Embelished Lamp Shade

This was a pretty easy little project I did recently to dress up a plain lamp shade. It is just ribbon around the base and then some felt flowers. I got three different coordinating shades of felt from Micheal's then cut them into circles. To make the flower, you could either pinch the ends with hot glue or I used a needle and thread and just pulled it through the ends of the circles then looped all 5 circles together to create the flower. Sorry - I hope that makes sense- just email me if you need more direction! I then just used a straight pin to attach it to the shade so that if I ever want to change the look I can easily take them off. I have to add that my son Jackson asked me when I was going to finish it, I asked what he meant and he said "aren't you going to put flowers all over it?" - what a great idea, more work but that would make for such a cute lamp shade! Total cost was under $2.

Treasure Hunt - Lantern

I wanted to replace the very basic "builders grade" light fixture over my sink with something that had a little bit more presence and wow factor. I fell in love with this light at Ballard designs - however it is too big for over my sink and it is $300 (plus shipping - yikes!)

Love this one too from Pottery barn - however it is $400 and again too big
So I was thrilled when I struck gold and found a similar "lantern style" light (it is actually meant to be an outdoor porch light) from csnstores.com It was the right size (9in. across) and only $90.

The color was not quite right for my kitchen so I spray painted it black (black spray paint is always on hand at my house)


LOVE IT!!!! Here is the link if you are interested

http://www.csnstores.com/Great-Outdoors-by-Minka-8264-161-MGO1168.html

They also sell it in a 12in size. It would look great over a table or in foyer as well. This is the "treasure hunt" part of decorating - it can be a whole lot of work (and time) to find something the right color/size/price but it is so rewarding when you do! One of the reasons I'm excited to do this blog is to share these little treasures with you!

Master Bath Transformation

This was my inspiration photo for our Master Bathroom I found somewhere on line.

Ok, so this is another ridiculous "before photo." Oh well, just the countertops are missing. My smart Sister-in-law Kori suggested having the builders leave the mirrors off so that we could hang framed ones once we moved in. I also asked the builders not to put in any towel racks because I like hooks so much better and there are so many cute ones out there!

After
I was so thrilled when I told Matt of my idea to build solid-paneled shutters- he liked the idea and even agreed to build them! They turned out great. I am so pleased he is so handy!

As you can see in this photo the shutters are fully functioning and can be all the way open, half-open, or all the way closed.  To see more about my Chandelier Transformation click here.
He did a fabulous job with the trim work that goes all the way around the room as well. It was the most labor-intensive job we have yet to do. We painted the moldings and shutters "Lace Falls" from Kwal, it is a cool gray color and pretty subtle- which is what I was going for in this room. The mirrors are a splurge from pottery barn. The sconces were on sale at Restoration hardware. The sink cabinet hardware from Lowes and the tall cabinet hardware from Hobby Lobby.

New House, New Blog

We lived in our other house for 7 years and I still didn't feel completely "finished" with it when we moved out so I anticipate this house will take at least that long. If you want all the boring little details that are going into the decorating of this house then you are in the right place!

We'll start with painting furniture - Blue (obviously my favorite color!)

The "Before" Photo- (don't mind Jackson's hot physique - the brown hutch is in the background, sorry- I'll try to remember better pictures for the "before" in the future!)

After

I found this secretary desk on KSL. I loved the detail on the glass doors. When I painted it I painted right over the glass rather than taping it all off. Once it was dry I just sprayed the glass with windex then scraped it with a razor blade and it came off very easily. I am in love with this shade of blue - it is Benjamin Moore "Rocky Coast"

This was an old chair passed down to me by Matt's Mom, I painted it and found the cushion on walmart.com

This is another piece I found on KSL. This is the same color as the chair above and the same paint I had used on the walls in my master bedroom in our old house. It is Benjamin Moore "Puritan Gray" I also used a bit of glaze ("General Finishes" Glaze Effects in Van dyke Brown - you can get it online) to antique it a bit. The sconce is not wired, it's more about the form than the function - don't let the lack of wiring stop you from hanging a pretty sconce! The shades on the sconce I made with scrapbook paper that I mod podged right on top of the original shades then I trimmed the top and bottom with ribbon