DIY nightstand

I saw this curator nightstand on Anthro's web page a few weeks ago and then saw this post on Effortless Anthropologie for a cheap DIY. Here are the directions. When we eventually move, I might tackle this project.

Photo Wall

(pics from Nienie and Domino)

Turquoise Buffet

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today and came across this picture from Morgan Harrison. I obviously love the farm table, chandelier, fresh flowers, and white chairs, but the light turquoise buffet against the grey wall caught my eye.

more mirrors

This over sized driftwood mirror is beautiful -

it is also nice in a starburst mirror and fireplace mantle

(similar mirror at target)

I really like the antique looking mirror and industrial scones.

(Leviton porcelain lamp holders - and they are under $3.00)

Here is a similar mirror, but I like the one hanging in Atlantis Home's living room.

(all images from Domino)

Loft Tour:

Christiane Lemieux of Dwell studio
(from living etc and Domino magazine)

4 things I love:

white book case

wood table

big chandelier

books organized according to color

House Tour

Jenna Lyons: the creative director of Jcrew

(I wanted to save these picture before the Domino web page is gone)

I can't wait to have a big closet someday...

I did find a condo for sale in the South Loop with a 8 x 10 closet :)

I don't know about the black paint.
(Studio Finishes Chalkboard by Benjamin Moore)
It looks nice in pictures, but I don't know about it in person.

I love the all white bed - it is making me re-think my new Dwell Studio for Target bedspread.

I love the old wood dining room table.

I love the dramatic chandelier and zebra rug.

Did you notice the uglydoll sitting on the yellow couch?

Up in the air somewhere

white bulge tiles (available on etsy)

Susan is now making these tiles that are modeled after her art work. (see here and here)

I found this artist at the Renegade Craft Fair in November and have continued to checked out her blog and etsy shop.

I love everything she makes.

Martha knows wreaths

You can never go wrong with these ideas from Martha Stewart:

Snowball Wreath

Wreath of Presents

Jingle Bell Wreath



Gumdrop Wreath

Paper Wreath

Red Wreath (diy directions)

DIY Ice Wreath

During wedding planning a year ago, my mom and I wanted to have white carnation wreaths (an idea from Martha) hanging on the church doors. Keep in mind my wedding was in Michigan on New Year's Eve... the florist informed us that the flowers would die and turn black from the cold :(
Our next idea was to make ice wreaths along with ice luminaries to have outside. We changed our mind and went with paper luminaries just in case it wasn't cold enough outside.

(picture 2 huge white wreaths on the wooden doors)

Remember Eddie from Top Design? I was trying to find a picture of a carnation wreath and found this pic on his blog. (more info here) (to DIY go here)

DIY yourself ice wreath - go here for directions

(maybe I will try it on our balcony with cranberries from Trader Joe's)

Yo-Yo necklace

Remember when my Grandma taught me how to make a yo-yo quilt?

(I still need to start and finish it)

I did find this adorable yo-yo necklace today on Makingitlovely.

(check out cookoorikoo's store on etsy)

Handmade holidays

In my quest to buy handmade gifts for Christmas, I visited the DIY trunk show in Chicago on Saturday. I didn't even know about it until Friday night when I was reading orangebeautiful's blog and saw her new 2009 calendar that she was selling at the craft show. (I added magnets to the back and hung it on my frig - I plan on framing each month to use as decoration throughout the year on my book shelf)

In the end, I didn't buy very many gifts (trust me, my brother-in-law would not want a candle and I didn't see any handmade playstation 3 games )

But I did find:

Yellow Fade Vessel by Up in the air somewhere (I didn't buy this, but I fell in love with this artist and walked by her booth a few times)

soy candles from ol' factory

(I bought Merry Cookie and the one above, which smells like lily of the valley not tobacco)

"LOVE" print from orangebeautiful

My goal of buying handmade gifts is harder than I imagined, but at least I have started... I did make my first etsy purchase this week! I ordered this print to help me get through the long Chicago winter. (and I did make my own handmade gifts)

Chalkboard candle and DIY idea

from here

I really like this DIY from design*sponge

(directions here)