Gilded Age

Sometimes all the polish you need is a little well-placed, tasteful gold. 

via MaterialGirls

Keep an eye out for gilt mirrors at flea markets and antique shops. They're not too hard to find, and you might be surprised what a good a deal you can snag!

via DecorPad

Mirrors like these might look old fashioned when you find them in the attic and dust them off...but they can add extra history and dimension to a room whose other features are updated. It's all about context!

via DecorPad

I love all the different sizes, shapes, and textures of gold frames. 

Do you have any gold adorning your house?

And the winner is...!

Congratulations to the drawing winner, #8 who is SARAH from A Spoonful of Dish!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered. We'll do it again soon!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: 

Result:

8Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Feeling adventurous?

I am dying to help somebody wallpaper a room. Can I try it out on you? 

Just a small little room... I think the perfect way to dip your toe in with wallpaper is to just do a hallway, or a 1/2 bathroom...

Pretty please? 

Let me convince you. 

We can use this "Fireworks" print from Albert Hadley, as seen in House Beautiful:

It even comes in red:

The ultimate in feminine--

Mimou wallpaper lining a hallway:

Anything from Mimou is pretty much guaranteed to be gorgeous. 

These next two remind of of a beautifully-illustrated Cinderella story book I had when I was younger:

Botanical themes are very popular...

via Homes and Property

via GDLane Interiors

...as are geometric prints:

via Casa Decor

via High Fashion Home

... and new twists on animal prints:

via Decor Pad

via Texas Home and Living

And bold florals are HUGE right now. Ready to jump in?

via Luxury Home Decoration

via TheLennox

via CocoCozy

My favorite out of the whole bunch:

Hygge & West Wallpaper via Design Sponge

So what are your thoughts on wallpaper being "back in?" Are you right there along with it?

I know I am loving it. 

If you're feeling tempted and you just want to start small, then choose a room that you don't spend much time in, and pick a print that you'll like day after day for at least a few years. (Or sooner if you like to play house often!)

Happy Monday! 

Last chance to enter my giveaway---drawing is tonight!

Giveaway- One More Day!

Enter away!

I'll be choosing tonight (Monday.) Probably out of a hat...maybekins Random.org. We'll see!

Over the weekend I heard from Jessica at Under Construction that I won her book giveway: I'm SO excited! Thanks again, Jessica. Can't wait to curl up with the book! Go check out her blog if you get the chance!

Weekend Sleep-in

Amanda Nisbet

epitome of elegance

Favorite features: light fixture, nightstands, headboard 

Friday Dedication...

suziebeezie

This one is dedicated to...

Yes, all my ladies! My sister, my S.inLaw, my kindred spirits, partners in crime, old roommates and besties, travel companions, office mates and coworkers... I know it's cheesy and corny and I don't even care! Shout it from the rooftops. I love you all. My friends from college and high school, I miss you. I wish we could gather 'round this very table and catch up in person! 

Today I feel so lucky because I get to go to Kansas City and catch up with my dear friend from Madison---Carrielee! She's going wedding dress shopping and I get to follow along!

Personal Heaven much? Thank you Carrielee!

Au revoir until tomorrow my readers. Happy Friday!


PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Trendy Color-Combos

You don't have to look far to see what colors are "hot" these days! Trendy colors span from interiors, to fashion, and even to wedding design. 

Here are some of the trends I'm really loving:

Yellow and Gray:

 via Houzz

Purple/ Lavender and White:

via Houzz

Coral and Aqua:

via House of Turquoise

What's your favorite trend you've seen out and about lately? 

Add a Touch of Whimsy

You know what's the bomb-diggity?...

(Fully aware that is so 1999 to say)

...Rooms that showcase the 

PERSONALITY of the person living there! 

Personality-infused, whimsical, fun filled spaces tickle this Room Polisher's heart.

Exhibits 1-3:

via Lovely Design

I love love lovey this artwork, even if I can't read a word of it! Also whimsical: the school clock. A definite nod-to-childhood vibe in this room. 

via SuzieBeezie

Just like the Beatles taught us. I love this bunting-inspired artwork!

via Madame Cupcake

...Proof that you can find a use for that spare toucan you have sitting in your garage! If this were my living room, I'd switch out some of the art (the horn, the yellow face, the 300 pound Reward...permayhaps)... But this room oozes with personality and for that I love it!

Giveaway

Put on your excited pants because today I'm doing my first ever giveaway! 

Yes, that's right! I feel like Santa Claus on Christmas morning!

Here's what's up for the taking: 

A gorgeous pair of earrings designed by a Wichitan-turned-Brooklynite named Nicole Katherine Alexander, who sells her wares here on Etsy or here in Wichita at The Onion Tree. 

These would be the perfect little spice for an outfit!

Here's all you have to do to enter:

1. Become a follower of Room Polish

(In the "Follow" section under archives over in my sidebar) ---->

2. Leave a comment telling me where you'd wear these adorable little buds

(if you don't have a blog link, be sure to leave an email I can use to contact you if you're the lucky winner!)

I'll pick a winner on Monday, AUGUST 30th at 10 PM CST.

Winner will be announced August 31st!

Enter away, lovely readers!

Wichita Scouting: Juliana Daniel Antiques

Ok let me put it this way... if you are a treasure hunter for your home, and you HAVEN'T been to Juliana Daniel, then 

you.

are.

acrazyperson.

I LOVE this place! And it's walking distance from where I live so my shopping partner (yes my mom) and I check in periodically for new finds. Have you been? It's on East Douglas and I tell you what I really like about this place: Okay 2 things:

First, it is painstakingly curated. Jaw-dropping finds, nothing junky, and they have standards for any consignment items they sell. Secondly, it's affordable! And who doesn't love that in the middle of these recessionary times?

They sell everything from case goods to dining room sets to chairs, art and lamps...accessories... it's like a candy store for the decorating-inclined!

A treasure hunter's paradise. 

This clock would be a perfect-o statement piece.

Want to get in on the suitcase-as-nightstand craze? Here's your source!

I repeat: treasure trove.

I was as QUITE tempted to buy these little beauties, to save for a rainy day. 

I think they would look beautiful with big white barrel shades, flanking a long sofa table or entry way table.

They have beautiful artwork...

Hundreds of books...

Somebody will have the perfect home for this bird cage, I just know it!

How cool are these chairs? Love the horse head detailing and the back slats. 

Somewhere there's a table that awaits its perfect chair companions...

Vintage theatre scenery piece...had to snap a picture of this: very cool!

...And for all my Mad Men lovers, Juliana Daniel even has mid-century modern! 

I hope you want to visit! Juliana Daniel is located on East Douglas, in the Douglas Design District. Have you already been lucky in your treasure hunting here? I want to hear about it!

this image via the JD website

Wichita Scouting: The Onion Tree in College Hill

Dear readers! If you live in Wichita and haven't had a chance to visit the Onion Tree yet:

Get.there.now! 

It is the sweetest little boutique filled to the gills with all things handmade. I ventured in for the first time last week (after passing by a hundred times thinking "must go there") and was charmed by all the crafty handmade goodness. Products run the gamut from wall-art to handmade pillows (divine ones at that) to one-of-a-kind jewelry. 

They have art-aplenty to adorn your walls. I love these bug+creatures!

Gorgeous handmade pottery.

Artists from all over Wichita + some from far away sell their goods here...

Nothing mass-produced about this place!

...I would place one little happy daisy in you, red jar with blue dots!

I love this peacock. Would be a perfect punch of color in a home office or study.

Yes and yes! Isn't this lovely? I love the colors. Gorgeous for anchoring space over a sofa or headboard!

Think you'll make the trek!? 

Do it. You'll be glad you did!

Such a welcoming place. A great option for gift buying AND for when you need some extra "room polish!" And here's the best part-- on Sundays they host "Sunday-Fundays" when you can bring craft goods and work on projects with other artists and crafters.

...Check back later today for a "Wichita Scouting" feature on antiques+consignment store Juliana Daniel!