Obsessed: Strange Design Ideas I Am Crushing On.

By Mandi 01/09/2012

Usually I am pretty secretive about the designs that I have up the sleeves in my brain. But I am DYING over my new living room design and I thought that I would see who was on the band wagon and who thinks I might be going a little too far…(FYI its not going to change my mind either way, I am just curious.) If you want to see what my living room looks like right now you can Tour My Home.

Also this is not a joke. I am FOR REAL obsessed with this stuff right now. Please don’t unsubscribe to Vintage Revivals for fear that I suck. You really need to stick around to see how this all turns out!

Southwest.

I’m bringin’ Southwest back. (Sung to the tune by Mr. Timberlake)

Yes you heard that right. SOUTHWEST. I love it!! Backstory. My whole entire childhood was spend idolizing my Grandpa. He loved everything Native American and so of course I did too. I am so excited to have found a way to bring it into my house! Check out this picture of our family cabin I took this summer:

Cabin

I cannot wait to show you how I am using it in my living room!!

Patchwork Denim.

About 6 months ago my Mother in Law introduced me to the Serena and Lily catalog. Holy amazing bedding. But the thing that stood out so strongly to me was this patchwork denim wall hanging. I think I have finally figured out a way to bring old denim into my space.

Pinned Image

 

Wood Grain and Plywood.

Dudes. You know I love me a good wood grain. Remember my awesome Faux Bois glitter lampshade?

Wood Grain Lampshade 030

 

And the amazing bicycle art in my entryway?

How to make Art

Well I just finished a cool project for my now 3 yr old that is going to knock your socks off! Hopefully I will be able to reveal it in the next week or so…cause you know I have to repaint all of the walls in her bedroom first right?!

So what do you think?

And more importantly are there any strange design trends that you are crushing on?!

Love Your Guts

61 thoughts on “Obsessed: Strange Design Ideas I Am Crushing On.”

  1. Can’t wait to see what you come up with! From what I’ve seen, it’s going to be fabulous!

    It’s always good to put a bit of soul in your house. I love when there’s a personal link to your life (your grandpa). That’s what makes it a home.

    Kim (Plumberry Pie)

  2. You’re amazing, and I am absolutely ga ga over most everything you do. But living in AZ my whole life, I’ve been bombarded with yucky, kitchy southwest decor and it makes me a little sick to my stomach. That being said, you’ll probably do it amazingly and win me over to the dark side. Go ahead, I dare ya! 😉

    Loving Faux Boix right now as well. Can’t wait to try it out myself! Still waiting on the right piece.

  3. My Sister had a southwest decor a while back and it was done veery tastefully and was gorgeous! Things like that can be awesome when done right and we all know that you would do it right! 🙂

  4. I’m on board with the denim and wood grain/plywood. The southwest, however, isn’t so aesthetically pleasing when I envision it. I look forward to seeing your take on it. I’ll have to wait to pass judgement until then. =)

  5. I’m really, REALLY digging Southwest right now. The last time I saw it used widely, there was a lot of peach and turquoise and cheesiness. I think with a modern twist, it’s warm, inviting, and fun. Can’t wait to see how you incorporate it!

    I’m a little more wary on the patchwork denim…but knowing your style, you’ll do something incredible and change my mind. 🙂

  6. I already love the wood grains, and can appreciate a little southwestern… But I don’t know about the patchwork denim…haha!

  7. I’ve never been into Southwest decor until I saw Ralph Lauren’s house on Oprah. I died. And then pretty much wanted to do an entire makeover of my house RL style. Happy creating. Can’t wait to see how it turns out.

  8. I am not a fan of southwest or the denim, but I am curious to see what you have planned. Who knows maybe you’ll make a convert out of me?!

  9. I wasn’t really a fan of Southwest in design until I took my honeymoon in 2010. We traveled all around the Southwest (road trip from Kansas to Arizona and back) and now I have a little of it fused into our place now! You know I stopped at every thrift store I could find!! I also love the denim wall hanging you found, it reminds me of comforters my mom had made for my brother and I when we were younger out of our old jeans. 🙂

  10. I love your blog. SW would add an interesting mix. I can’t wait to see what great projects you come up with. My sister in law is in love with the SW look…she gave me an old catalog from a place called the Crow’s nest…here is their website…I think you will love their stuff..https://www.crowsnesttrading.com

  11. I absolutely LOVE the denim wall hanging. My husband and I were in the Navy and after we got out I saved all of our denim uniforms. I’ve always planned to make 2 lap quilts out of the denim for our 2 boys. If I ever get the hang of sewing that is!
    I’m a new follower of yours, hoping maybe you’ll follow back on my blog? http://www.scrapityanne.com
    Looking for readers, and people who comment. I can use all the help I can get. Thanks!
    Lynn

  12. Well, thanks for the warning?, I guess. haha! Not a fan of any of those things or even a fan of trends in general, but your blog is awesome, your room designs are awesome, so whatever you come up with will be awesome and probably change my mind!

  13. I think there is a way to bring Southwest back! However, when southwest is mentioned, I think that people automatically go to the 80’s pastel turquoise,pinks, and beiges, with all of the knick knacks too.

    You bringing it back? What I hear is some fun and interesting way of incorporating what you love in a modern fun way.

    I can’t wait to see what you have planned.

  14. I love wood grain. Love. 🙂 Not so sure about the southwest vibe but I’m sure what you’re putting together will be awesome. I’m still trying to like the brass….but just can’t. Your house is way cooler than mine though and I’ve never been on tv so what do I know? 😉

  15. Haha, just yesterday I was on KSL and saw the Southwest couch we had in our basement growing up (it shows up on there fairly frequently…ole RC Willey must have sold a lot of them), and I found myself wondering if it could be made to look cool in a new setting, and if Southwest in general would make a reappearance. And here you are, about to bring it back! I definitely don’t dig it overall, but one thing I am loving lately as I look for a vintage rug for my living room is all the beautiful Navajo rugs. Unfortunately the colorways and care requirements – *toddlers in the house* – don’t work for me, but yeah, I’m excited to see you get all cuckoo-for-Kokopelli up in your house!!

  16. There’s certain elements that appeal to my bohemian style but most of it is just too over the top. Will be interesting to see how you bring it in, especially since your master is as un-Southwestern as can be 🙂

  17. If you can find a way to make me fall in love with Southwestern design, you are the new AWESOME! I just don’t know if I can ever love it. But I’m open… 🙂

    BTW are those pink chairs in your family cabin? They are sweet!

  18. Oh for the love!! Please don’t cheese up your livingroom with a dream catcher 😉 I would hardly call southwest a current trend. There is a reason you pretty much only see that look regionally. That being said, I hate it when people try to follow the “rules” when decorating or use current trends when they don’t even like them just to keep their design where the current market says they should be. You should always be you own person, using the colors/design that speak to you. Be yourself with abandon! Make the risky choice, use the colors everyone hates except for you, love your house without being concerned with what someone else thinks, move away from the safe harbor. I might not like it but I wouldn’t unsubscribe. The fun is too see other perspectives right? 😉

  19. Oh for the love!! Please don’t cheese up your livingroom with a dream catcher 😉 I would hardly call southwest a current trend. There is a reason you pretty much only see that look regionally. That being said, I hate it when people try to follow the “rules” when decorating or use current trends when they don’t even like them just to keep their design where the current market says they should be. You should always be you own person, using the colors/design that speak to you. Be yourself with abandon! Make the risky choice, use the colors everyone hates except for you, love your house without being concerned with what someone else thinks, move away from the safe harbor. I might not like it but I wouldn’t unsubscribe. The fun is too see other perspectives right? 😉

  20. Sorry for the double post. Typing a response while jogging on a treadmill can be tricky 😉

  21. Sorry for the double post. Typing a response while jogging on a treadmill can be tricky 😉

  22. i love dreamcatchers and feathers. i have them everywhere. im not personally diggin the denim. but i love the woodgrain. espically that awesome bike on plywood!!!

  23. So glad I found your blog! We’re about to buy a house and I love your ideas! I’m interested in seeing how you do Southwest. Most likely we’ll be buying a pueblo style home and it would look crazy with ultra modern inside. 😉

  24. I can not wait to see if you can bring SW decor out of the 80’s pink and teal/dream catcher purgatory. If you can do this you can do anything!! Mandi for president?!?! I would love to see you Thrifty Glam the White House. 😉
    Jamie R

  25. I agree with Sabrina- if you can make me fall in love with Southwest, you are the WOMAN.
    If there’s some way to not make me think of truck-stop turquoise jewelry, sand sculptures and zig-zags in rusty colors… I’m sure you can do it.

    But even if we disagree on the Southwest, I will forever love glittery wood grain and, of course, I like big bikes and I cannot lie.

  26. You have my interest peaked. I’m not a fan of the Southwestern decor, but I do have an open mind! Love your family cabin, though! How much fun would that be getting to visit as a kid? I wouldn’t unsubscribe regardless. I love a blog that is willing to take a chances. Who knows maybe your reveal would change my mind on sw decor?! Now that’s exciting! https://designfluff.blogspot.com/

  27. I’m SW only if I am staying in a huge nice cabin in Park City? I don’t know how that would fare with your vintage entryway…
    As for the denim well I could whip you one up in about a couple of hours if you’d like. Fringe and all.
    A

  28. I might have to stop following you if one of those pastel turquoise and peach howling coyote sculptures ever makes an appearance in one of your rooms. That barred, I am totally in. I love me some Southwest organic feel in a room, and it can be done SOOOO well. (Well, it can be done SOOOOOO wrong too, but I BELIEVE in you!) Can’t wait to see what you’re up to 🙂

  29. Girl one of those pics reminded me of my MIL’s house. I won’t judge. My new bizarro obsession has all my friends donating their “ugly” crap to me (which is AWESOME!) Let’s just say all colors of gold and brass in all their glory are livin large in my house right now (sconces, mirrors, chandy’s, picture frames, you name it) LOVE!

  30. i totally agree with jamie r. up there. please no pink+teal. but dude, you can rock it. i know you can! when a person loves it, it is always awesome. and you are brilliant.
    (basically.)

  31. I love the southwest look too. I only have it in an area rug. Even the gross pastel 80s southwest look can be good if done discerningly. I am interested to see what you come up with.

  32. about southwest again, do you ever watch that show Medium? It is set in Phoenix. Often the sets, like inside of people’s houses on that show, have the southwest theme. My husband makes fun of me for always looking at the decor when watching TV/movies. But anyway, some nice looking stuff on that show sometimes, if you look into the background of the shots.

  33. Just about fell over when I saw the painted hide in the upper right corner of the cabin photo. I have something very, very similar in my house which is all done in lodge/western type decor. And criminy! I live in Florida! Cannot wait to see your fabulous rendering of the Southwestern look. Cheers!

  34. I’m loving wood grain myself… I am loving black wood floors right now…especially with a little wear..it looks so moody… Maybe with a giant vintage map set on the floor and leaning against a wall.

  35. Okay….I’m going to admit….I cringed a little when I saw the southwest thing….but I have faith and I know you will make it amaze-balls!! Soooo….I can’t wait to see it all!!! C’mon!!! Hurry it up already! 🙂

  36. Is peacock a strange design to crush on? If so I then I have a strange crush lol I used to love some southwest, so I am very curious how you can make that current. I haven’t been disappointed yet…and likely I won’t be this time either!

  37. I donated a bunch of fabric (my MIL had been collecting then dumped on me) to the DI about 3 or so months ago. There was a lot of old patterns and also included a queen size, pieced denim quilt top. I couldn’t do anything with it and was tired of storing it all.

  38. I am sure you will class up southwest and give it the mandilious touch, but I have seen enough howling coyotes and indian stuff to make me barf a bit in my mouth. I look forward to see what you come up with. Good luck
    Hal

  39. While I don’t hate it, I’m not a huge fan of Southwest decor. That being said, I’m sure that whatever you come up with I’ll end up loving and have to do the exact same thing! Oh, the magical powers you wield lol.

  40. Southwest, and Navajo in particular, have been coming back for awhile now. Take a look at “The Brick House”. She uses the trend tastefully. Also, take a look at the price of a Pendleton blanket on Ebay these days. At one time you couldn’t give them away, and now you can’t afford them. All design trends come back.

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