Step Out of the Box into the Wonderful World of Colors

I think sometimes people are afraid of color and it's uses. I often see rooms done in the shabby elegance style that resembles a wedding. Shabby Elegance is very eclectic. If you are using white and pink, also use some sea foam green or throw in muted shade of shale blue. It can come in the way of a piece of furniture, a throw or a stripe in the pillows. If you have decided on pink and white only with all your heart, use different shades in the same tone. Use an ecru with an egg shell for your whites and even an deeper shade if you feel comfortable in doing so. Use soft baby pinks to red-pinks with blue under tones. This would be beautiful with flowers or floral fabrics. You can use your colors in your fabrics, furniture, lamp shades, window shades, pillows, throws, rugs, accessories or many other areas. You get the idea. I always feel that a room done in the true essence of Shabby Elegance is comfortable and inviting. It is not stark and formal. Step out of the box and start trying to slowly add these ideas to your room and you will feel more pleased at the way it carries the eyes through the layers. Of course Shabby Elegance has no rules so this is a mere suggestion. I myself would just rather see Few hues and color tones at a wedding (and still not crazy about it there). Play with colors and learn about hues and tones. As always decorate your dreams true.

Shabby Elegance at it's brightest...lanterns

There is nothing more beautiful than the ambiance a lantern can create.  Simply by its' height, size, color, material and cut outs.  They make amazing patterns on the walls and ceilings.  Low light or high, you decide your surroundings.  I want to highlight (no pun intended) some beautiful lanterns and lighting.  Look around in your house, look outside and in the individual rooms. There are so many options and if you love lighting, grab your keys we need to rent a storage building.

Look how intricate the details are on these paper lanterns. Yes, paper... Look at the different patterns and papers and how they all come together to create a visual masterpiece.  Attempt your hand at making paper lanterns or shop for them at different times of the year.  Myself, I am a sucker for Moroccan lanterns, white, black, rustic, simple... ahh

Don't you want some lantern light in your life for awhile? How about tonight?  Remember you can hang your lanterns at different heights and from different items such as chains, ropes and jeweled cords.  There are beautiful candle chandeliers that are perfect for the patio or that corner in your house.  Here is one of my favorites.  Isn't it simple yet stunning?

Make sure and check out all of the candle lanterns, candle chandeliers, candle holders and candelabras in our store.  With summer coming we will have new collections weekly.  Come by and browse.  

Simply, Lesa

Bedrock Industries, Seattle, Washington- Road Trip...

Bedrock Industries

Bedrock believes in living on earth responsibly and acknowledging that the planet’s resources are limited. That’s why we make all of our tiles by hand in our own plant from 100% recycled glass. When we say “100% recycled,” we mean just that — all of our tile is made from recycled glass only. We do not use pigment in our glass.
We are proud to say that we have recycled literally hundreds of tons of material that would otherwise have gone into landfills. (taken directly from their website, www.bedrockindustries.com)

How cool is that? .  It is the most beautiful tumbled glass you will ever see.  It is also suitable for use around pets and children.  We live in Seattle and I continue to find the best kept secrets.  Even though they have a huge following, I want to ensure you know about their product.  I love it for mosaic designs or a back splash.


  First I want you to see the shapes you can get:

Don't they come in the most beautiful shapes?  I just see design, design, design... I want to play with it and come up with some ideas of my own.  Now lets take a look at their colors:

Do you think you can find a color you like?  It's more like trying to find a color I don't like.  It is so beautiful and you can use it for mosaics on stools, table tops, trays and anything you would like.  You could make it soft with a shabby elegance style or some bold  pieces to get that 1950's look.  You could design any style with this tumbled glass.  Maybe you want a new back splash or counter top. Looking for a unique shower? 
You  at least need to get on line and look at the product used in all types of styles and colors.  I guarantee you are going to fall in love with it.  Never done mosaic's?  Place the stones in clear vases to give color to a room or as a centerpiece.  Here is there info: 

Contact Us

Write or visit us at:
1401 W. Garfield ST.
Seattle,WA 98119

Call us at:
1-877 283-7625 toll free
1-206-283 7625

Fax us at:
1-206-283-0497

E -mail us at:
info@bedrockindustries.com

All pictures, intro and contact information was taken directly from their website.  Thank you Bedrock Industries for giving us such beautiful glass and doing your part to save our planet.  You are a true inspiration.


Hey guys, if anyone does mosaics, please send some pictures so we can highlight them on our website for design and style.  Thanks for exploring this wonderful company with me!


Simply, Lesa

Beautiful Glass Urns Add a Romantic Flare

I saw these urns and fell in love.  They are made by Juliska and can be found by going to their website at www.Juliska.com.  There are a lot of you who love to spend money to collect these.  They are a bit pricey so I think it would be a blast to go to flea markets, thrift stores and estate sales to recreate the look.  Here they are:

http://www.juliska.com

Aren't they just gorgeous? Can't you see them on a distressed white dressing vanity?  How about on an accent table with flame less candles in them? Potpourri? Candy dishes on your round accent table, end table or sofa table?  You could tie a soft wire transparent pink, blue or sage ribbon gently around their base.  This is what I love so much about the shabby elegant look, it is so versatile. I get excited when I am looking for a specific item and even become quite obsessed that it does exist exactly as I picture in my head and I WILL find it...today...this week...soon.  To sum it up, think of using clear glass urns in your style and you can pick the one's that fit your taste, the simple or the "foo foo". Just a quick tip and style I wanted to share.

Shabby elagance coined, as shabby chic style has been trademarked???

“Shabby chic"/elegance "is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their age and signs of wear and tear or new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique.Shabby chic"/elegance "items are often heavily painted with many layers showing through obviously worn areas. The style is imitated in faux painting using glaze or by painting then rubbing and sanding away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. Fabrics tend to be cottons and linens, with linen being particularly popular, inspired by old French linens. Whites and worn or bleached out pastels are favorite colours. Fabric is often stained with tea to give it the look of old fabric. Bleached and faded are terms often applied to the style.”–Wikipedia (shabby elegance inserted and the definition is still in quotes).

We use the term Shabby Elegance instead of Shabby Chic as there is a trademark claim on the term "shabby chic".  Shabby chic is all over the internet and said to have started long ago with the french. The style is also called Bohemian, Cottage Chic and Country French.  They are all styles so trying to trademark one is near impossible for everyone to understand as the term as been used before the trademark.  The New term for the style is Shabby Elegance and that is what we will use to refer to the style as we want no part in the fight over "Shabby Chic".  To read about this trademark see Racheal Ashwell from HGTV.  Her site for Shabby Chic is termed the official site.  I will leave it up to you guys on what you want to call the style, after all it is just a style.  We love everything about Shabby Elegant.  Below are some pictures that demonstrate the style.  Don't you just love it?  There are a million ways to create a room in this style.  It is so much fun.  Please let us see your rooms.  I will post them on the site for all to see.

I love the room's walls and the large mirror .  I also like how low the mirror is hung for a comfortable look.

This room is one of my favorites.  Everytime I look at it, I find more decor that draws me in.  I love the sofa with the oversized pillows.  The stripes, flowers and solids are a perfect example of shabby elegance.  I love the sage green that also carries over to a chair.  I think it is so eclectic that even with so much going on, it isn't cluttered. The curtains are different, the trunk for a coffee table, the worn rocking chair with an over sized pillow that matches those on the sofa. The color of the trunk pulls to the bucket of pastel blue flowers by the arm chair.  The candelabra on the trunk is wonderful.  I could go on, and on, and on.  What draws you in?  Can you come up with ideas for rooms inspired by this pic?  Let me know, I want to help. lol  I change my rooms frequently with seasons, new inspirations or an idea that won't leave me alone. lol

The "Hand Rule" of Decorating

              This is a quick tip for decorating your fireplace mantel. Use odd number of items as this keeps the style from looking too formal.  I like to use 5 of my items with various heights on the fireplace mantel. The "Hand Rule"... hold your hand up in front of you, extended outward with palm facing fireplace mantel. Look at your fingers and thumb.  Now take your five items and arrange them by height according to the different lengths of your fingers.  Your tallest item would be in the middle and your shortest on one of the ends (depending on which hand you are holding up). You can also use this for your items on shelves.  It looks awkward when you first attempt it but when you stand back and look...it has a unique style and draws your eyes attention.  Just a little rule I use.  I also use it in the garden when I am planting flowers or shrubs.  Odd numbers for the "shabby elegance" look and even numbers for a formal look.  Try it yourself and see what designs you create.

Lesa, Simply Shabby Elegant