I always love picking up finds in the streets that can be transformed with a little TLC. My husband always rolls his eyes and tries to dissuade me when we come upon something awesome. This time he even agreed this little table had potential. It was definitely a little worse for wear (including bubble gum stuck to the bottom!). A little primer and glossy oil paint and it's a perfect little plant stand.
This is what it looked like before....
This weekend I decided to switch out my framed pegboard in my craft room for a bulletin board. I've been wanting to hang up inspiration lately and didn't have a spot. I did like using the pegboard to hang tools, we'll see if I miss it. To make the bulletin board I covered a pieced of foam core cut to the size of the frame and covered it with linen.
Here is the pegboard I had before. Which do you like better?
Hi,
I'm just back from a little trip to Seattle for a wedding. It was a great time and I'm just now easing back into the week. The time difference got me this morning, I'm usually like to get up really early.
I am so happy to be guest blogging this week on Design Sponge. I will be doing a DIY project each day this week, trying to use up all the bits and scraps I've been saving and can't bear to throw away. Check it out!
One thing I really am thankful for in our apartment is that we have a bike area! No longer are there bikes (5 total) in my bedroom, living room, etc., thank goodness. This is how far we have gotten. It's in what would otherwise be the kitchen nook or eating area. Oh well, that's how it goes in NYC. I am planning on painting the stool bright yellow. Ben bought garage type Flor tiles for the carpeting which we love, super heavy duty. We bought the work table at a kitchen supply company in our neighborhood and the silkscreen print is by Jason Snyder that we picked up at Renegade this year.
I am missing having an outdoor space in our new apartment. Although there are major benefits like a lot more indoor space, it's a little sad to not have any sort of garden or patio. This was the backyard at our previous place. I decided to make a succulent garden inside with McCoy pots my mom gave me on my last visit home. I want to collect lots more of all sizes. We've always loved these pots for their functionality since they have the saucers attached.
One day last week I wasn't feeling well so I sat on the sofa and worked on Shashiko embroidery. I've always wanted to try it and I found it very quick and satisfying as far as embroidery goes. I bought a kit at City Quilter but they sell similar ones at Purl. Purl also did a nice tutorial. I ended up making two pillows, one out of the Shashiko and another with some woven fabric I bought at Habu Textiles (the thin stripes). I love the subtle shades of blue in the stripes.
My friend Leigh just back from a trip to Japan. She brought me back these sweet items from Loft and Uniqlo, totally my colors and aesthetic. Thanks Leigh!
We had a gorgeous day today here in Brooklyn so I thought I'd take some more living room shots while the light was nice.
It's a big week around here. Monday was our one year anniversary (thus the flowers, thanks Ben!) and both our birthdays are this week. Makes for a festive and fun week.
A few FAQ's: my dishes are LuRay pastels, made from 1938-1962 by Taylor Smith and Taylor Co. I've been collecting them since college when I found a pile of it at an estate sale for dirt cheap. I registered for it at Replacements when we got married and rounded out my collection. Of course, the rarer pieces are the most expensive!
The coral colored throw is a from a story at MSL that I did on machine embroidery several years ago. At the time you could buy a CD with lots of different Japanese inspired patterns and the fancy sewing machine would embroider it for you. (Although I remember it being tedious and not all that satisfying). Which reminds me, I recently bought Shashiko supplies at Purl Patchwork and am going to try a project, the real kind by hand. Stay tuned for that.
I had an old sofa reupholstered lately in heavy linen. They did a great job.
I found this magazine rack on the street, somebody was throwing it away. Isn't it cool?
Ben was very proud of picking out the perfect shade of coral peonies for me. I think I'm rubbing off on him!
Yesterday I installed two picture shelves above our new sofa! I am excited to be able to change the display whenever. It also gives me motivation to make some new pieces so that I can fill some antique frames I have been saving. The only "catch" (sorry for the bad pun!) is that the particular fabric we chose, is VERY easily snagged by our cat. Because she loves new things, she sees this sofa as her personal playgound! We ordered the linen slipcover but it's not supposed to be delivered until well into May. So even though we use softpaws she is still able to snag the weave with her back paws and even her front. What a pain! Does anyone have any recommendations?
The new apartment is coming along nicely. Because it's so much bigger than our old place we actually have to buy some new furniture which is fun. I put together swatches of linen that I have chosen. I get my linen at Gray Line, which is a great resource if you are in NYC! Everytime time I go there I can't resist more and more yardage. Luckily our new apartment needs lots of small projects, such as curtains. I made cafe curtains for two of the rooms to provide some privacy but still let in a lot of light. Also, because the windows are the same size throughout so I can switch them around if I change my mind.
