Year: 2013

Ideas + Solutions for the Wall Behind the TV

Written by Jenna on September 9, 2013. Posted in Decorating, Photo Gallery Walls. 10 Comments on Ideas + Solutions for the Wall Behind the TV

Another Monday here again! I hope you had a great weekend. It was fairly low key on my end, but as a family we enjoyed the beginning signs of Fall, with the brisk chill in the air, by taking a family bike ride + watching football. I also got the opportunity to shop for some colorful mums to transition the front porch, as well as the mantel. Both are still in progress, but are coming along. I’m waiting for some small pumpkins & ghords to arrive at the local stores – upon asking, it seems like it might be another week or 2.

Onto today’s blog topic… The TV and what to do with the wall behind it.

I often get emails from readers asking design-related questions and most of them I return with a few short sentences in hopes to point them in the right direction. If they need more help, we usually end up working together through my E-Design Program. BUT, last week I received a question that I KNOW alot of homeowners struggle with, so I thought it would be best to put a blog post together to assist and inspire more than one reader.

This email is from Christina:

I was hoping you can direct me with a huge dilemma. We have a tv hanging on the wall in our family room. Which I can’t stand. I prefer an armoir or built in. Any how hubby wanted modern tv on wall so I compromised. I have no idea what to do with all the extra space on either side of the wall. My style I would say is old world, electic, traditional. Could you please offer suggestions. I’m also confused if both sides need the same exact item hanging on the wall. Could I do a decorative mirror on one side and a collage of artwork on the other. Do I hang distressed wooden panels on either side or tapestry…….help. This space kills me. I can’t stand the TV on the wall.its so cold. Thank you for any guidance you can offer.

Is this a topic you’ve often struggled with as well? If so, I have some great ideas + solutions.

Most homeowners have flat screen TVs that are only inches deep (I’m excluded from this bunch – we still have a big ole’ cumbersome TV in the living room). The minimal depth of these televisions allows for it to be functionally integrated without overwhelming the space. If designed right, the artwork, pictures, paintings, and/or wall decor that surrounds the TV on the wall can become just as important, or more important, than the TV. In turn, the TV ends up not being the dominant focal point of the room. It still functions the same, but doesn’t overtake.

Let’s dive into some design solutions…

Gallery walls are in. Gone are the days of 1 or 2 pictures on a huge wall. The size and number of pictures on a wall should be proportional with the wall height and width. The wall that is chosen for the TV is often the largest and/or longest in the space, so it should be filled.

One idea is to create an asymmetrical gallery wall, which is probably the easiest because there is no right or wrong. It allows for growth and it allows to incorporate what is most meaningful for you.

This TV gallery wall is surrounded by pictures and images in an array of sizes and frame finishes, which the eye is drawn to instead of the TV. via One Kings Lane

Framed by two windows, this TV gallery wall is a great solution for incorporating a TV into a living room space. A mix of black and white artwork in black or white frames, are set behind the TV which is atop of a white dresser. via Emily Clark

Another idea for a TV wall is this eclectic asymmetrical composition that displays collected art and a vintage lamp along with the wall-mounted TV. Incorporating an element larger than the TV steers the eye away from the “black-hole” and instead allows it to focus on the other elements – the lamp + artwork.

Another idea to take away – Because many of the other elements on the wall are black, your eye is tricked into not focusing on the TV. From the black lampshade to the black frames (some with black matting) to the black and white artwork + photos, so the TV actually looks like another piece of dimensional art. via The Hunted Interior

Slightly different than the above examples, this TV gallery wall is fairly symmetrical. The wall-mounted TV is centered on the console and the pictures / artwork are “bookmatched” on each side (for the most part). Other interesting elements, like the animal horns, surround the black and white frames and bring an added dimension to the wall.

Completely different than the examples above, this TV is wall-mounted and is surrounded by perfectly symmetrical black and white pictures in black frames. It truly is an art gallery. This wall created by Brooklyn Limestone shows all the steps of how she created it, plus a video on the progress. It is definitely one to watch.

No matter the size or configuration of a space, a TV can always (well 99% of time) somehow be incorporated. In this narrow living room, the TV is set off to the side and sits on top of a dresser / console table. It’s tucked out of the way, not making it the focal point. Above is a picture that is even larger than the TV, which draws the eye up instead of at the black box. via La Dolce Vita

The space around the TV doesn’t have to be only for pictures, but displaying other wall decor, like shutters, mirrors, or general wall art, is a great opportunity to create an interesting and unusual composition. via Southern Hospitality

Going the minimal direction, the television in this space sits on top of a black lacquered console table and is pushed to one side allowing space for a large lamp and other accessories. the wall space around is kept fairly bare, but interesting. via The Little Green Notebook

Again, going back to a symmetrical look, the TV in this room sits on a smaller dresser and behind are two larger painting, then 2 more smaller styles on each side. Two ghost chairs sit in front allowing for the art to speak”, yet still making an architectural statement. via Maple + Shade

Larger artwork behind the flat screen TV can make just as much, or even more, of an impact as smaller pictures / photos. via Apartment Therapy

Another great TV gallery wall designed by Kristin of The Hunted Interior, showcases the television set off to the side with framed black and white photos around. A large white lamp with black shade sits forward of the TV allowing it to be the focal point.

An asymmetrical gallery of black and white photos surround this TV mounted on the wall. To the sides sit two large floor lamps bringing height to the space. via HGTV

How to Create a TV Gallery Wall in your Home

So how can you incorporate these ideas into your own home? It takes time, planning, and a layout. Gallery walls don’t come together as easy or as quickly as hanging a simple picture on the wall. BUT, a gallery wall can make a huge impact that will be far worth a single photo.

When the DIYer over at Tasty n’ Chic took on the endeavour of a new gallery wall, she created several plans and layouts before deciding on what worked best. She used a computer program to create the ideal layout, but you can also use craft paper or wrapping paper (outline the sizes of your frames), or layout the frames on the floor (that’s what I do to get the exact plan).

Here is her drawing…

And then the result…

I hope I’ve provided my reader Christina + all of you with some interesting and creative ideas + inspiration for what to do behind the TV. I still have my humungous TV behind doors, but have had ideas and thoughts of upgrading.

If you’re looking for useful ideas and layouts to create a photo gallery wall, check out this post {click here}

Good Luck with your TV wall creation!

DIY: Drop Cloth Curtain Panels with Leading Edge Detail

Written by Jenna on September 5, 2013. Posted in DIY. 16 Comments on DIY: Drop Cloth Curtain Panels with Leading Edge Detail

I’ll be honest, none of the window curtain panels in my home cost more than $50. Yet all are custom made. Not by an uber-expensive fabricator, but by me.

Store-bought and/or custom-made curtain panels can be very pricey, but the same look (or better) can be achieved by making your own. And guess what, it’s not difficult…

As the calendar turns and another Fall approaches, Lowe’s put The Team to the test this month to create a new window treatment for the home. I was in need (well more like a want) of new window panels for the dining room, so I knew it was the perfect spot to get my craft on.

I desired something simple, so instead of stopping at the curtain aisle for a typical drape, I headed towards the paint aisle and landed in the drop cloth section. confession: I can close my eyes and always find the drop cloth section… I’ve confessed my love for drop cloth before, but honestly it is The. Best. Material. hands down. You can do so much with drop cloth material. It’s not just for painters!!

Anyway, onto the new panels…

1. At Lowes, I chose a 6 ft. x 9 ft. size panel (about $10), then cut it in half to make (2) 3 ft. x 9 ft. pieces.

2. The panels are heavy enough, so I didn’t feel that a lining was needed, so I simply squared off the edges (drop cloth isn’t always perfectly straight), folded over the edges, and sewed all around.

3. Once the panels were complete, it was time to add the decorative leading edge. I chose a navy blue light cotton fabric which was the perfect contrasting complement to the lighter color of the drop cloth material.

And yes, that says $3 for the yard. In all these panels cost about $13!

The color of the fabric is showing royal blue in this pic, but it is more navy in actuality.

4. I layed out the fabric length-wise and cut as many 4″ strips as I could.

again showing royal blue… but it’s not.

5. Then I folded over the two side edges 1/2″ each and ironed the seam flat.

That’s the true color. I swear!

Sidenote: Because of the panel length (a typical panel can be from 84-96″ long), you may need to attach fabric strips to achieve one long strip. I did and before folding over and ironing the seam, I attached two strips and then I had enough length. Once sewn, iron the seam flat.

6. Once the seams were ironed, it was time to attach the decorative edge to the drop cloth panel. I decided to have 1″ of drop cloth exposed, then add the navy blue accent. I first pinned the navy fabric in place and sewed all along the edges using the same color thread.

And that’s it. A high-end look for $13!

The result…

The panels are hung by clip rings and have slight puddle at the bottom. They are the perfect addition for my dining space.

Other ideas + ways to achieve a high-end look for less…

You don’t have to use drop cloth to create a similar window curtain panel. A similar detailed edge can be added to a store-bought curtain, similar to what I did in my daughter’s room. In her space, I actually added the decorative fabric to the outside edge of the curtain panel instead of on top of the fabric. The typical store-bought panel wasn’t long enough, but the added fabric made it the ideal length.

If you are using a thinner fabric to create a window panel and want to have a heavier panel that will allow less light to shine through, check out what I did in my bedroom. Using drop cloth material (AGAIN), I took a regular weight cotton fabric and lined them. Depending on the fabric pattern, a decorative edge could be added to these style panels as well.

Ideas are limitless for what you can create for your windows!

Thanks to Lowe’s, I was able to create my most recent creation for less than $15. So next time your combing the paint aisle to grab some spray paint, don’t forget to check out the drop cloth section. Your mind will go bonkers with all that can be created!

Excited for the Fall and ready to tackle some home improvement and DIY projects? Lowe’s has it all.

Sign up for their free Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine, which is filled with ideas + inspiration! Plus you can always follow them on Pinterest and Instagram for even more great ideas!

Disclosure: I am so grateful to be apart of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

What have you made using drop cloth? Have you ever thought of jazzing up your window curtain panels to create a custom look?

I’m a CoverGirl

Written by Jenna on August 28, 2013. Posted in Decorating, Featured Publication. 7 Comments on I’m a CoverGirl

I was thrilled when the Fall issue of Saratoga Mama (affiliated with SaratogaMama.com & Saratoga Today) hit the stands last week because not only do I love finding out what’s happening in my neck of the woods, but I got to finally see the space I designed featured on the front cover.

My first cover! I’m officially a CoverGirl. Well kinda…

One of the fun & challenging projects I took on this Summer was to partner with Colleen of Saratoga Mama to makeover 3 rooms for a feature in the back-to-school issue. In 2 days (not consecutively, thankfully) we scouted, shopped, staged, and shot the spaces. It was a whirlwind, but it was a blast.

Here is the result.

All 3 spaces were okay. Just okay. But they needed a little TLC to ultimately be more stylish & functional. Once a plan of action was set, we were on our way! Check out more of the process + what worked/didn’t work {here}

Now to the details of each space…

Space 1: Central Command Center

The homeowner of this space was in major need of an organized drop space for everything to keep her family running. They needed a spot for all the everyday ‘stuff’ like keys, kids school papers, announcements, invitations, etc. We decked out the open wall space between her kitchen and dining room with a new central command center to get her family on track. The space includes:

A personalized 2-month calendar (similar to the one I created for my family)
Clipboards to easily rotate and change the weekly chore chart and homework chart
Metal bins for each child
A corkboard for important things
and a little Personalization!

After we shopped, I layed out the items on the floor to create the perfect montage. I created a faux wall on the floor using painters tape so the measurements would be exact once translated to the wall.

We moved, rotated, tweaked, and adjusted until it was just right. Here is the result of the layout…

And the final Central Command Center on the wall…

And finally, the layout in the magazine.

The homeowners kids were super cute. And even though the little girl didn’t want to be photographed, it all ended well and the photographer captured an adorable photo.

In the end, the homeowner was thrilled and expressed how useful + functional this space is for her and her family. It’s a real space she uses everyday! It’s incredible what can be created with a little thought and focus. In all, this space cost less than $100 to create.

Here is a breakdown:

Clipboards: $5
Personalized Calendar: $15 (for the frame; calendar is a DIY creation)
Red metal files: $30 (homegoods)
Corkboard: $30 (homegoods – it’s supposed to be hung horizontal, but I removed the original hooks and added new white hooks placed vertically for keys)
Pen holders: $8 (even though meant for the desk, I hung them using a nail)
Shelf & wall decor:$0 (repurposed from another space)

Space 2: Mom Cave

This was an awesome space to transform. Most of the elements were already there and actually remained in the space, but with some minor tweaking, this office looks completely different! The desk area is located at the landing of a second floor cape-style home. The ceilings slope to about 4′, but the area was too large to be wasted. Just recently, the homeowner moved her desk to this area and it’s been a great, quiet haven to work. YET, it wasn’t pretty and inviting. It needed something! With a few quick changes, this space went from drab to fab.

The first thing I noticed when I walked up the stairs to this space was the lack of color. It needed something for the eye to draw in. The ideal wall was the low wall behind the desk. It was begging for something intense. I chose Benjamin Moore Rhubarb for a splash of color against the white distressed desk. It was the perfect solution for this office makeover. A few other elements included:

A new desk lamp. (Target) The old style was too harsh, so I brought in a non-typical task lamp that gives a soft glow to the space instead of an intense, direct light.
New knobs. (Hobby Lobby) Changing the top knobs added definition to the desk + they pick up the new rhubarb wall color & gold tones in the lamp
Storage for desk organization. (Homegoods and Staples)
A corkboard. (Homegoods)
A desk chair. (TJ Maxx) A comfy and non-traditional desk chair.

The space was so fun to put together and in the end I saw how happy the little changes meant to the homeowner. Little things do make a difference.

I’m in love with this lamp. The faux snakeskin lamp base gives the space texture and depth, and an unexpected elegance. The brass tones at the bottom of the lamp base were also picked up in other areas of the room (small doses, of course) like the labels on the corkboard organizer and the new knobs.

What was supposed to be a picture frame got changed into a daily corkboard organizer using a roll of cork + stick on labels. Now the homeowner can add reminders for the week and break it up per day.

The side wall used to hold 2 floating shelves that protruded too far into the room. Now a photo montage wall filled with black & white family photos + meaningful elements makes this wall a happy place. Adding in a repurposed chair + a standing lamp with a new shade was the final touch. This space is now inviting, comfortable, and ideal for a work-from-home mom.

The final result in the magazine…

A few of the elements in this space are new, but most were repurposed from other rooms throughout the home. It’s a space that is warm + welcoming, & ideal to work in.

Space 3: Kids Corner

If you’ve got kids, most likely they love to color and create. A place in the home just for them to call their own is so important. A place that holds all their stuff so that at any time they can grab a puzzle, a book, or a paint brush will make them happy and independent. The newly created kids corner in this home was once a dark space with a chair that covered most of the corner. The outcave that was meant for a TV was unoccupied leaving a large span of open space, and the doors below were serving no purpose for what was behind them. A new functional space was needed!

The first step to transforming this space was to remove the cabinet doors. With my suggestion of a soft blue hue, the homeowner painted the interior of the cabinet, as well as the shelves + the new shelves above. Then on our scouting adventure, we found fun baskets to hold paper, books, and all the necessary crafting supplies to fill the shelves. Books, puzzles, and pictures from around the home quickly filled the rest.

The new spot was coming together…

Sometimes the most unexpected items end up being the best. My most favorite element in the new kids corner is definitely the industrial-style arrow. The homeowner thought I was a little crazy about purchasing this for the space, but I felt it was right. It was fun, unique, and totally not expected. It also makes the ideal space for holding books, stuffed animals, and other cute accessories. Lastly, I love this arrow because it heightens that space. Even though the wall is narrow it needs to be filled. Filling it draws the eye up, which makes the room feel larger and taller.

Finding this ‘desk’ that was actually part of a nesting table set makes for the perfect work space. Even though this wall is only about 30″ wide, it’s the perfect spot for a little creator. The top of the desk wasn’t flat (not ideal for working), so I suggested the homeowner have a piece of glass cut to size. It cost about $15 and make the best flat surface.

3 adorable coat hangers are hung on the side wall to easily change out artwork & beautiful one-of-a-kind creations.

The result in the magazine…

And that’s a wrap.

It was awesome to be apart of such 3 great transformations. In just 2 days, Colleen and I accomplished a whole heck of a lot. It’s amazing how much can be transformed with a plan and a small budget. If you live in the Saratoga area, be sure to pick up the latest issue of Saratoga Mama Magazine. If you’re not in the area, no worries, click here to read it online.

Have a space in mind that you’ve been wanting to give a makeover? Start by shopping your home. Repurposed items that you already own are the best way to give your home a new look without spending a dime. As an example, you should check out how I spiced up my bookcase with $5. Yes it only cost $5!

DIY: Pallet Gardening Table

Written by Jenna on August 9, 2013. Posted in DIY, Pallets. 37 Comments on DIY: Pallet Gardening Table

Why yes, another pallet project coming your way.

I’ve only created 328 pallet projects thus far. well maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration…

Anyway, I’ve been busy with creating something new and different using pallets.

What did I make? A Pallet Gardening Table…

I’ve never seen something like this before (maybe it’s on pinterest, but lately it’s been crushing my creative juices so I try to stay clear)

Why did I create it? Because I needed a spot of my own to do my gardening and potting. As I’ve said before, gardening isn’t my strong-suit, but when I do enjoy it and with time, I hope to get better. Spending hours on the driveaway hunched over, is just not cutting it anymore.

And why did I use pallets? BECAUSE THEY’RE FREE. how much better does FREE get… Plus I really like the size & look of pallets. Don’t you?

In all, this project cost less than $10 to make and basically the money was spent on hardware.

So here is what I gathered to create this Pallet Gardening Table:

(6) C-Shaped Screws (they need to be heavy-duty)
(4) 4″ Strap Hinges
Wood Screws (for outdoor use) to install hinges
Small C-Hooks
Chain (about 6′ – 7′ in length) – I got a cute yellow chain from Lowe’s
(2) Pallets that are the same size

Lowe’s put me to the test this month to create something interesting + for the outdoors, so let me show you the process…

1. I started by adding the C-Screws to the pallet that would sit on the house (if you create something similar, it could also be attached to your deck or in your garage. It’s not a must for just the side of a house).

(1) C-Screw on each side was added to the top of the pallet about 2-3″ in from the end.

(1) C-Screws on each side was added to the face of the pallet about 6″ from the top & in the center of the end planks.

Once complete, that pallet was set aside.

On the other pallet, add (1) C-Shaped Screw on each side to the face of the pallet (which will be your work surface) about 12″ from the edge & in the center of the end planks.

2. Once the (6) C-Shaped Screws are in place, then it’s time to connect the (2) pallets. Using heavy-duty 4″ strap hinges, place (2) at the end planks and the other (2) somewhat evenly spaced in the center.

3. Link the chain onto the C-Screws, so it fits just right for the bench to be open at 90 degrees. The Strap Hinges won’t let the pallet open more than 90 degrees, so essentially the chain isn’t needed, but I liked the extra security + the yellow adds a cute pop of color.

So this bad boy is mega heavy. You will absolutely need 2-3 people to move this… unless your The Hulk.

4. Once the bench was done (on the ground), it was time to put it in place on the vertical surface. The work bench should be around 36″ high (typical height of a kitchen countertop), but you can determine if you want it higher or lower. I chose 36″ above the ground. We held it in place and determined where the C-Screws in the house should be placed.

* This is the process I took, but you will have to evaluate your space for the best way to hang the pallets. Don’t hold me accountable for your situation because every vertical surface is different.

Using (2) C-Shaped Screws, we installed them into a stud on the side of the house.

5. Once the C-hooks were in place, we added about 6″ of chain to each side which hooked from the C-Shaped Screws on the house to the C-Shaped Screw on the top of the pallet.

6. At this point, it’s done. The overall project didn’t take long at all – maybe about 30 minutes. The last added detail were hooks along the sides and back of the vertical pallet to hold shovels, a small rake, etc.

And then it was complete!

When it’s not in use, simply push up the horizontal pallet and hook it into place.

So what do you think… Would you be up to creating something like this? I was always in need of a better place to do potting + gardening. Thankfully this gardening table has been a great solution (and has saved many of sore backs…)!

If you’re interested in more of my pallet creations, check these out:

Monogrammed Chevron Pallet Tray

Vertical Pallet Garden

Outdoor Pallet Sofa

Pallet Bookshelf

Told ya’ I’ve built alot of creations using pallets!

What DIY creations have you made using pallets? What do you love using pallets for? Do you keep them as one or do you like to dismantle them to create something new + different?

Inspiring + Vibrant Craft Room Reveal

Written by Jenna on July 29, 2013. Posted in Decorating, Room Reveal. 14 Comments on Inspiring + Vibrant Craft Room Reveal

It’s been a while since I gave you an update on the mega craft room & office space that I’ve been working on for a local client. The room is 98% complete minus a few wall decor pieces. Aside from that, the space is looking dynamite, so I thought I’d give you a tour.

Before

After

The space will be used for the clients new business, Creative Nest, a new informational craft blog that will be launching later this year. I asked my client to share a few thoughts about the space and here is what she shared:

The development of an arts and crafts room in my home has, for years, been one of my goals. I envisioned a very special place where my son could make messy discoveries and be free to make his own place in the world with glitter, glue, and paint.

I had the perfect location: Our living room. In most houses, they’re big, stuffy rooms filled with nice things that kids aren’t allowed to enjoy and not typically a welcoming environment for a child. Instead, I wanted to fill the space with shelves, bins, and drawers, all overflowing with materials. I wanted a room that inspire my son’s imagination, a nurturing environment that would be as attractive to him as TV or video games. And that’s all true in this creative nest we’ve developed.

Fittingly, this art room is also the heart of another Creative Nest, which is the name of an informative craft blog I’m launching later this year. The blog will provide parents with plenty of ideas and craft projects to do with their children, and will feature tips and resources from art teachers and other experts. I hope Creative Nest becomes a resource that makes it easy for parents to share art time with their kids and show them that there’s more to life than precut shapes and step-by-step directions. As all parents know, great art often comes from happy accidents and the full exploration of the imaginative process. Having this wonderful space and this creative nest in which to play and share has been an amazing experience. I am so happy with the results.

The work large desk gives ample space for creating. At about 5′ long, quite a few artists can work at the same time. The ghost chairs are the perfect seat by allowing the architectural millwork to “speak” and having the ability to easily wipe away mistaken spills.

Cubbies are the ideal way to stay organized. There is a place for everything & everything in it’s place. Crayons. Markers. Paints. All put away in their own containers.

The storage zone is the ideal spot all the crafting supplies.

I didn’t take a picture looking from the craft space to the office, but here’s a progress pic during construction…

This is what the desk space looks like now. Beautiful and functional.

On the other side is a comfy, cozy lounge space with a humungo built-in bench with a lot of storage below and an awesome built-in shelf at the end. The owner’s son is an amazing 6 year old artist and mom loves to display his creations in each of the recessed panels. I’ll tell you, the panels were not created for the pictures, but it just so happened that they were the perfect fit and they bring gorgeous color and meaning to the space.

Refreshing. Energizing. Inspiring. Creative. Fun. All words that, to me, describe this incredible new craft room space.

Powder Room Remodel Reveal

Written by Jenna on July 24, 2013. Posted in Bathroom, DIY. 27 Comments on Powder Room Remodel Reveal

The powder room remodel is finally complete!

I hope you weren’t holding your breathe because it’s been 2 + months since my last progress post. Boy, did I surely leave you hangin’…

BUT (and it’s a big but), it’s all worth it because this is the result >

Big Time Awesome!

And just to remind you where we started, here is the before >

And before that (when we moved in to the house), this is what the space looked like >

A bit scary, don’t ya think?!

Back to the progress…

Since the last post when I shared the steps of fixing the wall from the previous tile and hanging the wallpaper, we were busy with >

Hanging crown moulding (1st time ever, wow it was tough)
Hanging the new light (twice because the 1st one that I thought I loved, I really didn’t)
Painting the crown moulding
Putting together and installing the vanity
Installing the toilet
Hanging the mirror
Choosing and changing the pictures
Designing and installing the custom roman shade
Touch ups!

O, well now I know why it took me 2 months to show you the reveal. That was alot. Here are some progress pictures along the way…

Alot happened to this small space. The most challenging was absolutely the installation of the crown moulding. It was the first time that the Mister and I ever tackled installing moulding and it was tough. We made lots of mistakes day after day, and in the end called in a friend who has major talent for woodworking. He’s not a professional woodworker, but someone who does it as a hobby and is quite knowledgeable and maticulous. Anyway, he really made the bathroom what it is because without, the space wouldn’t have the same depth and pizazz.

If you’re familiar with installing moulding, our crafty guy used the coping method, which results in really tight corner joints. Once the moulding was installed, there was very little need for wood filler. With the time it took to do this simple bathroom (about 3-4 hours), I couldn’t imagine doing a large room or an overall house. I’ve been drawing mouldings for client homes for years, but now I have the appreciation of how difficult it is to actually install. Not sure I’ll be doing that again any time soon…

Want to learn more on the coping technique for crown moulding? Check out this post I found.

Anyway, it’s complete and I’m in love with the overall space. Want to see more of the reveal? I bet you do. Go…

The vibrant and eye-popping Amy Butler wallpaper sets the tone for the room. It’s surely the statement of the space and the one element that started the design. From the mirror to the vanity to the framed pictures on the wall, everything is very simple so the wallpaper can ‘speak’.

Pretty white accessories fill the space, along with black and white framed images from my travels. Both are beautifully set against the deep blue walls.

The new roman shade is another amazing element in the room. I designed it and the creative folks at Tonic Living fabricated it. They are amazing. They offer an array of services for creating window treatments, pillows, futon covers, and more. Their offering of fabrics is huge and very much in-trend.

This was the sketch I sent them and you see the result…

The top of the shade sits right under the bottom of the crown moulding and when fully lowered, you see the full border design. The fabric is a heavy white linen and the border detail is a 2″ thick navy ribbon.

The mirror was definitely the most difficult selection to choose. I wanted something that was interesting, but minimal so the wallpaper behind would still shine through. I finally decided on this mirror from Lowe’s and am thrilled with the overall look. I like it’s round shape that emulates the flowers in the wallpaper, as well as it’s frameless design.

The vanity and faucet are another element of the room that I adore. The Moen faucet is the same style and finish that I used in my master bathroom. It has great lines and works beautifully in the space. Plus the major awesome part is the finish doesn’t leave spots. Read more about it here!

More details…

The light fixture is a $17 steal from Lowe’s (on their website it’s more $$$). I had previously chosen another light, but wasn’t thrilled with the look once home. Actually this fixture is also hung upside down. When I held it in place before install, the junction box was very high on the wall and a fixture hanging down was more appropriate. My genius husband came to the rescue and said, “Why don’t we install it upside down?” And that’s what we did. You would never know and it looks great!

And I think my most favorite part of the new space is how I can enjoy it from so many other parts of my home…

This is my view from the office / family room looking through the foyer and into the new powder room.

Here is a recap of all the elements in the newly created powder room:

Vanity
Faucet
Toilet
Wallpaper
Mirror
Light
Frames: Target
Paint Color: Valspar Blue Mystery
Table: Family Heirloom painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen
Window Treatment: Custom Design by Tonic Living

Thank you for taking the tour of my new powder room. What a refreshing new space to see and enjoy when you enter our home.

DIY: Rope Wrapped Vases + Glass Jars

Written by Jenna on July 11, 2013. Posted in DIY. 6 Comments on DIY: Rope Wrapped Vases + Glass Jars

Earlier this week, I excitedly announced that I recently partnered with Apartments.com to share simple solutions for small space living. Specifically, I will be showcasing tips and strategic ideas for overcoming the obstacles and hurdles of apartment life to create an inviting, stylish, and most of all, functional space. Additionally, each month I will be creating a DIY project that is perfectly fit for an apartment and/or small space. Like this…

Do-It-Yourself + Apartment Life isn’t always an easy combo. In my book a DIY project/craft best suited for an apartment has to be the following:

-> Easy to create using simple supplies (no major power tools here)

-> Easily moveable – something that can be repositioned and/or moved to another room. In a small space, a few accessory moves will make the entire place feel fresh and new.

-> Unique, interesting, one-of-a-kind (of course)

For my first DIY project, Apartments.com put me to the challenge of creating something for the Summer. Not to tricky. To me, Summer brings to mind words like beach, sand, sun, sea, nautical, light, bright, airy…

For the project, I wanted to create something using the word nautical, which then in turn rope material came to mind, thus the creation of rope wrapped vases. Knowing that I already had a plethora of glass vases and glass jars around the house, I started out by shopping my home. How much better does it get not to have to spend a dime?!

TIP: In a small space, storing extra of anything, especially home decor accessories, isn’t easy. My suggestion would be to have one shelf, one box, or one ‘spot’ where you can keep extra accessories or home type elements to rotate with what you currently have throughout your home. When I shop, I usually purchase items because I love them and they have meaning, versus buying something just to buy. But that means when I get it home, I might not use it right away. Having a small place to store items like vases, baskets, extra candles, etc. will allow you to always have the ability to freshen up your space in no time without the need to go out and search/buy for something meaningless. The box or shelf you choice is perfect because it will allow you to stay within the designated area. Small spaces surely don’t allow for excess.

Vases and used glass jars (sauce or salsa jars are my favorites) or mason jars are always keepers for my accessory shelf. At the moment they might not be of use, but I know they will always come in handy in the future. For this project, I went right to the shelf and found a collection of 5 glass jars of varying heights and sizes.

Instead of wrapping all the vases/glass jars in the same rope, I decided to use rope, twine, and jute of different sizes and colors.

These 3 styles I got at Lowes >

Using my hot glue gun, I dabbed a bit of the hot glue at the point where I wanted to start and then attached the end of the twine.

Then I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped around the glass jar. Every so often I added another dab of hot glue to be sure that the twine / jute / rope was secure.

The large rope was my favorite because it gave the glass vase some great texture.

Each jar / vase is a different height and size, so I made each one even more unique with the color and/or application of the rope. Some got fully covered in rope where others only a portion of the ‘body’ got covered. It adds an interesting, one-of-a-kind quality.

For the largest vase of all, I fully covered it in rope and then added a little color (white to be specific – some say it’s not technically a color) with a splash of spray paint. To do this, I decided the area that I wanted to spray paint and covered the rest. I used painters tape along with a piece of paper (a staples bag to be exact, lol – it was the perfect size), flipped over the vase so the top was on the ground, and started to spray. A few coats later, it was done.

The result >

And the entire collection >

On the mantel.

On the dining table.

Outdoors.

Simple vases and glass jars changed into creative decor for little money and little time = a perfect DIY for an apartment dweller. No matter where you live, creative do it yourself projects can be tackled. It might take a little more planning, but a fun and successful result can be accomplished!

As I mentioned the other day, I’ve recently been working with a NYC E-Design client on a bedroom makeover. She shared some great insight with a brief Q & A into Life in an Apartment, and also tackled the same project I did. I thought it would be fun and interesting to see how my rope wrapped vase collection looked in a home, and hers in an apartment. She used differing glass vases with the same rope. Take a look…

DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent

Written by Jenna on July 2, 2013. Posted in DIY. 12 Comments on DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent

Happy July!

For me, it officially feels like Summer has begun. The kids are out of school now for just about a week, and the Summer sun is setting in (despite all the rain we’ve been having). The kids and I have been enjoying fun outings each day, while also spending some down-time at home just relaxing. Often on those home-bound days, the hours creep by with boredom, so when Lowe’s put me up to the challenge this month to create something related to DIY camping, I thought of the perfect solution…

…a kids play + camping tent. They can use it as a tent to play in during the day, as well as a spot to sleep in once the sun sets and the stars peak.

The the best part about this tent is that it only took about $10 to make + 10 minutes to create! I made two, so the cost and time were double.

Supplies for (1) Tent:

(4) 1 x 2 piece of wood at 42″ long ($2.16)
- At Lowe’s I had them cut down (1) 1 x 2 x 8 which cost $1.08 into my (2) 42″ long pieces
(1) 3/4″ diameter dowel at 48″ long ($2.85)
2.5 total yards of fabric ($2.25/yard x 2.5 = $5.63)
1.5 total yards of ribbon (leftovers)
Drill with a 3/4″ drill bit

This tent is really easy to create, and what’s even better is that you can put it up and take it down very easily with each use. I made it so it can be easily assembled and just as easy to disassemble for storage. More on that later…

1. (2 minutes)

To start off, I drilled a 3/4″ hole at each end of the 1 x 2 piece of wood. The Mister and I set up a “drilling station” by creating two piles of stacked wood so the 1 x 2 could bridge across the top. As an alternative, you can drill through your piece of lumber with a scrap piece underneath. Either method will work.

One hole of each piece will be for the peak of the tent, while the other hole will be for the ribbon to tie through. Keep reading and it’ll all come together…

2. (1 minute)

Once the holes were drilled, I fed one end of the dowel through two of the 1 x 2’s, then fed the other end of the dowel through the other two 1 x 2’s.

Note: The drill bit size needs to match the dowel size, so it fits snug. I used a 3/4″ dowel and a 3/4″ drill bit. The dowel needs to be snug in the 1 x 2’s so it stays in place, yet is still easily adjustable.

And the frame was done!

Onto the fabric.

3. (2 minutes)

Many fabric comes in a 44/45″ width, so the sides don’t need to be hemmed (if you want to hem them you can, but I didn’t). To start off, I folded over one end of the fabric and sewed.

4. (2 minutes)

I draped the fabric (with one finished edge) over the tent frame. I lined up the finished edge side with the bottom of the legs, so I could determine how much needed to be trimmed off the other side – be sure to leave enough fabric to fold over and sew (about 1″ extra inch).

Using my Jar O’ Ribbons, I picked out 4 fun colors.

5. (2 minutes)

To secure the fabric to the frame, I added ribbon. I cut (4) 12-15″ long pieces of ribbon, and sewed the center of it to the right side of each corner using a fun stitch.

After cutting the loose threads, it was complete!

I draped the fabric over the dowel, attached the 4 ribbons through the 4 bottom holes, and secured. (1 minute)

And the dual play + camping tent was complete.

It’s just as easy to disassemble as it is to assemble! Plus it folds right up to store away. I put all the legs together, wrapped the fabric around them, and secured it at both ends with the attached ribbon.

The details.

My kids are having such a fun time with their new creations.

Day for Play…

And night for camping… (well kinda. it didn’t last the whole night).

Either way, they are fun, easy to make, and are perfect for some Summer Fun!

DIY: Outdoor Pallet Sofa

Written by Jenna on June 20, 2013. Posted in DIY. 10 Comments on DIY: Outdoor Pallet Sofa

Despite the drear weather lately, the deck decor is coming together!

We power washed, we prepped, we stained, we built…

…an outdoor pallet sofa!

It is heaven. Take a look (or just come on over to enjoy…)

And guess what’s the best part? It cost less than $5.

Thankfully pallets are readily available in our neck of the woods (for free). I usually snag mine from the back of my local Lowe’s – thanks Lowe’s, you’re the best!

After staining the deck, I knew I wanted something nice and comfy to fill the space right outside of our dining room slider. It used to look like this before…

But went to this with a little TLC…

Here’s how:

I got 4 pallets that were all about the same size (40″ x 30″) and made 2 “sofas”. If you’re wanting to make something similar, then you can make yours as small or large as you desire. If you’ve got a big patio or deck to fill, think about making a humungo sectional. How cool would that be?!

Using 4″x4″ posts from the fence we took out last year, we cut the legs using a compound miter saw (this is a favorite of mine <= affiliate link).

Determine the height of the legs: A typical seat height is 18-20″, so we measured the height of the cushion we bought (4″ high) + the pallet thickness (5″ high), so the legs needed to be 10″.

To attach the legs, we used flat brackets (mending plate <= affiliate link) and braced them from the leg to the pallet edge.

To attach the back pallet, we used (3) 90 degree L-brackets (corner brace <= affiliate link) for each “sofa”, so 6 in all.

Then it was complete. That’s how easy these bad-boys are to make, But I will warn you… THEY ARE HEAVY. So you will definitely need some muscles & braun to lift and move the pallet sofas.

Once they were in place, we were in love!

Check out my little guy chilaxin’…

Heaven.

One more step we could have taken, but haven’t (yet or maybe never) is to paint or stain the pallets. They certainly don’t need to be left the raw wood, it just depends on the look you desire.

I’m sure you’re wondering about the cushions. Right? Boy, they were difficult to find. I found lots of cushions, but they were all too $$$. The tricky part was the seat depth of the pallet sofa which is 30″. It’s the perfect spot for lounging and napping (you’ll never want to get up), but finding a cushion to fit was rough. In the end, I ended up finding these oversized seat-with-back-cushions at Lowes. They were a bit pricey at $55/each, but they are mega thick and durable. They’ve been left in the rain a few times and survived, thankfully. With the cushy back, they fit just right for the 30″ depth.

With 3 cushions across, they were just the right size to allow for some extra room on the ends of the pallets to rest a drink & drink tray.

Even though it’s been practically raining every day, I have been totally loving our new deck space. Many a days ahead will be spent ~~snoozing~~ lounging! A more thorough deck tour to come – I promise! Until then, you’ve gotta make this pallet sofa!

DIY: Mason Jar Terrarium

Written by Jenna on June 18, 2013. Posted in Uncategorized. 3 Comments on DIY: Mason Jar Terrarium

How fun are terrariums…

A collection of potted plants in a cute glass jar. Yes, I’ll take it!

My guy + I got our hands dirty the other day making these small terrariums using mason jars. Come have a look…

Mason Jar Terrarium

Supplies Needed:

Glass Mason Jars
Small rocks
Terrarium style plants
Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
Moss
Rocks
Gardening tools

I’m love ~~hoarding~~ collecting used glass jars. Whether from apple sauce, tomato sauce, jelly, etc., glass jars never get thrown out in our house.

1. To start off, I took a bunch of glass mason jars and put about a 1/2″ layer of small rocks on the bottom.

2. We then added a 1″ layer of Miracle Gro potting soil on top of the layer of rocks.

3. We then took our plant, gently broke up the roots, and used a small section of the plant for our glass mason jar.

This is where little hands come in handy.

4. My little guy snuggled the roots into the soil.

5. Add a layer of moss (which we got from our backyard)

6. And finished it off with some water.

The result? A beautiful and easy-to-make, easy-to-maintain plant project to enjoy in the Summer or all year round.

If you want to keep the Mason Jar Terrarium contained (less water will be needed), then use the cap from the glass jar. This is from a used tomato sauce jar…

So fun, right?! With the kids out of school and the chaos of Summer, the time I have to devote to the garden is very little. Thankfully with Miracle-Groâ€™s new venture, The Gro Project, there is no more worry or need for gardening to be difficult. The Gro-Project showcases fun garden projects, similar to what I created, that are easy, manageable, and that even a gal like me can tackle!

Happy Summer with a plethora of fun AND easy outdoor gardening projects!