Goodnight America

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A few Saturdays ago, I ran across this antique toolbox at a local yard sale. It is sturdy, heavy as heck and opens from both the top and the front. The best part was the price - $5!

I've been looking for a nightstand for the "map" bedroom that I've been working on and this box was not only just the right height, but would also be able to provide extra storage for books and small toys. 

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Starfish & Stripes

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Last fall, I spotted the remains of a white picket fence in the dumpster while I was working on a project with our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. We had been building a home for a local family and I thought it would be fun and even a bit sentimental to make the homeowner something with a remnant found on the property. 

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Chippy Door Headboard - Fini!

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Yesterday was a perfect day. I went for an early run down by the shore, did some great yard-saling, and wrapped up the morning with a family trip to the beach.

I was hoping to get back to work on my chippy door-headboard project, but the combo of a gorgeous day, several old friends in town, lobsters in the pot... it wasn't looking good for my project schedule. Then the neighbor showed up with cold beer, and it was game over.

But today was a new day. Too tired to leave the yard, our headboard is finally done - complete with reading lamps and new owner! Read on to find out exactly how I did it.

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Pirate Art

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I've recently been working on creating some fun elements for the design of a little boy's pirate-themed bedroom. My goal is to make him a room that isn't cartoonish, overly babyish or remotely Disney-esque. This morning, I found my inspiration in the current edition of Coastal Living.

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Navy & Green - The Perfect Pair

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I have been dying to do a navy and green room for a while now. My children both rejected the idea since they like their current spaces as they are, so I've decided to go for it in our cottage bedroom.  

I love the combo of navy, gold and green, and since this is cottage is a rental, I want something that's fun, but not gender specific. 

Here's where we are today with the room. Last year, my focus was on getting the floors done and painting everything top to bottom. I added pendant lights next to the bed to give me more room on the bedside tables (not pictured) and bought the secondhand bed and dresser from a friend. 

The room is clean, but BORING.

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Subway Art and the Impatient Artist

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I have a very addictive personality.
When I do something that I like, I immediately want to do it again. Thankfully my mother instilled a good moral compass in me and I learned from a young age to channel my abundance of energy for good. (ok, save for a few of my high school and college years)

I had so much fun making the wall hung birth announcement the other day that I decided to try making another piece of subway art for a friend's upcoming ten year wedding anniversary.

Here is a photo of my first try.

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Custom Painted Birth Announcements

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Yesterday while sitting at my desk my eye caught on the photo birth announcements of three friends' beautiful new babies.
Thinking of baby gifts for them, it occurred to me that this was the perfect opportunity to try a new project I've been thinking about.

A couple of months back I stumbled across a painted subway style birth announcement on Pinterest. 

I saved the photo to my board labeled "Things I want to make." (I've been using this as my memo pad to go back to this board for ideas when I get the itch to try out a new project).

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Sunday Funday

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With our first summer guests arriving today, my project for this week has been to get the little house in order.

While digging for some light bulbs in the garage, I spotted this door that I had found hidden up in the rafters last summer when we bought the house. I have been thinking about what to do with it ever since.

I love the glass knob, the key, the cracked paint and have been saving it for a special project.
(I continue to rescue this door from the dumpster, so I'm starting to think that maybe it's beauty isn't as apparent to my husband?)












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Subway Tile Backsplash

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Step one in my plan to add some much needed texture and layering to my cottage kitchen complete!

I am IN LOVE with these mesh backed 2x4 subway tiles I found at Home Depot for only 2.95 a square foot. 

Total project cost = under $50, my happiness = priceless.

I decided to frame the kitchen window in the tile as well for a vintage look and love the way it turned out! 

Simple Mat comes through for me yet again to make this project quick and easy and make clean up a breeze.

I can't wait for my Sand Dollar wallpaper to arrive this week so I can get going on Step 2!

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Saturday Success

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I went out Saturday morning without much of a game plan other than to find some great items to reuse.

I had nothing specific in mind, but was hopeful that since last Saturday was a rain day, there would be lots of great yard sales. My sister is in town, so like any good hostess, I want to impress my guest, and I was hoping for the best.

Here are a few of this week's finds.

I couldn't help myself - We already started painting the cedar chest! I'm looking forward to finishing it up soon for an "After" photo.

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Cottage Kitchen Update - Phase 2

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Last spring we had our hands full taking this sad little cottage from lackluster to liveable.

I am very happy with the result so far but, after being out of the space for the winter months, opening the house back up this week, I keep walking around thinking "what is missing?"

The space is clean and fresh, but it still has yet to develop it's own personality.

This cottage for us is a summer retreat, a place where friends and family go to vacation and relax. It's a small space which, for me, means a break from the constant shoveling of the tide that is our daily living. This space is an opportunity for me to depart from the traditional decor I have at home and really do something fun.
 






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Get My Drift?

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According to Wikipedia, "Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea or river by the action of winds, tides, waves or man. It is a form of marine debris. In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides shelter and food for birds, fish and other aquatic species as it floats in the ocean." 

For many of us living by the shore, driftwood is a staple in our decorating. I love the smooth, wind and sand-worn texture, the silvery gray color, the lightness of it.

Here are a few of the ways I've used driftwood around my own home.

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Preppy Striped Bathroom

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Today was a washout. Literally.

I woke to the sound of driving rain and wind. Shut inside with two tired children and a husband who was up to his neck in a mountain of laundry, I decided to paint the bathroom. It was in desperate need of a fresh coat as the walls were covered in streaks- a result of my six year old's penchant for long, hot showers. We used to think he just liked to be extra clean, then we found out what he's really been up to in there. Hockey. Apparently my father's stool makes a great net and the back brush serves as a hockey stick. We'd been hearing cheering, "He shoots, he scores!" and peeked in just in time to watch the bar of Dove sail cleanly into the top right corner of the net.

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Mama's Desk

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My mother bought this very same desk from the unfinished furniture store when I was young. 

She stained it walnut, gave it a coat of poly and it became "her office". Her sanctuary. We were NOT to touch "Mom's desk."

Last week I found its doppelganger in Newport, RI at a yard sale.

I picked up some rubbed bronze bin pulls at my favorite big box store and gave the desk three coats of Annie Sloan's "Arles" paint- a color I've been dying to try out.

Here is my version of my mother's desk.

I LOVE how it turned out and hope you do too!!

Have a great weekend!!

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Seaside Shelter Featured in "The Bay" Digital Magazine!

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A huge thank you to local writer and author of The Newport Stylephile, Andrea McHugh, for including our Renfrew Park home in the June edition of The Bay. Check out her article and photos at The Bay Magazine - Labor of Love. 

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