Choo Choo Train Table Center

You can say it, I'm a genius.  The reeds are from two separate assorted packs at Ikea.   The trains are from Aldi.  That's right Aldi!  Aldi on CLEARANCE!  

DIY Nursery for Two

Making a nursery for two posed a few challenges. One I had no budget which  means spend almost no money. Two I have an apartment, so I can't paint walls,, put in built-ins to conserve space etc.  Three the room is small.

Friends gave us a toddler bed which saved us from buying a new crib or toddler bed.  My crib is a converter crib, but my 18 month old needed to move out for the baby.  Now all we need to buy is a new mattress for the crib.

All of my furniture was mismatched either pieces that were given or craigslist purchases.  Also, I can't brag about the quality of any of these pieces, so painting them was a more than viable option.  I chose to paint all of them white not only to save on cost of only having to buy one color but also to create cohesion in the space.

To add a little spice to my plain white furniture, I painted a bold green stencil on the baby-doll cradle and the end table.  The stencil was a find while going through my parents basement c. 1983. I'm not a big fan of stencils, but I wanted something graphic and bold.  Forcing myself to choose from my already acquired acrylics also helped saved me from spending money.

Space is a HUGE issue in this room.  Using a dresser as a changing table helps.  Keeping baby toys to a precious minimum is also a huge space saver.  A 18 month old only needs so many toys of each variety.  Utilizing closet space well keeps clutter out of the bedroom.  I love using wicker baskets to hold diapers, burp cloths, etc.  The key to good space management is to rearrange  rearrange, and rearrange furniture.  One must find a furniture placement that fools the eye and still lends to a good flow.

I want to give a special thanks to my sister and friend for spending well over 8 hours painting this furniture for me.  :)

Baby's China Cabinet

It's amazing what can be done without spending any money. Recently my sisters and I split up most of my mother's china.  In smaller than normal and corresponding scale, I found four teacups and saucers, creamer, sugar bowl, and a teapot. It's the perfect size for my daughter to grow up with having little but authentic tea parties.  My sister even gave me a little cabinet that's perfect for a miniature china cabinet.

Tapestry Headboard

Here is my homemade headboard. I used a curtain rod & loops and hooks from Joann's.
No sewing involved!

Baby Book Holder

Wall mount file rack used as a baby book holder in my nursery.

10 Things in the Design blog world ......overdone?

There are some things in the design blog world that I am simply tired of seeing.  Ironically my eye is consistently drawn to them.
1. Antique doors used as headboards
2. Chevron patterns on dressers
3. neon tipped shoes
4. balloons: children holding balloons, balloons anchored by photos, balloons held by bridesmaids
5. DIY baby headbands
6. DIY aprons
7. Gray walls, gray clothes, and gray EVERYTHING
8. photo booths at weddings
9. Braids, braids, and more braids
10. 50 or 100 ways to wear a scarf


Any more you would add?

Ombre Fabric Dyeing

After 

BEFORE

I followed these instructions

I used my old muslin curtains which were stained by coffee and sunlight 

These supplies + a tool for stirring and rubber gloves. 

It gives my apartment some needed color
Overall, I am pleased with my first fabric dyeing experience

Chevron Picnic Basket

Picnic baskets provide some of the best closed storage.  Already I have one that contains all of my husband's hideously messy video game controllers.   When I saw another one at a thrift store, I couldn't pass it up despite its gross color.  I stained, painted, and gave it an entirely new vibe.  

Before (A gross yellow wood)

First, I stained the basket 

Second, used painters tape to block out my chevron pattern 

After, a fabulous basket

Ice-cream Cone Cupcakes? Really?

OLD and Current CRAZE: Cupcakes

Fads can be fun even when cliche.  I jumped on the cupcake fad three years ago when I  did a cupcake tree in place of a wedding cake. The cupcake craze originally stemmed from the sitcom Sex in the City in the scene at Magnolia  Bakery. From what used to be at the occasional children's party are now  EVERYWHERE:  TV. shows, magazines, books, blogs, google image searches, pinterest and even cupcake specific stores.  Cupcakes are a part of nearly ever category of decor including cupcake holder garland.









THE NEW FAD: Ice-cream Cones
Ice-cream cones are amazing. I'm not denying it.  They're everything you could want from taste to color.  Like everything cupcake, Ice-cream cones are also hitting party decor.

The Newest Craze: ICE-CREAM CONE CUPCAKES

It's like we can't say goodbye to the cupcake or maybe hello to the ice-ream cone.  Maybe they're both just too wonderful not to combine.

Painting Picture Frames for a Fresh Look

My old apartment had solid white walls and painted, white woodwork.  My new apartment has more of taupe walls and deep rich woodwork.  My picture frames which are a yellow imitation wood looks considerably more fake surrounded by the baseboards, trim work, and other indescribably beautiful natural wood.  The black frames that hold a couple of my pastel drawings looks dark and dingy on the taupe walls.

I like the contrast of the black against the pastel more, but the solid white is undeniably more modern and crisp.

Dresser Makeover

I could not! I repeat, could not remove the hardware.  Most hardware has screws on the other side that you just have to remove.  My original plan was to do this and spray paint the hardware a bold yellow.  This hardware was just securely stuck in place with no screws.  Only a couple of knobs could be removed by hand.  Even my Dad couldn't remove them which is saying something.  Thus I was forced to paint the entire dresser white and not the right paint for metals.  I don't hate the result. I just hope the paint that's on the hardware won't wear.  This dresser has been passed down through several people including my cousin, sister, mother, and now it's in my daughter's nursery.

BEFORE                                                                                                                                        

AFTER

Water Colored Lamp Shades

Remember my old paper lamp shades

• Paint brush
• Spray Bottle containing water
• water colors

2D Painted Table

How many of you have an old fold up card table that is ugly and an eyesore.  Well I had such table and decided to have a little fun with it.  My medium was acrylics, and I placed each setting across from me and painted it from the opposite end of the table. The objects are life size.  Many times I had the urge to pick up the salt and pepper shakers.  

Refurbished Lampshade Embellished with Lace Design

Today I found another clever lampshade at Ucreate.  A full Tutorial is found here at Inkodye

I think I might try this myself.  However I don't have money to go and by this inkoydye stuff.  Maybe paint would work????  We'll see.  

I am always looking for clever ways to change up a lampshade.  The last time I was impressed with a lampshade re-due, I tried it myself Lamp Shades.