Wall Flower

I have always wanted to use wallpaper in a room but being a renter, it never felt like a practical option. Then I discovered, as I mentioned in this recent post, that there are several lines of temporary papers on the market. I chose the Shewin-William's line called Easy Change, they seemed to have the best selection and this blog post made me confident about removing it when the time comes.

I wanted to create one strong accent wall behind the heard board. I chose a paper with a white background so it would flow more naturally with the surrounding white walls. I am very happy with the final result, for just a small investment my bedroom has a dramatic new look. 

To install it, I hired a professional paper hanger, Greg Gabor who I found via Craig's List. This was not a DIY I felt comfortable with and his rate of $20 a roll seemed very reasonable. The only tough part was convincing him it would hold. In his experience pre-pasted papers needed extra glue to stay put, he was amazed after wetting the paper at how well it worked on its own. 

I enlisted my sister-in-law to help me make curtains, we used this beautiful fabric by Joel Dewberry. I then covered a Target lamp with a contrasting fabric by Amy Butler. I debated adding the painting over the headboard and now I really like it. It breaks up the paper a bit and adds a touch of unexpected color. Signed and dated 1960 on the back, it was a $40 flea market find.

On the right side I keep it simple with my moonbeam clock, vintage lamp and books and these pretty vintage Madonna portraits from Italy I picked up at an estate sale for $1. 

I also used some of the easy change paper to jazz up this basic iKea cabinet for my kitchen. I needed some additional storage and this piece was just the right fit, though sorely lacking in character. Above it I added a vintage metal shelf and love how it has all come together. I replaced an ugly door to the water heater with a panel curtain also from ikea. Now, I just need to add a little molding to finish it off.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Blank Slate

 Just one week after I got here, I signed the lease on an adorable mid-century apartment in lovely La Canada Flintridge, just north of Pasadena. I looked at about 10 apartments before this one and nothing really came close. I was stalking the web listings so obsessively, I saw this listing almost as soon as it went up and was the first and only person to see it in person. I actually used a great free site for apartment hunting called padmapper, it pulls ads from all the major sites based on your criteria and you track them on a big map of the area you're searching in.

I knew as soon as I walked up the steps and saw the huge private front porch, it was a definite contender but it was the high beamed ceilings and rancho style windows at the peak, letting in amazing light that sealed it for me. Its all about the light! It also had my two big requirements, hard wood floors and laundry on site. Bonus was a dishwasher and the massive porch, which takes the place of my sunroom studio in Atlanta.

Since it is a lot of white, I am putting my stamp on it all with color, starting with the kitchen. Somewhat modernized, though not quite to my taste, they did keep the original vintage cabinets and I love a window over the sink. I was required to buy my own fridge (a uniquely So Cal thing) so as many of you already know, I splurged on a Smeg! That has become my jumping off point... I am adding pops of color and useful storage with an iKea cabinet I am jazzing up with wallpaper (more info on that below) and a kitchen cart I had powder coated (more on that next week). I also love this Delonghi coffee maker which comes in a variety of colors. Orange really complements these cool green tones and I love this orange flower pattern by Joel Dewberry I found on Hawthorne Threads, my new favorite online fabric source.

I was not expecting to have a dining area but I do, be it small but there none the less. I found a great set of mid century reproduction chairs and by shopping around online the best deal was on Amazon (other shops had them for 375.00  a set and up). It allowed me to splurge a tiny bit on a new table from CB2 and a I love these drinking glasses by Sagaform.

I made a quick and easy change to the chairs, recovering them with this fabric. A big improvement over the boring black. Though I am in love with the new Lotta Jansdotter fabric line and may change it out if I can get ahold of this pattern.

I did find it on these lovely pillow covers via Lindylou's etsy shop. I will use these in the living room, the yellow band is the fabric I am using for curtains. 

 My bedroom is getting a face lift with color and a bold accent wall. I found a temporary wallpaper by Sherwin Williams called "easy change" ideal for renters. I was sold after reading this post by another blogger who had no problem removing it, when the time came. I fell in love with the blue floral print above and will be just doing the main facing wall, behind my headboard. I will complete the room by using blues and greens for the most part, with an occasional pop of orange, pink or red.

The only furniture I bought for this room is a sweet little Wakefield style rocker I'd like to have recovered and a too cute to pass up foot stool I found on etsy via Salt City Spice.

I will post the after pics as I get each room finished so stay tuned.

 

all photos (except pillows and stool) inspiration boards & content © Lara Rossignol