a book nook complete

So we've been hard at work plugging away at our basement/playroom/guest room.  One major part is finally complete (thank goodness)!  What was once a boring closet under our stairs which we used to store paint and other household odds and ends.....

has become a charming, cozy getaway for our little girl who loves to read.  She will spend loads of time in here....I can hear her saying "whoaa" as she flips through her books looking at all the pictures.

We pretty much already had everything in here....the only things purchased was the wood for my husband to build it and of course he had to also buy a super duper special saw to make it all happen :) he did a pretty darn good job, don'tchya think? Also the cost of the lighting and the electrician to install everything in our basement. 

I found some quotes that I liked and distressed some scrap wood and painted them on the wood.

a black and white photo of my dad and grandmother hangs above the book shelf.  I lined the photo with chocolate velvet ribbon to give it a rich look and painted an old frame white.

Got this book shelf years ago at Goodwill for $10....it must have also been a little girl's once because it was light pink when I got it......

really looking forward to both of us having reading time together in her new book nook...so fun!

For more inspiration on how to make use of small spaces go here....

martha's february issue

If you are a fan of The Greenbrier (who isn't) or of Dorothy Draper (if you aren't you should be) then you have to check out the spread in the February issue of the Martha Stewart magazine (page 110 to be exact.)

I read it last week as I climbed my way through my elliptical workout and came across it again today in a doctor's office.  I admit it, I snagged yet another magazine.  But, it is being put to good use....there are a lot of other great tips that I am going to take advantage of!  And it reminded me of how much I want to go back to The Greenbrier...sigh....maybe next time for high tea? hmmm....

a few pics I took of Leila today:

 

a dresser made over

Leila having a good ole' time with her buddies!

Was excited to find on the designer Emily A. Clark's blog the exact same dresser made over but just in a different shade and new knobs.  The dresser above came from my husband's grandparent's house and I just loved it and knew it had potential. 

I have the matching tall dresser which I plan on painting a yellow for Leila's playroom.  But for now, here is the finished piece we are now using as a console in our living room:

I actually did buy new, modern knobs for this but they didn't fit the holes so I ended up just painting the existing antique looking ones a gray/blue....am loving it:

artful blogging

I'm loving the latest issue of Artful Blogging my sister gave me for Christmas.  It is full of inspiration and some pretty talented people and blogs I had never heard of in its pages:

Alisa Noble's lifeisabeautifulplacetobe.blogspot.com

Sibylle Roessler's fun.kyti.me

Kate Ulman's foxslane.blogspot.com

again, above, foxslane.blogspot.com

Tracy Leber's frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com

Lynda Naranjo's lynda-naranjo.blogspot.com

Meanwhile, my husband and I have been knee deep in the project of converting our basement into a play room for Leila.  Will post photos when complete in a few weeks......here is just a snippet of two parts of the project in process:

I love the power of paint!  Such a fresh new look for this otherwise traditional table:

And...can't WAIT for this project to be done.....TJ has finished studding and drywalling what will be a book nook for Leila to climb up into and read. Inspired by this blog, we had this closet virtually unused....what better way to create a special place for your little one to get lost in a good book....dreamy!!!  Again....will post pics in a few weeks when done.........so excited!

final post of 2011

As 2011 draws to a close and I wrap up my last project, I have done a lot of soul searching this last week to figure out how I want to go forward in 2012.  No doubt, 2011 has been a year of personal (many) highs and a few lows.  With that said, I vow to be more calm and enjoy the process of life more.  We artists have active imaginations and I often find I am a ball full of energy, wrapped up and trying to release my ideas.  Often, the stress I experience is self induced and many people have told me I need to not be so hard on myself.  This last project is no exception.

I have wanted to create an assortment of framed photos of Leilani going up our stairs for some time now.  I've had some frames laying around for years just staring back at me.  Not wanting to spend a fortune to have them custom matted and professionally framed, I took on the project myself.  Many hours, lots of paint, five stitches, a tetanus shot and a lot of frustration later....it is done.

But, I learned a few things from it and in due time to go forward into 2012:

1)  I will not be so darn hard on myself and create goals & deadlines that are unachievable
2)  I will take yoga
3)  I will paint and complete projects out of sheer enjoyment
4)  I will be the best wife, mother, sister, daughter I know how to be
5)  I will slow down...and enjoy life more.

Oh...and I WILL de-clutter my closet!

the crazy frames I've been holding onto

creating the perfect color for the 3 matching frames...

and 2 mirrors (which were an antique white to begin with)

I had glass custom cut at a local glass shop. (Joann's was going to charge me $70 for 3 pieces but the local shop charged just $19!!)......However, I will say I ended up cutting my hand on one of the pieces of glass and ended up with 5 stitches and a $40 co-pay, sigh.

But, I think it was worth it...all in all this project cost me maybe $80 if you include my co-pay :) and supplies:

I love using architectural pieces to decorate with.  I have several funky painted shutters throughout our house and ended up using these two (which were once a hot pink, yikes) as part of the wall combo!

Oh, and lastly, Leila on Christmas day....on most likely her most favorite gift from Grandma and Grandpa:

Have a great new year, everyone!  See you in 2012....bring it on!

a night at the greenbrier

We were lucky enough to spend an evening at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV...where do I begin?  I am in awe of Dorothy Draper and found this wonderful blog when doing research on her.  I can't wait to learn more...she seems like she was fearless, bold and absolutely amazing.  The design of The Greenbrier is like no other-- it is a magical place you never want to leave.