Perfect Pairing - Appareled Abode

Happy Happy Friday! Can you believe it's almost mid July? Where has this summer gone? After the 4th I always feel like it just flies by so quickly. There is still enough time to rock all your fun summer clothes.  I have said it before and I will say it again and again...I love the color combo of indigo and tangerine. I love it so much I decided to make this weeks installment of Appareled Abode about just that! 

Abode: Sofa | Chair | Chandelier | Side Table | Throw | Coffee Table | Basket | Blue Throw Pillow | Floor Ottomans | Starfish & Coral Art Work | Table Lamps | Coral Maze Pillows

Apparel: Top | Jeans | Sandals | Bag | Coral Bracelet | Earrings | Anchor Bracelet | Necklace | Belt | Monogram Ring

XO,

Fresh New Look!

I am OOOOOHHHH so excited to share with you Linen & Gold's new look! Yup, she got a facelift, and I am really thrilled with the way it came together. 

I instilled the help of Aubrey Kinch of Kinch Designs to make my blog's appearance be what I really wanted. Sure, I could have learned coding and taken weeks to get it done but neither my husband nor my sanity would have faired well if I went that route. I did a little research, contacted a few blog designers and after looking at her website and seeing all the different looks she created, I knew that she was the perfect fit for what I was looking for.

She was so very easy to work with. Aubrey really listened to what I wanted (and being a designer sometimes what I "want" can change in a heartbeat). She pulled together the color palette and elements I thought would best represent my style in blog form. One thing I really wanted to incorporate in this blog was Greek Key. It is my all time FAVORITE pattern.  We played with a few ways in which to incorporate it into the layout but it just wasn't working. I started to come to terms with the fact that we may have to leave it out of the layout but VOILA¡ she sent the 3rd board and that was it! 

If you are looking for a new design for your blog or website check Aubrey out. She has a real talent and a fresh, young approach to her work. 

I am excited about the upcoming posts I have for ya'll.  I have lots of projects,  collaborations, design chatter & even a few DIY tutorials are in store! 

So let me know what you think of the new face of Linen & Gold!  Isn't she purty?

XO,

PILLOW TALK AND GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Using a needle and thread was never my forte. When I needed my pant hem fixed, well, my mom would sew it or I would go to the local tailor. My mom did try to teach me several times and I really wasn't interested in learning. So what a shock when I decided to take up sewing! With a machine of course! DUH!

It all began with a client bedroom.  It was one of my first jobs as a designer.  We needed FABULOUS throw pillows for the bed in a terra cotta color. Well, of course it was spring, not fall, and that color was not "in",  so coming across THE right pillow was not happening. Searching and searching and coming up empty handed with every store I went into or checked online, until I went into Zimman's Fabric in Lynn MA. Just as I walked in, bam, there was the perfect terra cotta print/fabric. One problem. We need it to be in the form of a throw pillow. Well that was it. I purchased 2 yards of fabric and went straight to the craft store for thread, pins and a sewing machine.

I sat in front of the computer for the next 2 hours watching video after video of how to sew a pillow with a sewing machine. Well, I got it first try! YAY me!  So of course with this expensive fabric I wasn't going to ruin it. I had to keep practicing. I had extra fabric laying around from other projects so I began to make different size pillows, envelope closures, zipper closures, I made as many as I could with the fabric I had.

I made 4 20x20 pillows for my client's bedroom and they were PERFECT! I couldn't have been happier with the result. I really had to give myself a pat on the back. She was thrilled!

So that's where it began. Today I make throw pillows for a lot of my clients. Especially those that have a specific idea of what they want and want a print or fabric that is only available to the trade.  I am working on drapery now!

 Here are some pillows I have recently made and put up on the website for sale.  I also make custom pillows with fabric selection, trim selection and in every size.

Indoor Pillow. taupe, white & gold floral 

Outdoor Pillow: blue & white swirls

Indoor Pillow: White with black quatrafoil print trimmed in silver.

Indoor Pillow: Yellow & White Moroccan print. 

Indoor Pillow: Black,grey and white chevron print.

One of my custom throw pillows will be up for the Friday Facebook Giveaway. It's a surprise which pillow! So, if you haven't already "liked" Distinctive Design By Gina on Facebook. Click HERE and make sure to like the page!

Liking Distinctive Design By Gina on Facebook is the only way to be qualified to win.  GOOD LUCK!



DESIGN YOUR LIFE!

G

What's My Name?

Monogramming is huge right now in styling. People like putting their name on something  and monogramming is the best way to do so. It's making a mark on the style scene both in interiors and in fashion.  I am all about monogramming and these are my favorite ways to put my initials on my favorite possessions.

Photos: Pillow, Gold necklace, Monogram Tray, Tote, Home Button, Nursery, Cocktail Napkins

If you like then you should put your name on it! 

DESIGN YOUR LIFE!~ G

Shell Shocked!

Move Over Zebra & Leopard, the Tortoise is here!

Animal print has been all the rage again for over a year now. The trend comes & goes. We designers always like to work with it no matter the trend because we love it but a new trend we are cursing on is Tortoise.

Used in both interiors & fashion styling, it's soft, textured & neutral tones lend it to go with just about any design.  Not always made of actual tortoise shell it is also the coloring of the tortoise which it is named after. Let the drooling begin....

photo credits: Watch, Lamp, Cabinet, Tray, Sunglasses, Bracelet, Bath Accessories

Spring 2013 you will see this trend develop even more so. A lot of people use this trend in moderation. In fashion you will mostly see it in sunglasses & watches. Tortoise is masculine too so don't be afraid to use it! Tortoise is far better than the Hare!

DESIGN YOUR LIFE!~ G

Lucite Isn't Just For Stripper's Shoes....

Decorating small spaces is challenging.  Space planning & color is huge in this type of design. It's all about trickery of the eye. So how do you trick the eye to feel larger? Lucite!  Lucite is very on trend right now for interior design & is key in designing in small spaces.

How the trickery works... When your eye is able to see through something it makes the space appear larger because your eye doesn't stop. It continues on gazing over the space. Think of it like this. Dancers use shoes made of lucite,  making their legs appear longer & leaner because they look taller. 

I am crushing on lucite in designing. It is modern with a bit of contemporary but gives a dash of GLAM!  Small spaces aren't the only times to use it! Use lucite in any room with any decor. I promise ...it works! Plus you get two results in one! I mean, who doesn't like Two-fers?

 Loving Lucite!

DESIGN YOUR LIFE!~ G

photo credits(from top to bottom):  White & blue LR, Glam living room, Dressing Area, Accent Tables, Bar Cart, Console Table, Bar Stools, Lucite Tray

Target Hit The Bullseye

You know when you go into a store for one thing and walk out with 10 others? That is what always happens to me in Target.

I went into Target for what was a quick in & out trip to get a plain white queen duvet cover for my own guest room. One and a half hours later and $100 more than I wanted to spend, I finally left.

Target is a great place to shop. I love their low cost high style jeans and their bathing suits are always on trend and you can't beat the prices. I have always walked through their home decor section but this last time I was very excited. With the great designers like Nate Berkus & home decor brands like Threshold there is a fresh new look to the average home decor selections. Every isle I walked down I saw something that caught my eye.  These are my top Target picks that really hit the bullseye on style.

Threshold Canister 

Gross Grain Applique Throw Pillow

Large Metal Hurricane

Clybourn Loft Chair Velvet Smoke

Three Hands White Storage Ottoman with nail head detail

Mohawk Home Elegant Ikat Area Rug

Nate Berkus Monterrey throw pillow

Three Hands Chrome Stool

Most items you can get online & in store but some of the items sell out faster online. If there is an item you like online but it's no longer available I recommend going into your local Target to see the availability. I bout these two items from the Nate Berkus Collection in the store but they are no longer available online. 

At the great budget friendly prices Target has, the good items go quick!

DESIGN YOUR LIFE! G

Zhush Crush

Finding a great shop for me is better than chocolate, granted I am not a huge chocolate person but if you are than you understand the comparison I am aiming to make.

I found this store by accident. It may be one that you have already heard of but I found it on...wait for it.....PINTEREST. Shocked, no neither am I, I tend to find some great inspirations & finds on that site but this site is now listed with a few other staples in my directory for shopping.  The store is call ZHUSH pronounced JE+OOSH.

Perfect for gifting & nicknacks this store is fresh & modern with flair. I love the website colors and it's easy to navigate around. They carry lots of great brands and items that you can't find just anywhere. 

Here is my Lust List from Zhush...

Arterierors Bernard Authentic Horns

Wayland Gregory Logo Elephant Box

Waylande Gregory Greek Key Tray

Gold Wishbone

Laminated Tray & Matching Ice Bucket

Medium Silver Gallery Tray

Butterscotch Monogram Blanket

Ok, I really could go on forever showing some great items that Zhush sells. They have everything from gift ideas to home accents. 

Design Your Life! ~ G

IKEA HACK

I love design on a budget, who doesn't? What I love even more is bringing your originality into these designs. I am a designer and look at furniture all day long so if I see a table in someone's home chances are I know it came from Crate & Barrel or West Elm. What I love is that I also know when pieces come from IKEA, except when they have a twist on them like these AH-MAZING IKEA hacks.....

First up, the Lack table. $7.99. I love this side table. I have 3 of them in my home. This is how you pull off the lack side table look with some corbets from Home Depot & wood glue. Sand, paint (I recommend a glossy finish) and Whallah, you got yourself a one of a kind side table that looks a lot more expensive than it is!

(House Beautiful)

My Favorite of all time is the Clayton Grey look-a-like but for $400 less!

2 tables for $14.00 and nail heads. Ikea Hackers

 Next is the Rast. For $34.99 you can completely transform this 3 drawer mini dresser into a chest for your bedroom, office or entrance way. Great for storing clothing or other items. With a little embellishments you can let your creativity flow. Here are a few of my favorite Rast Hack looks.

Rast Hacks From top to bottom: For Chic's Sake, Design Manifest, Courtney Out Loud, Jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.com

Now go ahead, I know you are going to jump to the ikea website or put on your shoes & go... GO! I'm on my way too! Maybe I'll see ya there!

Design Your Life! ~G