May 2019 HGTV Magazine "Copy Our Cover - Look for Less, Part 2

Hola!  Here's the cover for the May 2019 HGTV magazine:

The Artichoke Lamp

The lamp is from straydogdesigns.com and costs $695, 30" tall, described as "paper-machine and glass lamp in white."  I don't know about you, but even if I had that kind of money, I wouldn't be spending anywhere near $695 for a single lamp!  I checked the website and right now, this lamp is on sale for $520.  It's handmade by artisans in Mexico and uses all non-toxic materials, 4-6 weeks to delivery.  

There are several options available for artichoke lamps - which shocked me, because it's not exactly what I think of when it comes to "design," LOL!  

1.  Lowest priced Option 1

At Kirklands, one of the places I start when shopping for lamps online, here is a 27" tall off white artichoke table lamp with faux wood base, made from polystyrene and polyurethane.  The lamp finish includes a distressed finish with gold on the edges of the leaves.  The color is not white, though, and the shade is an "oatmeal" color.  Regular price is $90, on sale right now for $72, not including shipping (pictured below):

2.  Lowest priced Option 2

Also from Kirklands, a more petite artichoke lamp, 24" tall in an off white distressed finish with gold edges on the leaves, also made of polystyrene and polyurethane with an oatmeal colored drum shade.  The price is the same as for the Option 1 (above), $90 regular price, $72 right now on sale, not including shipping (pictured below):

3.  Low priced Option

Offered at Amazon (which includes free shipping on orders over $25), this is the Kenroy Home Outdoor Artichoke Table Lamp, 30" tall in a Roman white finish on resin and off-white tapered drum shade.  It is built to be used outdoors with a heavy duty cord and bulb cover but there's no reason it couldn't be used inside, priced at $120 (pictured below):

4.  Mid priced Option 1

Also offered at Amazon (free shipping on orders over $25) is the Crestview Collection Artichoke White Glass Lamp, 28" tall, which includes a clear crystal round "footer" on top of a black square base, and it appears the round finial is glass.  The finish is true white and the shade is white linen.  Priced at $152 (pictured below):

5.  Mid priced Option 2

From Ballard Designs, this lamp gives you the option of purchasing the base only if you don't care for the tapered shade it comes with (lamp with shade $159).  The base alone of this 31" tall white finished resin lamp on sale for $111 (regular price $139).  Shipping is charged at 15% of the full retail price on total order value of $200 or less, so the shipping would be 15% of $139 or $21, for a total cost of $132.  The lamp, pictured below, is shown with a different drum shade than the one it comes with for $159:

6.  Higher priced Option

The color on this lamp and shade - certainly not white!  The shade is beige and the body is called "almond."  I included it in my options because I like the size and shape of the lamp.  I would spray paint it gloss white and get a new white straight sided drum shade.  Pictured below is the Pacific Coast Light Artichoke Table Lamp offered by 1-800Lighting.  Minimal information was offered on this lamp, it appears to be made of resin and has a clear round base that is either acrylic or glass, priced at $199 with free shipping:

The next post will look at options for the bright rainbow-striped painting.

May 2019 HGTV Magazine "Copy Our Cover" - The Look for Less!

Hola!

Time for another "Copy Our Cover."  This is the May 2019 magazine:

This is a bargain cover this month!  The total for HGTV's picks is a skinny $1,168.  The art work and the painted console on the cover are "custom" and not priced; some of the vases in the photo are "props" and also not priced.  Here's how the prices for the "Copy Our Cover" picks by HGTV add up:

Two white vases: 70.00 ($37 and $33)

Lamp:                695.00

Server:               156.00

Blue dog:             45.00

Tall vase:             45.00

Bowl:                     7.00 (Set of 4 at $26.50)

Art:                    150.00

                      $1,168.00

The Console/Credenza/Server

When I start my searching I begin with the largest/most expensive item first, so I looked for a console/credenza.  The original piece is custom and (I believe, if I'm reading the "sources" correctly) by Deary Construction in Brooklyn, dearyconstruction.com.  No dimensions, size or cost was listed.

I was disappointed that the HGTV pickers didn't find something that looked closer to the original credenza/server, other than being red.  The original piece reminds me of French Provincial/Provencal design, with the curvy inset carving on the doors and the swirly/curvy bottom skirt.  Options I found to consider:

1.  HGTV pick look-alike:  

From Target Marketing Systems, the Montego Collection Buffet Cabinet in red, 39.3" x 15" x 36" H, for $128 plus free shipping (Amazon).  The HGTV pick is $156 with free shipping (Joss and Main) and whiile I'm working on this it's currently on sale  at Joss and Main for $134 with free shipping, so some slim savings from either vendor.

2.  Off the rails pick:

From Home Depot, a larger server offering 3 drawers plus two cubbies worth of storage and shapely legs that I think would look great painted red (leaving the dark top in place):

Above is the Litton Lane 48" x 17" x 33"H Farmhouse Wood Cabinet, $347, but that doesn't include shipping to your door.  "Curb side" delivery to my place would be an additional $55, so a total cost of $402.  You can opt to have it delivered to a nearby Home Depot location and pick it up for free if you have the means to do so (I do not - no vehicle and don't drive).  I like it for its country French design that features a darker contrasting.  A couple cans of apple red gloss spray paint and voila, a masterpiece!

3.  Priciest option:

From Wayfair, the Loon Peak Lockwood Server, $640 with free shipping (to door delivery; in home delivery is extra), it comes in two finishes black (cherry) and nutmeg (rich honey light oak), 37.5" x 18" x 31" H (pictured below):

The Lockwood server has arched carved doors and the swirly/curvy bottom apron, and also offers two drawers for additional storage.

4.  Middle priced option:

If you have the room for it, you might fall in love with the true French Provincial style of this piece, sold online by The Simple Stores, made by Pulaski Furniture, Antique White Carved Door Console, $549 and free delivery to doorstep (in home delivery extra), 60" x 12" x 36" H (pictured below):

I also found this identical cabinet at Birch Lane, although not identified as a Pulaski piece, for $521 plus free in-home delivery!  

5.  Lower priced option:

I don't like the finish on this credenza/server at all, but I like the overall carving and love the country French style of this piece, with its curvy legs and bottom apron, and floral/geometric carved motif on three doors.  Pictured below is the Mistana Ottinger Server offered by Wayfair, 47.25" x 15.75" x 30" H, for $427 and free shipping (to door):

Birch Lane offers a 2-door version of this identical cabinet in a more petite size:  32" x 15.5" x 33" H for $376 with free 2-day shipping, which looks much cuter than it's larger brother, also featuring wood construction.  I think a slightly toned-down red finish on this piece would make all the difference in the world, and I'd put a mahogany or very dark cherry finish on the top.  However, be warned: this has a very rustic and aged textured wood finish, not smooth wood.  

Next post will be options for the expensive artichoke lamp.

Temptingly Cute Finds at TJ Maxx

Hola!  The tail-end of that nasty big storm front is now leashing my home town with thunderstorms, which are promised to blow out of here by rush hour tomorrow morning.  We'll see.  As a positive, the rain NOW is melting away the snow that fell yesterday, in a massive blizzard-like bombardment of hummingbird sized snowflakes that coated and stuck to everything!  Wowsers!

At Christmas I received a Gift Card that is usable at Homegoods, TJ Maxx and related stores.  While I'm listening to Rachel Maddow's show on MSNBC on internet radio, I'm browsing TJ Maxx for their "New Arrivals" and have come across some really cute cute cute stuff!

Succulents Anyone?

It was hard for me to believe that these are actually artificial succulents (they look like jade plants to me).  They are the cutest things!  The set is available at TJ Maxx online right now (no saying how long) for $14.99 for the pair of black ceramic with wood base containers filled with non-removable succulents (darlings - everything is removable if there is a will to remove it, as we know) in gravel base, 3 inch diameter, 4.25 inches tall, $14.99. 

Who Doesn't Love Soothing Healing Crystal Energy?

Also under "recent arivals," this heavy (16 ounces) Calcite Blue Crystal, 4 inches wide, 2 inches high and 2 inches long,  for $7.99. I have two major hunks of crystal in my living room, at present resting on the fireplace mantel.  I also have a small crystal dangling from a chain on the center loop of my mod-style French Campaign bed, so it bathes me with healing energy at night while I sleep. 

Who Can't Use a One-Drawer Mid-Century Mod Vibe Side Table?

I LOVE this table, simple, elegant, industrial, rustic finish and mod, all in one.  Wish I had room for one or two here but alas!  Hand-made from India, it is wood in a natural finish on a metal base, 25.5 inches tall, 18.5 inches wide and 14.5 inches deep, $69.99.  This is a great option for a bedside table (or pair if symmetry is for you), flanking a sofa, or a comfy chair in a reading corner. 

For the Gardeners!

This is beautiful - a great size ceramic planter made in Portugal at a great price, 10 inches wide and 9 inches tall, $12.99.  The glazed finish highlights the "ruffled" edge at the top and the subtle fern design on white background. I see cute-to-gorgeous planters in HGTV's "Curb Appeal" feature in their magazines at prices far beyond what I ever spend, even if I could afford it - it's a PLANTER, for pete's sake!, and I'm always on the lookout for larger planters that will hold their own size-wise on a concrete front stoop, side stoop and patio - but for as low a price as possible. 

On Trend Tropical Print Shower Curtain

Check out this Envogue tropical floral print cotton shower curtain, machine washable, 72" x 72", $14.99.  This could inspire you to redo your bathroom by adding different paint, complementary colored bath mat(s) and towels. 

Wow - I can go on and on, but my bed is calling my name.  Thanks for shopping along with moi. 

Snow, Snow Go Away!

Hola everyone!

Well, as predicted, SE Wisconsin has caught a clip off the chin from that massive storm out to the southwest.  Initial forecasts were for up to an inch of snow that would not stick and would melt upon hitting the ground, followed by up to an inch or so of rain tomorrow.

WRONG!

We had bits of tiny snow flurries off and on all morning, but nothing to speak of; the ground was wet, that was all.  And then about 3 p.m., BAM!  The flakes were coming down, large, fast and furious, and they piled up in less than half an hour.  So much for the forecasters being accurate, at least on this call, although they were right about the snow coming after all.  It's still snowing out now, but much finer flakes.  There is about an inch already piled up outside.  Tomorrow will be above freezing by several degrees, though, if the forecast is correct, so this won't last.  Thank goodness.  I jumped the gun because we had a 70 degrees plus day on Monday, and even yesterday was nice enough to be able to sit outside and enjoy some reading for awhile in the sunshine, although it was getting windy - a sign of the approaching storm front.

I took some pics.  I sure hope this is the LAST of snow for this year, please Mother Nature!

Just catching the beginnings of the storm - it hadn't been snowing more than 20 minutes or so when this photo was taken, so you can see how fast it accumulated!  That's one of my chubby little squirrel buddies munching on a hazelnut, sort of wet and straggly looking, sitting under my Shezebo where she's out of the snow.

Lots of snow piled up quickly in the yard not sheltered by tree branches.  Can you see the squirrel tracks in the snow on the patio, and all the nut shells piled up just since last evening's and this morning's feedings?  They pile up fast!

This is the view to the southwest out of my front door.  Yikes!

The view from the door that leads to the kitchen of the driveway.  The trees are all coated with white sticky snow 

and are so pretty! My poor irises!  I cleaned the beds out Saturday and now they're unprotected from the snow.

They really popped up a lot during the two day stretch of nice weather we had on Monday and yesterday!

Looking toward the southeast, the trees are covered in snow frosting.  Look at those flakes coming down!

The rest of the week will be in the high 30s/low 40s and gloomy.  This snow will melt away quickly enough, but winter isn't ready to give up its grip here yet.  UGH!

Updated April 29th:

We got another late season snow fall - but this time we dodged a bullet.  The forecast on Saturday April 27 called for as much as 8" of wet heavy slushy snow in our area, depending upon how much - if any - lake effect snow we would get.  But all depended upon where the front hit.  As it happened, the forecast was revised at least twice by the National Weather Service and they still got it somewhat wrong; the storm ended up starting around 3 p.m. not 10 a.m. as originally forecast, and not 12 noon as revised.  The bulk of the front slid further south of us and even spared Chicago from getting more than 2 1/2" of snowfall.  We got about an inch to 1 1/2" here.  Since Sunday dawned sunny and clear (but cold and still), the snow melted and once the temperature rose above 34 or so the snow melted quickly; it was almost all gone by noon and totally gone by the end of the day.  You would never know it had snowed here at all! 

It looks like all my perennials sending up shoots and budding shrubs survived without any damage.  WHEW!  But my heat is still turned on, for pete's sake!  It's almost May Day and my furnace is still going!