My Girls' Bedroom Gets A Makeover

I really enjoyed creating this pink-a-licous bedroom for my daughter when she was really little.   We would snuggle on the bed and read, and on Saturdays we could take a nap together (Mommies need to nap more!)

BEFORE

But six years later she is all pinked out and the room needs to function better for her age.   I have held off on re doing her room because I know it can be hard to compromise with a kid.  I was sure she would be my toughest client yet!  

In the end we actually had a lot of fun with the makeover, and I am sure she will write me a glowing letter of recommendation. 

AFTER

So let me tell you about this space: My kid loves art; anything crafty that she can get her hands on like the sketch she did of the zebra you see on the wall with the purple gem eyes.  It was done on newspaper!  So of course, color was a major theme in this room makeover.  

Instead of repainting the bedroom, we added more thin stripes to the pink stripes already there.  I think we used seven new colors.  I am a decorator by trade so I had so many quarts to choose from.  It was fun.  We painted it together while singing along with our favorite bands on the ipod.  

The new day bed was my gift to the room.  I fell in love with it the moment I saw it in a furniture catalog.  I have never seen anything like it.  I do love white leather!!  Also day beds with trundles allow a guest to sleep over so they are handy! 

I can't believe how much stuff my little one has collected, and of course, nothing can be thrown away, so we went to the ever popular IKEA Expedit bookcases for storage.  One doubles as a window bench for more toys (ahhhh!)

Although I have a really cute owl lamp in the room, we realized we needed better reading light so we added a wall light with a movable neck.  It is really great.  I thought choosing the bedding was going to be almost impossible but we did not even need to compromise.  She loved this purple velvet cheetah patterned comforter, and I had to agree that is was funky and soft.

tip: if you have a piece of homemade artwork you want to hang but it is rather small, go get an extra large mat and frame for it (we had to get this one custom made but it was not expensive). 

We kept the dresser (CLICK HERE to see how this dresser was refinished) and added a little desk.  The wall flowers were a fun gift from a friend.  We placed them all over the wall and at night they glow like stars! If you noticed I did not add more colorful stripes to a good chunk of this wall, the reason is that we grew tired-plain and simple!  And when I went back the next day to paint more on, I liked it the way it was.

My Kitchen Renovation

When we moved into our home six years ago we simply decorated the existing kitchen.  We did not build this house so had no control over the finishes used.  Just this year we finally renovated.  Any time you are thinking about taking on a large job like a reno in a kitchen, take your time to plan because it is a costly process.  Here are the highlights of the changes we made:

This is the kitchen before: 

First thing we did was make a list of the things in the kitchen that bothered us.  At the top of our list was:
+ Island is too small
+ Need more storage
+ Cabinet color
+ Laminate

Next we priced out the changes we wanted to make.

Then we began the demo process.  

Say 'bye bye' to the laminate!

And good bye appliances!

We were able to do a bulk of the work ourselves, but brought in a professional painter to paint the kitchen cabinets a beautiful creamy light grey tone.

P found a great hardwood floor and installed it in our entire first floor ('go P go!').  They resemble old farmhouse planks, a bit distressed in a walnut tone.

We worked in a new island that answered our need for storage.  It is six feet long and has cabinets on both sides, including a double pull out trash drawer.  Now that, is good efficiency!

 I am a big fan of red shoes and bright lipstick so this race car red finish made my day!

P always wanted a butcher block counter top so I gave in and we used it on the island (not a huge fan of this look typically).  

We found these great big glass pendants and hung two in newly moved ceiling electrical boxes.  

Lastly we had our walls wallpapered in a textured grey paper.  

Here is the new look!

Did you notice that there is no more kitchen table in our kitchen?  That brings us to Phase 2 of our project going on right now:

This was the other side of our kitchen:

For us, it was more functional to have a larger island, but we could not comfortably fit a large kitchen table in the same space with out it looking cramped.  So we knocked out the long half wall that separated the kitchen from our family room.  This created a more open concept floor plan.  By bringing the wall and re-configuring our furniture arrangement, we not only let more light in because the window was no longer blocked by the sofa, but we also were able to house our kitchen table there!  So functional for us.

We dressed up the entrance to the family room with a pair of square columns.

And the hardwood floor went down!

And here is where we are with the room right now.  We are working on new furniture, built ins on either side of fireplace (not sure of the height or if messing with the fireplace mantel.

I am really happy with how the kitchen and family room flow now.  It is much more open but we have a long way to go.  P needs a much deserved break from this project for now so I just sit in the room with my cereal bowl and dream up changes.......... 

.............while P finishes up our renovated foyer (can you believe this guy!)

Finished Staging Zionsville Mall Space!

Just put the finishing touches on the Zionsville Antique Mall staged space!  I had too much fun these last few days, and actually looked forward to the little time I spent there each day.  It is truly a wonderous place chock full of vintage decor, artwork, and furniture.  Here is what visitors will see when B104 broadcasts there live on Black Friday (if you want to stop by over the weekend, the staged space will still be there until Monday morning).

The left side of the space is our living room:

The wall was inspired by the large artwork in the center.  I fell in love with it right away!

This coffee table is way cool-marble top and looks like the base is from an old iron sewing machine.

Our giant bookcase!

 Staging a bookcase is so personal and there are many possibilities.  How would you stage yours?

The right side of the staged area is a desk/vanity area and foyer area:

Mixing furniture pieces, and decor too! creates a unique welcoming vibe in any home.

If you end up heading to the Zionsville Antique Mall take advantage of their sale, free treats, and have as much fun as I had!

Zionsville Mall Space Staging-DAY 2

Today I went back to Zionsville Antique Mall to continue staging my space for the Black Friday Event!  With one extra large coffee, my handy bag of tricks, we made a lot of progress.  Yes, the drapes are up, most of the furniture is in, and decor is on the walls!

BEFORE

Day 2 started out looking like this.....

AFTER

......and when I left we had it looking like this.

BEFORE

This morning we scoured the store.......

AFTER

.......and found great finds!

I was like a kid in a candy store today.  

Vintage find becomes work of art

I was wagging my tail when I found a really cool piece and did a little DIY project with it.  I created a vintage postcard chandelier using fishing wire and drapery rod rings that have clips. I will share the details after Thanksgiving.  

Tomorrow, I finish up the space! 

If you are in the area please check out the space, and get inspired for your own home by walking around this huge mall and seeing all the vintage finds!

The Zionsville Antique Mall is at 7567 Chestnut Street, Zionsville PA. 

My staged space will be open to the public Friday, November 23 thru Sunday, November 25.

And don’t miss Hurley from B 104, who will broadcast live from here Friday, November 23 from 12-2 pm.  I will have design tips on the radio!  There will also be a sale at the mall!

………Also, some of you may be looking for the five minute news video, here it is!  DECOR IN 2013-EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.  I did a live segment on WFMZ 69 News At Sunrise last week with ideas about how to get the new ‘Unexpected’ decorating trend in to your own home.  

My First Staged Space And Radio Spot

I was in the car today listening to B 104 and oh my, I heard my name on the radio!  That was the coolest, strangest thing.  Why was I mentioned?  I am staging a space at the Zionsville Antique Mall on Black Friday to show how to bring a hot design trend I am crushing on, into your home ....decor that is 'Unexpected.'  See the progress so far, below. 

Yep, see how adding common decor in uncommon ways can give your home an 'Unexpected' and interesting vibe!  Check out exactly what I mean by reading THIS-2013 Home Decorating Buzz-Unexpected.  

Zionsville staged space Day 1-paint is up on the walls!

If you are in the area, come by the Zionsville Antique Mall at 7567 Chestnut Street, Zionsville PA to see my staged space and check out examples of how to inexpensively get this look in your own place! I will use more contemporary furniture that is being brought in from Royal Furniture of Emmaus, and adding creative eclectic 'Unexpected' decor to it from the mall.  I just love a good mix of style!  

I will be blogging about the progress of this space for the next few days that will be complete by Wednesday!!!

The staged space will be open to the public Friday, November 23 thru Sunday, November 25. 

And don't miss Hurley from B 104, who will broadcast live from here Friday, November 23 from 12-2 pm.  I will have design tips on the radio!  There will also be a sale at the mall!

..........Also, some of you may be looking for the five minute news video I did live on WFMZ 69 News At Sunrise last week with ideas about how to get the new 'Unexpected' decorating trend in to your own home.  Well, I promise I will have it available next week.  

ALSO, had to share a yummy piece of one of my projects with you:

I am working on some really cool spaces like this and will share the fun with you when finished!  I also share many of my projects at my loveyourroom website under 'my journal' and 'what's new'.  Check it out to see more cool stuff.  I am still trying to keep up with my blog, social media, etc. but really don't understand it all yet-oh well. :)

Make A Sweater Vase In 5 Minutes

It is getting cold out here in Pennsylvania so I bought some yarn and made a sweater for my vase! 

If you know me at all, it would be funny to picture me knitting or crocheting, so this yarn project has to be so simple an eight year old could do it (yes, my eight year old helped me).

There is no glue, no tricky steps, and can be completed in one evening while watching television!

This project is great for adding texture, color and 'cozyness' to old vases you have but do not use because they do not offer the right look in color.

Ingredients you need:

1-Yarn (buy at a craft store)

2 - A vase (any size, any shape works-buy at a craft stores and the Dollar Store)

3 -Scissors

BEFORE

For this vase, I used Lion Brand yarn in '408 Wild Fire'.  I picked it up at Wal-mart.  It is super soft!

This is the yarn I used.

1. Loop your yarn around the vase once knot it.

2. Then wrap it around and around as much as you like.  

3.  When you are finished looping it around and around, cut your yarn, leaving two inches.

4. Make a knot with the last loop you did and pull.

5. Lastly, tuck it in! 

DONE!

AFTER

Warm up a tabletop in your dining room, or get your foyer festive with a sweater vase.

For the vase filling above, I simply added moss on the bottom of the vase because it is see through, then placed in twigs I found outside.

Watch this video

Easy Pine Cone Garland Craft

This project is perfect for the fall season!  It will dress up your home for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  With just some pine cones and yarn you can swag this pine cone garland from a fireplace mantel, mirror, wall shelf, or any where else you can think of! 

What You Need:

1. Yarn (buy from a craft store)

2. Pine Cones (pick up fallen cones at a park, your back yard, or craft store)

3. Scissors 

1. Cut three pieces of yarn as long as you want.

2. Every six inches wrap all three yarn pieces half way around the bottom of the pine cone (the yarn works well for this project because it can get into the grooves of the cone and stay) and make a knot.

3. Make another knot one inch above that knot (so it hangs like a tassel).

4. Keep doing this until you get it the length you want it to go

You can add glitter to your pine cones, or change it up any way you want.  It will cheer to any room!

Watch this video