Another Craigslist Transformation...

So I'm officially addicted to the craigslist free section!! I try to check it a couple of times as week just to see if there's anything worth grabbing--it's amazing how fast stuff goes on there!  It's so fun to reimagine forgotten pieces.  I've picked up 3 chairs the past few weeks and these are 2 of them! So this is what we started with...

Guest Room Tour

I recently had some motivation to put together our guest room, when we moved in it was just more of a storage space than an actual bedroom--but since my in-laws were coming to visit I had to get my butt in gear and make it comfortable!

Simple Headboard Botanicals

Hope everyone is having a great week...here's my newest super simple DIY...

Project #1: Outdoor Oasis

We tackled this first big project as soon as we could, after spending 2 years in Seattle we were very ready to take advantage of our outdoor space, sunshine and our partial mountain view!  

New City, New Lease on Blogging Life

Well, a lot has changed in my life since I last posted...

1. I graduated from school and passed my certifying exam (WooHoo!)
2. My husband got a promotion that has moved us to Broomfield, CO
3. I got a part-time job and a whole lot of time and apartment that I need to fill
4. We drove 29 hours and about 1400 miles to make it all the way to our new life and new home

Back At It...

I've been on a bit of a hiatus the past few months from blogging...I started putting a bit too much pressure on myself to post often, instead of just letting it be what it's supposed to be--an outlet.  All of this is so foreign to me, I'm not very good at putting myself out there and being ok with any response or nonresponse I get--I always have expectations.  I started this blog as a way for me to put my ideas out in the universe free of expectation--just to share my love of decorating and making our apartment feel like a home.
So I suppose that's my New Years Resolution--to work on entering situations without expectations.

On that note--I have a new piece of furniture I'd love to share!

Our bathroom is about the size of a postage stamp and has absolutely ZERO storage.  I've used a couple of creative solutions to find more space (using an old dresser drawer as a shelf and hiding bathroom supplies in various places in the apartment)--it still hasn't been enough.  We have an awkward corner just outside our bathroom that has really had no use, until now.  I found this lovely for FREE on craigslist!!  (loveloveLOVE the free section!)

So I wanted to keep this a really simple piece--I wanted it to be pretty and clean looking.  The drawers are wood, but the top is laminate (still a little gun-shy after my last DIY blunder here).  After my failed side table redo, I got a few suggestions on using Chalk paint in my next go-round.  So I heeded all of your advice and WOW.

How have I never used chalk paint before?!  This stuff is a godsend!!  It sticks wonderfully to both wood and laminate--no priming needed or anything.  My favorite part is the way it dries though--it's a really wonderful, warm matte.  Absolutely my new favorite--can't believe I've lived this long without it!  I used Behr Belgian Creme on the drawers and top and then I put a new coat of aluminum spray paint on the frame and drawer pulls.

Here's my new "linen" dresser...

This wonderful shadow box with dried lavender was given to me by my sister for an engagement present--it's one of my favorite things!

This whole re-do only cost $4!!  I used 2 of the Behr paint samples (about $2/each) and I still have some left!

Well, I hope you like my new dresser re-do!  So glad I'm inspired to DIY again and ready to tackle a new project!!

Bedroom Update

Since we've moved into this apartment my focus has really been on the main living areas.  Our bedroom has really been neglected--so I've been working on making it a more complete space that is actually inviting and somewhere we would want to spend time in.

Clean a Carpet Without a Steam Cleaner

This weekend I decided to tackle our area rug--my husband bought it about 4 years ago and it really hasn't been cleaned since (obviously it's been vacuumed).  Since this rug lives in our living room, it sees a lot of traffic and had some pretty ground in dirt.  I couldn't afford to rent a steam cleaner (or the want to haul it up 3 flights of stairs) just to clean this one rug. 

So I started doing some research online to find a way to clean it without using a steam cleaner.  Being fair, I do believe I would have been able to get the rug much more clean with a steam cleaner, however, the method I used definitely helped spruce it up and it's much cleaner than it was before!

Side Table Revamps, A Cautionary Tale...

Ok, so I can be a bit of a go-getter (not always in a good way).  Once I get an idea in my head I have a hard time not just going for it.  So this is a cautionary tale...sometimes it is far better to stop yourself and do your research, think things through, before you jump in!
The story begins with 3 side tables (2 bedside tables and 1 in our living room), that were all a little too dark.  So, after re-doing our dresser, I decided they needed some lightening up.  Here's what I started with...

6 Ways to Add Color Without Paint...

Hello All...

SSo this week I wanted to share some more of my rental secrets...when you're faced with the dreaded white walls and tan carpet it can be overwhelming...how do you make those white walls disappear and make the room feel intentional?  Like you actually meant to have those white walls and tan carpet!

So here are my 6 ways to color without paint!

Curbside Dresser Before & After

A month or so ago I walked out of our apartment building to run to the store and I saw this great dresser sitting out front with a "Free" sign on it!  I immediately saw potential and lugged it up to our 3rd floor apartment!

Before...                                                                    After...

      

Easy and Affordable Rental DIYs

I was recently asked by Hometalk to put together a board full of great DIY ideas for rentals!  I was so excited because it can be really hard to find affordable DIYs and tips for people who are renting and deprived of wall paint!! 

If you've never heard of Hometalk it's an awesome website--it's a place to check out some amazing DIYs (you don't have to have a blog to post projects or questions!).  You can clip your favorite posts to your own boards (similar to Pinterest) to keep track of your ideas!  So definitely check it out!

Without further ado...here's my new Hometalk board!

10 Ways to Decorate a Tiny Rental...on a Budget

I've learned so much since we moved to Seattle a year ago...how to properly dress for rain, how to not only decorate a home--but make it feel elegant and grown-up (on a seriously tight budget), that I absolutely LOVE the Pacific Northwest...I've also really learned how to use the space you have and sometimes create a little more!  Turns out that a lot of times you have to figure out how to store something in plain site without your place looking like you live at a storage unit.

So I wanted to share a few tips with all of you on how to not only use your space efficiently, but to make it feel elegant and comfortable at the same time...

Cheap and Easy Coffee Table Update!

Hello All! This is a super easy way to add some character to a simple coffee table.  I recently rescued this from a neighbor of mine that threw it out!  I don’t have a before picture, but it was a simple wood coffee table, totally bare wood.  I spray painted it gray, but wanted to add a little something extra to make it look unique. I picked up a white paint pen at Walmart, turned on “The Way We Were,” and went to town!