Sweet Sanity Designs

Sorry for the delay but it was a lonnng weekend - every bit of it worth it though for THIS!

The white mantle is done.  Wow, such a tiny area was deceiving to paint - but I wanted to do it right (i.e. primer and two coats!) I brainstormed with blue tape and picked out the trim for the "picture frames" at Home Depot ...lots of choices but went basic.  Trim went up, then sanding, taping and priming before the two coats of semi gloss white.  All those little crevices in the wood trim and the rosettes were the most time consuming part - at least I was in the family room and had lots on the DVR!  

     
Money Saver: Wanted to use the existing oak portion instead of ripping it out and installing a piece that wrapped around. Instead installed trim around the columns to give me an artificial place to stop the white paint!
  



As I type this I am exercising RESTRAINT - I want to hold off at least a week before putting  up any objects until the tackiness of the paint is all gone. But couldn't resist testing a tiny bit with some fall accessories!  

 

YEAH! One last quick before and after!


Costs:  handyman for one hour, $20 worth of wood trim, and $50 worth of paint.  The biggest cost was as usual in my aching back but I think it makes a huge difference in the room! And strides in my mini living room re-do! Signing off to sit on the couch and stare...*happy sigh*.

Recent developments: Fabulous progress on a couch, obstacles encountered zero.

{Inspiration Couches from Jayson Home and Garden}

Am proud to say that I trusted two friends that said I should check out in Value City Furniture.  I realized quickly one would have to weave your way around some "interesting" pieces but at the same time some  of the lines were fantastic. On clearance, with a boo-boo on one side of the piping, I found this couch with great potential.  Don't be afraid to negotiate! They took another $100 off and the final tab was equivalent to getting one of the above for 80% off! She is even a bit more comfy and inviting than the inspiration pieces. After a delicate job with some pins and a staple gun she is looking perfect and sitting in the living room. 
Score:  Me +10   Design Gremlins  0

Candy Bars and Dessert Tables at weddings are still getting big play. So why not do it for your next cocktail party, kids birthday, bridal shower etc.  I LOVE them for 3 reasons:

A Party Focus...When its all set up it just looks so cute! And can make classy events feel more inviting. The bar doubles as party decor as well, bringing home the almighty 'theme'.
Offer Variety... I like lots of options, but that's major work. Are you really going to make 10 desserts?  (If so please quietly exit this blog.) Get variety by using store bought candies and cookies but make it look so unique and special no one cares.
Give the people what they want...Sometimes an intricate dessert is lovely, but it's also fun to indulge in the old school stuff you deprive yourself of. I have seen a grown man go crazy over malt balls.

Pulling It Together Tips: 

    

I collect votives. Yes, they're great for soft candle lighting at your parties, but even more importantly because when not entertaining they are the PERFECT PINT SIZE CONTAINER for more things then you can imagine. AND stylish. AND usually under $5.

Whenever I run across unique ones I just buy.  If you think outside the box you'll see how useful they become.  Some ideas seen here...I keep one by the spice rack holding tooth pics, one with my jewelry holding chunky rings,  one on a desk for pushpins... They can hold your sea salt in the kitchen, your stud earrings in your closet and stamps on your desk.  Better looking then a Dixie cup, no?