The cutest DIY jewelry holder. Ever.

I have been one little crafty lady these days I'lltellyouwhat. Thankfully, I've got my fellow craftastic friend, Jen, who happens to get equally excited about making random things out of even more random materials as I do. And I think this craft (aside from the farm and zoo animals made for Nora and Xavi, shown here) is probably the cutest one we've done to date. See how cute it is?

So, I'll start from the beginning.

Last weekend, Jen and I went on a thrifting extravaganza. We headed to Loveland, home of my favorite two thrift stores - Vintage Market and Thrift and Goodwill. While at Vintage Market and Thrift, we came across the most adorable porcelain candlestick holders ($8.25 for the set, btw) and then it hit me - let's make jewelry holders! Immediately, Jen was in.

After finding a multitude of little teacup saucers and another set of porcelain candlestick holders, we paid the $17 total (yes, total) and got to work on our two jewelry holders.

I know what you're thinking - you want one too, right?! Well super easy step-by-step so you can make your very own.

Step One: Scour the world for candlestick holders and plates.
The trick to choosing the right plates? Stick to one style and find a commonality. You'll notice Jen's all have a gold trim along the outer part of the plate and mine (naturally) are mostly - if not all - white.

If you are more of a modern gal, check out the sale racks at places like Pier1 or even Target.

Try and get plates that differ slightly in size, too. The larger plate at the bottom and then gradually getting smaller as you make your way up to the top. This just balances out the holder and adds another layer of consistency.

(A shot of the inspirational candlestick. And yes, that is a Smurf glass in the background)

Step Two: Get your supplies and prep for attachment.
Once you've found your materials, head to your local hardware store (mine's an Ace) and pick up some silicone glue that works on china or porcelain.

Then, thoroughly clean all your plates - getting rid of any residue - and you're ready to get started!

Step Three: Attach the plates to candlestick holders.
Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, waiting 10-15 minutes in between layers so the glue can set. We placed books and a handy-dandy Hunt's tomato can on top to apply weight and encourage fixation.

NOTE: Be sure to cap or at least cover your silicone glue top. We made the mistake of leaving the container open for a while while working on another craft project (more on that later) and the stuff started drying closed.

After all layers are glued, wait for at least an hour (or whatever the directions say) for the glue to completely dry. Then, presto! An adorable, handmade jewelry holder.

A how to on spray painting.

A while back, my BFF Jen let me in on a little problem she ran across while spray painting some items for above the fireplace. Bubbling.

I reassuringly told Jen that clearly it was her (lol) and I was here to help. So I picked up the can of paint, started spraying and, low and behold, MORE BUBBLING! Not wanting to freak her out, I took one of the items (a candlestick holder) back to my apartment to investigate further.

First things first, I removed the paint.
After googling "spray paint bubbling" I saw that this was sort of a common problem in which many different things could attribute to it. (sorry Jen, turns out it's not just you!) The first thing majority of the help pages listed was excess finish/oil/cleaning residue could be the problem. So, luckily having purchased some paint thinner for another project (also coming soon), I got to work generously applying the paint thinner.

NOTE: Make sure to wear protective gloves and be very careful not to get any on your skin. If you can, I recommend wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid any contact with the stuff whatsoever (ouch!).

Second, I cleaned off the paint and finishing.
I grabbed a Brillo pad and got scrubbing. Once majority of the paint was off, I took the piece downstairs to the utility sink, doused with mineral spirits and scrubbed off the remaining residue. I then finished off the clean with some good old-fashioned soap and water, rinsing thoroughly. Turns out, the candlestick was brass!

Third, I waited.
Another potential issue that was brought up was excess condensation. Fortunately with the weather being as ridiculously hot as it is, I only had to wait a few minutes until bone dry. But I waited nonetheless.

Fourth, I primed.
Rule of thumb: when in doubt, prime. While some spray paints claim the paint will adhere to any surface, I wouldn't take their word for it. With millions of finishes and materials, it's always best to throw on a quick, thin layer of primer just to be safe. The keyword being thin. Make sure you are standing (or holding the can) and long enough distance away so that one thin layer of paint can be applied at a time.

I have no idea what the perfect distance is (DIY sites claim 10-12 inches), but like to think of it as the same process as hair spraying. Too far and you're spraying the floor more than your hair, too close and you get a single stiff spot vs. an allover cover.

Don't worry though, because if you end up goofing, just wait until it dries, grab a fine sandpaper and even out the thicker area.

Finally, I sprayed.
Since the primary goal was white and the end location was above the fireplace, I originally was thinking matte to balance the eggshell finish of the painted wall. Instead, I ended up choosing a bright white with a glossy finish to really make it pop off the shelf.I applied the first thin (read: thin) coat, waited like 15 minutes and applied the second. Then, a day later, I applied a third coat for good measure.
I completed all of the spraying in the middle of my apartment's front lawn but, I think for an added bonus, see if you can find a shaded or cooler area to eliminate yet another element that could be making the paint bubble.

The end product? A glossy white, bubble-free candlestick holder. Hopefully, I can get a shot of the whole arrangement to post soon to show you the final look. Now for the rest of the items...

The secret project progress unveiled.

I can finally reveal some of the progress made on the secret project I've been working on over the past few weeks. While it's not finished-finished, I thought I'd share my five favorites of the space to-date along with some insight into the looming checklist (read: my favorite part) that still needs to be completed. 

But first, a HUGE thanks to the Schullers for being patient, taking some chances and getting their hands dirty.


SIDE NOTE: My apologies for the poor photos. I'm hoping to take better ones as soon as I remember to bring my real camera. And maybe get some photography lessons from my other BFF, Michelle. And maybe get a new camera.


#1: The sitting room stencil work. 
 
I am officially IN LOVE with this room. Yes, it was the room with the most challenges (featured here and here), but I think that's why I'm most proud of it. With the room being smaller, narrow and filled with windows and doorways, it was just screaming for something to tie it all together. Meaning, the room needed something to make it feel more like a room and less like another hallway to the kitchen. To do this, we chose a taupey color (Benjamin Moore's Cedar Keys) to accent a pillow choice and the same white that the kitchen was painted in (Benjamin Moore's Simply White). While I second-guessed it at first (no idea why), all four walls were stenciled (with option 6), bringing the entire room together and making it a prominent eye-catcher as soon as you entered the house.

With the new floor plan, 5" white baseboards, some strategic bookshelf accessorizing, a wall shelf display and (maybe) a new light fixture, it's going to be the sitting room of all sitting rooms.

#2: The vaulted morning room ceiling.

Ok, so I didn't exactly love climbing up the ladder to actually paint the space BUT I did love that the vaulted ceilings allowed for a more dramatic wall color without closing in the space. For this we chose a bright blue (Benjamin Moore's Lakeside Cabin) that complemented the new wood floors and the family's already-owned bright white kitchen table and leather chairs.

Some simple artwork, a refinishing project for the already-owned chest (still TBD), a new light fixture (still TBD) and some minimal table accessories will complete the look.

Oh, and removing the kitchen stove and refrigerator. That'll help a little too.

#3: Dave's mad carpentry skills*.

 *with special thanks to Barry the Sander (get it?)

As mentioned in an earlier post, it's always best to keep the number of focal points in a room to one. So, to do this, we needed to combine both the fireplace and the entertainment center onto one wall (previously split into two). This required some handy work I was definitely not up but Dave graciously took on.

The walls were painted a warmer dark-but-not-too-dark gray (I can't remember the name right now) that brought out the richness of the new wood flooring and brought the whole downstairs together. The hallway was also painted this color to encourage continuity and create a sense of flow throughout the space.

The end result? A susinct focal point that will soon include some shorter Billys (also loved by Go Haus Go), a photo display and some accessorizing. An added bonus? A whole extra wall to place seating along and absolutely zero glare on the TV from the windows.

#4: The striped bathroom.

Mentioned in an earlier post (complete with how-to), I am very fond of little, tiny bathrooms filled with busy patterns and bright colors. So, when I saw that the Schullers downstairs came complete with a teeny, tiny bathroom I got really excited. We chose some bright aquas (Benjamin Moore's Florida Keys and Waterfall) and decided to give the space some vertical stripes, making it seem bigger and brighter.

Keeping the same fixtures in the space and adding a small amount of artwork will finish the look.

#5: The soon-to-be modern-yet-classic kitchen.

Now this is the spot I consider to be the most in-progress. First, we blank slated the kitchen by painting it white (Benjamin Moore's Simply White). This was vital to the downstairs design as the kitchen is the center point between all three rooms (morning, family and sitting room). This allowed us to break up the monotony by painting the other rooms three different colors without making the space feel too disconnected.

So what's next? A subway or glass tile (still TBD) back splash, some brushed nickel cabinet knobs, brushed nickel drawer pulls and eventual addition of an L-shaped island/breakfast bar that will (hopefully) be painted a complementary blue to the morning room, further connecting the two spaces.

I know what you're thinking. The cabinets could be painted to further modernize the space. However, 1) I kind of like the contrast between the dark floor and light cabinet finish and 2) I think the knobs and pulls will modernize them enough to look updated, especially with a new back splash and (eventual) painted L-shaped island/breakfast bar.

And thereyouhaveit! That's the top secret project mentioned in some previous posts and the latest thing I dove head first into. I hope that the Schullers are equally as happy with the space and can't wait for the next part of the project... accessorizing.

Oh, and my favorite part, making the final to-do/buy checklist which is already in progress because I couldn't wait any longer to start making.

Framed bookshelves, DIY style.

I'm back! And yes, like Puerto Rico, San Francisco was so fun that I completely forgot about posting (or taking) photos along the way. Thankfully, my mom is a superb photo snapper so I hope to steal all of hers as soon as possible. What all did we do? Fun things include, but certainly weren't limited to: a tour of Alcatraz, zip lining (yes, me zip lining) across the Redwoods, a Giants vs. Dodgers game and a trip to Napa Valley. Great times, good drinks, lots of walking.

Anyway, relaxed and well-toned, I headed over to my BFF Jen's house this weekend to check-in on her redecorating progress (all posts here). Naturally, I ended up putting in a little DIY time during the visit. For one reason or another, I happen to be top-notch at arranging wall displays and creating compositions. I don't know what it is but I am happy and proud to say that I am 'da bomb - a phrase I try to use extremely sparingly and only in situations that absolutely call for it.

As for the idea and actual creation of these, the credit goes to this picture, Jen for finding it and Chad's dad for building them.

So let me set this up for you.


Jen does not have a very matchy-matchy type of style. Like me, she like to keep her space eclectic, one-of-a-kind and full of stuff.

Because Jen likes a lot of stuff she needs a lot of storage. And because storage space is something her and Chad lack, she needed to find a way to make some. And because she needed to make some, she searched for something different that could also translate into art. And because she wanted something more artistic, she decided to go with the idea of making frame shelves.

First, Jen chose 4 frames that were similar in style and color but different in size and pattern. If you like a more uniform look, you can get identical frames and hang in more of a grid-like fashion.

Second, Chad's dad attached four pieces of wood to the backs of the frames, keeping the width about 5-7" so they could hold a book or DVD case with minimal overhang. The pieces of wood were then painted black on the inside and the wall color on the outside.

Finally, we figured out the arrangement, Jen attached some picture frame holders and thereyouhaveit. A picture perfect set of shelves.

NOTE: Have a guy (or a girl sitting on her legs) sit in the chair to allow for ample head space.

Next up? Hiding those TV cables, a new white drum shade and maybe a circular or character-shaped pillow to soften the composition!

Looking good, Jen and Chad!

A San Francisco treat.

Just a mere two weeks after returning from Puerto Rico, I am off yet again heading out west to The City by the Bay only this time with the fam, not the boyf.

Per usual, I am excited, not packed and counting down the minutes.

To celebrate this exciting news (and make sure I have enough time to pack), I've decided to let you in on my five favorite things about San Francisco to-date. My goal is to post a photo every day I'm out there but I can't guarantee. Worst case, I'll write all about it when I get back!

#1: Full House

(for the mullets, Kimmy Gibler, 90's wardrobe and

great moral lessons via Danny Tanner)

#2: Alcatraz (which we are touring while we're there!)

#3: San Francisco's collection of Painted Ladies

#4: Tim Lincecum and his uncanny resemblance to Mitch in Dazed and Confused

#5: Mike Holmgren, Alicia Silverstone and Steve Jobs

(I couldn't decide)

A how-to for striping a bathroom.

I get really excited every time I get a chance to redo a bathroom. Well, not just any bathroom - it has to be one of those cute and little half bathrooms. You know, that teeny, tiny little nook off the main downstairs hallway? Love. Them. To. Pieces.

Anyway, when it comes to these little spaces, I think you need to either go big or go home. Half baths should be looked at as a great place to experiment, letting that inner designer go wild and take some risks. For example, is there a wallpaper you've had your eye on but think it's too crazy to fit within your calming, pristine space? Or a color you've become obsessed with but just can't justify painting an entire room with something so bold? Answer to both questions: put it in the half bathroom!

Being on a bit of a stripe kick lately, I decided to stripe the bathroom in the top secret project I've been working on over the last week. Now, I have no idea if I'm allowed to show you this but, since no confidentiality agreement was officially signed and it's a primary part of the design, I'm going for it (sorry, Vest).

NOTE: This should be considered a weekend project vs. an after-work project. While the space to paint is small, the amount of detail that's required to figure out the measurements and making sure all lines are straight can take about a billion years to complete.

What you'll need:
1 gallon of paint color #1
9" Purdy roller (3/8" nap)
9" roller handle (with extension if possible)
Large paint holder with disposable paint tray (or Press 'N Seal!)
1 quart of paint color #2
2" Purdy edging brush (trust me - it'll be worth the extra cost)
3-4" roller
3-4" roller handle
Small paint holder with disposable paint tray
2 rolls of painters tape (1.5" or 2" will work)
Small level

Step one: Choose your paint.
Find a swatch you like best, making sure there are at least two shades difference between the colors. In this case, I kept it fresh with Benjamin Moore Florida Keys and Waterfall. For a more dramatic look, try choosing colors opposite each other on the color wheel.

Once you've chosen the colors, paint the entire bathroom the lighter of the two, leaving the darker color for the actual striping. Apply two coats.

Step two: Do the math.
Measure the width of all walls you want to stripe. For example, if two walls are 80" and the other two are 25", the total amount of wall I'm working with would be 210". Then divide (keeping the stripes between 6-8 inches), trying to get the stripe widths as even as possible. So, if I take 210" of wall space, I will need to make 35 stripes, each 6" wide.

Step three: Measure out the stripes.
Starting at the center of the wall with the most area to cover, begin taping off the stripes. Be sure to consider the actual tape width within your measurement, designating the tape as part of the stripe you won't be painting. Make sense?

To avoid confusion (or at least try to), stick an extra piece of tape in the area of the stripe that doesn't require painting to clearly mark.

Step four: Tape off the stripes.
Using the small level, begin taping off the stripes from the floor to the ceiling based on how you've marked off the room. To avoid continually climbing up and down, I completed all of the tape work I could while standing on the ground first, finishing off with the work requiring a ladder. For those of you that appreciate a better workout, opt for one line at a time.

NOTE: This takes, by far, the most amount of time. If there is a chance you may need to separate the work into two days, consider this task the separator.

Step five: Paint the stripes.

Using your edging brush and 3" roller, begin painting the stripes in the darker color. Work your way from one end to the other, applying two coats.

NOTE: Don't wait a long period of time before painting the second coat. Since interior paint is typically latex based, painter's tape should be removed from the wall prior to the paint being completely dry. Otherwise, the paint may peel off with the tape, causing a lot of rework.

Instead, paint in a circular pattern so that you are able to easily keep track of which stripes have one coat, which stripes need two and which stripes are ready for the tape to come off.

LESSON LEARNED: Double and triple check which stripes were marked off as staying the lighter color before starting to slather on the paint. Luckily, I realized I was painting the wrong spot pretty quickly and was able to just touch up the area once everything dried.

Step six: Remove the tape and touch up.
After you've applied the second coat, immediately begin to peel off the painter's tape, starting at the first stripe you painted and ending on the last. Work your way around the room until all pieces of tape have been removed. Then, once the paint is fully dry, make the necessary touch ups (look for uneven paint,obvious bleeding, corner work, etc.).

Faux shopping at ModCloth.

It's. Almost. Finished.

With everything pretty much painted (minus a few edges, corners and trim) and the overall downstairs plan well on its way, I've decided to take a moment to do some much needed almost retail therapy for some much needed clothing I almost purchase. The almost part is because it's actually faux shopping (also completed here) as in I fill up my cart but never checkout.

For those that are unaware (AKA living under a rock) I really like to shop. Like really, really like. Actually, probably more like love. Anyway, whenever I'm down in the dumps, meet a goal, have an amazing client presentation, am bored, excited, or really anything in between, I head to the streets (or my MacBook Pro) and shop it like it's hot.

However lately, (thanks to many, many, many, MANY lectures from conversations with my dad) I've been trying to practice other things like paying off bills in their entirety, minimizing debt and saving up cash for things like retirement and "my future". While these tasks are all well and good, I still - and will likely never get rid of - the itch to buy things. Lots of things.

So today, I thought I'd clue you in on my recent "trip" to one of my favorite online stores, ModCloth - a place where the clothing is chic, the accessories are fun and the price range is almost always just outside of my budget. For this particular trip I focused primarily on dresses all of which I highly encourage anyone to actually purchase for the following reasons:

Butterscotch Latte Dress ($64.99)

would look great with gladiator heels, a tan and giant bright colored purse

Dazzle Darling Dress ($44.99)

perfect for backyard drinking or running errands

Chickadee Split Dress ($49.99)

elastic band creates a waist, one shoulder draws attention to collarbone

Hanging Streamers Dress ($47.99)

very versatile and universally flattering, really cute with bright colored cardigan

Taupe for the Best ($139.99)

OMG with a thick belt

Hue Go, Girl Dress ($47.99)

racer back to accentuate backbones,

amazing colors for summer that can be used as a blouse for the fall

Hip Gig Dress ($42.99)

versatile dress in adorable pattern,

can be paired with leggings and a long cardigan for fall

So in pretend world, my total came to a cool $438.93. I could have definitely included more (like this, this, this, and maybe this) but there's always another day, right?

Hope everyone has a great weekend and sneak peeks of the top secret project to come soon!

Getting my stencil on.

Sitting room resolved! After confirming that the "piano" I thought I saw was actually a desk with one of those white wire shelves on top (pictured here - soooo embarrassing), we opted for a floorplan that created a sitting area great for making small talk or reading a good book. The chaise was a little bigger than I originally had the plans but I think the two bookcases will help soften the edges that don't exactly fit within the bay window.

NOTE: The bare wall in the bottom righthand corner will be used to display floating shelves, kid's artwork and some additional accessories currently TBD.

Now for the fun stuff! Since majority of the walls are either comprised of large floor-to-ceiling windows, bookshelves or a floating shelf and picture arrangement, it's not too huge of a risk to incorporate pattern on not one, not two, but all four of the walls. I know awesome, right?

To do this, I'm choosing to use an all-over wall stencil (also seen here in Jen's house) because I  1) can't stand the seams you get with wallpaper, 2) feel like I have more control over color choices and 3) like stenciling WAY more than wallpapering.

The pattern will need to be a lighter monochromatic in palette, larger in size and well defined to:

• prevent the smaller space from seeming too closed in
• play off the symmetry that's now been added to the space
• avoid looking too busy and overly decorated

I have all the colors narrowed down to Simply White (Benjamin Moore) and a soon-to-be-determined khaki color also in one of the pillows chosen for the space (great job, Chris!).

That leaves the stencil pattern still TBD. Now, I've "narrowed" it down with an etsy search to 9 different choices but am having trouble condensing any further before talking things through with the homeowners. Here's where I'm at, in no particular order:

option 1: taller pattern adding height, more open pattern,

blances boxiness of the chairs and bookshelves

(@ royal design studios)

option 2: very geometric, smaller pattern,

a little more neutral in terms of shape

(@ royal design studios)

option 3: very regal looking, a little more formal

(@ cutting edge stencils)

option 4: adding new shape to the room

(@ royal design studios)

option 5: compliments chair form,

curved edges play to chaise headrest, more open pattern

(@ royal design studio)

option 6: complimentary pattern to all furniture styles, a little more floral

(@ royal design studios)

option 7: more depth to pattern, same complimentary shape

(@ cutting edge stencils)

option 8: adds tons of texture, gives balance between two wall colors,

(@ royal design studios)

option 9: much larger design, larger gap in pattern, mimics dots on pillows

(@ cutting edge stencils)

I can honestly say I have no idea which one to recommend. Turns out, with the room balanced in terms of layout and shape, there isn't necessarily a need for one type of pattern over the other. I think the final decision will come down to comfort level, actual contrast in paint color and what the homeowners consider most relaxing or calming. Stay tuned!