Telling Time

My kitchen needs a makeover, big time.  I started with the rug, but it kind of got put on the back burner with this whole One Room Challenge thing.  I've got a list of projects that need to be finished in there and zero time to do them.  But sometimes projects just fall in my lap like one did last weekend. 

I was shopping at the Crate & Barrel outlet last weekend and I spotted a stack of cheapo clocks in the corner.  My kitchen to-do list popped up in my head and I remembered that I needed to replace my sad, dust mixed with kitchen grease wall clock. At a cool $6 and change experimenting on giving this new clock a facelift (because it did need a big facelift) was not going to break the bank if it didn't work out in the end. 

The before.  I've probably had that clock since the day I graduated college.  It's plastic and glass in it broke about a month after I got it.  Now that I think about it why the hell have I held onto it for so long? gross!

Here is the before of the new $6 clock I was working with

Not horrible, but not what I wanted in my kitchen.  I was not even sure at this point if I would be able to paint it and give it a new face but I got out my tools and gave it a try.

After taking out 6 screws the back popped right off and with it the glass came too. Yippie!

I took the clock outside right that second and gave it a few coats of gold spray paint.

Side note, I just used some basic Rustoleum Gold Metallic color. But after I had already finished my clock I saw this post on Mint Love Social Club and she used Design Masters spray paint in 14k Gold and I love it! I need to get my hands on some bottles of that stuff so I can repaint my clock

Can't forget the clock hands

And this is where I got so excited and forgot to take photos of cutting my new clock face and putting it back together. So I'll just cut to the after shots

You can't really tell in these photos but the new face on the clock is a light greenish-blue or blintish (blue and green together) as I named it.

I'm still not sure if I should put numbers on the face or even paint in the 12, 3, 6 and 9 with gold paint.  But the fun thing about this clock is that I can change up the look of it in 2.2 since the back screws right off.

So much better for my kitchen than the flat black plastic before.

Yeah for another low cost makeover.

Happy weekend everyone!!

One Room Challenge: Week 1

A few weeks ago I was asked Linda from My Crafty Home Life to participate in the One Room Challenge with 20 other design bloggers. Of course I said yes, because this gives me the kick in the butt I need to finally pull my bedroom together (or at least to give it a little pick-me-up). 

The deal is to finish one room in your house in 6 weeks.  That means over the next 6 weeks I've got to find time between my full time job, an intensive Kitchen and Bath design class, and the endless hours of homework to get my bedroom in order.  I'm going with the positive can-do attitude for now.

I've got a lot to tackle in this bedroom of mine, that's for sure.  One thing that's annoying is that I'm a renter, so there isn't much building and moving of walls I can do.  It's more like what pillows can I sew for the bed, and how can I style my dresser to make it more organized?

Lets take a look back in time (cue Cher singing "If I Could Turn Back Time") here is what my little apartment bedroom has looked like over the years...ugg these photos make me cringe!

The last one is basically what my bedroom looks like today.  Actually, I take that back.  This is what my bedroom looks like lately

YIKES!

Here are a few things on my to do list now (and as writer of this blog, I reserve the right to change any and all of these)

-change the headboard fabric. I'd love a new bed, but that idea already got  shot down. hmmmm, maybe I should try that idea on the husband again.

- make new pillows 

- figure out new storage for necklaces and other jewelry on dresser
- artwork over side table
- under bed storage
- rug (probably just a small one at the entrance, a large 9x12 isnt in the budget quite yet)
- fix light fixture
- art on other walls
- switch up side table and dresser accessories


I've got my plate full and lots to tackle before the end of the 6 weeks.  I can't wait to follow along with the other 20 design bloggers and see their rooms transform over the coming weeks.

Here are the other bloggers participating in the One Room Challenge

Beth – Chinoiserie Chic

Sherry – Design Indulgence

Barbara – Hodge Podge

Kim – Kim Macumber Interiors

Lisa – Lisa Mende Design

Tiffany – Living Savvy

Jessie - Mix and Chic

Linda – My Crafty Home Life

Alison – My Little Happy Place

Danylle - Nana Moon

Nicole – Nicole Scott Designs

Julia – Pawleys Island Posh

Jennifer – The Pink Pagoda

Nancy – Powell Brower Home

Lindsay – The Pursuit of Style

Emily – Rue de Emily

Lindsay – Sadie + Stella

Lauren- The Cottage Mix

Lisa – Trapped in North Jersey

what kind of bar are you?

Since my last post I could not stop thinking about how fun it would be to have my very own built-in wet bar.  I put together these 5 different bar accessory boards just to get more of idea on what style I liked.  Honestly though, I love them all, I cant pick a favorite.  Ok maybe the Fun Flair one might be my favorite.  But only because it has orange in it.

crystal decanters - pewter liquor tags - pineapple ice bucket - wood tray - double old-fashioned glasses - spoon dish - linen cocktail napkins

cocktail glasses - linen cocktail napkins - octopus bottle stopper - orange tray - pink champagne glasses - mermaid bottle opener - octopus decanter

deer bottle stopper - brown ice bucket - old-fashioned glasses - fish bottle opener - wood cutting board - wood dish

crystal ice bucket - silver corkscrew - amethyst bottle stopper - wine glasses - cocktail glasses - blue tray

crystal ice bucket - blue glasses - monogrammed wine glasses - elephant bottle stopper - red tray - coasters - striped straws

What kind of bar gal are you? 

straight up with a twist

City apartments always have their quirks.  Whether it's having to walk though one bedroom to get to another or strangely laid out kitchens, its always something.  I've been doing my research on apartments/condos available in our price range around here and let me tell you, its slim pickings.  What is available in our price range are those crazy shaped apartments with limited storage space, outdated kitchens and bathrooms and lots of fun alcoves/ bump outs to deal with.

In my dreamworld my future apartment would have plenty of closet/storage space and that one random alcove to deal with.  In that one random alcove (that's strategically located between the family room and kitchen because I'm just that lucky. I mean this is my dreamworld) a built in wet bar would be so lovely.  It would make my apartment perfect for those book club meetings, dinner parties, or that end of day glass bottle of wine.

Here is what I had in mind

Technically this isn't a "wet bar", its just a bar. But even with no sink, wine fridge or dishwasher drawer this bar is still perfect.  Well, the Mariah Carey butterfly light fixture would have to go. Then it's perfect.

A built-in bar like this would be amazing to have, if only I had this set up in my current apartment.

Ok this one isn't an alcove- but it's great use of the wall space between the two doors. It might otherwise be junk counter space if it was not something useful like this wet bar area.

Yet another Bailey creation that I'm smitten over.

The dark cabinets and brass hardware had me at hello. This would be so lovely in a small apartment because it's simple yet functional.

Pretty wood counters- but I'd switch out those door panels on the bottom, I'm not feeling those.

I'd switch out the crystal hardware, but other than that I love this bar. Do you see that fab nailhead detail along the wall?

And lastly, my favorite

Miles Redd.  He can do no wrong in my eyes.  This bar combines my love of painted woodwork AND drinking.  It's a marriage made in heaven.

Now to find the perfect apartment with an alcove between the kitchen and family room for my bar (and also a 2 car garage, washer and dryer, massive walk in closets, designer kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a zoo with an elephant and a giraffe on my roof deck that has a pool).

I should probably start wishing on all the stars in the sky right now.

(Photos from: Windsor Smith, Hammersmith Atlanta, Mahoney Architects and Interiors, Ventana Construction, Peppermint Bliss, Hinkley Lighting,  Muse Interiors, Decor Pad, Miles Redd via Town and Country)

personalized love

Having been born and raised in the Boston area makes me a far cry from a Southern lady.  But there is one Southern tradition that I can't get enough of and that's monogramming. Maybe a few too many games of Pat-a-cake and marking things with a B really stuck in my head.

Lately I've been wanting to get everything in my apartment monogrammed, I even have a box of stuff just waiting to be sent to the right monogram place  (any suggestions in the Boston area?).  Anyway, I got thinking about all things monogrammed and here is a collection of some of my favorites

Dabney Lee personalized cell phone cases

Have you seen the new Design Darling boutique?  If not you must go visit, it's super cute!  I just love these monogrammed salt and pepper shakers.  I mean pull these babies out during a back yard BBQ and you most certainly will be the hostess with the mostess.

La Plates has the best selection of personalized plates!  If we are talking backyard BBQ's these are a total must have.  It's also owned by a fellow Kappa Kappa Gamma sister so I really have to give them some love. L&L

Monogram Inc. has some of the most amazing and sophisticated monogram styles I've seen.  They customize your very own monogram style with 1-3 initials and I'm just smitten.  Its not cheap, but if you are getting married soon having your very own monogram would be perfection. 

Speaking of getting married and monograms, there is a certain famous gals monogram on that site. Can you spot it? (Hint: the marriage only lasted 72 days)

My very best friends gave me this monogrammed necklace for my 30th birthday and I've hardly taken if off since.  There are tons of sites making them now, but two that I'd heard a lot about are Max & Chloe and Jennifer Zeuner

Patricia from PVE is one of the sweetest, nicest bloggers out there and she also happens to be super talented.  I just LOVE her personalized monograms and I think they make the perfect personalized stationery.

I just recently got the silver tag on my keychain monogrammed and I love how it came out.  These other keychains are super cute! Pink acrylic keychain, gold enamel keychain, or make your own needlepoint key fob with this kit.

No monogram list is complete without a mention of Leontine Linens.  I wish I could just call them up and order one of everything- I mean their monograms are ahhh-mazing.  While I save up my hard earned pennies or until I have a first born to offer up, I'm loving this more affordable jewelry round.

These coasters would make the perfect coffee table or bar tray accessory.  Both would make a lovely hostess gift as well.  They are from Horchow and Iomoi.

Graphic Image has really great leather calenders and journals and of course they would not be complete without your monogram.  I have a blue croc refillable journal and I love it!

I think I put the LLBean Boat and Tote on every list I make, but I really love it that much.  That being said, its not complete without a personalized name or monogram on it.  The photo on the right is from EAS's blog, she had hers custom monogrammed at a local place and I just LOVE hers.

A lovely wedding or hostess gift would be a set of linen monogrammed napkins.  In fact my very good friend Stephanie gave me a set for my wedding- of course the monogram is in orange and I love them!

My Grandma loves a good game of Bridge and in fact plays 2-3 times a week with her friends.  I gave her a set of these Tiffany playing cards for Christmas a few years ago and they were a big hit. I cant imagine a more chic ladies poker night with these personalized blue and green playing cards.

I love me some fancy monogrammed bedding!  There are about a million places out there that do monogrammed pillowcases and bedding- my favorite fairly inexpensive sources are Etsy, Land's End & Garnet Hill. 

(Photo from Southern Living)

Last but certainly not least are one of my favs and thats a good monogrammed hand towel or tea towel.  Just like bedding, monogrammed hand towels are super easy to find.  I think that personal touch make any old kitchen or bathroom extra special. The ones above are from: West Elm, Pottery Barn, Horchow, and Lands End.

I had to control myself and stop, otherwise this post would never get published. I could go on and on with all the things that I love monogrammed, the options really are endless.

So tell me, what monogrammed things do you love?

channeling my inner artist

When people move out of my apartment building often times all those "cleaning house" items get left in the front hall, free for the taking.  Sometimes its really annoying, but other times I've found some fun scores.  A few weeks ago a generic painted canvas was left.  I passed by it once thinking it was pretty ugly.  But when I passed by it again a light bulb went off and I decided to grab it.

Normally I think of myself as a pretty creative person.  I grabbed that canvas thinking I could make my own DIY art, I mean it can't be that hard, right?  I've seen other people do their own versions of art, and I could always channel my inner Jackson Pollack and splatter some paint all over it. 

Just for giggles I'll show you my painting process.  This is what I started with

I started my DIY project by covering the whole canvas with Zinsser primer.  Because I had no clue what I was capable of I wanted to keep this project within my $0 budget, so I used everything that I had at home already.

I forgot to take a photo of the plain white canvas I started with so just imagine it looked something like this

At this point it's where things got a little fuzzy.  I must have painted close to 50 different layers on this canvas.  I kept it propped up on my family room for about a week and every night I would come home from work and paint something different.

I guess you could think of it as pretty cheap therapy.  On days where I was tired or cranky my art was pretty dark with a lot of navy blues and on days where it was sunny and I was happy there were lots of whites and pastels.

I was so into painting I totally forgot to take photos of all the different versions I came up with, but here are a few

After the above version I must have had 20 more, but was lost in what I was doing and totally spaced on photos.

Here is what I ended up settling with

In hindsight I probably should have stopped a few versions back, because I did like some of the other paintings I had done.  But that's what happens when you don't step away from the paintbrush.

In the end I'm pretty sure I should leave the art to the pros and put my painting skills to use on some craigslist furniture.  But for now, I have this to look at...

...till I decide to paint over it again.

color me timber

While daydreaming about my future kitchen I got a little sidetracked (thanks to that rabbit hole Pinterest) and started thinking about other details of what I wanted my future home to look like. 

White moulding is pretty standard (or if you are like my Dad, you think stained wood trim is the only trim that should exist), but I really think I want to take some risks and go bold.  Like lots of color bold and paint some moulding and woodwork a fun color.  What do you think, am I crazy? 

Before you answer that, here is some of my current inspiration

Cottage Living

Harpers Bazaar

Katie Ridder

Katie Ridder

 

Lindsay Coral Harper

Meg Braff

unknown, anyone know?

Miles Redd

MMR Interiors

MMR Interiors

Unknown, anyone know?

I guess if I chicken out I could always paint a door a fun color, right?  It could be a way of getting ready for all that colorful moulding.

Hmmm decisions, decisions.  Now I just need a place to paint.