May 19, 2011 - Fresno State Lyles Center Event

Sweet and simple...cream tulips pared with cream gerbera daisy's wrapped in black wire atop black linens. 

May 14, 2011 - Grand Centennial Gala

Happy Birthday Fresno State!  This past weekend California State University, Fresno celebrated "A Century of Excellence" at their Grand Centennial Gala.  

This birthday party was held on the floor of the Save Mart Center.  I was so happy to be a part of this very special event.  My good friend Leticia Reyna lead the troops in planning the event.  And our friend Rosie was there to lend her support and special touch!  Thank goodness for our friends!

In meeting with Leticia she told me that she wanted the flowers and decorations to be fun and festive with lots of lights!

For their 43 tables we designed 3 different centerpieces - this one featured orange tulips with yellow gerbera daisy's -- the flowers were wrapped in purple wire and sat on a light disc in a lower dish with blue stones.  Thanks to my mom for sewing purple and basil green fabric table toppers!

For the second centerpiece we did a lower floral arrangement on our basil green rosette fabric with our fuchsia votive candles.

And the third centerpiece was a tall vase filled with submerged pink, yellow and peach gerberas on a purple wire -- the whole thing sat on a large light base in a wide dish with cobalt blue stones.

Yard Sale Finds

Okay so I want to share some super cute things I found this past weekend while out "treasure hunting".  You may see these items for sale soon at my Brown Bunny Barn Sale -- so stay tuned!

Treasures hauled home... extra large half whiskey barrel...black scroll candle holder for the wall...old wooden crate...cobalt blue sugar and creamer vases...brown iron "bow" candle holders for the wall and cast iron table candle holders!  I love me some metal!

Fluff Your Nest!

Spring is here -- fresh cut grass, wildflowers in bloom and warmer weather.  Taking a cue from the many birds that live near our house -- I felt a sudden urge this past week to "fluff my nest" by updating our bedroom.

Part of my decorating strategy and style is to pick up things when I see them -- save them -- find inspiration -- then go about redoing a few things.  I prefer a more eclectic-vintage style versus buying all new things at once.

My focus -- our dark wooden bed needed something to soften up its beefy square lines.

My finds -- pillow shams from the Goodwill in soft blues, a beautiful piece of lacy fabric with wheat colored vines from the LA fabric district, painters cloth from a commercial paint store, new white duvet covers from IKEA and chamomile flowers growing down our driveway.

My inspiration -- cool, relaxing hotel rooms in an exotic location like Oaxaca, Mexico or Sienna, Italy.  I don't have soaring ceilings or tiled floors but I can work with what I have! 

This is my inspiration photo - soft linen and gauzy fabric.  How bad do I want to be in this room?


"Mediterranean Design" by Mary Whitesides (Ada Hotel)

 Okay so I don't have a four poster bed to drape but I still want some sort of fabric over the bed.
So, to create a canopy I took 2 curtain rods and spray painted them gold -- then I screwed 4 gold hooks into the ceiling and hung the rods on them.  I draped the fabric over them and tucked it behind the head board.

Our old curtains came with us from our last house and were too short for this window next to our bed -- I lived with them for over a year but decided it was time for the right fit.  I found these linen pieces at the painters store -- ran it through the wash and cut it in 2 -- hemmed the two edges and used black rings with clips on them to hang the fabric at the right length -- a bit hangs over the top but I like the soft look of this linen for spring and summer -- and the whole curtain cost me $15!

Our room needs a bit more color so I found my trusty turquoise vase and filled it with chamomile flowers from the driveway...

Our room still needs a bit more color on the walls -- maybe this summer I can paint some canvas' -- but for now I love waking up under this soft fabric!  Hope this inspires you to create your own soothing nest!  Happy Spring -- Brown Bunny

April 30, 2011 - Cambria and Andrew's Wedding

For Cambria's bouquet we used lovely white peonies, white ranunculus and champagne spray roses.  Ruffly, scented geranium leaves and olive branches were added around the edge.  Each bouquet was finished with black and white striped ribbon.

The bridesmaids bouquets were filled with white tulips, white ranunculus and light pink spray roses.

April 30, 2011 - Natalie and Brendan's Wedding

Natalie's bouquet was full of texture and frills.  We used the cabbage roses in cream by David Austen, white mini calla lily's, white stock and white spray roses.

For her maid of honor we added a touch of white freesia to the yellow hand held bouquets that all the bridesmaids carried.

The toss bouquet...

We decorated the gazebo up at Wonder Valley Resort with two sprays to frame the bridal couple during the ceremony...

Half of the centerpieces inside were these tall arrangements with yellow roses, white stock, solidago and greenery -- with fresh lemons inside courtesy of my good friend Leticia!

Bright yellow lily's adorned the other half of the tables -- loved her platinum and yellow theme -- so fresh and fun for spring!

April 30, 2011 - Melissa and Matthew's Wedding

Melissa's bouquet was so beautiful to work on - it felt very "fairytale-ish".  We used light pink peonies, white lisianthus, champagne and light pink spray roses with a touch of green mini cymbidium orchids and green viburnum.   On the stems of the bouquet we attached a gold watch locket belonging to Melissa's grandmother.

The bridesmaid bouquets...

Her sweet flower girl carried this ivory satin basket with soft pink and white flowers finished with a pop of green and a champagne ribbon.