Ingenious Ikat

I've been enamored with ikat prints lately, especially the fabrics in the Dear Stella Lanikai line.  I made a skirt already, and recently I decided to reupholster this great thrift store score with a darker printed ikat for my living room.  I bought this fabric for $20/yd at one of the fabric warehouses on Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas (great fabrics at those places!) and I think that particular store had it custom printed.  It's home dec weight and partly linen I believe.  I absolutely adore my new chair :)  I think I have enough left over fabric to make a throw pillow or two for the couch.  Love when things turn out like that...

Before:

After:

I love Ikat :D

Have you noticed all the great ikat prints popping up?  They're everywhere - quilting fabric, home dec fabric, wallpaper...  I think the colors and designs are so fresh and powerful. 

When I saw this Lanikai fabric from Dear Stella, I thought to myself, 'Self - you must WEAR that fabric!  And pillows.  You must make pillows.  Maybe stretch it over a canvas for wall art.  Hmm it might make a good tote bag too.  You should probably buy a whole bolt.'

I didn't buy a bolt, nor did I make all the things I said I would out of it yet, but I have made this awesome summer skirt.  I used Elisabeth's tutorial for The Elastic Waist Flirt Skirt which is based on a J. Crew skirt.  It went together super quickly (even though I had to do math) and the greatest part is that it has pockets!  I think I'll be remaking this skirt in the adorable lobster print from Crabtastic in the near future :)

Thrift Store Lamp Update

I needed a table lamp for my dim living room so obviously I started combing thrift stores for the perfect one.  Unfortunately I came home with this....

Brassy, 80's, doesn't play well with the other collected furnishings (West Elm zebra rug, estate sale cedar chest, & boring beige couch that is).  So I decided to spruce it up with spray paint and see what happens.  A couple coats of Rustoleum later plus a new modern shade from Target et voila!

Much better!  I'm still working on clearing the clutter.  I think I have too many different shades of blue here, no?  Don't worry, it will eventually be all fixed!