< Before and After//Stool >

This is less of a DIY, because my mom sewed it, and more of a before and after revealing.

I found that ugly stool at a thrift store for $6.99 and saw it's potential to be our favorite new piece of furniture. This past week I bought the textured upholstery fabric, from JoAnne's for $17 on sale for about a yards worth, and my mom was kind enough to cut and sew(I should have learned how to do it, but I was eager to have it done). My sister Natalie helped me staple gun the new cover on yesterday. I can't wait to see where this stool ends up around the house year after year, but so far it's sitting pretty in our bedroom.

The cover that was on it when I bought it, was a cover for the original ugliness...now that it's all done, I realize I probably should have taken off the original fabric as well because now the fabric is a little uneven on the bottom...you can see it in the second"after" picture. So I would suggest doing that if you cover a stool.

>>>M

< DIY//Ring Holder >

I wanted a better place to store and showcase my rings. I came up with this.

I got the wood piece from Ikea then hammered in nails. Easy. Now I just have to figure out how to hang my earrings and necklaces.
>>>M

< Inspiring Spaces//Kitchen Makeover >

>>>>FINAL<<<<

I am so impressed with this kitchen makeover. Oh my. There are a lot of ugly kitchens in older homes and this makeover gives hope to those looking for an older home or who need help envisioning the possibilities of a great kitchen they already own. This makeover shows how to take a generic kitchen and really make it something unique and modern without going overboard.

Some things I love about the kitchen.
> Adding the white. Love me some white. Not only opens up and brightens up the room, but white is easy, fresh, modern and is a great base to build off of.
> The grey. I don't think I would have thought of using that beautiful grey...but it works amazingly and I think is a stunning choice. It also incorporates the stainless steal appliances.
> The white tiling on the walls. What a great idea! Way better than just white paint. Gives great character, modernizes it and also has a function...easier to clean. It's also a texture.
> The open shelving on the one wall. Always dreamy. I am so in love with the idea of showcasing your beautiful dishware/glassware.
> The simple modern pieces of kitchen accessories.
> That they got rid of the window curtains.
> The hanging lighting...fab. Also, good job getting rid of the center fixture and putting in small flush/hidden lights.
> The barstools...fab.
> The addition of drawer and cupboard handles.
> That they got rid of the garbage being out and exposed.
> The sink update, especially the basin...I like that it doesn't have the metal rim around it that just gets chalky and ugly. Great way to really keep the kitchen updated. If they left that ugly sink, it would bring down the room.

I hope this kitchen inspires you as it has me. Makes me less scared to by an older home.
//See more of this makeover, HERE. And you can see their source and budget list, HERE

Inspiring spaces::1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10
>>>M

< Earth/Moon Clock DIY >

LOVE this clock d.i.y. I WILL be making a moon clock. I don't expect to be able to tell time with it, but it sure will look great. Will look great in my future kid's space room.

Earth/Moon
>>>M

< DIY Wooden Crates >

I have 3 stacked crates in our bedroom and I love it. They were cheap and easy. If you can find some, I highly recommend using them in your home. There are a variety of ways to use them--not all great{PLEASE don't paint them ugly primary colors}, but here are a few I love. Just make sure to sand them if you are going to keep them in their natural wood. Otherwise, ouch! Here is one tutorial of how to hang the heavy crates, in case you need it.

1//Paint one simple crate black to use as shelving
2//Crates as home entry shelving. I don't love that they are packed with shoes, but I love the concept. I believe in not too many shoes in the entry--shoes should be in bedroom, main shoes in entry.
3//Love this modern rustic stack of crates--LOVE white dishes, which looks great in rustic crates.
4//Natural crates look great in a modern home. I am personally not a fan of rustic homes, but I love occasional rustic pieces in a modern home.
5//Love this idea--legs for the crate shelving. Also love the top crate and bottom panel painted.
6//Again, the rustic crate as shelving in a modern home. I also love the way these are stacked.
7//I love the idea of putting the crates together as a coffee table!--don't love the styling of this particular one, but I love the concept.
8//LOVE. Again, the rustic meets modern. Love that they are on wheels--adds a nice industrial feel to them.
9//Love the use of crates as shelving in the bathroom. Great for towels and other pretty bathroom supplies that you want to showcase.
10//LOVE. Easy too. Love a crate that is painted on either just the outside or just the inside. Great for a bedside table or mini table anywhere in the home. Ideally, paint white.
>>>M

< Chopped >

 

Well chopped my hair again today. My hair grows sooo fast. I stuck it in a low pony tail, told Jachen where to cut and he cut about 3 inches off. Then I fixed up the cut a bit, thinned out my hair and then cut my bangs for the first time! Pretty proud of myself, cus they look great. I feel like myself again...with bangs and shoulder length hair. {i refuse to pay salon prices for hair cuts here, so I have been cutting my own hair}

My hair still has so much red in it from using a wash out hair dye over a year ago, I love it. You can see some of the red in the chunk of hair I cut that's in my hand.

Ignore my creepy hand in this picture of me.
>>>M

|| Lovely, Lovely Wedding ||

I can't even HANDLE how amazing this wedding is. James, the bride, seriously has style. Every single photo of the wedding is amazing and I had a hard time choosing which to post so I decided to showcase the design aspect of the wedding. She clearly had an amazing venue, but even without that
it still would have been amazing. I absolutely lovvve the gold tipped black feathers hanging from the ceiling. I bet she had so much fun planning her wedding, not to mention how much fun her photographer must have had. You will want to see the rest of her wedding photos||part one
||part two on her lovely blog. What a celebration!

|| All Things Lovely... ||

Clearly I love all the above. 

What a fun necklace idea, I am going to have to make one similar.
I am in LOVE with both those retro fridge/freezer combos. They come in such great colors, what a dream! This company also makes stoves, dishwashers and small fridges in the same retro style. What color would you get?
Necklace DIY|Art|Cake|Fridge

|| Happy Triangles ||

I love triangles. You?

Can anyone not like them? I guess there was a time, in the 90's, when I didn't like hearts. So I guess people can go around not liking triangles. They sure can be so spunky. They can be straightedged or wobbly, I don't care. Triangles can be such a bold design element. I am sure you have seen many triangle pieces throughout this blog of mine and you will forever see more.

Pinata Tree|Triangle Drinking Glasses|ABC Poster|Boathouse Print

Wooden Brooches|Wooden Bow Tie|Triangle Necklace|Matterhorn Print

|| DIY Lights ||

Make either or both of these fabulous and easy lovelies.

I am amazed by the house/castle cylinders and am now going to be on the look
out for black and white photo books of Swiss homes and castles. Amazing.  

Houses|Fabric Jars

|| Make a Holiday Wreath ||

Jachen's grandmother gave me some lovely holiday ribbon months ago. I didn't know what to do with them until I decided I needed a couple holiday wreaths. So I chose a white with sparkly gold stripes ribbon for one and a maroon with sparkly gold stripes ribbon for the other. Wreaths are so easy and fun to make. You can use this simple idea to make any type of wreath for any occasion. Enjoy!