by studiotullia | May 24, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN TRENDS, LOCAL PORTLAND EVENTS, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO, TRAVEL & INSPIRATION
This was from an exhibit I saw not too long ago at the Portland Art Museum.
And her clothes. So many rich, handmade indigenous textiles from Mexico. Lace, embroidery, bold colors. Such a feast for the eyes.
On my bucket list: Frida and Diego’s house in Mexico City that is now a musuem. Has anyone been? I’d love to know how it was.
The Global Textiles Collection by STUDIO TULLIA.
There are some lovely handmade goods still available from this collection.
Originally it started from a unique collection of textiles from my (step)mother-in-law in Mexico and then my other (step) mother-in-law who had an amazing collection from Panama of Mola textiles.
This was a very popular collection and I have recently revisited my stash to create a revival of this collection. Stay tuned.
by studiotullia | Oct 30, 2021 | GREAT ESTATES AND NEW FOUND TREASURES, TRAVEL & INSPIRATION
ASTORIA is a magical, storied old town on the Oregon coast. The Clatsop Indians lived there for thousand of years before John Jacob Astor and his crew, aboard the ship, the Tonquin, laid claim in 1811 to the first US settlement west of the Rockies.
In the late 1800’s, Astoria’s salmon canneries, forest and shipping industries turned the area into the liveliest boom town between Seattle and San Francisco.
Beautiful Victorian and Craftsmen homes along the many steep hills are testament to this golden era, now displaying historic plaques that speak of prominent sea-faring residents.
Astoria has a sordid history as well, of men being “shanghaied” in the early part of the century. A man walking down the wrong street at night could wake up the next morning and find himself out at sea.
And there are many rumors of old homes being haunted by ghosts from the past.
All of this, in a town at the mouth of the Columbia River that feeds into the Pacific Ocean, known as the graveyard of the Pacific, due to the hundreds of shipwrecks from treacherous waters.
Mariners agree that the combination of high seas, a mighty river, land shallow, and shifting sand bars make the Columbia River bar one of the most dangerous bar crossings in the world.
The FLAVEL HOUSE, built in 1884-1886, is the most grand house in Astoria, that cannot be missed as you enter the town. Captain Flavel, Astoria’s first millionaire, lived a colorful life as an entrepreneur and bar pilot, guiding ships through the treacherous mouth of the Columbia River.
The Captain George Flavel House reflects the Queen Anne architecture, popular during the Victorian era.
A walk around the mansion provides views of the wraparound porch, decorative work above the window molding, octagonal tower, patterned shingles, the steeply pitched roof, and the asymmetrical façade.
Over the years, this mysterious mansion has played host to a number of eerie residents, both human and spectral.
(Can’t fail to mention the colorful tile on the porch of the house).
At one point in time, the Flavel family was one of the most prominent families in Astoria.
Operated by the Clatsop County Historical Society since 1950, it is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.
Right next to the FLAVEL HOUSE, is the former county jail, now known as the:
(where a scene from cult classic, The Goonies, was filmed.)
If you are mindful of the current residents I recommend a visit there. You have to see cult classic, THE GOONIES, first though. I’m sure just about every hotel in Astoria must have a copy!
The house where The Goonies was filmed.
The other Flavel House in Astoria, the home of “Hatchet” Harry Flavel, was once regarded as the most haunted house in Oregon.
The abandoned house was left to rot out of spite, haunted by the decline of the city’s most prominent and mysterious family.
This once stately home sat abandoned and decrepit on the corner of 15th and Franklin for decades, a testament to the decline of the legendary Flavel family into a strange and reclusive bunch after George’s death.
It was in this house that the captain’s great-grandson, “Hatchet” Harry Flavel, lived with his mother Florence and sister Mary at the time of the stabbing.
Many people in the community claim that the decaying house, which sat abandoned for so long, was actually haunted. In 2015, after decades of being abandoned, Greg Newenhof bought the Flavel house and began the restoration process...For more info on this fascinating house, go HERE
The Liberty Theater is a historic vaudeville theatre and cinema. It opened in 1925 after the destruction of the Astoria Fire of 1922. The Liberty Theater was built in the Italian Renaissance style, seen as symbolizing the city’s rebirth. The auditorium features mural style paintings depicting Venetian scenes by local artist Joseph Knowles.
A ghost by the name of Paul is said to live here. Over the years, many members of cast and crew have spotted him around the theater and even witnessed objects gliding through the air.
FT STEPHENS STATE PARK /THE WRECK OF PETER IREDALE
FORT STEVENS STATE PARK UNESCO estimated there are three million shipwrecks in the world. Most are under the sea. Only a few can be visited by land. The Peter Ireland is one of them.
Peter Iredale was a four-masted steel barque sailing vessel that ran ashore October 25, 1906, on the Oregon coast en route to the Columbia River. She was abandoned on Clatsop Spit near Fort Stevens in Warrenton about four miles south of the Columbia River channel.
Over the last 101 years it has slowly deteriorated.
One can still see a very large piece of the ship and during low tide one can walk right up to it.
The Pioneer Cemetery was deeded to the city by a man named James Welch on April 22, 1865. It became the most popular burial site in town, boasting 498 burials by 1891. Prominent early leaders were buried here, as were paupers who were interred in unmarked graves.
Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the terrifying history of this place will send chills down your spine. Located beneath the streets of Astoria, these tunnels are said to have been a hotspot for illegal activity (most notably between 1850-1941), including “shanghaiing”: the act of kidnapping people and selling them into slavery as crewmen on departing ships. The tunnels are said to be haunted by the ghosts of the tunnel’s many victims. Visitors have claimed to hear disembodied screams and groans, and felt the eery sensation that someone was standing right behind them.
Well,I hope this inspired you to check out Astoria and visit some of it spookiest spots.
Here is a downloadable list if you are interested (just click on the link below):
by studiotullia | May 19, 2020 | HOME IMPROVEMENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS
Well, here we are at WEEK 2 of the ORC project. In case you missed the first post, we are remodeling my 13 year old teenage daughter’s tiny bedroom. We think the best use of the space should include a loft bed. My husband, with her help, is in the throes of making this custom bed.
Here are some nice ones that help us to conceptualize how to best use the space.
This loft bed with built-in shelves under the ladder allows room for a desk and more storage space. I love the bookshelf under the bedrail.
POTTERY BARN always has quality furnishings, and its styled beautifully with their linens. The brass touches are nice.
This is also from POTTERY BARN which I included because we are considering painting the bed gray.
A truly mid century loft look by WEST ELM/POTTERY BARN. The yellow is beautiful with the warm wood tones. Love the dresser in there, too. I love how the desk fits right behind the ladder, which is simple and elegant.
This is the Harlan loft bed with desk ($500 range). This more basic loft bed is built with comfortable sleeping space and plenty of room underneath. It is available at several online stores including Wayfair and Overstock.
These two pieces above are both from IKEA. There are lots of nice options for storage bins, drawers, etc. They are a bargain around $100 each. And they would just fit, within an inch, below the loft bed we are making.
We already have a desk chair kind of like this that someone had just left on the street corner across from an office buiding. It looked brand new, so I grabbed it! Like I said, LAW OF ATTRACTION at work…
We are also considering a comfy chair if it will fit. This first one (above) is from URBAN OUTFITTERS and the second one (below) is from POTTERY BARN TEEN.
On sale for $199 at POTTERY BARN TEEN right now.
I am loving this vintage mid century modern light fixture that extends out, with little stars. $250 at HIPPO HARDWARE in Portland, OR, a great resource for vintage lighting and hardware. The place has soul.
This one from TARGET is also nice, and we love the color. About $100.
We are headed in this direction with grays, blues and white direction with pops of color in the art. We also want to mix in some color with the art.
We have been watching all of the AVENGER SUPER HERO MOVIES in order since the quarantine started. Usually one or two a week. It’s actually really fun to watch as a family. Thank goodness these Disney movies now have plenty of heroines as well as heroes. AVENGER HEROINES will be the prevailing theme in the art that she is considering for her room. I can think of worse role models, right?
1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1942-1943)
2. Captain Marvel (1995)
3. Iron Man (2010)
4. Iron Man 2 (2011)
5. The Incredible Hulk (2011)
6. Thor (2011)
7. The Avengers (2012)
8. Iron Man 3 (2012)
9. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
12. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2014)
13. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
14. Ant-Man (2015)
15. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
17. Doctor Strange (2016-2017)
18. Black Widow (2017)
19. Black Panther (2017)
20. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2017)
22. Avengers: Infinity War (2017)
23. Avengers: Endgame (2018-2023)
24. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2023)
There are so many great sources on ETSY for everything from downloadable $5 pdfs you can print yourself, to pricier vintage movie posters and comic books.
Rosie the Riveter is not a MARVEL SUPER HERO but Charlotte is relating to this heroic image. She has even been dressing like her in a blue jumpsuit from TARGET and a bandanna around her head.
So this coming week, we are prepping the room for paint, sanding and continuing work on the bed, and playing around with how much art we need, where we will hang it, and what fits within our budget.
So, here is the link below to the ORC FEATURED DESIGNERS as well as the GUEST PARTICIPANTS if you just can’t get enough.
Thank you for reading along. Until next week….
#STAYSAFE, #STAYHOME , #STAYCALM&DESIGNON
by studiotullia | Mar 14, 2019 | DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN
PORTLAND: DESIGNER MAX HUMPHREY & PDX STYLE
SPOTLIGHT ON THE NORTHWEST:
INTERIOR DESIGNER MAX HUMPHREY
I wanted to share the work of Portland local MAX HUMPHREY. His contemporary style is whimsical, vibrant and regional in the sense that I recognize Portland’s STYLE, inevitably influenced by our unique local resources and small businesses. I have always been drawn to the space featured below: the use of red, graphic art, refreshed vintage and retro accessories. It is well balanced in an assymetrical way and just fun.
Portland loves bohemian touches which you find in his use of colorful middle eastern rugs and textiles. There are some great resources here for Turkish kilims, rugs, and poufs at places like WILD SHAMAN and KUSH RUGS .
.Given our close proximity to the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Mountains, the forest/outdoor/woodland themes are also prominent in the use of vintage art, topography maps, army cots, wood stoves, etc. Great vintage finds can be found at URBANITE and MONTICELLO MARKETPLACE.
Eclectic mix of fabrics and colors. No rules as far as styles. He stages a lot of his room shots with whimsical props like bicycles, leopard shoes and kids’ sneakers as well as spirits, vintage objects, lots of books and potted plants.
Crafts have always been strong in Portland, as evidenced by the volume of vintage crafts at estate sales, and it is making its way into retail outlets like THE CRAFT BAR, ASSEMBLY and COLLAGE, just in my little corner of SE Portland. The winters are long in the Northwest.
I enjoy the rich mix of texture and colors in his choice of textiles, retro lamps, the plants, the Pendleton plaids, and vintage, mid century and more contemporary cleaned lined pieces.
Some of the images shown here are also on the CITY HOME website, featuring their products. I’m going to guess many of these items come from places like
CITY HOME furnishings, LEGACY MODERN, PENDLETON, and CARGO
I’m going to a conference in a couple weeks (https://www.altitudesummit.com/) and wanted to have some fresh business cards and marketing materials.
My assistant and I have switched out the pillows on this countless times, but alas, I actually put this version in the MOO cart today and bought it! Hoping to give prospective customers a sense of the offerings available via STUDIO TULLIA. I am always on the hunt for one of a kind, vintage textiles as well as an evolving assortment of designer textiles. I love to help curate specific looks and collections, whatever your project.
We also freshened up my business card. The logo we already had, but I wanted something new for Spring. We used a remnant fabric that I had and incorporated that into the design.
The fabric is called “Bavier” au “Esprit de France” design by Greeff. Greef was bought out by SCHUMACHER awhile back and still reproduces a lot of their patterns. I found a bolt of this in my grandmother’s basement when I was a design student. It belonged to my great uncle who was also a designer in NYC in the 40’s and 50’s. He was an inspiration to me even though I never met him. My grandmother shared his journals, letters and fabrics with me, which I still treasure. I reupholstered a large wing chair in this fabric like 20 years ago in what is now my son’s favorite chair. It is pretty worn to shreds, but I am glad it was loved and enjoyed for so many years in our home.
LEGACY MODERN POP-UP at URBANITE
If you live in Portland you might know about URBANITE, a warehouse and curated designers’ collective, always chock full of interesting finds.
One of my partners, LEGACY MODERN, has a pop-up shop there right now. Go check it out if you haven’t been before. Owner Mike Albino has a great eye for quality Danish Mid Century Modern and Industrial Furniture. He also supports the talents of many local artists as you’ll see in the ceramics, glassware, lighting, prints, paintings and STUDIO TULLIA soft goods!
LATEST PRODUCTS FROM STUDIO TULLIA
My neighbor is an antiques dealer and she has great estate sales very Summer. I got this there and I believe it was intended to be a very lovely hand towel. I pieced some cotton to the sides to make it into a very large euro sham. I am a sucker for embroidery work, and this is a fine example. You know many hours went into this.
(PLEASE NOTE: This above piece is SOLD, going to a fine home in Portland)
I always have random pieces left over when I use Josef Frank’s CITRUS GARDEN from Schumacher. I use it to make all kinds of things including random sized accent pillows, which have become quite popular.
I was thrilled to come across this fabric below by SISTER PARISH DESIGN. I was drawn to it at the MILL END STORE in Portland and was so thrilled to read in the selvage that it was from Sister Parish.
Per the website…Resembling an American quilt, Campobello is a print that symbolizes Sister Parish’s love for American Craft and most specifically quilting. Parish Hadley worked with quilters from Selma Alabama in the late 1960s to develop patchwork quilted yard goods and also collaborated with the Freedom Quilting Bee from 1967 to 1969, bringing old-fashioned quilts to high end publications. The primitive tree border along the side enhances the sophistication of Campobello.
Eleanor & Franklin Roosevelt were married at Mr. & Mrs. Henry Parish’s house in New York City. Campobello was their country house in Canada.
Here is the grand dame herself. I love this quote from her as it very much resonates with my approach to design:
“Some think a decorator should change a house… I try to give permanence to a house to bring out the experiences, the memories, the feelings that make it a home.”
Here is a picture of her great granddaughter below, Eliza Crater, who is the creative director of the Sister Parish Studio and has carried on the family tradition with her own personal style, along with her mother. I can see the resemblance for sure. She is shown here in their family home, where her grandmother now lives, which once was Sister Parish’s. And look what’s on the walls!
by studiotullia | Oct 31, 2018 | DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN
We are at Week 5 and getting down to the wire. It is going to be a busy weekend, let me tell ya.
We got this darn heating vent installed, thanks to my husband! You have no idea what a relief it is to have a new one. Our old one was so beat up.
FLOOR VENT
He salvaged this from another old house
It was too long so he cut a larger hole in the floor.
Then he had to create a sheld for it to sit on.
At last! It fits.
ANTIQUE CAFE CHALKBOARD
I saw this a month ago at the Portland Flea Market and have been thinking about whether or not it would work. I called up the owner at LOOKS & BOOKS in Milwaukee, OR and he still had it! He said he bought it at an auction in Pennsylvania. He came down on the price so I went for it. I’m really kind of excited about it.
I am going with a standard charcoal gray chalkboard paint form Benjamin Moore and using a large salvaged chalkboard that our neighbor a few doors up was coincidentally getting rid of. How these things happen is a curious wonder. We just have to trim it down a bit and paint it.
ART
I am also getting a few works of art framed from I’VE BEEN FRAMED in Portland. They are close to my house and I use them a lot for re- framing vintage art. You’d be amazed what a nice frame, or a fresh matte and glass can do. Not sure they’ll be done in time for the final reveal, but sure hope so. They service artists a lot in the neighborhood and are a very reasonably priced, old shop with lots of artists working there. Always glad to support small businesses.
As you can see I have this old artist’s proof – an abstract, silk screened print of horses running, in browns and blacks. It was in a really heavy silver frame which I re-used for the upstairs GUEST ROOM. I never really appreciated it all that much but now that I am trying to bring out browns and blacks in the space, I reconsidered it. It has the original matte here below which I don’t really care for.
I taped it up there without the matte to see if I liked it better. I think it will add some interest and height to the room.
My husband added that wifi UFO thing to the ceiling for better internet service…
So those are the kind of details we are dealing with.
CURTAINS/SHADES
We are installing the blinds and curtains this week, too. One of my extraordinary seamstresses is bringing them tomorrow and I cannot wait.
As you can see, I taped the shade and the fabric up there so I could see how it looks before I pulled the trigger. IKEA for the fabric on the leading edge of the curtains and the brown woven shades since they blend with the woodwork. Basic, I know, but they will have to do until I can upgrade.
To see what all the other frenzied designers are up to at this point, you may click on the two squares below:
We will see you next week for the final reveal. Let’s pray for some sunshine so I can get some decent shots.
Have a great weekend!
by studiotullia | Mar 17, 2017 | INTERIOR DESIGN, STUDIO NEWS
These richly patterned textiles in nostalgic hues, once owned by an upholsterer on the Oregon coast, were left untouched for decades. Now they are being given new life in a curated collection of decorative pillows called The Astoria Collection.
I stumbled upon an extraordinary estate sale (one of my favorite pastimes) this past Summer. The estate was the business and home of Ray’s Upholstery in Astoria, Oregon. (Astoria is a charming coastal town and also the oldest settlement on the Pacific coast).
Apparently Ray’s was one of the few upholstery shops in the area for decades. As you can see from the pictures, the exterior of his shop was less than extraordinary.
The contents, however, were quite the opposite. Upon entering his shop, which was like a time capsule into the past, I found shelves and walls stacked with hundreds of bolts of fabric.
The textiles were largely Mid century and included heavy duty, upholstery grade velvets and complex wovens. There were some amazing bolts of Naugahyde used for marine upholstery which I opted to leave for someone else.
As a rule, I only purchase natural fiber textiles from the past so I was able to rule out a good portion of them. Natural fibers endure the test of time much better than man-made polyester type textiles which tend to become brittle and less durable overtime.
What struck me the most was the intensity of the colors and patterns which were strikingly bold. Not what I have would have imagined in a coastal town four or five decades ago. However as I’ve had some time to ponder this collection I realize it’s innate connection to the brilliant colors and patterns found in nature.
Some of the patterned velvets have a very craftsman-like, botanical quality to them. There’s no better place than the coast and rich ancient growth forests surrounding the historic town of Astoria to appreciate the immense beauty and color found in nature. I also realize that the Oregon coast is full of historical homes, with grand, ornate, elaborate wooden architecture, featuring bold paint choices, stained glass, paneled libraries, etc. The winters are long, gray and damp and these fabrics are a welcome comfort.
I have chosen to combine natural cottons and linens with these heavy weight textiles in an effort to freshen up the storied collection. I also decided to use heavy duty gold zippers which work nicely with these fabrics and offer a touch of glamour.
I hope you enjoy the Astoria Collection as much as I have. I love the idea of bringing Ray’s Upholstery to life again. Mid Century Design has certainly been having a Renaissance as the timelessness of its sleek lines and nods to nature with acid greens, mustards, oranges and funky patterns and textures still apply to today’s modern interiors. What’s particularly fun about this collection is that it is authentic Mid Century and somehow embodies that nostalgic, layered, storied essence that only comes with true objects from the past.
For now I’m offering ready made 20 and 22 inch squares and a couple of lumbar sizes. Of course I am always open to custom sizes as long as supplies last.
And of course I always offer 10% off with the purchase of two or more of my soft goods. Please use coupon code TAKE10 at my website https://awelllivedhouse.com/ and coupon code TAKE10THX at https://www.etsy.com/shop/STUDIOTULLIAPILLOWS.
by studiotullia | Nov 28, 2016 | STUDIO NEWS
NEWS FLASH:
CYBER MONDAY sale going on at STUDIO TULLIA on Etsy.
Lots of great gift ideas as well as loads of velvet, fur and other richly hued pillows for the holiday season.
Use coupon code CYBER2016 to get 20% off everything at my ETSY STORE !
I’ll post some product highlights soon.
I just got back from Chico, California for Thanksgiving. Had hoped to launch this sale sooner but the internet reception was pretty spotty where we were. I needed a break from screens anyway before revving up for our final month of 2016! Sure was nice to catch up face to face with so many wonderful family members and friends.
How was your Thanksgiving? Are you feeling as sluggish and stuffed as I am from feasting for three days and long hours spent on the road?
Best,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Oct 28, 2016 | DESIGN TRENDS, HOME IMPROVEMENT
Well here we are at WEEK 4 of the ORC. I am at a rather difficult stage of this project.
PAINTING OVER THE ORANGE WALLS
The orange walls have required at least three coats of white paint and I’m not even sure that’s going to do it. I still have to paint the trim on the doors and the stairs.
My intention is to finish those by the end of the weekend. We’ll see how that goes. This is after one coat so you can see what we are dealing with.
That old trim is looking pretty funky.
Trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The pictures for my gallery wall are being matted and assembled this week.
I ordered a runner from West Elm and I’m hoping it’s everything I want it to be
Once I have it, I can figure out the door paint colors
So I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me NEXT WEEK.
I’ll be painting the dresser and selecting new hardware…
My husband’s job is to install the lighting and assist with painting. He is a seriously speedy champ on the paint roller.
We also need to restore the floor at the bottom of the stairs. It is the scariest thing we found when we pulled up the rug. This area is also the entry into my home office so I thought it needed something.
I found an awesome stencil on Instagram from HEIRLOOM142 . It is coming from Canada so I hope it gets here in time! They shipped it out the next day which I really appreciated.
I’m stressing out this week so wish me good luck.
Grab a huge cup of coffee (or wine if that applies) and follow along with all the other DESIGNERS and GUEST PARTICIPANTS
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post. I’ll talk to you next week!
Best,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Oct 20, 2016 | DESIGN TRENDS, HOME IMPROVEMENT
Three things I have been juggling this past week:
- Pictures/Frames for the gallery wall
- Slipcover style for the ottoman
- A mirror for over the ottoman.
It really takes awhile to sort through old photos and then decide which ones to use. I decided to opt for artful pictures; strong images that stand on on their own. I also have a strategy for framing my pieces. In an effort to not get too busy, Ive limited the palette to white, black, occasionally gold/silver and a few unique vintage frames to mix things up. It takes time to build a gallery wall so I am not expecting to finish it completely in the next couple weeks, but at least I’ll be on my way. Here are a few examples of PICTURE WALLS I really like:
I like the simplicity of the black and white
I also like when there is some art thrown in along with some variation in sizes. 
Here are some of the PHOTOS I have gathered so far. Ive made a few trips to Goodwill and I have found frames from Aaron Brothers, IKEA, Pottery Barn as well as some higher quality custom frame shops! I am taking them to a framer to just have the mattes cut and assembled with nice hooks on the back.
The closest I have come to an style slip cover I want is this simple tuxedo style. The fabric is going to be a white or natural cotton fabric:
And I would like to put a mirror over the bench. 
So I am on the hunt for one locally; we’ll see what I can find.
So, don’t forget to check out the progress of the ORC PARTICIPANTS HERE:http://www.callingithome.com/blog/2016/10/one-room-challenge-fall-2016-week-3:
And the other GUEST PARTICIPANTS here: http://www.callingithome.com/blog/2016/10/one-room-challenge-guest-participants-week-3 
Have a wonderful Friday and enjoy your weekend.
Best,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Apr 15, 2016 | BENEFITS & GREAT CAUSES, DESIGN TRENDS, HOME IMPROVEMENT, HOUSE TOUR: Traditional Spanish Style House near Pto. Vallarta
Well , here we are at week two of the ORC. Old houses always require more prep than you think. My husband and I agreed to not spend a month on the ceiling like we did in our bedroom. Still, there were some cracks on the ceiling and a few holes in the walls that had to be addressed. My husband got that done and the floor prepped for painting.
PAINT
Charlotte has chosen lilac walls and light cherry blossom pink for the ceilings with white trim. This is where we are headed:
First Light #2102-70 by Benjamin Moore
and, Spring Iris #1402 also by Benjamin Moore
We started with METRO PAINT, which is a local paint supplier in Portland. There paints are all recycled and very affordable. My father in law (who is a contractor) uses their paint all the time and recommended I give it a try. I love their MOUNTAIN SNOW – which I used for my HOME OFFICE.
So, we bought a gallon of CARNATION (for like $12!) and we have been methodically adding MOUNTAIN SNOW to try to get close to light pink we might like.
FYI, Metro Paint has a limited palette of colors, but in reality if you have the time and gumption, you can mix and match and come up with some pretty nice colors. They haev lots of examples and formulas in their store. It can make painting a house almost affordable.
Charlotte with CARNATION, untouched. Too pink as is as you can see.
After painting the entire ceiling with a lightened pink, it is still too pink. So, we’ll add more white. I think we are close though.
SLIGHT TANGENT
The lilac bush is blooming outside of our house – I used the flowers to decorate the twins’ birthday cake this week. A little much for Arthur. Oops. Charlotte and I tinted the icing lilac. I guess we are in a custom color mixing mood. The lighter part of the lilac petals are such a perfect color.
I came across this cherry tree in bloom the other day and had to share this. There really is nothing like Portland in the Spring.
There were 3-4 inches of pink petals on the ground!
LIGHTING
So, I am also thinking about lighting. She needs a pendant light and a bedside lamp. Or ultimately a sconce by her bed. I am a big fan as they leave your bedside table free and provide nice light. Here are a few possibilities:
With a gold sconce from Visual Comfort:
Here’s a sconce from IKEA:
A new pendant light from IKEA:
It does cool things at night:
Is this vintage glass pendant light stunning or what?
I even like this Chinese paper lantern for $12:
CURTAINS
And here are some basic white curtains with grommets for a modern look. Grommet curtains are super easy to use. And these curtains will be used daily.
I am leaning toward sheers behind the curtains rather than shades. The windows are sort of odd and need to be replaced ultimately so the sheers should offer some coverage for now.
Charlotte has some ideas of her own about the curtains. She wants to splatter them in a ROTHKO-ish way. I have my concerns, but nevertheless, we bought the paint at COLLAGE in Portland:
I’ve been looking at Pinterest for ideas:
So, we will cross that bridge soon enough.
Well, I better stop for now. Thanks for joining.
Follow along with the ORC Featured Designers
and
Follow along with the Other ORC Guest Participants
Thanks for reading!
Have a great Friday and weekend!
Best,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Apr 5, 2016 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS THAT INSPIRE
You may go to THE ENCHANTED HOME to check out the current promotion running for two days only….20% OFF The Enchanted Home Pillow Collection plus free shipping anywhere in the US on orders over $100.
This collection is all about blue and white, porcelain, chinoiserie, asian toile, with some fresh punches of ribbon and color thrown in.
I shot a few with a more tropical vibe, too:
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Tina can put some beautiful combinations together:
You may also shop at my ETSY SHOP and use coupon code: EHTAKE20 for 20% off your purchase until Wednesday at midnight.
Hope you are enjoying your day and have a great week!
Best,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Oct 3, 2010 | PORTLAND PLACES
You have to love this place. Always an inspiration as raw and funky as the stuff arriving every minute of the day. Truckloads of junk from builders, contractors: doors, tiles, bath tubs, windows, lighting, hardware and on and on and on. We have gotten some of our lighting from there. Our dining room chandelier for $35. It is a great place to shop if you are in the NE hood.
Knobs and Fobs
Bought this!
Rebuilding Center Entry
Exterior
