Topsail Island

A weekend ago we headed out to Topsail Island for a mini getaway. It was just a quick stay for me, one night, but the weather was lovely and we did get to romp on the beach. My in-law's rental house was beach front so waking up to the sound of waves was quite a treat for these landlocked folks! Now that the mercury has hit 103 here in central NC, I'm going to dream of the beach this weekend while we hunker down in the A/C.

Custom Cork Board

 Another small office update I whipped out lately was an sprucing up of the long-neglected cork board I use as a jewelry organizer.  It was just an ugly, plain item and I took a scrap of this Premier Prints left over from my headboard project. I added some nailhead trim around the edge, and voila! Dead simple. Credit to Bryn for the idea!

The photo tacked at the bottom is one of my dad from a billion years ago taken at my grandparent's house.  He was a long-haired looker!

No-Sew Drapes for the Office

I've been derailed with blogging lately.  I keep forgetting to take photos or I'm working on a project that's pretty dull.


I did manage to finish my no-sew drapes for the office redo.  I used cheapo Robert Allen fabric I scored at $5/yard!

Hooray!  And my West Elm Parsons low bookshelf arrived so I am pleased to be able to build that shortly!

Office Design on a Dime

I'm tweaking my home office (read: extra bedroom where I watch Bravo and read blogs). Why? Why not? I Craigslisted a few pieces I had grown out of to make room for some new items. To commemerate the occasion, behold my first mood board!!

Let's walk through the plan. I already own the lamp, poster, drum light, loveseat, (a similar) rug and the parsons bookcase is on the way. I might replace my cheapo IKEA desk with their DOCKSTA table and add a bamboo chair. The loveseat's a richer, deeper green and a slightly different style but overall similar to the one pictured. 

I refuse to pay silly prices for drapes so I scouted out this linen-like Robert Allen fabric -- it was less than $7/yard on FABRIC.COM.  Plus free shipping and a 15% code, I'll have four 96" no-sew panels for about $35 total.


To do:
Make panels x 4
Reframe poster with mat
Assemble bookcase when it arrives
Look for DOCKSTA on CL?
Bamboo chair on CL?

Let's do this.

Before and After Mid Century Dresser

A few months back, I picked up this dresser from a yard sale in my neighborhood. It was pretty banged up but was sturdy and had nice, clean lines. We already have a mid-century chest in our bedroom with a very similar feel.

Here's where I started: 

Yikes, this top was beyond salvaging: 

Primer + spray paint and new pulls really helped this little piece out:

Hickory Hardware pulls in brushed nickel ordered from Home Depot (free shipping, yay)!

The total cost of this upcycle was about $70 bucks

• $30 dresser
• $35 pulls
• $5 spray paint

I'm happy with it although it's nothing special. I am going to find some cute drawer liner and move (my underthings and tshirts) right in!

Yellow Thrift Scores

I scored a few cute things at the thrifts recently:

A lemon yellow square ceramic lamp for $8.  This is very CB2 to me:

Diane Von Furstenburg yellow dress!  This appears to have never been worn.  Pity that it's a 6 though, a smidge too small for me:

Off to list on eBay for a lucky shopper!