Dreaming of an Art Wall!

I know, here I am talking about an art gallery wall and I realized I have never even really showed you my house since we bought it 2 years ago!  I am working on a whole "house tour" thing for the blog. 

And, well, today Im going to start by showing you one little corner of our home.  

Remember my mint green dresser-now entry console?  I finished painting it back in April, hung my huge gold mirror and it just needed to be styled.  Here we are 6 months later and the only style it has (if you can even call it that) is a stream of framed (and unframed) art leaning against the wall waiting to be hung.  

This look doesn't bother me too much, but the constant clutter that is in front of it does.  Oh I was so excited to have all these drawers at the door.  There will be a place for everything! I thought.  Isn't that was organized people have?  A place for everything?  What unorganized people can't grasp is that you have to designate a spot....and then put it there!  Guys, I have 13 drawers and 8 baskets in the living room alone. Well, at least I have the space to make it happen...someday.

Back to the art wall.  While working for Delta Airlines I traveled a lot and unfortunately, only the last few years did I start bringing art home with me...Duh!  So many missed opportunities.   Nonetheless, I have collected some cool art over the years from various parts of the world, art shows around Atlanta and of course etsy.
Check out this world map print from Jessica Durrant (right here in Atlanta!) Notice how it's in my favorite colors.  It's just waiting for a nice gold frame.

Also love this Michelle Armas print (or any of her others) but sadly, I don't think this one is available anymore.

I already have one of her prints and I would love to grow my collection.

This beautiful peacock by MaiAutumn will be on the art wall as well.  This print was featured in West Elm, so it may look familiar.  Again, with the colors...and you know how I feel about peacocks.

In the last year, my time of perusing Etsy has been less and less.  This is why I am happy that I found The Jealous Curator.  (thanks to Emily Henderson) Her whole blog is dedicated to introducing you to cool art.  I have several things on my wish list due to her introductions.  Check out my "art" board on Pinterest.  Although art is totally subjective and personal, who knows, you may like something I pinned.  My absolute favorites right now are by Lisa Krannichfeld from her "Glass Managerie" series.  She sells prints of the original paintings for a good price.   These will be on the wall as well. 

{Whisper and Twenty-eight}

Even with all of this, I plan to mix in some DIY art, and maybe a typography piece or a silhouette of my babies. I will need a few more pieces to create the look Im after. 

Here are a few inspiration photos:

{via Oh Joy}

{From the Right Bank via New York Times}

{via Niji Home}

I love these art walls because they mix frame sizes and color, and look organically thrown up there (I'm sure they weren't). Plus it is a great mix of artwork. Ceiling to floor art? Yes!

So let's take a look at my wall again, shall we?

Since I do already have the huge gold mirror up, my "plan" is to just work out from there. One piece on the left and then one on the right, etc. and balance it with my eyes. But that could go wrong 10 nail holes in.  So I was thinking I could use Picasa's collage maker (which I use frequently) to lay out the art before hanging.  Just for a rough idea of what looks good together.

Ok this is not really to scale, but i think it will work.  I can already tell this wall is going to make me happy.  It is a lot of wall space too, so this way I can add to it as I get more.  More is more, but budget is reality.  Promise to show you when it's underway. Im close to pulling the trigger.

Navarre Garage Sale Mania

Last Friday I was in Ohio for the annual Navarre town garage sales.  Every year my mom, sister and I anticipate the sales, we even have our favorite houses.  (we have no idea how they have good stuff year after year)
 When we went last year, I was pregnant and bought a lot of boys and girls clothes, (since I didn't know the sex of little Matiti)  and didn't find too much for myself.  However this year, I hit the jackpot for both of us!
My best find of the day?  These gorgeous barrel-back chairs.  They are in great shape, and although I love the velvet and it's in great shape, the color is not right.   These will be perfect in the bedroom with our upholstered headboard (once I get around to doing it!)

Before walking out the door the morning of the sales, my dad warned me not to buy anything that couldn't be checked on the airplane when I went home.  So at the first sale, what do I buy?  These chairs.  But.....but...but...they were only $5 each.  $10 for two vintage velvet chairs? Come on.   
"How could I not buy them?"  as my sister would say.

There seemed to be an abundance of gorgeous mirrors at the sales this year too. These were $3-$4 each.

The white one is going in my downstairs powder room, and the middle one Im going to paint for Mateo's room.  The gold one?  Not sure yet, but I will find a spot.  I love it! 

Other finds include a gazebo looking bird feeder for $1, a double [over the burners] griddle for $3, a bag of acrylic/watercolor painting supplies for $4 (and probably worth about $30) and a boatload of clothes for Matiti.  Ohio State wear that his papi loves and mama's favorite?  The royal blue corduroy overalls. OMG how cute!?  yep, $1.  Oh the Kenneth Cole gray winter vest is pretty awesome too.  $1  The green Gap sweater jumper?  $1.  Ok, you get the picture, I made out like a bandit.

We were "saleing" from 8am to almost 5pm.  Yes, we are diehards!  It was great girl time, I love this tradition we have had going for years.   The addition of a little baby in the group didn't slow us down either.  I sat in a shade spot and fed him while the others walked ahead to the next sale. He relaxed in his stroller took it all in, and took a few naps too.

Although not at the garage sales, I got a deal of the century at Marc's, this little store by my mom that has miscellaneous closeouts and groceries.  Well, the last two times I was there they had a ton of Target home goods.   I found this Missoni crib bumper for.....wait for it..... $3.99!!!  ha!

 Its beautiful soft cotton, with a chevron pattern on one side and an abstract design on the other.  I just love the colors.  Yes, I know I have a son, but you never know, maybe we will have a little girl someday:)  For $3.99, "how could I not?"  

Are you a bargain hunter? Do you garage sale, yard sale, tag sale, and/or go to thrift stores?
Well, then you understand the excitement of "the hunt" and walking away with a good deal.
Priceless.  

Dining Room Dreaming and New Craigslist Find!

Ever since we moved into our house, I have been wanting for a huge round table (60") for the dining space.  I think a round table is great for entertaining and I love the look of upholstered chairs surrounding it.
Here are a couple inspiration pictures:  (from my Pinterest)

Now, I have looked online for a table and there are several that I like, one being this table for $1600 (cough cough)

Room & Board's Adams table

Enter Craigslist of course!  60" dining table was one of my daily searches [for the last 7 months] and it finally showed up.
A solid maple table with 2 extentions making it 90" long.  Perfect for when my family comes for the holidays (ha!) and friends come over for dinner.

The lady was asking $100 including the 4 chairs (that I din't like) I asked if she would take $50 for just the table, she said $75, I countered with $65!  Done!  I love bargaining! 

Now I just need some chairs!

I love these from ZGallerie looking glam in all white with nailhead trim for $299 each.

ZGallerie Scallop Chair

This one from West Elm is great too,    also $299.

West Elm Curved Dining Chair

I found these chairs at a hotel liquidation center north of Atlanta.  

They are from the luxury hotel Mandarin Oriental in New York.  They want $55 per chair.  Hello?  These chairs are usually $300 upwards of $1000.  I love the shape and I am already dreaming of the fabric I can put on these beauties.  I would like a solid color on the fronts and a big bold print on the backs!    (mom, are you ready for this? It will be easy, right?)

I love how these chairs look, although I would never put white fabric (unless it's leather) on dining chairs. 
 
Im sure with enough searching/waiting, I will find chairs I love at a great price.  I mean this is what I do.  Decorating/furnishing a home is a process, right?  I could just go buy a set, but I like I to piece things together.  I think this is what gives a home character.  (This is what I tell myself anyway to help me deal with not being able to go out and buy everything I want.) Maybe it would be different if I had the $$$ to buy whatever I wanted, but then what would I search for on Craigslist??

[Another] New Rug!

Happy Monday! Guess what? I have a new rug!!
I wish I could say it was a steal from Craigslist, but alas, it was full price at HomeGoods.

I saw this [Ikat] beauty last week and couldn't stop thinking about it.  I love the subdued colors.  What about my huge orange rug I scored on CL? It is still awesome and Im not getting rid of it....I can just move it upstairs to our bedroom.  (Which will be FILLED with color!)

Now one the first floor, all of our "big pieces" are neutral.  A good backdrop for colorful accessories. 

One thing is...I just wish it was a tad bigger.  It's not quite 8 x 10 and compared to the orange West Elm rug (9x 12) it seems small.  But really, either size works. With the larger, furniture was sitting on the rug, and with the smaller, just the front legs.  Both "legal" in the design world....yes, I checked!

I rolled it out in the living room and Ernesto approved. It is much softer than the orange rug. Mateo did a scoot test and approved as well.  Then he amazingly started doing yoga!
Downward dog!!!

The downstairs is really coming together, and I love how bright and airy it looks. I'll take pics this week.  We should be ready to host a housewarming/meet Mateo party in the near future!

Fluffy Chandelier for the Nursery {a how-to}

Well, I did it! I finished a project completely!  I have so many different ones going on, and many are only half done.  On march 4th, I decided to March forth and so far I am on a roll.  Many project updates coming your way!

If you are a subscriber to Houzz you may have seen Nicole's  pendant light made out of coffee filters.   Yes, you read that right.  Coffee filters.  I bookmarked it knowing I had to recreate it.   Im a total copy cat.  I hope Nicole knows that old phrase "Imitation is the best form of flattery." 

At first I thought maybe I would put this in the dining room, but after we painted the stripes in the nursery, I thought it would be the perfect spot.  Yes, yes it is!  It's totally awesome right?

Believe it or not, this beauty was really easy to make.  It took me roughly 5 hours [over 3 days] to put it together and cost me less than $25! 

Here is what you will need:

One paper lantern (Mine was a 15.5" from World Market for $6.99)

800 flat bottom coffee filters (I bought Kroger brand -200 pk for $1.29)

Hot glue gun

Hot glue sticks (for gun)

Here are the simple directions:

Glue the filters on the paper lantern.

Ok, ok...I'll be a little more specific.  Put your hand around the filter with the bottom facing up.  Add a drop of the hot glue and attached it to the lantern.  That.  Is.  It.

 Start wherever you want on the lantern, just place the filters close together.  You want them to be scrunched in pretty tightly.

The process starts out slow, but moves quickly once you get into a groove. 
When you see progress you push on.

I bought a hard wire kit for $12.99 (also at World Market) and my dad hooked it up in less than 5 minutes.  The glow the light gives off is amazing!

I am now reconsidering buying a huge drum shade pendant for the dining area and making one of these...but in a color! Ombre maybe?! Oh that would look so cool!
What do you think?

Sneak Peak of Nursery

More pictures and DIY details coming soon! 

Another Score on Craigslist!

Happy Monday all!  Hope you had a great weekend.  Ours was fantastic! Yesterday morning I perused Craigslist over coffee, something I do regularly.  I searched "large area rug" and "wool rug" but didn't really see anything of interest. In the afternoon I got a text from my friend Amanda telling me to check my email. What I found was a link to this CL ad: .

WHAT??

$75 for a 9x12 wool rug?? I immediately wrote to the person to say that I wanted it. This is one of the styles I had been debating to buy on Rugsusa for 3 times the price.  Because a professional cleaning for a rug this size is not cheap, I asked if he would sell it for any less.  He said $50.  Done and done!  Sometimes you just have to ask. 

ps. The ad said Pottery Barn, but this is West Elm's "taksim tile rug" and retailed for $699. 

Bottom line....Craigslist is awesome.  My addiction of stalking really pays off when I find deals like this one.  Consequently (or just my luck?) the guy we bought this from was moving to Netherlands and ended up giving us a rocking chair and a few kids toys for free.  The rocking chair is not my style, but we are going to take the wood rockers and attach them to my leather club chair. How perfect!

Ps. A lot is getting done this week on the homefront! My parents are here this week and they are workhorses. (in a good way) I have a lot to share with regards to progress on the house.  There was even an exciting little construction project that happened today.  

Pictures and deets to come!

Gray Paint Color Finally Chosen!

Even though we have been in our home now for 4 months, we have not had a chance to do ANY decorating.  That means NOTHING. ZIP.  ZILCH.  I have been going through decorating ideas daily (and nightly).  The only thing I know for sure is what color will I paint the walls.  I went totally bold [turquoise] in our apartment for the last two years, and I loved it, but I am going for a different look in our house.  Yes, I will for sure use bold colors, just not on the walls.  I would like all of the artwork from our travels to pop out from subtle wall colors. 

The problem?  Which shade of gray?

I posted this picture way back in October as my inspiration.  I am still loving these grey walls with the thick white moldings.  

I wish I knew what this paint color was called and who makes it.  If you have ever looked at grey paint swatches then you know there are many different undertones: purple, blue, yellow, green.

Remember back in October when I painted a bunch samples on my wall?   Well, I have been staring at them for 3 months now, but one never jumped out as "the one."  So, yesterday I went to Home Depot and picked up Martha Stweart's Nimbus Cloud, which I read online is a "true gray."

After painting it on the wall, next to the 7 other samples, I knew I had found my color! Done and done!  It is the top left square.

The paint has been purchased and we will start painting tomorrow! So exciting!

Also painted the first 2 coats on my campaign dresser and it looks AWESOME!

Pictures of both painting projects coming soon!!!

Shades of Gray: Deciding on Paint Colors

I have had this picture saved on my computer for months in hopes that we would find a house and I would be able to pick paint colors and start decorating again.

I love the color gray! This has been a trend in decor for quite a while now, and I have been dying to use it.  Since moving into our house,  I have been collecting paint swatches. 

The problem is, which gray shall I choose?  I thought I could just pick the "perfect gray", but the more I looked at swatches, the more confused I was.  I would pick one color and the second I put it next to another "gray" it would turn blue, green, or purple.  I have gone to buy the paint several times and walked out with nothing but more swatches.

I guess I didn't realize the complexity of the color gray.  

I thought the best thing to do would be to buy the little testers and see which I like best on my wall at different times with different lighting.  I ended up with these 5 on my wall:

From left to right:
Woodsmoke - Eddie Bauer
Silver Threads- Olympic
Dolphin - Martha Stewart
Chinchilla - Martha Stewart
Driftwood Gray - Martha Stewart
Natural Gray - BEHR

Guess what?  After all that,  it's still a difficult decision.  Here they are on a different wall with different light.

Oh, and just for fun, I stopped by Sherwin Williams and bought one more sample (as if 6 wasn't enough) called Magnetic Gray.  This one was recommended by a few designers in magazines and a few blogs.  I really like it and I decided I will use this in our bedroom, which does not help me in my current 1st floor paint search.

Believe it or not, Ernesto has started putting up customers' xmas lights already and will be working everyday until mid-December.  I guess there is no rush to decide on paint colors now is there?  Maybe if I live with the painted samples for a month Ill be able to make a more definitive decision.
Have any of you painted a room gray?  What was the color and are you happy with it?

Another Craigslist Find!

As I have mentioned before, I am a daily stalker on Craigslist.
I have a list of search options that I go through in hopes of finding a score!!

Buffet/sideboard, upholstered king headboard,  60" round dining table, "tufted" anything, vintage chairs...to name a few.

Another thing on my stalking list was nightstands.  We don't have any bedroom furniture yet and although we have a walk-in closet, I wanted drawers for our socks/underwear. 

Over the weekend I picked up this set for $75.  Yes, I know they are very dated, but I loved the square outlines right away.  They are solid wood and will be transformed when I paint them and change the hardware....can you see it?

If you can't imagine them, you will soon see.  I think I will paint them Rustoleums Gloss Smoke Gray like Jenny  [from Little Green Notebook] did here with her side table.  I plan to paint them this weekend, so I'll be sure to post a pic when they are finished!

Do you have a painting project or craigslist/thrifted overhaul you are working on??