DIY: Stamped Curtains

Since my introduction to Pinterest, I usually spend every night laying in bed and scrolling through project after project, and then I go to sleep wondering what I could possibly spray paint next...  When I started redecorating the guest room/office, I realized I needed curtains that fit the monochromatic color palette and rustic/utilitarian vibe better than my neon orange ones.  I had some white ones that had been sitting in the closet for a while, so I knew what I had to do: paint them.

Here's a quick DIY, if you want to give it a go.

1.  Supplies included two bottles of flat fabric paint, scissors, a sponge, and a measuring tape.

2.  I cut the sponge into a triangle, since that was the design I wanted on my curtains.  (The squishy yellow part of the sponge works better than the scrubbing side, since it collects more paint and distributes it more evenly.)

3.  I measured the curtains in half so I would know where to start stamping, in order for it to be a little more evenly spaced across.

4.  I squeezed some fabric paint on a paper plate, dabbed the sponge into it until it was even, and started stamping!  This project, stamping three lines on each curtain, definitely required two bottles of fabric paint.

5.  Cat helped.

6.  I let the curtains dry for a few hours, and then hung them up.  They turned out perfect for this room, adding just a little more interest to the window without being overpowering.

Record Stand Remix

Hello all!  If you follow me on Instagram, you know that 90% of the time, I'm DIYing or crafting something.  I just repainted and recovered my piano bench to match the piano (hurrah!) and I also had the time to makeover an end-table my sister gave me.
I've been needing a spot to put my record player.  It's a bit bulky and I'm looking to get a smaller one eventually, but in any case I need a good place for it right now.

The before shot:

It's a nice sturdy table, but the top was scratched and it just needed some freshening up.

That can of Pantone paint seems to be miraculously unending.  I knew instantly that it was what this baby needed.

I started by removing the door, to make it a good storage space for records.  The screws were all basically stripped, so I had to twist the metal hinges off and hammer in the leftover screws.

 

 I painted the inside black.  (I also discovered that oil-based paint is the work of the Devil and should be avoided at all costs.  Yuck.)

The wood around the sides was torn up pretty good, so I trimmed the edges using (psst, don't tell anyone) paint sticks.

I'm super happy with the way it turned out:

Now we have the perfect place to put the record player when people are over, instead of just trying to find room for it on the floor.  I can't wait to spend some time in there listening to vinyl and hanging out with friends.

Got any special DIY projects you've done? need to do? want to find time for?  Let me know in the comments.

Mid Century Den

It's taken a while to decide what style to go with in our living room, but it's very important to me since it's the largest room of the house and is the first impression on visitors.  We painted the living room a couple of years ago, but the space was still dark and not quite comfortable enough.  I've spent the last year or so collecting mid century modern antiques and coordinating pieces.  So here are a few photos to show how the room has come together so far!

My mom and dad found this piano at a school auction and got it for -- wait for it -- $1.25!  It needed a lot of superficial work, but all of the keys are working.  The Pantone paint color Cockatoo gave it back the liveliness it needed.  Now I just need to paint the piano bench to match.

The bicycle print over the piano is from a graphic design firm called Rockets Are Red.  We actually purchased it years ago and had it stored under the bed, since there was nowhere to put it.  And then we ended up using red and teal in the house, so now we have a perfect place for it!

This antique chair was a gift from my awesome friend, Molly.

This console table started my quest for mid century modern.  I found it sitting outside of a thrift store, and got it for an incredible $11.  It has a few dents and dings, but I love the character of it.  Best of all, the DVD player and Roku can be hidden away inside the compartment.

The sofa and chair was a free (!!!) set my sister found me on Craigslist.  The shape and color is a great match with the mid century aesthetic.

I got a little carried away with the Cockatoo paint...

I'm so happy this room finally all came together!  It's the perfect cozy space for reading, studying, or just watching TV.  It's so nice to have a living room that's bright and colorful and happy.

Do you have a favorite room in your house?  Is there any room that needs a vintage -- or modern -- overhaul?  Tell me about it in the comments!

Garden Party

I'm looking forward to summer and all of its accompanying joys (warm weather, short dresses, sandals, late nights spent on the patio, and swimming).  Here are a few things to contribute towards a garden party, with or without guests....

Instant "Vintage" Lamp

Cheap lampshade 

+ 

cheap fringe 

+

a hot glue gun

=

:)

Paint + Brushes = Happy walls

Music was needed, of course.

Kitchen-aid

My poor kitchen.  I think it needs some help.  It always looks so... sad.  It's time to stage an intervention....

 

A Glimpse into the House...

Here's a few pictures to show off our crazy house.  Mr. Williams and I tend to just put together whatever we like and so the second level of our home is a mishmash of all of our different loves.
Today, a couple of photos of my side of the office....

(I have a fairly unhealthy addiction to typewriters, although truth be told, I hardly ever use them anymore.  Word processors are easier, but not nearly as much fun.)