Guest Room Update

While I was taking picture of the newish lamp in the guest bedroom, I realized that I haven't shown ANY pictures of that room whatsoever.  Here's my attempt to change that.

Remember, I got this bed from Craigslist.

This bed used to have some bedding I've had since college from Pottery Barn - it was white with a deep red monagram (hence the lamp you'll see in a minute).  It was a little more modern and harsh (is that the right word?) than the look I wanted in this room.  So, I found this beautiful, soft bedding from Target, of all places.

I got the comforter and the blue sheets for Christmas from my mom and grandmother.  I picked up a coordinating bedskirt afterwards.  Still, after adding the soft bedding, the room still felt a little bare.  So, my parents brought up a chest that was my dad's growing up that they were no longer using!

And a picture that makes me laugh every time I look at it.  Some days you're the cowboy, some days you're the dog. (The picture is of a cowboy hanging by the reins of his horse, who is hanging by a rope tied to a bull, who is being held back by a saloon.  All the while, a dog just watching.)

But back to the lamp,

This lamp went PERFECTLY with the bedding that used to be in this room.  Not the case anymore.  I thought I was going to have to purchase a brand new lamp...not the end of the world but just another purchase that was probably unneccesary.  While at Target earlier this week, I noticed a new section I had never seen before....a mix-n-match lamp section.  I just picked up this sweet new drum shade for $15

and voila!  New lamp!

This is also the room where I'm planning on putting up the mirror collage.  This house is coming together bit by bit.  Baby steps!  I'd like to paint this room blue eventually.  However, I have to conquer the hallway first....

Fab Flea Market Finds - Feb/March 2011

I went back to the flea market in February to try to find something for a women's retreat.  Instead, I picked up these little treasures.

Cheese plate - I know, I know.  You're probably thinking, a what?  Why do you need a special plate for cheese?  Especially when it has that strange fruit design on it.  Well, I'm a copy cat.  That's right, I said it.  Almost every ounce of creativity I have dumped into my home, has been someone else's.  I just copied it.  This is another one of those cases.  The folks over at Young House Love purchased a similar cheese plate and made it into a unique decorative item.  I plan on doing something similar.  :)

Glass cruet - I purchased this for the women's retreat, but I'm thinking it might just look lovely in a display somewhere after it's used.

Antique mirror - This antique mirror (with stand) will make a perfect addition to the bedroom furniture that we haven't purchased yet (but plan to purchase soon, a lovely sleigh bed suite).

In early March I went back with a specific project in mind - an antique mirror collage a la Dear Genevieve!  I found these two on this site called Wuslu - they have a deeply discounted deal every day on some home decor item and I happened to run across this one a few weeks ago.

With my best friend from high school, Josh Wadkins, in tow, I found these three lovelies!

I plan to arrange them on the wall in the main guest bedroom with a big "H" that I'm going to eventually get around to making.  I cannot believe that I'm going to have this project completed with a price tag under $100!

I also picked up this mirrored tray.  I'm not sure where I'll use it yet, but for only $25, I couldn't walk away.

I'll keep you posted on how that mirror wall turns out!

Cultivating my crafty side

Anyone who knows me, knows I would be categorized as "left-brain."  I am good at math, love excel, only cook with recipes, etc.  My right-brain doesn't get much exercise, or I should say didn't until we got the house.  I've had to grow some muscles on my right side that haven't been there since I was a kid.  I am happy to report however, that they are growing....hence this post :)

I saw this sign on another persons blog about a month ago.

It conveniently retails for $300!

I mean, I like this look....but not for $300!

I decided I could probably make that.  It's not very artsy, simplistic, and I could probably calculate exactly where each of the letters should go to make it look like the original (I know, I'm a nerd). 

So I went to Home Depot and got a big piece of plywood (sidenote - this will have to be a verbal play-by-play...I forgot to take in-progress pictures) and got them to cut it into two large 35" X 35" squares.  The original is 36" X 36" but I made one 35" X 35" because the math works out better (5" stencil letters, 1 inch above and 1 inch below, in 5 rows makes 35").  Anyway, I also got a 2" X 1" board and had it cut into 4 pieces to frame out the back.  I used Gorilla Wood Glue to attach the two 35" square pieces together to give the sign a little thickness and nailed the frame onto the back.  It took several coats of ivory spray paint to cover up the marks on the wood while still leaving behind evidence of the graininess.

I debated on how to fill in the letters but ultimately decided on sponge application of a chocolate craft paint with a little bit of champagne sparkle paint mixed in.  I also debated on sanding it down a little to make it look a little more like the original, but I was scared I would take off too much paint and then create more work for myself.

Anywho, here's how it looked when I was finished.

Not too shabby for an engi-nerd!  Trey hung it above the mantle for me in our living room and we hung that flower picture that had been there above the piano. (Sorry that second pic is a little fuzzy, my camera isn't all that great)

Here's a close up of the letters so you can see that they aren't just opaque.

So, what do you think?  Should I start selling these too? :)