Marbled Papers

I am officially in LOVE with these marbled papers from Paper Mojo.

Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Elise on Pinterest

Aren't these boxes made by Centsational Girl gorgeous?

How about this amazing bookcase makeover from Gorgeous Shiny Things?  I love everything on Danika's blog.  If you're not a reader already, check it out RIGHT NOW!

I had hopes of framing a few sheets for these empty frames in my bedroom.

We're getting a little tired of  this anonymous family staring at us x6.  I would much prefer looking at this beauty.

Source: danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com via Christen on Pinterest

While the Paper Mojo is reasonably priced, I found the shipping a bit too much for my teeny-tiny budget.  I hate it when shipping costs more than the item I'm purchasing!

Hmmm...looks like I might be experimenting on making some of this paper myself! 
Here's a Martha Stewart tutorial.

Source: marthastewart.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

And this one from Skip to My Lou looks similiar, but a bit simpler.

Source: skiptomylou.org via Lauren on Pinterest

Have you tried this?

Coral and Gold Desk

If you follow me on Facebook, you know Big K and I started a little impromptu bedroom redecorating project this weekend.  It's still in progress, so I don't have any additions to the house tour.  But, as soon as everything is put back together, you know I'll have a post for you!

One thing that I can share is my new desk.  I've desperately been seeking my own workspace and I've finally done something about it after being inspired by Carmel over at My Fifth House...use a desk as a bedside table.  Genius!!!

Luckily, I had this guy sitting in my garage just waiting for a makeover.  I picked it up for $10 at a yard sale earlier this summer.

Can you spot Emma back there?  She seems to sneak into every picture.  If I was that cute, I might try to be in more pictures too!

I also had some Krylon spray paint in Coral Isle in the garage that I sprayed the desk with after priming it with Kilz.

I hadn't spray painted something in FOREVER.  I had forgotten how easy it is.  No messy brushes to clean.  No waiting days for paint to dry.

Here's the final result.

I think something is wrong with my camera.  All of my pictures have been super-grainy lately.  I have no idea what is going on.  Do you have any ideas????  I don't know what to do, besides buy a new camera.  This camera used to take great, clear pictures.

My favorite part of the desk is this gold detail.

In the background, you can see my new blue-gray paint...also done this weekend.  It's called Oyster Pearl by the Ace brand Clarke & Kensington.

Over in the corner you can see my "new" file cabinet.  This was a old Target dealio...you know the fake wood pieces that you have to assemble???  I just primed and spray painted it glossy white.  This was my first attempt painting this type of "wood."  It looks pretty good and I think the paint will stick.  I made sure to prime well with Kilz.  Otherwise, I was afraid the material might have been too slick and the paint would have peeled right off.

One last look, just because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new desk/bedside table!  One of my favorite things - it was almost free!  All of the materials I used were found in the garage.  I didn't have to buy anything except for the $10 desk.

Linked to some of my favorite DIY blogs:  Liz Marie, House of Hepworths, My Simple Home Life, Happy Hour Projects,
Elizabeth & Co, DIY Dreamer, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Primitive and Proper, Home Stories of A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, Type A Decorating, , The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, Primp,
A Diamond in the Stuff, Restore Interiors, The Shabby Chic Cottage,  Beyond the Picket Fence, My Simple Home Life,
Addicted 2 Decorating, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Tatertots and Jello, Under the Table and Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, Coastal Charm, Serenity Now, Get Outta My Head Please, You are Talking Too Much, The Southern Institute  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you are having a fun holiday!  Here's a little red, white and blue eye candy.

Source: room-galleries.myhomeideas.com via Holly on Pinterest

Source: nestegg.typepad.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Bloggy Olympics: Paint Project

Have you been following the Bloggy Olympics?  I decided to take part in an event this week: the paint event.

I've had this wooden mirror in my garage for a while.  I got it as part of the dresser set that I painted for Chloe's room, but didn't need the mirror for her room.  I didn't really have a purpose for the mirror, but was afraid it would break if it sat in the garage much longer.  Not like I've ever broken anything in the garage in the past!

Emma and Tyler were very interested in those two dogs in the mirror.  This is the yucky little corner of the backyard where I like to do all of my spray painting.  It's really a dog run/kennel area that we never use, so I don't mind getting paint all over it.


Painting mirrors is so easy.  There is no need to tape off the mirror...get as much paint on it as you want.  All you have to do to get the paint off is to use a razor blade to scrape it off.  It usually comes off easily.

This is after one coat of Benjamin Moore Stunning.  See the primer sprayed right on the mirror and the blue paint?  No problem!

 I was inspired by these gold corners on picture frames by A Thoughtful Place.

Source: athoughtfulplaceblog.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I used some Martha Stewart metallic paint to add gold corners onto my mirror.

I like the way it turned out and how it looks with the other gold and navy stuff on my mantle.

Here's a little before and after of the mantle:

I still love the Gino Hollander painting that was up there.  It's just found a new home in my living room.  I'll show you more of my living room on Monday, if you want to check back.
Linked to the Bloggy Olympic hosts: Gwen (A Bold Abode), Cassie (Primitive and Proper) and Katie (Craptastic).

Also linked here: Liz Marie, House of Hepworths, My Simple Home Life, Happy Hour Projects

Design Star Discussion

Do you watch HGTV's "Design Star?"  I don't watch much TV, but this is a show I look forward to watching every week.  I love to critique the spaces from the comfort of my home.  While some of the designs are not my favorite, I can't imagine being placed in these challenges and being able to quickly come up with something.

Tuesday's episode was the dreaded "white box challenge," where each designer gets a white room with a few pieces of white furniture that they have to transform.

It looks like my favorite designers on the show have been reading some of my favorite blogs.  The things popular in the blogosphere were also popular with these designers: bold, graphic designs (including chevron and a Moroccan trellis pattern), gold or brass accents, nailhead trim, silhouettes, and starbursts.

I'll start off by showing you a few of my favorites.

I thought Rachel did an amazing job on this room.  The colors and mix of patterns are unexpected, but work together well.  I love that she super-sized the trellis pattern in the background.  The fashion art on the right wall is pretty amazing as well.

Britney's gold chain chandelier is so creative, and of course, you know I love navy, white and gold together.  It's hard to see here,but she also added gold tacks as nailhead trim on the couch.

Danielle's room is FANCY with all of its sparkly gold accents.  The couch, off-center graphic and the gold circles are all favorites.  I think I had that lamp in my first college dorm room...I might have ditched that element.

Now on to some of my least favorites.

The judges were in love with this room designed by Stanley, but seriously who lives here????  I get it that it's creative, but who wants a sideways couch on stilts in their living room.  This looks like a gallery installation versus a place where people could actually live and be comfortable.  I think there has to be some element of functionality to a room, not just crazy ideas.

What the what???  This room was a little too "high concept" for me...something about forest fires.  Kris annoys me...I don't think I would ever be able to sit through his show.

I hated almost everything about this room.  Luca's idea of using contact paper to make a faux parquet floor is pretty cool as is his light bulb chandelier.  Someone who signs their name to their room is a bit too cocky for my liking.

Here are a couple rooms that had elements I liked.

I like the coffee table with the black stripes and brass washers.  I didn't love the chain trim along the bottom of the couch, but I like it on the cushions.

The silhouette/starburst is my favorite element in Bex's room.  But, I also like how she used the pieces of cut PVC pipe to make "columns."  The buffet with the towel holder pulls works well too.  Bex's personality might be a little too quirky (or trying too hard to be quirky) for me to want to watch her show.

Mikel's room didn't blow me away, but I thought it was clever to use a door mat as a stamp for his rug. 

At this point my favorites are Rachel and Danielle.

What did you think???  Discuss....

Pink Flamingos

If you had asked me what I thought of flamingos a year ago, I probably would have responded that I thought they were kind of creepy with their long scaly legs, beady eyes, and knobby beak.

What do you think of flamingos?  Does it bring to mind Hawaiian shirts or a yard filled with plastic birds?

Source: google.com via Pamela on Pinterest

Kitschy decor?

Source: google.com via Pamela on Pinterest

Pretty colors?

Source: design-seeds.com via Roxanne on Pinterest

Or one of my favorite rooms?

Source: etsy.com via Sara on Pinterest

The more I see flamingos, the more I like them.  Maybe it's my newfound love of all things pink?

If you need a little flamingo in your life (or at least a pop of pink!), I rounded up some pretty items for you.

1/2/3

4/5/6

1/2/3

4/5/6

What do you think?  Are you feeling flamingo?

Color My World Link Party!!!

Thanks to everyone who has been following the Color My World Challenge!  We've reached the final week.  This is where we invite all of YOU to link up a post sharing how you challenged yourself to try a new color in your home.

The best thing about this party is that your link will show up on all 15+ Color My World challengers blogs.  Next Tuesday, we'll all feature a few of our favorite links.  So start linking at the bottom of this post!!!

In case you missed the last few weeks, I added navy to my living room. 

This challenge forced me to finish some projects that I've had lingering for a while.  Thanks Jessamie for dreaming this whole thing up!

It also gave me a good excuse to purchase some new chairs that I've had my eye on.

After I picked navy, I realized that I cheated a little bit.  I already had some navy in my living room, but the challenge encouraged me to add more!

I already had these navy banded curtains.

And these navy chevron chairs.  Wow, that's an old picture...I almost forgot I used to have that ugly carpet!  I must have blocked it out.

I promise I will show you pictures of the entire room soon.  I had ordered a jute rug from West Elm that came with some damage.  I had to ship it back and am waiting for the replacement.  West Elm has been great to work with through this process, by the way.  As soon as the new rug arrives, I'll show you some pictures.

I also have my eye on these pillows from World Market.  I love the colors.

I would like a throw for the couch to hide the drab olive green.  This one frome Serena & Lily is cute, but at over $200, I think I'll look for something a bit less expensive.

And the room won't be complete without the elusive fiddle leaf fig tree.  This tree doesn't seem to exist anywhere near me!

I don't think I have any "finished" rooms in my house.  They are all works in progress that are continually changing.  At least the living room is now on the right path!

Show us what you've got and link up!!! 

I know you want to see what the other challengers have been up to as well.

Ange - The Blooming Hydrangea
Anna - A Newfound Treasure
Carmel - Our 5th House
Cassie - Primitive and Proper
Jadyn - Dutch.British.Love
Jessamie - Bird and Branch Redesign
Julia - Black Tag Diaries
Julia - Pawley's Island Posh
Kristy - Hyphen Interiors
Lisa - Shine Your Light
Lisa - Trapped in North Jersey
Maury - Life on Mars
Shaunna - Perfectly Imperfect
Shelley - Crazy Wonderful
Suzy - Saved by Suzy
Tiffany - Living Savvy
Tiffany - Worthwhile Domicile
Vashti & Jamie - Like me Some...