Tag: Anthropologie

Making it Yours 12: The Lincoln and Dhurrie Armchairs

I asked last week which would be more helpful to see in a new edition of my Making it Yours series: the Lincoln Upholstered Armchair from Pottery Barn or the Dhurrie Chair from Anthropologie. Basically it’s a blank slate vs. a statement piece. It was pretty even at first, but the dhurrie chair did win out in the end.

A few comments suggested doing both, which sounded like a fun challenge! I typically split the series into three designs, showing a piece as the owner’s life and decorating taste changes, and I’m going to stick with that format here again. Rather than do six posts between the two chairs, I’ll create a short narrative and present two options per post. It’s a good exercise in obtaining a similar design through different pieces, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I have been while working on it.

And in related news: I bought two of those dang Lincoln chairs, which I wasn’t planning on when I posted about them last week. I had been considering them for the house, as I’ve been perpetually on the lookout for a pair of matching chairs for the back parlor. At more than $2000 with tax and delivery for two of them though, I was far from rushing to make a purchase. Then two things happened. First, I noticed that American Express was running a sale on a bunch of their Membership Rewards points gift cards, which included instant e-gift certificates to Pottery Barn. Second: I saw the chair marked down about 35% off as a floor model at the Oakbrook PB when I was out that way over the weekend. I hadn’t cashed in my Amex points in a long time so I had enough to buy the floor model outright with some leftover to buy the matching chair at retail, but I still wasn’t sold. Then the sales associate mentioned that some of the other stores in the area might have theirs marked down as a floor model too. She called the Lincoln Park location, confirmed that they also had one, and that solidified the deal. After using my free gift certificates, they ended up costing only $180 each. That’s like them being on sale for 85% off! I brought one chair home with me that day, and we got the other one yesterday.

So now I have extra incentive to see how much mileage I can get out of them in different design scenarios!

August 13, 2014
The Lincoln or Dhurrie Chair?

I’m starting to put together another of my Making it Yours posts, this time around a chair. I’ve been looking at so many recently that I realized the Lincoln Upholstered Armchair from Pottery Barn is nearly identical to the Dhurrie Chair from Anthropologie. Depending on fabric, they’re roughly the same price, too.

So which is more helpful/interesting to see featured for a few different room designs? I’m inclined to go with the Anthro version, because I figure it’s harder to envision multiple ways of incorporating a crazy pattern than it is a neutral fabric, but which would you prefer to see?

August 6, 2014
Style: Sundial Skirt
I love this Sundial Skirt. Love it. I’m sorely tempted to buy it now and save it away for wear a year from now, when I ought to have a waist again after baby number three, but who knows what size I’ll end up at. (Smaller, right? Ha. Hahahaha.) So instead, I’m creating an outfit around it.

I’d wear it as shown, necklace and striped belt included, but I wanted to put together a different take on it here.
1. Strike it Lucky Top, ModCloth
  My favorite blouse shape. Easy to wear, with a little detail at the neckline and sleeves.
2. Ms. G Glasses, Rivet & Sway
  Such a good color, and a flattering shape.
3. Givenchy Dahlia Noire Eau de Parfum, Sephora
  A new favorite. The notes as listed: pink pepper, mandarin, cedrat, rose, peach, cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, and amber.
4. Say Yes “Yes” Necklace”, Kate Spade
  A small but positive statement to keep with you through the day.
5. Daniela Bustos Maya Single Coin Necklace, Madewell
  A good layering necklace to go with the other.
6. The Holepunch Transport Tote, Madewell
  A basic tote, punched up (literally) with a little detail.
7. Sundial Skirt, Anthropologie
  Pretty pretty.
8. Fores Bracelet, Tiro Tiro
  A delicate form that still carries some impact (and a bit of color).
9. Nude Shot Vanilla Beige Nail Polish, Sephora
  The perfect done but not overdone color.
10. Golden Hour Sling-Back Shoes, BHLDN
  Simple, with a nice manageable 2.5″ heel.
April 14, 2014
Teal for the Win

We went out last week as a family to check out the two sofas I was considering. Brandon liked the shape of the blue one considerably more, so that’s the winner. It still hasn’t shown up on Anthropologie’s site, but it’s the Winifred Sofa in teal. The upholstery color is nearly identical to the fabric on this sofa, but with more slubs and variation. Here it is in crazy-town fabric, and in an even longer length.

That photo above is an excellent example of a double parlor, by the way. That furniture layout is actually pretty similar to what I’ve been considering for the new house, but picture windows behind the sofa instead of a doorway.

I was still thinking about taking the gamble and waiting to score a floor model, especially with there being two stores with the sofa in the area. There was candle wax on the one at Oakbrook though, so that brought the odds of success for scoring one in like-new condition down by half. The store was still having its furniture sale through last Sunday, so I went ahead and bought it. It will be our biggest furniture purchase.

July 9, 2013
Sailaway Circle Skirt

This is why I’m not a model.

That skirt though? That’s the reason I posted the photo (another by Arnold Klein).

It’s on sale, about half off, and it’s amazing. It pairs well with a simple top, tucked in, and with heels (in brown, red, camel, black, whatever). Definitely my new favorite thing to wear.

April 22, 2013
Wood Valentines Craft Night (and a How To)
Last week, I hosted a craft workshop at Anthropologie. There were two sessions, with twenty five people in each. We braved the slushy Chicago snow, gathered for crafts (and drinks and treats), and made some cute Valentines. At the end, everyone took home goodies from Pink Loves Brown (assorted pins from my stock), and sample waffle pecan bars from Ticket Chocolate (yum).

Thank you, Anthropologie, for having me, and thank you to everyone who came out! I wish we could have had more time, and more people (I know it sold out really quickly). For those of you who couldn’t make it though, I’ve included a list of supplies and instructions so you can try your hand at making your own.

Look at how cute Kim’s turned out below! (That’s her on the right, above, with me on the other end and Jess Lively in the middle.) You can see how the little clip part works, and you can position the clothespins so that you can put notes and photos at the top or bottom, or both if you wish.

Supplies
- wood slices between 4-6″ (I was going to use birch, but then decided that mossy hickory slices were prettier)
- acrylic craft paint (I brought black, white, red, a pretty blue, and gold)
- paintbrush(es)
- mini clothespins
- paper silhouettes (you can download my templates and use a silhouette cutting machine to cut them, or draw your own and use an x-acto knife)
- white glue
Instructions

This is an easy craft to do. Paint your wood slice first. Stripes are easy, and you can even mask them off with painter’s tape if you’re not confident about your painting ability. Polka dots, circles, and following the rings of the wood are all good choices too. Next, glue the mini clothespins to your silhouettes, either one in the center, or one at the top (facing up) and one at the bottom (facing down). Once your clothespinned silhouettes are dry, along with the painted wood slice, glue them together. You could just use the clips too, and skip the silhouette people. Done! And cute.
February 12, 2013