HGTV's April 2019 "Copy Our Cover" - The Look for Less! Part II

Hola!  Here's the cover from HGTV's April 2019 magazine.  Normally I don't pay too much attention to the magazine's covers, but last month's and this month's, wowsers!

The easiest item I had to shop for was the vanity, believe it or not!  The rest of the items - geesh. 

The Shade Fabric

For instance - that fabric.  It didn't occur to me until I started hunting for something similar just how hard that would be!  Turns out that shades of green, blue and white in a circle pattern that would work great for scalloping doesn't grow on trees.  Whoda thunk it???

The original fabric is from studiobontextiles.com and is a hand-painted design from a Schumaker collection called "Op"in "Prussian/Kelly" (you'll have to scroll down to find "Op.") No prices were listed, which clues me in to the fact that since I want to ask, I can't afford it, LOL!  HGTV's fabric choice is by spoonflower.com "Boxwood Press Scalloping Circles Ikat" cotton fabric in green and blue, $17.50. 

Kudos to the HGTV people for finding the Spoonflower fabric, which was the closet match to it I saw anywhere I hunted for a fabric online.  After failing to find any fabric that was close to the original or to the Spoonflower fabric in look (or price), I went with what I thought were the best options I could find for less than $17.50 a yard.  

First up, from fabrics.com, this is Terrasol Indoor/Outdoor Tetris Ocean Fabric at $9.21 a yard; if 3 or more yards are purchased, the price drops to $7.36 a yard:

From Joann Fabrics, this is their Premium Wide Cotton Fabric in Blue and Green Watercolor Triangles at $11.99 a yard, this pattern is triangles, not circles, but I love the color and the dreamy water-color effect, and it would work well (I think) in a Roman shade:

The Bath Mat

This was another difficult look to replicate.  The original bath mat from Urban Outfitters is no longer available, and I couldn't find it anywhere else I searched.  Maybe that's a good thing considering the comments that purchasers made about the rug at Urban Outfitters. 

 I found plenty of palm leaf bath mats and area rugs, but nothing that had the scale of green palm leaves or the kelly green color.  Amazon has a lot of palm leaf bath mats, I shopped there after general Google searches and searching specific online vendors of bath products didn't turn up what I was looking for at a price below $29.  

This is the rug I found that I thought best replicated the look of the Urban Outfitters mat, although not the size.  This is the Emvency Green Leaf Hand Watercolor Monstera Leaves Pattern, 16" x 24" for $16.98 and free shipping (Amazon):

Another Amazon find is the Hi Space Bath Mat in Green Tropical Leaves, 20" x 31" for $21.99 and free shipping on orders over $25.  The pattern is not palm leaves but I like the scale of these leaves and the ratio of green to white:

I also picked out some solid colored fluffy/plush bath mats, thinking in the alternative to go with a couple different sets of patterned towels (you'll notice that the cover bathroom includes solid green and solid white towels, in addition to the dark tealish green patterned bath towel with the cool fringe).  The color selection in blue and green solids is large.

This selection is from Bed Bath & Beyond available in many colors, including a deep rich teal.  This is the Jean Pierre Mega Butter Chenille Bath Rug in aqua, a large 21" x 34" for $19.99 (free shipping on orders over $39):

From Target Opalhouse's collection, its Soft Solid Bath Mat in dark green, also available in a deep turquoise and an appealing (much lighter) mint green, 20" x 32" for $11.99 (free shipping on orders of $35 or more):

The Towel(s)

Both the original HGTV bathroom and HGTV's pick to copy the look are from Target's Opalhouse collection, Sheared Floral fringed cotton bath towel in teal green, 27" x 52" size, $12.99 (free shipping on orders over $35) - here's a close-up of this beautiful towel (it's reverse side is white background with teal green flowers):

There are towels in solid colors of the rainbow, in multiple shades, at all price points. Target's Opalhouse collection features 100% cotton pile bath towels in dark green (it's a green teal color similar to the bath rug above), a lime green, a mint green, and a very blue deep turquoise.  This is the Opalhouse Soft Solid Bath Towel in Dark Green, 30" x 54" size, $5.99:

From Target's Threshold collection is this cool Palm Leaf Towel in cream/green, 27" x 52" 100% cotton, with fringed ends, $12.99:

If buying in sets is for you, here's a great deal from Amazon:  Two bath towels , four hand towels, and six wash cloths, all in a beautiful shade of green (Gumdrop Green) with a honeycomb jacquard pattern on half of the set and plain green plush on the other half of the set (one bath towel in each finish 27" x 54", two hand towels each, three wash cloths each), Superior's 100% Cotton (500 GSM) Plush and Honeycomb Jacquard, $34.33 for the set and free shipping:

A smaller set also from Amazon in Dark Green by Swiss Republic, 100% Cotton 6-Piece Towel Set, two bath towels (28" x 56"), two hand towels and two wash cloths, $22.99 with free shipping on orders over $25:

Part III will include the tray, canisters, stools, and faucet.  Stay tuned!

HGTV's April 2019 "Copy Our Cover" - The Look for Less! Part I

Yes, I'm at it again!  I'm antsy because I can't get outside yet and start doing those yard improvements I want to do this year.  DRAT! The weather just is not cooperating.  And while I could tackle some projects around here that have been waiting patiently for me to develop sufficient ambition to do them, well - here I am doing this instead.

Here's the cover from HGTV's April 2019 magazine:

Once again, I had a lot of fun hunting around the internet for lower priced bargains to try and replicate as best I could HGTV's room. HGTV's room totalled out at $2,116.00, not including the fabric it found at $17.50 a yard.  I have no idea how many yards of such fabric it would take to recreate the roman shade in the original bathroom, so I stuck to hunting for a fabric that might pass muster as a "comparable" for less per yard.

The Vanity

I LOVE the vanity, both of them - the original and the HGTV pick. The original sourced vanity was not listed in the magazine.  HGTV's pick is from Houzz, the Elma white 60" wide Carrara marble and wood vanity, $1,599.  It has oval undermount sinks, like the original sink.  As I'm working on this - it's on sale for 25% off the regular price of $1,999 (ouch!) - so now it's at $1,499!!!  Note: Faucets are not included with any of the vanities (HGTV or my selections), but are pre-drilled for standard 8" widespread 3 hole faucet set.  

So, that was the price I sought to beat.  Here are my picks, in no particular order:

Also from Houzz: This is the Madalyn 60" Solid White Double Vanity with two undermount rectangular sinks, Carrara marble countertop and backsplash, solid wood construction, polished chrome hardware, $1,299 not including shipping.  There are four functioning drawers. I picked this vanity because it has sleek pulls that remind me of the pulls on the original vanity and also smooth front panels on the drawers, neither of which the HGTV selection has.  Pictured below:

If you want to give up some drawer space, this may be an option for you to consider:  From Lowes, it is the Allen and Roth Presnell 60" Dove White Double Sink Bathroom Vanity with Carrara White Natural Marble Top, MDF with wood veneer construction (the description says this is solid wood, but I don't consider that "solid wood"), with two undermount rectangular sinks and a white Carrara marble top and backsplash, three soft close drawers and two separate "cubbies" that would hold a lot if you put some extra shelves or shelving units inside, polished chrome hardware, at a bargain price at $909.30, but not including shipping.  The bottom shelf is solid, not slatted; although it's hard to tell from looking at the cover of the HGTV Magazine, it appears that the bottom shelf on the original vanity may also be solid, not slatted.  The bottom shelf also features a back-stop so towels or baskets used for storage won't tip off the back side. Pictured below:

I found this option at Home Depot:  It's the Stufurhome Marla 60" W x 22" D Vanity in White with Marble Vanity Top in Carrara Marble and Mirror, solid wood construction, backsplash is NOT included, $1,173.85, with FREE delivery. The hardware has a brushed nickel finish - so it's not shiny chrome.  Yes, the giant framed mirror and free delivery are included!!! Note: Even though this vanity does not include a Carrara marble backsplash, the original vanity didn't have a backsplash either because it was installed on a tiled wall. Even better, the sinks are oval shaped, like the original vanity and the HGTV's choice for vanity.  Even better yet - there are a total of six separated drawer areas in two long soft-close drawers drawers!!! If you want to go with different mirrors, you can always use the one that comes with this vanity elsewhere, sell it or even gift it to someone. Pictured below:

Another option also found at Home Depot online is the Stuforhome Rochester 60" White Double Sink Bathroom Vanity with Marble Vanity Top and White Basin.  It features four soft-close drawers (each is divided into two parts to make room for the plumbing pipes), a bottom shelf with a backstop, no backsplash provided, two rectangular undermount sinks, and solid wood construction, with brushed nickel hardware, for $1,200.38 and free shipping.  Pictured below:

I'll be back with my selections for the other featured items in the HGTV April 2019 "Copy Our Cover."

Think PINK! Pics of the Refresh in the Living Room

Hola and Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!

To get right to it, here are the pics, my usual not so good quality.  I'm all heart and no skill when it comes to taking pics.

There are the new throw pillows (the 2 smaller ones) and three new throw pillow covers (the 3 larger pillows) on the sofa. The sofa has been put back into its regular place when I'm not displaying the Christmas tree in the front window.  The ottoman holds the pink and white throw my second sister gave me for Christmas, but I opted to use the all cream colored side instead of the pink side with white hearts - see next pic and maybe you'll understand my decision.

Um - no to the white hearts on the pink.

Now my beautiful Mexican made pink and cream alabaster 

chess set can clearly be seen with the furniture rearranged.

This is by the entry "hall" at the front door.  The table is convenient for

catching gloves and keys, and I use it to hold my laptop when I'm

working in the living room because it can slide underneath the sofa or a chair.

The art above was printed from the internet and framed in some of my

existing stash of frames.  The gray and pink elephant is from my collection.

The spring/summer look for the mantel.  One one side is my black elephant and a black/gray crystal behind it; the other side is a parade of some of my pink elephants and a large chunk of quartz dug out of the ground on the shore of a lake up in the Gore Mountains outside of Denver in 1973. It has delicate veins of pale coral and a pinkish color running through its white color and although you can't tell in this photo, it has sparkles in it too.  One of the many souvenirs I've collected over the years.

They just make me smile, can't help myself :)  The little one on the far right end is from Banff.

The sofa is a wonderful place for my afternoon naps.  Here you can see the interplay between the two patterns on the complementary colored area rugs.

The two shades of pink in the new area rug (from the Jonathan Adler New Home Collection at Amazon) are so pretty!  I'm usually in stockinged feet inside and walking on two area rugs on top of carpet makes me feel utterly decadent - so soft and cushy!

Taken from the dining room threshold.

Sitting on the sofa, I can see all the way into the back yard through the patio door in the dining room.  That's the wall I had opened up a few years ago so there's great flow in the house now and it feels way bigger than it used to.  I still have to repaint the walls where the drywall was repaired after the to the floor wide opening was created.  Well, I still have a lot of painting to do - motivation is sometimes hard to come by. I admit, I've really gotten lay since I retired in January 2015.  

I call this the meditation wall because of my Buddha on display near the built-in bookshelves.

At night with the elephant lamp on (you can see it in the photo below), this is the view I see down the hallway that houses the entries to the bathroom and bedrooms.  These are two old wood "gold" frames I painted (they aren't antiques, I bought them at Target many moons ago) with some black acrylic craft paint watered down so some of the gold would peek through.  The art was printed from the internet.  The mats are the back side of very old dark forest green mats from my stash to fit inside these 11" x 14" frames. 

Taken from the front "hall" area.

Because my living room is now fully open to the dining room, I added a few touches of pink into my grey/cream/goldish-yellow dining room, which now has its spring curtains up, the spring/summer art on the walls and the formal tablecloth is banished for the season.

These silk flowers were purchased back in the early 1990s when Marshall Fields still had its downtown Milwaukee location open.  Sadly, it closed many years ago, long before Marshall Fields became part of Macys.  I dug them out of my stash, they're perfect for the table.

It's the same old frame that's been hanging in the dining room area for a few years now, I just swap out the art from season to season.  The Christmas/winter cardinals collage is tucked away until December 2019.  This is another print from the internet, similar (but not identical) to one in the living room.  This hangs on the right side of the patio door; the kitchen starts to the right of the picture.

Looking from the patio door in the dining room area toward the living room. The enlarged entry into the living room is about centered with the large picture window there, but the dining area itself is skewed because on the other side of the wall on the right is the stairway to the basement and the side entry hallway off the driveway.  The table is more or less centered in the actual space underneath a ceiling fan with light (another thing on my endless "to do" list - to replace that fixture with a gorgeous but budget-wise chandelier), and it's pretty much centered on the patio door, where I'm standing to take this photo.  

So, that's it!  I got such a wonderful complement the other day when one of my neighbors dropped by to borrow some baking supplies - not kidding, it happens in real life around here :)  I invited her into the kitchen while I rummaged around for what she needed and she said "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  It's so pretty," and she was pointing toward my living room.  And then she said it a couple more times as she stared at it.  HOORAY!  Success.  The pink worked its magic.  I love it too, but then - I'm partial.  

Think PINK! Plans for My Living Room for Spring/Summer

February 23, 2019:

Hola!

I confess - challenging myself to do the look for less of the HGTV "Copy Our Cover" from their March 2019 gave me lots of ideas.  I've always been partial to pink.  My bedrooms in my first two homes were both painted various shades of pink and white.

And through the years, I've collected  pink accessories here and there (currently hidden away in my stored "stash"),  a collection of about 40 pink glass, metal  and ceramic elephants centered around a small pink elephant with a sweet little red smile and gold-painted highlights (her eyes, on her nose, in her ears, her toenails) that I inherited from my paternal grandma (displayed behind closed glass doors in the china hutch/storage cabinet in the living room),

This is an old photo taken from Maison Newton House #2 in 2013, before I moved to my current home and
before my pink elephant collection was moved to the roomier china hutch for display.  Grandma's elephant is about front and center, very pale pink with little red painted lips.  Taking a look at some of these old photos reminds me of just how many pinkish accessories and knick-knacks, et. I have stashed away, although I did give many to the Purple Heart.

and one of my favorite chessboards on display in a curio cabinet in a corner of my current living room is cream and pale pink alabaster with hand-carved chess pieces from Mexico, seen on the third shelf:

...all of which got me thinking about doing some changing out the decor in my living room for this spring and summer.  THINK PINK (anyone other than me remember that from "Funny Face?"), rather than the grays and golds with shades of white and black I've been using since 2015 or so.

I want to add a few pink hued throw pillows and switch out some pillow covers for existing pillows, and dig out some pink accessories for display.

As I've been musing on pink during the course of my online "shopping" around for my HGTV "copy our cover" posts, I also remembered that my third sister's 2018 Christmas gift to me was a gorgeous pale dusty rose bedspread with a set of pillow shams that I will probably be using in my bedroom during spring and summer for a change of pace from my Ikea gray floral duvet cover.  While revisiting my sister's gifts in the closet a few days ago, I also discovered that I'd forgotten my sis had included a pink fluffy fuzzy uber-soft throw that is gorgeous - except for the cream colored fuzy fluffy hearts on it, LOL.  But it's soft and cuddly, perfect for covering myself when I take my summer naps on the sofa.  The really fuzzy fluffy side is solid cream colored, but strikes me as "wintry" rather than spring/summer because of its texture.  But maybe I'll use it anyway.

Updated February 24, 2019:

Well, I charged right ahead and started shopping online for throw pillow covers and/or throw pillows if the price was right. I had so much fun!  There was a LOT to choose from.  I don't keep up generally with such things, but evidently pink is a real trend this year, so it's everywhere.

I AM proud of myself, though.  I reined myself in and rather than purchasing everything pink that caught my eye (I could have redone the entire house),  I "only" purchased two new throw pillows from Society6 and three throw pillow covers from H&M Home.  The pillows at Society6 were on sale yesterday, as were a couple of the throw pillow covers from H&M Home, so I lucked out!

I decided against buying a pink throw, since (1) I already have the throw my sister bought me for Christmas although I may not use the pink side with the white hearts (what was she thinking???) and (2) I have a summer-weight black and white houndstooth checked throw that I really like and use during the spring through fall months that will coordinate with the primary decor in the living room.

Pillow selections from Society6:  Note - I selected the 18" x 18" size for both pillows.  There was a total of 30% discount from my bill, but there is no free shipping, that was $9 and I live in a sales tax state, that was an additional $2.44.  Not covers only, both have pillow inserts.  But a girl can never have too many throw pillows, I've discovered that since moving to this, my retirement Maison Newton!

Pictured above, not the best image because I enlarged a mini, is Rose gold faux glitter pink ombre color block by Girly Trend.  

Pictured above, again not the best image because enlarging it made it blurry, is the Gloop pillow (an awful name) by Dan Hobday.

Total cost: $60.42.

Pillow Cover Selections from H&M Home:

Pictured above, 20" x 20" embroidered design on a heavy cream canvas zippered cushion cover, light beige-pink/black, $24.99.

Pictured above, 20" x 20" patterned satin cushion cover, powder pink/black/white, $12.99.

Pictured above, 20" x 20" crinkled cushion cover, light pink, $9.99. This resembles a shatung silk texture.  

Total cost, including $2.66 sales tax (free shipping):  $50.66.

In addition to some very old framed prints and such that I've accumulated over the years in my basement storage stash in various shades of pink, along with old frames that can be used as is or painted, I am a great advocate for using greeting cards suitably framed as art, framed calendar art, and best of all, photos and art I find on the internet.  One of the sources I use for free downloadable/printable art is the Graphics Fairy. 

Last night I found and printed three antique botanicals that I will frame up and hang in place of my usual trio of Han Dynasty horse prints (also free, two were clipped from magazines and one was printed from a history magazine on the internet).  I may or may not add additional wall art.  Because of how the room is configured, there is not a lot of "free" wall space to hang art or add wall arrangement/shelves, etc. 

Not sure if I will use one or more of them - I will keep scouting around.  I really liked a lot of the art I found at Great Big Posters online and Society6 so - we'll see.  

For now - with no end in sight to winter, the room is staying cozied up with red and extra layers of area rugs and throws!

March 8, 2018:  While shopping for rugs online for my HGTV March 2019 "Copy Our Cover" challenge I'd set myself, I came across a rug I really fell for - hard!

I had briefly thought "what if I bought an area rug to switch out for the summer months with my very loved black and cream flamestitch shag area rug?  But then I thought - NAH.  I don't need one, don't waste my money, the room will look great with the accessories switched out, etc.

Sooooo, so much for my will power.  Geez.  I purchased a rug for myself - it arrived yesterday, hooray, a full day earlier than expected.

The rug (pictured below) is from the Now House by Jonathan Adler Martine Collection 5' x 7' area rug in blush, 100% wool, hand-made in India. When I priced it, it was $157 and some change, plus shipping and sales taxes, for a total of $184.06.  Today the same rug is priced at $180.29 (but sales tax not added yet) with free shipping.  The free shipping option wasn't available on the rug when I  found it - but at that time Amazon was pushing membership in Amazon Prime and was offering free 2 day shipping if I tried Prime for a week. I said no thanks.  Now the free shipping is available again (on orders over $25 for this item) but the price has also increased.

When I unpacked it the packing slip indicated that the price for the item was $115.  WHAT?  So I said to myself, "Self, contact Amazon and find out why the price discrepancy."  I went online and entered into a "chat" with Customer Service.  After haggling back and forth with Amazon for over an hour with three different customer service reps, I got the price reduced to $115.  So - lesson reinforced - always check the price on your packing slip, and if the price is different than what you paid, don't accept paying the higher price without a fight!  I received a refund of $42.23 on this rug (in the form of a credit back on the credit card used to pay for the purchase) for my trouble and time spent on the lengthy chat.  Persistence and patience pays.

I love the subtle colors and think this rug will not wear out its welcome either color or pattern, as it's still quite neutral and fits a range of decorating styles, from traditional to modern. It also doesn't hurt that I think it will look beautiful on top of my existing black and cream flamestitch area rug.

March 15, 2019:

The room is now finished, including art printed from the internet and framed in frames I already had (two of which I painted a sort of "antiqued" black look over bright gold).  The largest I can print on my printer is legal size 11" x 14," but I stuck with "full size" 8 1/2" x 11" standard letter size paper that prints out with about a 1/4" wide white border.

I haven't taken photos yet - it's been busy times here lately and today it's dark and gloomy out, I'll have to see how photos turn out.  Stay tuned.  I'm excited to reveal the new look for spring/summer!

Updated March 17, 2019:  There are pics. 

HGTV's "Copy Our Cover" - The Look for Less Jan's Way! Finale

Hola!  Today I'm showing you the fantasy room I'd put together using the choices - and a few new picks (I'll explain) - I selected in recreating the HGTV cover from its March, 2019 magazine.  Here's the HGTV room:

The Chair

Right from the start, I knew I was going to pick the purple (they're not "fuchsia!") skirted swivel chair with its velvet upholstery to the floor to cover the swivel base and the sleek yet classic proportions and lines.  The chair I originally found was called "The Cynthia" by GDF available at Walmart for $185.99 but I later found the identical chair by a different name at several different vendors for an even lower price!  For instance, at Birch Lane is the Sevan Swivel Barrel Chair in Natural, velvet upholstery, for $156.99 and free shipping. If I were shopping for chairs right now for my house, I'd buy this chair. But it's not part of the challenge I set myself here.  You'll see the Cynthia chair below in a montage of the items I picked to put my personal preference version of the HGTV room together.

The Side Table

I liked all of the side tables I picked out for different reasons.  But I like some bling in a room and I went with a table I consider classic and neutral.  This choice was found at Overstock, the HomePop Hourglass Metal Accent Table in Gold with Mirror Top, 22" H x 17" diameter, $67.99, pictured below.

The Planter

I chose the solo color planter for my room, found at Amazon, from My Gift, Rustic Style Turquoise Ceramic Floral Design Succulent Plant Pots/Mini Herb and Cacti Planters, 3 1/4" H x 3" square width, $19.99 for a set of 3, pictured below.  Having a set of 3 gives me options to use the other planters in the same room or elsewhere.  And I do like a bargain :)  Pictured below.

The Throw Pillow

My choice stayed the same, the pillow from Society6, the Modern white chic faux gold foil Leopard Print throw pillow, $39.99 for the 20" x 20" size when not on sale.  It's got the gold bling!  Pictured below.

The Coffee Mug

I went with simple and elegant and - gorgeous from Target's Threshold collection, a 15 ounce Porcelain Hello Gorgeous Stackable Mug Pink/Gold, 3.52" H and 5.35" W, $5.99, pictured below.  

The Art Work

I picked out several new pieces that coordinate better with the Cynthia chair I picked.  I also did not use either a real or print/photograph of a butterfly in my room.  Here are my choices.

(1)  This was an original choice, from Great Big Canvas, "Still Life with Turquoise Bottle" by Sylvia Paul, in the 16" x 16" size, unframed, $20.99.  See in the montage below.
(2)  This is a new selection, from Society6, Mexican Beach Vacation Art Print by Lisa King, in the 8" x 10" size, unframed, non-sale price is $23.00.  See in the montage below.
(3)  An original choice, "Pink Sky II Art Print" by lalunetricotee, 22" x 25 unframed, non sale price is $42.00.  See in the montage below.
(4)  A new choice from Great Big Canvas, "Miami Wall Art" by Mike Schick, 18" x 24", $21.00.
(5)  Another new choice from Great Big Canvas, "Yellow on Pink Wall Art" by Laura Gunn, 24" x 18", $21.00. 

The Rug

I went with the Bungalow Rose Loneruck Aqua/Pink Area Rug, 5' x 7' in polypropylene, $91.99 (Reg. $198) (free 2-day shipping) from AllModern.  The picture below doesn't do it justice.  Visit the website and use the "enlarge" button to explore the rug's beautifully shaded colors.  I had in mind being able to select a rug with a number of different colors that would complement several different color combinations in the future.  This rug has shades of purple, lavender, pink, blue, and yellow/gold.

The Total Cost

The HGTV cover cost $3,392.50.  My choice room cost is $662.00 (includes 2 chairs in this color from Birch Lane at $157 each), not including shipping/postage for some of the items, or sales taxes if you live in a sales tax state.  Now that's what I consider a big win for my wallet!