blasted with inspiration

So...hey just a little rouge readers!

My apologies for not posting as often as I have been in the past...in truth, I've been suffering from a lack of inspiration. Yes, there are things that "inspire" me almost every day, but I mean it's been a little while since I've been INSPIRED.

Well...I just went to Montreal for a few days and was literally BLASTED with inspiration.  

Beautiful old buildings that are incredibly lit at night, the modern boutique hotel we stayed in, the crazy window displays in Chinatown, the beautiful public art on practically every downtown corner and in the lobbies of corporate buildings, and of course, the interior design of restaurants, resto-bars, bistros, diners and practically every place that offers delicious food.

Just the whole feel of the city is bursting with creativity, art, enthusiasm and energy. Suffice it to say that my batteries are recharged.

Excited to show you some of what I saw...especially at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the interior design of the Hotel Zero 1.

First though, enjoy a few random Montreal pics...

Check in for the next post for more of my Montreal adventure.

xx rouge.

avant-guarde art

Great idea in the latest Style at Home magazine...had to steal it right away and try it out! It's a perfect way to add a great punch of energy to your space through artwork.

What you'll need:

• fun fabric
• scissors
• embroidery rings in multiple sizes

Instructions:

• separate the embroidery ring into it's two pieces
• lay out the fabric on a hard, flat surface (easier for cutting!)
• place the smaller of the two rings on the fabric...move it around so you see what you like inside the ring
• cut the fabric at least 2 inches wider than your smaller ring
• set the fabric, face down, on top of the larger ring
• set the inside ring on top of the larger, outside ring. Centre and push down to tighten and secure the fabric
• gently pull the fabric until it's nice and tight inside the rings
• tighten the screw on the side of the embroidery ring to secure
• trim the excess fabric
• hang on the wall

What's great about this idea is that you can change out the fabrics as often as you like to change up the look. This took me about 10-15 minutes from start to finish (when I hung them on the wall!). 

And you can't beat the price. I bought my supplies at Value Village...the "vintage-y" looking fabric is actually a set of curtains that I scooped up for $9.99 (and I have TONS left over for other projects), and both embroidery rings for $1.49 & $1.99.

I'm on the lookout for more embroidery rings, so I can expand this art piece all along the wall. I'll mix up the fabrics too, so it will really have some punch!

Enjoy,

xx rouge.

designer puppy

Further to my comment last week about designing with a puppy in mind, I did a little searching. Much to my surprise, I easily found something incredible!

There are some really beautiful options for those of us who are pet owners but don’t want to sacrifice our keen sense of style. Read on if you are loving your doggie but are desperately trying to get used to seeing that big plastic or wire crate plunked in your living room (or wherever)…

Enter Bowhaus, a Canadian company with a flair for design and an understanding of the trendy urban lifestyle. They created a hip, fashionable combination crate and dog bed that is pretty to look at and functions wonderfully. It can even double as a side table, which is very important in today's shrinking urban living spaces.

Other options include the ones I found at dogworks.com and denhaus.com. Wicker, mahogany and other solid wood finishes would work great as bedside tables or end tables. The latter site has a link for Canadian shoppers. My favorite one (top photo) sells for $600.00 + a bed to go it in for another $90.00. Even with free shipping, that’s not cheap. But consider how long you may be looking at your friend’s crate. If it’s only for a few months, it’s probably not worth it…but if your plan is to crate-train your dog for the long haul, it just might be the solution you are looking for. Dogs love having a safe and cozy "den" they can sleep in or retreat to for a rest during the day.

Check out this clever DIY idea of making a dog crate into a desk that I found on designspongeonline.com (a fantastic, inspiring site for all things design!). Great solution if you have an office space you are willing to share with your pooch.

I can tell you with 100% confidence one of these are now on my wish list, that’s for sure!



For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

uninspired?

Are you feeling uninspired? Stuck for ideas? Facing a room that needs a little something, but don’t know where to begin?

It happens. And it’s ok to admit it.

In fact, it happens to me too. It’s happening right now. So I was thinking about all of the things I do to get inspired and I thought some of these tips may help you too.

Here are some tips and tricks to inspire:

• Don’t worry about having a plan for an entire room right away. Start small…with one item and slowly build on it. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed and give up!

• Look for inspiration in obvious places – don’t over think it!
o Flip through design magazines. Even flip through a fashion magazine or two.
o Watch a couple of design shows…HGTV offers a bazillion.
o Visit a couple of design and décor websites and blogs.
o If there is a paint color you love, grab a bunch of the paint chips to have on hand while you start to develop your ideas and look at accessories.

• Look for inspiration in the not so obvious places, too. This is my favorite way to get inspired!
o Visit home décor shops…both the big box and the smaller boutiques to slowly browse.
o Pay attention to colors, patterns, shapes and styles.
o If any item speaks to you, that may be your starting point. It could be something big or something small. Consider a lamp, a vase, dishware, a piece of furniture...anything, really.
o Don’t forget to look at fabrics and textiles…these often trigger something and are excellent jumping off points that lead to an entire room inspiration!
o Look at bedding, rugs, pillows, table cloths, and curtains. And don’t forget wall paper and wrapping paper, too!
o Go to your closet. Pick out your favorite dress or outfit. Think about how it makes you feel and why you like it so much. Translate that into an idea for your room décor. Keep those elements in mind while you start to build your plan for the room.

• Don’t fall into the trap of looking for a complete room – either on display or in a magazine – and feel like you have to go out and buy everything exactly as it is to replicate it in your space.

• Make it personal. Good, complete design that you will want to live with should reflect elements of your own personality.

• Build it up over time and add in layers as you go. No pressure to do it all right away. But it’s important to have a general plan and stick to the overall idea as you go. Great, inviting rooms should evolve as you do!

rouge is going to go out tomorrow with these things in mind and do a little slow and easy Sunday window shopping …maybe I’ll see you on my travels!

And send me a note about something that inspires you, would you?

Wishing you a week full of creativity and inspiration…



For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com