Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Fabric Art in Under an Hour!

What You Will Need:

* 1/2 - 1yd of Fabric (Depending on Print and Board Size)
* Foam Board, Canvas or Wood Board (Size is Up to You)
* Sharpened Scissors
* Spray Adhesive
* Stapler


STEP 1:
Lay board flat on fabric.
(Make sure your pattern is straight if using a printed fabric.)
Cut the fabric around the board leaving a 1 - 1 1/2" border.


STEP 2:
Spray the front side of the board with Spray Adhesive.
Lay the glued side of the board flat on your fabric.
Make sure to smooth out any bubbles that may occur in your fabric.


STEP 3:
Cut the corners ofyour fabric as shown.
This allows the fabric to lay flat once it has been folded.


STEP 4:
Fold over all 4 sides of the fabric over your board.
Make sure to pull each side as tight as possible for a smooth looking front.


STEP 5:
Staple corners for extra holding power.


Let Dry and Enjoy!
We created all 4 of these in about 30 minutes!


Hanging Options:
Try hanging these one-of-a-kind canvases with ribbons, tacks, grommets or place on a decorative shelf.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Oh Monkey Tree, O Monkey Tree... how furry are your branches!

This tree, posted to houzz.com by Tobi Fairley (who is actually from Arkansas as well) is *SO* fun!!

How has your holiday decorating been this year?  Did you go more traditional than normal?  Slightly edgier??  With Christmas only days away, I'm ready to see all of your decorations!!  Come on - post 'em!


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Design Trends for 2011

Pantone announced last week that they have picked Honeysuckle as the 2011 color of the year and they will soon be announcing their full line of predicted colors for 2011. The design world while they look to Pantone for colors, does not wait and has already made their predictions for interior design trends in 2011.
What's old is new. Passing down heirlooms and keeping unique pieces in the family is a trend that we will see more of. Going green and using more renewable resources is a concept that has picked up popularity over that past several years and the idea has started to trickle into the design world. Refinishing an old piece of furniture or using reclaimed wood for flooring and decor is something that we will see a lot of. Where we are from and the people and places that have got us where we are today are of interest and preserving that heritage is becoming increasingly more important.
 Starbucks actually used this concept in one of their locations in Seattle; Using reclaimed wood from barns, shipping crates, fallen trees and architectural salvage yards and getting most of their furniture from local antique stores and reupholstering pieces that were located in other Starbucks locations. They truly took the recycled goods idea by the horns and it turned out fantastic.

Another design trend that has already started gaining momentum is a global design trend. Using influences from other countries and cultures to create a global flair. This trend kicked off with the influx of teal in furnishings and has picked up in popularity since.

Lastly, given the economic conditions, people are starting to reevaluate the things that they need vs the things that they would like to have. The concept "More is Less" will begin to surface more often in homes and rather than using many pieces to dress up a home, people will use color and a few specific items to make their home fabulous.

I'm looking forward to the new year and what the interior design world has to offer.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pound for Pound Challenge

So.... got plans for how to stick to that every-New-Year's-resolution of losing weight?  Carrie mentioned the Biggest Loser's "Pound for Pound Challenge" and, of course - we decided to sign on!

Did you know that hunger is a struggle for 1 in 6 Americans? There are many ways you can spread awareness and help Feeding America deliver millions of pounds of groceries to local food banks.


Last year, The Pound For Pound Challenge helped Feeding America® deliver more than 3.5 million pounds of groceries to local food banks. The Pound For Pound Challenge is back for year two and with everyone's participation, it will be even BIGGER!

For every pound you pledge to lose through June 30, 2010, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14¢ to Feeding America® – enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank. $800,000 maximum donation. 

 You can also check it out on Facebook

Stay tuned after the new year (and holiday feasting has subsided) and cheer us on to our goal!!



Friday, December 10, 2010

I.D. Wood App


The standalone application will work with or without an Internet connection so that the samples and information are always at your fingertips. From the basic to the exotic, I.D. Wood turns your mobile device into a virtual guidebook for seasoned woodworkers, cabinet makers, designers, artists, architects, collectors, antique dealers, hobbyists, gunsmiths, musicians, homeowners, boat builders, carpenters and others. This app is designed for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and is available for $4.99.
I.D. Wood includes the following:

Almost 160 High Quality Full-Screen Wood Samples (raw cut and non-finished)

* Species Names
* Botanical Names
* Other Names
* Wood Origins
* Wood Descriptions
* Woodworking Properties
* Common Uses
* Durability
* Sustainability
* Janka Hardness

I.D. Wood also features:

* Wood Glossary of over 90 terms
* Illustrations of Lumber Cutting Techniques
* Full text Search Tools
* Category Navigation
* Lumber Information
* Dimensional Lumber Conversions
* Thickness Measuring Screen
* Pilot Hole Reference
* Nail Size Reference
* Janka Hardness Scale
* Specific Gravity
* Lumber Grading Tables

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Happy Holidays!

The holidays are in full swing here at InteriorMall.com and I wanted to share with everyone a few of the Christmas trees and decorations we have up around the office.

Last week we shared Shanna's 12 days of Interior Mall tree. 

 Instead of silver bells, Rachel has a silver tree! Love the tree skirt made out of Frosted Mongolian Pink #146562, Promo Shag Royal #147888 and Feather Fur Turquoise Lime (Not on Website). Its opposite colorway Lime Turquoise is, however!

Cymantha and Megan are celebrating in red and decided to cover their stool in Polka Dots Chartreuse Lipstick #163708 for a fun and festive corner!

I like a colorful winter wonderland with my white tree and colorful ornaments. I used Promo Shag Hot Pink #146589 and Crushed Rabbit White #48569 for my tree skirt. Above it I made an ornament wreath for my wall which I think adds the perfect touch!
 
 
We hope everyone is having and has a fantastic holiday season! A big HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all our readers, customers and vendors. Without each of you there would be no reason to come to work.
 

Friday, December 3, 2010

Meet the Staff: Maria

Yes, it is time for another Meet the Staff and this time we are getting to know Maria!



Carrie: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Maria: I really enjoy the people I work with. I have never worked with such a great group of women before and it really makes coming to work a wonderful experience to look forward to.
 
Carrie: How would you describe your personal interior design taste?
Maria:I have a more French Country style in my new home. I have added lot of painted woods and natural colors.
 
Carrie: What's been your most fulfilling job experience since working for Interior Mall?
Maria: I think every day has its moments of pure fulfillment and every day it’s a different situation.
 
Carrie: How do you spend your time outside of work?
Maria: I read a lot, almost anything I can get my hands on. I also spend a lot of time with my dog (Murphy) and cat (Mouse)and we watch movies together. When the weather is nice I also do some hiking.
 
Carrie: What item from the InteriorMall.com website would you like to add to your wish list?
Maria: The Emperor Penguin Bottle Stopper Item #189783! I like to relax with a good glass of wine at night and I also collect penguins (they are my favorite animal)  so it would fit both activities very well.
 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

The 12 Days of Christmas - Interior Mall Style


12 Cups of Coffee
11 Boxes Shipping
10 E-Mails Loading
9 Furs A Shedding
8 Quickbooks Updates
7 Sample Orders
6 Tassels Swaying

5 Drapery Rings

4 Ringing Phones
3 Picture Frames
2 Dove Bars

and A Crazy Bird in a Green Tree

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Sorella Home = FABULOUS!

I am more than excited to announce that InteriorMall.com has become an official retailer of Sorella Home products; A fairly new company but quickly making waves and a name for themselves in the home decor world. They have been featured several times in Home Fashion magazine as well as HGTV, HFN and BridalGuide.com.
Sorella Home brings the warmth of old world craftsmanship and mixes it with modern, contemporary styles;  yesterday's quality with today's look. They are proud of their products and their roots and it shows in their work.
The Botanica Collection is hand crafted by today's generation of Italian artisans. Botanica has the distinctive beauty of Italian glazed ceramics with a modern natural pattern.
Inspired by botanical elements this chic but simple tableware collection reflects a slightly worn and organic appearance in earthy tones. The beautiful floral motif combined with a linen like texture mirrors the simple elegance found in nature.

Natura - collection of dinnerware and decorative accessories in a warm white with a uniquely hand designed shape and border creating a sophisticated look! Each piece in the collection differs from one another by no more than a hint or suggestion and they all blend together magnificently!
The new mood in home decor requires a
shift away from the classic shapes! Natura represents a collection on which to build a comfortable contemporary decorating scheme, layering shades, tone on tone, or using them to create contrasts and accents!

An absolutely stunning collection, Vento is artfully hand crafted in Italy. Each piece of this glass dinnerware and home décor collection is created with a carefully engineered sandblasting process and then hand painted with ivory enamel and 24K gold creating a luminescent and elegant table setting. The artisan's extraordinary technique gives Vento a stunning appearance.

My absolute favorite collections come from the Ernest Hemingway collection. The great thing about each of these sets is that they are wonderful individually or paired with another line within the collection.

The base of the Hemingway collection is Finca.
A handsome oven-to-table stoneware group, is artisan crafted in Portugal and is at the heart of the Ernest Hemingway line. A wonderful color palette of ivory, goldenrod and moss green with a subtle hand textured finish create a uniquely designed tableware collection with elements of nature translated beautifully for home décor.

As mentioned, Finca is the heart and soul of the Hemingway Collection. When I decide to change up my kitchen and dinnerware I would love to make the change to the Finca and mix it with Moveable Feast. These 2 collections mixed together make a gorgeous statement that is sure to please anyone.


The Moveable Feast is a collection of entertainment pieces that merge sleek contemporary style with an organic textures and materials.
Black slate-like chargers, trays and appetizer plates are perfect for parties and made of oven-to-table stoneware. An incredibly stunning wooden charger completes the Moveable Feast collection and is quite simply the perfect accent piece to any home décor. Art for living and artisan crafted in Germany, only African woods are used to create this uniquely designed charger/platter which works as well on the wall as it does on the table.

The third line in the Ernest Hemingway collection is Safari. While small (only containing a small salad or dessert plate and coffee mug), Safari is far from lacking in character and uniqueness. The Safari Collection, inspired by the majestic animals of Africa, proudly
reflects the beauty and grace of African wildlife. A collection of four small
plates and mugs, the group celebrates the beauty of African wildlife with a
lion, zebra, elephant and giraffe motif. It's also a great accent collection to Finca.


Sorella Home has really hit a home-run with the dinnerware collections. Fantastic quality and gorgeous too, there is something for everyone to fall in love with and cherish for years to come.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

iHandy - It's Handy Dandy!

iHandy Level is just what it sounds like. It turns the iPhone into a level. There are many level apps available, but this one comes recommended by friends. Great for hanging art! And the best part is it's Free!

In researching this particular app I learned that iHandy is more than just the level app. They also have an iHandy Ruler App, iHandy Protractor App, iHandy Tip Calculator and a whole lot more. I was really impressed with the easy directions for use. They even tell you how to calibrate your iPhone to ensure absolute reliability.


And my favorite iHandy App has to be the iHandy Coin Flip. You pick the coin and with a double tap or a flip or your wrist you test your luck.
For more information, download instructions, or how to use visit: http://www.ihandysoft.com/level/

Friday, October 15, 2010

Pet-Friendly Homes from Better Homes and Gardens

* Use dog beds that are filled with cedar chips and washable covers. Keep poochie OUT of your bed.
*Create a nook or pet hideaway for a safe place for your pets that won't interfere with your decor like a big crate would.
* Keep animal toys in a basket and everything else up and away from curious pets.
* Move all breakables away from places your pets tail or head could knock them off of.
* Use vinegar-and-water rinses instead of bleach and harsh chemicals that can be absorbed in your pets paws. Also say no to toilet bowl cleaners which your pets may ingest.
* Pay the money for an airtight pet door to save you and your pet time and energy.
* Say no to carpet. Carpets and rugs collect hair, critters and bacteria all of which are bad for you and your pet's health.
* Keep food out of sniffing dog and cat paths and in airtight containers away from bugs and critters.
* Pick satin paint which wipes up easier than a matte or flat one.
* For rugs, get one with a backing or apply a grip to the underside. And choose colors that match your pet so his or her hair will blend in between cleanings.
* Be careful of certain houseplants like aloe, ivies, amaryllis and poinsettias which are toxic to dogs and cats.
* Avoid drapes and blinds with long cords. Just like for children, dogs and cats can easily get wrapped up what looks like a fun hanging thing.
* Make sure trash and people food is up and away from pets. Certain foods like garlic, chocolate, bones and sugar-free gum are extremely dangerous to dogs and cats.

For helpful information about your pet check out http://www.humanesociety.org/

And for all your home decor needs (for you or Fido or Fifi) check out http://www.interiormall.com/

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Decor Pad

So I was randomly searching for a piece of fabric and found a link to our store on DecorPad.com !  It's a great site - you should check them out for sure!

Here is a link to their post featuring one of our products.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Meet the Staff: Cymantha

This meet the staff is long over due. Cymantha has been here since March and I have tried for the last several months to get her Meet the Staff accomplished and it finally happened! I think threatening to take her picture at a random moment and just using it really helped get the ball rolling.

Meet Cymantha:
Carrie: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Cymantha: The atmosphere. It's great seeing how happy you make the customers when they get what they are looking for to change their home.

Carrie: How would you describe your personal interior design taste?
Cymantha: Rustic

Carrie: What's been your most fulfilling job experience since working for Interior Mall?
Cymantha: What a customer called in wanting a fabric that was discontinued. I called the vendor and I got them to re-print more for her.

Carrie: How do you spend your time outside of work?
Cymantha: Outside in the yard, going to the lake or the in-laws pool.

Carrie: What item from the InteriorMall.com website would you like to add to your wish list?
Cymantha: Mica Mission Floor Lamp #99589

Monday, September 20, 2010

Kitchen Must Haves - Stuff mom doesn't send with you to college and you don't know to register for!

There are certain kitchen tools or kitchen gadgets that you'll reach for again and again. Whether they're a classic design or an innovative invention, these tools are ones that will make your work easier, your cleanup faster, your results better and more professional. Here are 10 kitchen gadgets that your kitchen shouldn't be without.


1. Microplane Grater
This now-ubiquitous kitchen tool was originally adapted from a woodworking rasp. But now, savvy cooks know that it's the best way for grating hard cheeses, chocolate, ginger and nutmeg.
*Bonus tip: Use it to grate cloves of garlic for any recipe that calls for minced or finely chopped garlic.

2. Color-Coded Flexible Cutting Mats
Practice good sanitation in the kitchen by using a different color mat for different cutting tasks: blue for fish, yellow for poultry, green for vegetables. Best of all, it's easy to transport cut-up food to a bowl or pan; just hold the mat by the edges and tilt to funnel the food into the pan or bowl. A set from Progressive International comes with four different colored mats, plus 2 white mini mats for small chopping jobs like garlic.
*Bonus tip: Use the reverse side of the green (vegetable) mat as a pastry mat for patting out biscuit dough.

3. KitchenArt Adjust-a-Cup Measuring Cup
For baking and other tasks that require numerous carefully measured ingredients, this clever adjustable measuring cup will replace your entire stack of dry and liquid measuring cups. A twist of the base adjusts the cup to the proper measurement line, and you can push the base up to remove sticky ingredients. The cup has measurement markings in cups, ounces and milliliters. The company makes 1-cup and 2-cup sizes and even a mini size that measures tablespoons and teaspoons.
*Bonus tip: Measure dry ingredients first, then liquid ingredients, and you won't have to wash the cup between measurements.

4. 4-inch Utility Knife
This small knife does everything a paring knife can do, and then some. Use it to mince shallots and garlic, hull cherries, slice mushrooms and avocados and peel fruit like apples. Henckels' Twin Four Star II knifes are forged from high-carbon stainless steel and have a sturdy polypropylene handle.
*Bonus tip: Buy a plastic shield for this knife, or keep the cardboard sleeve it comes with, and tote it along on a picnic for slicing cheese or pate.

5. Silicone Spoon Spatula
This utensil may very well replace all your other spoons and spatulas; it's the only one you'll need for stirring, sautéing, scooping, scraping and more. Made by silicone kitchenware specialist iSi, the tools are heat resistant up to 600˚F, and have a springy steel core extending through the handle, which makes them strong yet flexible.
*Bonus tip: While most silicone tools come in different colors, consider buying a red one—it won't show stains from using with strongly pigmented ingredients like tomato sauce.

6. Kitchen Shears
Keep a pair of shears in a kitchen drawer exclusively for cooking use. From snipping twine to cutting open packages to trimming vegetables and meats, a sharp pair of shears are indispensable. Chicago Cutlery's Insignia2 Kitchen Scissors have a few bonus features—the ends of the handle have a bottle opener on one side, a screw driver/box opener on the other, and a row of teeth between the handles can grip bones or crack lobster or crab legs.
*Bonus tip: Instead of chopping herbs with a knife, use a clean pair of kitchen shears to easily snip them straight into the pot.

7. Granny Fork
A granny fork is an old-fashioned tool (with an equally nostalgic name) that deserves a Renaissance. With a no-slip wooden handle and tines that are sharper than a dinner fork, you can use it for beating eggs, whisking liquid or dry ingredients, or spearing a piece of meat. Cutlery company Lamson & Goodnow makes versions with two and three tines, and in different sizes.
*Bonus tip: A granny fork makes a cute, rustic serving utensil for a platter of cheeses or cold cuts.
8. Small custard cups
Professional chefs keep their cool by using a practice called mise en place (translation: set in place). It means that before they start cooking, they prep and measure all of their ingredients so everything is ready and within reach when they fire up the stove. A set of glass custard cups, like these Pyrex6-ounce versions, can organize measured quantities of minced garlic, chopped herbs, olive oil, vinegar and other small amounts of ingredients. You can also use them for serving crème brulee or puddings, or for holding condiments at the dinner table like dipping sauces, flaky sea salt, or grated Parmesan cheese.
*Bonus tip: Inverted, a custard cup is just the right size to punch out rounds of biscuit or cookie dough.

9. Dual Kitchen Timer
With a reliable kitchen timer, you'll never again burn a tray of cookies. And even though most microwaves and ovens now have timers that can be used independently, a separate timer can be carried into other parts of the house, or can be used even when the microwave is being used for other tasks. West Bend's Dual Timer allows you to time two different dishes at once, and also has a memory feature to recall previous times—good for baking batches of cookies.
*Bonus tip: Use your portable timer outside when you're grilling to ensure you don't burn that steak.

10. A Good Pepper Mill
Freshly ground pepper tastes much better than the preground kind you can buy at your supermarket. The Chef'n pepper ball allows you to grind pepper one-handed, a boon if your other hand is wet or if you're using it to stir a pot of sauce. It's easy to refill, and the coarseness of the grind can be adjusted with a dial at the base of the mill.
*Bonus tip: Buy two pepper mills and keep one filled with black pepper, one with white pepper. White pepper can be used in mashed potatoes, cream sauces and other light-colored recipes.


Article Provided By:
http://cookingequipment.about.com/od/reviewsrecommendations/tp/MustHaveGadgets.htm

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What The Font?!?!?!


Identify the fonts in a photo or web graphic!
Ever seen a great font in a magazine ad, poster, or on the web and wondered what font it is? Whip out your iPhone and snap a photo, and WhatTheFont for iPhone will identify that font in seconds!

Instant gratification
WhatTheFont for iPhone connects directly to MyFonts’ acclaimed font identification service, which has been helping customers pinpoint mystery fonts for 10 years. It works via Wi-Fi or the mobile phone network, so you can get your font fix right there on the spot.

Equal opportunity
iPod touch users — you may not have a camera, but you can still get in on the action! WhatTheFont for iPhone will identify fonts in images saved from apps such as Safari and Mail.

Features
•Snap a photo right within the app
•Choose saved photos from the Photo Library
•In-phone image processing optimizes upload for speed and accuracy
•View font details in Safari or e-mail a link to yourself

To learn more about this app for iPhone check out http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/iPhone/

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Stair Runner Inspiration

Painted Stair Runners


Grain Sack Stair Runner




Back in Black!




Pantone Stairs





Stair Runner Made from Carpet Scraps




Stair Runner Alternatives