Shoes Off Please- a blog about interior design: inspiration, attempts, and life along the way

Be Still My Heart: Fathers Day Gift Guide

by Gilit on May 24, 2013, 0 comments

Father’s Day is a ways away (June 16th for those of you who aren’t sure) but the next month is looking super busy for us so I thought I’d make a gift roundup now and then not-so-subtly figure out what Tuvia wants based on his reaction. No ties in this roundup, promise!

Jimi Hendrix Record: I love records, there’s something so romantic about them because it’s not just the music you love, it’s the history and Tuvia’s collection is getting pretty nice
Awesome Dad T-Shirt: Every dad needs a dorky “dad” thing, I went for this instead of the classic “#1 dad” tie (which I may or may not have gotten for his first Father’s Day…)
Classic Ray Ban Wayfarers: Classic, looks great on just about everyone, and I’ve been trying to get Tuvia to agree to these for two years
Robot Cuff Links: I got these for Tuvia a few years back and they were a hit
Jack Spade Wallet: A little classic, a little quirky.. I would have gone for a brighter one but Tuvia is more traditional with his wallet choices no matter how many times I try to gift him into something funkier
Weber Smokey Joe Grills: Small enough for an apartment porch and amazing reviews
Charcoal Chambray Bow tie: I loooove this and would be ever so grateful to the person that gets Tuvia to wear it non-ironically
3 Piece Grill Utensil Set: for the barbecue that you will be making with your new grill, obviously

And for a card I love this one because I always say Tuvia is my baby daddy.

In honor of Father’s Day I asked Tuvia if he had any advice for new dads and without hesitating he said “don’t forget to shower”. I don’t specifically remember him being stinky when Aiden was first born but it was all sort of a blur of happy sleeplessness.

Any plans for Father’s Day or gifts? We’re celebrating my nieces first birthday! You can see some pictures of the family party from when she was born here. Hope you all have a great weekend!

DIY Sunburst Mirror Inspiration

by Gilit on May 22, 2013, 3 comments

We have been talking about what to put over our bed since we moved in almost three years ago, but decided to hold off until we had a headboard because that would change the dimensions we wanted. We got a headboard from Joss & Main and Tuvia surprised me by setting up the headboard and sconces from Ikea before I got home (and still makes fun of the face I made when I saw it all set up.)

We put up a picture rail so we could change things up as we pleased and we did change it up often, but it was no good. No matter what size the art or photos were that we put up there, it just wasn’t working.

I think I’ve known it for a long time but finally accepted that we have to take it down and replace it with something else.

We have two main options that we are considering: 1- DIY large-scale art (which Tuvia has been begging me to do since we moved in) or 2- a large mirror or a grouping of mirrors.

I will attempt some sort of art, but I really don’t want to rely on it since I’m not an artists and it feels like too much pressure (seriously I am shrinking in my seat thinking about it). I love the movement and colors that Jen Ramos uses and Michelle Armas makes me swoooon

via

via

Unfortunately it’s out of our price range and I can’t paint like that so until I figure out a large scale DIY that I like and think I can do reasonably well, we’re looking at starburst mirrors. They’ve been trendy for a few years now and are probably on their way out, but it kind of makes me like it more.

Here are a few DIY starbust mirrors that I’ve seen around and am considering doing for the one above our bed.

DIY sunburst mirror roundup from Shoes Off Please

1- Nesting Place, poster board

2- Addicted 2 Decorating, spoons

3- Country Living, clothespins

4- The Handcrafted Life, wood shims

5- Crazy Wonderful, wood shims

6- Healthy, Wealthy and DIYs, bamboo skewers

If we make one and don’t end up using it there, we might just end up using it in our front hallway for the plain mirror that needs some dressing up.

What do you have over your bed? Or do you prefer to keep it clean and simple with nothing there?

Free Printable: Alphabet Poster

by Gilit on May 19, 2013, 0 comments

Aiden’s been really into naming favorites recently: his favorite chair, his favorite pajamas, his favorite puma…etc. Currently, his favorite song is the “ABCDs” (as he calls them) and I realized I haven’t done an alphabet printable. For some reason, in my head, that should be the first one you make.

So here you are, a free “ABCD” printable in two color options with a white background or color background:

*As usual: the prints are sized 8×10″ and all you have to do is download or save and print! Feel free to use and share as much as you’d like, but please link back to here. Blog etiquette and all, thanks!*

Do you have an ABC poster in your nursery? We have one in Aiden and Mia’s room over the glider that Aiden loves and Mia can’t quite read yet, but she likes to look at it and gurgle.

Be Still My Heart: Shades of Pink and Gold

by Gilit on May 16, 2013, 5 comments

I don’t know what it is about pink and gold, but I am crushing on them so hard right now (also mint, but I’ll save that for another post). Here are a few things that caught my eye in shades of pink and gold:

Be Still My Heart: Pink and Gold Inspiration Roundup by Shoes Off Please

This print from Lindsay Letters

This tablescape by Michaella Noelle (keep your eye on that girl, she is going places)

This pink and gold party from the tomkat studio

This table runner from Style Me Pretty

This pink and gold baby shower featured by on to baby

What do you think about all the pink and gold popping up? Love it or leave it?

Feature on Fresh Coat of Paint!

by Gilit on May 14, 2013, 2 comments

I am SO excited to tell you that today Deme from Fresh Coat of Paint has featured Aiden and Mia’s room! You can check out her feature here and see my original posts on it here and here.

I love so many of her projects like this gold dot closet wall, her workspace, and my personal favorite (that I loved before it was featured on YHL!) this amazing nook which I am sure you have seen all over the blogosphere by now because it’s so fab.

Fresh Coat of Paint

I am so grateful that she’s featuring the room and would love it if you could go check it out (here if you’re don’t feel like scrolling back up :)

On another note: starting tonight is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot so I will not be posting on Wednesday as I usually do. Instead I will say chag sameach/ happy holiday and see you all on Friday with a roundup of a color combo I’m seeing everywhere and loving!

Mother’s Day Recap and Porch Chair Cushion Roundup

by Gilit on May 12, 2013, 1 comment

I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day yesterday! I woke up to coffee, breakfast, cards from Tuv and the kids and the cutest gifts that I can’t wait to use! Plus, I don’t know how he managed the timing, but literally as I was finishing opening my gifts, the doorbell rang and my flowers were delivered! He says he didn’t time it but I’m gonna let the magic stay and say he did ;)

A little later we had brunch with my mother, my sister and her daughters, and my grandparents. I wish I got a photo of my stylish grandmother looking fab as always (sorry Bubbles!). Our food was delicious and the it makes my heart melt how much the kids love each other. I left a little early because of another headache (anyone else’s sinuses going crazy?) but after a little R&R at home I felt better and then we went to visit Tuvia’s grandmother. His aunt was there also and Aiden and Mia love her to bits so it was really sweet.

All in all it was such a lovely day and I’m so happy and lucky to be Aiden and Mia’s mommy (and thank G-d I’ve got Tuvia to do it all with me!)

these guys make it all worth it!

On to the chair cushion roundup:

Last year, I spotted this photo on Instagram by my friend Sara Weisblum of Little Miss Hostess (keep her name in mind, you’ll be seeing more of her on this blog soon!)

Chair Makeover by @littlemisshostess

Fab, right? I obviously had to know where she got those chairs from and I was so happy to hear.. Ikea! She found great pillows at Home Goods and spray painted the chairs. I asked if I could copy her idea and she sweetly complied so off we went to Ikea to get the chairs. By “off we went to Ikea” I mean we snagged two chairs by the end of the summer (months later).

It’s been over a year now (yeesh) and we haven’t done anything with them. This year I want to get it done early on so we can enjoy our porch. It’s tiny, but it’s our little outside space and I like it.

The thing is I can’t decide what color I want to paint them! I figure I’ll take a cue from the cushions we choose. BUT finding cushions that are rounded in the back and deep and cushion-y enough for these chairs wasn’t as easy as I thought.

Here’s a roundup of cushions I like that are within our porch budget:

Clockwise from the top: blue and white damask from Amazon , chevron from Target, medallion from Target in blue and pink (the colors are more intense in person and I like them a lot more than the online photos), paisley cushions from World Market (they look a little thin to me though)

What do you think? Damask, chevron, medallion or paisley? Or is there a color you love for porch chairs? I’m definitely leaning toward bright and fun.

Be Still My Heart: Turquoise Decor (a guest post!)

by Gilit on May 9, 2013, 0 comments

This week for “Be Still My Heart” we have a guest post on turquoise decor in the home! I gravitate toward turquoise all the time, it’s such a gorgeous color and I think everyone could use a daily dose. So here’s yours for today:

Hello, lovely blog readers! I’m so happy to be here with you at Shoes Off Please with a guest post from Arcadian Home. It’s a fantastic place to find lots of interior design inspiration including great decorating ideas for everything from fabulous foyer lights to colorful decorative pillows and much more.

Today, let’s explore the gorgeous ever-popular color turquoise. From the entryway to the master bath, turquoise can be used in just about any style room. Personally, I never tire of this wonderful hue. It’s beautiful whether in a pale watery shade or a deep vibrant version. Turquoise rocks my world. Please enjoy!

Thanks for letting me stop by to share.

~ Mari

Turquoise Decor

From the sea-glass colored buffet lamps and lovely collection of glass on the long table to the colorful trim on the black lacquered chairs, this traditional foyer is infused with the vibrant beauty of turquoise.

Turquoise Decor

This crisp white contemporary living space goes from beautiful to stunning with a brilliant turquoise floor. What a great design decision.

Turquoise Decor

Turquoise meets purple hues and creates a lively palette for a teenager’s room that would also work well as a study or guest bedroom. Striped decorative pillows on the window seat do a nice job of pulling all the cool colors in the space together.

Turquoise Decor

Lots of blues, including turquoise, bring this home office to life. Color, pattern and texture are used very effectively here. It’s interesting that the homeowner chose to pull black from the drapery panels onto the shelves instead of accessorizing with turquoise or one of the other blue hues.

Turquoise Decor

A turquoise glass pendant light adorns either side of the tall headboard of a gorgeous upholstered bed in this open and airy bedroom. The fabrics used on the bed and the large pillows are simply stunning.

Turquoise Decor

A lovely traditional bath is wallpapered with a beautiful tropical pattern in pale turquoise giving the space an ethereal dreamy look.

Turquoise Decor

Paneling is painted in a soft turquoise in this child’s bedroom, creating a beautiful backdrop for a large wall gallery of favorite artwork. Diverse patterns seen in the textiles used around the room give the space an appealing global look.

Turquoise Decor

I never tire of looking at this lovely eclectic room with splashes of turquoise. I’m surprised every time I run across it around the blogosphere. The paintings and the long chest are quite amazing. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think of these turquoise spaces? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to stop by our blog for more home decor, lighting and interior inspirations!

Thanks Mari! You can see other “Be Still My Heart” posts here