7 Perfect Vanity Fixtures from Schoolhouse Electric

Have I mentioned how much I love Schoolhouse Electric? When my dreams to install a vanity light in the bathroom were restored (more on that tomorrow) I hightailed it to my favorite lighting store to track down the perfect vanity light - online, of course.  I love the classic-with-a-modern-spin selection of period lighting that Schoolhouse Electric offers and my green side loves that SE is headquartered just down the road in Portland, Oregon.  To say that I found a wall sconce that would work for our vanity is a definite understatement...

5 Vintage Inspired Pendant Lights {Almost} Perfect For Our Mudroom

The lighting choices from yesterday had me drooling, but sadly none will work for our space because of our dang sloped ceilings.  We need something that can be mounted at an angle but will hang vertically - so a pendant light with a flexible cord that we can shorten is probably our only option. 

Remember when we installed pendant lights above our sink by using an inexpensive kit from Westinghouse and glass shades from Goodwill?  Those turned out great - although I think I'm going to replace the glass shades with these or these from Schoolhouse Electric which will give them a more modern feel and the bulbs might actually fit!

As for the mudroom pendant light, we just might end up making our own again if we can't find an option that looks good and fits within our budget, but until we make that final decision I thought I'd share a few gorgeous options that I found while hanging out on the internet.  The combination of vintage design, warm edison light bulbs and dark hardware gets me all hot and bothered - hope it tickles your fancy, as well.

Houzz: Sew A Pair of Easy Sag-Top Curtains

I teased you guys earlier this week when I shared my new living room curtains with you.  Well, as promised, here's the tutorial for all of you who want to make your own or are just curious how it was done.  By no means am I a skilled seamstress....more of a fly by the seat of my pants and hope things work out type.  Luckily I have my Nana to help me wrap my head around projects.  Skills or not, these curtains are sooo easy to make.  And for all of those "I like the curtains better longer" folks:  Yes, I know that these are rocking the high-water style, but I'd rather have a set of curtains than a pile of threads.  For some reason our cat won't mess with them at this length, but when they are to the floor they get destroyed. 

Other design by Other Metro Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

For all the tips and tricks for making your own, check out the full tutorial on my latest Houzz Ideabook.

Sew a Pair of Easy Sag-Top Curtains

I'm still in awe how much these curtains transformed our living room.  It feels like a different space altogether and all it took me was an hour's time, tops!

So what do you use to transform a space?  Paint, textiles or both?

DIY: Sew Your Own Simple Pillow Cover

Creating a room that feels put together and cohesive is every homeowner's dream. Paint, drapery and decor are each important to the overall design and feeling in a space. Throw pillows - a great accessory to achieving this well-rounded look - can add a burst of color, texture and personality and are a great way to play with patterns and colors. Beautifully covered pillows are easy on the eyes, but perhaps not so much on your pocketbook.


Using leftover Covington Wilmington Multi fabric from my drapery panels, I made two envelope-style throw pillows. These envelope-style pillow covers are the perfect use of leftover fabric giving my simple navy sofa a boost of color and pattern. They can easily be removed for cleaning or just to change-up the decor.

Materials/Supplies:

Saggy Never Looked So Good

With the living room looking so lovely and organized I finally got motivated to break out the sewing machine and check off a fun project off my ever-lengthening to-do list.  I've been on the hunt for some fabric to make roman shades for the kitchen and breakfast nook and have been having one hell of a time finding the perfect fabric.  I thought I had found just what I was looking for - white or off-white linen fabric with a colorful floral design - and picked up the Covington Wilmington Multi fabric, which is a vibrant paisley linen blend from Online Fabric Store during their Cyber Monday sale for $13.99/yard and free shipping (it's currently selling for $17.95/yard.) 

Four yards of fabric arrived at our doorstep a week or so later.  I was so excited to get started on the roman shades so I ripped open the package and pulled out the fabric.  In the five seconds that it took to take it in I knew that it would be perfect for the living room.  Yes, that's right.  The living room.  So, I guess it's back to the grind on finding fabric for the kitchen, but at least I found the perfect fabric for one room in our house.  The full DIY on how I made these simple sag-top drapery panels is on its way via Houzz, but I couldn't help but share a few photos with all of you....and if you're following me on Instagram, you probably already saw the sneak peek.

Here's what the room looked like after it got an organization overhaul.  Pretty organized, but definitely lacking in personality.

And here's what it looks like with a pair of beautiful sag-top drapes flanking the window.

DIY Driftwood Mirror

This project gets filed under ABOUT TIME!  I've been wanting to revamp our entry mirror with driftwood since it was hung.  After seeing this and this I was even more motivated.  So motivated even, that back in August I went on a successful hunt for driftwood and brought back a large assortment of all different sizes and shapes.

With a few pieces glued down I started to have second thoughts about the adhesive I was using (slow drying time and pretty stinky) which was leftover from my Driftwood Chalkboard project.  Then unmotivation set in.  (A word?  Probably not.)  I removed the few pieces of driftwood that I had glued, hung the mirror back up and all of a sudden sunny August turned into dreary January.

Another Obsession To Add To My Arsenal

Saturday, 7 am.  While every good wife would be in the kitchen fixin' her loving family a breakfast fit for royalty (or in our case, a bunch of lumberjacks), I'm sitting here glued to my laptop.  While catching up on some good ol' blog reading, I came across a post by Nate B. about his Vintage Gift Guide picks from V&M.  Curiosity led me on over to V&M which I hadn't heard of before.  With that one click, the clouds parted, the rains ceased and, unfortunately for my husband, I found my new online obsession. Vintage & Modern is the leading online source for unique vintage furniture, antiques, art, jewelry, fashion and design from around the world.  WHAT?!  Vintage shopping from the comfort of your couch?  I.AM.THERE.

How have I NOT heard about V&M before?!  Or have I?  I'm not completely convinced that this is actually my first visit - I think I stumbled upon it back in the day.   Why it didn't resonate back then, I'll never know.  But, now I'm hooked.

Not only does V&M have a drool-worthy collection of furniture & accessories - like this gorgeous antique gothic arch top window below.  It also has TV.  So, if I'm not annoying my husband enough by spending hours browsing the shops I can skip on over to the READ section (which also includes TV) and really check out.  And just when he's about to match me with some fantasy football "research" I'll just show him the Breweriana section and that's how I'll bring him over to the dark side.

So what about you guys?  Have any favorite online shopping destinations that fuel your home design obsession?

Why Patience & Persistence Pay Off When Decorating on A Budget

Sometimes decorating on a budget is tough.  You either have a sparse space because you're saving up for the perfect furniture and decor or you've purchased temporary stuff that works...for now.  It's tempting to purchase inexpensive and sometimes low-quality items just so your room isn't bare - because nothing is more daunting than a bare room, but it tends to be a method I try to avoid.  Perhaps it's my picky personality, but once I set my sights on something no temporary replacement will ever do. Plus it just seems like a bit of a waste since you're just going to replace it down the road.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely do use temporary fixes from time to time but I try really hard not to. 

Our living room is no exception.  With only two east facing windows, our living room is the darkest room in the house.  It's a place where I spend LOTS of time writing, watching the ol' boob tube and getting my fill of house porn.  The switch for the overhead light is WAY across the room plus there's no convenient side table to place my coffee cup, so you can imagine the inconvenience that I have had to endure on a daily basis.  I've been on the hunt for a floor lamp and a small side table to remedy this bothersome situation for what seems like ages.  I was looking for styles similar to this, this, this, or this but you know....for a lot less money!  Those are each beautiful lighting options but YIKES!  I can't even imagine spending that much on a lamp.

Fa La La

It seems that as soon as I finished decorating for fall, Christmas peeked it's head around the corner and yelled, surprise!  Luckily my holiday decorating is the same from year to year so the process is pretty painless.

I pick up a cedar bough garland and lay it across the mantle.  The trimmings get made into a wreath for the front door.  I love the look of cedar - it's vibrant emerald green color and the natural texture that it adds.

I hang our crimson and white Pottery Barn velvet stockings that I got for a steal at an after season sale from my Eddie Bauer stocking hooks (another goodwill find.)

The Return of The Notorious N.A.T.E.

It should be no surprise that I adore the handsome and talented designer, Nate Berkus.  He's so friendly, charismatic and an absolute delight to watch - not to mention he can style a beautifully layered room that looks collected overtime.  I've been following him since he was showing off amazing room transformations on Oprah.  I'm an owner of his first book Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You'll Love and was a loyal viewer of the not-so-great Nate Berkus Show.  That's loyalty, people.

{VIA}

So you can imagine how excited I am for the launch of The Nate Berkus Collection at Target on October 21st, which includes bedding, bath, accessories, lighting, rugs and window treatments.  His collection has been described as versatile and timeless. I love his design philosphy that encourages people to tell their story and is at a price that everyone can afford.  Spot on, Nate B!

How Do Monsters Tell Their Fortune?

Their Horrorscopes!

I try to hold off switching out my spring/summer decor to fall until the beginning of October.  I've always been in a state of denial in September - holding on to the last bits of summer like a couple of Nicholas Sparks lovebirds after they've reunited.  That includes all things from sandals and tanks to decor, but this new 9-5 job that I've been working has me itching to get creative.  So this weekend I decided to say adios to a season that is far too short in this area of the world and ring in the first day of fall with an homage to the scariest of holidays.

Our mantle got a whole lot scarier with some vintage finds like these apothecary bottles, medical prints, a window and some handmade items like the bats and the cutest little felt witch hat, plus a few other items that show up on the mantle rather frequently.  This vignette is much more Hogwarts than Hades, which is just the way I like it.

DIY // How-To Paint a Rug

Hey there!

If you're a frequenter of Pinterest or any other site that touts billions of home DIY projects, I'm sure you've seen the "painted rug" project everywhere.  Bottom line:  rugs are expensive.  They're also incredibly eye catching and can turn a blah room into something spectacular.  So it's really no surprise why making a less expensive version is so popular.

I used a simple flatwoven white IKEA Erslev rug for $39.99 and created a bold white and black striped beauty.

DIY // Driftwood Chalkboard

Lately, I've been on a driftwood kick.  (Along with the design world.) I love how rugged and unique each piece is.  And there's just something cool about the power of water.

I always have my eye on the shore when we walk down to the port or to the local beach just hoping to spy an interesting piece that I can lug home.  I have hopes of making a couple driftwood log side tables.  And while I wasn't THAT motivated, I did manage to create an amazing driftwood framed chalkboard with some recent finds.  You might have caught a glimpse of it in my "I Told You So" Cabinet post.

If you love adding natural elements to your decor and are looking for a quick and easy DIY project this one should be it. 

Supplies:

DIY // How-To Give Your Mantle A Fresh Update

While our son was napping, I took the opportunity to give our "little" mantle a fresh look.

Since the crash of the mirror that hung on our mantle, this area has been lacking some serious style. {who knew hanging it from yarn would be a bad idea?  Those quick fixes always seem to find a way to bite me in the ass.} I threw up the octopus painting but the scale just wasn't right, plus everything was too dark for my taste.  Not to mention, nothing went together.  The only thing they had in common was the fact they were all dark.

DIY // A Vintage Clock Update

I seriously love paint.  There's nothing easier than taking a "seen better days" piece and giving it a fresh update with a little paint.  And that's exactly what this project took.

You might have remembered this whimsical vintage mid-century modern Bill Miller Etc (Melrose Ave Los Angeles, Ca) clock from one of my past thrifting excursions.

It didn't need much, just a cleaning, a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint.  I taped off the glass on the front and the back panel to protect the label and then I started thinking paint.

DIY // Marine Life Shadowbox Art

Ever wonder what to do with your sentimental items?  We have hundreds of ticket stubs, cards, letters and other mementos crammed into our keepsake box, tucked away out of sight.  Some things are better left in there but there are a few things that we wouldn't mind seeing out in public.  I was completely inspired by this framed sanddollar by Katie Bower of Bower Power circa 2008, who was initially inspired by Nate Berkus .  How can you NOT be inspired by Nate B?  or Katie B. for that matter?!  With two Ikea shadowboxes found at the thrift store, fabric, cardboard and craft glue I made my own heartfelt decor that is sure to inspire some happy memories.

Knockoff // DIY Glass Bottle Lamp

I've been such a procrastinator lately.  I've had all the supplies to make this lamp but just haven't gotten around to it.  And it's another one of those 30 second projects, like The World's EASIEST DIY Laundry Bag, that had me wondering why I had put it off so long.

I was inspired by these gorgeous Eva Colored Glass Table Lamps {$99} from Pottery Barn.

14 Days of Valentines: Day 8 Plaster Letter P

It's day 8 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time.

I've always loved the cardboard letters, but have always thought, "I could totally make that."  And, I've finally gotten around to it.  I made my own letter "P", or "Plaster P" as I like to call him, out of a cardboard box and plaster of paris.  But, unlike all the other plain, old, boring letters out there, this P's got a little surprise.  Can you guess what it is?

14 Days of Valentines: Day 7 Valentine Wreath

It's day 7 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time. We're halfway there!

What's a holiday without a wreath?  I created a Valentine's Day wreath with yarn and, since I just loved it so much, my Robert Indiana inspired LOVE template wrapped in linen-type fabric.  Pretty swoon worthy, if you ask me.

14 Days of Valentines: Day 4 "14 Reasons Why I Love You" Banner

It's day 4 of 14 Days of Valentines, a countdown to Valentine's Day one craft at a time.

What was intended to be Day 1's project made its grand debut at Day 4.  I just didn't get the "14 Reasons Why I Love You Banner" finished in time, so my valentine will be getting 4 days of "why I love yous" in one day.  Nothing to complain about, I dare say.