Luca's Updated Book Shelf

November and December always seem to fly by.  If you have been following my blog, you may have noticed it has been a little light on the DIY.  I neglected to post my latest revamp.  It was a small project, but a MUCH needed upgrade.

I have been in the process of slowly cleaning out the unnecessary clutter in preparation for the new year.  Each time I think of throwing something away or passing it off to Goodwill, I ask myself the following questions:


Why am I getting rid of this item?
Will I need this in the future?
Can I update the item, and put it to use now?


If the answers to questions 2 and 3 are NO, it's off to the donation pile.  But one should never underestimate the transforming power of paint.

Meet my subject.

Blaahhhh

I purchased this bookshelf from Target for Mateo's room when he was a baby.  It's not exceptional quality, and the slightest nick reveals cheap particle board lurking under the espresso finish.  What can I expect for $100? Once it started showing it's age, I moved it to the playroom to succumb to even more abuse.

Now, I need a shelf for Baby Luca.  I have an obsession right now with lightening up every dark piece of furniture in my home. I knew I wanted to do a contrasting color for the back of the shelves and high-gloss white for the exterior.  I found this perfect shade of chartreuse for the back of the bookcase - Glidden's Olive Oil.  It looks a little more yellow in this picture, but in person it has a tinge of green.

The chartreuse color makes me smile.  It's so bright and sunny, and coordinates perfect with the new artwork.  I purchased this original mixed media print at the Goodwill auction for $15!

....Well hello Mr. Sock Monkey

Look at the amazing reflective qualities of this paint.  I used Glidden's Trim & Door paint in antique white.  It's a little tricky to get used to, as it is a gel-based product.  I highly recommend watching the tutorials, but I will definitely be using it again.  Another downfall is that it took for-evahhh to dry - it wasn't hardened to the touch for at least 24 hrs. Well worth the wait in my opinion.

I have a few more things in the works right now.  Luca's room is constantly changing as I am still figuring out what I really need, but I will post more pictures of his space in the near future.

Look at that face..... 

He will be 9 months in 2 days! (tear) I can't believe how fast time flies. 

Have a great Friday!

Linking to:

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/sys-blog-link-party-with-plum-paper/

My Resolutions

I'll be honest, I have never been much for establishing and sticking to New Year's resolutions.  Of course, I will go through goals in my head, and tell myself I am going to improve on something.  But I have never had any real accountability. Well, that is about to change right now, friends.  I am about to immortalize my goals for 2012 in cyberspace history.

I am a firm believer that the most successful New Year resolutions are not just short-term goals but lifestyle changes.  It would be great to drop that extra five pounds for the new year, but wouldn't you really like to keep it off forever?  That doesn't happen without making serious changes to your diet and your lifestyle. Resolutions are most successful when we change our bad habits and create routines that set us up for success.

2011 was a challenging year for many of us.  It wasn't my favorite.  But even with all of the challenges, there was a lot to be learned, and we had our share of blessings as well.  The greatest gift we received this year was Baby Luca, born just 5 days shy of my 30th birthday.  I am so thankful to have two healthy boys and a wonderful husband. 

Without further ado, here are my New Year's resolutions for 2012, in no particular order.

Wake Up Earlier.   I am not a morning person.  Never have been, and it's safe to say, I probably never will be.  We tend to be late sleepers in my house.  This would be fine and dandy if I was a dude, and I could hop in the shower and be ready in 15 minutes.   I have had the same nighttime routine with my children since they were born.  Bath - book - bed.  It usually only takes an hour to complete the three, but ever since Luca was born, my 3-year-old doesn't want to sleep!  AGGHHHH!!! I have tried everything, but the child refuses to stay in his room.  Needless to say, it makes for very long evenings, and results in me going to bed at 12:30-1 a.m. most nights.  I need that time for myself to wind down in the evenings.  I am finally resulting to the one thing I haven't tried which is to put a lock on the bedroom door.  If you have any tips or suggestions, I would love to hear them!

Be More Punctual It never fails. I am always 15 minutes late dropping Mateo off for school.  I especially try to make an effort to be timely for other appointments, and sometimes still fail miserably.  For example, I have a friend that graciously gives me pilates reformer lessons on Saturday mornings.  It is such a wonderful thing she is doing for me, and the last couple times I have been 8 minutes late.  It gives me anxiety, makes me feel terrible and it's soooooo not worth the added stress.  For 8 measly minutes?! Puuulllleeez!  I think a little more preparation and a couple of easy modifications in my routine and it make a world of difference.  I know this - I just need to do it.  Couldn't you easily spend all of the previous day preparing for the day ahead?  I could keep my self busy just getting ready to get ready.

 via Pinterest

Learn to Sew  Did you know that I have access to tons of designer fabrics?  I have big plans to build my Etsy store this year to add more vintage accessories, reclaimed furniture pieces and custom pillows.  There is nothing like new pillows to add a pop of color or pattern in room.  And they can be switched out with the season for an inexpensive update.  I plan on purchasing a sewing machine in the very near future and start making some pillows.  If you have any reco's for great machine, I would love to hear.

Listen Without Interrupting

Take Better Pictures We have a Canon professional camera, and I have been playing around with it lately.  If the pictures turn out nice, it's luck, because I have no idea what I am doing.  I take my own pictures for my blog, but what separates good blogs from great ones are the photos.  I have always loved photography.  This year I want to take it a step further and gain some knowledge on how to improve my abilities, snap great closeups, still-life photos and better pics of the fam.

Get in Fightin' Shape I have always been pretty much the same size.  Good but not great.  Like most of us, I have a fitness goal for 2012.  I have never really pushed myself to be in amazing shape, probably because I have always been comfortable.  Well, I am ready to push out of that comfort zone.  I am surrounded by women at the gym in their 40's who look like they could kick my arse.  And last year, I witnessed my husband transform himself into the best shape of his life.  He dropped 10 pounds I didn't know he had to lose.  He looks incredible.  I owe it to him, and myself to reach this goal. 

Improve My Blog and Grow my Readership I started blogging because I love to write.  What started out as a hobby has turned into a passion, and I realize that the blogging community is like a family.  I feel like I know the people I read about, even though we have never stepped foot in the same building. Blogging can be highly personal, and it is a little daunting to put yourself out there for the world to read.  I have so much to share.  I hope that you find my work inspiring and interesting, and will continue to join me on this adventure that is my life!  I will be eternally grateful.

via Pinterest

So there they are.  Of course, there are even a few more, but some things you just have to keep for yourself....hehe.  Have you made your resolutions? Please share!

'Tis the Season....

....for decorating, entertaining and holiday link parties!  I will be linking up the following tablescape to Centsational Girl's party for a chance to win a $100 Home Goods gift card in addition to a few others.

Here is my gold and silver palette inspired by nature.  Maybe it's a sign of the times, but I am in the spirit to use what I have and truly embrace the old adage, "waste not, want not."  I am proud that everything on my table, with the exception of a couple tree ornaments and the food, was already in my home.

Did anyone catch the 60 Minutes program on Sunday about the homeless families in America? It really hit home with me, and put things into perspective.  This year has been challenging for so many families, and our family is no exclusion.  At the end of the day, I am so thankful my little family is happy and healthy.  As long as we have each other, I couldn't ask for more.

That being said, here are the goods....

I mixed gold and silver for a timeless look.  The beaded China was from my wedding registry via Crate & Barrel, and I mixed it with some silver pieces inherited from my grandma's collection for a vintage look.  I added some brass candle holders purchased from Goodwill...

I LOVE decorating with food...

I stole a few IKEA candles from my fireplace for some ambiance, paired with some leftover green moss and curly willow from my floral supplies.  The silver tray was a wedding gift from Peru.

some curly willow....

....some silver and gold BLING.  The tree ornaments were from my collection, and the icicles were C&B circa 2010.

...and more BLING

I went without a table cloth to showcase our new table, courtesy of Kanto Home....

I swapped out my host chairs for the Ikat Farmhouse Chairs from my previous post.  The miniature trees were from Big Lots for $4, the mercury ball was from my bookshelf.  The votives are C&B from last year.

Have you caught the decorating bug?  I am just getting started, so bring on the holidays!

Linking to the following holiday link parties: 

Centsational Girl

 

Between Naps on the Porch

Love,

Jamie

Liebster Blog Award

I received an e-mail last night that really made my evening.  My new friend, Samaa, at Honey Sweet Home  awarded me the Liebster Blog Award.   The award is designed to promote new bloggers with less than 200 followers.  I am so grateful to receive the award, and happy to promote other new bloggers like myself.

I would like to dedicate this award to a fellow blogger - my father.   At 68 years young, recovering from a stroke that nearly took his life, my dad traveled all the way from Michigan to Alaska on his Harley Davidson with little more than a tent, a mess kit and two-weeks worth of clothes.  His journey was such an inspiration to me.  If you know my father or not, you will find his blog to be funny and inspiring.  Here is to you, Dad, in hopes that you will end your hiatus and get back to what you love - traveling and blogging.  You truly have a gift!

It has been so incredibly gratifying to receive comments from new people who have been inspired by  my work.  I truly love blogging, and the sense of community that comes with it.  Thanks again, Samaa, for keeping me in mind.  I hope to keep posting beautiful creations and ideas for everyone to enjoy.

The rules of the award are as follows:
1. Post about the award in your blog, linking back to the person who gave it to you.
2. Award 5 new bloggers, and leave a comment telling them so.

Here are five new blogs to check out:

www.jusrexwaywardblog.blogspot.com

www.tdadecoratinganddesign.blogspot.com

www.nataliehagerinteriors.com/la-vie-en-rose/

http://nestegg.typepad.com

www.tothegathering.blogspot.com/

Please stop by these blogs and show 'em so love! You just might make someone's week.

Ikat Farmhouse Chairs

After several months of sanding... more sanding, and playing around with different finishes.  I FINALLY finished these lovelies.

They were a bargain deal on Craiglist.  The listing read, "I crawled on these chairs as a toddler.  I am now 60 years old. My mother crawled on these chairs as a little girl.  She is now 80."

Man, I am such a sucker for a good anecdote.

I just couldn't pass up this set of four farmhouse chairs, only to be discarded at the nearest curb.  Apparently, I was the only person who saw the potential.  If there is one thing I am really good at, it's spotting a diamond in the rough.

They were in rough shape, but I bit the bullet because the chairs were solid oak with dovetail joints, and the springs were in surprisingly good condition.  They stood level with no creaks.  There were a couple deep cracks, and the finish was in major need of some TLC.

The upholstery had probably been replaced a couple times, most recently with the oh-so-stylish chocolate vinyl.  The chairs were in desperate need of a good sanding, but I loved that remnants of the original olive paint were still visible.

I sent the photo and dimensions to a local antique dealer who verified the chairs were probably English or American farmhouse chairs, at least 60 years old.

I had never refinished anything before.  Since my intention was to resell, I contacted a couple of professional refinishers for a quote to restore the chairs, and the bids range from $165-$250 per chair. Yikes! I also struggled because the quotes were to make the chairs "like new." I realized that I didn't want them to look new - the whole reason I fell in love with them was because they looked old.

I started sanding the chairs a couple hours - here and there - over a period of weeks. This was what they looked liked mid-way through.  You can see the grain of the oak starting to show through, but some of the paint is still left behind.

Warning: Make sure if you are working with old furniture (1978 or prior) that you take precaution and wear a protective mask, for risk of exposure to lead-based paint.


The finish was a three step process:

First I sanded them smooth, which took many hours. I didn't attempt an electric sander - one, because I don't own one (hint hint, relatives and/or spouse) ; and two, because I wanted control over the finish.

I didn't keep track, but I would estimate at least 20 hours of sanding for all four chairs over several weeks.  I used a 80 grit sandpaper to get rid of the crud and initial roughness.  Once the initial layer of dirt and crud was removed, I moved to a 120-150 sanding wedge to maintain as much of the original paint as possible.

Once the chairs were completely smooth.  I stained them with Minwax Wood Finish in Dark Walnut.

Finally, I diluted a 1 part Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Country Gray with 1 part water to create a wash of color, allowing the grain of the wood to peak through.

I can't express how amazing this paint is to work with.  It is so easy to use, and is virtually impossible to screw up.  I used a 200 grit, very fine sanding wedge to gently sand the paint down enough to remove the obvious brush strokes.

Here is the finished product.

I gently sanded the paint into the grain, and buffed it to a subtle sheen. The dark area you see below is the original paint peeking through.   

I had them professionally upholstered with 7 yards of Robert Allen's, Sweet Nothings, Ikat in twine; 40 feet of upholstery tacks; and new foam for each seat.  

I am truly proud of the way they turned out.  If you see them in person, you will notice that each one is unique. The chairs look as if they would be rough, but when you run your hands along the arms, the finish is smooth as can be.

I was going for a updated vintage farmhouse look.  Do you think I was successful?

The chairs are now available for purchase in my Etsy store.

Linking up to the following parties:

micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com 

Passionately Perfect

savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful weekend!

I Heart Gray

Color is one of the easiest, and most inexpensive ways to bring life and personality to a space.  For no more than the cost of paint, you can virtually transform a room.  I love adding color to a space, but despite the infinite possibilities in the color wheel, I always resort to neutral palettes for their timeless appeal and soothing qualities.

My favorite neutral right now, seen everywhere, is gray.  Gray is mysterious and elusive.  It changes continuously depending on the lighting, and the objects and accessories it surrounds.  

There are cool grays with green and blue undertones...

via Better Homes & Gardens

via Pinterest

and warm saturated grays with notes of violet and red.  

via Pinterest

The versatility of gray is endless.  It can be modern and masculine, classic and feminine - sometimes all at once.

via House Beautiful

Not sure how to make gray work for you?  One key to finding the right shade within a sea of options is to take hints from complementary colors in your space, and choose a gray with those undertones.

Gray varies greatly depending on the light.  Be sure you evaluate the color throughout the day in both natural and ambient lighting.  Paint the sample on each wall of your room for the best result.  

If you are unsure, consult a professional to help you.  It is well worth the hourly fee that most designers charge for a quick color consult to ensure you choose the right shade for your home.

Do you have any gray rooms in your home? Do you have a go-to gray that you recommend? Please do tell.

  

Easy-Rise Autumn Pumpkin Bread

Oh Fall...how I love thee.  Cozy sweaters, cooler weather, tall boots and all things pumpkin.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes, toasted pumpkin seeds,  and of course...pumpkin bread. 


This is a delicious recipe for a quick-rise bread.  It doesn't contain any yeast, so the dough doesn't need to rest prior to baking.  You can have a delicious dessert or snack in just over an hour.

!

Since Mateo is apparently "too big" for naps these days, I decided to put him to work.

This was at the expense of my kitchen of course, which looks exactly as you would suspect with a 3-year-old operating my large stand-mixer.  But it's all good.  He is only young once, so I am going to enjoy it, and try not to take things too seriously.


This recipe makes three small loaves.


Ingredients
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
2/3 cup of evaporated milk
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
3 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease three 6-inch x 3-inch x 2-inch pans with non-stick spray or butter.


In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil and milk.  Blend in pumpkin.  Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to pumpkin mixture and beat until combined.


Pour into pans.  Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.  Cool for 15 minutes.  Loosen the sides from the pan with a butter knife, and invert the pan so the bread falls out.  Turn right side up and dust with confectioner's sugar.

You can have one for yourself, give one away and still have one more for your freezer.  Let's see if Mateo approved.

"More Mommy, MORE!"

 His reaction to my obvious answer when he requested a third slice. 

I guess that means it was good? Try it for yourself and see what you think.