TayRose Design interior design Taylor Regal Archives

Owls emerge from remnants

16 Nov 2014

fabric, Handmade, Home Decor, New York, one of a kind, owl, pillow, remnant, Taylor Regal, TayRose, unique

For the past couple of weeks, while trying to purge through piles of fabric remnants and trims, a thought came to me, why not take these remnants, and sew them up into “feathers” for owls to put on pillow covers and messenger bags. So, I drew up pattern pieces, and tried different ones as each owl emerged….I like the idea of each one being different, unique…taking on it’s own personality per se. I also love the concept of using up items I have laying around, spilling out of drawers, baskets, boxes up in my small sewing area to make room for other projects. I’m one for adding lots of detail…knowing unfortunately, that I will not be gaining any of my labor back when and if they sell, however, that doesn’t seem to daunt my efforts, for an item just doesn’t look finished unless some little detail is added (I’ve always loved accessorizing, so I guess this spills over into my designs)

Owl pillow from fabric scraps with buckles

Remnant Feathered Owl pillow

I love using different textures, and elements that make an item textural, 3D and with a little surprise thrown in…something unexpected.
I scrounge the thrift stores looking for feather pillow inserts that I remove from pillows and reuse at a really good price. Also, table runners make great pillow covers, or even messenger bags like the owl one I made that was found on the clearance rack with the jute loops just perfect for owl feathers!

Two owls perched on messenger bag

Old zippers transformed into the beak and eyebrows, embroidery brought black felt circles to bright eyes, and buttons added another dimension to the pillow.
I bought a slew of purse patterns on sale that I hope to use to help me to cut a straight line and make good use of the remnants I have waiting for a purpose.
I’m always jumping from one project to another, and for now, purses and pillows are a new passion for me…soon I hope to get back to jewelry making now that I have organized all my bits and pieces.
I was able to sell one of the pillows 6 hours after posted on fb, and so glad it’s going to a good home!
Hoping to get more purses made and up in the store under Shop tab and Accessories. Also selling some in brick and mortar shop in Liverpool, NY called “Inspired” owned by my friend and her husband. Read more!

Surprise hit of the Parade of Homes 2014 Pigliavento Builder Home

It’s been a quick several months preparing for the Parade of Homes this year, in Clay, NY. Our builder got in to the Parade late, so he hit the ground running in March to have the 3,100 sq.ft home finished by June 5th. After strange weather, and having to re-varnish the red oak floors twice due to humidity changes, which pushed back the furniture delivery, I had just a mere week to furnish the whole house…but did it with a little time to spare.

Model Home Parade of Homes 2014, Clay, NY

2014 Parade of Homes model, Pigliavento Builders, TayRose Designer, Clay NY

I had an intern helping me from a local College, plus the builders wife for a day helping to hang wall art etc. So glad I had them!

Intern helping during Parade of Homes TayRose Designer

Intern helping at Parade of Homes TayRose Designer

The Realtors wanted interior photos the day the furniture arrived, so I managed to delay them a day while we rushed to make at least the major rooms photo ready….whew!

The house colors were inspired by a pillow, and I based the outside siding, stone, and interior colors with that pillow so everything felt connected in a way.

The kids rooms I always individualize, for kids all have their own personalities, so this year I did a nursery,

Nursery at Parade of Homes 2014 Clay, NY

Nursery designed by TayRose for Parade of Homes 2014, Clay, NY

A sports themed teen room, with handmade sports equipment headboard and pallet bed

Sports teen theme bedroom for Parade of Homes 2014 TayRose Designer

Sports themed teen room for Parade of Homes, Clay, NY 2014 TayRose Designer

Of all the rooms this year, the hit was the boys Jungle Room.

That room has had everyone giggle, and leave with a smile on their face. It was also the most fun and easiest room to complete. My husband even burned the song, “The lion sleeps tonight” on a cd for me to play continuously as background music in the room.

It’s a Jungle in here! Parade of Homes Pigliavento Builder, TayRose Designs

The ceiling fan makes the giant Ikea leaves sway up and down to the beat of the music. So fun! The arbor was made with old ladders and planks for the top. Raffia table skirting for bed skirt and around window panels.

Jungle Room large leaves swaying for the 2014 Parade of Homes Pigliavento Builder, TayRose Designs

Plush animals with velcro feet hold up the curtains while hanging on the curtain rod.

Jungle curtains with plush animals curtain “hooks” and raffia accent

Hand painted dresser using animal print in lettering on drawers by 1829 Farmhouse/Inspired.

Jungle Room crate dresser for 2014 Parade of Homes

Jungle Room animal crate designed dresser by 1829 Farmhouse for TayRose Designs Parade of Homes 2014 Clay, NY

A reading nook with handmade coffee bag cushions, an electric lantern and netted tent in the corner, brings a safari feel while sharing a story with a friendly tiger. To receive posts via email click HERE Subscribe in a reader or sign up in subscription box in sidebar.

Reading nook in Jungle Room 2014 Parade of Homes TayRose Designer

Changing up a dated dresser set

Seven years after I got married, and while my husband was out of State on a golfing trip, I thought it was time to give his bedroom set from before we were married, an updated look. I didn’t want to paint it, for I couldn’t make up my mind on the color, and I didn’t want to shock my husband too much upon his return.

Light Oak colonial look before sanding.

So, I opted to stain the drawer fronts and change the hardware. I think the hardest part was getting the drawers out…they were tough little buggers!

During stages of sanding and staining dresser fronts

After sanding off the poly on the drawer fronts and wiping off the sawdust, I used some stain that I had on hand, and with a rag, rubbed on the darker color.

It was love at first sight! I loved the 2 tones and with the new hardware, it transformed the whole look. I let the first coat dry for several hours and applied the 2nd coat, then brushed on a matte poly.

Dresser after drawer fronts stained with new hardware

Since the previous pulls were a size that was difficult to find, I chose to use 2 small round knobs in place of a pull, and really liked the look.

After tackling the dresser, I did the high boy chest, and the 2 night stands. I still have to figure out what to do with the bed headboard and footboard, but that will be another day. I’m just glad my husband liked the results of the dressers when he returned. 🙂 To receive posts via email click HERE Subscribe in a reader or sign up in subscription box in sidebar.

Needing “Art” in a pinch…

Taylor

02 May 2014

Art, DIY, Repurposed

Art, children wall art, DIY, Handmade, Home Decor, Interior Design, kite, paint chips, Taylor Regal, TayRose, unique, Wall Art

I mentioned in previous post that I redesigned a house to sell last week, and I ended up taking quite a few accessories out of my stock to rejuvenate their home, give it a new refreshed look, and I needed some artwork fast, at low cost. Step in paper…..I haven’t really used paper that much, but I’m starting to love the unfathomable uses of it which warms my heart. So, I grabbed a frame that I already had and was waiting to be used, plus some old maps I’ve kept, some paint chips, brochures and embroidery thread and in a few short hours a fun piece was born!

Paint chip Kite matted on map

There is no end to repurposing paper…from book pages used as shelf liners in cupboards and drawers, to modge podge a design onto furniture…have fun!

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paint chip kite collage

Bath-2011 Master Bath Parade of Homes by TayRose Design

What an honor to be chosen by a builder to design his model home for the Parade of Homes! I had assisted a fellow designer the year prior with a different builder, and when 2 builders asked, we each took on the major design project.

Each designer/builder working relationship is different, and with the builder I was working with, he referred to me on most every detail from the exterior colors to the bathroom tile, flooring and hardware. Having the option of deciding these details myself is daunting to say the least, especially, when the builder only has a certain amount of time to build the structure and have it ready for thousands of patrons to walk through. I’ve worked on a Parade House where the poly on the floors was still wet 2 days before opening and we had to work all night to stage the house to open…..I’m so grateful that the builder I worked with tries very hard to be finished in plenty of time to allow me to set up furniture and decorate.

So this particular Parade House was special to me for it was the first Parade House that I designed myself. I had lots of help from the builders wife, Lisa, who was a joy and a very good worker! Even their children pitched in by carrying in endless boxes filled with accessories to the different rooms.

I’m featuring in this article the Master bathroom from the 2011 Parade of Homes built by Jack Scalice for Pigliavento Builders in North Syracuse, NY.

Parade of Homes 2011 Pigliavento Builder, TayRose Designer

Parade of Homes 2011 TayRose Designs, Pigliavento Builder North Syracuse, NY

In this house plan, the Master bedroom was on the first floor off of the open great room. The entrance to the Master was through double doors that had a transom window over the top of entry. (the doors were removed for the Parade)I had commissioned a local artist to paint a canvas of a pair of holding hands as the focal piece upon opening the doors. The Master bath was to the left and the bedroom suite on the right.

Cambria Quartz master vanity in Buckingham 2011 Parade of Homes TayRose Designs

Buckingham Cambria Quartz countertop Master bath TayRose Design

I decided to use the same Cambria Quartz counter top in Buckingham, from Busch Products, and cabinetry that I used in the kitchen, for it was so beautiful and pulled the same colors through the first floor. The cabinetry was a warm smoked cherry glaze that had a grey/brown color to it for the double vanity with upper cabinets hung on a full width wall to wall mirror. I brought an idea that we had installed at home and that was to wire the electrical outlets for the vanity area up under the upper cabinets keeping wall areas free and clear.

exterior lantern from Lowes for master bath vanity

Exterior carriage lantern from Lowes installed on master vanity mirror for Parade of Homes 2011

When I was looking for lighting for over the vanity area, I wanted something that had a carriage house feel to it, like a lantern. Of course, the look I wanted and where I found it was in the Exterior lantern section of the store. Exterior lighting is fine for indoors, and when hung on top of the mirror, they were perfect. I also liked how they were a bit masculine while the glass mini chandelier over the tub was more feminine. The beveled glass shade inserts on the lanterns reflected in the mirror and lit up the room beautifully.

Custom design master bath for model home by TayRose and Pigliavento Builder

For the flooring and shower interior tile, I found Travertine porcelain tile with the same warm chocolate colors, and cut in small 2×2 sections of mosaic tile spaced out on the floor. The same mosaic was inlaid around the tub and on the shower wall as well as in the shower niche recess. A bench seat was built in the shower covered in the same Travertine tile. Clear glass shower surround with oil rubbed bronze framing picked up the bronze in the lighting.

Custom designed Roman shade with taffeta swag hung over the tub area along with a oil rubbed bronze iron towel rod/shelf on wall for easy reach from tub, completed the spa feel of the room.

A nice chocolate colored sheepskin rug was placed in front of the tub, sumptuous towels were hung, and an ice bucket with champagne were all staged for this reveal.

A side note: A couple who had come to the Parade of Homes to get ideas for their 1/2 bath at home, ended up buying this house after they first walked in!! Love it when that happens!

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