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A tired, outdated room sat neglected and unused.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