Color Me In Contention

Just at the cusp of deadline, I entered the second annual Apartment Therapy Fall Colors Contest. I spent a whole day snapping photos of my bathroom ("make sure to get some of the hallway!") and thinking of witty color tips and resources. When the contest was first announced, I planned on entering. I thought I might have a chance. Later, when I finally got around to sending in my space, I had already seen numerous other interiors that far exceed my little ol' apple of a bathroom. I knew I wasn't going to win and that's okay. I was still excited to see my room posted on the successful blog and to read what others had to say.

Cardboard's Bathroom

Overall, I'm still glad I sent in my bathroom photos. There were a couple of negative remarks but most of the comments were nice and/or constructive. And to tell the truth, as much as I love my bathroom in person, I'm not sure I would have voted Insta-Finalist! after seeing the photos online. Oh, interior photography, why do you torment me so?! But you should go check it out for yourself. Vote or comment and do it honestly. Don't let the fact that you love me and I'm sweet sway your brutal design opinion.

If you're curious, you can see more of my bathroom on our flickr account. Porcelain & I are slowly revealing our houses to the world, 8 Photos at a time.

Gimage: Daylight Savings

"Daylight Savings"

Don't forget to set your clocks back in the wee hours of tonight! It may be getting colder but we (most of us anyway) have an extra hour for sleeping, knitting, drinking coffee, or thinking of what color to re-paint the hallway.

Bonus Bone: Danish modern bar cart

Danish Modern bar cart

On a chilly Sunday several weeks ago I had the urge to go browsing for some antiques. Lucky for me I live just a hop, skip and a jump from Edgewater Antique Mall and Broadway Antique Mall. At EAM I spotted this funky, Danish modern bar cart. I've been searching for a sideboard from this period for quite sometime, but most were either in crappy condition or gorgeous and out of my price range. But this one was in decent condition and the price seemed fair. Before I left I found out that the next weekend they would be having an anniversary sale and most items would be 30% off! YEAH BABY!!!

The following weekend I snapped up this bad boy and got the dealer to knock off almost $100!!! For more detail shots, go here.

Detail of handle

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

The "peeni" mug

Lap mug, available at Design My World

Cardboard and I felt that we just had to post about these lap mugs because of the name of our blog and, well, just look at them!!!

Radiator Lust

If only I had radiators, I'd paint them like this:

6th Ave & Bergen St

And if Porcelain didn't rent hers, she'd paint 'em like this:

Park Slope, Brooklyn

Check out even more inventive interiors at Wary Meyers Decorative Arts!

Bonus Bone: Dream Home

Today Porcelain & I visited the DreamHome showcase at Chicago's Merchandise Mart. Eleven designers, including Oprah's Golden Boy, Nate Berkus, put their skills to the test in a faux nine-room house. Each designer (or pair of designers) got to glitz up one standard room: foyer, living room, library, bath, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, family room, and courtyard. For a suggested $5 donation (to the University of Chicago's Cancer Research Foundation), Porcelain & I got to waltz around and act like we owned the joint.

Since there was no purchase pressure (only those "in the trade" can even think of asking about cost), we were free to snap a bunch of photos, all the while pondering our amateur insights. I saw many things that I really liked, including a paint treatment (see below) that will look divine in my bedroom! We poked at the fragiles, sat on the satin, and danced our fingers across acreage of glossy marble.

Detail of bedroom wall, designed by Kara Mann

I knew going in that we would see things that might make us envious and yearn for better paying jobs. I knew we'd be WOW'ed. But what I wasn't quite expecting was that we'd be able to discriminate. We didn't do it in a haughty way but we were actually able to discern, among all the sparkle and flash, that which didn't work. More importantly, we offered clear opinions on what might have worked better. Porcelain, I think we just might be exiting design puberty.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

More 2-in-1 fun!

U-turn table, available at Chiasso

Last week I was flipping through the Chiasso catalog and spotted this cute acrylic sidetable that doubles as a magazine rack. You know I can't resist a dual functioning product!! Plus it is rather reasonably priced for a piece of acrylic furniture, only $98.

At the end of the Runway, there's pasta

Porcelain & I gathered together for last night's Project Runway: Season 3 finale. We were so excited (but also sad because our pal, Formica, couldn't make it). The 3 of us make a habit of convening on Wednesday nights for dinner, wine, Project Runway, wine, judgment and cattiness, and more wine. Last night was special because we finally got to see the Bryant Park Collections and find out who got the big, stylish blue ribbon slapped on their couture. AND, to my happiness, Top Chef was premiering directly after the PR bash.

Going into the finale, I think Porcelain & I both wanted Michael to take the prize. He had such promise and when he got something right, he really got it right. After viewing the final collections, however, I think Uli coaxed both of us back into her corner. She tempered her free-flowing spirit with camel-colored fabrics, but kept it spicy with flashes of silver and sultry cuts that showed a lot of (appropriate) skin. Yet she was able to stick in a few of her billowing, printed jungle dresses (her unmistakable trademark) without making them seem out of place. And, um, yeah, did her swimsuit/cover-up ensemble not urge gasps of delight from the audience?! Uli proved to me that she, more than Justin, knows how to bring sexy back.

The Shoulda: Uli Herzner

But, sigh, Jeffrey won. His collection was good, inventive, edgy, all that. But there was nothing terribly exciting about it and I still can't really get over him barking at Angela's mother like she was a mangy, smelly old dog. I'm happy that Jeffrey can now provide a future for his punk baby and his mohawked wife but...eh. I will say that Jeffrey's model, Marilinda, was my favorite skinny girl so I'm at least happy that she won too.

To save the anti-climatic evening, Porcelain & I followed Pozy Gets Cozy's advice and made some utterly delicious rigatoni with pumpkin sage cream sauce. Oh man. Seriously. Do it.

Bonus Bone: Thank you notes

Lined paper thank you boxed notes by Snow & Graham

Cherry blossom thank you boxed notes by Snow & Graham

Last night I received the nicest thank you card from Cardboard. I watched her kitties for a few days while she was out of town visiting family and having some crafty fun. She had already thanked me in person and gave me the cutest of cute purses!! So when I saw a letter in the mail box with Cardboard's mailing label, I was pleasantly surprised. Now those are manners!! (Mama Cardboard, you've raised her well!!) There is nothing like a hand written thank you on a cute piece of stationary. You're the best, Cardboard!

You're the best greeting card by Snow & Graham

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

And now for more on crafting

I love me some craft fairs! Ever since my sister and her boyfriend started Alison Rose, a small online business that sells really sweet stuff, I've been hooked on them. I've gone to (and worked) Renegade, Chicago more than a couple of times. I've also gone to (and worked) Art vs Craft in Milwaukee. Most recently, I joined Alison Rose as they headed east to Washington DC for Crafty Bastards. We drove and, therefore, epitomized the road trip all over again. Except, now, instead of downing Mountain Dew and blasting the Beastie Boys, I'm more content to sip awful gas station coffee and gaze out the window to the lullaby of an audio book. All in all, I had so much fun trekking across a couple of states, setting up the tent, and hawking handmade stuff that I'd love to make it my full-time job. Ah, if only...

Sunset in PA

And, while we're on the subject of craft fairs, if you're in the Chicago area, mark your calendars for this weekend's DEPART-ment. After all, the gift-giving holidays are quickly approaching!

Bonus Bone: New Windows

On your marks...(Old Nasty Window)

For the past 2 years, I have been gazing through 100+ year old windows. They probably lost their charm about, um, 65 years ago. They were pitted, cracked, bent, loose, and about as energy efficient as drying a load of laundry with a hairdryer. I was only able to chip the paint away and open a few of them as they had all been painted shut time and time again. They were just sad.

But for about the same cost as a den full of Crate & Barrel furniture, I got new ones. Eleven in total. I owe Mama Cardboard a big ol' PHANKS because she paid for 5 1/2 of them.

Get set...(Old Dirty Sill, Old Window Gone)

It took 3 sales/measuring appointments, a waiting period of about 3 weeks, and then one long day for 3 strapping workers and...TA DA! No more drafty nights of shuffling down the hallway in a blanket. No more worrying about the warped wood leaking rainwater. No more storm windows...period! My home is now outfitted with double-paned, gas-filled, fold-'em-inside-to-clean-'em windows! They slide smoothly, they open (with one hand!), and each one of them is clean, straight, and WHITE. I love them. I can't wait to watch the snow fall and be cozy at the same time. In your face, Winter! Bring it on!

Go! (Champion Replacement Window)

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

October is Chicago Artists Month

Can you believe it is October already?!?!?!?!

October is always an exciting month for me because it is Chicago Artists Month! I've always wanted to participate and finally this year I am. I'm exhibiting a painting in a group show at the Ice Factory and the opening is Saturday October 7 from 6-9pm. Come on out and check out some great emerging talent from Chicago!