Copper Leafing

Okay- so you may or may not remember the piece of furniture I bought and mentioned in my 'Repurposing a Lost Corner' post- but here it is- making a comeback.  

I definitely felt this piece was too much of a black hole.  Sure, the accessories could have brightened it up, but I wanted a reflective backdrop.  So I decided to try my hand at some copper leafing.  I was getting my hands dirty (not really- I was wearing gloves- there is a very nice manicure I need to protect!). I didn't feel intimidated and nor should you!  It's basically a spray adhesive applied, then the copper gently rubbed on.  Any creases, folds or tears just add to the character.  What could go wrong? This is usually where I hear, "With you Blondie- anything!"

The piece before the copper leafing.

I purchased the copper leafing and spray adhesive online.  (Also available are gold and silver leafs, but the glitz I chose is copper.)

The first step to the project was to tape off the areas that I didn't want the adhesive to get on.  This was probably the most annoying and time consuming part.  Next I sprayed the adhesive (should have had a window open- or wore a gas mask- this stuff stinks!). I suppose I might have got a little spray crazy-as my husband said 'this isn't the 80"s and this ain't your hair!' 

Watch where you're aiming!

Once the adhesive was ready to go I began to carefully apply the copper leafing.  

Once I filled the area (this goes pretty quickly) I then dry-brushed/burnished it all flat.  This step helps to remove any tiny pieces that didn't quite stick. I am glad this piece wasn't any bigger- I was beginning to lose focus (might have been the spray)! 


Love how the dark wood shows through the squares- just the look I was after!

The finished product!  I love how it turned out! I have a bit of copper leafing left over so now I'm thinking of doing a picture frame or the bottom of a tray.  I'll let you know.

I can't wait to reupholster that chair--- soooo boring!

Then came the accessorizing.  With a few purchased things and some items I repurposed, I'm pleased with the outcome.  But I also know it will be a work in progress as I accumulate some loved things.  I am digging the chairs on top... oh! and that's where I left my crown!

Inspire yourself. 

Dawn

Just About Jazzed

Well, well, well, where have I been?  Well, where have you been? Nobody came after me shouting, ‘Dawn! We need you Dawn! We miss you! We can’t go on without all this!’ Alright .  So you called my bluff-I give in.  I need you more than you need me.  I need to babble on about design and I need you to listen (Please….? Pretty please?).

Seriously I have been battling backorders, arguing with upholsters, meeting deadlines and dealing with touchy, creative types (like me…. not easy!).

Jazzy’s powder room has been installed and is looking great.  The unveiling occurred just in time for a family party and the word around town was that there was quite a line at the door. (There was mention of bad sushi, but I believe it was the décor-that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!  And, since you owe me one that can be your story too!)

I promised a creative ceiling and that’s what she got. I can never leave a bathroom ceiling alone. It’s my one quirk (no comments out there). In this instance, I didn’t want to use traditional grass cloth wallpaper.  I wanted something with that kind of texture, but with the ability to show some color through it.  That is where I used the bright yellow-gold. The walls were painted a green tea color (to be honest, “Jazzy” was a bit iffy on the color but after a few days (and bitch slaps) she really is liking it!).  

Isn't this 'jazzy'?

I then installed the wood carved wall shelves that really add the rich color and bring out the dark brown in the floor.  I still have one more shelf to fill.  I'll see if I can repurpose something from another room in the house.

 

Great wall shelves.  Fabric waiting to become something.

As wall art I took something personal like the kids’ silhouettes and mounted them on textured paper instead of the traditional white background. This filled the wall with impact without being too overpowering. Scored some points with the kids too!  They are at the age where they still enjoy looking at themselves. I added some greenery and the right colors towels and its ready to go- except for the window treatment. That is in the workroom and will be ready soon.  I can’t wait to see the fabric really bring it together. 

Unique wall art.

Cross your fingers-maybe you will get an invite for sushi!


Inspire yourself.
Dawn

One Step Closer to 'Jazzy'

While I have been shopping for plumbing fixtures, (I must have a problem when even this kind of shopping stokes me up!) sheetrock and primer were being put up. The contractor and I thought that the existing mud floor could stay, but upon further inspection that didn't seem like a wise choice. So up came all that concrete with some help from me to expedite the job. Again, what is with me!?  As I agreed to help and the jobs were being delegated there I was waiting to hear that I would be in charge of like, sweeping but, no! There was nobody else there behind me to pass the bad jobs on to! Damn! (Note to self- beware before opening mouth) Low man on totem pole does the lifting and lugging. (To get a look at this you have to wait for the TV show!) 

After my escape from there and hoping to have gained some respect from the contractor, (I didn't let him see me cry), I put the heels back on and went to look at fabric and paint and figure out what "jazzy" thing I can do to the ceiling.

with sheetrock and primer before subfloor was installed

before grout- real nice!

loving the floor!

Fabric and paint samples

I'm pulling out of the fabric that tea green color to use on the walls.  I think that mustard color is going on the ceiling as part of the treatment- and yes I am getting odd looks from some, but hey, that means I doing my job-giving them something to talk about.

Oh yea- I need a light fixture....

Inspire yourself.

Dawn

Polishing Up a Room Part 2- The End

I was eager to put this room to bed and to stop my mom’s quiet but constant questioning as to what the hold up was. The good part is that she has been using the room and enjoying her new surroundings. There is no longer any eighties in sight! There's just a room that now fits her personality.

 

the former window treatment

As you may remember, the fabric started the whole process. I was thrilled to get the generic valance and panels out and bring in this café curtain with inverted pleats. The height was important.  Too low and it doesn’t afford enough privacy at night; too high and it closes the room up. 

The black trim adds a nice detail.

Isn't that pouf perfect?

The family photos that made the cut (hers, not mine –they say the camera only adds ten pounds-really?!) line the wall with still enough room for more. The accessories were carefully chosen to blend in harmony with the color scheme.  The shelves still have room for her to add accessories as time goes on- rooms should always be evolving.  The room can still use some pillows and a throw but we have to wait until the dog outgrows his obsession with good taste.  He literally drools over it!

Even the carpet’s smoky gray couldn’t be more perfect. It is a remnant find from my favorite carpet store. Remnants are the way to go for smaller rooms.  They’re leftover pieces from bigger jobs so they’re often very affordable.  I have been able to find remnants of expensive broadloom (wall-to-wall carpeting) that have worked perfectly for stair runners and area rugs at a steal.

Inspire yourself. 

Dawn

Not-So-"Jazzy" Powder Room

We all tend to have a space or room that does not fit us or reflect what we are about. Let’s face it- our home is who we are. It is where we stash the stuff we can’t part with, where we magnify our OCD and a place where we breathe a sigh of relief.  We all have a different way of living and a different definition of peace and order.  I make it my practice not to judge- just to help clients create a space that fits their “definition”.

With that being said, I was thrilled when my bestie- lets refer to her as “Jazzy”- was ready for a redo of her powder room. (I don’t know how much longer I could pee with my eyes closed in there.)  To her credit, when she bought this house the bathroom was part of the deal- by no means did she ever choose this yellow.

The budget was set and the keys were handed over. She agreed not to see the space until the end. Gutsy, huh?  Well yes, but now she doesn’t have to agonize over the little details that I would have had to step in and put my two cents in on anyway! Jazzy and I went over a few details such as a color palette and the desired overall feel of the space- not contemporary. 

My goal: to give her and her family a space that fits in with the rest of the house and speaks to her warm and fuzzy.

This wallpaper is not going in the scrapbook!

I have some thoughts for this white ceiling...

As the photos show, we needed the big guns brought out- big hammers, big garbage cans. The plan is to gut the walls (as there is too much damage to them) and to start the redo with fresh sheetrock.  Let the transformation begin.

Looks better already!!

I love a room in progress!

Some of the challenges for this 4' x 5' space is the restriction on the size of the plumbing fixtures. Oh yeah- I forgot to mention Jazzy insisted on an American Standard “Champion” toilet that you can basically flush a small dog down (It is true that the neighbor’s dog is a little yappy). So I needed to work with that toilet and wanted the finish of the sink to match it too. We don’t have the depth for a vanity of any kind so we have to stick with a pedestal sink in a small size. No worries- I think I know just the one.  Next we will have the floor down and I’ll start figuring out where some jazzy details will go as not to overwhelm the space.

Inspire yourself.
Dawn

Polishing Up a Room

Where it all began.

A tired, outdated room sat neglected and unused.  The lady of the house, my mother, fell in love with this black and white floral and so started the process (and the nagging) to get the project underway.  Because this is extra space in the house a small budget and free family labor was allotted.   

At first I thought let's just barricade the door and not visit the 80s.  I spared you readers the bookshelves full of Britannica Encyclopedias and photos of big hair and flash-dance clothes (yes, I was in some of them and the evidence has been destroyed).  The room had pale blue walls, berber carpet and a store-bought floral window treatment.  We decided to pair the chosen fabric with a purple-gray paint. I didn't want to see the whole room done with this color because I knew it might keep all males out (which in hindsight...?) So it was paired up with a neutral beige. The existing club chairs in a warm brown were going to be left in the room. 

Basic shelving wall-to-wall

Our first order of business was to repair the bookcase and add some much needed detail. For under $50 at the lumberyard we purchased some trim moulding that now gives the bookcase the attention it deserves.

Horizontal and vertical moulding helped to give the bookcase a facelift. 

I am a big advocate for attention to the back of bookcases and cabinets. So, much to the dismay of the painters (myself and family- I was doing the eye-rolling this time) the bookcase backs and another wall were painted in the purple-gray color.  Like child birth you forget the pain and it was so worth it!

We hit the stores to purchase some needed accents for the shelves. Our black-white-purple-silver color scheme keeps it all calming to the eye.

*Designer's Trick

A trick I use to fill space is to take unattractive books (like those dated Encyclopedias) and cover them with wall, wrapping or craft paper in coordinating color(s).

We will reveal the rest of the room soon.  We still have to complete the window treatment in our inspiration fabric.  Mom's really cracking the whip!

Inspire yourself. 

Dawn

Another Kind of Edible Arrangement

I got myself into a impromptu get together with friends-cocktails and snacks- and I needed a little something to brighten up the dreary evening (not the company- just a diversion from the weather outside). Unfortunately, I only had time for one stop- the local food store, and not the glamorous one that offers gourmet coffee and so much eye candy you forget what you are there for.  No, I was in the nitty gritty getting the staples I needed and yes, fresh flowers are something I consider a necessity (One of the eye-rolling moments from the hubby as he stands there holding my lame selections listening to me whine and trying to act like he cares for the good of the evening).  On this night there were only a few flowers available so I needed to think of what was going to add some weight, fill in and keep it from looking straggly. Off to produce I go to use greens for the job. This time a year that is a stretch too- kale and dill become my stand in and the upside is the fresh smell.

Flower with dill sweeping over the sides and kale adding some texture

I always leave a a few flowers and fill a small vase to use in the powder room.  This small attention to detail will give your guests the impression that you have way too much time on your hands. 

A few leftover flowers in a small vase are great for adding a little cheer to a little space.

The takeaway here is think outside the box and visit the produce section to bring your arrangement up a notch. 

Inspire yourself.

Dawn

Once Upon a Wine

There is something I love about corks-(probably the wine they unearth) the truly rustic look, the imprinted logos of the wineries, the stained tips, the romance of the thoughts conjured in our minds when we think of rows of sun kissed grapes (No ladies, not the farmhand with the tan and tight jeans). I cannot bring myself to throw away these little pressed jewels.

I have been collecting corks for years now and I'm always thinking of ways to use them.  I've made cork garland for a Christmas tree and I've nestled candles in big hurricanes filled with corks for dinner parties.  Mostly I like to just keep big silver bowl overflowing with them-don't ask me how many are there because you wouldn't believe it! 

One of my themed Christmas trees- the wine tree

Wine cork garland!

It was a lot of work to amass such a collection but I no doubt had fun! (don't judge me!) The problem is that I have given this idea to quite a few people who are running with it- now there's less corks for me!  And also screw tops- what's that about? This bowl of corks is a simple idea that I think fills a space with memories of fun moments with family and friends. I think I am going to need a bigger bowl!
 

My silver bowl of corks

Inspire yourself.

Dawn

Keeping It Bright

Want a different approach to lighting in a bedroom?  Maybe you lack the space for nightstands or you want to leave your nightstands free for other objects (like a plate of cookies and a cup of tea).  Swing arm lamps are an excellent idea.  They add a great architectural element to the wall.  The lamps can be set at the perfect height for reading in bed, as determined by your height and the height of your mattress. 

The installation of these lamps is an easy task. There's no hard-wiring involved.  You're essentially just hanging a lamp and plugging it into an outlet below.  In this photo the cords are camouflaged by paintable cord covers and they blend right into the wall. Trust me- this is a project you can get your husband to do in an afternoon without any major moaning and groaning.  Who's kidding- this is something we chicks could do! 

Swing arm lamps also come to the rescue in a family or living room where sectionals are set in the corner with no space for even a floor lamp.  A pet peeve of mine is to see these corners dark with no lighting.  To me this is a place where lighting is necessary because it's often the best spot in the house for curling up and reading. 

Inspire yourself.

Dawn

Bling in the Sink

Lately I've had friends pulling me into the bathroom.  (Are we back in high school?) What they're actually interested in is the bling in the bottom of my sink.

I love this vessel sink but I could do without the hard water 'ring' around the drain.  None of the hard water products worked.

  

So, for about a dollar at my local craft store I bought a bag of glass beads in a color way that complements the sink. 

The results are so great that I would use the beads even if I didn't have something to hide!  I just love it when design and function come together!

Inspire yourself.

Dawn