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Hey! Welcome to The Lilly Pad! I post about random house things like decorating projects, crafts, and stuff. Also, I'll try to let you know where to find things that I write about at different price points. I very obviously have no training (as if I needed to mention that) and I take really crummy pictures, but I'm always on the hunt for deals and good stuff to put in my house.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year, Y'all!


Wishing all of us a very happy new year filled with family, friends, and many new adventures! 

xo, Nellie

Friday, December 30, 2011

Imperial Trellis

As has been established a couple of times, I like fabric.  I have a collection of random fabric that I've picked up at random places and may or my not use someday.  For some crazy reason, fabric makes me happy.  I love to shop for it and I like to just pick up a pretty yard here or there.

Well, the other day I was looking on Pinterest (like every day) and I noticed that one of the people that I follow had pinned several pictures of rooms that had Schumacher's Imperial Trellis wallpaper (I'm sure the poster of those pics knows exactly who she is, I just don't presume to think that anyone else would want their name posted online in my blog :).  Anywho, I recognized the print immediately and had actually used a piece of the fabric in Lilly's room a month or so ago.

Of course it turns out that the fabric is relatively expensive and I cut a good size chunk out of my yardish piece to make "super cheap" art for Lilly's room...welcome to my life.  I also turned the fabric sideways because I thought it looked better in the frame that way.



Well, here's how it's supposed to look.  By the way, I loved the wall paper and priced it out just to see.  hahahahahahahahahaha (I think you get the point).  My tiny (and I really do mean tiny with lots of doorways and very little wall space) back entry hall would cost something crazy like $1500 to paper in this print.  Um, no thanks, but it sure looks purdy :)

 Pinterest

Pinterest

Anyway, I have big plans for the remainder of the fabric since I'm pretty much going pink and green in my living room.

I hope you all had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Here's to a great 2012, y'all!


By the way, I think I fixed the comment stuff.  Several people have told me that they weren't allowed to comment becuase they couldn't sign in.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Make a Plate

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  I hope you are all getting ready and excited for Christmas.  Our week is so crazy, but I'm more excited about Christmas than I have been in years.  It's not that I've been a scrooge in years past (except when I was a terrible, terrible teenager), but it's been so much fun to do Christmas stuff with Lilly this year.  She still hasn't really gotten the concept, but she does know that Santa says, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"  She's also learned a couple of Christmas songs and she'll love to open presents.

Anyway, thinking about my babies got me thinking about birth plates (is that a term??) that I've made.  I made one for Lilly when she was born, but poor Gaines has yet to get his.  Those poor, poor second babies :)



I've also painted plate and cup sets for shower and Christening gifts.  I think they're really cute (it's all relative, right), but of course I've never taken a picture of them before I've given them away.  Maybe the recipient of one of these gifts will send me a picture :)

Here is the birthday plate that I painted.  The concept was for the birthday girl or boy to use it for cake, but of course I forgot about it at Lilly's birthday party (story of my life...if I don't write it down, it never existed.  I might as well staple notes to my shirt...seriously).



Here are some other random things that I've painted.


I had grand visions of Jeff using this for weekend coffee, but it's literally never been used to drink out of.  It collects small stuff in my closet :) 

Here is an actual, non-cleaned view of where they sit in my kitchen.  As you can see, I have a spot for Gaines' plate, just no plate.  This is pretty much my daily kitchen reality :)

I've always just done these at paint your own pottery places.  It's a little time consuming, but that's part of the allure for me.  It's kind of like a date with myself:).  Anyway, it's a relatively inexpensive way to make a personal gift for someone.  Also, you just have to show up and paint and they clean up after you!

Do any of you ever do the paint your own pottery thing?  It's probably a little dorky, but I resigned myself to the fact that I'm not cool a long, long time ago :)

Have an awesome rest of your day!!  Let me know if you've got a fun idea you want to share or you think other people might like to try.

Monday, December 19, 2011

EE, I, EE, I, O

Somehow, the words to Old MacDonald just don't look right written down :)

I hope you all had a great weekend!  Ours was super busy with two babies, Carolina basketball, a dinner date with friends, and a birthday party.  I seriously need a nap after this past weekend :)

I wanted write a little about farm tables today.  I am a huge fan of this style of table, and farm-esque (new term of the day) furniture, in general.  In my house, I have a modernized version of a farm table.  Although I would have preferred a more authentic table, this Ikea version was A LOT cheaper :).
I tried to upload a picture, but the site was being difficult. I'll try again a little later on.

Here are some really beautiful examples that I found.





The good thing about farm tables is that you can seriously buy them at every price point.  For an authentic version, a flea market or consignment store is a pretty good starting point.  That said, if you're not into hunting for furniture, you can buy these at "real" stores, too.

Here is where I've seen them...
Low ($100)


Medium ($450)


High (as high as you want to go, but this option is $1500 :) 
Williams-Sonoma


What do you think?  Too country or rustic?  Happy Monday :)

Friday, December 16, 2011

Perfectly Parsons

I've been thinking about getting a Parsons table for some time to use as my desk (or console table, coffee table, side table, etc., etc.). With all of this blogging, I feel like I need an official work station...just kidding, but I would really like the table anyway.

A couple of days ago, West Elm had all of their Parsons desks 30% off and I almost got one. The only thing holding me back was the fact that I couldn't figure out where it would go. That and the fact that we already have a desk that I LOVE so it's hard to justify getting another one (although Jeff does all of his ACTUAL work from said desk).



Here are some pictures I found that really showcase these tables.




By the way, I know you can see the girl's tater tots (boobs) in the picture on the yellow desk. I just really loved the desk and thought most of the people who read this wouldn't mind since they have a pair of their own so it's nothing new :)

fyi, just to be clear, I am no expert on really anything at all :) I'll just show you things that I like and either have or would like to have in my house and places that I've seen these things online. Obviously, there are a million places to find things...

Where can you find these beauties? Here are a couple of places I've seen them.
Medium: West Elm (love, love, love the orange play table)

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Zigga Zig Aaahhh


So, hopefully someone got the Spice Girls reference :)

As anyone who's been on the Internet knows, zig zag stuff is EVERYWHERE! It crazy how it has seriously taken over the house decorating universe. I actually like the print, despite the fact that its everywhere you look.

I'm sure you all remember the Missoni for Target craziness. I ended up getting a couple of things, including this box in my dining room. I tend to stack things to get height and interest, so this worked well for me. Also, on a side note, I tried to edit this photo for a good thirty minutes and it still looks like poo poo and you can see me in the mirror :).


Here are some pictures of ziggy zaggy things that I found on Pinterest. What do you think? Cute or just over it?



If you're interested in where to find this ubiquitous print, I would recommend Premiere Prints for inexpensive, good-looking fabric. They have several colors and a couple of different zig zag widths. For bedding, Urban Outfitters currently has a really cheap option. For rugs, I would also look at Urban Outfitters, West Elm, or Johnathan Adler (obviously depending on your price point).

PS...I would heart comments so I know someone is reading this. Also, let me know if you're on the hunt for something. I can likely tell you where to find it at any price point (from realistic to make me drool kind of stuff).

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Fabric Art


As I've established (and reiterated), I like stuff on my walls...Not too much stuff, but at least some stuff :)

As I have slowly been decorating Lilly's room, one of the things that I have had some trouble with is deciding what kind of stuff should go on her walls. I painted stripes behind her bed (which I still LOVE and would highly recommend to anyone considering it) mostly because I didn't want to hang anything over her bed. I know I'm weird, but I probably wouldn't sleep at night if there were something hanging over her precious head (literally :).

On another one of Lilly's walls, I decided to use framed fabric as art. I filled Ikea (don't you love that place) frames with fabric that I have used throughout her room. It was a cheap ($15 frame + fabric remnants) and super easy (maybe 5 minutes each) craft project and I think it turned out pretty well.




Also, here are some good looking examples of framed fabric that I found on Pinterest. Obviously these people take much, much better pictures than I do!




Let me know if you give this a try!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Upholstered Ottoman & Coffee Table


In the past day, I've gotten a couple of emails and texts about the ottoman so I wanted to do a follow up post about it.

I first turned a table into an ottoman a couple of years ago when I found out I was pregnant with Lilly. I decided that the weird coffee table that I had on my sun porch in Charlotte had too many corners and, thus, was too dangerous for a soon to be born baby. Of course, I could have put the table away, but what fun would that have been :)

I found fabric and a reasonably priced upholster in Charlotte and he did an awesome job! I think it cost about $125, which is way less than buying a nice upholstered ottoman and I got to choose my fabric.

I use this one as a coffee table in my living room.

Before
After


Since I had such good luck the first time around, I did it again when I moved to Burlington. Several years ago, I got a super old, $10 yard sale table that had a glass top. I used it for awhile until I found something I liked more. It stayed in our storage shed in Charlotte and we moved it back to Burlington last year. During the move, the glass top broke (likely because I'm a horrible packer). I had a wood top made so now it's super sturdy.

Underneath the skirt :)



I think this is a cheap way to get a good looking, custom piece of furniture. Just make sure that the table is sturdy because people tend to sit on them and baby monkeys tend to climb on them!


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

It's Play Time!


When we moved into our home last year, we decided to make the sun room Lilly's playroom. The room is situated between Jeff's office and the den so it's great to be able to watch Lilly and get a little work done at the same time. Also, the room is surrounded by windows so it's super bright and cheerful feeling (although you can't really tell because it was nasty and rainy today when I took the pictures).




The room is stark white. It bothered me for a few months and I considered painting the walls. However, at this point, I'm glad that I haven't touched the paint, although I might eventually paint the ceiling light blue (maybe...).

I didn't have any furniture for this room when we moved in, but Jeff's parents were getting rid of a twenty year old sofa about that time. The sofa was not at all my style (think patterned burgundy), but it was super comfortable and had good lines. I found fabric that I liked and had the piece re-upholstered. Also, I took an old coffee table and had it upholstered to make the ottoman. The table used to have a glass top that broke when we moved so I had a contractor friend make a wood top so now it's a super solid piece of furniture to sit/jump on.

The fabrics I chose are both strong patterns, but I think they go together fine because of the matching colors. Also, I had the cording done in the same green fabric on both pieces. I decided to go with a contrasting cord on the pieces because it seemed a little more playful to me and, well, it's the playroom :) I put indoor/outdoor fabric on the ottoman which is great because it's already been colored :)





The room still needs a little more child height storage, but I'll get to that eventually.


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Pinterest Obsessed


Okay, judging by Facebook comments that I've read, I'm not as obsessed with Pinterest as some people are, but I do really like it! Pinterest is my new go to cook book, magazine, instruction manual....

Here are a couple of the things I've tried recently and had success with.

These s'more cookies really might be the best cookies I've ever had! They taste exactly like the real deal! They were a little time consuming to make (relative to my usual brake & bake), but totally worth the time!


Another thing I made were these birth records (for lack of a better term) for the babies. I saw the idea on Pinterest and saw that you could buy them on Etsy, but they were super easy to create. I played around with fonts, sizes, and colors until I found what I was looking for. After I was happy with the way they looked, I just cheaped out and printed them on printer paper and framed them. They were super cheap and I think they're pretty darn cute.







On a side note, I just found out today that it is now grammatically incorrect to use 2 spaces after typing a sentence. Obviously this post is very incorrect.

Have you actually followed through with making any of the things you have pinned??


Just call me Clark

...As in Clark Griswold.

Jeff and I went out a couple of days ago to get our Christmas tree and I told him that I wanted a big tree..like, really big :) When we got to the lot, I found a decent sized 10 foot tree that was still wrapped in twine. The kind man at the tree place cut the tree open and it looked great (even though the branches obviously hadn't dropped) so we took it home.

When we got home, Jeff and I were barely able to carry the damn thing in the house. We hadn't hoisted the tree up on the roof of my car so we didn't realize it was well over 200 lbs. Thanks to my husband's huge muscles :), we were able to get the tree inside and then Jeff asked me if I'd measured to make sure it would fit. Of course I hadn't measured, but of course I told him I had and that it would definitely fit because we have 10 foot ceilings.

Well, I measured before we put the tree upright because I didn't want marks on the ceiling just in case, and what do you know...our ceiling height is about 9 1/2 feet :) We ended up cutting a foot off of the top of the tree and then put it up only to discover the tree is about 7 feet in diameter! (Although it's difficult to capture the size in the pictures, just compare the tree to the 7 foot door frames and the three foot picture behind it)

Our tree was in the foyer and literally busted through the posts on the staircase, hence the Clark Griswold reference.
We moved the tree in the living room where I could move around furniture to make it fit, but I still haven't been able to figure out how to get a bow on the top :)

Moral of this long story...it really is prudent to measure before you buy a Christmas tree (or at least know how tall your ceilings are :)

By the way, welcome back. I've been so busy re-upholstering, cleaning, changing diapers, bathing babies, Christmas decorating, cleaning, Christmas shopping, changing diapers.... that I haven't blogged in over a week :) I'll try to do better.

Do any of you guys have fun Christmas decorating stories or disasters??





Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all

Instead of posting about silly house stuff today, I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

We all have a multitude of things to be thankful for!

Although most of you probably already know this story, I came much too close to losing my husband a few years ago. As a result of Jeff's accident (if you call it that??), we had a serious change in perspective. Although I may not always act it, I remind myself everyday how lucky I am that I am here.

This summer, I was bitching to Jeff about something stupid when we were sitting in a restaurant and a woman came in with her husband and two very young children. The mother had no hair as an obvious result of chemo. Hello, perspective.

Anyway, although it's often difficult to remember, try to count your blessings daily, thank Jesus for them, and tell your loved ones that you are thankful for all that they do :)

Don't worry, I'll get back to silly house stuff tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

My Aunt Kathy

For those of you who don't know me very well (and even some of you who do), you may not know that my aunt Kathy was an incredible artist. Her art is very well loved by numerous collectors (definitely including myself...and not just because she was my aunt). The subject of most of her pieces is low country living with a very bright, whimsical brushstroke.

In addition to being an artist, Kathy also had an incredible eye for things and the most amazing color perspective. Her Georgetown, SC home was filled with so many treasures. She could make junk look right at home with her collection of Staffordshire dogs. From her, I learned that things shouldn't match too much and some things never go out of style. She rocked Wayfarers before most of us knew what they were :). The lady had serious style that was effortless and timeless.

Sadly, my aunt Kathy passed away a few years ago after a very, very short battle with cancer. Though most of you never met her and will never have the opportunity to own one of her pieces, I just wanted to give credit where credit is due. The color palette and design choices in my house are heavily influenced by her.

More importantly, I wanted to share some of the prints and originals from my collection. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. Also, try to look past my complete photography ineptitude!