Sweet Sanity Designs

I use Google Search a LOT, and one thing I hate is clicking on a link-to-no-where!   I thought I'd share a two little tips that recently saved me a lot of time and money when searching for a Twig Table for my living room!   Next time you're searching Google notice that the top left corner is defaulted to "WEB." Try clicking on the word "IMAGES" and you'll find all of the images that your search triggered.

This was really helpful for me when looking for this table because unfortunately 'twig table' pulled up some interesting options - maybe if I were living in a log cabin.  So it was great to see them directly instead of wasting time clicking on a link. 

My second tip is to HOVER over the image for a second ~ it will bring up a larger image and show the website where the image is.  This is super helpful, too.  One site was coming up over and over again selling this table, but I was trying to find ANOTHER one to maybe beat the price! Also helps skip over sites that may have just reblogged about it but aren't actually selling the product you are looking for.  


So finally found the perfect table.  Faded brass with a black granite top. It came up over and over again in photos that routed me to the same spot, but after recognizing that photo I could stay away from it, and finally found it from a little designer in Texas. And he was WAY cheaper, too!  Happy Searching!

One thing about having a blog is that it makes me follow through - even if it's 6 months later!  This past Fall I really wanted to update my living room.  And I am officially done.  I am not a decorator.  I didn't have a big budget.   But like so many of you I know what I like, and am a good copy-cat! I pulled up my first post about this project to refresh myself on the mission:

* Keep 50% of Existing Furniture. (Give myself an A- here) 
I kept all lamps, ottomans and cabinets. The couch and leather chair were a major score,  and badly needed (the reason for the whole redo) and while the wing chair hunt ended well docked just a touch of a point for the drama.
* Try A New Color Scheme. (I'll give myself a B)
Giving myself an B because it was pretty easy once the purple couches were gone!  I just wanted things to look COHESIVE.  I used lots of neutrals, picking green as the accent (mainly bc the green wall was staying put!) And have to admit that the white mantle re-do really lightened the whole room up!
* Old and New Accessories. (I get an A+ here!)
The biggest cost was the rug, still pretty affordable compared to other options.  New additions that really helped were pillow cases, and  some moss balls to get more punches of green in the room. Virtually everything  else I already owned.
* Achieve Cozy Upscale? (A++)
Funny how your tastes change over the years.  I think you know your style more each year, and clearly it was also just time for a little updating. I went out of my comfort zone with a new twig table to mix things up, and invested in a large ficus tree (which i LOVE) to put by the doors. Add a basket with some blankets and pillows and I think I'm feeling cozy and a little more trendy!

Now for some pictures!  Sorry, don't have as many before as I would like!

And the AFTER!

   
Left both cabinets the same. One is a family heirloom and the other is a thrift shop find that I crackle painted years ago. Won't part with either! Just swapped out some of the accessories on top.

Didn't take much green to get the point...pillows cases and moss balls helped. Tried my my hand at mixing textures and patterns. Have been watching a lot of HGTV. And best of all my grandfather's cream clock finally found a perfect spot in the room.

While the whole thing took longer than I'd like, I'm thrilled with how it turned out. It feels updated and bigger, and I gained a little more confidence with things like mixing metals. Using the internet to hunt down deals helped a ton.  And stealing  accessories from other places around the house made it feel like a whole new room.  Overall I realize I have gotten so much joy over this new room and I had waited WAY TOO LONG!  Hope you don't do the same ~ be happy!

So I don't miss this...

And I DO love this!

Wow, this is a first for me.  I love so many blogs and follow lots, but this is the FIRST TIME I have ever gotten off my bum and actually copied step by step a fabulous idea.  Usually I just read, enjoy and imagine re-doing whatever it is in my head!!  First saw this idea in this post by Naomi's Design Manifest (and I believe she was inspired by Aubrey and Lindsay's post)   You know my rule, if it is  an impulse redecorating project for me than it must be inexpensive!   

The idea was to take the IKEA 'RAST' nightstand that is $22 and make it chic.  Yes, it was $22.  I couldn't get over that.  I'm all for elbow grease so I gave it a try.  I pretty much followed these ladies but will summarize myself (and share some hiccups and the ultimate success!)

First I bought the $22 IKEA RAST NIGHTSTAND, and yes, like all Ikea furniture had to build it.  This part wasn't too bad. Just needed some muscle with the last few turns of the screws. It was blah looking but  solid wood at least which is nice.   Also very very raw and splinter-y ~ ready for treatment!


So the To-Do list included staining the base unit a dark brown and painting the drawers glossy white.  I realized that one hiccup was the exposed screws on the base, so first used wood filler in those and had to wait for that to dry. In the meantime hit the drawers with three coats of high gloss white.  This was a nice little piece to work on because it was just that...little. The drawers took no time at all.


Next the staining. I did one coat.  Follow stain directions, it goes quick, but be prepared for the smell.  HOLY.CRAP.


Next was my favorite part. New hardware!  I ordered Antique Silver Ring Pulls from ShopSiro.  I knew this would make a huge difference instead of using the standard knobs. Ended up being a nasty task because the screws included with the new antique silver rings were much longer than needed, and chopping them off was dreadfully hard, but after that set back we were back on track!



It was time to lacquer over the stain...or so I thought. Til I read the instructions on the can that said to wait 72hours!  Ugh.  I decided to set it up just to see what it looked like. I  was  really happy with it. But did I really need to lacquer?


But after my 72hours of staring at it I did think the unfinished look was probably noticeable. So did three layers of lacquer.  Another HOLY CRAP smell experience, but it made a HUGE difference.  I think it warmed it up a bit and helped it to look more finished.




Yippee!  Now I have drawers on that side for some extra storage.  SO...just wondering, do I do a second one??

In case you're wondering...here are the Ingredients:
Watco Laquer 1 Quart $11.99
Minwax Stain (in Jacobean) $8.99
Royal White High Gloss $16.99
ShopSiro Antique Silver Ring Pulls $25.44
Ikea RAST Dresser $22.00

After Christmas in Florida, Chicago feels like Brrrr!  On top of that, my  apartment is feeling quite drafty.  I walked around last night fixing dinner with my robe and slippers on over my work outfit! What's going on??!!   I have cranked up the heat but I think in these temps the cold is just seeping in.  To test my theory I put my hand down by my back door and sure enough felt frigid air whipping  in (And $$$ flowing out!)

Maybe a door draft "snake" could help. It's a quick fix and practical, but my initial impression is that they  only come in blah colors, or are designed literally like a 'snake' or another sad and stretched out animal.  Ok maybe cute in a a kids room but not in my living room! 

But Etsy saves the day again! God bless people who actually can sew. Found two shops selling FASHIONABLE door draft stoppers in fabulous fabrics to match your decor instead of in the shape of a circus freak santa. You fill them yourself with beans or rice AND they are WASHABLE!!!!  SMART.E.PANTS.   

{Head to the Ogsplosh Etsy Shop}

{Head to the Deciduous Soul Etsy Shop}

{Head to the Shakerville Etsy Shop}

I will be ordering tonight! Stay Cozy!

Still trying out these new family room colors and wanted to keep things natural.  Last year had to pitch the dirty dusty garland from the 90s so bought a super PLAIN JANE replacement.

While there I saw so many people picking through bins of those little "sticks".  You know, the little clusters of berries on sticks, pine cones on sticks, sparkly fruit on sticks, you get the picture. Was never really sure what to do with them, but I do keep them.  In fact I have loads of these little FILLERS that I've kept through the years from the tops of gift packages, plucked out of old wreathes, etc. 

So I decided to see if I could spruce up the garland with fillers I already had.  I cleared out the red berries and consolidated the white/goldish colors.

What I DO like about this idea is that all the fillers come out and next year if I want to do red and silver instead of greens and white no problem!

First up when the PLAIN JANE garland.

Then in went the little fillers. SO easy, just slid them in where needed. Barely bothered really "attaching" them.

In looking for what else I could use, I remembered my crystal-ly Martha Stewart fake fruit that hasn't graced us with it's presence in awhile. I plucked out just the green colors. They added a little more sparkle and were great to anchor the ends with.





Even added some of the crystal-ly apples (and some sparkly eucalyptus) to the existing brown vase. A few green candles and the remaining fake snow with the rest of the pine cones and viola! Finished product. Not too bad for the minimal work. I do think I miss how last year's garland had the lights inside of it so you had that extra sparkle without having to light candles. But we are moving on!

Perhaps you noticed in last post that the holiday nook actually had a lamp on the dresser! It's a miracle. I didn't want to lose my focus on the living room (just wait till I share the latest on that) but fine, it happened. Once I addressed the BLACK HOLE CORNER I just HAD to light it.  I mean it's been 7 years let me obsess a little. But my rule on impulse decorating like this is that I cannot go crazy $$$-wise.   I like to take my time with nice pieces so if I am going to slap something up there it better not cost much. 

I have been loving Urn Lamps lately.  And why is it that once you focus in on something for the first time in your life, you THEN begin to discover how expensive it is?  For instance visit The French Apartment shop in my old hometown of Washington, DC and purchase this gorgeous pair of brushed silver urn lamps (top middle) for only $450 for the pair.  *Sigh*. In my next condo.

{Clockwise  Restoration Hardware, The French Apartment, Gore Dean, CocoCozy, CCHome Furnishings, RH}

However it is OK to dream and OK to look because it gives me COPY CAT ideas when I least expect it. Like THIS little guy who was hanging out at the Salvation Army. Yes, I go there on my lunch break and yes, I categorize the walk as my "exercise" at lunch. It was $15.50 and guess what? It was 50% off day at the Salvation Army!!  It just seemed to have that shape that I was looking for.

Unlike some other bloggers I am not really a spray paint girl. I would love to do that more and transform things, but again city living and the condo don't lend themselves to big spray paint projects. Ah, to have a garage. So must admit this was my first in awhile and I needed help from the Ace Hardware guy. I sort of didn't think it was going to be this easy.  He said scratch it up with sandpaper, prime with the first can, and spray paint with the second.  This I can do...

Scratched up as best I could...

One coat of the primer, and then a few coats of the paint with little breaks in between. Both primer and spray paint dried REALLY fast so this was my kind of project - completed in an hour and little clean up!
   
I topped it off with a lamp shade that I already had from a broken lamp (dare I say probably from college?)  But the drum shape of the shade was PERFECT and it came down just low enough to hide what starts to be the lamp 'guts.'  You know what I mean.  So the FINISHED PROJECT!! 
  
Lamp: $7.75
Primer and Paint: $11.50
Time: Three 15minute sprays, watching TV in between.
Lamp Shade: Re-purposed.

Now I know why people spray paint! Wow. Black Hole Corner gone!