An Inspiring Blog
“Ultimately your home is so much more than just a decor style, it’s a life style,” as said by The Paris Apartment (a new favorite blog.)
Her quote comes from a clip of her book. I find inspiration not only in her quote and the rest of the clip of the book, but also in each and every post and photo she posts. Check out these gorgeous rooms and then check out her blog here: www.parisapartment.wordpress.com
Read the rest of the book excerpt here:
http://parisapartment.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/going-by-the-book/
So-Ugly-It’s-Cute Chair Love
This little guy is just so ugly he’s cute!
“chair” by Daily Solitude on flickr.
Some Kitchen Inspiration
I ran accross this awesomely unique idea on Apartment Therapy today.
Isn’t this a gorgeous idea?! I feel inspired to do something similar when I get around to the kitchen…
See the post here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/kitchen/diy-inspiration-leather-kitchen-cabinet-pulls-147756
Virtual Tour-Starting in the Dining Room
I think I will give you a little before and after tour of each room as I update them in the new house. Besides the bathroom, the dining room was one of the first rooms I refinished. I decided not to mess with the beaded board walls or drop ceiling at this time, and the carpet may someday come out to reveal the… hardwood floors! But for now… the before:
Yeah, not much for a dining room, right? And After…
I really wanted initially to get rid of the blue ceiling fan. However, family and friends convinced me to work around it. The fan was new and it had a remote and a dimmer. They swore it would be handy. Turns out, they are right! So, I covered a large lamp shade in silky black ribbon and attached it to the fan over the light bulbs. I also hung a crystal from the pull. I think the set-up helps a lot!
On this wall will eventually be a buffet I am refinishing. Stay tuned for that project soon.
And remember the armuoir I turned into a mini bar? So, what do you think so far?
DIY Art for a Bathroom
Once I got my budget bathroom remodel completed I was pondering how to add a bit of art that was also inexpensive, but unique. I then came across a box my grandmother had given me. In it I found a set of vintage metal hair rollers. Light bulb! I had the idea to frame the curlers in a shadow box with a funky background or bright colors to match the room.
The curlers I found:
A little hot glue, some magazine cut outs, scrap book paper, and a basic shadow box frame…
Simple and within budget, but funky and vintage! What do you think?
Budget Bathroom Redmodel
I recently bought my first home and armed with a tight budget and a big dream I set out to fix the place up. The house was built in the 20’s and plumbing was not originally indoors. The bathroom is large, but appears to be in an old bedroom or closet. There was a bathtub, but because of the slope of the roof, there was no room for a stand up shower without hitting your head. I had to get creative in order to stay within my means and also make the place functional for everyday living…
Here are a few before shots of the old retro bathroom:
Not only was there no shower, but this baby also had carpet, dingy tile board walls, no outlets, and only one tiny light. I had my work cut out for me.
I decided to refinish a clawfoot tub and move it away from the wall a couple of feet in order to add a diverter faucet where the ceiling was high enough to stand to shower. The rest fell into place after that. All was done for under $1000. Check it out:
Yea, that’s right, it’s the same bathroom. Clean, functional, bright, and a bit glamorous. My own personal dressing room!
Dining Room Inspiration
I found this dining room photo on flickr and just couldn’t resist showing you all. This room is just awesome! I love how elegant and glamorous it is, even when paired with the rustic wood table. I love the mirrors on the table; what a simple yet glam way to dress the room up. The wall paper makes the room bright, but still in the shades of gray that I love right now!
untitled photo by uydurrukcu on flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/uydurrukcu/5033782889/
My Windchime
The porch on the new house needed something. I couldn’t decide what. I wanted something unique and fun, but not noisy like metal chimes. Thanks to my boyfriend I think I now have the most unique idea out there. He suggested deer antlers. He had plenty of them, so we set to work.
First, he drilled holes in each antler. The antlers were strung on wire. Random bright coral and turquoise beads were added to the wires. The wires were then tied to a metal ring we found a the hardware store. The ring was then strung onto loops of wire to be hung. The finishing touch was to put a dot of Gorilla glue on each wire knot to keep them in place through the wind and weather. Here’s the finished product:
So what do you think? I’m personally in love. 🙂
Chair Love
I love the round shape of this vintage chair… and also the cabinet behind it!
“chair,” by lngthings on flickr.
Make Mine Eclectic 