Happyroost Interiors' New Website is Live!

I'm so excited to show all of you my new website that I've been working on for months now! My own wedding and then sickness set me back but I still managed to get it done! Please check it out and give me some feedback! Also, please feel free to "like" me on facebook. I finally made a business page on there! Let me know what you think! (sorry I just used a bazillion exclamation points but I'm reeeeeeally excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

CLICK HERE

Haunted Houses

Woo hoo! It's Friday! And it's Halloween weekend! I thought I would leave you with something for this spooktacular season (yes, I know I'm a huge dork!) and also let you know that this is my 100th blog post! I can't believe that I've managed to find so many things to b.s. write about!

These amazing photographs of abandoned homes really fit the mood of Halloween. However, I also find them sad. I wish I could buy them all, fix them all up, and show them and their ghosts some lovins! 

 

 

Our Wall of Photography is Finished!

As promised, here are the pictures of our finished photo arrangement wall. All of the photos were taken by my husband Brian (wow, it still feels weird saying "husband" having only been married for 2 months!) and most of the photos are of memories we share together; vacation to Colorado, 4th of July in Georgia, our puppy Alfie in Kentucky, a trip to Kent (where I went to school) sunrise on our honeymoon in Jamaica, and interesting shots of our tandem bike that Brian proposed to me on :)

Here's the before shot: It really was just a blank wall. For some reason this wall never got any attention since I moved in in December!

 

Here's a shot during the process. We cut out all the cardboard backs of the boxes the frames were packaged in so that we could easily tape them on the wall to create our arrangement. This makes the hanging process go much faster. 

 

And here's the after!!

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It definitely gives the living room a more finished feel. Now our antique dresser looks more at home with some friends like this little guy:

I know that taping up cardboard/paper templates is a pretty well-known picture hanging technique, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret that you may not know. This is my secret to getting my frames to hang perfectly straight (because I would go crazy otherwise!)

Velcro Stickers!!!

These little guys can be found at any craft store and cost only a couple of bucks for a pack. I stick two together (velcro sides together) and then stick them on one or two corners of the frame, pushing it against the wall. These really keep the frames from shifting around and don't do any damage to the wall when you remove them. They can also straighten out frames that are just slightly crooked - that way you won't have to make another hole.




But like any designer, my work is never complete. I still feel like it needs something else............

 

I've had my eye on this museum lighting from Pottery Barn for a couple of weeks now. They have another option that comes with 3 fixtures and it would fit perfectly over our arrangement! It's also dark in our living room so we could always use extra lighting - plus it will go nicely with the style of our home. Usually track lighting is contemporary looking and that would probably look pretty ridiculous in our arts and crafts home - especially next to the rose stained glass in the front door!

I love this little ottoman from West Elm. I think it would add a little sass to the living room without distracting too much from the dresser.

 

What do you guys think?

New Website Coming Soon!

My new company website is scheduled to launch soon. I'm building the website myself and with being sick for almost four weeks now, it's a little behind. Can't wait for it to be finished and for all of you to see it!

Here's a little taste for what's in store.....

I'll keep you posted!

Laura

Photo Arrangements on a Wall

 I think everyone needs a good photo arrangement in their home whether it's family photos, family history, artwork, or just things you like. As long as they're hung uniform (whether neat OR messy as you'll see below) and in a grouping, just about anything goes. The arrangement will add a lot of warmth and visual interest to the space, as well as the perfect opportunity to personalize it any way you wish. Brian and I have been working on our own arrangement in our living room of his photography so I will share that later this week!

I love all these unique portraits! That would be such a fun thing to collect.

 

I love this idea. This could be done really cheap and the possibilities are endless. This would be so cool to put wallpaper in the frames for a living room, or one continuous painting, or even solid colors forming a geometric pattern in a kid's room.

This image is my favorite! I love how rich and studious it feels!

Arrangements can be cluttered and eclectic, or neat and simple!

Pictures don't necessarily have to be hung straight (though this would make me crazy!) Or they can be integrated with another collection.

I love this last idea as well. This adds so much personality to an otherwise boring and pretty useless space! Think about the end of a hallway, entrance near the garage door or back door, or a niche. Bathroom maybe? What about the space behind a door that usually stays open? It would make for a fun surprise for whenever the door closes to reveal the arrangement.  

 

Hope this gives you some good ideas. Now get a-hangin'! Stay tuned for pictures of my own arrangement later this week!

Lovely Wreaths for Fall

I'm loving these natural, beautiful wreaths. All of these just look so welcoming! 

 You can find similar wreaths on Frontgate's website.

I don't know the source of this image but I don't imagine it being too difficult to make! Probably more difficult keeping the squirrels away from it once it's finished :)

These wreaths made from corn husks (along with lots of other fall decorations!) can be found in The Keeper's House etsy shop.

Make this wreath from Midwest Living yourself!

Learn how to make this gorgeous wreath from corn husks on Martha Stewart's website!

Felt Rosette Wreath on Etsy

Pumpkin Pie Berry Wreath on Etsy

Dried Lavender Wreath from Pottery Barn

Retro Rooms

Retro is back and all things mid-century modern are in. I first fell in love with this style period as a design student in my history of furniture class. The images in my textbook seemed to jump off the pages at me because of the uniqueness of the pieces. They're comfortable often with rich wood tones or fun, bright colors and have the amazing ability to fit into just about any surrounding. This design period is also interesting because many of those growing up with this style are still around today. Case in point, I remember the first time antique shopping with my parents after coming home from school and they noticed me pointing out all the modern** pieces. When gushing over one item in particular, my dad remarked "it just looks outdated to me." At first I thought psssssh, that's just the opinion of a typical out of touch parent. But then it got me thinkin; what's going to be cool when I have kids? What crazy, ridiculous things are going to come back into style again that we'll gag at?

While you ponder that, here are some amazing retro-inspired rooms to get your juices flowing.

(also provides me with some inspiration for the retro-ish living room I'm working on!)

www.heals.co.uk

Retro to go

Jonathon Adler

architects for life

Apartment Therapy

**quick pet peeve about the word modern and its incorrect usage by many people today when describing design: "modern" actually refers to a period of design - mid-century modern - between 1945-1965. When referring to a piece of furniture that's "modern," as in cutting edge by today's standards, the correct term is contemporary. O.k., that's all my whining for today! Sorry, but using this term interchangeably can get confusing!!