Madella's Decorating-Behind the Scenes...

Tricky Window Fix

I just installed these valances yesterday. My client has a lovely home and this room was "finished" except for the final touch of window treatments. All the room needed was a simple banded valance to pull everything together. They were inspired by the pillow on the green chair. The tricky part was the bulkhead that the builder cut into the window when he put on the new addition. I built a frame to accommodate the bulkhead cut out and wrapped the valance around the frame.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Blinds gone terribly WRONG

I realize it has been FOREVER since I've written in this blog. Aside from my typically busy schedule, I've decided not to write just to keep up with all the other "bloggers" out there. Clearly, I'm not going to make blogging a profession. Instead, I've decided to only write when I feel I can add some value to someone out there.

Today I'm hoping to help someone else from making this TERRIBLE blind mistake........


BAD BAD BLINDS

OK, for the explanation. We are on vacation this week in North Carolina and we decided to have dinner in one of our favorite pizza places. It is a favorite NOT because the food is so good, but because the restaurant sits between the ocean and the intercoastal waterway. The sunsets here are magnificent!

So mistake number one....DON'T BLOCK THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW WITH BLINDS!!!! I realize that light control might be an issue here, but we go to this restaurant for the view....not to be sealed up in a dungeon. Someone else must have complained so the owner came over to the table to let in some light. Are you ready, wait for it because this one is good....


I guess 1 layer of blinds wasn't enough

Not only did they hang wooden blinds, but then they hung woven woods on TOP of the wooden blinds. Don't even get me started about the sizes either...that is a whole other issue. And finally this last photo take the cake......

Customer has to open the blinds because owner can't reach them

REALLY? Come on now...how about investing in some decent motorized blinds with light control options so that your CUSTOMERS don't have to open the blinds for you!

Until next time,

How To Sew A Pillow Closed Using An Invisible Stitch

I recently finished a big job for pillows and used this stitch to close them (after sewing them all shut, I wish I had used zippers).

This ladder stitch is an great stitch to use when sewing pillows shut because you can't see the thread and it gives you a nice clean line. Upholsterers often use the ladder stitch to finish off chairs and sofas. In this video, I'm sewing a pillow shut that has a small flange edge. Hope you enjoy and please feel free to share any of your special sewing stitches with me and my readers.

Sorry if the video cuts off quickly, this fabric was difficult to work with and my needle broke in the next clip....I had to edit a few expletives.

My alternative to the little red dress

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the upcoming "holiday" known as Valentine's Day.

Not that I don't like my fair share of romance. AND I definitely LOVE chocolate, flowers and kisses (only from Doug of course). But I really feel like Valentine's Day is over rated. I want the flowers when I'm least expecting them, not on the day when every other girl/woman on this planet is receiving them!

OK, so what is my alternative to the little red dress? Well frankly, I don't own a little red dress. So let's try the next best thing (in my mind anyway).

How about the little red...

Window Treatment?

Or maybe you desire something a little more FANCY PANTS....

I just finished both of these treatment this past month for the loveliest client (who just happens to have one of the most beautiful yellow Labrador retrievers...can you tell I'm missing our lab?)

So I thank you Debbie, for allowing me to work on this project for you and getting my "RED ON" for the month of February!

Love This Table!

My Mom (who is clearly still in the technology loop in spite of her retiree status) sent me a link this morning to this new coffee table through Microsoft that will be available to the public in the next 5 years. This is very cool technology...my only question, what happens when someone spills a drink?

Christmas Comes Early to Dana Court

Christmas arrived a little early yesterday afternoon....

This is the new fall line of fabrics from Kasmir. Seriously, I get so excited when my new books arrive. The UPS man probably gets a little uncomfortable when I come running out the door to great him. This box was pretty heavy and Doug wasn't home so I had to do the "pick up the box fast, get it into the house and push it across the floor with my feet trick." (Works every time)

I was a little disappointed to find so many "beach themed" fabrics in this shipment. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense since I'm in Maryland and it is the end of September.

However, I did find several fabrics that would work in many of my clients homes. These are some of my favorites.

Ah yes, these are the simple pleasures in life that bring me happiness. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Wanted: The Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy forgot to show last night. Damn that little fairy...what is wrong with that little winged bitch? Doesn't she know I'm going to pay the price at the bus stop when my daughter tells her friend she lost her tooth and the friend says, "What did the tooth fairy bring you?" and my daughter replies, "Nothing".

The friends face quickly turns to me with a look of utter disgust. No words were spoken, but I got the message loud and clear. If I ever catch that fairy, I am going to wring her little fairy neck.

Beach Treasure Jars

We are finally settling back into school and work after returning from vacation at the beach. This time, we were in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. This quiet little beach town 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach, SC is another one of our favorite summer getaways.

Doug and I were able to sneak out most mornings for a run while the kiddos got some cuddle time with Gammy and Pappy. It was during those runs that we found some of our beach treasures.

We found some unusual things this year, but I haven't had a chance to get photos yet, so I thought I'd share some of our findings from last year. There were tons of sand dollars scattered across the beach and we had a lot of fun collecting them. OIB also has quite an assortment of unusual shells.

In these photos, we placed some sand, shells and sea glass in Mason Jars, the kids and I hot glued the sand dollars to the lids and tied a piece of raffia around the top. We put tea candles inside the mason jars. They look great on the deck at night.

We also made some driftwood bundles that I have placed around the house.

I just hate letting go of summer and having these little reminders of summer spread throughout our home helps me get through the winter a little easier.

What does your family do to remember your summer vacations?

Loving Southern Livings Lakeside Retreat

The long rock on this "rock island" is a diving board.
Photo Courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

I've always been a beach girl, however the latest issue of my FAVORITE magazine EVER.....SOUTHERN LIVING features the most spectacular Lakeside garden I've ever seen.

This place is a playground for big kids and little kids.

Truly, I don't normally get THIS excited about outdoor spaces, but this one keeps me up at night. I love every inch of it.

This table sits at the same level as the water
Photo Courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

LOVE LOVE LOVE the natural wine cooler created from water in the lake.
Photo Courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

Mr. Scott, if you ever read this....I promise Doug and I would bring some REALLY good bottles of wine to add to your table cooler if we could just come and play in your garden.

Inspired by the Island

The girls and I just returned from one of my favorite places on earth...Stone Harbor, NJ. Our family has vacationed there every summer since I was a little girl and each time we come over the bridge and see the big blue water tower with STONE HARBOR written on the side, I feel like I've returned home. Poor Doug was stuck at home with a big deadline so us girls had a little getaway. (and boy did we have fun!)

(No timeouts or yelling for 9 days!!!! Maybe junk food and ice cream on the beach had a little something to do with it.)

The island has changed quite a bit since I was little. The streets used to be lined with little beach cottages with gravel yards. Today is a completely different story, the houses are new and VERY BIG and I drool over the landscaping in the yards. I've tried to take pictures and recreate the landscaping in our little Ellicott City yard, but I haven't been able to get there yet....ahh maybe one day...for now...I'll just dream....

(I want to know what is behind that gate covered by the trumpet vine! This path is just ASKING me to take a peek.)

This is the house owned by the Hoys....they are known for their huge 5 and 10 store on 96th street. It is a kids dream world. Filled with all kinds of beach trinkets, towels, jewelry and just about anything you can imagine. I love the mandavilla vines they have on the top balcony.

The man who owns this house builds his own bird houses out of natural materials he finds on the beach. I have counted 9 bird houses on his property, but I'm sure there are more....he has them tucked all over the yard.

Another tempting gate......

and then there is Poseidon

The beach always gets under my skin and when the summer is over, I hang on to every last grain of sand in my sneakers. So instead of letting it go, I searched for some beach inspired design items for my home. Unfortunately, I won't be making any purchases in the near future....but one has to dream!