CONTAINER STORE HACK: MAKE YOUR OWN LUCITE TRAY

I adore lucite trays! And I've been longingly browser shopping my way through the best of them, but I just haven't been able to convince myself to spend more than $200 on one. So when I was wandering through the Container Store one day and saw a clear tray for TWELVE DOLLARS I thought - why don't I make my own tray?

So I did.

Ta da! It's my cheetah print lucite tray. For a grand total of less than $20!

Here's how to do it yourself:

1. Find an inexpensive clear tray. I found mine at the container store in the bathroom storage section (they have several versions and sizes), but a quick Google search will yield numerous options. I particularly like this version with handles from CB2 for $40.

Next, pick a beautiful paper you'd like to see every day (wallpaper and wrapping paper, especially quality papers, will do nicely). 

I chose a cheetah print wrapping paper from World Cost Plus Market for $4.95. 

You'll also need: 

1. Mod Podge glue (glossy version)

2. some sponge brushes

3. a very sharp exacto knife

Brush the bottom of your tray (underside) with a thin layer of Mod Podge. Don't overdo it, or you'll soak the paper and cause wrinkling. (Note:  papering the tray's underside will ensure a lovely shine, and a waterproof interior to the tray for floral arrangements and so forth. This is not a good solution if you're planning to use the tray for, say, coffee service; sitting it down on a damp kitchen counter could ruin your hard work).

Next, press the paper onto the bottom of the tray. You'll need to keep an eye on it for the next 10 minutes, as the paper may bubble a little and require smoothing. I chose to cut the paper to the approximate size and trim it after the glue dried. If you're better at measuring than I am, you can go ahead and cut it to size before gluing. 

 After the initial layer dries for 24 hours, add another thin coat of glue on the back of the paper for extra protection.

And you're done! 

Here's some more inspiration - great papers from PaperMojo, and other pretty trays!

P.S. If you're creative with graphics, you can always design and print your own paper, and personalize it with your initials.

/Images/my own/Cb2 /my own /PaperMojo /Dabney Lee Home /Absolutely Beautiful Things /Decor Pad / Decor Pad/

SCALAMANDRE SALE

Now THERE'S two words that don't go together - Scalamandre and sophisticated, maybe, but Scalamandre and sale? How about Scalamandre and outlet store?

Accessories...

ZEBRA UMBRELLA, $95.00

Wallpapers...

BON OEUF, $71.00 RL

PAVILION BAMBOO, $45.00 RL

Fabrics... I'll take several yards of this!

CASTAWAY, $11.00/YD

And this...

YIN, $26/YD

ITALIAN GARDEN, $54/YD

/Images/Scalamandre/

ALL THE PRETTY PILLOWS

I've fallen off the wagon again - four new pillows in the last month! And I think things are going to get worse, now that I've discovered Overstock.com's supply of pretty, non-pricey pillows. Don't believe me?

$43.99 (set of 2)

$39.99 (set of 2)

$59.99

Images, overstock.com

THE POCKET DECORATOR (iPHONE EDITION)

The iPhone has many uniquely addictive properties, one of which is sticky fingers. Less than 24 hours after I purchased a white iPhone, it was stolen (really? I mean, REALLY?!). I went from tech-glee to trepidation:  had I just acquired an app-enabled Hope Diamond? But, with my new-new iPhone, I've stopped worrying and moved straight on to decorating. The phone, that is:

This is the chinoiserie iPhone cover from Rogue. Can I tell you how much I LOVE this??!! It's absolutely charming. I've ordered it in pagoda orange (see swatch below) with grass green monogram. But if swathing your phone in Blue Willow china patterns isn't for you, check out a few of their other great designs below (I spy some KWID inspired trellis...).

So many great options - switch them out?

On to the interior - here are some apps I've loaded and loved:

Photosynth

iPhone 4 has a great built in camera, but only a professional grade lens can fisheye enough to capture a full room. I hate stumbling across an exciting design in a shop/hotel lobby/friend's living room, and being unable to fit everything into the frame. With Photosynth, you take multiple photos around the space, and Photosynth weaves them all together into one large image or a panorama. Genius! You'll never again wonder what part of a space inspired you.

Code Reader

This app is a box store bonanza - unsure if you're getting a good price on paint? Wallpaper? Linens? Photograph the bar code, and Code Reader gives you a list of local locations selling the same item and their prices. If you're a bargain hunter like me, you may find that it's biggest value is time; I've stopped leaving things on the shelf wondering if there's a "better deal" - then having to return when another store was more expensive or out of stock. And you may decide that a few dollars more doesn't justify another journey across town.

Yard Sale Shopper

I'm afraid of this app. I'm afraid of what the power to know where EVERY estate and/or yard sale in the immediate vicinity may do to me. Yard Sale Shopper combs through local classifieds and creates pin-point maps with descriptions of each sale. Prediction? You may spend the money you save on shopoholics rehab. 

Color Change

This app is the electronic version of Benjamin Moore's sample paint cans. Photograph a space, select the wall (or furniture, lamp shades, etc.) you want to change, and choose from hundreds of colors. Color Change then "repaints" the space in your photograph, for infinite experimentation. Without the aching arms. 

TagReader

More and more stores and media outlets are "tagging" things, and with home decor mags jumping on that wagon, this is one app you shouldn't go without. Hover your camera phone over a tag, photograph it, and the corresponding video/photo/webpage/etc. will show up on your screen. Tags are a bit like easter eggs - they can provide some fun surprises. For instance, House Beautiful featured a tag on a story about Tobi Fairley's new home. I clicked a quick photo of it, and got to watch a fun video of Tobi giving a personal tour of the home. Tres tres tech!

Decomash

This app is a bit hit-or-miss, but it's free and harmless, so go for it. Decomash enables you to photograph a space in your home, and then it performs an art search online, pulling together thumbnails of suggested artworks for photographs. See something you like? Click the image, and you'll be transported to the website to buy. 

AroundMe

I really, really love this app. It's designed to easily point you to the nearest necessities - cafe, movie theater, parking, etc. But, grab the "nearby" feature, and you'll get a picture of all the shops around you, so if you're in the mall or visiting a new town, you won't have to wonder where the good stores are. Just click and stroll!

Color Capture

All the smart paint companies are doing it! This app lets you photog any color you like, then matches it up with a corresponding paint color (and, provides harmonious shades for accenting as well). "Ben" is easy to use, and Benjamin Moore paint is everywhere, so this remains one of the most popular options on the market. One tip:  make your sure you have good lighting when capturing that wayward leaf, fabric, or other inspiration. Shadowing reads darker for the Ben app than it does for your eyes, so light the item up to avoid a mis-match.

What did I miss? If you have a favorite iPhone app (or phone cover) be sure to share your find in the comments!
Images, companies as attributed.

A NEW (NAUTICAL) YEAR

It's the New Year! Time for a fresh start! Even though those half-glass-empty prediction analysts keep telling us that most resolutions don't last more than a week. Ignore them! You can lose 25 pounds, learn French, win a marathon, become an astronaut, and win the lottery - all by next month! And you should look great doing it. You should dress like you're looking to a new horizon. Or sailing off into the sunset. In other words:  now is the time for nautical style. New resort collections are everywhere, but my favorite is Ann Taylor. And won't the great prices help you save on that other resolution - budgeting?

LOVE this necklace! Talk about stylish boat bling!

A few final stripes from Australian Vogue...

/Images/Ann Taylor/Australian Vogue via swingfashionista.com/ Deck picture, thefashionimaginarium.blogspot.com/

WATCH ME - CHEAP AND CHIC

Isn't this sporty little watch cute? Very resort - and so fun thrown on with a few bangles. But I must say it looks slightly... familiar.

Oh yeah!

Introducing a brilliant little invention from HEX, the ipod nano watch band, $24.95 in a selection of  candy-fun colors. Don't forget to customize your ipod nano screen to match, as shown below. 

A great gift for techies or anyone who likes their music on the go (and what about stuffed in a stocking?).

/All images/Apple.com and Shophex.com/

A TO ZEBRA

/THE KATE SPADE SUMMER BON SHOPPER, NOW ON SALE FOR $69./

/The zebra pattern was inspired by Scalamandre's wallpaper, patterning the classic and now closed Gino's of New York, pictured above./

/Images/Gino's/Kate Spade/Gwyneth/Scalamandre/Kate Spade/