Wood grain! (Obsession #1)

Oh, how I love a good wood grain! The tone I like this can't be found in a big box store...it's that mid-century teak stained genius tone. It's such a lovely brown with and orangie undertone {unlike the 80's version}. This undertone says warmth and timelessness!

Here are some of my finds and happy additions to my home...

Darling mirror  {just the right size to hang over a wall plate} - Resale .79 cents

Perfect chair reupholstered in a graphic remnant - Chair $11/Fabric $7yd.

1960's dresser via Craigslist for $5. Refinishing (hence the remaining sawdust) $100

Teak bowl holding my bathroom toiletries - Resale $1.59

Another teak bowl to hold my husband's pocket change - Resale .29 cents

 

 

 

My dining chair with original vinyl seat - Craigslist 4 for $40

 

 

It looked better in my mind!

I like to create. Many times I have an idea and it works...other times (like this example) it did not! I love the ocean and collecting shells, sea glass, and coral. On my recent trip to Puntacana, Dominican Republic, I found lots of coral pieces.

I decided to get crafty and display the coral in an interesting way and at a trip to Homegoods I found a frame like this...

And I arranged the coral like this...

Then I thought to paint an abstract design in the background? And this is what I did...

Then I added the coral...

I stood back to take a look, my first thought was, "This looks like splattered blood and bones!" (YUCK!). I definitely saw this much differently in my mind!

Back to the drawing board. I gathered some leftover burlap and a glue gun and I came up with this...

Much better!

My husband was RIGHT!

My husband is an idea guy. When we were first married he would toss out ideas A LOT! We were married young (i.e. my brain was still developing) and in a panic-stricken state I wouldn't be the most supportive wife (i.e. I'd shoot them down) because I thought he was planning on following through with every idea (we were P-O-O-R)!

That was 15 years ago and I've grown up and I don't shoot down his ideas anymore (accept when it comes to our home) as I learned that he is just throwing out ideas because he can't help himself. God wired him this way and I like it!

When he decided he wanted to pay to get our fireplace in working order, I was not supportive! I have this spoken rule that since design is my deal, he needs to keep all the matters of the home under my jurisdiction! I have a running To Do list in my mind of home projects I'm looking to accomplish (are you noticing how many times I am using "I"?...not good for a marriage folks)! Usually he is SUPER great about it, but this time he rebelled (haha!). He called Benson Stone and ordered it and told me afterward. I am so glad he did and I've told his several times, "You were RIGHT, Babe!".

Not a great shot of a roaring fireplace, but this is the gist!

Happy with Shabby

I received a text from a friend today asking if I could help pick out a Shabby Chic green for a cabinet. I do a lot of paint selections for friends and clients and I love it! Shabby Chic is not my forte and I had to do some research. Personally, I am drawn to cleaner lines, wood grain, and COLOR. All which are the opposite of Shabby Chic, which consists of painted out distressed furniture, light color tones, flowers, ruffles, and a worn look.

When it comes to my own personal design aesthetic, I like mixing it up! A little bit of everything to keep me interested in my decor. A little modern, a little mid-century, a little antique, and (lo and behold) a little Shabby Chic!

From Eric's Nonnie

Desk chair recovered in Waverly's Chippendale

Daughter's room

My daily reminder! :o)

Painted out antique dresser

Light gray drapes from IKEA

I learned a little bit more about my design style today. As for the green color...I am still stumped. :o)

Creating a Collage

It didn't take long to gather items for this collage and I loved every minute of it. Some items were gifts from a dear friend while others were found at resale or antique shops in the Rockford area.  I went for all antique and vintage frames since I like to reuse and refurbish. I paid .29 - .99 cents for the frames and I bought the gray and orange mats at Hobby Lobby at 50% off, costing a total of $40.00. I included pictures of the family since they are the loves of my life.

The mirrors ($2.25 for both) were painted out in charcoal gray.

Andy Warhol quote, using my limited graphic design skills.

Chalkboard from Poska in Rockford

"Mother" poem - I dig the colors!!!!

My abstract creation on burlap.

Dali's - The Face of Mae West. Love it!

Harrison

Daylie

Grae and Family

Tattered to Treasured!

It was more of the usual (i.e. stalking craigslist). As a scrolled along, I came across an ad for a "Cabinet - $10". The next ad, "9-Drawer Dresser - $10", listed from the same seller. With lightning speed I contact her saying I am interested in both! Her reply? That I can have the the pair for $10. That is right! BOGO! I call my dad and we are off the next morning for Oregon, IL.

Ok...definitely not love at first sight. Actually, I felt a little sick to my stomach, but then I can't buy myself lunch for $10! Therefore, into the Tahoe it goes!

Scratched and dirty, dull and warped, rusted and chipped - $5

Sanded and shiny, mended and useful, clean and stocked - $100

Usually I try to DIY, but this was way beyond my capability. I make a call and within minutes I deliver the pieces to Brian Rawson of Rawson Custom Woodworking here in Rockford, IL. He did an excellent job. So so happy!




For $105, I now have this awesome cabinet that is stocked with my silver-rimmed tumblers, ice bucket and fixings!

I am working on the overall space, so watch for more to come.  Dresser pics coming soon!

Resaling Pays Off!

Hitting resale shops can be one dirty job, but I LOVE IT! I just bring along a package of wet wipes and and open mind, and I have the best time.

Here are a few of my most recent finds...

One hot looking retro serving dish for .29 cents!

I love the burnt orange and the Aztec design detail in this enamel serving tray... .99 cents

!

I am a little nutty about wood grain these days. I heart this serving bowl! .79 cents

It is now my fruit bowl!

If you have a little MOXY, then try this!

Urban Dictionary defines MOXY: n. When someone has guts...they have moxy.
 
I have a darling and most lovely friend named Lindsay. She has a love and quite a collection of pretty things and is very creative (www.lindsayletters.com). When she, and her now hubby, got engaged, she asked if I would help pull her house together (i.e. decorate). I was a bit thrilled and mostly intimidated, but the finished project is definitely Lindsay and full of moxy.

Here is the kitchen...

Lindsay's hubby found this table (in very sad shape), so we painted it Blackberry, which went beautifully with the wall paint, Frolic.  Moxy needs to be neutralized (i.e. white cabinets in Greek Villa)...to give those darling eyes a rest.

With the accents of ice blue scattered about and red here and there, this kitchen is one of my favorites.

If your still wondering if you have moxy, begin on a smaller scale. Go ahead and paint that chair, bench or desk. It's OK to paint wood...it gives it a new, fresh life (I promise).

Here are some colors with moxy...Direct Green, Briny, Chartreuse, Forsynthia.

I would love to see before and afters!

Take a Risk and Be Pleasantly Surprised!

When I saw the ad for this chair on Craigslist (this will be a common disclaimer) I got all excited on the inside. I know some of you get that feeling, too. You know that feeling that you have to "pop" on something, but may not know why. This happens often. If I ignore it and don't go for it...the result is utter disappointment (e.g. I fret over it and go back to buy it only to find it GONE). I then have to trust that the item in question landed in a loving home.

Anyway, when these pair of chairs were up for sale, I had to jump on it. It was like I couldn't deal if these didn't land in my home immediately. Some people don't get it...they don't understand the wild color. But what can I say, when I placed them as the host chairs to my dining table...well it all just felt right.

Bright orange and a little tattered, but brillant nonetheless - $40 for the pair.

I'm blogging!

I love a good deal. I love things that have some architecture...you know that vibe that says that an item has some craftsmanship...not that look of being mass produced. Lately, I've been combing Craigslist. When I say "combing" what I mean is that I look to it at least 10 times a day. Here are some items I've found that I've incorporated into my living room.

1960's Black Vinyl Chair & Ottoman in excellent condition ($90)

Mid-Century Design - I love love love the swoop arm ($60)

My little conversation area with a white table from Target and decorative storage box from Pier One.

The art is my family along with the kids framed artwork. That's Honest Abe behind the black chair done by my son, Grae (7). The lamp is from TJMaxx. The coral pillow is from Pottery Barn and the bluish graphic pillow is from Marshalls. That small item on the floor...well that is a Tinkertoy. :o)