DIY Project: Kids Room Painted Nightstand

Love!

So.. I have been searching for a nightstand for my son's room for quite some time. His room is super tiny and the nightstand could be not more that 19" wide. He also needed a bit of storage, lets not forget style and did I mention that I am on a tight budget? 

I found this very cool cabinet that was meant to neatly store spools of thread and sewing accessories. I found it at a vintage shop in Montclair, NJ for $40.00!  I knew right away that I wanted to paint it orange since it is his favorite color. 

So simple, so affordable and so much fun!  The entire project cost me $58.00 and my 9 year old son thinks its absolutely cool!

 Just a little prep work (cleaning,  removing hardware, sanding and taping). The project was done in less than 3 hours. 

Enjoy!

Inspired stylist and designer Kara Rosenlund..

I'm on holiday in South Carolina, although am squeezing in some work here and there... I have been surfing the web looking for some unique pieces for a design project  I am working on and I came across a room that was simple and crisp with perfectly selected and edited pieces. Of course, I am always interested in the person behind the design. The very talented Kara Rosenlund is not only a designer, but she's a stylist and photographer from Australia.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that this designer is only 30 yrs old! Good for her and I hope she inspires young women out there just as much as she has inspired me.

 

Her design is minimal and very relaxed, with a great eye for found pieces.. I like how she filled interesting containers with simple objects. The trick is to repeat one object, like she did with these conch shells, and collect in mass.  I  love the shutters she is using to make the wall appear much larger and they frame out the window beautifully.  Not sure, but it looks like this coffee table was re purposed from old doors and finished with a black honed granite top. Very smart combining old with new.

 

I love her all white kitchen and the way she uses earthy tones and adds light accessories. It looks and feels relaxed and not too complicated, but really... she planned this very carefully and I love that! Every piece has its place.

It's all in the detail..

 

Seriously... I need to find a ginormous mortar and pestle like this one. I would love to use one as a planter in my kitchen for an herb tree..

Hope you find as much inspiration in Kara's design as I have!

Enjoy..

A Peak at my Block Printed Fabric...

Yesterday...I finally started working on my block printed fabric! This is something I have wanted to do for quite some time now... I have sketch books with many drawings in them and so many ideas in my head. I have carved out blocks of my drawings, purchased paint and all of the materials needed for surface design..Read book after book and researched other textile designers for inspiration..but I haven't actually put it all into action until now... So here is a sneak peak at the very beginning of Mimi Betancourt Textiles...I have selected to show you a couple of geometrics, although I'm pretty fond of florals and Japanese motifs as well. Today I was playing with mediums (block printing and silk screening) and mixing lots of color...I had a such a blast and I am so inspired. I have a long road ahead, but I know it's all going to happen exactly the way I dream it...Enjoy!

Love....

DIY Wall Panels...fabric or wallpaper?

The September issue of Martha Stewart Living featured this fabric wall panel idea..then I saw the idea again in the September issue of Real Simple, so I thought it would be a great idea to share the love! I also think this a fun and affordable way to add some interest to a room.

Real Simple glued vintage fabric to quarter-inch foam core, then framed the panels with a simple molding and topped with four prints.

The same idea can be applied with wallpaper...I found these beautiful Chinoiserie wall paper panels designed by Maison 21. Fabulous design choice and really nice results...and we all now how much I love yellow.

Here is another great wallpaper panel idea I found on House and Home. Two smaller panels to make a great statement in an entry!

Here is a list of fabric and wallpaper companies you may want to browse for inspiration...Enjoy!

Colefax and Fowler

Brunswig and Fils

de Gournay

Cowtan & Tout

Osborne and Little

Quadrille

Rubie Green

Mod Green Pod

Ink & Spindle

My new hallway...

Well...my little foyer and hallway are finally done. I really wanted to do the infamous KWID trellis paper, but way above my budget. I did find this great paper that's so similar and I love it! My husband added the millwork because we have children. I don't think the paper would hold up very long with my son's little hands running up and down the stair hall...I am very happy with the results and I thought you might like to see it too!

Small kitchen idea..

The July issue of House Beautiful had a great idea for small kitchens...Adding antiqued mirrored glass on the cabinet doors! I really love this idea because my kitchen is teeny tiny, just like this one. I was ready to go out and do this over the weekend, but my husband put the breaks on my idea. For a while we've wanted to tear down the wall that separates my kitchen and dining room. Who uses their dining room anymore? Anytime you have people over, they always hang out in the kitchen, right? He says it's going to happen soon. We'll see... I really, really hope so. If not, the mirrors are goin' up!

Designer Shopping Bag "Wall Art"

How cool is this gallery of framed designer shopping bags?   I think this is such great way to show off your passion for fashion and shopping in an unexpected way...and you're recycling too!  

image from House & Home - condos, lofts and apartments

I received this fab gift bag this weekend...It was filled with six hand blown Veuve Clicquot champagne glasses and of course, a champagne bottle.  I'm thinking of framing this bag for myself...Love this Hermes orange! What do you think?

Spruce up your "BAR"

Since Memorial Day is just around the corner, I figured it would be a nice time to refresh your "bar" inventory.  If you're planning on having guests over, you may want to spruce it up a little.  Here are some simple ways to create a chic bar that will be perfect and ready to impress any guest...Enjoy!

Found the GREAT article on creatinig the "perfect bar" in Domino...I miss them :( 

Thought you might like the "HOT" bartender guy...

Images are from Domino Mag , Myhomeideas.com and Pottery Barn Dining

My backyard "Shack-teau" project

Ok...beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?  I had a vision to transform our shed into a place for my family to relax.  You know, I home away from home. A place to feel like you can get away from it all. I place for my husband and I to have date nights, where we could bring the baby monitor....I decided to call it our little "Chateau". I know...it looks nothing like a French castle, but in my mind, it is.   

Here is what I did with leftover paint, old stuff in the garage and $200.  I wanted to share my DIY project of love...Hope you Enjoy!

I'm still working on the exterior.  Got some inspiration photos from Elements of Style blogspot and her Nantucket post.  That will come soon!

FYI:  This 7'5" x 6'9" space, took 2 1/2 gallons of white paint.

I went to Target and Peir 1 Imports to spruce up just a little..I also had this cot in the basement. It was used once when my mother-in-law stayed with us after I had my son. 

Look how preeeetty....

I have boxes and boxes of LED xmas lights in the basement. These were perfect for a starry effect. I also had this rattan table on my porch that I found garbage day,  along with 2 chairs..it fits in this room perfectly.

I went digging in my garage for decorating finds. I have a bunch of vintage mirrors, this one was just the perfect size and it already had the rope tied to it..I picked up this bench a while back for $5. I used to use it to put plants on,  now it's perfect to store blankets and use as a side table. 

I got these turquoise rugs on sale at Bed, Bath and Beyond...Just went in there hoping to find inexpensive rugs.  I think $4.99 a rug is definitely a great deal, don't you?

 I had this chair in my garage.  I actually have all four of these chairs, but this one I painted white a while ago and  age has made it perfect!

Ahhhh...so happy!!   A place to go on date nights!