Bamboo Love!

I went thrifting yesterday and bought this...

Here are some close ups, so you can see it in all it's shabby glory!

I loved the design and am really into the hollywood regency look of it!  It actually goes with my patio table seen here.  I originally thought I might use it outside as a buffet of sorts when I entertain.  And I still might.

Here's a pic of that patio set in case you don't want to link over to the post.  Picture from www.danshamptons.com via Pinterest.

Also, update on the patio set.  It's being transformed as we speak!  I actually love it so much I wanted to splurge a little and have it powder coated.  I should be getting it back sometime next week, I'll be sure to update you when it's done! 

Anywho, back to the post at hand.  I have some afters that I simply love!  So let's get to it.

I used some paint that I had left from this project, so the transformation cost me $0, nada, zip, zilch.

I placed some items from my "decor store" as well as another thrift store find, that pelican print!  I actually love it against the rich gray walls.

Here are some shots I took last night.
I still haven't figured out how to take night photos without them looking all grainy and when it comes to using my camera I'm definitely a Beginner.  I just need to spend a little more time with it.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Also, b/c this is the first time you are seeing my den, I wanted to give a little post within a post preview.

I started out with this VERY BASIC and EXTREMELY BEGINNERS mood board.  Basically I copied and pasted items I liked onto a word document.  Also nothing is to scale, this was used just so I could get an idea of colors and textures together.

I still am dying to get and use photo shop.  Oh well, onwards and upwards.

I started out wanting a Kivik sofa from Ikea, but it was a little big for the room.  So I downsized to the karlstad, and then just flipped the curtains to a lighter color to balance the deep gray of the sofa.

I actually bought the main sofa of Karlstad from Craigs list, bought a new cover, and scored the chaise in the 'AS IS' section of Ikea. So it was a DEAL!  And you know I love a DEAL!

Here are some pics of how the den turned out.

Again, with the grainy night photos, ugh!  Oh well, it gives you an idea.

Also I decided to DIY my own 'chandelier' and found a beaded plate from Home Goods that is the perfect size for my drum shade.

What do you all think of the overall den design?   I am super happy to have found that console this weekend for CHEAP!  Now I feel the room is complete, well, at least for now.

Wishing You Whale!

Something you already know about me, if you've been reading for long, is that I love thrift stores and antique shops.  I feel that you find items there that contain a history that you just can't find by going to a chain store and picking up a new object that was just manufactured by huge machines.  The antique items are often handmade and one of a kind treasures!  And the piece that I'm going to tell you about fits into this category.

My husband and I went antiquing while on an anniversary weekend (back in June) in Mt. Dora, FL.  We went to an antique mall filled with all kinds of treasures that I almost took home with me.  First, I found a vintage hat hailing from the 50's, which I loved and still regret passing up.  Second, some old aluminum movie reels, my idea was to keep them as they were and arrange them above our t.v. in the den as art.  But again, I passed that up as well b/c of this awesome creature that I found and fell in love with! 

whale sailboat rudder

Any guesses as to what it is?  Well besides the fact that it is clearly in the shape of a whale.  No? Well I'll tell you.  It's a sailboat rudder.  The person we bought it from said it was from the 50's and made of mahogany.  He added the tail on the back to make it look like a whale.  Isn't that clever!?!  Here are some close ups so you can see the wonderful aged wood details! 

I love unique finds like this one that add to our houses beach-y vibe!  And I love the fact that this rudder sailed ocean waters 6 decades ago!  I wonder who sailed on the boat and what their lives were like?  It would've been a pretty large boat considering the size of the rudder.  Oh the romanticization (is this a word?) of it all!!  Have you all found any unique and awesome pieces recently?  Please share!:)

Shimtacular!! Pinterest Challenge take 2!

Okay, Okay.  I know the title is a little well...lame.  You will understand the title a little more once you see my Pinterest Challenge project:  The Second Edition.  (See the First Edition here.)  Well, actually my husband Matt and I worked on separate projects last week which ironically both were inspired by the incredible eye-candy that is Pinterest.  I will post his beautiful creation later.

So after seeing a lovely cedar shim mirror that was made by a wonderful blogger, found here I decided to make one too.  I know this is technically plagarism and I am only supposed to be inspired by Pinterest but I loved her mirror design so well, I thought, why mess with a good thing.  I knew that this mirror would look lovely in my home.  I did make one minor adjustment and add luminescent shell around my mirror.

Here's how I did it:

First I gathered my supplies.  Which included:

-18 packs of cedar shims from Home Depot
-two wooden wreath forms from Michaels:  one 12" and one 18"
-gorilla glue, hot glue, and wood glue used intermittently throughout
-one 12" mirror also from Michaels
-and 3 iradescent shell napkin holders found on clearance at West Elm

Here's a pic of the napkin rings that I scored for 2.40 each at West Elm.  This pic is from westelm.com

http://www.westelm.com/

First I decided my shim pattern, I decided to glue my shims side by side leaving a 3/4" space from the top of the first shim to the top of the next shim.  Then I made a "form" -- basically I lined up a stack of shims into the opposite of my design.  This is to keep my intervals between shims consistent, then all I have to do is stack my shims against the form and glue.  This was my husbands idea, and it made the project MUCH easier rather than having to measure each one before gluing.

 Here is a pic of my form:

I then lined and relined all of the shims up until it formed a circle.  I added a mirror and both wood wreath forms to the back.  This really made my mirror a lot more sturdy!  Lastly I added some embellishment around the mirror with the iradescent shell.  And was left with this:

I really am enjoying it hanging in my hallway.  I hope you like it too!

Also check out the Pinterest Challenge hosts blogs for a look at their awesome Pinterest-Inspired Creations :  here’s Katie’s, Ana’s, Erin’s, and Sherry's).