Bedroom: Anthropologie Duvets

I am over the moon with Anthropologie duvets! There has never been a time in history that I haven't fallen in love with the selection of gorgeous, plush duvets that they offer. They are replete with texture and three dimensional designs that make me want to jump in the bed and curl up with a book and my boo. But the price tag is a KILLER! Whether I have the money or not isn't the issue. Part of My Renovated Life is being more financially cautious and doing what I can to stockpile my resources in this shaky economic climate.

But if I had my way this is a sampling of the duvets at Anthropologie that make my heart go pitter patter and would look fantastic in my literary boho chic bedroom design!

{Rosette}

{Catalina}

{Rivulets}

{Georgina}

I cannot stop smiling when I look at them! Alas... I am determined to find a way to get one of these looks into my boudoir come fire and fury!

xoxo, tami

Renovating Ideas: Repurposed Books

I am a book lover! I have always been an avid reader and I don't like to throw books away. When I was young, I dreamed of living in a mansion and spending my afternoons in it's library where I could lose myself in a land of knights and winged horses and fairies. Alas, I haven't moved into the mansion (yet), but I still love surrounding myself with books.

With the rebirth of vintage, I have become completely smitten with the idea of owning old tattered books. Not to read...just to own them. To feel their energy and bask in their craftsmanship. Old books were replete with gold leafing, embosssed graphics and linen or leather covers.  LOVE IT!

I began collecting vintage books for a wedding I designed last summer and I am now the owner of a massive vintage book collection. I decided to use these in my boho bedroom by repurposing them in a variety of ways, using some of the ideas from the really cool book called The Repurposed Library. However, as I perused the world wide web, I came across some really elaborate ways that people are repurposing books. Check this out:

{Photo Source}

{Photo Source}

{Photo Source}

{Photo Source}

{Photo Source}

I am so inspired! And I can't wait to get started on my book repurposing projects after I get my nightstands done and my duvet cover completed! Oh... and the curtains for all of my windows! LOL  In the meantime, check out this lovely little trailer for The Repurposed Library!

Living Room: Gallery Wall Update 1

Several weeks ago I posted about creating a gallery wall. If you missed it, you can read it here. Well, I am slowly but surely on my way to making that a reality. I had my eye on a cute colorful design on stretched canvas by Janeen Koconis  of Koco NY titled Cuppa Cafe. After a few months of mulling it over, I finally dove in and purchased my first item for the gallery wall.

I was nervous about the purchase. Not because I didn't think it was a great piece, but because each item placed in my home has to feel right. I need to connect with it somehow. I don't want anything in my home just for the sake of having something that matches. It will be a part of my life for years and I want to make sure that I thoroughly enjoy looking at it. I want to stop and look at it and smile, satisfied that I have welcomed it into my family. It would be a shame to hang things on the wall just for the sake of it and then walk by it day after day and not pay it any attention whatsoever.

Art evokes an emotional response. When I look at Cuppa Cafe, it makes me happy. I love the colors, I love the random brush strokes, I love the names of famous cafes from around the world that are typed out and placed under each row of cups. And I love delicate hand drawn cup handles. Did I say I love it? Well, I do!

{Photo Source}

You can purchase Cuppa Cafe and other artwork by Koco NY at Graphique de France.

I love the simplicity of it and the bright pops of color, bringing art of an everyday item such as a cup of coffee. This piece is 18x18 and it is a the perfect way for me to begin my gallery wall! I cannot wait to fill my wall with other unique items. My youngest daughter and I are going to create a few things to add to the work of other artists.

I started out my living room design as City Girl Chic with the colors of Aubergine, Chocolate and Silver, and although those tones will be the base of our living room, we are now adding lots of little pops of color, starting with this gallery wall!