able to have this dining room table custom made, to my specifications-for only $700! It's solid alder, 96" long, with espresso stain. It will last FOREVER! And to top it off, it's one of a kind!! I literally drew out what I wanted, chose the size specs and picked out the espresso stain.
Oh...the chairs, that's another great savings and fun restoration project. You can check out those amazing details HERE!

I also had a matching console made for only $300. Same style, wood and stain!

I believe a lot of homeowners end up paying the high retail or designer prices, because it takes a lot of time to find a great deal. I get that....sometimes it's just easier and quicker to buy the darn thing! So, I'm doing some work for you and featuring some SUPERB deals on some GORGEOUS decor items that might save you some designer bucks. 

First up...we have Swiss Dot Personalized Table Linens from Grandin Road. These crisp hemstitched napkins, placemats, and runners feature borders of embroidered Swiss dots that artfully add a classic touch. Currently on sale for $19.99-79.00. Comes in ecru (shown) and white.

Antique Copper Finish Glass Lantern Chandelier from Overstock.com. Add a touch of old fashioned styling to your home decor with this lantern chandelier. Only $166.99!

I might have to get this one for my bedroom! Brighton White Linen Storage Ottoman from Overstock.com. Upholstered in an elegant off-white shade that will match any decorating style, this ottoman is perfect as a seat or for storage. With a double-layered linen top, it is comfortable and plush, yet sturdy enough to set things on. For $201.99 it's tough to pass up!

Here's a peek inside!

Again, I will be grabbing a couple of these clover gems for myself! Do not under estimate decor items from stores like Lowes! Yes, you heard me...this 30"H x 30"W Quatrefoil Cloche Octagon Framed Mirror is from Lowes! You can get it at most stores, or order it online. And the finish is a beautifully hand-painted expresso. But wait....get ready to fall over! It's only $64.97!

And last, but certainly not least...what would you do without a signature piece? Absolutely beautiful Tufted Signature Ottoman from Overstock.com. This elegant ottoman/coffee table showcases a light tan-colored linen top, accented with button tufting. Carved wood detail on legs and millwork on apron completes the look. It's finished in espresso stain. How much, you ask? $215.99!

Close up of the signature pattern....pretty? Oui!

I'm guessing that you'll be hunting for some open spaces in your humble abode for these inexpensive, but "champagne" taste finds! Happy shopping! Let me know how it goes!!!



LOFT32 GUEST POST FEATURED TODAY

MY GUEST POST, FEATURED ON expectmoore.blogspot.com POSTED TODAY! Carolina says:I have to admit something really crazy here - I went to a mall last weekend in San Diego with my mom (no, that's not the crazy part), and as we went into the stores, I thought about how much this shirt or that skirt reminded me of something I've seen on a Blog. This is not because bloggers are ripping off the designers or vice versa - it is because I haven't stepped foot in a Mall since Christmas (unless Target counts as a Mall?). I am hopefully outdated when it comes to fashion, and trends. It is a good thing that jeans and plain t-shirts never got out of style (um, they are still in style, right?)

This is where Candace comes in... she has got true style when it comes to home decor (want to help me out with my beige walls?). She scours the stores, web, catalogs, whatever, and comes up with great posts consolidating all of it. She also shows before and afters of her own renovation projects (she's not just "talking the talk" when it comes to decor...) Thanks to her wonderful blog I can now tell you about stylish bathroom renovating and upscale pastels. I can even chat about classy birdhouses...
all while wearing my jeans and white t-shirt...

Hi! I'm Candace, the editor of Loft32 blog. I'm honored to be your guest blogger for the day during this exciting "Pocket Week". So, let's get to it....There's no doubt that we're all talented crafters, scrapbookers or seamstresses....but let's face it, we have lots of clutter! In order to create our masterpieces, it requires tons of "stuff" (your husband might call it something else) such as: stamps, ink pads, scissors, fabric, yarn, equipment, paper, glue and other necessities!

Most of us aren't lucky enough to have an entire room to work in. Nope! Instead, we have our little "pocket" of space that was designated as our "work area"! Keeping organized is one way to keep your sanity, but what about how it fits in with that chic decor of the rest of the house? Usually, people come over and you say-"this is my gorgeous kitchen, this is my lovely master bedroom, and...oh yeah, that's my craft area" and then rush them quickly passed it, hoping they didn't have time to catch a glimpse of the chaos! Just so you know...it IS absolutely possible to turn that "pocket" into an attractive, decorated space-one you'll want to show off to your guests and one which blends in well with the rest of your decor style. Here are some examples of some chic crafting spaces of all sizes!

[photos courtesy of BHG and Houzz]

Most of these crafters didn't use cabinets, but instead they chose open shelving. Cabinets tend to make smaller spaces look tiny, so even though you have tons of things to place onyour shelves, it's still best to keep them open, which allows better access too!

Hopefully, these spaces presented some great ideas and some really unique ways to stay organized, store your notions and keep it chic!

CRAIGSLIST FIND!

I have been looking for some Hollywood regency faux bamboo furniture for quite some time and finally....after searching daily....I found a great deal on Craigslist! A faux bamboo armoire and chest of drawers...best part....it's Drexel (which became Drexel Heritage in 1977)! The armoire has chicken wire where glass would normally be. Does anyone know if this is original?? I was thinking I would paint them white gloss. I think with the original hardware, it would look nice. What do you think? Any ideas? It will be in our extra bedroom, which will one day be a nursery.