Kimberly Reuther

So, after a couple years of deciding that I needed a larger media stand (you’ll see what I mean in the before photo) and not finding one that fit my budget and vision for the room, I decided to get creative.   When most people do home improvements, they tackle DIY projects.  I prefer the HDDI method, also known as, Have Dad Do It.

My dad is very skilled as a carpenter but committing to a time frame is not his forte because he is in high demand.  Luckily, my grandpa and my cousin were willing to help out with painting and hauling the completed piece to my apartment.  Now to get my dad on board with my concept.  As you can see by my sketches, I was definitely more focused on the little accent pieces…I did give him dimensions, I’m no dummy!  The goal was to get the baskets of movies in the console but still functional and hide all the wiring to my components.  I’ll let you judge the photos for yourself.  I bet you are already thinking of your very own HDDI project!  Thanks for all the hard work guys!

Before Media Wall - Yes, it's an end table...

My Concept Sketches

Phase 1 - The boys got carried away with the red paint on the center lines

Phase 2 - I created the shapes out of cardboard with my arty friend Brent's help

Voila! Finished product - Functional & Pretty!

New Media Wall - so much cleaner!

Team Photo Take 1 - Eric, quit moving!

Team Photo Take 2 - Grandpa's not smiling

Team Photo Take 3 - This will have to do!

So, I just found out that one of my favorite places for inspiration, Hable Construction, is no longer making all of their pillows out of fun wool felt patterns.  And this year is the last year for the wool felt stockings…now here are the results of my web search for unique, colorful stockings!  Happy Holidays!

Hable Construction Wool Felt Stockings

Ballard Designs Personalized Stockings

Pottery Barn Crewel Embroidered Stockings

Crate & Barrel Cheers Stocking

Pier 1 White Jester Stocking

PB Teen Peace & Floral Stockings

Horchow Angelica Shell Stockings

Wisteria Running Reindeer Stocking

I’m back in search of the perfect design element, this time, ornaments for the tree!  Actually, ornaments can serve several purposes during the holidays, some become hostess gifts, others become napkin rings, the list goes on and on.

So here are a few that I found especially beautiful and unique this year!

Happy Decorating!

Wisteria Glass Ornament

Crate & Barrel Curly Antler Reindeer

Wisteria Silvered Mistletoe

Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments Set of 3

Pottery Barn Peppermint Sphere Ornament

Horchow Waterford Crystal 2009 Snow Crystals Ornament

Restoration Hardware

Crate & Barrel Jingle Bell Wreath Ornament

Pottery Barn German Glitter Bird Clip Ornament

West Elm Silver Ball Ornament designed by David Stark

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest One of All?”  How much of a statement can a mirror make?  Depends on how good looking it is and what it is reflecting, of course!

Here are my some of my favorite styles for today…mostly classic pieces that inspire for decades to come.

Notice, my two favorite silhouettes, beautifully scaled floor mirrors and classically elegant starbursts…what catches your eye?

Neiman Marcus - Zebra Motif Mirror

Baker - Constellation Mirror

Oly Studio - Astrid Mirror

Neiman Marcus - Porcupine Quill Mirror

Ballard Designs - Villaine Floor Mirror

Restoration Hardware - Venetian Beaded Mirror

Oly Studio - Natasha Mirror

Oly Studio - Bubble Mirror

Sconces can either fade into the background or they can be a focal point of a hallway, staircase, dining room, etc.

Here are some uniquely beautiful options to inspire you!

Currey & Co. - Midwinter Wall Sconce

Oly - Small Delanie Sconce

Hinkley - Atlantis Sconce in Titanium

Currey & Co. - Moontide Wall Sconce

Fine Art Lamps - Portobello Road Sconce

Troy - Sausalito Sconce

Currrey & Co. - Twilight Wall Sconce

You want a sofa that looks great, is comfortable, has modern lines, perfect details and proportions.  Searching for something unique, one of a kind, and perfect for you can be exhausting.

So, take a break and plop down on one of these fabulous sofa options…ahhh, relaxing.

Weego Home - Lauren Sofa

Pottery Barn - Seabury Sofa

Plantation - Grayson Sofa

Oly Studio - Hanna Sofa

Plantation - Remy Sofa

WS Home - Taylor Sofa

Crate & Barrel - Azure Sofa

Vanguard - Cooper Sofa

I’m back on the search for the “perfect” lamp.  Lamps have a huge impact on a room and can really tie in a lot of other elements or simply make a statement of their own.  Here are some more to fall in love with…

Bungalow 5 - Alexandra Lamp

Slip Lamps - ed 613 hpc

Mariana Imports Table Lamp

Currey & Company Florian Table Lamp

Oly - Anthony Table Lamp

Arteriors - Off White/Black Cadence Lamp

Oly - Pipa Table Lamp

I think chandeliers make one of the most impressive statements in a home.  They really reflect a homeowner’s personality.  Here are a few unique options to consider…

Organic Chic

Retro Glamour

Restoration Hardware - Alexandria Chandelier

Unexpected Whimsy

Hammerton - Seriph Chandelier

Contemporary Sparkle

Vaughan Lighting - Verbier Chrystal Chandelier

Mod Decadence

Vaughan Lighting - White Chandelier

Okay, back to my search for beautiful, sometimes unattainable things!

This time it is table lamps.  There are so many beautiful choice from cheap to chic, with varying heights and finishes!  Which one is right for you?  Well, take a look at a few at the top of my list!

Atom Designs - Marais Lamp

Atom Designs - Barocco Lamp

Shades of Light - Chrome & Lattice Ball Table Lamp

Shades of Light - Modern Spindle Table Lamp

West Elm - Bronze Ceramic Table Lamp

Neiman Marcus - Grand Crystal Table Lamp

Neiman Marcus - Driftwood Table Lamp

Another part of my elusive search for the perfect design item, the decorative accent pillow!

Here are a few great options at very reasonable prices!  Click on each image to visit the websites!

Atom Designs - Goldfinch Pillow

West Elm - Sunshine Ikat Outdoor Pillow

Pottery Barn - Coral Pillow

West Elm - Shells Pillow