Portable Back Drop Stand

A few weeks back I received a portable photo back drop from The LA Shop. 

 

 

It was such a good deal at $69 for an 8" by 10" backdrop stand.  I recently had a baby and like all new parents I have been taking a million photos of our little one. We have also been taking her to get photos done at JcPennys but some times she is not in a good mood or we can't get there, so having an option of doing photos at our house was so appealing.  Plus I would save a ton of money doing all the photos myself.

 

When I opened the box I knew I would be in love.  The back drop came in this great black canvas bag, perfect for storing it.  Each piece had its own place in the bag, and the bag zipped up into a great size to fit in the coat closet. 

 

I will admit it took a while to put it together because it didn't come with instructions, so I waited for my hubby to come home and put it together.  Once we did I was so glad we had it.  I immediately went out to the store and bought a black sheet to use as my first back drop.  I went with a black because its basic.  I purchased a sheet because it was cheaper than buying fabric from a fabric store.  Since she is only 3 months old I also got a bean bag chair from Target for her to sit in.  Without a bean bag you will need something else for a little baby to sit in like a suitcase, flower pot basket, or something like that. 

 

The model I got was 8" by 10", which is perfect for taking pictures of our lo.  There are bigger sizes available if you are looking for something bigger.  Its also big enough to take photos of family with the baby when they come over.  I can't wait to start buying more material to use as a back drop.  I think the next back ground will be pink tulle.  I also just picked up a great old suit case that I am waiting to take her photo in for her 4 month photos in 2 weeks.  I can't wait!!! 

 

I love how this backdrop stand helps me take great photos and allows me to be creative in a whole new way.  The LA Shop not only sells this amazing portable backdrop stand but they have other great items such as a mini popcorn machine, LED lights, digital safes, and much much more.  You really need to check out their site!!

Model Home Inspiration...Pottery Barn Knock Off

To me there is nothing better then spending a Saturday afternoon at a model home. 

I could spend hours touring model homes getting ideas and dreaming about future homes.  I have been know to snap a few photos from time to time so I can use them later as inspiration.   I actually have a file saved on my computer of pictures that I have taken of models that I love.

While looking to buy our townhouse in Va I came across a model home that I fell in love with.  One of our local builders, Van Metre uses Pottery Barn Design Services on some of their models.  Pottery Barn will send local designers into their models to decorate them, they are completely done with everything you could think of from Pottery Barn.  If you ever get a chance to tour one you are lucky!!!  These model homes are absolutely stunning!!

My favorite happens to be the Astoria Model in Stone Ridge, VA, this is my dream home if Pottery Barn could come and do my home top to bottom.  Below are a few of the photos from the model that I got from the Builder's Web Site. 

I have the same Sienna Bedding, after seeing it here I had to buy it.  I love it.

There is a great collage of clocks behind the couch.

The did a great job of mixing different textures in the master. 

One of my favorite ideas from this model is the kitchen table in a dark stain and the blue painted chairs.  I love the mix of casual and formal.   The painted chairs and the stained table the complement each other and you get a good mix of painted furniture without going overboard.

You can see the table and chairs in the back ground.

I have been dreaming of the table and chairs for months, my husband is so tired of hearing me talk about them that we decided to go buy the set.  We went to the store and they have discontinued their Queen Ann Chairs, oh no!!  Not only were the chairs discontinued but so was the table.  While looking at a similar table that was $800 I got an idea why don't we buy a knock off table and buy some chairs that I could paint in a similar color? 

Let the craigslist searching begin!!  I am proud to report that I have found my table for $120 (it came with 5 chairs that I will be selling because they don't work) and I found knock off chairs for $20 (for all 4, steal of a deal).  Now I just need to restain the table and paint the chairs to achieve my knock off look.  Stay tuned for my update with the finished project, after a year of drooling I can't wait to get this project done.

laura.liveloudoun.com

Craigslist Find...New Bar Stools

About a year ago I had purchased these bar stools from Kirklands.  

I loved them but unfortunately they didn't fit in our new home because our counter tops were lower, we needed 24 inch bar stools not 28 inch.  I began my search of craigslist looking for new bar stools.  After months I finally found these beauties online.  

Don't mind the baby stuff in the background my dinning room is now the baby staging area and my work space.

Aren't the lines great!!  They are just perfect except for one thing, the color.  They are a lovely shade of honey straight out of the 90's, but that's ok I just bought some great Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Versailles.  I have been dying to find the right project for my new paint.  I think these two beauties are perfect.  Stay tuned for my follow up post once they are complete.