Shop Like a Design Blogger: Isabella and Max Rooms

I'm thrilled this week to welcome Janell of Isabella & Max Rooms here to Odi et Amo, who will be sharing with us a number of sources that are completely new to me. Janell's blog is a neverending source of eye candy for me as the steady progress she's made decorating her lovely Portland home leaves me breathless. Janell's boundless creativity and energy are so inspiring.

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Thanks for asking me to participate in this wonderful series, Averill. Each week I look forward reading what resources are listed and have been introduced to some wonderful new ones as a result. As many of my favorite vendors and stores have already been mentioned, I'll attempt to list a few resources that you may be less familiar with. (With the exception of HomeGoods, which I just had to talk about!)

1~ Online Fabric Store

Talk about a generic name! I recently found this online fabric resource when looking for a better price on the Robert Allen geometric print called Cats Cradle in Papaya. Listed at $49.99 retail, this site was selling it for $15.25 a yard! You can bet I placed an order immediately!

2~ HomeGoods

If you have read my blog you know I love HomeGoods! This store is one of my favorite places to find lamps. Sometimes more than one visit is required to find just the right style waiting on the shelves. But, when you consider the savings, it is well worth the effort. And at these prices, if you don't like the color, just change it!

3~ Cielo Home

This wonderfully chic shop, located in the trendy Pearl neighborhood of Portland, is a favorite place of mine to visit for a big dose of inspiration. The owners have a great eye for mixing new finds and stunning antiques. Stores like this, found in many cities, are great places to visit for ideas on how to mix old pieces with the new to achieve an eclectic look.

4~ BetterWall

This site sells authentic street banners purchased from museums and cities after a show closes and the banners are taken off the streets. Recycling at its finest! I have a street banner from the opening of Crissy Field in San Francisco, and it is one of my favorite pieces of "art". The banners look great hung in large open spaces, but equally dramatic in a small area where the banner nearly covers the entire space.

Flying Circus, from the opening of Crissy Field celebration in San Francisco

Maps: Finding Our Place In The World

Grandma Moses: Grandmother To A Nation

5~ Nettleton Hollow

If a design calls for quality decorative branches, this is the place to go!



6~ French Canvas

Painting your own canvas can be a great way to bring art into a space, even if it is simply painted a favorite color. Just by having a canvas in an unusual size can make it look special. French Canvas makes quality, made to order canvases which are reasonably priced. In the bedroom below a long narrow canvas creates a dramatic focal point above the length of the headboard.

7~ RugsUsa

With many online resources for area rugs, I consistently find good styles at RugsUsa. I start my search on this site by seeing what styles Surya has to offer. Here are a couple of my current favorites.

Surya Fallon in Brown

Surya Archive in Navy

This has certainly proven to be a popular series, Averill! Thank you for having me and I look forward to reading the next post to see what other resources people will share.

Next Week's Guest Blogger: Beth from Chinoiserie Chic.