More Ledge Art

Still haven't spent a dime on my living room picture ledge but I did dig around the house and come up with a few more frames.  I filled them up with some temporary printouts and magazine clippings to help me visualize.  I'll continue to tweak the ledge but at least it's better to look at now.

Living Room Picture Ledge

Way back in 2013, my living room was pretty put together.  I had my nice little 32" TV in a freshly painted armoire and some nice little Chicago Instagram pics framed down the wall.

I also had a lovely plant that I managed to kill in record time.  Fast forward to 2014, I upgraded to a 60" TV with a new IKEA console.  I love that I can actually read words on the screen now!

I also got a lovely Rubber Tree.  It has been dropping leaves lately so don't hold your breath on that lasting forever.  I loved the new set up but have been staring at that wall for 6 months now trying to figure out what to put on the wall.  This weekend I caught up on 6 episodes of Fixer Upper on HGTV and I guess I got inspired.  I went digging around in my garage for something to make.  I came up with the idea to make a picture ledge with a spare 8' 2x3 leftover from my closet remodel.  That and a little leftover white paint and some leftover hardware from my guest room headboard project had me on my way. 

As you can see, I did this project while watching Big Brother.  Go #TeamDonny!  Anyway, it was a pretty easy install.  The shelf is centered on the wall at 64".  I may need to move the TV a smidge because I don't think it's centered.  Sorry for the poor evening lighting.  My iPhone and the recessed canned lights in the house do not mix.

I don't know what art will go up there but I'm working on getting a few prints and a little more color and height variety.  I guess I should start watching more HGTV since it tends to be what motivates me to get things done these days.  I'm pretty hooked on Fixer Upper and last night I caught the first episode of Flip This Block.  I have a new free furniture piece arriving soon that will need a major overhaul so stay tuned for my next adventure.

Target Continues to Get Me

A few weeks ago I was walking through Target and let out an audible gasp.  I found that they were now carrying paint and removable wallpaper. This picture is sideways but you get the idea.

 

 

 

I had no idea where I needed wallpaper in my house, but I knew I needed it.  I bought one roll of the turquoise Moroccan print and a small paint sampler.  The roll was 20" wide and 16.5' long so I was pretty limited in what I could do with one roll.  I literally walked around my house holding it up to things until I got to my guest room and stopped.

 

 It looked awesome with the bedspread.  I didn't have enough to do a whole wall so I started brainstorming.  I considered doing just the bottom half on the wall and have it act as a sort of headboard.  Then I remembered the scrap of wood in my garage from when I converted the metal trash bin holder into a table.

 It was perfect!  I wanted to paint the edges and went ahead and gave the whole thing a coat of paint thinking that would help the paper stick.  It was so easy to stick on and create an insta-headboard.

 I've been having fun with my scraps too.  I lined the drawers in the guest room.

 I backed the shelves in my closet.  It made me want to wallpaper the whole closet.



 

I also have a test piece hanging in the kitchen.  If I found a cute pattern, it'd be an easy way to cover up my backsplash until the Magic Genie of Home Renovation delivers my Kitchen Remodel Fund*. 

This paper really has so many possibilities.  It's $30 a roll so it would add up quick for a large project but it doesn't take much to make a big impact in a room.  I really have no frame of reference as far as what regular wallpaper costs but considering this stuff is already stick and can be removed without causing damage to surfaces, I really can't see myself going that route.

*No such Genie exists.  Sigh.

Pinterest Solves Problems

I don't even remember what kind of search I was doing on Pinterest that led me to this fabulous idea.  I was probably scrolling through the DIY area.  I had added a shower caddy to my shower several months back.

We went through the honeymoon phase where I loved it but lately I was more annoyed with it.  It interfered with my shower head hose and I was always knocking things off.  Enter Pinterest.  Someone had posted using an everyday hook to hang the caddy anywhere versus having to hang it on the actual shower head.  Genius!

While picking up stuff for my closet remodel, I grabbed your basic coat hook.  I just picked it because I thought it was pretty.

It works great!  I can't believe I've never thought of this.  I guess this is the first time I've ever had to deal with a molded one piece shower before.  Anyway, not only does it no longer get knocked about by my shower head, now I no longer have to maneuver around a stream of water when trying to find my face wash.

Sometimes Pinterest puts a little too much pressure on you to be creative and crafty but other times (like this) it really helps out with solutions to everyday problems!

Stitched Placecards

Something about the cooler weather always makes me want to do needle crafts.  So strange, I know.  Every winter I pick up the crochet needle or start knitting.  I'm currently working on a needlepoint but when I ran across these patterns on Martha Stewart's website, I picked up my cross stitching supplies.

I didn't really have a plan when I started.  I just started mixing and matching the heads and bodies to create my family, or at least the ones I would be hosting for Thanksgiving.  My winter needle craft habit is evident by the fact that I had all these supplies in my possession. 

At first I thought I might put these in frames but then I wanted to add a take home treat element to the placecard.  Mason Jars!  Aren't they always the answer? 

I filled then with colorful M&M's...a family favorite, added a little stuffing behind each cross stitch and then created my lid.

A little corny, they added a fun little element to the table.  Hopefully I offended no family members with my rudimentary renderings. 

Not a bad little project and it only set me back about $10 for jars and M&M's....both of which I got to keep the leftovers.  Score!

Idol Worship

This weekend I met my absolute favorite home bloggers John and Sherry from Young House Love.  I love their style and check their blog daily to check out the renovations they are doing around their house.  This month they released a book and I was so excited their book tour would come through Dallas. 

http://www.younghouselove.com/

I showed up at the West Elm down the street from my house an hour before the 11:00am signing started and was already at least 100 people back in line.  My friend Kristi joined me and by about 11:20 we had made it into the actual store.  While waiting we were served hot drinks and cookies galore!

Line behind us after about 2 hours of waiting

Line wrapped around the building outside

I was so excited about getting my book signed yet had no clue what I was going to say to these people!  I didn't know if I was going to geek out and come at them chatting a mile a minute or clam up.  I pretty much clammed up.  Luckily Kristi and I walked up together and the conversation turned to Kristi's 8 month pregnant belly.  They signed our books, we had a laugh, Sherry correctly guessed Kristi was having a boy and then we got to pose for a photo.

I was so excited to get home and pour through the book.  It's packed with great home improvement and home decor projects.

They love me!  Ha!  And the other 600+ people that ended up showing up Saturday morning.  It was such a fun experience and great to meet people that I totally idolize when it comes to home renovations.

The Chair is Finished!

My extra fabric showed up on my doorstep yesterday and I was able to tackle the rest of my chair.  This gave me something to do last night since nothing was on TV except election coverage.  I had already made my felt patterns of the 3 pieces I was lacking so all I needed was to cut the new fabric and start putting it all together.  The cushion was a little challenging but I'm happy to report I now know how to install zippers!

I slapped it all together and man, was I excited with the result.  It's not perfect by any means, but it looks great.

Next came the challenge of getting it back into the office, removing the legs and squeezing it through doorways. 

 So for less than the price of a slip cover, and much less than the price of a new chair, I've given this giant chair a whole new life.  Or at least a couple more years until I get irritated with it's massive size again. 

 

Unfortunately the rest of the office is a mess right now so I can't show you a full room shot at the moment.  I'm cleaning out closets and files and generating various piles of junk.  The Presidential Race may be over but my Race to Finish the Office Before Thanksgiving is just getting warmed up.

Spanish Art

While in Barcelona this summer I saw a lot of beautiful art.  But what caugh my eye the most?  The random graffiti all around town.

I took a bunch of pictures and when I got back I decided to blow a few up to frame.  I ordered them in 11x14s.

They sat around for a month or so until my frames went on sale for 40% off and I was able to use an additional coupon for 25% off my whole purchase at Michaels.  Basically it was like getting 4 for the price of 2.

I wanted to hang them on the blank wall in my bedroom since my art in there is all pretty colorful and funky.

No idea why that last picture is sideways.  The ellipitical kind of covers that wall but I decided that I'd still decorate as if nothing was there.  It took a while but I think I got them fairly centered and straight.

I love all the random statements they are making.  "We are all one."  "Remember who you are."  "Do what you love."  "Be human." "Peace worldwide starts inside."  Nice little sentiments to see every day.