Rooms By The Sea, 1951

This room is inspired by the Edward Hopper painting Rooms By The Sea . I've always liked this painting because it's not your typical ocean scene. It's a view of the sea through an opened door. Most likely a rented room for vacationers. I thought it would look nice in an understated beach house dining room. I chose a few punches of colors here and there but for the most part I wanted to stay away from typical beach house decor (buoys, coral, shells, etc).
I really tried to incorporate a nice mix of low-end and high-end items in this room. The table is a little pricey (almost $2000) but it seats 6 and comes in various colors. I love Maine Cottage but their stuff isn't exactly bargain friendly. You could probably pick up a similar table and paint it yourself for a fraction of the cost. I did offset the table's price with chairs from Walmart which are a steal at only $129.99 each! Who knew Walmart had such cute furniture? The rug is a large jute rug that is meant to fit almost the entire room. I think with every room I create it is understood in my mind that there are hardwood floors.

I LOVE the Capiz Shell light from Target and want one for my own non-beach themed dining room. The dinnerware is an absolute steal from K-Mart. Again, who knew the big K had such cute stuff? The paint is hard to see on the computer screen but it's a pale tan called Powder Sand by Benjamin Moore. I thought the name was appropriate for the theme and also the color works well with the muted rug and bright furniture.

Resources:

Carolina Cottage Sausalito Dining Chair in Avacado Green ($129.99) from Walmart
Capiz Shell Floral Pendant Light ($359.99) from Target
Abstract Floral Dinnerware Collection ($5.99-$17.99) from K-Mart
Della Dining Table in French Blue ($1990) from Maine Cottage

LIATORP Buffet with top cabinet ($399) from IKEA
Tina Frey Designs Albert Vase ($200) from Design Public
Rooms by the Sea 27 x 19 framed ($99) from AllPosters.com

Barton Fink

Barton Fink is one of my favorite movies. The 1991 Coen Brothers film tells the strange story of a screenwriter who is holed up in a seedy Hollywood hotel in the early 1940's. He develops writer's block and bizarre hilarity ensues. I wanted to capture the art deco film noir quality of the movie but in a more updated not-so-dark way.

Of course I needed to somehow incorporate a typewriter into the room. Since it's a bedroom I thought an actual typewriter would seem somewhat out of place. Instead I found a print that contained an old-fashioned typewriter and an ocean in the background. This essentially killed two birds with one stone because another plot point in the movie involves a painting of a woman sitting on a beach looking out at the ocean. I also added some "bathing beauties" figurines to capture that aspect of the film.

The bedding presented a challenge for me. It's yellow in the movie but it's also dingy and altogether undesirable. I didn't want something too BRIGHT and cheerful (as most yellow bedding tends to be) but I didn't want something drab and blah either. I think the quilt I chose is a happy medium.

Which leads me to the ever-present wallpaper. I'm normally not a fan of wallpaper but I had to include it as the wallpaper that wouldn't stay put is another big part of the film. The wallpaper I chose is nice because it's pattern isn't too overwhelming. How many times can I say wallpaper?

Resources:

Porto Metal Bed ($549- Queen) from Crate and Barrel
Writing of Waves- Signed Fine Art Photograph 8x8 ($35) from Etsy
Frame - Black 8x8 ($29.99) from Target
Bathing Beauties ($65) from Ballard Designs
San Marino Quilt by Nautica ($99.99 - Queen) from Bed Bath & Beyond
Hand-tufted Masquerade Wool Rug ($469.99 - 8 x 11) from Overstock
Feature Comforts 12" Table Fan ($59.97) from Lowe's
Revelle 6-drawer Chest ($449.99) from Overstock
Clam Shell Alarm Clock ($30) from Design Within Reach
Hayworth Nightstand ($199.95) from Pier 1 Imports
Hamilton Floor Lamp ($199) from Pottery Barn

Water For Elephants

This room is inspired by the bestselling novel Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I wanted to translate an updated not-so-depressing version of the circus during the depression. My goal with this blog is to offer items for the home that are attainable depending on your budget. I also wanted to make this room realistic. I could have gone all out with a crazy circus theme but who would actually decorate their living room that way? Well some people would, and I give them a virtual high five, but I just wanted to reach a middle ground with a little bit kooky and a little bit conventional. I am proud to say I have some inexpensive items from Wal-Mart (the curtains) and two things from Target (the frames and rug). I envision this room to have subtle vertical painted stripes (like a muted big top). The paint colors I chose are Benjamin Moore Savannah Green and Hampton Green.

Resources:

Amelie Sofa, Fathoms ($3,498) from Anthropologie
Florence Accent Chair (only $299) JCPenney
Faux Leather Shade Swag Plug-In Style Pendant ($199.99) from Lamps Plus
Canopy Faux Silk Interlined Charmeuse Drapery Panel, Brick Red ($19.96) from Wal-Mart
Baroque Mirror ($199) from Home Decorators Collection
Elephant print 11X14 ($35) from Etsy
Giraffe Print 11x14 ($35) from Etsy
Majestic Bottles ($29.95-$49.95) from Z Gallerie
Black Distressed Wood Frame 11x14 (16.99 ea.) from Target
Lotus Chest ($1299) from Horchow
Mohawk Home Lava Rug - Red ($639.99) from Target