Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Driftwood dresser: Before and After

I saved this little dresser before it was thrown out because I saw lots of potential. It was in great shape, except for a few grasshoppers. After a little sanding, paint, and stain, it has new life! Hallelujah!


Here she is before....

And after...










Let me tell you a little bit about the handles. I wanted to find some unique, vintage handles but I was too impatient. I also wanted it to be a little rustic like the dresser (is it rustic-maybe beachy?) I have driftwood garland that I love, and as I was driving home yesterday an idea popped into my head for the handles. I painted the driftwood, bound it with rope and tied the rope through the original holes. They're sturdy and hold up nicely.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Fall Collage

Yayy!!! I just got photoshop, and have been playing with it for far too long!!! This is what I made! A fall collage.




These are great inspirational items from new fall collections. I LOVE the greys paired with chocolate browns, mustard yellows, and crisp white. Its always good to mix layers of texture to give your home warmth for the cool weather thats right around the corner! Hope you find it very inspiring!
Please share your favorite fall color combinations-I would love to hear!
( Wire votives, Ballard Designs; ThomasPaul horse pillow, 2Modern ; Concourse burlap chair, Tree silhouette rug, yellow scale rug, Fresh from the farm and Kitchen book, Stump and iron lamps, glass medallion pendant light, driftwood votive, Anthropologie ; White gourds and pumpkin, Z Gallerie)

Friday, August 27, 2010

Pretty in Pink

I'm helping a friend this weekend, we're making some fun changes to her kitchen. Here's what she knows: she wants pink walls! I love this idea, I've been searching for inspirational pictures, and I've come across some good stuff!

See.




















What are some fun colors to pair with pink, naturally, I'm thinking white and black. What do ya'll think?




-Images courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Blog Love's

I love INSIPIRING places, and that is exactly the type of blog that Faith and Justina Blakeney have created at Compai Studios. Their style is focused on upcycled items and multi-cultural designs. You can also find an AMAZING table they redid here, that was featured on the design*sponge before and after.
Enjoy!











Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Product Reference!

My friends and I love a good product reference, so I have two to share today!
I love the vintage look...and I don't know if its the teacher in me, but I LOVE baskets. They have these wire baskets at Pottery Barn for around $39.....






But they have these at the Stack and Stack store which you can find here.
These are only $9, and I honestly like them better. Great deal.

Also, if you've talked to me in the past month, you've probably already know about this one..Pledge multisurface. Cleans everything!! Granite countertops..sparkle. Stainless Steel..shines. Wood Floors....glows.
It's worth every penny.




So there you have it, my product references.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

My cherry tree needs help!

This is the cherry blossom tree that I painted in the hall bath. A few months ago I did a reno on this bathroom and added this tree to the wall. When I shared with ya'll the after images I wasn't quite done with this little guy. So here it is...and I need opinions. Check out the complete bathroom here. Now, after seeing my colors, should I go over the black tree and make it white or a darker shade of the blue color on the wall? I'm an opinions girl, so let me hear what ya'll think!



Saturday, August 21, 2010

Cake Stands


I found a little inspiration at one of my favorite places in Greenville, Knack Studios. Take an old plate that needs new life and glue it to an old glass candle holder or vase! So cute! You can see hers here.

Have a great Saturday!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Color combos that work!

There is a science to color combinations...I teach it everyday to my students. When certain colors are mixed or combined in the right environment and dosage, they can create beautiful harmony within a home.

For example: red and green (you work in varying shades of these colors), orange and blue, yellow orange and blue violet, etc.
These are all complementary colors, that will naturally be cohesive in a room. You can use these colors as building blocks for a room, but it's when you start pushing the envelope in these color categories that things get real interesting.

I've selected a few images of rooms that successfully portray unique yet complementary color combos.


This first one was chosen mainly for the little smiling pup that melted my heart!

Light seabreeze turquoises with white washed wood and creamy white trim.

Yellow, blue, and aqua really sing when they are together.






Deep orange paired again with white washed walls.


A cream almost champagne beige works wonderful with a pale soft blue.






Any more suggestions on successful color combinations? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts.


(*Images courtesy of Kat Burki, Suzan Fellman, Elsa Soyars, and Mabley Handler Interior Design)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Our new addition

I found this little gem at a Goodwill store on Mt. Pleasant. Isn't it lovely? I've been searching a while for a rattan chair like this.. does anyone know the style name? It was a natural color. Sometimes, if you're not sure what color you want to go with, just let the chair sit in a room for a while, move it around the house, then it should come to you eventually.
The chair found a home in the sunroom and white was the color of choice. I brought in the deep orange fabric from the living room to tie the two rooms together.


Have a happy Wednesday!!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Your home's introduction

An entryway is always a challenging space, it also is the statement maker for your home's environment. What is yours saying right now? It took me a good while to figure out my entryway; you can see what I did here.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when creating a statement making entryway:
Storage ( for shoes, keys, jackets, scarves, leashes, etc. Paint an old bureau or small table, and add some baskets, or a bench or chair will do)
Smell (sweet scented candles create a welcoming environment)
Plant or Flowers(also are welcoming)
Color (This can be in accessories, flooring, or walls, to get visitors excited about your house)

Here are a few very inspiring entryways from flickr







Sunday, August 1, 2010

New Kitchen Reveal!!


Okay, if you don't know we have been working on a kitchen renovation for the past four weeks. Lets take a venture down memory lane, shall we?
This is how it looked for about a year...




How refreshing is a new kitchen?!! I feel like a food network host every time I cook! (However, a dog and a cat don't make the best audience.)











Cost break down:

Labor... $0 (we did it, along with my parents)
Flooring (hardy backer board, mortar mix, grout, tile)....$1000 (Floor & Decor)
Counter tops (granite).....$2000
Appliances (dishwasher and stove).....$1100
2 Light fixtures.....$50 (Scott's Antique Market)
Backsplash....$50 (Floor & Decor)
Accessories....$40
Paint (ceiling, cabinets, and trim)....$45
Faucet....$140
Sink...$90
Hardware....$56
Grand total...$4571!!
(We will eventually add a new refrigerator to that total)

Changes we made:
Knocked down wall between main kitchen and breakfast area
Tore up flooring
Sanded and painted cabinets
Replaced existing countertops
Moved fridge and added cabinet
Changed fixtures
Updated hardware
Updated light switches
Added microwave cutout


Let me know what your think..opinions or suggestions?