I Stole: Not Really, But It Feels Like It

So I have a few steals to share with ya!

1st

 

Emily found these chairs for me for a whopping $9 for the PAIR.

Not sure when or what is going to happen to these or where they are going.

 But hey, for $4.50 each, how could you resist?

Any ideas or great inspiration pics?

2nd

This 60" oak table for $80

I haven't quite decided what to do with it yet.

Option A:

Limed oak finish

via

via

Option B:

Gray wash

via

Option C:

via

Paint it Benjamin Moore metallic veil cream

What is your pick? Do tell!

Oh, so I know I was a bad blogger and didn't blog yesterday, but head on over to My Crafty Home Life to see my guest post:)

Henhurst Interiors: A Dining Room Design

I came across Phyllis' blog a few months ago and totally fell in love with her pictures and design inspiration! I'm so excited that she is here today to share with us her Dining Room Design plan for my new house. How lucky am I???

 

Without further ado, A Dining Room Design by Henhurst Interiors.

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It is a great pleasure to be here today offering up some ideas for the dining room in Fletcher’s new house. Moving is incredibly stressful and there is so much to be done while settling into a new life, it can be hard to focus on specifics while sorting out the big picture. I was happy to be asked to fill in some focus on one room.

I started out by having a look at Fletcher’s Pinterest boards to get a sense of her personal style. The first thing I noticed is that we share very similar taste in design: we gravitate to neutral colors, linen, wood finishes and natural elements, but like magpies, sometimes seek a little shine. On Fletcher’s ‘Next House’ board I found the photo below designed by Tracery Interiors and published in Veranda, July/August 2012. I love the color palette and mix of textures.

The next dining room is the work of Steve who writes the blog An Urban Cottage. Steve is truly a visionary. His thoughtfully restored house has been the subject of a Better Homes and Gardens story (see it here) and his blog is a great design resource. I think this room perfectly illustrates a how a dining room can be multi-purpose. In a small house this is key. I can see reading and relaxing here when not actually dining. Also, Fletcher’s dining room has similar shelves on one wall.

An Urban Cottage

Angela of The Painted House, a stylish blog rich with creativity and inspiration, took the next photo at the Rosemary Beach, Florida Coastal Living Showhouse 2012.  I love the limed-oak finish of the table and the slipcovers on the chairs, both of which are very forgiving of dining mishaps so you can relax when you have guests for dinner. How beautiful are the plates which, with their imperfect edges, appear be hand thrown pottery and look like an art installation on the wall?

The Painted House

Below is a photo of Fletcher’s dining room from the real estate listing.

Fletcher’s tentative paint colors are: on the wall, Benjamin Moore Feather Down and the trim, Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan – ideal choices in my opinion!

The room is essentially square (the darker block of risers is the upper portion of the staircase, the area below it is open,) and I am an advocate of round tables in square dining rooms. The shape makes it easier to navigate around the table if the room is small and I find them conducive to convivial gatherings – round tables seem to encourage shared conversations.

Here are a few good examples courtesy of House Beautiful.

Barbara Westbrook

Abby Rizor

Myra Hoefer

Michael Smith

In the course of planning this guest post, Fletcher introduced me to Olioboard. It is a very easy platform to use for creating virtual storyboards. A great feature is that thousands of products are pre-loaded by participating companies (among them my adored OKA from the UK) and websites that feature several of my favorite manufacturers (Arteriors, Zentique, and Aiden Gray to name a few.) 

I put together a few boards in different styles (the first and last I would call Transitional, the second and third Swedish and French Country) to show Fletcher different options. I’ve used a lot of beige and linen, painted and limed-wood finishes, and starburst mirrors for shine. Forgive me for indulging my personal taste here; I encourage you to envision your own favorite colors and finishes, fabrics and textures, art and accessories.

In addition to a round table, I would recommend a chest to the left of the door to the kitchen in which to store table linens, candles, and maybe seasonal items.

I love hanging a chandelier in the dining room. Position your table before you hang the chandelier because you might not wind up having the table in the absolute center of the room. Also, make sure your chandelier is on a dimmer.

You can upload your own product images to Olioboard; here I added a favorite lantern from Brown in Houston. When you upload your own image you are prompted to add a website link, description and price so people who view your board can find the item online.

I am going to give you a word of warning…last Spring Mr. H threatened to stage a ‘Pinter-vention’ because of the hours I was logging online at Pinterest. Well, Olioboard is possibly more addictive. And the dangerous  part…after you have assembled all the things you love on a board, you can simply click on an item…and buy it.  Uh, oh.

This has been tons of fun, thank you so much Fletcher, and all best wishes for many happy years ahead in your new home!   xoxo, Phyllis

Many thanks to Steve at An Urban Cottage and to Angela at The Painted House for giving permission to have their photos used here.

Following C's: Fall Favorites

I've been reading Courtney's blog for a few months now and it's one of my daily reads! She is a wonderful photographer, mother to two precious boys, has a great sense of style and totally makes me want to be a mom like her! Make sure you check her out at Following C's!

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Hey everyone! I'm Courtney from Following C's and I'm so happy to be guest posting for Fletcher today! I ran across her blog several months ago and I've been a fan ever since:)  Very excited to step in today!

Fletcher asked me to share some cold weather favorites with you and I have *lots* of favorites this year. This is one of those seasons where everything seems to be pretty!

DV by Dolce Vita 'Lunna' cap toe flats - I love all the cap toes this year.  So cute and tons of styles to choose from!

Factory iPhone case - I'll take anything with a sassy animal print.

JCrew animal print wool scarf - I live in scarves in the fall and love this one.

ShopSosie Meridan necklace - Fun statement necklace to wear with basic white tee and jeans.

JCrew cabernet cords - Cords are nice and cozy and I love this pair.  It seems burgundy is all the rage this season and that's okay with me:)

JCrew school boy blazer - I love that blazers are back this year.  This one's pricey but such a classic.  I love that when I wear a blazer I don't need a bulky coat - lightweight but warm.

Gap supersoft crew - These tees are wonderful. Supersoft and easy to throw on with jeans and a scarf and coat.

Gap scarf - Scarves keep me cozy and this one has a punch of color.

Tory Burch 'Nadine' riding boots - A major splurge in my opinion but I live in boots when fall arrives and this pair is sooooo pretty.

Is everyone ready for it to get chilly?  I admit I am:) Thanks so much for having me Fletcher!  

My Crafty Home Life: A Man Cave Design

Today I'm excited to share with y'all Linda's plan for Eric's Man Cave. You see Linda is a serial DIYer and if you haven't checked out her blog you should. She will make you want to get your crafty on. What better room to save money and do DIY projects than a man cave?    _______________xoxo_______________
Hello High Cotton Style readers. I'm Linda, from the blog My Crafty Home Life

Fletcher is away on a top secret assignment. Actually, I'm not sure it is a secret at all...in fact, it is probably public knowledge? Well, regardless...I'm outing the information:
Fletcher is buying a home and joining many of us in the never-ending bank account draining, energy sucking land of HOME-OWNERSHIP! 

She has asked me to give you her my thoughts on a Man Cave for her boyfriend.

I will do this for her, but as usual, I am glad my husband does not know where I am today....because he is NEVER getting one in my our home.

Here is the photo of the room she sent me from the MLS

I am guessing that it is this portion of the upstairs. It is the obvious place, right?

That is the best I can do with blowing up the floor plan..sorry, but you get the drift. A 12 x 12 room with slanted ceilings on both walls, and a window at the back. 

Starting with the entrance to the hallway from the living area, I demolished the existing closet. 

Fletcher and Eric need more storage! Since she probably doesn't have a ton of cash lying around, I selected 2 of these Ikea closets. They will fit the 10 foot run perfectly.

A little hacking like adding some molding, better hardware, and bringing the bottom flush to the front, like I did with my Malm dressers....and this will look like a million bucks!
Now we move into the room. On the right and left side of the room, 

I would add bookshelves like these

Source

Apparently there are hardwood floors under the carpet...so, again...saving money
Paint them!

Source

A runner for the hall, and a solid high gloss color for the Man Cave

Add a cowhide rug

Next up, what would any Man Cave be without a television!
I am totally taking care of you, Mr. High Cotton Style..
Right here is where the television should go

If I calculated it right, you should be able to squeeze a 40" tv here....give or take. So, how about a pallet wall television mount

Source

The opposite window wall would get this treatment

Source

A couple of club chairs...and you're done. Or, he's done!
Good luck with your new home, Fletcher. I can't wait to see what you decide to do. If you lived closer, I would come and help you.

The Campbells: Kitchen Ideas

Today, Kistler is visiting from The Campbells to share a few ideas for my new kitchen! I'm so glad she is because I just love her style. 

In our dream world, we would open up an interior design store together. 
Too bad I'm in Ohio...one day, right?:)

She is the go to color girl in Florence and is pretty great at helping decorate too! If you need help, check her out at Carolina Supply House! They have some pretty awesome light fixtures too!

______________________xoxo_____________________
First, let me say that we miss Fletcher here in SC!!! We can't wait to have her back, Columbus
enjoy her because she is not staying :)!

For my guest post, I am going to share a  few of my favorite kitchens with you. I'll also share a few ideas that might work well in Fletcher's new digs 

(very cute btw).

This is one of my favorite kitchens, I actually based our kitchen off of this picture. Erika Powell of Urban Grace Interiors gets credit for this amazing kitchen and was so sweet to actually share her colors with me. I was 8 months preggo and pretty much desperate because everything in my house was turning light blue. This color can be tricky, but if you get it right...beautiful!

I love the look of a clean kitchen, always pretty but a little more fancy than functional.

I think Fletcher should do an island and find a pretty pendant (or pendants) to go over. 

This goodman pendant is one
of my  favorites and one day WILL be in my house!

This second is understated yet clean and pretty. It would instantly add a little touch of modern (and update) to any room.

We love you Fletcher! xoxo

Running in Stilettos: The DL on Columbus

When there was a possibility that we would be moving, I researched the heck out of my prospective digs. I guess you could say I blog stalked of sorts because I was on the look out for Columbus bloggers! One of the first ones I came across was Running in Stilettos. I'm so glad Holly has come to share a little about my new city!

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Hello, High Cotton Stylers!

I'm Holly and you can catch me weekdays over at Running in Stilettos.

While Fletcher is busy moving into her new house {very close to where I live actually!} in Columbus, Ohio, I thought I'd give her {and you} a little insight of what she's getting herself into :)

Source: google.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest



I've called Columbus home for the last decade, when I moved here, from my small hometown in the northeastern part of the state, for college.

And I still have so much more to discover in America's 15th largest city.

But here are a few of my favorite things about living in Cbus:

#1 The Buckeyes

Source: ohiostatebuckeyes.com via Stacy on Pinterest



We're just NUTS about our Buckeyes {pun intended}.

Watching The Best Damn Band in the Land do Script Ohio on the field gives me chills every time.

And we are huge fans of tailgating!

Lane Ave and any open space around the stadium is packed with people. A local radio station even blocks off a large parking lot for a community tailgate, called River Jam.

Bands, large screens to watch the game and plenty of booze and food. It's the bees knees.



#2 The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Source: via Laura on Pinterest

It's the best zoo in America! And it really is pretty sweet.

It's so fun to visit with and learn about the animals, plus there is an awesome water park, Zoombezi Bay, right next dogor.

The zoo also hosts awesome events throughout the year for the whole family.

Two of my favorites are the Zoolights {the entire zoo is covered in Christmas lights!} and Zoofari {an adult-only fundraiser with booze and bands, which I was lucky enough to attend for the first time this year!}.



#3 Festivals

Source: dispatch.com via Equi on Pinterest

ComFest, the Dublin Irish Festival, Oktoberfest, Jazz and Ribs Fest, Park Street Festival, Red, White and Boom, the DooDah Parade and SO many more, there is always a reason to celebrate in Cbus.

These festivals happen all over the city and the suburbs, so it's fun to always explore different areas.



#4 Nightlife

Source: shortnorth.org via Equi on Pinterest

There are plenty of places in Columbus to find good entertainment, food and drinks.

The Short North offers unique boutiques and eateries, and the Gallery Hop once a month.

The Arena District is packed with bars, perfect for catching the game or dancing the night away. And of course, Nationwide Arena where the Blue Jackets, Columbus' professional hockey team, plays. Then there's the LC Pavilion, an indoor/outdoor concert facility, and Huntington Park, the home of the minor league baseball team, the Clippers.

The Brewery District has plenty of eateries and is home to Shadowbox, a live-performance theatre.

There are also plenty of bars, restaurants and local events in the suburbs, as well.

 #5 Parks

Source: columbusalive.com via Columbus on Pinterest

Columbus has some beautiful parks and recreation spaces.

The Scioto Mile downtown is gorgeous and is a great area to host outdoor events, including fitness classes and festivals.

The Olentangy Trail is popular with runners, bikers and walkers.

There are also various parks for people and pets with nature trails, paved trails, facilities for nature classes and events, and festivals.



 It's been a lot of fun to lay down roots here.

There is plenty to do, and there are great areas to live in the city and in the suburbs.

I hope your move goes well, Fletcher and that you enjoy getting to know your new city!

Welcome to Cbus!

Go Bucks!



And be sure to stop by and say hi :)