A Refreshing Fan

My dad's a miracle worker. When I picked up this fan from Brimfield back in May, Dad offered to clean it up and tinker a bit with it.  He has fun with stuff like that, so I didn't want to deprive him of the enjoyment.  Purely a selfless act, really.  (OK, so maybe it was also because I knew I wasn't going to get to it in the near future and it would have collected dust in my basement waiting for love... maybe).

With just a bit of cleaning and polishing, somehow Dad discovered this fan under all that dirt, tarnish, and rust.

Rewiring it and getting it working would be a large task, so I'm happy with it as an ornament.  If it worked, it would probably be a kitten safety hazard anyway.  This way, I have a pretty vintage fan to look at, and my kittens get to keep all their appendages.  Win-win.

Have an awesome weekend!

3 Ways to avoid Box Store Syndrome

Box Store Syndrome 1. A condition characterized by look-alike living rooms, bland bedrooms, and souless spaces.

2. Letting an unknown store decorator dictate your style; lacking a personal touch.

Never ever ever ever buy all the pieces of furniture in one set.  We've all done it.  We should all not do it again.  Let's make a deal.

I'm as guilty as the rest of you, but I'm still kicking myself for it.  Take my living room.  When we first moved in, our living room was a bit of a snooze (understatement of the year).  It said nothing about who we are and it really could have been a room in any house.

By breaking up the seating set and mixing up materials with a new glass coffee table, even the in-progress living room is much more interesting.

Play with styles and finishes.  Have fun with your furniture!  You can still find a living room 'set' at one store, though if you look a little harder.  Instead of buying the sofa and chair of the same collection, look around the showroom for complimenting pieces.

Don't get me wrong, not all the pieces need to be different.  A sofa of one style, and a pair of chairs in another can have the same stunning effect.

Own your space!  There are many other ways personalize a space beyond family photos.  Your room should reflect who you are.  Are you a fun young couple who loves the outdoors?  Your space should not be a stuffy formal room with perfectly polished accessories.  Love hiking? Incorporate rustic woods.  Are you a theater buff?  Add drama through window treatments.  Do you LOVE the color purple? (guilty!)  Don't shy away from it, celebrate it!  If your room feels like YOU, it will feel more like home.

One of the best ways to put your stamp on a space is through accessories.

If an item speaks to you, find a way to incorporate it into your space.  Souvenirs from your travels, artwork from your children, or simply a piece that makes you smile will all add personality to your surroundings.

Group items together for a more cohesive feel.  Pro tip: odd numbers are almost always more pleasing to the eye.  Try this in action by grouping 3 items of different scales together (think small, med, and large).

Getting Fresh in the Bathroom

Remember when I started telling about my bathroom make-over way back when?  Well, I've finally worked out some final details and am ready to show you the reveal!  I know, you can hardly contain your excitement, right?? First, let me remind you of where it started.

It was nothing special at all.

Kind of a snooze actually.

Even the burnt orange walls didn't add interest.

Drum roll please.....

Now the bathroom has a whole new personality!

Step 1- Paint!  I splurged on Sherwin Williams Duration paint and it was money well spent.  The bathroom walls used to look like they were dripping even when no one had taken a shower.  It was delightful, really.  Well, the bleeding walls are no more!  I stenciled the ceiling, then painted the walls a darker shade of the same gray.  Let me tell you- stenciling a ceiling is not for perfectionists.  Gravity is trying to foil you at every turn.  It is NOT easy!!  I still have to take my little detail brush and touch up pretty much the entire ceiling.  At least I can say the effort was worth it- I love the way it looks!

Step 2 (and the catalyst for this whole project)- medicine cabinet!  She's a sexy beast, no?

Step 3- Accessorize!!!

I would like to draw your attention to the painting- my personal version of Van Gogh's Lilies.

You wouldn't know it by looking at it, but I am NOT a painter.  I'm a DIYer.  I think painting and DIY use different parts of the brain.  The brilliant idea that is the Paint Bar, however drew out my inner painter.  My birthday was a few weeks ago (one more b-day before the big one) and I really wanted to try a lesson at the Paint Bar.  Best. Idea. Ever.  Myself and 5 of my closest friends (in addition to about 20 or more strangers) were lead, step by step, into creating awesome pieces of art (facilitated by good wine and an awesome playlist).

And now for a few more indulgent pictures of my finished bathroom.

Pending ceiling and trim touch-up, the bathroom will be officially the first room 'done'* in this house!

*of course when I say done, I really mean "not in need of any immediate projects, but will still be constantly evolving"