You're on the Guest list

Since the holidays are right around the corner and many of you will have family and friends staying with you over this time, I thought I would do a post on the little extras that make hosting an overnight guest comfortable. My family recently stayed with a friend while attending an "away" football game. This friend is a long time bachelor so my husband was expecting the worst! I am happy to report that my husband was dead wrong. When arriving at the "bachelor house", the welcome mat was out and their guest room was 4 stars! Here are a few of "extras" for your guests that go beyond the fresh sheets and clean towels list.....

 

 Monogramed robes from Etsy (Lovingly Ours) make a lovely take home
personalized gift for your guest. Also, extra slippers are also a great idea.
 

 

Fill a bar cart with cocktail necessities, coffee/tea or bottle water and snacks.
Vintage brass and glass bar cart from Chairish.
 

 

Cashmere throws from Restoration Hardware. These are my personal favorite! They can be rolled up and displayed nicely in a big basket at the foot of the bed or next to the couch.

Extra coat rack from Wayfair since most coat closets are packed full.

Wi-fi access sign from Etsy (Enchanted Prints). Guest can stayed connected and
write a Facebook post about their fabulous stay at your house!
 

What's your re-purpose?

I love to recycle, reuse and repurpose items instead of throwing them into a land fill. My previous painted furniture business was based on repurposing. I've written many posts on recycling cabinets doors into chalkboards, dresser drawers into shelves and antique chests into bathroom vanities. I recently found a few repurposed goodies on HGTV. Here are a few of my finds....

Old school house chalkboard recycled into a piece of artwork. Love this idea because of the size and its also a way to share a favorite quote.

This old window is not only used as a wall ornament by a great way to display flowers in vintage jars.

A wonderful idea to reuse old food jars and organize all those pens and pencils. Great alternative to those messy desk drawers!

One of my favorite ideas is taking a vintage soda crate and attaching wheels on bottom. Makes awesome toy storage for under the bed!

Painted pins attached to a yard stick is a great way to display school papers, to-do lists and artwork.

Lighting the fire

Most of my posts are strictly about interior design but this entry is going to be about exterior living areas. Since the weather has been gorgeous here for the past two weeks, I felt compelled to post about fireplaces and fire pits. They have become extremely popular during the past decade. Check out some of my favs below...

Tuscan style brick fireplace complete with deck overlooking marsh.

The fire pits at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage with an awesome view of Palm Springs.

Cozy beach pits at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa

Rock formation fire pit at St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City.

Dorothy Draper meets Chairish for a drink!

Dorothy Draper was a famous style icon who was known for mixing bright colors with black and white patterns. If Draper were still alive today, I am positive that she would highly approve of Chairish, a website that features stylish vintage furniture and home accessories. Chairish asked me to design a style board featuring one of their many fabulous vintage bar carts. I chose this Hollywood Regency style cart with faux bamboo railing because it reminded me of one of my favorite designers, Dorothy Draper.

Chairish has so many great items to choose from....mirrors, rugs, vases, glassware, etc. that it was difficult to decide which items would make my board. After narrowing down the selection, I came up with the board below. I decided to design a bar area using pops of bright colored bar accessories complemented by the black/white pattern of the rug, lamp and vase...I think Dorothy would approve!

 From Draper's style to Mid-century Modern, Chairish has the best selection of vintage furniture, decor, jewelry and accessories. It's a wonderful site for on-line treasure hunting!

Fall at Blacklion...

Check out the new cool fall merchandise in Blacklion! Click here to watch WCNC link. 

(Sale)ing away

I have decided to close The Brushed Bureau by the end of this month. My lease expires on Oct. 31 so I have made the decision to move on to something new. It's been a great decade of learning all about the world of retail! I started this business in 2004 in Gastonia, NC at The Garibaldi House with 2 friends. Then decided to move out on my own, so I rented a space in Downtown Pineville, NC. Business was slow in Downtown so I went to Blacklion and became successful overnight. Thank goodness I was persistent and stuck it out! I eventually branched out to multiple spaces in Blacklion stores. Also, rented spaces in Flutterby Interiors, Shoppes at River's Edge and Young's Garden Center. My point is that I found a career that I loved and believed in myself until I became successful! However, after 11 years of painting furniture, buying and merchandising product, I am ready for a change. Not sure exactly what that change will be, but I'm looking for my next step. As far as the store goes, everything is on sale right now....lamps, chandeliers, accessories, etc. If you get a chance, please stop by and check us out before the end of the month! We will surely miss all of our wonderful customers...thank you for all your support!!