NEW IMPERIAL TRELLIS CUSTOM COLLECTION

The Imperial Trellis pattern is all the rage in the interior design industry. The LOFT32 Imperial Trellis alternative fabric was  inspired by Kelly Wearstler and is as close to her original pattern as you can get.

Now, you can own Imperial Trellis patterned pillows, drapes and table runners! LOFT32 now offers custom made home decor items in your color choice of any of the Imperial Trellis inspired fabric. We can make any size to fit your needs. Check out these LOFT32 customers' homes and others who added a little Imperial Trellis to their spaces!
 

photo courtesy of LOFT32 customer

photo courtesy of LOFT32

Photo courtesy of DecorPad.com

Photo courtesy of LOFT32

Photo courtesy of LOFT32

Photo courtesy of coloradohomesmag.com

Photo courtesy of Source4interiors

Fabric color options available: Citrine/Ivory, Black/Ivory, Coffee/Ivory, Aqua/Grey, Two Toned Grey

To inquire or place an order, contact: loft32@verizon.net or visit the LOFT32 Etsy Shop!



A STORY WORTH TELLING......CHAPTER II

As you might recall, from my previous post (Chapter 1), I realized that your home (and our home) is your book and the treasures in your home are small chapters! I promised to share more of my "chapters" with you, so here we are....

Chapter II-Trash vs. Treasure 
 
As you all know, the saying goes..."one man's trash is another man's treasure". Well, I believe there's some truth to that, and the saying that should immediately follow it is "the beauty (or shall I say-potential beauty) is in the eye of the beholder".
  
I wanted a very basic, but solid wood table in an espresso stain. I decided after seeing tons of "almost the right table" (a lot of them in veneer, and some that were VERY close, but way too expensive), that the only remaining option was to have one custom made.

In the meantime, what in the world would I do about the chairs? The furniture maker could make chairs, but I wanted them upholstered, not all wood. I went on another quest, for chairs. If I bought chairs from a retail store and had the table made, how would I get the stain to match? Then, I figured it all out...I was going to mix old and new-old (vintage) chairs and a new table. I narrowed it down to chrome chairs for a classic look and began searching for the perfect chairs-vintage style, classic and still in good enough condition that I can restore them myself. I wanted to keep the cost down, but as you know, once it's called "vintage", the price usually gets increased by about five notches! I searched online for 3 months! I searched Etsy, Ebay and Craigslist...until I found THE ones!

Someone who ate dinner in these chairs from childhood, through adolescence, into adulthood and now couldn't wait to get rid of them-posted six Chrome Vintage Chairs for sale on Ebay for a starting bid of $100! As I scrolled through the pictures, I KNEW they would be absolutely amazing with my new table (or table to be). I HAD TO HAVE THEM! Three days left in the auction and no bids yet.....okay, sounding good.....reading through the description, I stumbled upon the shipping details. The details said "PICK UP ONLY" ....oh noooo....and where were these chairs??? NEW YORK!!! (cue the record skipping noise)

I was NOT about to give up! I contacted the seller to ask if there was ANY way that she would consider shipping them to me (in California) if I bid and happen to win them. She was reluctant at first, but said if I researched the shipping method and found someone to also pack them, then she would do it. So, I researched my heart out and found out that she could ship them via Greyhound from a local station near her and right to a station here in my hometown! The shipping costs weren't too awful either. So, I placed my bid and WON them for only $100! (vision: me dancing around the house) But....then I get a call from the seller...oh no....but it was good news....she called to say that she found two more chairs (8 total) and if I wanted those too, then she would include them....let me think about it....UMMMM YEAH! 

Now, we had to plan on designing a larger table to accommodate 8 chairs, instead of six. Thank goodness the dining room was big enough to fit all of it! So, as you can see from the above picture, the chrome was a little pitted and had some scuffs and rust. The upholstery was a 1968 faux suede in a beige color and should have been replaced about 43 years ago! Once the chairs arrived, we removed the seats and backs, bought some really fine grade steel wool (0000), used a LOT of elbow grease and some chrome polish to clean up the chrome. They shined up really nice. We took them to our local upholster and selected a white leather fabric for them. Drum roll please.....

Once we had the table made, it was a match made in heaven!

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!!!