Centsational Girl Archives - Satori Design for Living

Pinterest Boards I’m Hooked On

Aug

2012

It’s no secret that I’m addicted to Pinterest. If you haven’t joined the craze, I’m surprised. I feel it’s one of the best sources of inspiration and there’s really no better way to store and categorize pictures along with their links.

Although I follow a variety of boards on Pinterest, there are a few that seem to always catch my eye. First up, it’s probably no surprise that I’m drawn to a board called Beach House by Wendy Hicken. Not only do I love the softness of colors, but the light and airy rooms scream summer, meaning rest and relaxation. It’s probably my favorite time of the year, and having a cottage is definitely a dream of mine.

Designer Challenge: Which Side Table? {Part One}

Mar

2012

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It’s time once again for our Designer Challenge. This time I presented three fabulous side table options and asked each designer to select her favorite and tell us what she’d do with it. First up, I’m thrilled to introduce Kate of Centsational Girl. As many of you know, Kate is a very busy gal writing her own highly successful DIY and home improvement blog, contributing to several magazines and websites, as well as being part of several other projects. I was pleasantly surprised when she agreed to partake in my little old designer challenge (okay, who am I trying to kid? I had to pinch myself and then I did a happy dance!). Kate’s blog is one I have admired right from the get-go. She and I share a similar design style and I love the way she breaks projects down into easy to follow steps. Be sure to check out her project gallery for clever ideas and inspiration.

Shauna invited me to design a space around three choices and I can’t resist a challenge especially with three marvelous home décor items such as these:

{Jonathan Adler Rider Tripod Table}

Elements of My Dream Kitchen

Feb

2012

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Happy Friday! I’ve been dreaming of renovating my kitchen for a long time and it definitely shows by the number of photos I have in my Kitchens to Covet category on Pinterest. I love how a story starts to come together on the boards as linking elements emerge. I always encourage my clients to gather pictures of rooms they love. Quite often they can’t pinpoint exactly what it is that draws them to a particular photo, but as several come together, there are often similarities that shine through. For instance, in a recent bathroom renovation I was involved in, the homeowners’ love of clean lines, white subway tile, and soft blue-grey paint was apparent in almost all of the photos they pulled as inspiration. This gave us a clear jumping off point.

If I take a step back and look at the photos of kitchens I’ve bookmarked, pinned, and torn from magazines, there is a definite pattern. To start with I love a large island with beautiful kitchen lighting hanging over top. In particular I’m drawn to oversized pendant fixtures.

{via Pinterest}

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Filed Under: Decorating Tagged With: Better Homes and Gardens, Centsational Girl, Kitchen, Lighting, Pinterest

Holiday Countdown is On! {the finale}

Dec

2011

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Christmas is less than a week away and I can’t believe we’re already on week 9 of the Holiday Countdown. This is it- the big finale! I hope you’ve been enjoying yourself along the way, such as indulging in a cup of cocoa here or there! Later this week I’ll be doing a reader round-up of holiday projects you’ve been working on over the past two months. Thanks to everyone who sent me their submissions. I still have room for a few more, so let me know what you’ve been up to!

{via Honey We’re Home on Pinterest}

How did I do?

Create a tablescape. We’ve had our table for the past 15 years and it has served many purposes. When I stop and think about all the meals, crafts, homework, games and other activities that our table has hosted, it kind of chokes me up. However, there’s a time when we outgrow our furniture and it’s time for a change. In the new year, a table will be on the top of my list of furniture purchases. Our current one is too small and it’s difficult to create a gorgeous tablescape on because there’s no room left for all the necessities. This year I added a simple table runner, some greenery, and a concrete bowl with ‘snow’ and antique ornaments. I’m hoping next year I will be able to create the layered look I adore so much.

Get ready for overnight guests. We won’t have any overnight guests this holiday season, so I got a pass on this one. However, because I never know when someone may call at the last minute, I always keep supplies on hand just in case!

Wrap gifts. As mentioned in my Gifts {Almost} Too Pretty to Open post, I really enjoy wrapping gifts. Over the weekend I tackled the majority and I’ll hopefully finish up today or tomorrow.

This Week:

Add fresh flowers and greenery.

There isn’t anything that can bring a space to life more than adding fresh natural elements. Back on week one I recommended that you plant amaryllis or paper white bulbs. My amaryllis has really taken off and will hopefully bloom for Christmas. If you didn’t plant bulbs, no worries. These plants are available at many locations for next to nothing. You don’t have to spend a fortune on fresh materials for them to look fantastic. Consider mixing less expensive materials with only a few luxurious blooms.

Here are some ideas:

{via Canadian House & Home}

Guest Post for Living Savvy + Spray Paint Makeovers

Dec

2011

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Today I’m excited to be guest posting over at Living Savvy. If you remember a while back, Tiffany was a guest on my Designer Challenge and I was thrilled when she asked me to be part of her Spray Painter Anonymous series. I just love her sense of humor and amazing style!

I’ve been following this series for a while and I’m amazed by the transformations each and every time. I’d love for you to see what I did with a little spray paint and a few other supplies to make over a (well, let’s just say U-G-L-Y) tray. Come take a gander.

Here are some other impressive transformations using spray paint:

Magazine holders- the Mustard Ceiling via Living Savvy

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Filed Under: DIY, News & Updates Tagged With: Centsational Girl, Decor Makeover, DIY, Guest Post, Living Savvy, Spray Paint

A Challenge to Try Something New

Oct

2011

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Fall is the season of big change. I don’t know about where you live, but this week I’ve noticed the leaves turning color quickly and the temperature dropping significantly. I’m afraid there’s no turning back!

After reading Kimberly’s guest post this week and in the spirit of the season, I was inspired to try my hand at something I’ve never done before. You know- shake things up a bit and see what comes of it!

Here’s what I’ve decided to commit to over the next couple months:

Sewing a slipcover
Hanging wallpaper (I’ve done this before as the assistant, but I’ve never taken the lead)
Hosting a wine-tasting party

I know what some of you are thinking- “Wow- you’re really going to do that?” And others- “Wow, that’s it?” But, truthfully, these will be a bit of a stretch for me.

If you feel like you could use a little change of your own, I challenge you to try something new to spark the flow of creativity. It doesn’t have to be something BIG like installing kitchen cabinets if you’ve never picked up a power tool in your life. Take Kimberly’s advice and choose something “fairly simple. Stress free. No scary long-term commitment that will freak out your brain and cause it to reset you to comfortable.”

Here are some ideas:

1) Sew a Petal Pillow

{via Vanessa Christenson}

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Filed Under: DIY, Inspiration, Life Tagged With: Centsational Girl, DIY, Making Changes, Sewing

Why Did I Start a Blog?

Sep

2011

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I’ve long been admiring the beautiful blogs written by creative and stylish individuals for the “eye candy” and great information they provide. Being a designer and organizer, I’m always on the look out for innovative ideas and inspiration, and blogs certainly don’t disappoint.

You can find blogs on just about anything, including the love of color (House of Turquoise), entertaining (Reluctant Entertainer) and beach living (A Beach Cottage).

With so much out there, why would I want to start a blog of my own?

After hours of researching, writing, and designing details for the new website, I realized that, although there are thousands of decorating and design blogs, only a handful really tugged at my heart strings and formed a connection enticing me to come back for more. I’ve gravitated to a few favorite blogs this year, such as Centsational Girl, Nesting Place and Arianna Belle. Not only are they beautiful, but also consistently offer lovely inspiration and practical tips for living better.