Chinese Chippendale Headboard Makeover

I've been working on a boatload of projects lately, all of which I can't wait to share! Some of them take much longer than others, and sometimes in the middle of projects that feel like they are dragging on and on, I like to take a "break" and knock out something quick. I'm all about the instant gratification! 

This week that happened when I stumbled upon a lovely headboard on Craigslist. I've been combing the listings daily in search of a set of Chippendale chairs for my dining room table, and while I haven't lucked out on that yet, it did lead me to this "beauty", which was only $15 and in the town over?! Sold! 

(Crappy Craigslist shot)

...Of course, the finish was chipped and some of the rattan was coming apart. Didn't matter to me, as that was nothing a little paint and glue couldn't fix in an afternoon!

I need to interject that I didn't really *need* a headboard after finishing up the  upholstered headboard for my master bedroom a few months back. That being said, my guest room is a sad state of affairs with a bed thrown in...and that's about it. This is just what I needed to jumpstart that makeover and inspire me to come up with plans for the rest of the room! 

I headed to the store without a clue of what color I wanted to do. After looking over my choices, I selected this gorgeous color, "Blue Ocean Breeze" by Krylon. 

After a quick cleaning and sanding, I sprayed the headboard with a gorgeous coat of the most perfect aqua blue. Lucky for me, it covered perfectly in one coat, and after a little drying time, I was left with this! 

(propped up on the fence to dry its pretty little self) 

I love the Hollywood Regency feel of the finished product and this should tide me over until I'm able to locate the Chippendale chairs I've been longing for! (Craigslist Gods, do you hear me?!) I can't wait to see how it looks in the room when its finished. I'm envisioning fluffy white bedding, soft dove grey walls, and some pops of yellow! 

Have you knocked out any quick projects lately? Isn't it the best feeling?

Conversation Hearts Valentine's Day Flowers

There is something I just love about conversation hearts. They almost have a retro feel to them that I find so inspiring. While I'm not the biggest fan of eating them, I knew I wanted to create a cute Valentine's Day project using them this year. While flowers are also synonymous with V-Day, I figured why not combine the two to make a cute display and bring a splash of Valentine's to my home! 

I started by gathering my supplies:

Fresh cut flowers

A fishbowl vase (these can be found cheap at your local Goodwill!)

A smaller vessel that fits inside your vase (I used a stemless wine glass!)

Conversation Hearts

Heart shaped floral pics

 I began by pouring a small layer in the larger vase to make the inner vessel sit level with the top of the outer vase. This step isn't necessary if your inner vase sits level with your outer vase. I then positioned the inner vase in the center and placed the candy hearts on the outer level. I didn't have a ton of room, so I had to drop in a few at a time to avoid all of the falling in the center vase.

Then I just poured water in the inner vase, being careful not to splash and soak the candy hearts, and arrange the flowers and floral pics. 

The finished product came out so cute, and I love the touch of whimsy it adds to my home! 

Have you done any cute Valentine's Day projects? I'd love to see them! 

I'm linking up to these parties:

DIY Framed Silk Scarf

As I was trying to come up with some "art" to fill the gallery in my office, I was looking to repurpose some things I already have and love. I ran across a silk scarf I owned and thought it would look gorgeous matted and framed to hang on the wall. Here's how it turned out! 

This particular scarf is square, and despite how pretty it is, it never got used as it was awkward to wear. I simply wrapped it around cardboard the same size as the frame and taped it to the back. I then just layered in the mat and frame. This particular frame works where the glass pops out the front and just snaps back into place, so it was perfect for this project.

The perfect thing about this project is I am always running across gorgeous vintage silk scarfs at thrift stores. There are so many unique ones out there that would look gorgeous framed. I'd love to find some others to hang in other parts of my house. 

What about you? Have you framed anything unexpected to use as art in your home?

Neiman Marcus for Target - Hanging Tracy Reese Plates

When I heard about the Neiman Marcus/Target collaboration, I was excited. After all, I love a good collaboration. While there weren't many things I just HAD to have from the collection, the plates were definitely one of them. I love that they are so vibrant and colorful, and the gold rim doesn't hurt matters either!

Instead of storing the plates away for a special occasion, I decided I'd much rather have them on display where I could enjoy them. The perfect solution: hang them! 

These lovelies are now adorning my dining room wall. I hung them using Disc Changers. I can't say enough about how well these work and how easy they are to use. 

I love how there is no exposed hardware and the plates appear to be floating. 

Did you purchase anything from the Neiman Marcus/Target collab? I scored quite a few more things once it hit 70% off, including the Altuzarra Tray and cocktail glasses and both the Marc Jacobs scarf and pouch. 

DIY Paintings

I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, but lately I've really enjoyed creating a few "art" pieces for my house. They are very simple, but I really enjoy the splash of color they bring to my spaces. 

The first is an ombre effect using stripes of varying colors. I started with a bottle of navy blue acrylic paint and a bottle of white. I just added a few drops of white to my paint as I went to make each stripe a bit lighter. This is a large size canvas, but could be done with any size. It is hanging over my sofa in my living room.

For the second painting, I needed something to fill up the empty space above my vintage bar cart. I've been inspired by all of the abstract chevrons found just about everywhere these days, and decided to mimic the look on a canvas. I used a sponge paintbrush and free handed the stripes. 

They looked a bit spotty at first, so I put several coats of paint on. 

 

I varyed the zigzags as I went down so it wouldn't be perfect chevron. I love how it turned out! 

The colors play perfectly off of the colors in peacock feathers.

Have you tried your hand at any DIY art lately? You really can't beat the bang for your buck!

DIY Upholstered Headboard

There are many great versions of DIY Headboards around the web on various blogs, and I definitely drew my inspiration from great tutorials like Censational Girl's to create my newest headboard. 

I used some Dwell Studio fabric - Vintage Blossom in Citrine and nailheads from eBay for my creation. I was lucky and found the fabric at a local discount home store for $3.25 a yard! 

 I followed the simple steps of cutting the pattern using a stencil I drew on craft paper, stapling the batting down, followed by the fabric. I then used a rubber mallet to hammer in the nailheads. Here is the finished product! 

 

A close up of the nailheads

I am in love with it and all of the color and pattern it brings to my otherwise neutral bedroom.

A bonus picture of one of my kittens "helping" :) 

Have you made a DIY headboard? I'd love to see!  

I've linked up here! 

Stylish Substitute: Skyline Furniture Armless Chair vs. Armless Upholstered Slipper Chair

Today's Stylish Substitute is a dead ringer! I absolutely love this chair, and even considered adding a pair to my living room, but ended up going with the settee instead. 

 Skyline Furniture Armless Chair, $254.99 at Wayfair

 

Armless Upholstered Slipper Chair,  $149.99

I love Wayfair and have purchased several things from the store, but there is no denying the Target option is a better alternative when it comes to cost. Have you found any great Stylish Substitutes lately?