Bookcase Make-Over
January 19, 2010 by Texasholly
Filed under cheap, free & easy, feature
When we moved into our house 4 years ago I unpacked all the book boxes that had been in storage directly into the bookcase. I then unpacked all the knick-knacks directly into the bookcases. I didn’t give it much thought because I was just glad to be unpacked.
4 years later I notice that the bookcases look dark, disorganized and like no one really cared about them.
Weird!
I love color. Throughout the house I have decorated with bright colors, but the bookshelves didn’t get the same treatment. Because the shelves are a dark wood stain I decided for the makeover to really concentrate on adding color.
Out with the old…
I hate to admit that some of those fake plants have been with me for 20 years or so. I am finally ready to let them go. The iron accessories are pretty, but such a dark color they don’t show up on the shelves. I am going to get rid of several of them and try some red spray paint on the ones I keep.
I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and Ikea for a few colorful items and re-arranged the books.
I went through my stored accessories and found the shiny green vase and the clear pitcher. I found the three colorful glass vases on a 1/2 price sale at Hobby Lobby.
My trip to Ikea resulted in the green and orange CD boxes, the red round boxes and the trio of orange flowered glass lights. All the boxes are cardboard (and assembled by me) so they didn’t cost much.
Once the books were lined up neatly, some lighting was added and the accessories were edited, the painting I already had hanging in the middle of the books made a much bigger impact.
I think what made the difference was simply removing unnecessary accessories and organizing the books. Over the years books, photos and knick-knacks have been added without a thought. Once everything was removed and things were put back with a purpose it became clear what items had to go.
Sittin Pretty
July 18, 2009 by Priscilla
Filed under Inspiration, shop
On my last Weekend Warrior project, my mother-in-law and I removed wall paper and scraped popcorn texture off my guest bath ceiling. (By the way, kitchen spatulas aren’t bad tools for removing ceiling texture! I’m sure it would have worked better with the correct tool!) We then textured the walls with a Priscilla’s surprise texture technique – meaning, however it turned out, that’s the way it was supposed to turn out. I selected Sherwin Williams “Dewy” for my wall color – a color from my very own handy-dandy Custom Color Perfect Palette.
I’m gradually updating this bathroom. There’s still more I’d like to do, but the color really made a huge impact! Whispering… in my haste to get started, I forgot to take before pictures. I know, I won’t let it happen again.
Sooo, I was in my local Home Goods store. I found this really interesting piece of wall art that would look great above the “potty” in my bathroom.
It’s a birdcage shelf, so it gives me another place for accessories. I had some extra ribbon that I had used for trim on my daughter’s dress several years ago that was perfect for hanging the grapevine wreath. It’s hard to see from this photo, but if you look closely, you’ll see the back of Jane Austen inside the cream frame. I was inspired by Kelly -I, too am a Jane Austen fan -o.
I also added my whimsy! The other photo is of our aunt’s donkey, Jasmine. I’ve added a zebra rug, so I guess Jasmine is our zebra?
What are some of your projects? I’d love to hear about them!
For more inspiration, I like to watch Weekend Warrior inspiration.
Bring Back Balance with a Redesign Touch Up
July 17, 2009 by Priscilla
Filed under Inspiration, feature, home
Take Photos
A good rule of thumb is to take pictures before you relocate an item even if it’s only temporarily. For example, in addition to Christmas decorations, prior to painting, take a photo to reference when it’s time to put everything back. Even the best of us can forget where the gold finial was- was it to the left or right of the decorative box?!
Focus on One Room
If you relocated an accent chair to your master and are trying to decide to put it back in the family room or leave it, decide which room you want to address first. Work on one space at a time. Believe me, this can be challenging! If you decide to put your family room back in order first, move the accent chair back there. You may realize at this point that you really liked having the extra seating in your master. Create a wish list for your master bedroom. Then, you can add a chair at a later time.
Simplify
You may feel that after the excess of your holidays you want to have less in your space. Go through your room with your handy dandy plastic storage tub near. Remove a layer. If you had Great Aunt Bessy’s bowl displayed while she was visiting, pack it up. Pack up your kids craft gifts or display them in a more appropriate location. Recycle old magazines to free up space on your coffee table. It’s always good when we can think green! These simple steps will breathe new life into your space.
Room Resolutions
To help your room find it’s new self and keep it’s New Year’s resolution without breaking the bank, add a layer. Refer back to your shopping list that I left with you. What’s next? Items are budgeted, so find your available price range and buy in increments. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing! You will be pleased with your new items and proud of yourself that you stayed within your budget!
Schedule an Expert Redesign Touch Up Service
If you love your space but want to fine tune your room after the holiday shuffle, give me a call. Occasionally, your cleaning crew may do a little “decorating” for you, and you wonder how it was before. Whatever your situation, DecoratingSpaces can give you your beautiful space back for only a portion of your original redesign cost!
Here’s a good example of a hole left after the Christmas tree is gone. The other side of the room is heavier due to use of color and furnishings. If left empty, the room would feel off-balance.
Decorating: What Floats Your Boat?
During the summer months, my family likes to go out on the lake in our boat. My husband grew up boating and water skiing. I, on the other hand, did not. It is a lot of work to go out. There is a lot of preparation. I can’t hook up the trailer. I can’t back the trailer. Although, I did provide some entertainment for the men at the boat ramp while attempting to back the trailer into the water. They found it quite amusing. The job that fell to me that I could manage was making sure the plug was in the boat, so we wouldn’t take on water. Well….you can guess what happened. I forgot the plug, and we began to sink. You might ask, “What does this have to do with decorating?!”
Is your space more of a challenge than you had anticipated? Did it just not turn out like you had planned? Is your room sinking?
Recently, an associate of mine, Beth Batke with Finishing Touches Redesign, wrote an article after she had seen an episode of the Rachel Ray show. On the show, a fashion stylist took 3 different women in black dresses and gave them 3 different looks. Hmmm….Beth suggested this is what Interior Redesigners do as well!
I decided I would go by Second Home Furniture, a local furniture consignment shop in Lewisville, to play. With their permission, I used one sofa and gave it three different looks. Everything used was from the store! Here are three ideas to get you afloat.
Option 1: For the Texan in us all!
Option 2: Traditional in Style and Complimentary in Color!
Option 3: Funky and Fun!
If you like what you see, go by the store and tell Stacy and Barbara I said, “Hi!”
Second Home Furniture
1288 W. Main Street #132
Lewisville, TX 75067
