June’s nesting goal was to lighten up the hearth and rework the brass fireplace cover. There wasn’t anything wrong with our fireplace before. But we think we can better appreciate the stone and bounce a little bit more light around the room now.
Take the jump to see photos of the process and see our (VERY short) source list. This makeover was almost free.
We needed a lamp, so I headed to the DAV to see if they had any thing that would work. I bought this lamp base there.
When I took it to the shade store, the cashier told me that she thought it was made of plaster and pretty much heinous. That is, until she saw what it was made from. Then she fell in love with it for the same reason I did.
The lamp base was handmade as someone tediously wound corrugated paper around itself to create the form. It had a tag still attached that said it was hand crafted in the USA by a FLUTE craftsman. I’ve tried to research, but can’t find any information about FLUTE. It kind of reminds me of the clever cardboard designs that pop up from time to time like this, this, and THIS.
Anyhow, I’m really happy with how it looks in our home!
This brownish colored brown fireplace is in the context of a room painted tan. With brown floors. And brown furniture. This room has a huge east facing window, but really only gets the morning sun. It kind of feels like a cave. Other than putting in skylights, we haven’t been able to come up with a great way to pour some light in here. So, we’re lightening up this important corner.
While we’re not ready to tackle the whole room in June, we’re starting with the fireplace. It’s the natural focal point and one of the first things you see when you enter our house. While I am SO tempted to whitewash the whole shebang, that colored stone is part of the local design vernacular. (Anyone who knows what it is, please raise your hand and comment.) This stone is found elsewhere in our house and all over old buildings in South Oceanside, all built in the 40′s and 50′s. I’d love to see the brass doors replaced, but that may prove to be too pricey. Plus, we’re thinking of holding out until we can afford to convert to gas.
So, we’re painting above the hearth. Not sure if we want to paint it white. Or a neutral color. Maybe we’ll add a pop of color, in a big way. We’ll update you when we decide. I can tell you’re holding your breath.
before
after
The fabric is a cotton shower curtain from Homegoods. I used 3-M hooks to hang it up & conceal the washer/dryer. Now our space seems much more appropriate for putting out a buffet. The shelves help to keep clutter off the counter, so when it’s laundry time (joy!) I have somewhere to fold clothes. Matty has already started seedlings to transplant into the pots. Soon, we’ll have an herb garden growing on the wall!
For more before/after pics and a source list, click below…
(Looking for the giveaway? Click here.)
We started making changes in March & it’s coming along. We lost the enormous ceiling fan that felt like a black hawk helicopter lighting on our bed every time we laid down. Now we have room for the canopy. Why didn’t we do that a year ago? The paint job was fun & I enjoy the graphic punch it adds. It was way more cost effective than the designer wallpaper that inspired me. The lovely loteria print came from Hammerpress. It’s letterpress printed on very substantial recycled chip board & even more beautiful than I’d imagined it would be. You can’t tell from their site, but the silver ink is just shiny enough to make the already gorgeous print seem even more special. I’d love to buy the whole set some day. The bedding is from West Elm‘s organic line of linens & is just what I was looking for. It feels surprisingly luxurious for the price point! I’m still on the hunt for the perfect vintage blanket or quilt & some cushions to bring in more color and texture. Matty requests orange.
Since April started with a good shaker here in SoCal, we’ve been seriously thinking about what we’d do if the “big one” hit.
April’s nesting resolution: Complete an earthquake kit & plan.
It’s utilitarian & not a ton of fun to work on. But it’s necessary. I hope we never need it.
If you’ve got any emergency kit tips, please share!
Since our March nesting goal has been to add personal touches to our bedroom, I decided to make a bold statement with paint. I painted a lattice pattern on a funky wall that kind of sticks out (oddly) behind our bed.
If you’re thinking about attempting a project that involves hours of tediously applying painter’s tape, then you should be: patient, inspired, anal, brave, neurotic, creative, insane and preferably in possession of very nimble fingers and strong nails. I am some of these things. But not all of them. I’m so glad I only did the tiny wall.
Despite the hard work, this wall’s conception was fun. But I will probably not try a project like this again.
This project required little money and very few supplies.
By the way, low VOC paint is worth the money. Not so stinky.
Thanks, Matty, for swooping in to help!
The big reveal lacked the drama I was seeking.
So I kept taping. And painting.
I’ll post the finished look when the rest of the room is all put together.
On St. Patty’s Day, I thought it’d be appropriate to post about my favorite color: GREEN.
It was so fun to be at work today and see hundreds of shades of green pass by as students avoided the dreaded pinch.
I fell in love with this green contact paper from Target. Thank goodness I bought two roles. Ok, three. I haven’t seen it since!
I used it to cover this serving tray I picked up at Goodwill. Perfect for serving tea, appetizers, or breakfast in bed!
When we moved in together, Matty’s “man boxes” got covered in green and became handy (and pretty) storage and side tables.
Our neighbor put this antique repro out on the curb. I just couldn’t let it go to the landfill. So I covered the back with my favorite contact paper and added a pretty crystal knob. I didn’t refinish it because I like the wear and weather. It makes me happy.
I even covered the top of my work desk in this lovely pattern. It’s not for everyone, but to each her own, right?
Do you love green like I do?
Our house was built in 1949 and has thick plaster walls. We have hung very few things since moving in due to the commitment associated with drilling into that plaster. So, I’ve been brainstorming to come up with options to temporarily bedeck our walls. This is my favorite solution so far…
Materials: painter’s canvas, enough fabric to cover it,
a good heavy duty stapler
1. Lay the canvas on top of the fabric and cut the fabric with enough extra to wrap around the frame.
2. Start staplin’. I like to staple two opposite sides first and then wrap the corners like presents before stapling the last two sides. Make sure the fabric is pulled snug.
3. Proudly display your art.
art canvas
fabric
stapler
cut
wrap
done
These amazing command strips are perfect for mounting artwork on the wall. In my experience, they really don’t damage the paint and they make it extra easy to level your frame.
There are endless options for these art squares. Put them in kids’ rooms and change the fabric as they get older. Put them in bathrooms, where moisture can damage photos. Try mounting 9 or 12 coordinating patterns to simulate a quilt or cover a large space. Here are the three I put in our guest room.
I like using vintage material or linens, otherwise headed for landfillville or a few more decades in the closet. Then it’s easy and eco, couldn’t ask for more.
Happy Crafting!
The Domestic Nest Blog
