Flower Power!

Many of you have probably seen the cinderblock planters recently.  They seem to be everywhere I look: pinterest, www.designsponge.com, or www.apartmenttherapy.com. to name a few.  Because I had 20 or so cinderblocks just sitting in the wood shed serving no purpose I liked the idea of how easy this project would be not to mention affordable and interesting all at the same time.  There is a far wall in our backyard near a concrete basketball pad that has bothered me since we bought the house.  It just looks drab and empty, particularly compared to the other side of the yard so this project was perfect for this spot.

 Instead of planting herbs, like so many others are doing with these planters, I opted for more flowers instead because I am all about the color...it's almost summer afterall!  I can't wait until these petunias and other assorted flowers start to grow bigger and cascade down and around the blocks.  Oh, and the painted numbers...well, we try not to take ourselves too seriously around here, especially when it comes to the backyard so I painted the numbers for some added fun and hey as a bonus my three year old will get better at recognizing numbers this summer (at least 1-15, anyway ;)!

Yard work I like!

I have been sitting on this project for well over a year (maybe 2) and finally got around to painting it this past week.  It's an old kitchen table I purchased at a thrift store almost 4 years ago...I think I paid $30 for it.  The shelf, which also came from a thrift, was $25.  Both needed some love so they each got a coat of paint. I also covered the table with some clear vinyl I had leftover from another project.  Right now its unattached but I may decide to staple it under one of these days :). Now they are sitting pretty on my covered patio ready for some serious use in the garden department. 

 I had to include some of my boys tools too since they are my "helpers" in all things gardening. Any excuse to play in dirt and they are eager and willing :) I apologize for the lack of "before" photos but chances are if you have been to my house in the last 2 years you have seen it unfinished anyway.

Now I have no excuse not to finish the next "yard project" I have been working on and hopefully I will get it done this weekend.  Happy Memorial Day all!

Scrap Wood Becomes Wall Decor

I guess you all get to read this post backwards today...oops:)  This is my finished piece after rummaging through my shed/shop this afternoon and gathering a few boards together, then handpainting (yes as you can tell the letters are far from perfect) the letters.  This would be a fun wedding gift, don't you think?

 I had just enough weathered cedar boards to do this.  I screwed them each side by side into this wood frame I have kept for ages.  I guess I was just waiting to come up with a new way to use it besides obvious uses.  I just love the aged wood grain against the crisp white...sort of beachy, don't you think?

 Here it is after being painted and assembled.  Love. Oh and don't mind the jungle grass, I realize it needs cut but it will have to wait a couple more days because I just got done planting my vegetables yesterday and that was enough "yard work" for me this week :)

  Here was my original pile, although this photo was taken after I had cut all the cedar boards.  I swear I am not a hoarder, I just like to keep a little bit of scrap around for a day like today and get those creative juices flowing.

Chances are some of you have treasures just waiting to be transformed as well!  Hope you like!  Happy scrapping!
I am linking  this post up to the SNS party: www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com so check it out for more inspiration!

Completed Nursery

Well folks here is the finished nursery, FINALLY!  I should warn you that this room is very small and is close to the master bedroom.  For both of these reasons it lends itself well to function as a nursery, however there was not alot of room to work with :).  Thank goodness there is a closet in it!

 This first photo is of a small table I painted a light blue and then went over the top with a gold color, then distressed. 

 As you can see the table rests next to...my new red rocking chair!  Although I was hoping to find something a bit taller this chair from craiglist is comfy cozy and looks great with this rag quilt my mom made for the baby draped over it...and the best part was I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it (thanks Emily!)

 Above the crib I ended up using some tissue balls left over from my baby shower that my friend Alyssa made and added a metal star and a touch of yellow as well.

 I think it really works well with the existing Pottery Barn bedding I had (ebay).  For the curtains I just cut up a queen sheet from Walmart and let the extra length puddle on the ground.

 And here's another shot of the wall with the chalkboard painted stripes...can you name that tune?   

 And again the desk turned changing table, oops, looks like I need to restock the cubbies with some diapers again :)  Can you believe my little one is turning 3 MONTHS OLD this weekend!?  I can't, but at least I can finally check this nursery off the list :)

If I had to choose a theme for this room I would have to say an old time summer picnic...haha.  Anyhow it has been great to do some decorating again and now I can move onto the next project(s) on the list.  It never ends around here so keep coming around to see what's next and above all thanks for your patience!

Outdoor Whimsy

Bringing some whimsy to the backyard today, courtesy of the shade tree.

Okay so some of you were expecting the nursery reveal...I know, I know, I should be finished by now afterall, my babe is 2 months old now!  Well, I have been searching forever for a wooden rocking chair I can paint red and until that search is over and the project completed you all will just have to wait...sorry :)  They say good things come to those who wait so I'm hoping for the most amazing chair ever (with a bargain price tag too).  In the mean time I have actually been doing very little in regards to design and furnishings.  Most of my days are taken up by caring for my three boys...I still can't believe it, three!  Today, I had a few minutes to have some fun in the backyard using odds and ends to create this look.  We have a great tree that provides a canopy of shade over a large area of the back yard.  Using some patio furniture and some chairs a neighbor was getting rid of I threw this together.  This makes me want to host a yummy brunch with girlfriends or enjoy a candle light dinner with the husband.   Mmmm...so ready for summer weather to entertain or just plain relax in.

Nursery 2

So I have four of these silhouettes all together, two of each kind of frame but all different silhouettes including a fireman, cowboy, boy fishing, and boy flying a plane. I love how simple and clean they look on the wall. And why not have a little fun with chalk board paint...best thing ever! Here's a sneak peek at that...

And here is the other style of frame I am using. These I painted metallic gold and then glazed with black craft paint. Love the boy reading.

It's all starting to come together and the sooner the better since my little guy will be too big for his bassinet in no time! I still have a chair to finish and a one of a kind mobile for the crib so don't forget to check back for the final reveal.

Nursery Part 1

He's finally here!!! That means it's high time I finish the nursery! Here's part 1:
The frame was purchased at a local thrift last year for $5. It would be beautiful painted but for the look I was going for the original gold suited it perfectly. I added a cricket cut out I found at a local shop (The Keepsake Cottage) for a bit of whimsy costing me a little over a dollar.

Then I decided to use this old desk as a changing table. With all the little drawers and cubbies it works perfectly for what I needed. For wall decor above I added a large window screen. I purchased this last year at an estate sale for $5, then painted it red and wiped it down with a dark walnut stain afterwards. I found some cute hooks with clips attached that fit right through the screen holes. For now it holds some snapshots of my little one and his name (scrapbook paper).

If you look closely you can see him asleep on the changing pad...love him! Well, that's it for part 1 of the nursery...I wish I could say I got it all done before he was born but it just didn't happen :) More to come soon!

Dresser Revamp

First of all, I have to apologize for not taking a "before" photo of this dresser I just completed for a client. I love the creamy white color and the femininity of this piece with it's wavy drawers and curved lines...so pretty. As you can see it still needs a pair of pulls to match the others but is otherwise ready to go. Here's a closer look at some of those lines..I want one!

Now that I am about to embark upon my third trimester I think the blog may slow down a bit again...thanks for the patience and loyalty you continually give over and over again :) I still need to do something about a nursery so when that project is tackled you can be sure to see a post!

Antique Coffee Table Redo

I found this antique coffee table at a local thrift for $5 about a month ago and I have been dying to get to it. It was in sad shape and very wobbly when I purchased it but now I am loving how it has cozied up my livingroom. First, I sanded, primed and painted the bottom half in a bright white paint. Then I distresssed the edges to emphasize the architectural beauty it held. Then, I sanded down the top surface and put a new coat of dark walnut stain on. It's actually still drying in this photo below.

After the stain dried I put on a clear coat of poly to protect the top. I just love the contrast of the paint vs. stain, the dark vs. light! Not bad for $5 and a little time and effort!

Next up a painted antique dresser and new look to an old armoire!

I'm linking up to: http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/trash-2-treasure-tuesdays-5.html

Winter Decor!

I didn't have time to post this mirror/wall decor before the craft fair and didn't have room in my booth for it until half way through the day so...I still have it. I painted it ivory a LONG time ago and hung it in my hallway off my livingroom but recently wanted to change that wall a bit so I painted the snowflake and added a glaze to the whole piece. I LOVE it even more now! Soory these pics are of it leaning against my wall but being pregnant and home alone I didn't think it was worth lifting let alone attempting to hang this by myself...it is heavy! I guess you will have to use your imagination or crank your neck a bit. Anyway the hooks look so dang cute with vintage ice skates, scarves, and hats on. I also think it would look awesome above a fireplace mantle in the winter.

So cozy...don't you think? Well, if you are interested in this piece please email me at lemonsqueezing@gmail.com If I don't sell it, I am perfectly fine keeping it for another winter season in my home :) Good thing the winters here are long!