Built-in Shelf

When we moved into our new home we loved having high ceilings but all of our furniture seemed to shrink (or at least it looked that way)!  This poor little hutch especially looked dwarfed in this nook so we decided to build a shelf above it.  Here is the Before.

And the After!

My inspiration was this shelf that Pottery Barn sells.  I loved the 3 different layers of moulding and wanted the same look and "chunky" feeling for our built-in shelf.

First Matt built a wood frame for the shelf (this is just the frame for the base, he also had to build another frame for the top part of the shelf).

Next he attached a large wood piece for the bottom and then started nailing on 3 different pieces of molding for the front.

Here is a close up showing all 3 pieces of molding layering on top of each other.

My hope was that my "Cafe Fleur De Lys" window would work on the shelf and I was so pleased to see that it did!

(please excuse the nail holes I still need to patch and paint - too excited, just had to show you now!)

I think my favorite projects around my house are the ones involving molding - it has such a great impact. It makes me excited for more molding to someday come in the kitchen!

Shopping for Barstools

I love my barstools.  They have especially pleased me with their durability.  Eight years of use and three kids later they are still as sturdy as ever.  Sadly the color just didn't quite work for me when we moved in the new house so I am looking to replace them with some new stools.  Here are all the different options I have found and I am trying to decide between.

The first ones I fell in love with were these stainless steel stools (the ones with the circle backs- they make me drool!) - the price is crazy but they are gorgeous.  My husband does not like them so I guess I won't be forking over $4500 for a set of 3!!! HA!

By the way there is a pretty inexpensive knockoff I found on "Look 4 Less" at decorpad.com.  It is only $225 so that is quite a bit cheaper - however my husband still doesn't care for them.

Another beautiful but expensive stainless steel option are these ones.  They are from a medical supply store and are around $500.  I must keep searching!

This one has some white leather which would be nice and easy to clean and still has some stainless steel. It comes from wayfair (formerly csn stores).  It is just under $150.

This one has a clear acrylic seat.  It is $132 - here is the link.

This one also has a clear seat but with a little design (that might make it a little easier to help it looking clean!).  Here is the link.  Price - $239

The following are all from Overstock.com and all around around the $100 price range.  What if I painted a design on some of the plain white ones to give them a little umph!???  My husband thinks I'm crazy - maybe you all do to!???

This one also comes from overstock and I just wish it came in white - I could have it painted?  And reupholster the seat?  I like the circle design on the backs.

another clear acrylic

This one is from cb2.com and is $189.  I love the look of these but I think they would drive me crazy trying to keep them looking clean.

Another option is a bench.  It's unique (and I always love to have a little bit of unique in my house)!

Love this last picture with a white bench - if I could just find one in leather that would be easy upkeep, but no luck so far!

So now I wait for inspiration to strike because there are just too many darn choices!

By the way, If any of my readers that live close by are interested in buying my old barstools let me know.  I'll be listing them on ksl for $200 (for the set of 3).

What Have I been up to Lately?

A little shopping-

Decorative letter balls from Pier 1.  On clearance right now for $1 each

 Wood tray/bowl from Home Goods - $30

and this little owl from Home Goods - $10.  

I think he looks Smart sitting on top of some books!

And a little creating-

I painted another book white then added a chevron pattern in silver, 

both my freshly painted books are now stacked together on our new sofa table

Another Lampshade Update

Are you sick of these redone lampshade posts yet???
So I used the fabric I had left from one the Christmas Tree Cones and covered the lampshades on the sconce in my entryway.  I don't know that I necessarily like it better - I think they look cute either way it was just an easy change.  So easy that I'm sure I'll be changing them again at some point!

Before:

 During

After

I was able to easily pull the trim off and re-use it so that was nice.  If you just use about 4 small dots of hot glue to attach the trim it is enough to hold and easy to remove if ever needed!

Fabric Christmas Tree Cones

Last night my sisters and I made these cute Christmas Decorations.

All it takes is a quarter yard of fabric, a white piece of poster board, and some decorative trim.  I got my fabric and trim at Hancock Fabrics. 

You can see a full explanation on this blog.

Source: The Exchange

Sofa Table

The sofa table is done!!!!!  If you want the story from the start you can link back to this post.  

I found the columns online at tablelegs.com

Here it is before staining.

I used a combination of different paints and stains.  

I've listed the steps in case you want to try your hand at it!

First I wiped the whole thing down with some watered down white paint

Next using an electric sander I sanded it back down to almost the bare wood (this is the only sanding I did- a lot of people recommend sanding between each coat but I am too lazy!)

Then I stained it with "English Oak" (minwax)

Next I hit it with more watered down white paint (honestly you could stop here - it looks pretty good!)

Then I added a little bit of grey stain (it's the minwax that you can have tinted different colors at home depot).   Go easy on the grey a little bit goes a very long way!
Next I added some dark brown/black glaze all over
And Finally I hit it again with some watered down white paint.
 The Final Product-

If you have never stained something and all the steps look overwhelming - let me reassure you it is actually very easy.  If you can wipe a rag across something, you can stain (just think - every day you clean your countertops you are mastering the technique!).  It is honestly easier than painting a piece of furniture - I promise!

******UPDATE - CLICK HERE to see another great sofa table I put together using parts from Tablelegs.com -

Thanks Knock Off Decor for the Feature!!

Labor Day Shopping

We spent labor day weekend up in Midway and I was able to get a little shopping in.

 I found these hooks at a store called "all that stuff in the barn".  They were exactly what I was looking for to hang these lanterns on for our back patio. $6 each.

I found these cute hand towels at World Market in Park City.  I had plain white ones before and I knew I needed something with a little color since they were hanging against white cabinetry.  These did the trick!  $10 each.