DIY Trials and Tribulations

As most of us DIY homies know, doing it yourself sometimes means doing it (shittily) yourself, or sometimes scrapping the whole thing and starting over.

This is one of those times.

When I bought our amazing craigslist coffee table I knew I wanted to build a box wrapped in brass to make it taller. A lot of you said I should just leave it but we eat dinner at ours a lot so we need something taller.

We started with a box my husband built in the appropriate dimensions. I spray painted it with a gold paint that was supposed to look like plated metal. It didn't. Then I bought a roll of sheet metal from the craft store.

We covered the box in ultra strong carpet tape and cut the metal with an x-acto knife.

We ruined about half of the sheet trying to figure out the right method. Then we got it right and got one side covered pretty well.

The problem is since the metal came in a roll it doesn't look flat. Being rolled up created little bumpys which are hard to see in this photo but it real life it's less than ideal.

So its back to the drawing board again.

I got some shiny gold wrapping paper we are going to try.

Have you had any DIY trials and tribulations lately?

Please tell me I'm not alone.

P.S. I got sooooo much done over the three day weekend. Its amazing what one extra day off can do. I will have a few quick changes to share with you this week. Hooray!

Dreaming of a New Entryway

The entryway is one of the first rooms I painted and decorated when we bought our home. And by first I mean I finally made a decision a year after living there.

I'm slow on the uptake I guess.

Well that was two years ago so naturally I'm ready for something new.

I'm sure many of you with a decorating compulsion can't believe I've gone that long without changing it already. I've been focusing on other rooms though. So now that the rest of our home is more planned and decorated I think the entryway could be better.

The color is pillow mint by valspar. I know I know, mint is all the rage right now (i did it before it was cool? Am I awesome enough to claim that?)

I've come to know I'm more of a dark and moody jewel tone lover now.

And with a small space I am craving some boldness here...

 But then the issue with that is its right off the hallway which has these stripes you see.

So my questions are;

Can I do something like a stencil right off the striped hallway?

If not should I repaint the hallway in favor of going bold here?

I also need to look for a new console.

This one is from Target from my college days (fuh-eva ago it seems now)

Its done me well and my paint job has extended its life greatly but its time for it to go!

Some inspiration...

This is one of my favorite entry ways of all time. Its not dark or moody at all I know. I just like the simplicity of it I guess. 

This wall stole my heart.

As did this one. I think the gold stencil might be more subtle to blend with the rest of the house. Remember my living room is right to your left!

The black wall with gold accents and a colorful painting is a wonderful thing in Naomi's loft.

Same vibe here.

I love love love the idea of a floating console. This could be an awesome DIY or Ikea hack too!

My collection of vintage mirrors is going to stay either way. I love it too much to let go yet.

Thoughts on the whole shebang?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Latest Thrifts

I went to my beloved Canton Flea Market last saturday. As it was already hotter than hell I doubt I will be going again until the Fall, le sigh.

I wasn't looking for anything in particular but I did come away with a few treasures.

Some great little bottles to use as bud vases. Both for $5.

A rather large sized blue ombre pitcher. Only $12.

Little teacups to hold some jewelry, both for $4.

This beautiful little scarf that looks like watercolors. Only $1!

I plan to wrap a canvas with it and hang it as art. So pretty!

Any latest thrifts you are excited about?

Quick Change Time: Finally, A Proper Living Room Rug!

We've been living with a rug in our living room that was all kinds of wrong. Color didn't work, way too small for the space, slid all around the place.

Before...

And now!

It's a beautiful navy blue dhurrie at a whopping 9x12.

I am so happy to finally have a proper rug. Scott really likes it too which says something. I got a great deal on it at work since its a discontinued item.

PS If you are in the Dallas area stop by the Wisteria store for the weekly flea market, tons of stuff at cheap cheap cheap!

What do you guys think?