Negative: No idea how to antique furniture

Positive: Romantic Bedroom Set

How I made my positive:

I bought a standard set of furniture I’ve seen a million times. When I look for furniture I look for pieces with good bones, a solid structure.

Painting the furniture white was about all I wanted to tackle, but I’ve always longed for a romantic European feel in my home. My dream destination is Paris, even though so far all I have learned to say is “un garcon” (little boy) and I’m not quite sure how that will help me tour France… but it’s a start. I wanted to antique the furniture a bit which I knew I could do with some glaze and light sanding.

Before:

 

 

 

During:

 

 
 

 

 
After:

 
 

 

 

 

 

 What I love: Bringing Paris to Connecticut

 

What I would change: My trepidation to get started. A poster that I’ve had in my classroom says “Mistakes are proof that you’re trying”. I have never antiqued before which made me reconsider the white, but I’m glad I gave it a shot. I've had much worse disasters in my garage (pink spray paint accident), so my advice to you is try your hand at that project you don't want to get started. Just use a tarp is you're using fluorescent pink spray paint.

Status: For Sale, $600, Includes mattress, box spring, and accessories pictured.

Have you used a vacation or dream destination for your style inspiration? Did it pay off or are you putting it off? Post a picture below.

 

 

3 Changes You Need to Make to Your Coffee Table Now

Negative: Messy and Boring Coffee Tables

Positive: Impromptu Game Nights

 

We have all been there. You’re at a friend or family member’s house and you’re invited to sit on their couch. Their coffee table holds one of these three things:

1.       Old Mail/ Receipts Piled Up

2.       The same magazines as last time featuring the same celebrity's baby announcement

3.       Nothing (Probably held chips and salsa or ice cream the night before)

The purpose of leaving things on your coffee table should be for conversation not for convenience.

Here are 3 Changes You Need to Make to Your Coffee Table Now:

1.       Unique Books

 

 

People enjoy books that are unique and quirky. Do you have a book about 50 uses for bacon or 1000 places to see before you die? These types of text spark conversation about the same subject. For example, my books may inspire someone to tell the best/worst date they’ve been on, or the most interesting place they’ve visited in New York. Unique books are best for a party atmosphere.

2.       Board Games

If you have a mix of people in ages or interests, board games should do the trick. An impromptu game is an easy way to get people to laugh. Trivia games may challenge the more cerebral while competitive games bring out the kid inside of us. I highly suggest the two games shown, easy to play and sparks many debates!

3.       Book of Thanks

 

 

For family occasions, display a memory book. This year I decided to start a Book of Thanks for the major holidays before we begin our lives together. One page is used to record the Holiday, Where you Were, Who was there, and Special Memories.

The next page is for a photo of everyone present and personal messages to surround it: 

-What I’m thankful for

-Wishes for the New Year

-Gift they enjoyed the most

-Most memorable event from the last year

-Greatest accomplishment

Over the years, this book will serve as a time capsule and will be a fun way to reflect on our growth as a family.

Submit a photo of your coffee table’s current state and tell me why your family needs a Book Of Thanks. Winner receives a Book of Thanks. Competition closes: Saturday, November 29^th, 11:59 pm, EST.

Refreshing Green and Gold Desk

 

Negative: Low budget for a spare bedroom

Positive: Green and gold are fabulous!
 

My sister-in-law came to live with us for a few months and I wanted to refresh her room with a custom set of furniture.

How I made my positive:

The desk: Sanding, priming, painting, sealing. I used pulls from a previous project but spray painted them gold.

 
 
 

The corkboard: First, I tacked lace fabric on top of the corkboard and spray painted it gold. Then I painted the trim green.

 

 

The chair: Cleaned the chair and dismantled the bottom. Cut new cushion and fitted the pink jersey fabric overtop. Stapled the fabric to the base and reconstructed the chair.

What I love: A client fell in love with the chair and bought that item alone for her daughter.

What I would change: Personally, the green was not for me, but it was unique to that person’s style, which is yet another positive. Another client HAD to have the desk due to the color. I had to outfit her with a new chair to match her style.

Status: SOLD
 

After my sister-in-law moved out, I wanted to update the space to something more my style. My home office is currently in progress; My deadline is the new year, so check back for updates!

So what do you think? Are you loving this green? Do you use color in your design? Leave me warm or cold feedback below.

Storage Saving Kitchen Island

Negative: No room in our kitchen for both of us to prep food at the same time

Positive: Neighbors left this dresser/baby changing table at the trash
 

How I made my positive:

I stripped the Mother Goose print out of the drawers and pulled out the broken down wheels.

 

 

 

 

I gave it a good cleaning. Then sanding, priming, painting, sealing. Left the drawers as is, added new pulls.

 

 

The decision was made to keep two out of the three drawers. Drawer 1: Utensils, Drawer 2: Pans.

Beforehand we had a bucket with every size lid that we clanged through. Now we have three colorful crates organized by lid size.

What I love: I have somewhere to prepare my breakfast (more importantly, my coffee) and somewhere to make mashed potatoes while the turkey is being carved.

What I would change: Nothing! The decision to keep the wheels was the best! Now the island can be used as a bar, gift table, drink station, etc.

 

Status: Sold!