Have you ever found a great little place to shop? It’s quaint, it’s unique, and it’s locally owned?  The type of shop I’m talking about is the kind that seems to feature the most unique or perhaps most interesting combination of products. Things it often feels like you can’t find anywhere else or at least at the typical chain or big box store. Many often look to these large chains for the latest in trends in design and color. However, in my opinion the best finds can be located in the small local business.

I happened upon a great local shop known as Composition, located in the Belmar shopping area in Lakewood, Colorado. A few weeks ago I was walking by on my way to a photography class and saw Flor carpet tiles through the window.  Flor carpet tile is one of my favorite and most functional flooring products. Coincidentally I had just ordered a few small samples from the manufacturer that very day so I wandered in to see what they look like in person. What a pleasant surprise! Not only do they carry the full line of Flor carpet tiles but Composition also allows you to check out the full size samples so you can take them home and try them out for few days (a great way to make sure the color and style is right). Who knew, a business still exists today that is so customer oriented that you can actually take home a sample product to try out for a few days for free! For those of you that live in urban America… you realize this is a rarity.

After checking out the carpet tile samples I wandered around the store. I was instantly mesmerized and realized that it was evident that everything in Composition was selected with a passion for design. Beautiful and functional handbags, messenger and laptop bags, unique office organization tools and products, gorgeous writing pens, books, and other items obviously inspired by a love for current and clean lined design can be found at Composition. If you are in the Denver area I encourage you to stop by this unique and ahead of the trend shop. If you can’t make it to Denver don’t fret, they offer many of their products online at: http://www.shopcomposition.com/

Some of my favorite products featured on their site include:

They were also recently highlighted in the December issue of Elle Decor as a great place to shop in Denver. If you have a copy be sure to check it out (page 64)! Happy holiday shopping everyone.

I have William Sonoma soup bowls that are one of my FAVORITE sets of tableware and they are perfect for a Thanksgiving table setting.  Combined with a few pine cones, a fall centerpiece, and linens I had on hand the soup bowls complete the perfectly Thanksgiving inspired table…

The pine cones double as great place card holders and you may notice that I reused two of the painted gourds from my Halloween setting too. It’s always great to re-purpose!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I shared my table setting on Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps on the Porch! Check it out!

You know those off-the-shelf from the big box home improvement store oak cabinets that seem to appear in every apartment, inexpensive contractor re-do, and unfortunately unsuccessful remodels completed with little or no taste…I mean budget? You know the ones…and unfortunately the previous owner installed them in my nearly 100 year old home. Nothing about these cabinets leant themselves to the charm and period of my home that was built in 1911.

The starting point:

Being budget conscious, sticking to my intention to reuse something in perfectly good and usable shape, and desiring that designer touch that gives also honors the period of my house I decided to give them a fresh look.  I gave my cabinets an affordable face lift by removing and painting each door as well as adding glass inserts and hardware for added style.

The final result:  

How did I accomplish the affordable face lift of the oh-so-average oak cabinets? Here’s how…

A gallon of primer and a gallon of oil based Benjamin Moore paint (stinky yet extremely durable), new cabinet hardware, reeded glass inserts, a tube of silicon glue, a handful of foam paint brushes (eliminates appearance of brush strokes) and a few pieces of middle grade sand paper did the trick. 

What is priceless is my friends’ reactions which have included comments such as “You did this? Yourself? They look brand new!” which makes me even more appreciative that I completed this project myself.

In approximately a week the kitchen cabinets were complete and I had a whole new look that provided a period yet modern feel to the typical oak cabinets. The only task I hired out was removing the existing panels in the upper cabinets where I later installed the reeded glass inserts. For a step-by-step process email me at questions@theidesignbox.com

 Insider DIY Tips For This Project: 1. Number the door fronts so they go back in the same place and are easy to level when you reinstall them.  2. Take the already cut cabinet doors to the glass shop so the glass inserts fit perfectly. This eliminates unfortunate errors in measuring.  3. Paint the insides of the doors and cabinets for a more professional appearance.

Check out more DIY Projects where I’m participating in ”Do It Yourself Day“ at A Soft Place to Land!

As one who has spent a fair amount of time skiing over the years I truly appreciate one of the honorees that is up for the “Best of Year Awards” from Interior Design Magazine.

In my experience I have often been aghast at the supposed “mountain style” of ski houses, condos, and chalets. Whoever thought that the overdone moose theme or the chintzy log furniture with the wool blanket covered in pine trees was good design? Just because you are in the Rockies and spending time on the slopes doesn’t mean you want the place you are staying to include furniture, dishes, towels, and even the sheets covered in moose stencils and all that is Christmas Red and Hunter Green. Thankfully other designers feel the same.

Up for a “Best of Year” Interior Design award in the Hospitality: Hotel – Boutique category the Bavarian Ski Chalets in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico  display a sense of contemporary style with a flair for the mountain feel that is simply divine. In my opinion they have hit the nail on the head with creating a truly stylish, yet comfortable environment that any traveling skier can appreciate. 

Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up on the window seat with a hot chocolate or gather at the large table for a hearty dinner after a long day of skiing?

The styling in the bedroom is proven to be superb with simple clean lines and my favorite…the barn door for the connecting living space.

We won’t know who the winners are until December but I have my fingers crossed for this one!

Photo credit: www.thebavarian.net

Who knew that creativity ran in the family?

My cousin is quite creative with her crEEtures which are cute soft little things that she makes by hand. The best part…they are made of found fabric, buttons, and trim she finds at thrift stores or yard sales and such. A very smart and fun way to REUSE found items. They are sweet, soft, funky little beings that would be a great touch to a child’s room or even your desk at the office. They just make you smile!

My favorites…

Check out more crEEturesfrom tracycakes at her website: http://www.creetures.net/