Measure. Cut. Tape.

Before committing to paint or wallpaper for that cabinet or open shelving that isn’t as colorful or interesting as you would like it to be, give wrapping paper a try.  Not only is it available in all sorts of fun patterns but it is also inexpensive.  Which makes this quick DIY a no-brainer!  If after a week you decide you no longer like the look, rip it out the way you would unwrap a gift!

Check out these two fantastic examples (below) from Old Beach Bungalow and In My Own Style.

via Old Beach Bungalow

via In My Own Style

This past weekend I got the urge to putter around the house and make some accessory changes and even moved furniture around (more on that to come!):  In my dining room I have this gorgeous vintage steel tanker bookcase (photo below).

I decided to move it to a different wall and restyle it, but because it’s no longer right across from the windows it is shaded and makes it hard to see anything displayed inside.  I figured this would be a great opportunity to give the wrapping paper idea a try. I had recently bought a nice roll of pale grey hounds-tooth wrapping paper.  It took me about 5 minutes to do, and I really like how it draws your eye in.  I’m still not 100% sure I will keep it this way forever, but it’s always fun to experiment and try something new.

Thanks for checking in,

-Julie

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From giving a bistro feel to a kitchen or your very own (erasable) wallpaper in the bathroom to a designated space where you can get your graffiti on, these spaces prove that chalkboard walls can work in any room of your home.

Want more? Click on any of the photos above to go right to the source.

-Julie

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from blah TV wall to lounging retreat!

The moment I introduced the two new white dressers on either side of the daybed I knew that the dark console table (leading to the master bath) and it’s vignette had to go!

am I right?

With my two existing night tables and now the new dressers, it just seemed like table-surface overload!  Plus, the decor suddenly clashed and seemed SO outdated.  I actually hesitated even mentioning this, because lately it has been pinning like crazy …still, totally not the direction I was going in anymore.  The abstract art (made by me) and table bought at Target are up for sale right now.

SO OUT IT WENT.  All of it.  I decided I would rather fill that wall up with a piece of art, but wasn’t feeling the vibe for framed photos or a canvas if it was going to be all alone.  There is also a (white) plug and a light switch on that wall (you can’t see it in the photos) which means anything square or rectangular would just play that up (am I the only one who sees this as visually irritating?).

ORGANIC ART. It would have to be!  Something shapely, like a metal wall sculpture.  You see them pretty much everywhere now, from your neighbors house to the doctor’s office.

BAD. photo via TouchofClass.com $69.99

BAD. via Sears $89.99

TO BE HONEST. I kind of hate them.  Typically, I don’t really like mass produced art, it doesn’t mean I don’t have any!!  But, I try my best not to buy it.   There is so much great art out there that just doesn’t compare to the ‘made in china’ stuff at all.

GOOD. photo via decoist.com

GOOD. photo via decoist.com

GOOD. via Atlanta House and Home

HOWEVER.  Because I live in the real world where I do have limited funds (and so do my clients!), sometimes you just gotta get creative and work within your budget.  But I never give in to the ‘BAD’ or the ugly!  Just because you don’t have the cash doesn’t mean you can’t have a unique piece of art!

THE THING IS.  You’ll notice that the ”GOOD’ metal wall art is large with a real presence in its space.  Hard to get that with the flimsy little pieces you see at your local home store!

BAD.  But could be very GOOD if you had several hung all together.  Via Wayfair.com $35

HERE’S A THOUGHT.  Although tacky alone, imagine several of these ‘BAD’ pieces in a cluster hung closely together, to appear as one larger piece?!  (do you see it?).  Or imagine an entire wall covered -like 3d wallpaper.  So cool.  You could even spray paint them a different color!!  It may not be entirely custom art …but it would qualify as one of a kind, right?

BAD, but could be GOOD with three hung tightly together.  via Wayfair.com $21.49

NOT CONVINCED?  Check out (below) my new wall installation in place of where that outdated console and vignette once was. I was lucky to find two medium sized pieces that were similar (not identical) and on clearance at HomeSense/HomeGoods!  Not sure if I will spray paint them or not.  Right now I am simply enjoying the feeling of that small (yet significant) change.  What are you’re thoughts?

BEFORE.  Cluttered and outdated.

Do you like the BEFORE or AFTER better?

AFTER.  Modern and airy.

Check back soon for more updates.  Actually, why don’t you just follow me on Facebook ?! I don’t just post blog updates but design inspirations too!

SHOW OFF.  Have you got a special metal art piece on your wall that you are loving and convinced it falls into the ‘GOOD’ category? I WANNA SEE IT!! Take a pic and post it on on my FB wall!

Thanks!

-Julie

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I know, I know.  Fake flowers are regarded as atrocious and gaudy -and for the most part I agree.  BUT, last spring, just before Easter, I posted about these Fake Forsythia spring containers I came up with (you can read more about them HERE).

Spring 2012 containers

This year I did the same thing, except when the warmer weather came around, I didn’t take them out when I added my real flowers.

*Gasp*

I figured, why not leave them?  The bold color mix is great since my home is kind of far from the street, they really pop!  Of course in another couple of weeks when the real flowers grow bigger and fuller I will remove them …until then I’m happy to fake it!

Spring 2013 containers

How about you?  Have you ever faked it? :-)

-Julie

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I call it cheating because although I am not an expert chocolate mousse cake maker, I am pretty certain this is not the way top pastry chefs make theirs.  Still, it tastes awesome and is super easy to make.

FIRST. whip up your favorite chocolate brownies, making sure to line or properly butter and flour your pan (brownie recipe to follow if you don’t have one).  Once out of the oven let them cool then remove the entire brownie onto a cutting board.  Cut in half, so that you end up with 2 large rectangular brownies.

SECOND. Empty contents of 2 boxes of instant chocolate mousse into a large bowl.  Whatever amount of milk the box asks for substitute with whipping cream instead (I even add 1/2 cup more, so it’s extra creamy).  Beat using an electric mixture until set and fluffy (like whipped cream), about 2 minutes.

THIRD.  With a spatula or icing spreader, spread a thick amount of mousse on one layer of brownie.  Scatter some raspberries (about 1 cup).  Put second brownie layer on top and spread remaining mousse all over.  Add more raspberries on top if you wish.  Keep lightly chilled until ready to serve, slice as you would a loaf.

YUM!

-Julie

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marshmallow chocolate cake mix cookies

Several months ago we ditched the satellite dish for a tiny Apple TV unit (it sits just on top of the television), which meant “ba-bye” to the DVR and the awkward audio stand.  The hubs got to work opening a section of the wall and did a little electrical work to hide all the wires  Then he repaired the wall, mudded and sanded and I finished up with a coat of primer and two coats of leftover bedroom paint.  I must say we did a pretty good job -you can’t even tell!

Now we were left with a clean, empty slate.  At first I had visions of something custom built like bookcases or shelving.  But you always have to think about resale and if/when we sell this house, built-ins would mean one huge wall lost for bedroom furniture pieces like dressers or a vanity (we prefer storing all our clothes in our his and her walk-in closets).

With our kids getting older and taking over more of our home’s entertaining spaces for themselves and their friends, I wanted to create a quite, lounging, retreat feeling in our bedroom.  I decided to incorporate the existing day bed we already had and buy cabinets to place on either end so I could have a surface where I could put a small coffee pot and sparkling water (boutique hotel inspired much?!).  The cabinets were tricky to find because I needed a specific size for a snug, custom-like fit between the (recessed) wall and the daybed. After several months I did find two identical cabinets in the perfect size that needed a little DIY! (you can read all about that HERE).

The accessories however were fun to shop for, and I was definitely looking to inject some touches of silver and gold for a little glamour like the gorgeous antique crystal and silver pitcher – it weighs a ton and I am in serious love with it!  Or the cute lamp with gold sequins shade I picked up at HomenSense/HomeGoods.  As well as a couple of hits of coral pink, like the stunning vintage vase I scored and the cashmere blanket I already had (from my mom) tucked away in the back of my linen closet.

The three round abstract art pieces were a made by me, to find out more on the art DIY click HERE.  The art resting near the coffee maker is an original by a talented friend Susan B. Landis, you can browse her work and get more info on her blog HERE.

I did a lot of shopping in my own house, which I always try and do first before going out and spending.  Not only does it save money but by moving things around to different rooms in your home, you get to enjoy your stuff in a new way.

The mask on the floor is from a vacation to Mexico and I plan on hanging it eventually but it is SUPER HEAVY and definitely a two person, with power tools, kind of job.  Although I am starting to like it resting there on the floor!  The stainless tray and coffee pot is by Everyday Essential from Loblaws.  The container that the plant is in is actually a storage basket I picked up at HomeSense/HomeGood

All of the throw pillows I already had (some made by me, others purchased) except for the two large back pillows which are in fact, dog beds! You can read all about that HERE as well as the sparkly sequins teal pillow or as I like to call it The Tube Dress Throw Pillow Skirt (you can read about that HERE).

More to come soon …thanks for stopping by!

-Julie

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I love ice coffee and my kids enjoy fresh squeezed homemade lemonade, especially on hot summer afternoons.  What I loathe is how the sugar doesn’t fully dissolve because the coffee, lemonade or insert- drink-of-choice-here is cold and so the sugar just swims around at the bottom of my glass!

Recently, out of frustration I did a little experiment and came up with a quick, easy and best of all no cooking, solution! I call it Sugar Syrup, but really it’s more like sugar water because it doesn’t have the consistency of syrup at all.

Now I can make perfectly sweetened cold drinks, like the pros do!  And the best part -no more avoiding that pool of undissolved sugar lurking at the bottom!!

*you can also try adding a dash of vanilla or cinnamon!

*Keep in mind that one teaspoon of Sugar Syrup is way sweeter than one teaspoon of regular granulated sugar!

I’m not certain for how long the sugar syrup keeps.  But I guess, to be on the safe side dispose of it after about 3 weeks.  I only make small batches of it at a time anyways… after-all it’s so easy and cheap to make: I usually whip it up at the same time as making myself a cup of tea!

Try sugar syrup in hot beverages too for easy sweetening with little to, no stirring!

ICE COFFEE TIP: Whatever coffee is leftover in that mornings coffee pot pour it into a pitcher, and store in the fridge.  This is way, cold coffee will be available and ready for when the craving strikes and your ice coffee won’t get watered down by melted ice!  Add coffee to the pitcher every morning, but be sure to dump whatever is left after 5 days or so, wash out the pitcher, and then start over.

Enjoy!

-Julie

Even if you don’t have a four legged best friend, you have to admit that there are some cute dog beds popping up these days at places like Target and even Costco.  They come in a variety of fabrics and patterns and are very reasonably priced considering the massive size of the “throw pillow”.  That’s right, when you really stop to think about it, a dog bed is nothing but a huge throw pillow.  Which got me thinking… for those with a daybed or who have an old sofa that needs a little oomph, why not add/replace the large back pillows with large dog beds?!  An easy, super budget friendly solution!

Not convinced?  I recently did a mini-make-over in my own master bedroom.  I had a daybed from West Elm, which I had bought for the sitting room at our last house.  In this house, I placed it in the bedroom but wanted to put it up against the wall under the TV and have it be more of a reading, lounging sofa, but still be used as a “mommmm I’m sick/had a bad dream” emergency bed.  Throw pillows are fine… but for real comfort you need an actual proper padded back.  I looked into sewing and DIY-ing something -until I was browsing a HomeSense store (also known as HomeGoods depending on where you live) and it hit me: DOG BEDS!!!  The right size and cheaper than anything I could make.  Not to mention, available in all sorts of cute prints and colors.

Are you sold?  Would you use a dog bed as a throw pillow? Let me know what you think!

UPDATE: Full reveal of my master bedroom mini-makeover HERE!

-Julie

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the tube dress turned pillow!

YUP.  Did you know that there are actual legitimate websites where you can download out-of-copyright art, for free?

SO.  Assuming you have access to a color printer, a sheet of quality printer paper/cardstock and an un-used frame tucked away in the back of your closet -then yes, say it with me “FREE ART”.

THE FINE PRINT. Some of these online free printable sites have one specific rule.  The lingo goes something like this: “private non-commercial use of individuals… anyone selling, distributing or recreating these images can be prosecuted…”.  Basically, use them for your own personal use for a happy, guilt free, home decor option!!

P.S. Bookmark or Pin this blog-post now and on that next rainy Sunday afternoon you can take your time perusing these websites and whip up some art for your home with the click of a mouse! You’re welcome.

Click on the links or art samples below to be taken right to the source!

FreeVintagesPoster.com

indiefixx.com/FeedYourSoul

VintagePrintable.com

GraphicsFairy.blogspot.ca

TheHandmadeHome.net

OnToBaby.com

eighteen25.blogspot.ca

WANT MORE? Head over to EverythingEtsy.com where Kim has a great list of 101 Pretty Printables which includes printables for your canned preserves, gift tags, labels, cards and decor for your next party!

Pssst …don’t forget to follow me Pinterest!

-Julie

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ANYONE CAN DO THIS diy art!

Sure.  You could simply have your photo enlarged.  But it’s when you lack the time or patience that you sometimes come up with a creative, original and more personal idea!

I got the vintage off-white (trimmed in gold) porcelain picture frame for $2 at NOVA a couple of months back.  I had it hiding in the “when I finally do a mini-makeover to my bedroom” pile in my closet!

I chose the photo I wanted to use (photo of the hubs on our honeymoon), but when I put it in the frame I realized the photo needed to be 5×7, not 4×6.  I remembered I had kept the unused pieces of an art project and figured it would be perfect to experiment with (for more on that click HERE).

I cut out a rectangle slightly larger than 5×7 and using white photo corners which I already had (purchased for a different project!) I  centered the photo on the art scrap.  I wasn’t sure about it until I slipped it back into the picture frame.  But I love the little bit of the pale aqua art peaking out from behind!  I think it helps to further enforce the room’s new color accent and I prefer my night table’s softer vignette.

BEFORE

AFTER

Don’t have any art scraps hanging around?  Try newspaper, wrapping or craft paper!

-Julie

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