Here's lookin at me kid

Post holiday decor

Doesn't home seem so empty after the holidays? I usually add decorations for Christmas, but when they're taken down afterwards, it always seems like there is a void I need to fill. So, I've been thinking of some fun ways to add a little something extra to our decor after the sparkley lights and garlands are taken down.

I love that old salon chair and the industrial pieces laying about this apartment. It would be so lovely to find something completely useless but utterly enchanting like this for our own home.

Check out that blue cabinet! Not only does it match the wall, but the color adds a lot of whimsy to an otherwise ordinary piece of furniture. I have a couple of cheap thrift store pieces that I've been considering painting. Maybe it's time I think a bit more seriously on the matter...

Now, I'm not quite sure if this one is doable... But I've been wanting to wallpaper somewhere- anywhere!- in our house for quite some time. I'm just not sure how my landlord brother would feel about that.  Annnd I'm not sure how long we'll actually be living here. Maybe I should wait until we get our own home. But I can barely stand waiting any more!

I've been known to add little bits of 1960's kitsch in our home, but in the winter, it might be warming to add a few more fun pieces! Something easy to change out as the mood strikes me. Such as this afghan coverlet and the 12 Angry Men movie poster.

These drawer shelves really make me want to try a new vintage DIY project. I love the little touch of turquoise lace at the top as well. I'll have to try to find a way to make my own project a bit less girly, though, or it might garner complaints from the menfolk.

So, I have a couple more weeks until my next semester of school begins. Maybe I'll manage to accomplish some of these projects by then! Ah, I just don't know where to begin.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A Last Minute Christmas Craft

Only a couple of days left until Christmas! But there's still time to put together a few things to make your table more festive. If your family has casual Christmas Eve gatherings, like mine, this would be a perfect project for your buffet table.

I found these buckets for a few dollars at Pat Catans, a craft store much like Hobby Lobby. I actually bought them a couple of years ago for a bridal shower, but have been keeping them in the basement since then. I thought I would resurrect them with some holiday style using Hambly Christmas rub-ons.

This is a project that you could really do any time of the year. Hambly has a variety of rub ons perfect that are perfect for baby showers, bridal showers, New Year's parties, and any kind of party, really. I even have a similar project in mind for Valentine's Day!

Apartment Therapy House Tour

My brother and I have often talked about submitting photos of our home to Apartment Therapy for a house tour- once we've finished up all of the construction projects.  But in September, I was completely caught of guard when Apartment Therapy contacted me with a request for a tour!  Needless to say, we were thrown into a whirlwind of trying to complete all of the long term projects here at the house.  We didn't get it all done as we had hoped, but we have definitely made quite a bit of progress since last summer.

Click over to the tour to view never before seen photos of our home!

 

Christmas decorating

Last year I was quite the crafty holiday girl. I made these candle holders with my dad using birch logs, a circular drill bit, and votive holders. I decorated shaker boxes with Hambly rub ons. I made Christmas stockings out of thrifted sweaters, and a tree to hang them on using woodgrain contact paper and 3M hooks. I was also inspired by the movie Elf to turn my chandelier into a winter wonderland.

This year, all I have made is a wreath from a thrifted T-shirt. I just can't seem to find the motivation or ideas. What are you making this year? I seriously need a project. So, any ideas would be lovely!

  

The old garage.

We finally have things put together in the office!  This is only the first time around, and there is always lots of editing to be done after the first arrangement.  but the desks will stay put where they are.  I would like to get some white storage boxes to put on the lower shelves of my desk, just to be a little more subtle.  Working out storage is key to an efficient workplace, right? So, here it is!

 

My stylin' bro

This morning I styled my brother's bedroom. We painted it about a year and a half ago, ripped up the carpet, and took down the crappy 70s blinds. But the walls had remained empty and the room untouched since then. That is, until this morning.

It just so happens, thanks to my brother's Craigslist perusing skills, that we had an extra plycraft (Eames replica) recliner sitting around the house.  Eventually he wants to recover it in black and white plaid.

So what do you think?  Does it look like a hip, young, heterosexual graphic designer sleeps in here?

Le Office

For those of you who follow me on twitter, you know I've been working tirelessly with my brother on completing our office renovations.  For some reason, this little room is taking much longer than the rest of the rooms in our house.  We ended up compromising on a lot of our original ideas, and right now the room is still a bit of a mess.  But as I'm getting my desk organized, I've been trolling the internet for some inspiration.  Here are some of my favorite home offices spaces that I've found...

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(via Living etc)

(via Living etc)

(via living etc)

(via Living etc)

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(via sfgirlbybay)

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House renovations

We're been working furiously to finish up the last few major projects on the house.  We, being myself and my brother.  For those of you who didn't know, my husband, Phil, and I have been living with my brother for the past year and a half and helping him fix up the place.  And now, things are moving on towards the finish line!

The stairs were sort of my pet project.  Although, in my imagination, I was just going to rip up the carpet, sand the wood (which was surprisingly in good shape!), and paint it with white enamel.  However, Dad got involved and ended up disassembling the entire staircase!

This corner has been like this for the past year, and I really couldn't take it any more.  The carpet was shabby and didn't match anything else in our house, and the stairs themselves were actually sagging quite a bit.  So now, the stairs are being refinished by my brother, my dad, and myself.  The problem is, this isn't a one day job.  So we're left with a rather treacherous stairway that we have to climb, even if we just want to use the restroom!  But I can see the finish line ahead, and so the motivation is lingering here for a bit longer.  I'm looking forward to the end of construction projects around here... but to be honest...  I'm not sure what I'll do with myself when it's all over!

Guest Blogging

Today I'm honored to be guest blogging at Smile and Wave, the inspiring blog of Mrs. Rachel Denbow. Come on over for one my favorite posts I've ever written. 7 Rules for the thrifting maven, plus loads of eye candy. See you there!

Coziness galore

So, we finally got the quilt on the bed and last week I bought a space heater. I think we're all set for the cold nights ahead! I'm actually looking forward to snuggling up with husband on evenings when darkness comes earlier than we remembered.

I think we all know the worst part of the whole coziness thing is getting out of bed in the morning. That's what the space heater is for, I guess. But golly, sometimes I think I could just stay in bed forever.