Tuesday, January 20, 2015

I DIY'd Teeny Touches To This Guest Bedroom

Below are the 2 EASIEST DIY projects to do on the fly!  So if you have company coming over later tonight, you still have time to change up your guest bedroom AND then whip up a sangria and fajitas!


Background story: I recently painted my guest bedroom, then brought in furniture and decor I liked.  I loved all the pieces I added but I was not happy with the end result!

I asked my hubby, my friends, and my sister, what was missing???  I stood in the room pulling my eye brows out until it hit me.....I needed RED to tie it all together!  I looked at my wallet and did not have much cash so I did what you see below.  What a difference!!

Here is how I added the red:

ADD RIBBON TO YOUR DRAPES IN AN HOUR!


Check out this BEFORE and AFTER of the drape!


1. Ribbon 
2. Tacky Glue
3. Scissors

How much ribbon do I need?  
First measure your curtain length.  You will need 4xs that for a pair of drapes.  For example, my drapes are 7' long so for the pair of drapes, I needed 28' of ribbon.  

What kind of ribbon should I look for?
Buy ribbon that has a little give and won't wrinkle on you.  I used a satin red ribbon.
The plan is to run the ribbon down the BACK SIDE of your drape.  This is important because you want to hide the glue and make the ribbon look more natural peeking out from behind.  

Place the drape UPSIDE DOWN on a hard surface. Starting from one end of the drape, run a line of glue down the side (I ran 2 lines of glue side by side as shown because my ribbon was wide).  USE THE HEMLINE as a guide for the glue line!
Starting from one end of the drape now that is has glue on it, slowely roll your ribbon down it keeping it straight along the hemline of the drape.  

(Note: if you have back tabs on your drapes, simply cut part of ithe stitching off to let the ribbon lay behind it, then use the glue to glue it back on!)
Using your fingertips, press down on the attached ribbon to help it adhere to the drape more permanently.  If possible, place something heavy on the entire thing ribbon like books!  It doesn't take long for it to dry!
Improvise: I let my drapes dry on a bed and placed artwork and art supplies on top to press down the glue.  

This is a close up of the finished look!

Drapes Closed

I am in love with the ribbon!


Drapes Opened

ADD RIBBON TO YOUR LAMP SHADE




What you need:
1. Lamp shade
2. Tacky glue
3. Scissors
4. Ribbon

What kind of ribbon should I look for?
Go for something thick so you don't see glue bleeding through it.  I suggest a burlap, woven, or layered ribbon.  Also use one that is wide.  The ribbon I used is soft, woven and thick.  

The plan is to glue the ribbon to the lamp.  THAT'S IT!

Find the seam of the lamp shade.  Starting at the seam, glue down the ribbon and work your way around.  When you reach the seam, cut the fabric and finish!

Note: the ribbon I used has finished edges so I cut one side then overlapped it with the finished edge when I worked my way around.  If you don't have a finished edge, tuck the unfinished edge inward and fold over, then press down.
The seam side will look like this when you finish.

Here is what the other sie looks like!

*I also quickly changed out the knob to something sassy!

ONE MORE RED DIY using my leftover fabric

Using my leftover fabric and tacky glue, I added a ribbon to a pillow.....I am so happy with this!  Super cute and cheap!


One more idea:


Drape Dilemna: I want to share one more idea.  This guest bedroom has a double window that really requires four drapes to fully cover the window and still have beautiful folds.  To create the fullness I hand sewed two store bought panels together to make it look like one really long panel.  So in this guest bedroom I have 4 curtains.  It functions so much better and you can't see the seam through the folds!  

 More Room Photos























Friday, January 16, 2015

Very Exciting News For LoveYourRoom

Good stuff.....I just found out that one of my favorite magazines had included us in their Fall 2014 edition.  As a DIY lover and fan of all things fun and creative, I actually keep my copies of this publication (not many come out a year).  I have many mags that I scroll through then ditch after, but this I'll hold onto for future inspirational ideas.  This is one of those!

Here it is!


The piece includes a small kitchen completed a while back.

This kitchen project for a lovely couple was so fun because we had to get very creative using the small space.  Most days the couple only needs seating for the two of them.  There is no separate dining room in this home, so when they have someone over (they like small gatherings) the table pushes out to expose the stool that can hold another 2 people, as well as a chair on end.  The finishes also create a warm chic look, like a separate dining room would have.  

To see more on this project CLICK HERE

Instructions how to create this striped wall and colors used. CLICK HERE

Check out the front room we designed too for this couple CLICK HERE


Follow me on Instagram at LOVEYOURROOM to see daily photos of projects, ideas, and things that interest me!  Also check out my facebook page LOVEYOURROOM.

How to Make a Striped Wall in Your Kitchen

When you think of your kitchen, does the word 'FUN' come to mind?  Probably not.  Well why not?  Try a wall treatment like this easy horizontal stripe and bring something special to the table!

This works especially well in small kitchens because it brings your eye in and people will notice the wall over the small size of the space.  This kitchen that I re-designed below was a tight space.

Kitchen looked like this:


Here is how we added the stripes----
ONE measure the wall length and height;
TWO choose paint colors.  For this wall I used Sherwin William "Analytical Gray", "Nebulous White", "Pool House" and "Cityscape";
THREE plan out on paper like this:
FOUR Paint the wall using the lightest color first, then using painter's masking tape, tape off the other stripes per your design (tip: on the painters tape, above each stripe, write the name of that stripe color to stay organized).

Now one side of this kitchen makes the meals and the other side enjoys them in style! says '----
                    left side                                                                      right side                                         

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Large Corkboard Ideas For Your 2015 ToDo List

Happy 2015! Did you make your list of resolutions on a million post-its and scatter them on your frig, or push pin a long piece of paper onto your corkboard full of neatly typed promises? Yes, a new year means another chance / a fresh start / a do-over (whatever term you want to use) to renew our broken promises, missed 'to-do's', and a laundry list of uncompleted projects.  

MY OWN WALL OF SHAME!  I have a wall full of them myself (don't look too much at the photo or your eyes will hurt). I don't mess around by making them look pretty either. I am sharing this embarrassing photo to push myself to steadily complete the tasks on my wall so I can rip each blue taped paper down and do a touchdown dance on top of it. 


My wall of shame!  (this wall is 8' high x 7' long)

I definitely think its time for a corkboard!  I have been looking at the ones below.  What do you think?


This one is pretty and large!!




HOME OFFICES CAN BE CHIC - PICK A CORKBOARD FRAME THAT IS ELEGANT! This Anthus Message Board from Ballard Design has a beautiful frame, so its functional AND glitzy!  It can be purchased in the extra extra large size of 53"x83".  It also comes in smaller sizes if you don't need the space (but who doesn't need space!).   

This corkboard is not as large but really custom!!


 
CUSTOMIZE  YOUR CORKBOARD! I came across this company called pictureframes.com that allows you to choose from A TON of custom frames for your corkboard.  Looks like the max is 3' x 4' in size.   And it is reasonably priced.  The one in the sample frame above is CUL3. You can also customize a chalkboard, dry erase and mirror!

great idea!


You can keep a corkboard like this in a FAMILY ROOM and yes, it makes sense.  
This designer Studio Thomas used 2 corkboards side by side in a very kid friendly family room. They managed to keep the space chic and organized, and still look fun!

Or am I up for a little challange, with great reward!!

Love These TWO DIY CORKBOARDS.  Both of these covered corkboards use the tutorial from livecreatingyourself. It is super easy and inexpensive.


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving

Throwback to 1975 Thanksgiving when poor little me did not get her fill of pumpkin pie.


DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU



HAVE A FABULOUS TURKEY DAY EVERYONE


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Holiday Decorating Trends For 2014

Last year, when decorating for the holidays, I was all about the burlap, the peacock blue, and much more natural elements.  This year there seems to be a trend toward bold color, chains, and feathers, among other fun elements.  


This year its emeral green, hot pink, and all of this: 


FEATHERS


Holiday decorating can be a bit more soft and realistic with the use of lifelike feathers.  They are so versatile and simple to use; just push them into any tabletop display, door wreath, or your xmas tree branches!  You can easily find them in a craft store.


I found this cute DIY indoor feather wreath idea made of paper from blogger Lia Griffith!  Check it out HERE!  Looks real from far away.
 

CHAINS



I have been seeing chains used as holiday decor in homes all over the place!  This Hot Pink Acrylic Chain Trim from Hobby Lobby can be added to tablescapes, stair railing decor, and of course the Xmas tree!




METALLIC DEER



This year metallic is very hot in home decorating, so OF COURSE it finds its way into holiday decorating.  AND the deer, along with its antlers, are also trending.  Add metallic antlers to your mantel this season.   Place a faux deer head on a wall and hang metallic chains from it!  'Tis the seeason to get funky!


West Elm has a bunch of metallic deer related decor including this Papier Mache Deer Head in Gold!

CHALKBOARD 


Even for the holidays, the chalkboard has made it into the ‘holiday decorating’ trend for 2014!  The kids will get excited counting down to the holidays using the board. You can also buy chalkboard ornaments and have family and friends write something sweet, then hang it on your tree! 

These chalkboard ornaments from Grandin Road are perfectly on trend!!

MORE IDEAS AND TRENDS:


Vintage is still popular: 
You can find vintage looking decorations everywhere!  From a fun holiday sign to hang on a wall, to ornaments that look old.

Don’t be afraid to mix these trends together!   
Try filling an antique looking bread bowl from a store like Pottery Barn, with  metallic ornaments.  Place it on your table for an instant holiday feel.

Great color combinations:
Traditional red and green has gone - It's now Emerald and Vibrant Pink!  

As always, I say pour YOUR unique style into your decorating décor.  When shopping for decorations keep this list of trends in mind, but make sure you buy what catches your eye even if it is not 'trending'.  





Tuesday, November 18, 2014

DIY Light Bulb Jar Hanukkah Menorah

This project is a unique take on sand art.  I only used purple sand but you can add many layers of different colored sand for an even more striking work of art!  


Hanukkah traditions that are practiced everywhere include lighting the Hanukkah menorah, spinning the dreidel, and eating fried foods.

I love this holiday because we celebrate it with family.  It is fun lighting the Hanukkah menorah and watching the candles flicker in the evening light. This year I wanted to create a little more festive fun thru this glass light bulb DIY Hanukkah Menorah project.  It makes a very unique statement and will look great in my bay window!

*Hanukkah begins Tuesday December 16 and ends the night of Wednesday December 24.


PROJECT SUPPLIES


1.  Glass light bulb jars - 8 small ones and 1 larger one (I bought mine from Hobby Lobby)
2. Jar of sand -pick any color(s) you want (any craft store has this)
3. Tall Hanukkah candles 

STEP 1

unscrew the tops off 
(do not throw away the tops because you can re-use them to hold the sand in the jar for future years)

STEP 2

Add the sand to each jar filling them up as high as you want 
(Use a funnel; I made one out of paper.)


STEP 3


Place a candle in each jar.

NEXT, place them somewhere special, spread them out or clutter them together, and enjoy the look and flickering of the lights!

Where to place your glass light bulb Hanukkah Menorah:

-Fireplace mantel
-Wall shelf
-Table top

Happy Hanukkah!!