I just wanted to do a quick share of one of my new favorite things.  For any of you who would love to dabble in some artistic endeavors but are unsure if you can do it.  This is for you!!  

I have been wanting to learn to paint in watercolors for years.  My Mom dabbled in it and I have always been drawn to the dreamy, somewhat abstract images that the medium produces.

However, work and Momming (pretty sure that's not a word) have not allowed me time to take a class. But now thanks to the generosity of online art teachers, I am finding my happy place!  

These are a few of the projects that I have learned how to do through a site called Let's Make Art.  Sarah is just so charming and she really makes it so easy to follow along and produce great results...even when I have no idea what I am doing!  You can either purchase their kits individually, subscribe to their kit service or just access the online tutorials and use your own materials and supplies.  They make it so, so easy!  I also love the idea of their gift service.  At $15 per project, it's a great, affordable way to share creative arts with a loved one.

I'm also loving YouTube instructor Creations CeeCee.  She gives fantastic advice on how to spark creativity and find your own look.  Her videos are especially useful after you learn some of the technical basics of watercolor.  Then you can play with some of her exercises to develop your own personal style.  She also explains how to build your own supply inventory (so you don't waste money purchasing the wrong materials).  I now have a list of cool things to request for my birthday and Christmas this year!

My goal is to set aside a couple of hours each Friday or Saturday to watercolor and sketch.  It is a wonderful way to quiet my mind and de-stress from the weeks' craziness.  I love love love it and am so inspired to see what these ladies can teach me next!  I hope some of you will check out these resources and give this medium a try.  Please share if you do!

​Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for popping in!  This is Chapter 4 of my office reno series.  Click these links to read all about the DIY paint treatment, wall unit and butcher block countertop projects.  With those stages complete, I started composing the rest of the space.  The budget was tight, so you won't believe how I stretched my dollars and also infused some really personal moments into what is now one of my favorite rooms in the house.  Please note that this room was not put together in a day.  It evolved as I found things that spoke to me.  Patience is definitely a virtue in personal design, so I encourage all of you to just keep looking when you are seeking the perfect piece.  Here are the details!

Main Furnishings  I'm a lover of mixing styles.  While the wall unit is fairly traditional and the paint is ornate and glam, I wanted a little classic and a little modern in the mix.  These three items were the perfect combination at the perfect price.  The loveseat is from Target and I scored it on sale and with free shipping using my RED Card.  The desk is my fave.  Small, but I get twice the surface space with the bottom shelf that is easily visible because of the glass top.  Only $135 from Amazon!  The chair was also quite affordable and so comfy.  $95 from Amazon.  With my loveseat sale price, the main pieces in this room came to less than $500.  Such a great deal for pieces that I love and fit the room so well.

Capiz Globe Shades  This room did not have overhead lighting and I did not have the budget to hardwire, so I found plug-in bulb fixtures that I hung from the ceiling.  Cord covers do a pretty good job of hiding the cords along the ceiling and walls.  Not perfect, but I am ok with it.  I tried several different drum shades with these fixtures, but none of them were special.  And then...I stumbled upon these blingy beauties at Decorator's Outlet here in Richmond.  This store offers seconds and slightly damaged goods from high end lighting company, Shades of Light, and it's a treasure box!  These globe shades were $10 each!!  What a score.  I looked for some similarly affordable options for you, but the closest I could find was this slightly larger and more expensive version from Pottery Barn.  I love the organic texture and reflective quality that they bring to the room.

IKEA Hack Coffee Table   Never underestimate the power of a can of spray paint.  This is a popular hack that is all over Pinterest and it was the perfect solution for my glam office.  It's a small room, so I wanted something glass that wouldn't take up too much visual space.  And gold.  So the answer was this coffee table from IKEA and a champagne finish gold spray paint.  $80 for the whole thing.  Not bad! (If you prefer, you can separate the two tables and use one as a coffee table, one as an end table.  I love that versatility!)

Personalized Art  This may be one of my favorite things in the house, but I am not going to lie to you.  It was not as easy as is advertised.  It started with 2 favorite photos of my twins (yes, I know.  They are obviously fraternal).  I wanted to turn them into paintings, but as crafty as I am, I am not a fine art painter unless I have something to copy.  So I thought "wouldn't it be great if I could have a paint by number kit of these photos"?  Well.  Ask and you shall receive, I guess.  I searched and found this company, Easy 1-2-3 Art, that offers custom paint by number kits of your photos.  I loved the modern impressionistic effect that they offered, which you can manipulate until you get the look that you want.  So I ordered and was thrilled when they arrived.  I got to painting right away, but was dismayed that the included paints were not at all matching the original photo colors.  The entire palette was much darker than it should have been.  So, I bought some white paint and set to work lightening every single color.  It was a pain and the project took me months rather than weeks.  However, I love love love these paintings.  A little abstract, colorful and full of subject matter of my favorite things on earth.  It was all worth it.

Made-it-myself macrame   I have a few tried-and-true design tricks that I always recommend for clients and use in my own home.  One of them is to mix up wall decor so that you don't end up with all photos or all art, etc.  So my general "wall rule of 3's" is to use at least one piece of art, one mirror and one textile or organic accessory per room.  This formula adds so much interest and keeps the room from looking flat and one-note.  I've loved macrame since I was a kid in the 70's.  It was my go-to craft of choice.  So when it came back recently, I was not about to buy one already made!  I found this pattern on Etsy and whipped this up while we were watching a football game.  It's not a complex design, but it sure does make me happy and I love the texture that it adds to the room.  And the best part is that it is a really affordable piece of large-scale art.

Hide & Seek Shredder  These photos speak for themselves.  Ingenious, right?  Thank you, Pinterest ;)

Well, that's it for the office series!  I hope you found some nuggets of inspiration that you can use in your own home.  

Stay tuned for some more money-saving DIY projects, including the big reveal of my neighborhood clubhouse makeover.  This was affordable transforming at its best!  

​Thanks for visiting!

I was back and forth on a new color for this room and after some trial and error, decided to stay with the neutral background that we have in the foyer and halls.  I'm happy with that, as it gives a more peaceful transition between the downstairs spaces.  However, I wanted something in the room to make it special.  I had been coveting a stencil that I had seen on Pinterest, so I decided to give it a try here.  To the left is the inspiration shot.  The tone of this home reminds me alot of some of the areas in our home, so I was pretty sure it would work.

​When I started researching the technique, I found that the ready-made stencils can be quite expensive.  This design was about $50, plus shipping.  Too much for me!  So, I set about creating my own pattern.  Not a stencil, per se, but more of a tracing technique.  Photos of the process are above:
I folded a piece of letter size paper into quadrants.  Then with the folds on the left and bottom, I sketched out 1/4 of the medallion.  This took a little trial and error to get the right curves, angles and proportions, but it was not difficult.
I re-folded the paper and cut on the line that I drew.
Then I did the same thing to create the inner line of the medallion, stacking them to make sure the points were lining up and the lines were the proper width.

This paper was too flimsy to use as the actual pattern, so I transferred the designs to poster board that I painted the background color.  Before applying to the wall, I set out to the find the perfect accent color.  I love the metallic effect in the inspiration pic, so I experimented with several colors to get that effect.  I ended up combining light champagne and gold toned acrylic craft paint...perfect! 
Time to cut out the medallions and start tracing!  This was a very time-consuming process, mostly because I used a level to make sure that the outer medallions were lined up straight.  Once the outer medallions were traced, the inner tracings were pretty easy to align.

I tackled this over several days - grabbing an hour or two when I could.  It took alot longer than a stencil probably would have, but I am beyond thrilled with the result!  You can't tell by the picture, but from one direction, the accent color reads darker (like you see here), and when the light hits it, the accent is lighter and metallic...just like the inspiration!  It's pretty much one of the first things you see when you walk in the door and I love the tone is sets for the rest of the house.  A little bit ethnic, a little bit glam and totally DIY...that's me!!

I finally got it as smooth as I was going to get it and then started the staining process.  I wanted a rustic look..kind of a golden oak color that would not match, but would complement the maple floors.  I used a wood conditioner first, then applied the stain in sections, and finally 3 coats of matte polyurethane. ​

Here's the finished unit, with hardware, baskets and stools.  Since completion, this room has evolved from kid craft space to my office work and storage unit.  It houses my design supplies as well as photo albums, party supplies and stationery.





​Stay tuned for the next post for details on the paint treatment, some accessory favorites and how this room evolved into my happy place!

Trying to save a buck, I took these home from the store myself, fitting them in the back of my CRV.  It took 3 separate trips to get them all in.  My back has been killing me since.  But, too late to turn back..on to the painting.  I cleared space in the garage and set up shop for what would be a two week process of sanding, priming and painting. ​

This project leans a little bit more crafty than construction, but it's one that brings me so much joy. 

I was originally inspired by a stunning chandelier that my husband and I saw in a Portland, Maine shop.  It was huge and raw and organic and captured my heart.  Alas, I don't really have the space or budget ($9,000!) to be able to house that particular light, but I knew that I somehow wanted to incorporate oyster shells into my decor.  

Fast forward a couple of months and I was visiting with two of my dearest friends at one of their river cottages in the Northern Neck of Virginia.  Now these friends go all the way back to middle school, through high school, college, weddings and kids.  They are those kind of girlfriends.  Although we all live a few hours apart, we try to gather together every couple of months to recharge and reconnect and just be.

As we were sitting on the beach during that visit, I noticed that the shoreline was almost completely covered in shells.  Oyster shells.  Jackpot!  My friend graciously allowed me to collect as many as I wanted and I set to work brainstorming.

While I knew I wanted to make a light of some sort, I wasn't sure what design I wanted to execute.  So in the meantime, as I was perusing Pinterest, I found a lovely sphere made of oyster shells.  It was a great, quick project to tackle while I continued to figure out the light design.   Details on my chandelier to come in a later post!

I washed the shells thoroughly in a mild detergent.  I also added a splash of bleach to help kill any tiny sea bugs.  After they were dry, I loved the luminescent, almost metallic look that was found on the inside of the shells and I wanted to play that up.  So I decided to paint them to make that finish more pronounced.

I mixed together these two craft store acrylic paints from Michael's and tested on one of the shells.  Martha Stewart Pearl and DecoArt Champagne Gold did the trick.  Initially, I was worried they would be too opaque and hide all the gorgeous shade variations in the shells, but the finish actually went on perfectly.  Just sheer enough to add some glam while highlighting the natural beauty.

The next part was easy peasy.  Using a hot glue gun, I added glue to the narrow end of each shell and inserted them one at a time into a white styrofoam ball.  I tried to keep the pattern somewhat random, while placing them as close together as possible.  

The result...a lovely addition to my tablescape and a beautiful reminder of friendships that last, no matter how many decades and miles pass between.

I hope you are inspired to make something to bring a personal touch to your space and remind you of cherished memories with the special people in your life.

Thanks for visiting!

Here's a recent project that I am rather pleased with.  Our powder room was about as dull as they come.  Other than tiling the floor when we first moved in, I simply had not put that much effort into it.  Which is a shame, because I think powder rooms are one of those spaces where you can go nuts injecting color and personality.   If I had the time and money, I would do a bigger reno...tiling the wall, new vanity, etc.  We have bigger fish to fry, however, so I decided to put some lipstick on it and call it a day.  But, I have to say, I am kind of liking this lipstick.

Up until now, this room was the same beige that was painted by the previous owners and the only decor was a collection of art that we had found in our travels.  We had developed a bit of a theme, with streetscape-type art from favorite places.  Definitely a personal touch, evoking great memories.

I didn't want to replace that collection, but I also didn't like having those pieces randomly placed on the wall.  So, I decided to group them on picture ledges, making them easy to add to or switch out if I felt inspired.  These ledges needed to fit the space and I wanted a particular finish, so I decided to make them so I could customize them to my needs.

These were really quite easy to build.  I used premium pine lumber to limit the number of knots and imperfections.

Here's the supply list:
 -    (2) 6' lengths of 1x2 Select Pine boards
 -    (2) 6' lengths of 1x3 Select Pine boards
 -    (2) 6' lengths of 1x4 Select Pine boards
 -    Fine grit sandpaper
 -    Wood glue
 -    Circular saw
 -    Nail gun
 -    Minwax Stain in Provincial
​ -    Clean rag and gloves

When you are purchasing your lumber, make sure the boards are cut straight and not warped.  Just place one end on the floor and one at eye level.  Turn the board vertically and look down the length of board to make sure it's straight.  If it's not, choose another one until you find a good one. 

Cut your boards to your desired length and then sand the ends.  I made my shelves 32" long, so I was able to get 2 shelves from the lumber that I purchased.  

Then arrange them as shown.  The 4" board is the back, the 3" is the bottom and the 2" is the lip.

Apply a thin line of wood glue to join the boards and then secure them with the nail gun.  Try not to get any glue on the outer surfaces of the wood as it will interfere with a smooth stain application.

I love the Provincial finish of stain.  It's a neutral medium brown.  Not too dark, not too red.  I just used a rag to lightly rub an even coat of the stain onto the wood.

You have a couple of options for hanging.  I have seen some picture ledges screwed directly into the drywall.  I think is a good option if you have a longer ledge and you can hit the studs for a secure mount.  
I elected to use a cleat-type hanger.  These come in different lengths and have a level built in so they are quite easy to install.  Available at Lowe's and Home Depot.  This type of installation does not guarantee a completely flush mount to the wall, but it's strong and the slight tilt does not bother me.

,Other additions to this room include:
 -  Fresh paint.  Sherwin Williams Anew Grey on 3 walls and my fave, Sherwin Williams Seaworthy, on the focal wall.
 -  Champagne Gold-framed round mirror (Lowe's)
 -  Champagne Gold knobs (Target), toilet paper holder and towel holder (Amazon)
 - Tassel hanging that I made with a twig, yarn and wood beads.  I love adding something textural and organic to a room.
 -  And my favorite addition, my ultra glamorous light (Wayfair).  Every powder room needs a little bit of bling!  

I added a few geometric prints from IKEA to balance out the other art.  The black frames unify everything.  I'm still in search of the final touch for this room...removable wallpaper for the ceiling.  Trying to decide on a color/design.  When it comes to powder rooms - have no fear!  

I'm in the process of making more ledges, which I will hang in the upstairs hallway to house family photos.  I like keeping photos gathered in one space and on ledges so I can mix them up and easily add new ones.  Again, I like to put them all in black frames for a more cohesive look.  Keeping them centralized also opens up space for art and accessories elsewhere in the house, which are usually the real workhorses in pulling a room's design together.

​Thanks for visiting!

I have a friend who used to call me Crafty Cathy.  It's simply rare that I meet a project I don't like.  And I tackle all sorts of things... to save money and flex some design muscles, but also to learn new skills.  Tiling, carpentry, flooring, upholstery and tons of art and decor techniques have all been crossed off the list.

Those who know me well know that my house is a product of DIY projects, hacks, and arts and crafts and I absolutely love sharing how I made these things.

So, I'm creating a new series I like to call "Hammer Time" (insert groan here;) to show you all how easy it is to elevate your decor into something really personal and special.  And save tons of money in the process.

First up is my take on a favorite IKEA hack.  This is the RAST dresser.  It's a very affordable $39.99 and is solid pine.  However, out of the box, it's a pretty nondescript piece.  

My mission was to create a statement piece for my entryway.  As you walk in my front door, the facing wall is fairly narrow, so I was having trouble finding something to fit.  And I wanted something colorful to draw people in and introduce the palette.  I knew that, with a few changes, I could make this into a modern and functional piece.

As I was brainstorming this piece, I was also working on refining an accent color palette to carry through the house.  I knew I wanted a deep teal blue - a favorite of mine since childhood.  So I took some cues from a recent art purchase and landed on Sherwin Williams Seaworthy (7620).  The print is by a local artist named Holly Markhoff and it reminds me of all of the amazing sister-friends that I am so blessed to have.  Love it!

Next step was figuring out how to make the bottom of the chest flush and how to attach legs to make it taller.  All I had to do was cut a 1x4 to size for the front and secure a couple of 1x2s on the underside to provide a way to anchor the leg brackets.

The legs were from Home Depot.  Unfinished wood with silver bottoms, which I spray painted gold.  Once assembly and painting were complete, I finished it off with these handles from Wayfair (12 5/8" center bar pull in Golden Champagne).  Before painting, I had to patch the existing knob holes and drill new ones, but that was pretty painless.  

And voila!  My new, one-of-a-kind entry chest went from dorm room drab to delightfully me!  I may play around with adding some trim to the drawers...just to give it some dimension.  But, I love it for now and it's a great source of storage.  Candles, linens and seasonal goodies all now have a home.  Helpful tip: In a small area, I always recommend that furnishings have a function as well as beauty.  It's a win-win.

Thanks for visiting!