09.12.07
Posted in design, home decor, randomness at 9:36 am by eighty5original
I was just reading one of the blogs I visit frequently and was linked to ReadyMade Magazine’s website.
Their tagline is “A Bimonthly Print Magazine for People Who Like to Make Stuff.” I find this hilarious because when people ask what my hobbies are, I always tell them that I like to “make stuff.” There is no one type of thing that I make, I constantly come up with things I could improve on, or create from scratch. Although I’m sure you have noticed that lately I’ve been on a home furnishings “making stuff” spree.
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09.10.07
Posted in design, home decor at 11:26 am by eighty5original
With only 5 days left before I move, and some inspiration from HGTV, I did some serious re-doing and refinishing this weekend. First, there was my free-standing wood mirror. I got a faux finishing kit from The Home Depot and created this crackle effect on it. The process is kind of inconsistent, this is pretty much the largest “crackle” that I got. I still need to scrape the excess paint off the mirror part with a razer, I will post an image of the finished product afterwards.
My next project was to put drawer pulls on my vintage wooden dresser. My mom bought it at a thrift store and I stole it from her because it’s so cute! In order for it to go with Chris’ silver metal bed frame, I thought it needed metal drawer pulls. This project seemed simple in theory, but considering I have never used a drill before… well, you can probably imagine. I will post a finished project after I get some much needed help.
The most successful project of the weekend was re-upholstering a cheap chest that was a hand-me-down from my friend, Katie. It was covered in lime green vinyl and is in pretty bad shape. The frame of the hinged top is coming apart, it needs some serious TLC.
At first I thought that I would just have to cover over the vinyl and the screws, but I realized that it could easily be taken apart. So I unscrewed each panel and covered them with my beige fabric ($12 on clearance!) individually. It looks amazing. I am so proud of myself for recycling this piece instead of buying the $100 ottoman that I had already picked out! I didn’t get a chance to take a photo of it last night, but I will when I’m finished. I have the bottom part of the chest covered but I still have to do the lid and replace the hinges. Oh, and I also added wheels to the bottom so it’s easier to move around, the piece is super heavy. This is gonna make such a cute coffee table!
Chris helped me repaint a buffet table that is also in pretty bad shape. I don’t have any photos of it though. I painted it glossy black and am adding Victorian style glass knobs to it. Haven’t decided what kind of shelves though, either clear acrylic, glass, mirror, or the old particle board standby.
Update: The lime green chest’s transformation is complete! It’s face lift included shiny new hardware, wheel casters, and chic fabric. I had purchased some silver square studded upholstery tacks to create a tufted look on the top, but once I covered it I realized it didn’t need it. I really like the clean lines and I don’t think that a tufted look would “go.” I can’t wait to show my friend and see if she recognizes her child-hood toy chest!
Here is a photo that I took with my camera phone (so it’s crappy). I’m sure I will post more photos showcasing this piece when it’s set up in our condo!
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09.07.07
Posted in randomness at 10:30 am by eighty5original
The International Spy Museum recently opened a new exhibit featuring an interactive experience. Operation Spy allows the audience to participate in a simulated search for the bad guy, akin to something from 24. And no, this shameless plug has nothing to do with me working for their ad agency, it’s just a cool exhibit! Read an article describing the experience.
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09.06.07
Posted in design, home decor, shopping at 4:22 pm by eighty5original
Perusing the newspaper at lunch today I came across an amazing spread featuring this fall’s home trends. As you probably already know from previous posts, I’m loving the mirrored finishes, asian inspired decor, and laser cut designs!
Read What to Fall For
After this read I’m going to have to exhibit some powerful self-control to avoid spending all my extra cash on home furnishings! I will have to get creative and break out the paint and glue gun!
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09.04.07
Posted in randomness at 5:33 pm by eighty5original
I guess I’ve waited long enough to reply to Russell’s post… so here goes.
Rules:
- We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
- Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
- People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.
- At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and that they should read your blog.
Ready? Go.
1. My favorite color is PMS 320C
2. When I was 10 I went on a trip to visit my grandparents in Pennsylvania with my dad. He was speeding on the way there and was pulled over by a police officer. He purposefully didn’t speak to the officer, thinking I wouldn’t realize what was going on. We stayed in Pennsylvania for a three-day weekend and as soon as we arrived back home, I ran up to my mom and screamed, “Daddy got a speeding ticket!” I guess you can’t hide anything from me!
3. I love to make jewelry for my friends, family, and coworkers (as well as myself of course). I usually make them as gifts, but I occasionally take “freelance work” and design a necklace by request. Shoot me an email if you’re interested. Maybe I will make an etsy store someday…
4. My favorite fonts are georgia (serif) and century gothic (sans serif)
5. I once took an online quiz hoping to find out where I should move, apparently Michigan is where I want to be.
6. I used to hate the color pink and would refuse to be associated with anything vaguely resembling it. Then I tried to dye my hair bright red… guess what color it turned out to be…
7. Last year my mom and I went parasailing. We brought a camera along to document the activity but apparently my camera is too difficult to use as the pictures didn’t turn out. So here is an illustration…
8. This past winter I traveled to Lesotho (in Africa) and stayed with a nice family in the capital city, Maseru, for a month. Here, my host brothers, Tlotli and Khosi listen to The Lion King soundtrack on my ipod. I later sent them the movie on VHS so they could watch it.
That’s all, I hope you enjoyed reading my secrets!
Oh yea, and I tag…
Jaime Moore
Emily Stein
Chris Strassburg (maybe he will do it this time, I mean, we are engaged.)
I don’t know anyone else, haha.
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