One Room Challenge, Week Four

Welcome to week 4 of the One Room Challenge!  Only TWO WEEKS left to go.  This post is later this morning because the vanity came last night and my very patient husband was up late assembling it.  Here she is this morning with a little mocked-up mirror that I had in the closet (sorry for the shadows):

I am really happy with the quality (for $130), the color, the size and the scale.  I am so happy with the big drawer for storage too.  I can’t wait to style her up!

Here is the sad news — the awesome bench from Home Goods is too wide for the vanity.  But, I moved it on the wall next to my end table last night and I didn’t hate it there.  I am going to play around with it because I really don’t want to return her!

So, this week, was full of painting.  The ceiling got two coats of paint and is DONE!  Two of the four walls have two coats and tonight we are going to finish the other two walls.  Here are some shots that give you an idea of the true color of the walls:

I am totally obsessed with this color (Benjamin Moore Fanfare).  I am thinking about using the remainder of the paint for our laundry room.

The little sheepskin rug for the other side of the bed came in yesterday, so I am waiting on the seagrass rug which apparently has shipped, but I have no tracking information (don’t you hate that?).  I have a plan for my DIY art and want to surprise you all next week.  This week, I am going to focus on the windows and pick up the white panels and the matchstick shades. Also, I need to find a suitable stool now for the vanity.  All with two weeks and $188.82 to stay on budget — eeeeeek!  🙂

Can I do it??  Stay tuned!

P.S. Check out my previous posts on the One Room Challenge: Week One, Inspiration Photos, Week Two, Week Three, DIY Art.

P.P.S. Also check out the other participants’ progress this week in the One Room Challenge here!

 

 

 

 

 

New Year’s Resolution Update

Eight months ago, I set out six design resolutions for myself in 2011.  One of many things on my to-do list was a facelift for our entry hall.  As a reminder, here is the BEFORE:

 

And now, still in progress and revealing my brand-spanking-new, shiny lucite console that arrived at my doorstep yesterday, is the ALMOST AFTER:

As you can see, I replaced the unsightly mustard yellow curtain at the end of the hallway with new French doors, changed out the runner and added the currently bare, but still beautiful-to-me, console.

Remember my first attempt at the console?  Although it was too deep and too tall and too clunky for the space, I still miss this glossy gal:

Here is a close-up of the French doors that my husband labored over after some serious nagging encouragement from me.  We ordered the doors from a local outfit that we love – Pleasant’s Hardware.  The doors came primed, but not painted, and they fit a little too perfectly — the doors were so snug that we couldn’t open and close them.  My husband pulled out some magic with a saw and sander and voila!  The knobs are temporary until I can find some that I really love.  We decided on frosted glass to hide this:

Which will likely be on the design resolution list for 2012!  🙂

I have four more months to:

1. Style the console;
2. Find a cheap the perfect piece of art for the long bare wall across from the laundry room; and
3. Maybe paint the back of the front door an interesting color.

Think I can do it?  Stay tuned!

 

 

My Hallways — The Good and Not So Good

So, I have been a busy bee around here (in real life, not in blog life!).  I am working really hard on my Design Resolutions and have finished Project Big Girl Room (post to come, hopefully Monday) and have been putting together on my front hallway. 

Which do you want first, the good or not-so-good?  Well, I will give you the not-so-good, and hope that you keep reading to see the good!

I ordered the West Elm Parsons Console for the front hall to go with my beloved Zigzag Rug, and I have decided that it’s too chunky for the space.  It fits, but seems to fight with the chair rail and overwhelm the space. 

{Notice the French doors on the laundry room??  Hip hip hooray!!  They need to be painted and trimmed a little, but they are here and in for now.  No more mustard yellow curtain!}

And another shot to show you the depth of the table in the hallway:

I have scheduled the console’s return for Monday, but I am honestly still waffling.  The table is so beautiful that I can’t bear to part with it!  It won’t really work anywhere else in the house though.  What do you think? 

On to the good, I have filled in the gallery wall in the upstairs hallway and am really enjoying the way it has turned out:

{Please ignore the attic cord — I should have taped it up!}

I hope to be back early next week with the big reveal of Project Big Girl Room!  Have a fabulous weekend people! 

 

Mirrored Tables: Buy This, Not That!

I am loving mirrored tables these days.  And I saw this gorgeous image over on Emily A. Clark’s blog yesterday, which made me fall in love all the more!

So, are you ready for quick mirrored table round of Buy This, Not That?

LOVE THIS?

{Parsons Mirrored Console, West Elm, $549}

BUY THIS!

{Mirrored Console Table, Target, $157.49}

LOVE THIS?

{Parsons Mirror End Table, West Elm, $279}

BUY THIS!

{Hayworth Nightstand, Pier 1, $179,99}

OR THIS!

{Mirror Table, Target, $99.99}

OR THIS!

{Glass Accent Table, Target, $89.99}

{Quick} Lucite Inspiration

Remember this post about pairing this rug:

with this console:

in my front hall?

Well, I started thinking about how I could style the console because there are no outlets on the wall behind where it would sit, so lamps are out.  Plus, because the table is clear, the wires would have been ugly anyway. 

I came across these two images (with no lamps).  I fell in love with the styling.  Notice how the invisible lucite allows the items on the wall behind the console to extend below the tabletop.  Peekaboo!

{Domino Magazine}

{via Style at Home}

I am kicking around mirrors on the wall, a colorful tray with some succulent greenery on the console, and maybe some stools from the thrift store re-upholstered in a fun fabric to sit underneath the table.  What do you think? 

I promise to keep you posted!

Bargain Beauties

I saw this gorgeous eating nook a while back on Two Ellie and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

Then, I ran across this today.  On sale.  Made my heart go pitter-patter.  Just need to re-cover those cusions and voila!

{Cecelia Table and Chairs, Grandinroad;
Table was $399 and now $249; Chair was $249, now $129}

{First Photo Above Courtesy of Design*Sponge via Two Ellie}

Hot Summer Deals and Steals

There are some killer sales out there right now — it’s that time of year when back-to-school shopping is right around the corner and retailers are almost giving merchandise away to make room.

Check out what I found and these deals are so hot, you are going to need your sunscreen:

Ruddy Cheeks (up to 30% off):

I am head-over-heels for this bag.  It’s perfect all year around.  It will be mine.
(Maya Tote, Fossil, 30% off, $139.99 from $198)

Bona Fide Sunburn (up to 50% off):

This would make paying bills a lot more fun.
(Parsons Mini Desk, West Elm, 36% off, $159.99 from $249)

Look at those awesome zebras!
(Lush & Wild Tote, Anthropologie, 41% off, $39.95 from $68)

This would look fab in an entry hall.  Ok, my entry hall.
(Quatrefoil Mirror, Ballard Designs, 41% off, $159.99 from $269)

I am thinking about using these as night stands in my daughter’s big-girl room.  At less than $20 each?  Oh hells yeah.
(Lattice Top Side Table, Urban Outfitters, 47% off, $19.99 from $38)

Loving the modern design and the conservative leather detailing.  Sweet summer bag.
(Beachcomber Sophie, Kate Spade, 47% off, $145 from $275)

Third Degree Burns & Sun Poisoning (over 50% off):

How fun is this??
(Hable Cherries Percale Duvet Cover F/Q, Garnet Hill, 51% off, $84 from $170)

It’s like Burberry meets Nantucket for under $70!
(Know the Ropes Dress, Anthropologie, 53% off, $69.95 from $148)

Jonathan Adler on sale, whaaaa?  And 58.4% off?  White hot!
(Waterspout Taper Holder, Anthropologie, $19.95 from $48)

Love this cheery orange bag.  Especially that preppy tassel.
{York Street Medium, Kate Spade, 65% off, $119 from $345!)

Go forth and shop the sales!!!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter to win a $70 gift card to CSN Stores before Friday — click here!

It’s Nate Day! Buy Nate, Not That….

Happy Nate Day!  Nate Day was organized by the Moggit Girls as a day for the design blog world to celebrate the one-and-only, designer extraordinaire, Nate Berkus.  The Nate Berkus Show premiers on September 13th.  I can’t wait to set my DVR!

I love that this guy an amazingly brilliant designer with big-budget clients like, hmmm OPRAH!, but he always designs with a mixture of high and low priced items and isn’t afraid of some DIY.  This philosophy is reflected in his FABULOUS line for the Home Shopping Network (HSN).  In honor of Nate Day, I thought it only appropriate to do a little BUY THIS, NOT THAT action to celebrate this gorgeous and affordable line of items for the home.  Shall we?

LOVE THIS?

{Cosmopolitan Coffee Table, Williams Sonoma Home, $750}

BUY NATE!

{Nate Berkus Bamboo Table, HSN, $279.95}

LOVE THIS?

{Peacock Cotton Herringbone Throw, Vivre, $225}

BUY NATE!

{Nate Berkus Herringbone Throw, HSN, $24.95}

LOVE THIS?

{Wicker Hurricane, Crate and Barrel, $49.95}

BUY NATE!

 

{Nate Berkus, Set of 2 Woven Wicker Hurricanes, HSN, $14.95}

LOVE THIS?

{Kensington Iron Mirror Table, Layla Grace, $458}

BUY NATE!

{Nate Berkus Handmade Silver Tray Table, HSN, $79.95}

LOVE THIS?

{Mansfield Headboard, Williams Sonoma Home, $1,350 for queen lowest grade fabric}

BUY NATE!

{Nate Berkus Tufted Headboard, HSN, $349}

Dontcha just love him??

Happy Nate Day!!!!

 

Project Big Girl Room!

Project Big Girl Room is underway!  I am transforming my almost three year old’s nursery into her “big girl room.”  Because she is staying in the same room and I love the wall color, I am keeping a similar color scheme — lavender, mint green and white — but with a sassy Parisian flair!

I am trying to stay away from using all Pottery Barn Kids and Land of Nod, but I tell ya, it’s hard considering how easy, relatively inexpensive and available all of their items are!

So, here is my inspiration board:

{Windows: Audrey Chenille Panels in Lavender, Pottery Barn Kids; Print: World is Amazing, The Love Shop, Etsy; Paint: Benjamin Moore, Lavender Ice; Mirror: Ballard Designs (similar); Headboard: Blanc de Blanc Headboard, Target; Bedding: Pottery Barn Kids, Paris Toile (no longer available);  Side Tables: Flower Accent Table; Pillow: French Lady with Dog Burlap Pillow, NextDoortoHeaven, Etsy, Bed Skirt: Elizabeth Tulle Bed Skirt, Pottery Barn Kids, Sheeting: Katie Polka Dot Sheeting, Pottery Barn Kids.}

If you have been a long-time follower of the blog, you know that I love these monogrammed shades from Shades of Light: I was thinking about DIY’ing the shades with a more interesting monogram on an inexpensive shade from Target or Homegoods.

Here are some before pictures taken in February right before the big girl bed made its entree (excuse the little muchkin who is running around with the pillow from the crib!):

So, what do you think of Project Big Girl Room?  Stay tuned!

Reader Question: Affordable Stools

I love getting questions from Spark! readers.  I recently received this one from Julie:

I need some help with finding some great stools for my entry way. Seen any lately that aren’t $500?

I am imagining Julie using stools in her front hall like this:

{Image from DecorPad via Simplified Bee}

Or like this:

{Image from Little Green Notebook}

Although I do not know much about Julie’s entry way or her design preferences,  I decided to give her a wide range of options and keep it under $200 per stool.  Shall we?

Bargain Stools: Under $100

{Hourglass Side Table, Urban Outfitters, $78}

 

{Cindy Crawford Trellis Foot Stool, JC Penney, $99.99; and check out this post
on painting and recovering this stool by the girls over at Matters of Style}

 

{Zebra Kilim Stool, World Market, $59.99}

{Black and White Printed Stool, World Market, $79.99}

Stools That Won’t Break Your Bank: Under $200

 

{X Bench, Ballard Designs, as low as $179 depending on specs}

{Julah Ottoman, Anthropologie, $198}

{Louis Stool, Restoration Hardware, as low as $170 depending on specs}

{Charles Ghost Stool (Small) by Philippe Starke for Kartell, Unica Home, $127.50}

{Courbe Ottoman, Ballard Designs, as low as $149 depending on specs}

{Seagrass Stool, Gumps, $195}

 

{Chinese Garden Stool, Wisteria, $129, and if you didn’t see my previous post, try $49  for something similar at Target, click here to read}

{Pod Table, Urban Outfitters, $110}

It’s hard to pick a favorite, isn’t it?  Also, CB2 has some great options.  Their website was down when I was preparing this post, so definitely go check out their selection too. 

Julie, I hope that I have given you some inspiration for your entry hall.  Thanks so much for writing!

Do you have a question?  I would love to hear it!  Leave me a comment or drop me a line at needsparkblog@gmail.com.