Sweet Sanity Designs

Haven't done a home post lately so here we are.  Envisioning a room design from scratch is tough  - but I'm fairly confident in my copy-cat-then-add-my-twist abilities.  When embarking on a remodel, big or small, a photo to refer back to can be a lifesaver.  I still love magazine clippings, but for my guest bath mini remodel I also started with a Pinterest board of course!

This remodel was to be a MINI one: tile, tub, toilet and even the brown paint were staying, either because I was indifferent to them or they were too pricey to tackle.  The three main things I wanted to change were the lighting, the stuck-on mirror and the sink/cabinet combo.  I knew choosing a pedestal sink would mean losing storage but for this tiny bath I wanted to open it up a bit.

I found a million photos that made me swoon, but I tried to be realistic!  If you are really going to use a photo for copy-catting try to zero in on the pieces you want to upgrade and stay focused. Rooms with simliar layouts will help you zoom in, too.  The winning photo I settled on hit my big three. Space was going to be tight but I was set on squeezing scones along a mirror instead of a fixture on top.  Let the copy catting task begin!

On the hunt I went....online I was able to find very similar lighting and I think the exact sink.  I found a mirror whose curvature on top reminded me of the photo and was skinny enough to fit the scones.  I knew a table/stool would add back a little 'storage' but I swapped out the tray table idea for something just as compact but a little more rustic.  Got some great deals doing it all online, especially on the faucet!

Demolition time!  I had a contractor rip out the old stuff which required drywall patching and left me with painting homework.  Brown was remaining on the top, but I was painting the bottom WHITE in preparation for my other idea ~ fake paneling.  It had worked perfectly on my {MANTLE} so I figured it would be easier than installing wainscotting.  I had the contractor nail up a chair rail and four 'boxes' created from wooden trim molding to make frames.

Same shelves went back up, same jars and we're done. It's truly amazing how different a room can look. It was work but not THAT much work for something that looks completely different. The only disaster (because there always is one) was the shattering of the toilet (good times)...hence the new one...

For any other copy-catters out there will make it easier for you!  XOXO

Sink (and Toilet) - Kohler Memoirs Line
Faucet - Overstock, Item #: 13484541
Stools - Serena & Lily Dip Dyed Stools
Mirror - Home Decorators.com 'Hovan Mirror'
Scones - Robert Abbey from Lamps Plus.com

Sometimes I like to deviate from design & beautiful things by highlighting the things I REALLY love in my life.....and perhaps my biggest crush is Trooper.   He is the heartbeat of the house, and the world wouldn't be the same without him.  In January, devastating news about a tumor meant that he would not be around much longer (supposedly).  Yet as the calendar rolled through the winter, spring and summer I got the memo - I'm not the one in charge of his timeline!  So we are practicing living in the moment around here.  And he definitely gives me lots of moment! 

Trooper is a rescue and from the moment I saw those EARS online it was over.  His little bum foot is part of his charm, too.  He stared at me the whole ride back from Cincinnati to Chicago being so good and so brave.

For those of you who've adopted, you know how incredible the journey is from "hope this was right?" to sheer LOVE affair.

It's inspiring how animals adapt - he quickly had a PULSE on things...from his 9" perspective, of course.

These little beings just burrow their way into our hearts, don't they?  I admired Trooper's quiet but determined way of showing me how he would clearly like to live his life. I think we would all feel better if we practiced self care of 'numero uno' like they do.  Trooper reminds me to:

Rest, OFTEN. And don't feel guilty about it.   If possible, get in the big bed just after fresh sheets are applied.

If you are going to live in a cold climate, embrace sweaters.

Don't complain about travel - be flexible and spontaneous no matter your limitations.



Get a little sun on the kisser when you can,
and always celebrate your birthday no matter your age (even if you don't know it!)

A friend once said to me, what will I do when my dog passes away - who will I talk to?  And I knew just what she meant. Trooper is always underfoot, especially in the kitchen.  Once I asked the little sous chef if he remembered how long it took to make a soft boiled egg. He didn't.  But he always listens patiently.  And sometimes that's all ya need.  XOXO

{And thank you to Lindsay Ammons, the best pet photographer in Chicago!}

Whipped up a new product this weekend and wanted to share: personalized door hangers! I can see these peaking out of a hotel welcome bag!  Now your guests can rest in style with this little printable hanging outside their door.  I cannot help myself from adding a pattern.  Stripes make me happy lately! Customize with your wedding colors to echo them throughout every little detail.

No only are these good for warding off the cleaning staff, but have you ever been to an out of town wedding and wondered who else is on your floor? This is a great way for out of town guests to find each other...or to find where the late night pizza got delivered...

The door hangers are also available in a number of different skyline options to remind everyone what a great city they are visiting...

There isn't a lot to cutting them out and hanging them...a hole in the middle for the doorknob and a small slice to allow it to stretch around.  This is the traditional way, with either a square or round top. But to add extra flare, skip the hole and cut a small slit at the top to string thru your choice of ribbon!

Sometimes sweet and simple just looks so darn pretty.  I love a crisp white pail - especially in the summer!  I was photographing some wedding stickers and dropped in a vase of flowers I had in the living room.  Was surprised how sweet it looked.  Vase and all, just plopped it in.  Would be a great centerpiece for an outdoor wedding, rehearsal dinner or a summer dinner party.  

They also take well to stickers and labels and that handle is screaming for a bow!

I love the idea of using a little pail for a beach or summer wedding ~ swap out your paper gift bags for the hotel guest out-of-town 'bags' and use a pail instead. Nice and sturdy, too, for your water bottles and treats. Or maybe filling with beers to take to the beach! XOXO

Home from a girls weekend to Charleston, SC.  Amidst shopping, eating and massages we squeezed in a surprise baby shower over lunch! Hope the Queen Bee felt spoiled as she should.  Taking this mini-shower on the road required a few tricks but the Bumblebee theme proved to be a winner and the yellow/grey is such a refreshing mix for a gender neutral theme.

The mini pendant sign worked perfectly.  If you are not sure you'll have a blank wall for a banner, a mini-pendant is great.  I strung it ahead of time and grabbed a couple of glasses from the waitress.  One friend had the mission of bringing the Lemonheads to fill the glasses and add more color.  A bow around each lollipop stick (a straw would work, too!) and you're all set.

The centerpiece revolved around the infamous beehives (tutorial here) which made it in one piece in my carry-on. Bees attached on site.  Napkins doubled as a great substitute for some tissue paper (a good call by a friend drafted for setup!) The lollipop sticks were wedged in and everyone snagged a "HE" or "SHE" for their drink depending on their guess!  And yes, I brought my own picture frame. Remember I was already carrying beehives at this point...

And yes, there were plenty of sweets, because that's how this crowd rolls...mini cupcakes with yellow sprinkles, personalized Hershey minis, and of course jars of HONEY for favors!

{For a How-To on the beehives and bees click here!}

Perhaps one of the most genius little gifts was a Queen Bee necklace from Dogeared.  So delicate and a great reminder of the weekend!  Congrats again to our Queen Bee! 

XOXO

 

{Designs by Sweet Sanity, PACKAGE HERE}

Exciting news around these parts. My cousin's fabulous wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty!  It was so much fun being INVOLVED with the wedding frills and to see everything unfold the way she wanted. Her palette was soothing and elegant and her incredible photographer {Valerie Duque} captured it all. With shades pulled from succulents ~ steel greys, washed out greens and touches of strong navy she achieved a beachy chic look. We did the placecard tags over here at Sweet Sanity and once tied around a starfish they became little take-home-trinkets! They were one of my favorite details...

For the rest of the photos from Meghan and Adam's incredible day visit Style Me Pretty!
Style Me Pretty

Very important research going on over here at Sweet Sanity...In order to test out what size stickies fit best on which size jam jars (I get asked a lot!) I ordered an assorted box from Hope's Pantry on Etsy.  These two ladies are passing on their grandmother's jam recipe and only make ONE flavor in her memory ~  Strawberry Pineapple!

The box arrived and I just loved all the different sizes.  They would be great for party favors, wedding favors, or even thinking ahead to Christmas at the office...

The mini-jar (1.5oz) just totally got me...I tested out a little stickie and a bow. 
I mean come ON! How cute??

But the Big Boy looked pretty darn good, too.
Tie a big bow around the top and a personalized label and what a great gift!

And finally when the photoshoot was over I got my toast ready ~ It was delish!

FOR MORE PHOTOS & SPECIFIC SIZING INFO CHECK OUT TODAY'S POST ON SS DESIGNS!

Sometimes I have no idea if anyone even reads this blog but I still feel compelled to update it, in case you were wondering what ever happened! Brace yourselves…Remember the WING CHAIR that was on the way…well, 3 MONTHS after purchasing it from Ballard Designs they cancelled the order.  Guess the 5th delayed notification should have tipped me off?   Shockingly appalled but we will no longer speak of it.

A few weeks ago I was wandering by a gem of little shops in  Chicago that specialize in restoring and reupholstering vintage furniture and found THIS beauty sitting in the corner asking to be brought home. See a similarity?  Almost laughed out loud at how close the fabric was to that-which-we-won't-speak-off  ~ oatmeal-ish linen. Yum. It was cozy and comfy and I even liked the softer lines, the tufting upholstery and unique legs MORE than my original order. After months and months of searching this took all of about 15mins to toss in my car and get home…

I was in love, almost. One of the selling points of the that-which-we-won't-speak-off  was the DECORATIVE NAIL HEAD TRIM.  So I couldn't help myself. I wanted to add it.  I returned back to ask a couple of shop owners what they thought. The consensus was  that if you were somewhat handy it was totally doable.  And, we're off…

I went on a search for nail heads, also called decorative nails, or upholstery nails, and the internet abounds with literally all shapes and sizes.  I ended up with some from this site Create for Less. I went with a smooth headed nail and an antique brass color.  They came 24 per box so I got about 5 to start. Also got my tools ready…the needle nose pliers would end up being key for mistakes.

Next it was onto the SPACING.  I choose individual tacks but apparently they come in attached strings as well.  I wasn't convinced that I wanted them touching, though.  I suggest really looking at a lot of pictures to see what look you like.  According to the people at the shop the chair might dictate where to put/how to space them but there are no rules per say. 

I gently pushed a few through the fabric to get an idea of spacing…Then I took a soft tape measure and low and behold I was eyeballing about 1inch apart. I lined them up with the tape measure for accuracy.

MY TIP FOR YOU:  At first I hammered in each nail all the way, then went to the next.  Not a total disaster but I learned as I went it was better to 1) gently push all of them in along the entire chair, and then go back and hammer each in maybe halfway (you'll feel it push through all the cushion and finally touch the wood inside)  2) After that, I would take off the tape measure and give it another eyeball ~ plucking out one or two that looked too low or too close was way easier if they weren't fully hammered in. You want to be careful with the fabric, but they DO pull out well with the pliers.  3) Just hammer them all in fully.  On those last couple of hits you'll see the fabric get that squished look. Ah. Then you are all done!

I did the back, and both sides, but am debating on the front. I think maybe leave well enough alone. Anyone have an opinion here?? I am leaning towards restraint and letting the pillows and tufting do their thing. ♥

So the Wing Chair Chapter is closed!

Happy New Year everyone!  Hope your holidays were great.   I did lots of eating and my body responded in the form of spontaneous narcoleptic episodes on the couch. Well, some self care is always nice and it's back to reality this week!

I love checking Google Analytics this time of year. It's full of such incredible data about site traffic and it continues to amaze me that people are visiting.   I thought I would share the top posts of 2011  based on the most hits so here they are!

Hiding the Wireless Routers

* This one still continues to get tons of comments both good and skeptical ~ many people are concerned with ventilation and overheating, as they should be!  I definitely suggest making the holes in the back nice and big for ventilation, and if you can make more on the bottom and sides depending on your set up, all the better. For the first few days or weeks I would just walk by and open the boxes to ensure nothing is getting too hot and to see if your ventilation is adequate. I still occasionally touch my hand to it as I pass by and everything is a-okay on my end.

Adding Nailhead Trim to a Chair

Two Tone Treatment on a Ikea Dresser

"Jar of Happiness" Project

X Benches

And just for fun, I checked out where all of you are reading from.   Most of you are in the US but it is neat to see the next 5 countries, too!

1. Canada
2. UK
3. Philippines
4. Australia
5. Netherlands

And the top 10 world wide cities...

1. Chicago
2. New York
3. Naples
4. Los Angeles
5. Houston
6. San Diego
7. Dallas
8. Charlotte
9. Washington
10. Melbourne

Now if I could just visit any of these in 2012 we'd be off to a good start!   Happy New Year!