Art Turned into Custom Fabrics, Poufs & Pillows

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JFpBTKxAe07g44e2j54sMfH5AKWhvBhJqZ_1ga560823c8NRqeU3GOV56iIdSRApeF7z3xLdmNPbgMvLriGJ8UFE0cJMGe54iTOjDaQMI-MHXqmOFOksj3SlKQm4T5qyoDxnnu2jcl36/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+10.09.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JFpBTKxAe07g44e2j54sMfH5AKWhvBhJqZ_1ga560823c8NRqeU3GOV56iIdSRApeF7z3xLdmNPbgMvLriGJ8UFE0cJMGe54iTOjDaQMI-MHXqmOFOksj3SlKQm4T5qyoDxnnu2jcl36/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+10.09.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I was recently contacted by fellow Arlingtonian, Kate Hougen, who has turned a New Year's Resolution into a reality - <a href="http://www.mirajeandesigns.com/">mirajeandesigns</a>. She designs eco-friendly textiles and turns them into unique gifts and home decor that include decorative pillows, poufs and girls' sundresses.   All the fabrics are eco-friendly and machine-washable. Love the fresh, vibrant colors.  Kate also loves celebrating kids' artwork and can help you transform your child's paintings into custom fabric and pieces.  My favorite is the poufs!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj250o9WRAt9el2D-zBCBQjXzIEmSfdJBmQ9Vh-p32WXlVoDCPfrpOcv10ro6bpnHAH6yl-zEnFyKtv-IT9mqMW28fRNq1ExUpd56U08R0H3fglFdoJtGweReAv-S5t8fSJVNSU0cURJhUe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+10.01.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj250o9WRAt9el2D-zBCBQjXzIEmSfdJBmQ9Vh-p32WXlVoDCPfrpOcv10ro6bpnHAH6yl-zEnFyKtv-IT9mqMW28fRNq1ExUpd56U08R0H3fglFdoJtGweReAv-S5t8fSJVNSU0cURJhUe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+10.01.07+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8oVJHNPZQtoKfbp6ldCnA9flE6Sr32nB7cg847Y1LTYJdK1x-e1M59Agjiywjt1VHOXuQZR4x0IaNBdpqIJ5HqzAvBYtsaOw3RTgkcAnxbZNmhtHJXeegZa_-Bneg7oFFO6ZOejqGsXU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+10.10.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8oVJHNPZQtoKfbp6ldCnA9flE6Sr32nB7cg847Y1LTYJdK1x-e1M59Agjiywjt1VHOXuQZR4x0IaNBdpqIJ5HqzAvBYtsaOw3RTgkcAnxbZNmhtHJXeegZa_-Bneg7oFFO6ZOejqGsXU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+10.10.13+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCILUTTGHI8Jad4kBtJmIbnvQ0Wc75itFw7TccJLLCeCgFI6HRyYzkvEJVtCHLdkqxadcmtr5kY9_SX-6A_immVJdRCHElzZ5R3btRmNVmYttOUBSd4gPv_GBm3r5EZuiFYk2LzDMiWZfQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+9.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCILUTTGHI8Jad4kBtJmIbnvQ0Wc75itFw7TccJLLCeCgFI6HRyYzkvEJVtCHLdkqxadcmtr5kY9_SX-6A_immVJdRCHElzZ5R3btRmNVmYttOUBSd4gPv_GBm3r5EZuiFYk2LzDMiWZfQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-05+at+9.59.46+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For more info, head <a href="http://www.mirajeandesigns.com/">HERE</a>.</div>

Art Turned into Custom Fabrics, Poufs & Pillows

I was recently contacted by fellow Arlingtonian, Kate Hougen, who has turned a New Year's Resolution into a reality - mirajeandesigns . ...

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When New, Cheap Furniture is Good

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1x_Q8JoocZMU1IIQj5DzmvVTSe6lDxcUZZG9ULu3SAInPeOz-mwuSX2B1cDvqNgqvP6l-KqXDnWRiFKQVAPjM15-87BVBWe1UDOr578wwD-Il9TdlkjRbpOjlGaq2Gh09jfMf7qw-YhX/s1600/DSCN5642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1x_Q8JoocZMU1IIQj5DzmvVTSe6lDxcUZZG9ULu3SAInPeOz-mwuSX2B1cDvqNgqvP6l-KqXDnWRiFKQVAPjM15-87BVBWe1UDOr578wwD-Il9TdlkjRbpOjlGaq2Gh09jfMf7qw-YhX/s1600/DSCN5642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Saw this bench at TJ Max for $145 and it had me thinking that sometimes it's not a bad idea to buy an inexpensive piece of new furniture.   Here's my thoughts on when it can make sense:<br /><br />- it's a piece made of real wood, not mdf  (although Ikea can be the exception to that)<br />- it's not overly trendy<br />- it doesn't smell of VOC's and glues<br />- considering the use it will get, it's likely to wear well<br /><br />I love that this bench has white washed wood, nail heads and a conservative fabric.  Slap faux leather or a flashy fabric on it and it starts to look too low cost.    I didn't need a bench but if I did, I definitely would have snapped this up.<br /><br />Do you think there's ever a time when new, inexpensive furniture is a good idea?

When New, Cheap Furniture is Good

Saw this bench at TJ Max for $145 and it had me thinking that sometimes it's not a bad idea to buy an inexpensive piece of new furniture...

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House Tour: A Fresh, Bright Victorian

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlAwBa3Nb4HhAZapD5czOjaNFGD3oOVa6K9UI7MZazrG_CD7TB7o70DsXSNfGuCEz9xSxD4r6Ev_Y1YQjlj8cQoWkqrB3N3ewyVEdiMou082VFAndL4jLz_70DSSeyIE0qO5hN62yCEmH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+4.18.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlAwBa3Nb4HhAZapD5czOjaNFGD3oOVa6K9UI7MZazrG_CD7TB7o70DsXSNfGuCEz9xSxD4r6Ev_Y1YQjlj8cQoWkqrB3N3ewyVEdiMou082VFAndL4jLz_70DSSeyIE0qO5hN62yCEmH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+4.18.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />House and Home online tv has featured another wonderful house tour - this time it's a historic Victorian renovated and redecorated into a fresh and light-filled by home by its owner Alexandra MacDonald.  Interestingly enough, after finding the home she discovered her great, great Uncle was the architect back in 1891!   To see the video tour, head <b><a href="http://houseandhome.com/tv/segment/historic-stratford-home?vb=ep&epi=2809151&pos=0&res=high">HERE</a></b>. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl47GhgZh0JG3tSPDWeLX0NfYGUg-OsM8PJdKauU8UjiUpzfG0uWSocUeDDHoiwkaiQnvOlYuNwz-4XVx7fTqPXl6d3Whgw_Vfak0Qw46bkUlmzkjXQIp9jA0huB92j5WJ8_Q-EYc86HN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+4.24.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl47GhgZh0JG3tSPDWeLX0NfYGUg-OsM8PJdKauU8UjiUpzfG0uWSocUeDDHoiwkaiQnvOlYuNwz-4XVx7fTqPXl6d3Whgw_Vfak0Qw46bkUlmzkjXQIp9jA0huB92j5WJ8_Q-EYc86HN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+4.24.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqDY7gCaeQJciepW6o72MAXgbxPIVO2SFwNYZKuNiY_pLQRXNouivoOnyg0ihHOCuhE9EOYBeLf5kEcb1UKe0yS3V-AGiXn5ZvT6_IQB_nghZ7SaQ9gMnOWZNWM72tb8-GF4COJmyhAxD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+4.27.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqDY7gCaeQJciepW6o72MAXgbxPIVO2SFwNYZKuNiY_pLQRXNouivoOnyg0ihHOCuhE9EOYBeLf5kEcb1UKe0yS3V-AGiXn5ZvT6_IQB_nghZ7SaQ9gMnOWZNWM72tb8-GF4COJmyhAxD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-01+at+4.27.31+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

House Tour: A Fresh, Bright Victorian

House and Home online tv has featured another wonderful house tour - this time it's a historic Victorian renovated and redecorated into ...

Read more »