MicasaStyle.com Will Be Taken Down March 10, 2009
Regrettably, we will be closing the doors on MicasaStyle.com as of March 10, 2009.
Although we love decorating and have been blown away by some of our user’s fabulous rooms, it is time for us to end our foray into online interior design ideas.
This is not a decision that we enter into lightly as we have invested our hearts into building MicasaStyle. As well, MicasaStyle has developed a very loyal and creative group of core members who have dug deep to make MicasaStyle the inviting and inspiring place that it is today.
Unfortunately though, in order to continue, we need to see growth. We have tried to market the site in many different ways and yet the actual growth has been limited.
Therefore, we would like to take this time to thank all of those users who have actively participated in MicasaStyle by sharing their homes, dreams and unique styles. It is because of you that MicasaStyle has become so full of decorating ideas and enthusiasm.
Also, we’d like to give a special thanks to those of you who participated in our Design Spotlights and gave us a sneak peak into your inspiration for such exciting design ideas.
We wish you the best as you continue on your journeys and hope that you enjoyed your time here at MicasaStyle.
Thank you,
MicasaStyle Admin
New Features At MicasaStyle
We would like to announce a few new features we've added to MicasaStyle to give our users a better experience. We hope you enjoy our new additions and we will continue to work hard to make this site the best it can be.
1. Email NotificationsYou may have noticed some emails in your inbox from MicasaStyle lately. To help make communicating with other members easier, we've added a feature that will email you to let you know when someone has commented on any of your spaces.
If you'd prefer not to be notified when a comment is made, you have the option to turn off this feature by simply going to your profile page (My Stuff) and editing your email notifications.
2. Email Verification at Sign UpWe have added an email verification feature for new users. This will mean that when a new user signs up to MicasaStyle, an email will be sent to the email address provided. The new user will be required to click on a link within the email to verify this is a valid email address before they can use the site.
We hope this feature will help develop a solid community of people who are passionate about decorating and genuinely want to participate in a constructive way.
Please note: This will not affect any user who already has an account. This feature is only for new sign ups.
We hope these new features will make this site even better and we'd like to thank all our MicasaStyle members for helping to build such a strong, sharing community!
Labels: email, features, micasa, micasastyle, new, notification, verfication
MicasaStyle’s Design Spotlight – Spa Bathroom
MicasaStyle’s Design Spotlight is proud to be shining brightly on designer
KathySue this week and her
Small But Spa-like Bathroom. The beautiful, serene colors and attention to detail caught our eye and we just had to have more information about the design of this room.
Although the bathroom is small, KathySue has made the most of the space and created a functional, open and very attractive room.
KathySue describes herself as a very detailed person and after hearing about her meticulous planning, we definitely agree. She began by laying out the entire remodel of the bathroom and decided on the ocean as her inspiration. She wanted to incorporate the colors of water, sand, clouds and sky into this space and naturally her first thought went to mosaic tile. Since she is also a huge fan of white tile, it seemed the perfect fit for her shower and toilet area.
After the main colors we’re picked, the detailed planning began. She designed the wall of the shower on graph paper to make certain the cuts would be even and also made sure the bench in the sitting area was at the perfect height for leg shaving. But it wasn’t just a detailed plan that produced this amazing room; it was also KathySue’s determination to design the room the way she had envisioned it.
As with any project, there were a few bumps in the road but she didn’t let that ruin the feel she was going for. She didn’t settle on mediocre pieces, but instead, hunted for items that were the ‘perfect fit’. By shopping around for the perfect pieces, she was actually able to score some really great deals, like the mirror ($89) and vessel sink ($200) that she purchased at Lowe’s.
She considers her biggest success the tiled shower wall since it had to be well thought out and measured precisely to fit without any gaps. However, her favorite piece (and ours too), is the mosaic tile. The colors and style of the tile backdrop create a wonderful sea-like feel and is by far the most eye-catching piece in the entire room.
Some may consider all the attention to detail over the top, but we admire the time and effort KathySue put into this room. We think she created a perfect marriage of design and functionality, which is the ultimate goal of any designer - amateur or professional.
We’d like to end this post with a quote from KathySue that describes exactly how we think that someone should decorate their home. “I always go for ‘feel’ rather than a look. If the house doesn’t ‘feel’ like I want it, it just becomes a well decorated house not a home.” We couldn’t agree more. Thanks to KathySue for sharing her home with us.
You can check out this space and many more from her at
MicasaStyle.com.
Labels: decorate, design ideas, interior design, micasa, micasastyle, spotlight
A Traditional Dining Room
Contributed by Susan Zaring of Material Girls.One of the first projects I decorated was a lovely home built in the 1880's with fantastic bones and detail throughout. The clients wanted to stay true to this aesthetic (the owner loves antiques and having a comfortable "lived-in" feel) but also wanted to create a space that was reflective of the architecture with a neutral palette and great flow since they love to entertain and gather in the space.
After
The dining room is quite unique with two sets of French doors - one looking to the family room and the other opening to a sun room - and most of the activity is spent in these areas so capitalizing on the abundance of light was a top priority. We first started with a paint palette to complement the adjoining rooms and chose Ralph Lauren Urban Loft: Architectural Cream, a go-to color that adds a clean crisp look to any room.
The client had pine chairs that we refinished and slip covered with a linen paisley print that was inspired off of an old print the client had. We found a beautiful pine table from a flea market in Virginia that was a brilliant bargain. It went perfectly with the chairs and complements the Oriental rug that was purchased at ABC Home. The rug was the largest investment but it definitely adds cohesiveness to the space and grounds all the pieces. We also refinished the pine floorboards to deepen the color and to add lasting texture. Lastly, the tableware and linens were purchased at a wonderful antique store called Old Lucketts Store in Leesburg, VA.
After
We actually spent a great deal of time rummaging through the flea markets in Virginia and found many great stores and this one in particular is a favorite. They offer everything from French provincial pieces, great items for the garden, and fantastic linens. The table top is completely characteristic of the clients; laid back and relaxed yet refined and classic. This dining room provides dual function for both entertaining and lounging. The client's seem to spend most of their time here now and have truly enjoyed the new changes.
Labels: after, before, decor, decorating ideas, design ideas, dining room, interior design, micasa, micasastyle, traditional
MicasaStyle's Design Spotlight - Master Bedroom
It’s time for another edition of
MicasaStyle’s Design Spotlight. This time around we’re highlighting a room with a slightly larger budget than last time, but equally amazing. We chose ‘
Master Bedroom’ by
mysweetsavannah because it truly embodies what a bedroom should be: a retreat. Her choice of colors, fabrics and décor create an inviting, peaceful environment perfect for a long night’s slumber.
As usual, we got in touch with our designer, Melaine, to find out just how she created this beautiful room. Simplicity and sophistication were her ‘must haves’ and we think she pulled it off. Her choice of neutrals and punches of black with a daring hint of animal print, give this room a clean, traditional look without being too shabby chic. But the real question here is how did she find all those great pieces to decorate with? Turns out, Melaine is a very thrifty shopper and has knack for bringing life back to old, unwanted pieces.
The bench at the foot of the bed was a flea market find and flows beautifully with the theme of the room. The chair in the corner was found at a thrift store and with bit of cream spray paint and a garage sale pillow it looks totally revived. And although the bed and one of the nightstands were purchased new, the matching nightstand was actually from a thrift store and Melaine painted and distressed it to match. You wouldn’t even know!
Of course, no room décor is complete without some crafty, creative touches from the decorator herself. One of the most eye-catching pieces in the room is the display of photos over the bed. All it took were some photo enlargements and a few $15.00 frames from IKEA and Melaine added a personal touch to her space. She also added a touch of whimsy with the ‘happily ever after’ sign she painted herself that is displayed above the photos.
We could go on about the embroidered and monogrammed pillows, the rich paint colors or the elegant cornices above the windows, but we’ll let the pictures and Melaine’s decorating talent speak for itself. In Melaine’s words, the whole room evolved over time and the pieces she used ‘screamed at her’, which we think is a wonderful way to create a space. A room, especially a bedroom, should reflect one’s tastes and style and by allowing the pieces to ‘find’ you, it creates a room the truly expresses oneself.
A special thanks to Melaine for letting us share her work. To see more of her room, check out
Master Bedroom at MicasaStyle.com.
Labels: bedroom, decor, decorating, decorating ideas, design ideas, feature, master, micasa, micasastyle, traditional
Do You Love MicasaStyle?
MicasaStyle has been nominated for the
DivineCaroline 2008 Love This Site! Awards. It is thrilling to be nominated and we are so glad that DivineCaroline.com is providing recognition for sites that work hard to provide great content and features for their readers.
So if you love MicasaStyle we would appreciate you taking the time to cast your vote over at DivineCaroline.com. You can find us
here or just by looking around the Home & Food category. There are lots of great sites nominated for these awards so feel free to vote for all of your favorites. The contest ends November 30, 2008 so be sure to vote today!
Click on the badge below for easy voting and thanks for all of your support!
Labels: 2008, awards, divinecaroline, micasa, micasastyle
Creating A Vintage Kitchen In A 1950’s Ranch
Contributed by Liz from
Mabel's House.
Our house was built in 1952, a year when atomic fabric, turquoise appliances, and June Cleaver were at their zenith. Unfortunately, when we came into possession of our beloved ranch, the kitchen was less than exciting. Gone was the 50’s charm and in its place a dimly lit, gold painted den of claustrophobia.
After
The only source of light was a large flickering fluorescent fixture, which emitted a blue tinged hue onto the gold painted walls; creating a nauseating effect. To make matters worse, there was no pantry of any kind.
I began to collect pictures of kitchens like a woman possessed. I tore them out of magazines, downloaded them from the internet, and on one occasion I whipped out my ever present camera and took pictures of a friend’s kitchen during a dinner party. Apparently, obsession knows no bounds.
After
My first mission was to find breakfast area furniture. I began to haunt flea markets and yard sales. We purchased the hutch/shelf at an antique mall for $75 and painted it a crisp white.
The table and chairs were not as easy to find, but eventually I stumbled onto this set (a bit worse for wear with scratches and a burn mark, but solid oak) for a mere $65 at a yard sale. The woman selling them was getting divorced and these had been her ex-mother-in-law’s. She couldn’t sell them fast enough. As Tony Curtis said in
Operation Petticoat, “Where there is chaos there is profit.” I painted them to match the hutch.
We found pantry space in the broom closet next to the refrigerator. Then we chose a pale, dove gray wall color to brighten up the space and contrast with the white cabinets. It’s Seashell Gray by Valspar and available at
Lowes. It’s the perfect neutral; airy with a seaside cottage feel.
After
We replaced the large fluorescent fixture, choosing a stainless track light to compliment the stainless appliances. We also added a pendant light (also purchased at
Lowes) in the breakfast area. Never underestimate the difference lighting can make; it seemed to add another 100 square feet to the space.
As far as accessorizing, I used vintage bowls and pottery acquired from antique malls and yard sales. An inexpensive chalk board (the trim spray painted white) hangs near the fridge and pantry. In the breakfast nook window I hung lace café curtains (from
Wal-Mart) and an embroidered valance from an estate sale.
For more vintage inspired rooms decorated on a budget, please feel free to swing by and visit us at
Mabel’s House.
Labels: 1950, after, before, decor, decorating, decorating ideas, interior design, kitchen, micasa, micasastyle, ranch, vintage
