Vintage cane chairs get a makeover!

Yikes. Another 3 weeks have gone by since my last post! But these three weeks have been eventful. More to come on all that. Right now, I just have to give you a glimpse of my latest project! It's been a big one. Multiple trips to Home Depot (sometimes in a day). Lots of elbow grease (and hopefully more defined arms!!) And even some casualties. Like our deck. And a lawn chair. But it's been worth it! 

I found these chairs (which came with an amazing octogon side table) at a little, hole-in-the-wall garage shop off the side of the highway. All three pieces were in pretty stinky condition. But with a price tag of $50 for the set, I couldn't resist.

It's been a labor of love. But I'm on the home stretch now. All I need to do is decide on fabric and have these beauties recovered. Of course, making a decision on fabric could take me months. I've already gone back and forth. And back and forth.

Help! All suggestions are welcome!
At the moment I'm leaning towards keeping them light and neutral.
Like these.

What do you think?

LOST AND a new FOUND treasure

How has it been an entire month since my last post? Things around our house have been nutty. Too much happening all at the same time. And since giving birth, I've completely lost my ability to multi-task (translated means I've been nutty too.) Organization, I'll make you a part of my life one day. One sweet day.

But time has flown. I feel like it was just spring break week on MTV.  (I did not watch spring break week on MTV. Do they still do that?) While you've been productive in blog land, I've been lost in a cluttered mind.  I've missed you lovelies!

I'm excited for today's post! You know by now that I'm a sucker for anything DIY. And it's a lucky day for us, ladies, because the talented Anna of A Newfound Treasure, stops by to spill her to-DIY-for tips on how to create a look for less, do it yourself Dorothy Draper duo of chests.

Enjoy! And don't forget to stop by Anna's blog where you'll find more tricks, time-savers...and of course, treasures. You're welcome.

 

Hey y'all! I'm Anna from A Newfound Treasure, and today, I am sharing about my latest Ikea hacks. I have admired the Dorothy Draper chests for years and knew that the DIYs I'd seen online were perfect for our bedroom nightstands!

I started with 2 Ikea Rast chests and painted them in Rustoleum's oil-based glossy black paint.

I then used painters tape to section off where each gold inlay design would go. (This part took forever!) Once my rectangular boxes were all taped up, I got to painting. I used Liquidtex's iridescent rich gold (heavy body) acrylic paint. It took a few coats, for sure!

I free-handed the rounded corners. 

Next, I replaced the old wooden knobs with these gold ring pulls. And voila!

Lastly, I sealed up the dressers with a coat of polyurethane. Now, they are nearly indestructible! I should've done another coat of the gold paint, but I got excited. You can see where it's a little patchy in places if you look closely. They aren't perfect, but I am very satisfied with my looks for less.

What do you think??

[Please excuse the humidor and ugly cords in my pictures… this is real life, people!]

Splendid, little finds...

I've been on the hunt lately.  Three of my items on Etsy sold, which is AWESOME! but it leaves my store looking bare. What's a girl to do? Excuse herself for the weekend and rummage through countless estate sales and consignment shops. It seriously was almost better than a vacation.

My dear friend at Recently came into town, well...recently...and she took some fabulous shots of my new finds. I've posted a couple for you below. I've got lots of new decor to list on Etsy so make sure to check the store later this week and find some good holiday gifts (for yourself ;)

Table, mirror, lamp - all new!

Desk chair (+ mate not shown) - new!

Dreamy DIY (Y? Because it's amazing & apparently I'm crazy)

All I want for Christmas is time. More specifically...a little extra time to devote to outrageously insane DIY projects like Two Thirty-Five Designs fish scale wall art. At first glance I would have never thought this was a do-it-yourself project. It looks lavish. And expensive. Not so, my friends. Unless you attach dollar signs to blood, sweat and tears. From what I've read, this is a tedious task. Am I bat street crazy for thinking I have the time (and ability to concentrate) on such an endeavor? It's too late to back out now. It was love at first sight. I saw it - it saw me seeing it - and now I'm being pulled in by it's tractor beams. Read all about it. Here.

reFINEstyle in a frame

It's Wednesday. I like alliteration. So let's go with..."What I'm workin' on Wednesday!!" My next project has been months in the making. I'm on the hunt for a too-good-to-be-true deal on a vintage designer scarf to display in an over sized, gorgeous (also vintage) frame. 

My solution? reFINEstyle.com - if you haven't been to this genius site yet, I strongly urge you to check it out. Think 1st Dibs but with designer (to-die-for) apparel and accessories. I'll let their consignment experts tell you, in their own words, what they're up to.

reFINEstyle.com is an online marketplace of pre-loved designer fashion and accessories. Curated by a hand-selected team of sellers across the country, an ever-changing selection of consignment merchandise is offered to the fashion-minded buyer at greatly reduced prices. The best pieces. All in one place.

My theory? The best place to find a too-good-to-be-true deal on an uber-fab scarf? A too-good-to-be-true online shop! Oh but it is true, friends.  It's true indeed.

Here are a couple dandies I've seen lately that caught my eye! (PS: I've learned the hard  way...if you see something on reFINEstyle that you want - grab it! The goods go quick!) (Oh! One more PS: My sister, Alissa of Re-Finery, is one of reFINEstyle's consignors! Make sure to check her stuff out too!!)

Re-Finery's Hermes scarf on reFINEstyle

Hermes Scarf via reFINEstyle

Gucci Scarf via reFINEstyle

So which one is your favorite? I'll make sure to give updates with progress and pics once this project officially gets underway. In the meantime, mosey on over to reFINEstyle...and finally get your hands on that (discounted) Celine bag you've been coveting.

Two more...

Okay - I've got two more Christmas Cards to show you. Thank you, Emily at Recently for letting me use your beautiful photos (of your beautiful boys!)

Opinions wanted!

Help! I'd love to know which one of these you most like (if any ;) and why!! Do post your opinions, please. I'm anxious to hear your thoughts!!

Inspired by Pinterest

I'm no artist. But I love projects. This past week my project was messy and I loved every minute of it. Inspired by Pinterest, I gave this crayola craft-time creation my very best. Do I like still like the photo on pinterest better? Yes. But am I giddy with pride that I tried it and (sort of) pulled it off...you bet.

I love color. In fact, I love it so much that I find myself putting more and more brightly colored decor around my home. Jonathan Adler tells me it's okay to be bold.

I flip through home interior magazines and adore the photos of neutrals and soft, subtle pops of color. But what do I find myself actually decorating my home with? Whites and brights. Maybe one day my living room will look less like an elementary school art class and more Jan Showers...but for now...I'm having fun being bold.

Note: Several items were damaged during the production of this artwork, including one casualty of a trusted friend, my glue gun.

splendid all over again...

again & again could quite possibly be Dallas's most beloved, one-of-a-kind, vintage furniture and accessories shop. Owner, Leslie Pritchard, recently opened her new doors in the Dallas Design District, now giving upcycling junkies two options for shopping again & again's selection of timeless treasures.

I first met Pritchard several years ago after purchasing a mid-century coffee table from her shop on Bonita. The perfect size for a bench, I immediately knew I had finally found just the right addition for my entry way...with a few adjustments. That's where Pritchard and her highly skilled team swooped in to help. 

Me: I think I want to lacquer this a shiny, bright white. 

Them: We can do that for you!

Me: And I think I want a tufted, upholstered cushion with piping to go on top.

Them: We've got tons of fabric samples and can even place the order for you!

Me: This is awesome.

Turk's Pisces
Print in
Driftwood

What started out as a quick glance inside this quaint, little house (turned-marketplace for decades-old decor and more) had just morphed into my ideal afternoon. As I looked through dozens of upholstery books, I kept coming back to Trina Turk's indoor/outdoor line. Pritchard was delighted to provide some expert advice and steered me in the direction of Turk's Pisces print in Driftwood. After quoting a price for labor and paint (which was very reasonable), she took measurements of the bench and recommended dimensions for the cushion, which I loved. Based on those dimensions, she placed an order for two and a half yards of fabric. Side note: I think she was just as excited about my little design project as I was - which made the experience all the more splendid. Another side note: Upcycling furniture is addicting. 

All-a-flutter over my new purchase, my mind held me hostage, forcing me to scour my house and hunt down something else in desperate need of new life. It didn't take long. I knew just the place -  our guest bedroom closet. Bingo. Upon returning to pick up my light-brown coffee table (now a glossy, glam white), I brought a couple things with me - a pair of (barfy brown-colored) horse head bookends and a large, wooden pineapple (also a barfy shade of brown, but with an added coat of gold spray-paint just to take it that extra, ugly mile.) Just like the week before, Pritchard was happy to assist with color selection...white paint for the bookends and lemon yellow for the pineapple.  

Within one little month - my fabric arrived, the cushion was custom ordered and all of my dandies were painted shades of lovely and bright. Flash forward to today...they're still my very favorite accents in our home.  And if I were a betting woman (I play Texas Hold 'Em with coins but I don't think that counts) I would put money this: anything purchased at again & again will be your favorite piece in the home, too. Whether in excellent or gently-loved condition, all of Pritchard's pieces have great bone structure, stylish lines and will look fabulous in your home as-is or with a minor face-lift of paint, upholstery or new hardware. 

Make sure to check out their spacious new diggs in the Dallas Design District!  Want deals and steals? Check out their page on facebook and become a fan!

She's crafty...

Crafters, creatives and anyone looking for some good finds for that next DIY project...clear your calendars for this Saturday - Etsy Dallas presents Supplies Me!  What is that, you ask?  Well forgive me for simply cutting and pasting from their blog, but I took my toddler to the spray park today and I'm exhausted from triple digit heat, fire ant bites (three of them, to be exact...) and a wonderland of mud thanks to last night's downpour. Note to self - the next time I wince in pain from yet another fire ant bite, wiping unsightly amounts of sweat off my face and back while simultaneously seeing Max smile at me from across the shooting water cannons, covered in grass clippings, mud and possibly the left overs of a chicken mcnugget he discovered on the ground  - not to mention a mouthful of mud he thought looked yummy, it's time to throw in the towel and call it a day.


I digress. 


Straight from Etsy Dallas's blog - see below for more info on Supplies Me!

Supplies Me! Art + Craft Supply Sale is less than a week away! In addition to offering our crafty supply goodness to the public for sale, this event is a chance for our Etsy Dallas members to collect supplies and raise money for a good cause. Again, this year our charity of choice is Captain Hope's Kids .   "Captain Hope’s Kids has one goal in mind, to help those who cannot help themselves, children. Through the collection of donations, supplies and fundraisers, we intend to give homeless children their best chance at living a normal life." ( From the CHK website.)  Last year we collected over 10 bags of quality art and craft supplies from our members and donated over $200. You can read more about last year's event here. In response to the news that we were repeating the event this year, Brad Boss, CHK Program Director wrote, "The items donated last year were wonderful and the groups we gave them to loved them! I can't wait to see this year's result."

I'll be there!  Will you? 

splendid before and after

I've told you about Emily, my dear friend and HBG (Head Blogging Gawdess) of Recently.  Check out these before and after photos of her book shelf.  Some paint and creativity was all she needed to transform this white space into what now is more than likely, the focal point of her den. 

Nice job, Em - and thanks for the inspiration!

For more photos (and more Recently) check out her blog!

lakewoodstock 2011

My first editing project!  It's a little shaky...so don't watch if you're going through morning sickness.  I have a lot to learn and hope to get better software one day...but for now...here's my first video using iMovie '11.  Practice makes perfect...I hope.  

      

more from my crafty friend...

before: antique bench from clovis country club in new mexico where her mom grew up.

after: oh-so-chic entry way bench covered in anna maria horner fabric.

splendor on the wall

my crafty friend - she pulls off diy home projects with impressive ease.  creative and bold, she loves challenging herself with a never-done-before design experiement just as much as i do.

not too long ago she was given a huge antique frame and immediately knew she could turn it into something great. with a little help from etsy, black lacquer, green paint and her own creative mind - she's put up a diy masterpiece in her stairway!

photo via etsy

nursery art project

i saw this art featured on jessica mcintyre interior's design blog and wanted it immediately. jessica mentioned hanging the art in a child's room or nursery. this sounded very sweet to me - i immediately began thinking about how i'd pay for it (it was a wee bit out of my price range given everything i'd already purchased for the nursery). then i had a (rare) moment of creativity and wondered if i could re-create something similar to this myself! realizing i wouldn't be able to find reclaimed wood like the piece used in the photo, i had to make some alterations. it pales in comparrison to the piece that inspired me - but it does make me happy knowing it's my own little art project made especially for the new love of my life.
having married into an italian family, i thought it might be fun to take the phrase and translate it into italian. i took only the phrase "you make me happy when skies are gray" and ordered a stencil of it from just stencils. i chose orange and white to accent the colors i'm using in the room. i plan on trimming the white space down a bit and framing it. below is a picture of our semi-finished nursery - the art is hanging in the far right hand corner. more pictures to come soon!