RH trunk copy cat

I have always loved the Aviator coffee table trunk from Restoration Hardware. I thought this piece would be perfect for an interior design project that I am working on, but with a price tag of over $1000 and the fact that it is no longer available, it wasn't an option. Instead I decided to try my hand at a DIY replica. I found an old foot locker at the thrift store for $9.99. The hardware was already a gold that was very similar to my Restoration Hardware inspiration. I taped over it so that it wouldn't be covered with paint. I used metallic silver spray paint to cover the rest of it (it was green before). When I removed the tape, I was so surprised at how similar it looked to the RH trunk. It is much smaller and is being used on the hearth, not as a coffee table, but I absolutely loved the end results. Now I want to do one for my own house but I get bored doing the same projects again and again, so we'll just have to see about that.

Restoration Hardware Aviator Coffee Table compared to DIY foot locker

Lately...

Over the past 48 hours since the disastrous storm made its way through Alabama, crafting has been far from my main focus. Since volunteer efforts are still in the stage of organization, my family and I are currently trying to provide essential items to people in need. Although I know the food and water and toiletries are very useful, I want to do so much more. For now, here is a look at my past week of crafts and thrifty finds...

I had spools of ribbon all over the place. Every time that I would need a certain color of ribbon for a project, it was easier to buy it rather than search for it around my house. I'm sure I still haven't found all of it, but at least I now have a system of organization. I actually found the frame on the side of the road. It is part of a wine crate and worked perfectly for making a ribbon holder. I got the wooden dowels and wooden knobs at Hobby Lobby. My dad cut the dowels down to the length that I needed and drilled holes in each side. How I love organization projects!

On the subject of organization, I tackled a massive amount of fabric. My mom has always sewn and over the years has accumulated 5 large tubs of material. I pulled out every last piece, tossed what I labeled as "hideous", and set to work. I cut a sample-size square out of each material before neatly folding back into a storage tub. Then I threaded the upper left corner of each square on to a safety pin. Each safety pin of fabric swatches corresponds to a particular tub. I was excited to find quite a bit of lovely fabric. I can't wait to put it to use.

I have been making these wreaths/door hangers for a while now. I've painted collegiate, Christmas, and family name themes. My cousin asked if I could make an "It's a boy" wreath for her sister-in-law and I thought that it turned out to be quite adorable. I decided to list a few on Etsy and hey have been a hit. Although my dad doesn't delight in the craft scene, I have to give him credit on this project as well as the ribbon holder. He cuts all the wreath shapes out of plywood and sands them to create smooth edges. Yea, he's awesome!

Last week's thrift store adventure was well worth the trip. I found a few other good deals but they were all shadowed by Mr. Beethoven. When I spotted the Beethoven bust, I went to grab him off the top shelf. I had no clue he would be that heavy. I also did not expect the cheap price of $6.88. I'm not a huge  Beethoven fan or anything but I find my statue to be rather handsome. I'm still searching for a female bust to drape my pearls over because they looked a bit silly on Mr. Beethoven.

Still praying for all of the victims of the tornados and all of their loved ones!

Thrifty Finds

Today, I kicked off the morning with a little thrift store action. I didn't find anything life-changing but I did buy a few cute treasures at AMAZING prices. 

I immediately spotted this dainty little bull skull. I love the turquoise and gold detail and the fact that it was $1.49. I'm thinking it will probably end up in my bathroom on my perfume tray.

Next, I came across this set of gold horse book ends. I already have one set in the living room but I happen to be on an equestrian kick right now. Plus, they were $1.48 each so I am sure I can find a spot for them some where. 

In the middle of an aisle filled with baskets, I saw a little head peaking out of the cluttered shelf. I moved a few things to discover that it was a Willow Tree couple figure. This one is called "Together" and is "for those who have found their true partner in love and life". I'm pretty sure it is meant to signify marriage but it reminds me of my sweet boyfriend, who is most definitely the love of my life. I have already found the perfect spot for it in my bedroom by our picture. This figure retails for $29.99 and I got it for $6.48. 

My last find was a Carmen Marc Valvo dress. I absolutely loved the style, pattern, and the coral color. When I got home, I tried it on and it fit perfectly! I knew it was meant for me because nothing ever fits me perfectly. I would guess that my mom has probably altered over 50% of the clothes hanging in my closet. The dress was $2.48. At Saks or Neiman Marcus, you won't find a Carmen Marc Valvo dress for less than $300. I pranced around the house in my "new" dress and nude-colored pumps for a few minutes. Then I decided it was time to change back into the comfy clothes and get to work on some outdoor projects. 

Luggage meant to stay at home

I really like the look of stacked vintage luggage and trunks and have been working on a way to incorporate the style into my decor. Although some of my inspiration came from the luggage stacks that reach from floor to ceiling, I settled for a cute little trio. I found each of the three pieces at the thrift store at different times. It has taken a couple of months to find what I wanted but now I am so glad that I didn't settle.  

House Beautiful

Country Living

Pottery Barn

The first piece that I found is a camel-colored leather suitcase. I sat my bird cages on top of it it for a while in front of my window. I never really liked it there. I guess I knew it was going to serve a greater purpose.

The next piece to come home with me was a wicker suitcase. I call it a suitcase because of the shape and leather handle but it is probably some type of picnic basket. Whatever it is, a coat of ivory spray paint gave me exactly what I wanted and I think it looks a lot like the piece in the Pottery Barn image above. 

The final thing that I had been searching for was a trunk. I had seen a few, but they were all either priced too high or the wrong size. Last week I finally found this one and it was only $14.

I taped off all of the metal parts and spray painted the trunk ivory. I added a thin brown glaze so that the trunk would be a slightly different color from the wicker piece. 

Now that each piece looked the way that I wanted it too, I moved them to my bedroom to find the perfect spot to stack them. That spot was finally determined to be at the end of my bed. Not only did they add an interesting focal point to my bedroom, they also double for extra storage space. 

Cubby Unit Make-Over

I ran across this cute little piece at the thrift store a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure what to call it so I pulled out the Pottery Barn catalog and there was a piece very similar. They called it a floor storage cubby unit so if thats what Pottery Barn says than that's what it is. While the PB version is not exactly like mine, it is $249 opposed to my $6.99 bargain. It was just a boring wood color when I brought it home but I knew that it had  potential.

To give it a new look, I took it outside and gave it a nice coat of white spray paint. Then I got out the sanding block and ran it over all of the edges and the top to give it a shabby look. I had seen wooden numbers used as decor on baskets in the newest Pottery Barn catalog and decided that it would be a great look for my "cubby unit".

Pottery Barn wooden numbers

I got some wooden numbers at Hobby Lobby for 99 cents each and painted them white. I drilled a whole in each number and tied them on to the baskets with jute string. This piece is going in my bathroom (which is in the process of getting a makeover) where the walls are chocolate brown. I love the contrast with the white. For the sake of natural light, I took the photo in the living room and just grabbed a few props that were close by. I haven't quite decided what I will set on top once it is in its permanent home (the bathroom). 

More Thrifty Finds

Just wanted to show off my goodies from my last trip to the thrift store...

Every time I go to the thrift store I pick up a stack of books, take them home, rip the covers off, and find them a special place. This group of books ended up by the fireplace, in the basket I found for $1.48. These book bundles are sold in stores like Pottery Barn and cost $39 for 4 books! Mine average about a dime each.

Here is another example of how I have been using my thrift store book finds for decorating. I found the horse book ends there too. I just love the contrasting colors and sizes of the books.

I spotted this wooden chess board for $0.79 and thought it would be a great addition to the shelves in the entertainment center.

Last, I found this empty spool for $0.99. I think it used to have some sort of cable wrapped around it. I plan to decorate it with chunky rope wrapped around the spool. Now, for where I am going to put it, I have no idea.

No, Presleigh was not a thrift store find, but I thought this picture was just too cute not to post :)

Lamp Revamp

The lamps in our living room are not completely unfortunate, but they are a bit outdated. I decided that I would look for some new lamps at the thrift store. I didn't care what color they were because I planned to paint them anyways. I hardly ever find exactly what I plan to search for at the thrift store, but I guess it was my lucky day. I found 2 gold lamps that I loved the shape of. I even liked the shade on one of them. One was $6.99 and the other was $9.99. I was so excited to give begin their transformation that I headed straight to the back yard with my spray paint in hand. I sprayed the first lamp until I was satisfied with the coverage of the ivory paint. When I started to spray the second lamp, the can was empty. Lovely. I decided to move forward with the painted lamp and save the other one for another day.

Before

After the paint had dried, I made a glaze to add an antique look. There are all sorts of glazes that you can buy in the store but I didn't really prepare for this project, so I made my own. I mixed acrylic paint in Burnt Umber with water and it worked just fine. I dipped a rag in the mixture and smeared it all over the lamp, working it into each crack and crevice. After letting it sit for about 30 seconds, I wiped the glaze off. It left a slight brown tint and accentuated the carvings of the lamp. Finally, I took a rough sanding block all around the edges to remove the ivory paint and show the original gold color. I also used a box opened to scratch and scuff the finish and to dig the paint out of the grooves. The shade that  was on this lamp was a sort of recycled linen material. For now, it is staying. The lamp turned out exactly as I had imagined and it goes perfectly in the living room. Back to the store tomorrow for another can of spray paint...or maybe a few.

After

My inspiration for how I envisioned the finished product came from Pottery Barn (Shocker, I know!). The PB lamp is $100 for the base, without the shade. Mine was $9.99 plus a little elbow grease. 

Pottery Barn Brentwood Table Lamp Base $100

Thrifty Find: Bird Cages

I really like home decorating accessories that are inspired by nature. Twigs. Sticks. Antlers. Moss. I love it all. Two things that I have been infatuated with for a while are bird cages and bird nests. The actual birds, not so much. I mean they are beautiful to watch but they just don't do it for me. I'm not sure exactly what my attraction is to such items used for decor. I think it is the combination of the chic appeal of a dainty bird cage with the rustic feel of a nest. I had been eyeing some of the cages in Pottery Barn but I wasn't quite ready to make the splurge, since I really had no idea where I was going to put them.

Pottery Barn (price unknown)

Pottery Barn $149 for set of 2

Pottery Barn $149- $229

I was browsing through the home and garden section at Ross and happened upon two bird cages. It was instant bliss. And the smaller one was $6.99 and the larger one was $9.99. I still had no idea what I would do with them but for that price I knew I would figure it out. For now they are displayed on a vintage suitcase, but in time I will find the perfect spot.