Mantel Makeover

My love for architectural pieces run deep. I've always been drawn to chippy old doors, windows, shutters, columns, moldings, mantels, corbels, and so on. . . but ever since we took a buying trip to New Orleans a few years ago; I've just completely been drawn to more architectural salvage and historic pastimes of older houses and buildings. 

As a matter of fact, one of my favorite TV shows is The Bronson Pinchot Project on DIY Network where Pinchot and a crew of contractors renovate his house in Harford, PA using only salvaged architectural pieces to transform gorgeous spaces to live in. If you haven't seen this show you should definitely check it out!

We found this mantel last week and thought it would be a perfect candidate for a makeover. Come to find out it's a lot older than we thought, which is always a plus in our business! Right away I began layering the paint on and didn't really have a plan as to what I wanted it to look like, except making it look aged. I ended up using five different layers of paint to achieve this look.  

The details on the mantel seem quiet subtle in the before photo, but now they really seem to stand out since I layered on the painted and heavily distressed it. I could easily see this being repurposed into a headboard or a bookshelf.

Thanks for stopping by! 

I'm linking to Liz Marie, The Shabby Nest, Create Craft Love, Jennifer Rizzo, Simple Home Life, Redoux Interiors, Too Much Time on my Hands, Nifty Thrifty Things, Funky Junk Interiors, and French Country Cottage. 

Read More

Friday LInks: DIY Round-Up!

This week was a bit of a whirlwind for me (when it rains it pours) - can't believe it's the weekend! Here's a little round-up of some fabulous-looking DIYs I came across this week!  Happy Friday!

From top: 1.  Collage Art Plates | Mad in Crafts  2. Paper Flower Anemone | Lia Griffith  3. Perforated (Bowls) Pendant Lamp | Mad in Crafts 4. Printable Matchbox Labels with Editable Monograms | Lia Griffith 

My posts elsewhere this week
10 Earth Day-inspired DiYs
Sneak peek - 25 new things from Ikea
25 new awesome hacks for spring!

Read More

Three 2013 Design Trends

Colors such as Tangerine and Purple and design aspects such as using natural items and and adding more lighting were key last year as was spending more time in outdoor spaces. Design trends have drastically changed since the end of 2012 and it is only April! New colors are now popular as are other design trends that haven't been seen in a while.

1. Emerald
According to Pantone this year's color is emerald. Its not only extremely bright and a color to liven up the home but it is also a color of beauty.



2. Texture
Texture is big this year as people move from seeing furniture pieces as simply furniture and look to more comfortable furniture that they can feel and touch. Texture adds warmth and is a way to engage with the home. Wood and suede should be popular.



3. More Manly Decor
Gone are the days when women were in charge of every aspect of designing and accessorizing the home. What man wants to live in a home that has no evidence of his existence. This is the year when the men get up and play a bigger role in the home. By either having a more masculine bedroom or a man cave the men in your lives can now express themselves more through design.



There are also many more design trends that are sure to be big the rest of the year but these three are the most popular as of right now.

Article written by Ashley. She is an interior design enthusiast and freelance writer for Platformbedsonline.com

Read More

Cakes, Garlands and Other Flowery Tales

Every once in a while I long for a a pretty piece of cake, a surprise garland or a flowery turntable don't you? Here's a few I've come across this week.

1. A pretty rosebud iced cake | Toshiko Uchino
2. Created by @annariflebond and @emersinmerrick
3. Jasmine Cake for Mother's Day / Yue Cheong
4. Fishs Eddy - House Of Brinson 
5. DIY | Repurposed Plant Stand End Table | Smile and Wave
6. Floral Portable Turntable
7. JIKITS Blonde Twig Kid's Mobile
8. Felt Garland | A Subtle Revelry
9.Flower Garland | Oh Joy

This month I'm pinning things like this for Martha Stewart Living. Click here to see more if you like.

Read More

Latex Free Washi Tape Bandages

Pretty Strips washi bandages are latex free adhesive strips for both children and adults, and are a fun way to accessorize cuts and scrapes and make them more stylish! We’re told, while makers’ Amy and Kristin’s kids and their friends love to mix, match, and decorate their boo boos, it’s their girlfriends who swoon over the darling designs.  See more at pretty-strips.com and their etsy shop, etsy.com/shop/PrettyStrips.

Read More

Cool Building, New Marshalls

Last night I took this picture with my phone of one of my favourite buildings in Vancouver. Located on Marine Drive, I believe it was at one point the Chrysler building and it seemed to stand vacant for quite awhile. I've always been meaning to take a picture of it because it just has some good mid-century bones and so I was pleasantly surprised to find out it has been refurbished into a new shopping complex. I attended a media event last night there for the new home of the first western Canada, Marshalls.  And local readers might like to know that tomorrow, (Thursday April 11) they are officially opening their doors (pssst) if you go between 7 and 8am,  I believe you can get an opportunity to win a $1000 shopping spree! By the way, the shoes there are amazing! The building is located at 26 SW Marine Drive and access to Marshalls is off Ontario street.  (Sneak peek of what's in store here)! More stores opening this spring in Abbotsford and Winnipeg, followed by Alberta and Quebec in the summer. Happy shopping!

Read More

Cool Decorating Trick No. 37 + Covet Garden

The newest issue of Covet Garden magazine is out featuring the happy home of a couple named Michelle and Glen.  As mentioned in the magazine and by the looks of it, "it feels as if their home has been painted with a sunbeam", lots of happy, cheery stuff going on; including the fun shelf above their bed –which I thought should be added to our Cool Decorating Tricks collection.  Check out a few more pics below and the latest issue of Covet Garden can be found here and fun to see the talented Alanna Cavanagh illustrated the cover!  Photos by Valerie Wilcox.

Read More