Totebag + pillow =

A no-sew new pillow!

Don't overlook the beauty of what an adorable totebag of your personal taste can do for you.

Totebags are versatile! You can hang them up with a plant or flowers spilling over an edge. I could have morphed the fabric on this one into an adorable little bulletin board. (I still can!) But for today, it's a casual new pillow. (that I didn't have to sew!!)

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Join Kimm at Reinvented for her

Trash to Treasure Tuesday April 14 2009 edition for other creative ideas!

http://www.reinventedkb.com/2009/04/trash-to-treasure-tuesday-reinvented-on.html

and

over HERE for more more more fab ideas for homemade gifts!

The beauty in simple numbers

I LOVE typography on things. But simple numbers really speak to me.



Isn't this door awesome? I think I found it at My Sweet Savannah. The numbers are so simple yet soooo elegant on black. I think I'm going to paint my door black this summer...

Thanks My Sweet Savannah! Loving these pots! http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-etsy-finds.html

I want them all! These are at The Shabby Nest's Etsy shop at

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22500085

This is from my own mantle. I love the numbers on the old Medalta pots.

Layla and Kevin at The Lettered Cottage created a really fun way to tweek their kitchen cabinets by framing a ruler with moulding. LOVE IT!http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/03/guest-post-by-mr-lettered-cottage.html

And this is also Layla's claim to awesome. She hand painted the number on her rustic stool.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wmc3cgAjw0k/SbQEgMN9kEI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/e_g0m0ghQCs/s400/Stool+and+Thyme.jpg

Not sure what my thang with numbers is all about, but I'm crazy about them. Such a simple thing, but placed in the right areas, they really lend a fun whimsical feel to whatever they're on.

One day at a used goods place, I nearly came home with an entire box of old brass house numbers. When the price didn't agree with me, I left them all. I might have to go back and pick up just a few. I have this great old distressed black chest begging for a number or three...

More mantle decorating

My mantle has a new outfit on.

What shall we call this... hmm.. The Ivory~Chicken Theme. Rustic Rooster. Mini light Mayhem. Looking Inside The Chicken Coop Through The Window. The Funky Chicken Something or Other. Mom's Eyebrow Raiser. (you'll get it in a minute)

What made me group these things in such a way you wonder? Here's today's lesson the Funky Junk way.

There are four running themes. Can you name them before I tell you? Go for it. Try. Then scroll down.

Ready?

Did you find four? More? If you found more, you need to teach me because I only know of four. Here we go.

The four themes are:

colour

rustic wreaths

chickenish with the picture and window (the window would rock with chicken wire attached I know

antiques

It's my personal belief that you can make just about anything look good grouped. The trick is to find a running theme to make them tie together somehow.

Some may think the above grouping is waaaay out there. I know my mom just looks around and raises her eyebrows some days, but she knows me. She knows I like to push limits to see how far I can take it. So when mom raises her eyebrows, I know I've hit funky pay dirt! (that's good btw)

Here's another grouping with three running themes.

old lettered boxes
cats
wood tones

Dressing up your mantle can be a lot of fun. Find some unusual elements and try it out. Set it up, walk out of the room, then walk right back in. You'll either give it a thumbs up or worst case scenario, be tearing it down quickly before anyone sees it. (ask me how I know)

Functional wall art for the kitchen

I love my distressed clock!

And I love the spot it sits in. However as you can see, it's just not looking very pretty right now.

Problem: cord showing

The clock was to stay, however that is where the phone wire is located in my kitchen. And it's brown. Two demerits! So I had to do something about it.





Solution: road find


I scooped up this thick cedar lattice work from the curb one day and tucked it away in my garage. I had asked permission to take it but I'll admit I felt like such a clutteromaniac pushing and shoving it into that overstuffed garage with all my might. I so need a big 'ol barn out back for my wonderful finds!



Anyway, I had this visual in my mind and this is the finished result. No wires and it's cute!

And it's functional to boot. It's a great little place for all the pen and pencil clutter that generally hangs around on the counter top. Not to mention, I can replace that box with so many other functional helps. A small bulletin board, small hooks, whatever you desire.

The cute little Sady sign is an actual sign salvaged from my Dad's dairy farm. I have another that reads Lady. They are so adorable in their original state.



If you look on the far upper left of this picture, you'll see what I have in mind for window treatments. The bamboo valance brings up some texture and warmth, while allowing light to still penetrate and not hide too much window, and the creamy heavy cotton curtains will keep the room light and casual, as well as bring in my desk area at the far end of the room. They'll be hung higher than shown with that one rusty nail. (another prop fest here)

And in case you were wondering, I can still work the hidden light switches. To make them abit easier to get to, it's just a matter of cutting out one little section of lattice. However in the name of art, I don't mind the slight extra effort at this point. :)

Edited to add: I desperately needed a good place for keys. I'll be on the lookout for a few eclectic hooks naturally, but in a pinch, nothing a few rusty screws can't take care of!

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Melissa at The Inspired Room has a post ongoing about how to make your life just a little bit more beautiful. I'll be sharing my little clock corner with the group!

Living with Lindsay is hosting a post about creating something for under $5. I hope this qualifies even though it cost me $0.00!

Kimm at Reinvented is hosting a Tuesday Trash to Treasure party on March 31 2009. Go check out what you can make from, well, funky junk! :)

Wendy at The Shabby Nest is having a Frugal Friday Linky Party - April 24 2009 edition! Come on over and see what everyone else is up to!

Tim at Remodeling Guy is hosting a Spring Round Up Party - May 1 2009 edition. Come on over and see what others have created for spring as well as checking out Tim's new back porch redo! It's awesome!

New kitchen office - in the works

This is a before picture in an effort to show you how I concept a new idea.

I had an armoire in this part of the kitchen, however as my computer needs increase (my son does homework on a computer now you know), I required a real kitchen office of sorts. And as the floor isn't quite finished in this area of the house, the very heavy armoire is still pushed to the side, which makes a trial of my idea (way too) accessible for my own good.

Objective: kitchen office

Budget: none of course

Supplies shown:

an old desk, a flat piece of door (not even the whole thing), a scrap of bulletin board, an old headboard, accessories stolen from other parts of the house, a bit of imagination and time

How:

Start propping stuff. Important things to remember: make everything have a function, not just to look pretty. Not many of us have a whole lotta room for just pretty. 'Displays' work hard in my home because I utilize every square inch.

Coming to terms of the needs:

I could do this little office so many ways. I have this great wide tall bookshelf with a pretty top that would be awesome in the middle, but then I'd require a bigger desk top. My ultimate dream desk top in this little cove is to have that board go all the way from left to right so my son can use his laptop in this given area too. However, that would require alot more space taken away from the dining room table area, making me probably have to relinquish it altogether. I may do that one day, but baby steps here! We'll start small for now and see how we like it.

Although I'm not ecstatic to be facing a wall, it's my hope that I'll do my business, then get OFF this laptop. Or, utilize the battery on occasion and carry it where I prefer to sit? I'll figure it out. I just know I didn't care for office riff raff on my kitchen island all the time. It was accessible and fun, but just looked messy and we were constantly scooting paperwork over to eat at it.

Problems to yet solve:

The desk as is doesn't carry enough weight. After painting, I may curtain the two ends, hence also hiding a printer.

Paint - I want one shade of the perfect antique white ivory so it can truly be my girlie corner. I like the idea of the pegboard being the wall colour for a tone on tone effect.

Headboard - that will be a bulletin board. I mean look at it! It's perfect!

How to hide a printer - still thinking and it also depends on what I find. I'll be looking.

Bookshelf - would be nice to have one, and the right one could fit but then that could end my dream of having a longer top, will have to think this through. And of course, it depends on what I find.

So this is how I start a project. I gather up all my special finds and group them together creating something that may work. I didn't morph this too many times, it plopped together pretty soundly right off the bat. Nothing at this point is attached or glued or nailed or stapled or anything.

So, I'll be working on this one until it's solved. But today, I really do need to go work on the tile in my entryway. And when I need a break, I can always escape back to this little project of course. What'll you bet I spend more time on this one than the other one? :)

When a step ladder becomes...

I am back! My computers have been giving me some grief lately. Good news about that is I've had time to play while being off Computer Zone. So here's one of my latest quirky morphs.

I found this darling little step ladder just sitting at a local thrift. It begged to be taken home so that I did. The paint can is to emphasise just how midget this little guy really is.

(can I just add here how incredibly handy it is to have a cement floor inside one's home for painting projects? I'm not entirely sure it's wise to 'completely' renovate all the floors..)

So what does one do with a step ladder like this? Ah, ladders are gold mines! And I knew what I wanted to do with this one right quick like.

I still don't have a light above the kitchen island so I've been using a lamp.

Now I'm using a stepladder holding up a clip on lamp with a plant on top.

And here I'd bet you thought I'd simply stick a plant on top.

Just know, that's what I'm using it for today. Tomorrow is a whole new wonderful day! And wood doesn't really care how many times it's repainted.

And luckily, neither do I. And I have a very blotchy cement floor to prove it.

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Kimm at Reinvented is hosting a Trash to Treasure Tuesday party, April 21 2009 edition. Go check out other amazing transformations!

http://www.reinventedkb.com/2009/04/trash-to-treasure-scrappy-signs.html

Revamping an old fireplace

This story was proudly featured on one of the best home decor blogs on the web!

Visit Layla at

http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/03/fireplace-re-do.html

and make sure you browse around. Your eyes will thank you. Thanks Layla!

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So, the fireplace... how many of you have been wanting to redecorate your living rooms, only to have to continue to stare at your 20 year old plus fireplace? What do you DO with that old thing? Some paint it. Others tile over it.

First, think of the look that you want. I personally love an old world looking appearance. And I knew the brick or painting wasn't something I wanted to stay put.

Here's what I started with. Your typical brick. The previous owners at least changed out the mantle to make it appear abit beefier, so kudos for that! But it still whispered to me.


The first step was to figure out what kind of look I desired. I sketched a rock fireplace that went from floor to ceiling with abit of tapering in from the mantle up and desired a heavier woodsy mantle. Working with my friend/part of the team Dan, a massive mantle was also created out of precision board. We went for a slightly whimsical feel. A wire brush on a drill, hand carving and a router were all used to create this guy.

After the carving of the mantle, came painting/glazing the piece. This is yours truly working on those layers of paint to achieve a wood effect.


Next, the old mantle was removed and the measuring process has begun. The new mantle is sitting on the hearth.


With the mantle in place, some heavy metal brackets were created to cover the brick like brackets. I personally love old rustic metal so this flavour was bent to my shape for certain. The massive brackets quickly brought the scale of the mantle right down to the perfect proportion.

I also disliked the square opening, so a metal insert was designed to curve the opening, but also was made removable so if I desired to go to gas at a later date, I still could. Looks cooler already!




Next the framework was created so the rock could be carried up all the way to the ceiling. Cultured stone was the chosen product for this go around. (there are also other unique ways to go about this... one is fiberglass reinforced hand carved cement, but I'll save that for another post) The stone was placed right over top of the existing brick and on the new framework above the mantel.

Here's an example of the concrete I just spoke of. The base was hand carved with the concrete to achieve the look of one solid rock, rather than many pieces of stone put together. The result puts more weight to the fireplace and is easier to sit on as well. Here the stone is being treated to achieve the same colour results as the rest of the rock.

My apologies for this pic which is on the darker side, but this is the end result, sans the grouting that needs to still be implemented. What was once a cute little brick fireplace became this majestic total room feature that gave the living area not only a magnificent feature to gaze at, but a much homier old world appearance as well. And now the real fun could start!


The mantle gets changed out frequently. Whenever I bring home a new find, I try it on the mantle. Decorating to scale is pretty key with all displays of course, however with this mantle being so chunky, I'm thrilled to report I'm able to really load the bulk on for alot of fun effects!

Don't think for a minute you're stuck with your outdated fireplace. You have alot of creative options! And we are also offering a fireplace revamp as part of the services here too!

Time to get cozy with a nice fire... ahhh, much better!

Crazy headboard anyone?

You have every right to question the above photo. What on earth is that?!? That my friends, is a part of my new headboard I created for the master bedroom.




Once upon a time, the bedroom was pretty bare bones. New floors and paint, check! But the real fun started when I was tired of no headboard and started snooping around in my own garage.

I had an old 4x8 sign I had salvaged from a neighbouring convenience store. They wanted to throw it out and I simply asked if I could have it. So I've been storing it, waiting for the perfect opportunity to put it to good use.

The sign was full of mold and pretty gungy so I scrubbed it down really well. The lettering on the sign was very aged, dulled to an orange which wasn't my personal thang. So I took some red paint and changed out the lettering, being careful not to go over the edges.




This was the result. But now the sign looked too new. (are we never happy?!?) So I whitewashed overtop the entire sign, calming down the peach background I wasn't thrilled about. I did some extra dabbing wherever lettering exsisted so I didn't fog out the images too much.

Then I went over the works with a wood stain to get a warm aging. The result was great!

I was happy with the sign, but now I needed to tweek things to really make them work. So next, the wall went red. And I made the bed. (no bedskirt yet but one miracle at a time here..)

And I spent a wholloping $10 on pillows and cases from a local thrift to perk things up some.

And I really desired a nightstand with drawers, but instead I used the stool I had beside the bed and jazzed it up some.

As you've noticed, only one wall went red. Four red walls would have totally overpowered the small room so this was all it really needed. The sign and bedding ties in the other wall colour perfectly.

Honestly? I'm sure glad I didn't get the headboard/footboard I had my eye on for a long time. My bedroom would have looked like anyone elses if I had cheated. With a little creativity, I now have something very unique that makes me smile everytime I walk in.

Funky headboards, there's simply no limit. Old gate, doors on their sides stacked high, art, paint, all it takes is a little imagination. Think of something flat and large enough for your particular bed and there you have a good beginning! Then keep playing with the room until it works.

Do you have an interesting headboard of sorts? Feel free to show your direct link in your comment if you do! Think about how you can jazz up yours in a fun way and just do it!
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Life in Grace April 27 2009 edition is having a linky party about painted projects. Go check out her incredible painted kitchen among other cool ideas!

Juila at Hooked on Houses May 1 2009 edition wants to know what you're hooked on!

Kimm at Reinvented June 2 2009 edition is challenging us! Her words, "Today I'd like to challenge you to find something that you'd have never thought to use for home decor, or even something that you might have thrown away... and hang it on a wall." I think my headboard just may qualify..

Unique coffee table

It's Saturday! My all time favorite day of the week. Because I get a chance to work(play) on the house!

While I'm busy working(playing) on the newest hauls for this place, I thought I'd share with you what I've been using for a coffee table.

My sofa is somewhat over sized so my original oak coffee table in comparison looked like a piece of barbie doll furniture. I had this old kitchen table serving as an ultra sturdy desk top in a previous house but it had no real reason to exist in my current home. So... I hacked off the legs, painted the works up, distressed the top with dry brush black over top of the melamine paint, and made out like a bandit for one of the most sturdy rough and tough coffee tables on this planet. With a leaf if I desire even!

The table was the perfect scale with the sofa. For painting, I simply lightly sanded the woodsy natural finish it originally wore and went right over top with melamine paint using a high density rounded edged roller. After the paint fully cured (I lied, I can't wait that long, I did it the same day but it ought to cure), I took a dry brush and removing 99% of the paint, and ran over the surface with black to create the distressed look.The melamine provides a bullet proof surface which is virtually a liquid counter top of sorts. No wet cup rings. Scratches and nicks can easily be touched up if desired.

I landed a checkerboard printed on thicker wood which makes a great coaster even though I don't really need one. It's just kinda cool and gives me something else to smile at is all. Some of this is about ambiance after all.

And this is how I store movies and CD's under the table. (normally I have two boxes on the go but I stole one that is currently sitting on my fireplace mantle) Both table and antique box have felt liners under the feet and edges so they glide easily on the wood floor.

I should be working on my other finds. I really should. But I couldn't resist. One quick sit... ahhh. Oh... feet on the table. Busted. I do this alot. The table is just that big. And this place is just that casual.

But if you look really hard, I have paint on my socks. Proof that I indeed do work around here on occasion...

New finds in the works!

I think I need a secretary. To do the blogging end of things here.

I have been busy! I've been working my day job but also collecting new finds on my runs. I cannot wait to get them inside the house and things set up around them!

new stuff to morph:

light for above island (thrift) - it's a caged glass brass thing that needs to be hit with some flat black spray. It's somewhat unusual but I think it will have very funky flare when I get through with it

headboard (thrift) - found this really neat I'd say double sized old creamy white headboard that has a square insert area that could be fabulous for a bulletin board or chalkboard. Right now it sits behind a bench I have in my entryway giving it a french country/cottage feel.

old boxes with stamped typography (curbside) - found it while on my morning jaunts with my dog. I've stared at this place's pile of stuff forever and attempted to knock on the door several times to see if I could 'get rid of it for them' and scored yesterday. She was home and said yes! And I went slightly beyond the call of duty and ensured all her other heap of boxes and things got to the curb as it was garbage day. It's never a bad thing to thank someone in a small special way.

a couple of strips of square heavy lattice work (curbside) - garden? wall? hang from the ceiling? I'll figure it out

twin captain's bed base (thrift) - for my son's playroom. Drawers underneath are where it's at which will suit this room to a T.

On the weekend (when I have time to breathe) I'll add pictures to this post so you can peek (ok, possibly even laugh) at some of these finds. Let's just say my own mom doesn't understand me. And that means I'm right on track!

For now, I must go venture off to pay for these wonderful projects.

Happy hunting to all of you! Just remember, nearly anything can be beautiful. Think beyond what you see now and let your dreams take you to the finished state. You'll end up with something very uniquely yours. And another excuse to decorate again. :)

Loving the look of burlap

I am in love!

Unfortunately I'm not the lucky owner of this footstool. However, you can read the origin of these awesome fabrics over at Willow Decor.

http://willowdecor.blogspot.com/2009/02/3-fine-grains-high-end-antique.html

Do check out this post if you love the look of burlap. There are loads of pictures on the most unique pillows and chair covers around! And you'll also learn a little history and info plus how valuable the real deal is.

I'm avidly looking around for the perfect burlap sack so I can cover up a bulletin board I have. I just love the rough texture of the textile and how quaint the stamped lettering appears. If I don't find the perfect stamped specimen, I'm going to try and stamp my own.

And I'll be sharing with you how I find some of my stuff hopefully tomorrow. I'm going to do a drive by and shoot a picture. Maybe even lug my new treasure home... if I can squeeze it in my truck. :)

On feature walls

Walls walls walls. We're surrounded with them in our home. We can paint them and hang stuff on them, but how do we really know what ought to belong where?

I'm personally able to see the completion of a wall with some of my crazy ideas, which helps tremendously. I see the finished product in 3D full colour. And often, if the idea makes me chuckle, I know it's a good one! (that's my crazy train gauge and I'm sticking to it!)

There's currently one very small window wall in my main bathroom that I'm currently attempting to dream up something whimsical and fun on it. The bathroom houses an old ladder for towel holding, and a cute pedestal sink, with rustic floor tile. The ladder gives me inspiration to attempt something old looking on that wall. I have visions of old fence wood running parallel to the floor, or shake shingles, or a rock wall. I want the illusion that the room was created out of this old building and one end of it was left untouched. And I'll have it... it's just a matter of finding the right medium.

That, my friends, is what I call a feature or focal wall.

Feature walls can be just a smattering of bold colour by paint alone too. But you don't want the wall to appear to just BE there as such as an afterthought. You want it to BELONG there.
Look around your home. Are you seeing four walls all the same? Nothing wrong with that if it looks right. But if there's something missing in that room, whether it be colour or interest, a feature wall might be right for you.

Another wall I'm dreaming about is that one blank wall that is above the staircase. It's a blank canvas screaming to be treated with something powerful. And trust me, what goes up there will indeed make me laugh out loud.

I've added some punch to three other rooms in my house. One is the bedroom.

I found an old sign and created a headboard out of it. Then I painted the wall red. But ONLY that wall. If I had gone further, it would have overpowered the room. The feature wall gave the room not only a theme, but the colour it needed for excitement and whimsy.

The other room is my son's playroom. It's situated in a spare room upstairs. I've run floor to ceiling Ikea type storage but the room still needed kick. So, I painted the wall behind the storage red as well. Now, the room has a little fun going on without being too overpowering.

And the wall with the sign? That's the edge of a closet and what you see when you glance down the hallway. It's the perfect little enticement of bringing your eye into that room, wanting to enter to see what wonderful surprises are in store inside. Sure beats all plain walls, doesn't it?

Feature walls and focal walls can also mean the same thing. Rooms look best when you have a main focus upon walking in. Which can mean something such as your fireplace upon walking into your main living area. This wall started off with just a plain ol' brick 30 year old fireplace that stopped at the mantle. Now the wall has a floor to ceiling rock casing which brings your eye right up. It takes over the wall and is amazing and the perfect scale for this house.

When you walk into a room, your eye should be drawn to something. So make sure it's got the right amount of punch and interest. And when you're finally there, you'll know it. I guarantee, when you reach it, you'll be chuckling too!

Can't do this one on your own? If you're having trouble trying to figure out what to do with a given room of your own, I'm armed with a team of professionals that can enable you to have something amazing for your own home. I am based out of BC Canada, so if you aren't local, you can email me your request and pictures and we can go from there. If interested, you can reach me at signmakergirl@hotmail.com

Happy focal walling!