New Project... Bookcase/Seating Combo.......

Now that HH and I have had time to catch our breath from finishing up Tatiana's room, it's now time to start the festivities in Gabriella's room.  Of course, she wanted us to start her room the minute we finished her sister's.  I mean, after all it has to be FAIR right?  Well, her room is going to be a little different.  Her bookcases are going to be built on each side of her window and we decided to build her a bench for seating under her window as well.  I am looking at purchasing a new rug for her room and adding lots of fun and unique accessories for her bookshelves.  I will also be getting a new window treatment since she will no longer be able to use her curtains (due to the new bench).  We will be putting a cushion on her bench and adding pillows to make it extra comfortable.  Lots of new changes in here and I'm excited to see the transformation. Here is where we are starting...

 Here's the window where the new bench seating will be. 

 

 

Bookcase #1 will be built here.

 

Bookcase #2 will be built here.

 

 

One last look at the "Before".

 

We are hoping this project can be completed sooner than the 13 weeks it took to finish her sister's room (Ha! Ha!).  I'll keep you posted.  

What kind of projects have you completed this summer?   

Before and After...... A bookcase and room makeover story.......

It's only been 13 weeks (Ha! Ha!) since we started the bookcase/desk project for our daughter Tatiana but I am happy to report that it is finally done.  You may remember when the project started here, I talked about the need for additional storage and a proper desk space.  The wall we decided to use is situated perfectly in her room to really maximize the space, give her plenty of storage solutions and provide a work space that is functional and stylish.  I also talked about adding some new accessories, a new rug and giving her a seating area. Enough talk, let's see her room now.  But first, just a few before shots....

 

Here are the plans.  

 

 

Here's the wall before.

 

Here's the bookcase before the primer.  I actually found the two bookcases on craigslist and they were the perfect dimensions so my HH just incorporated them into our design and added the molding.

 

Here's what it looks like with both bookcases completed and ready to prime and paint. 

 

And now for the after.........

 

 



This is now her new seating area complete with new rug and table (vintage).  The chair (vintage) got a new pillow from Ikea that really contrasts nicely with the rug and the vintage canvas over her bed. 

 

We put mirrors on both sides of the wall opposite the bookcase.  This helps to reflect the light from the window and also gives her room a bigger feeling.  You can see the bookcase (and my arm...sorry) in the reflection.  I ask you, what 11 year old girl doesn't want a peace sign somewhere in her room? I can't think of any.......

 

Here's the other mirror just to the left of the curtain. 

 

Here's the bookcase/desk combo all completed.  We are still working on decorating the shelves but we have a good head start.  Tatiana picked out the handles and the knobs and has been busy putting all of her touches in her room.

 

Remember the Paris souvenir from here?  It has now found it's home atop a stack of vintage french books (and a old High School History Book).  I think the vintage rhinestone clock adds just the right amount of sparkle.

 

I decided to cover the spines of some old books with great covers in a thick weight wrapping paper that I bought at World Market.  Because there is a lot of shelf space now, I wanted some symmetry to maintain some order and provide color.  This similar stack is on the other side as well.  The vintage brass owls are actually candle holders but work just as well as book weights.  

 

This vintage USA vase adds a nice shade of yellow to the mix.  

 

Here's one last look.  Oh yeah, the wood diamond moldings on the door are from a $2.00 bin at a thrift store.  They were green originally but they fit perfectly on these doors and I think add a nice touch to the overall look.  I also want to give a big THANK YOU to my wonderfully gifted and talented husband for doing such a fabulous job. Thank you HH! 

 

I really like the way her room has turned out and she "loves" it which is the most important part.  What do you think?  What has been your biggest decorating challenge?

Thrifting......Texas Style

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July.  I spent one day going to some out of the way places that I haven't been to in a while and I came across some booths that had great Texas Style. Where else can you find a HUGE assortment of vintage cowboy boots?   I loved this place. 

The detail work on this hand embroidered pillow is stunning.  Whoever did this was very passionate about it.

 

Let's see.... I'll take the tiger (kidding), the fringe jacket and the vintage brown Frye boots (not kidding).

Mickey looks right at home with all of these boots doesn't he?

 

How cute would this vintage radio flyer be in a little boys room or in a playroom?

 

Have a Happy Day!



Grilling and Chillin......

I'm planning on taking at least one day this long weekend to really relax.  Catch up on my magazines, hang out by the pool and enjoy some good times with neighbors and friends.  Within all of that fun, I plan on making these completos or, in English, Chilean style hot dogs.  I pulled this out of a BHG (Better Homes and Gardens) magazine a while back and it's fabulous!  This recipe is also in the book by Nirmala Narine titled, "Nirmala's Edible Diary:  A Hungry Traveler's Cookbook with Recipes from 14 Countries". If you have plans to grill this 4th of July weekend, give this recipe a try.  The flavors of this are wonderful and refreshing. It's also easy to make and can be made easily for a large crowd. Whatever your plans are, have a wonderful and safe weekend. Happy 4th of July! Bon Appetito.

 Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh cilantro
• 2 medium jalapeño chile peppers, stem removed and thinly sliced*
• 2 small shallots, peeled and thinly sliced (or 4 green onions, white parts only, thinly sliced)
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 cup diced green and/or red tomatoes
• 2 avocados, peel and seeded, coarsely chopped
• Sea salt, kosher salt, or salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 4 to 6 all-beef frankfurters or other bun-size sausages
• 4 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 4 to 6 sub or hoagie rolls, split

Directions

1. For Avocado-Chili Relish, in a bowl whisk together olive oil, cilantro, jalapeños, shallots, and lime juice. Gently fold in tomatoes and avocados. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper; set aside.

2. Prepare frankfurters as desired.

3. In a small bowl, mix the butter and garlic. Spread butter mixture on the sub rolls. Ina large frying pan or on a grill rack over medium heat, place the rolls buttered side down and toast until light golden.

4. To serve, tuck frankfurters in toasted rolls and top with Avocado-Chili Relish. Serve immediately. Makes 4 to 65 servings.

 

*When working with hot chile peppers, wear plastic gloves or wash hands well after cutting; the peppers contain oil that may burn skin and eyes.

 

Like the recipe?  Check out her cookbook here

Inspiration Space.......

There are so many beautiful homes out there but every once in a while, I come across a place that just feels right.   The home of Marie-Olsson Nylander is one of those homes. Taking a home from the 70's and filling it with unique pieces, she creates a home for her an her family that is warm and full of style.  With the white floors and light walls, every piece stands out and can be appreciated for what it is.  Who wouldn't love to live here? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Space.......

Over the years I've come to realize the importance of a proper work space. When I say "work space" I basically mean a designated space where I can concentrate comfortably on craigslist, ebay, blog reading, blog writing and my actual job.  If you've read my previous posts here , you know that we cut a hole in the wall to go through the office to make the flow of the downstairs better.  Although it brought in more natural light from the windows in the living room, the office still remains a pretty dark room.  I have a credenza desk and hutch combo in there now and even though there are lights in the hutch, I still feel that the room is too dark.  With that being said, the process started to re-desgin this office to make it more "workable".  While looking through craigslist, I came across a vintage (70's I'm sure) dresser that I thought would make a great credenza for the office.  It has great style and it would give me the ability to put lamps on it for additional lighting.  I decided to buy it and my wonderful HH drove the 2 hours to pick it up.  Step one complete.  Now for the desk.  Still searching for that piece, but I have my eye on one.  Subsequently I've listed my old set on craigslist and ebay (local p/u only) because I know someone will love it and get a screaming deal.  I will be adding curtains in here over the shutters, possibly changing the rug, getting a new desk chair, upholstering another chair and adding some unique accessories.  Here's what's leaving the office:

 

The details on this are really pretty.  I hope the new owner loves it as much as I did.


And, here's what's coming into the office:

 

The handles on this are really cool and this piece is in excellent condition.  The detail on this is fabulous and there is plenty of room for lamps on each end.  I'm thinking of leaving this as is because the color is not bad in the room. That will be decided later after the room gets pulled together a little more.

 

Here are a few more pictures of inspiration that I'm using to re-desgin this office.  I'll keep you posted on progress.

Maybe this idea for a desk chair? It could be a possibility. This is the Brighton Bamboo Chair from Williams Sonoma Home

I like the natural color of linen and think that this color would compliment the other colors that I want to use in here.  These are from Restoration Hardware

I think this is a good start.  What do you think?  If you could change one thing about your work space what would it be?

 

On another note, I am happy to report that my daughters bookcase/desk combo is finally ready for paint!  Guess what I'll be doing every night this week?  I'm so excited for her and I can't wait to show you the finished room. 

A Chic Runner on the Cheap.......

Wherever I go, I'm always on the lookout for flooring options.  I have parquet wood (the cheap stuff) floor upstairs that I desperately want to replace.  Actually, I'm thinking of painting the floor but until I'm able to do that, I keep looking for other options.  While shopping at the Dollar Tree with my girls the other day, I came across these black and white striped rag rugs. What I like about these rugs is that they are washable, reversible and have that classic black and white stripe that goes with just about anything.  I thought this would make a perfect runner.  I could sew a bunch of them together and make a runner for the hallway upstairs that would not only cover the floor I don't like, but also add a punch of pattern to the upstairs.  So, I purchased 11 rugs and went home to make my runner.  It took all of 40 minutes to make this and a whopping $11.00 to make a 25' runner. I did go back however to buy some non-slip liner for this rug which cost me an additional $5 (I used the sticky shelf liner).   Here's what I did in case you want to make one for your space.......

Here's what the rugs looks like. This is reversible and looks the same on the other side.

 

I basically laid out the pieces in a row and then started sewing. I would line up two rugs and then flip the bottom rug over the top piece and sew along the black edges. Then, flip the top piece back over and your done.

 

 Here's the progress.   Almost done!

Fast Forward 10 minutes........

 

And here's what it looks like when it's finished........

 

 

 

This was before I put down the stay put liner so it looks a little wavy.  I like the punch of pattern it puts in this space and of course that fact that it covers the floor. What do you think?  If you decide to try this, I would love to see pictures of your rug.  

Enjoy your weekend!