Kitchen Curtains

I'm all for using what you have on hand to make a room pop. I also repurpose things that are designated for other places in order to add that certain level of flair to a space. Case in point: curtains.

I had these .79 cent towels laying around from Ikea and wanted to dress our windows up. I thought it would add pinache to our nook and a bit of privacy as well. Okay, not as much as you would get with conventional curtains, but that's what the blinds are for!

End result is cute, I have no complaints... my husband doesn't mind either, seeing that it only cost just under $8.00 to achieve. Compare that to roman shades - yes, one day when I master a certain DIY project and a sewing machine - and you're saving a bundle.

Easy to close "panels"

A va-va-voom valance

 Completes the nook-look

 Bottom towels are strung along a clothes line

A 'star' project indeed!

So, what are your thoughts? Oh yes, forgot to mention that no sewing required -- even better! 

Potted Plants

I was a kid in the candy store browsing Anthropologie for fresh ideas on home decor and found a few ideas that caught my eye. I'm not even referring to the items for sale, which are lovely, but so out of my budget. No no, what I'm referring to were the fabulous displays of things you probably already have in your home.

Example, potted plants.

BEFORE

I have a few of these throughout my house and decided to revamp them with a fresh coat of white paint. The finished product were plants that looked fresh and bright, but also a new spin on an old classic. Who would've thought that taking the 'terra' out of the pot would bring it a new life? 

AFTER

This mini makeover seems to match the white decor in my kitchen beautifully, so I'm a happy camper indeed.

Here's what you'll need to pull this off, actually, put this on:

• Paint Brush
• White Paint (I used my standard, Acrylic Craft Paint in White Wicker *see previous post*)

I used several coats until the pots were completely covered.

Letter Holder

On my thrift store shopping journey, I stumbled upon this vintage record holder and it had letter holder written all over it - - I had to pick it up! 

Since I enjoy repurposing items, this was perfect and thought it would look great on our hallway table. Seriously, something that actually serves a purpose? An automatic husband approval... 

Here's the before:

{Notice the gold}

Since "gold" doesn't jive with my decor, I went with white paint to spruce it up. I wrapped the handles in a beige-y yarn... but twine also would've done the job as well. 

Here are the afters: 

 Voila! 

Love the look of the numbered metal for the 'records' - - didn't change this one bit! 

 Used acrylic craft paint in 'Wicker White' to create the look

 Then 'aged' it a bit by scraping the metal with the paint brush

Great for letter holding!

PS - What I didn't show was my attempt to spray paint this. The color was antique white, but it came out too yellow-y and lacked texture. SO, I went over it with the paint and it worked perfectly. 

Light Fixture

I know, I know, it's been a while since my last post. This is attributed to my husband's crazy work schedule, which has us living somewhat like nomads. I have missed not only cozying up in our space, but also doing projects to spruce up our place. All in all, the absence from our home and my blog has made my heart grow fonder!

On the plus side, I have been able to browse some of my favorite shops and get a few ideas under my tool belt. One of my faves is Anthropologie, which I have mentioned before... even posted pics from their 2011 Christmas dispalys -- Ahhh. Had my daughter not been so enamored by the [very] breakable dishes, I would've stayed around there much longer. Rather than see her rendition of Zorba the Greek and plate throwing, I threw ourselves out of there as soon as she made contact with the displays.

After all the whimsy at Anthro, my next stop was Ikea, where I got my fill of practical living. I have yet to do an entry on Scandinavian decor, which is at the tippy top of my faves design schemes. However, too much 'Ikea' decor is not my thing either. By mixing feminine and vintage pieces with the straight lines and utilitarian style of what they offer is a good way to break things up.

With all this said (apparently I am not at a loss for words), I purchased a $3.99 light fixture. Actually, it was basically a long wire with a socket for a light bulb at the tip and plug on the other end. I decided I would put it into our kitchen, since I'm not crazy about the existing fixtures. Seriously, I've sported the Nigella Lawson/Christmas light look for as long as we've lived there!

My idea worked perfectly! Rather than put the light above the table itself, I opted for the corner where it's easier to hide the wire and allows more reflection of light. I went to Lowe's and purchased a vintage style light bulb and VOILA, there was light. Next was finding a 'lamp shade' for it; I contemplated sacrificing my white colander, but decided to save it for utility instead. I'm happy I did because I then decided to put a metal golf ball holder on top. The basket is a yard sale find from last year that was used for holding plastic shopping bags! So glad I decided to go with this one since it almost adds a farmhouse/industrial feel and a lot of uniqueness to our nook. This is definitely a DIY on the major cheap side!

Check it out! You too can create this yourself, all you need is the following:

• Wire for light (I think mine is three feet)
• Vintage light bulb 
• Basket to make it into a pendant light... you can use Ball Jars or colanders as well.

Feeling Blue

A few posts ago, I mentioned my current crush on the color red. Although it still exists, especially since its still winter and it pops with my neutral color scheme, I also have a place in my heart for blue. Whether Robin's Egg or a historical Blue/Grey, no shabby chic room is complete without these hues.

As many of you know, my kitchen is blue and this is the exception that I place on the color in my house. For whatever reason, it just doesn't work... I do believe lighting, or lack there of, plays a huge role in it. It isn't a stark or bright blue, it's not offensive in any way, nor is it disasterously drab, but it just doesn't fit. The color would work well in a bedroom or our windowless bathroom against a crisp, white beadboard, but our kitchen is definitely left singing the blues... that is, until I bring in Mr. Benjamin Moore in an Antique White - - "Moore" on this color in another post!

Since we're in the midst of winter, I can't help but think of polar-ice blue or even those white blues that seem to pop against a winter landscape or a ground freshly covered with snow. I do believe undertones to this season resonate with many hints of blue. Hey, even Jack Frost sported an icy-blue outfit!

Oh, and by the way, red and blue are best friends so be sure to pair these together. Martha Washington was onto something, but I believe red is best suited with colors outside of the royal and navy blue realm -- unless, of course, your style is 'Americana' all the way. If so, then show off your true colors. For the rest of us, stick with those paler shades and blue-greys.

Upcycled Wine Markers

Upcycled markers are finally here.

Use them as:

• Wine Markers
• Note Holders
• Unique Place Card Holders &/or Place Settings 
• Napkin "Rings"
• Gift Tag Clip 
• Stamp of personalization on the backside  

Check out my Etsy store and browse the array of colors and styles!

Happy Marking!

Cottage Stitcherie

For those who might not already know, I have opened my very own Shoppe on Etsy. I finally did it after so much time obsessing contemplating what on earth I would put up there. Seriously, I would sell my husband if I handmade him myself - okay, maybe not, but you get the point.

Since I love to create things, I decided a stitch shop would be very apropos. I have since named it, in conjunction with this blog, Cottage Stitcherie. I love posting DIY projects here and pictures of inspiration, but I also wanted to put products out there so you can have access to them. Keep in mind, 'products' is a very limited term in this sense! We're talking mug cozies, versatile cloths and my newest "invention", wine marks.

So, feel free to stop by the Cottage Stitcherie.. we're open 24/7 and appreciate any comments or feedback you may have. Just click on the Etsy link to the right of this website and "window shop" your way through my store... without actually having to leave your chair! Keep in mind that everything is custom made to order because, hey, don't we all appreciate things unique and personalized?

I'm hoping to extend whimsy and quirky to your neighborhood and right into the comfort of your very own home.

Be sure to stay tuned and updated for the unveiling of my latest and greatest - Wine Marks!