Reunited And It Feels So Good

It feel like forever since I've been around.  Well, I finally made it to California.  Today was my first day officially back at work.  For the first time in what seemed like forever Elaine and I were working together.  We worked all day in the hot California sun on a dresser, side, table, and chair.  It felt so good to have her by my side to bounce off ideas.  Rolling up our sleeves together and getting our AC/DC on is the perfect motivation for a new and crazy beginning.

So I guess this week will be our housekeeping week.  Gotta get organized as a team , go out buy supplies, and get back in the rhythm.  Still gotta find a place to live, but work comes first.  We are so excited that you have decided to hang out with us.  Stay tuned, some serious insanity is about to unfold.

xo,

mONICa & eLAINe

No Sew Ottoman

So Diane at In My Own Style, has a great tutorial for an amazing no sew Ottoman.  Yup, that's right NO SEW!!  I am all about that.  Even though I just purchased a sewing machine, I am only about sewing in a straight line, anything beyond that it above my expertise.  Wouldn't you love an ottoman that looks like this?

Decor Hacks

So if you've got some pretty basic carpentry skills, this project may be for you.  Just gorgeous.

How to make a no sew ottoman- part 1

How to make a no sew ottoman- part 2

If you have tried this project or are planning to try it, please feel free to post your pics in the comment section.  I'd love to see them.

xo,

mONICa

Before and After- The Imagination Desk

I thought I"d post some quick pics of a desk I just finished.  I thought this desk was really cool and would make a neat table for kids to draw on, or as a wrapping station in a craft room.

It had some gouges, so I did some filling in with wood filler and sanded, primed, painted, and clear coated in gloss.  I think it came out great.  It's a fun piece for any room.

I've named it the Imagination Desk, first of all because it's a drawing table that kids can use their imagination.  Secondly, because there are so many uses for it, you have to use your imagination to find a purpose for it.

Art Table before

Art Table After

xo,

mONICa

DIY Paintings-Complete

Okay...so once again, I'm not an artist.  However, I really needed some art for my family room.  My inspiration was a cross between a vintage sheet that I plan to repurpose as throw pillows and this flower power rug from target that I just think has a cool pattern:

Here is a photo of the vintage bed sheet:

You can see the blank wall in this post.  Here are the completed pieces.  There is really no rhyme or reason, they are just kind of random like me.

A little bit closer

And in the room showing the blue wall (I'll get a better shot on a neater family room day).

The project came in at under $20 bucks including frames. I'm actually kind of proud of them since I have failed at other attempts at art in the past.

xo,

mONICa

Coffee Table Complete

Last week I started this Graphic Coffee Table  project.  As of Saturday, it is officially complete.  Here is a quick glimpse at how if looked before.

I will warn you, the table was pretty beat up, and I didn't really touch the bottom at all and there are definitely imperfections at the base, but since I have 3 year olds, I figured perfection wouldn't last long anyway.  Plus...this is not my forever coffee table, just a temporary fix until the kids get a little older and stop doing super hero jumps off off my tables.

Instructions:

1.) Sand the table just enough so that the paint will grip.

2.) Apply a coat of primer. (Don't use oil based, it takes too long of dry and may cause bubbling)

3.) Apply your base coat. (I used the Ecru color that is on my family room walls)

4.) Apply you tape lines. ( I did a simple Hollywood regency inspired graphic)

5.) Apply your top color. (May take a couple coats)

6.) Remove your tape and touch up. (Yup, that right, tape lines aren't always perfect so you may need to go back over with a fine brush to straighten up your lines)

7.) Apply 3 coats of lacquer ( I used spray lacquer, no sanding between coats)

The final product should look something like this:

I thought this was a fun way to jazz up a worn table top...It would be a fun project on any table, maybe even for a faux inlay around a dining table.

xo.

mONICa

Feature Friday- Oak Ridge Revival

This may be the single most amazing kitchen renovation I have ever seen.  Believe it or not, I stumbled upon this blog by accident, thanks to a link from another fellow blogger that I follow.  I can't believe how amazing it is,  a huge transformation.  I happen to know the guy who built their cabinets personally, Steve Cline at Woodwork Design.  What are the odds of that? Small world.  Anyway, here is their kitchen before.

View of the kitchen

And here is the kitchen after:

Amazing right?  You must read more about this kitchen renovation, and the many other awesome projects Andrea has going on.  Visit Oak Ridge Revival for some inspiration.

xo,

mONICa

Graphic Coffee Table

I thought I'd stop by to show you what I've been working on,this week. Besides trying to finish my series of artwork, I've been working on a coffee table project.  Last week I had mentioned that I was looking into decoupaging my coffee table after it had been pretty beaten up.  Well, after an unlucky trip to the fabric store, I decided to paint it instead.  Not only will I get something closer to what I want, but it is a more frugal alternative.  Anyway, this is what is looked like before.

When I bought this table, I loved it.  I loved the inlay look and the mid-century/ West Elm lines.  What I didn't like is that it was slightly beaten up, but since I have 2-year-old twins,  I figured it was just gonna get beat up more.  Well, it did.  Now that I have my home for sale I decided that the room needed to be a bit more tidy, yet practical so I decided to paint the table, so that hopefully it looks nicer.

Here is the progress.  Full DIY instructions to come when the project is finished.



Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of the taping, but you get the idea.

xo,

mONICa

Wonderful for Less Wednesdays- Coastal Bedroom

Our inspiration room for the week is a coastal bedroom with lots of white and some yellow accents.  It's very clean and fresh and perfect for the summertime.  I can just feel the breeze blowing through this room.  I also love the glitz and glam of the metallic side tables.  I think this would make an excellent guest room, your guest will feel like they are staying at a beach resort.

House Beautiful

Here is my sensibly chic version:

Unfortunately I couldn't find anything that resembled those beautiful pale yellow ottomans, but I think the cream is still snazzy and gives it the coastal effect.

Shopping list is as follows

Headboard- Cymaxstores $303.03

Nightstand- Urban Outfitters- $179.00

Side Table- Urban Outfitters- $119.00

Storage Bench- KMart- $123.49

Lamps- Target- $149.99ea (Would also try Home Goods)

Black Frames-Target-$12.99ea

Leaf Poster Print- Buy.com-$10.80ea

Grand Total- $1048

xo,

mONICa

Back Splash Does Wonders

Never underestimate the power of a little kitchen back splash.  It doesn't have to be hard or complicated, but it really will enhance the look of your kitchen.  I chose a glass tile back splash for my kitchen which cost about $10 per sheet.  I paid a handy man to install it, after failing on an attempt to do it myself (lack of proper tools).  The handyman charged about $250.  So for about $500 bucks I have a high-end look in my kitchen to go with my builder-grade cabinets.  You can save yourself some money if you have the proper tools or are willing to rent them (Instructions here).  I've also seen some glass tile sheets 10 x 10 for around $4.99 each (special buy @ Home Depot).  It's a good way to put a little bit of your personality into your kitchen.

Here is my back splash:

As you can see...I've also taken the regular white switch plates and spray painted them a color that I felt would fit in with my back splash and counter tops.  It's a frugal way to save on new switch plates.  Below is the full view of my kitchen so that you can see it in all it's glory : )

Here is the same back splash used all the way up to the ceiling.  I think this look is amazing as well and in a more farm house chic way.

Dal Tile is easily accessible and available at all Home Depots.It is also pretty reasonably prices.

There are so many tile options from glass to travertine.  You've got to choose one that fits your personality. This one happens to fit mine.

xo,

mONICa