Tuesday’s Tips: Diy Malachite boxes, a framed magnetic wall spice holder & under bed storage from old drawers

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{Addicted 2 Decorating}

I am so gonna steal this entire look for my next client. It’s not only functional but this magnetic chalkboard framed spice rack looks nice enough to be wall art for the kitchen

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{BHG}
Have an old dresser and not enough storage? Place casters on the bottoms of the drawers & roll them under the bed for some easy to reach storage. Use for out of season clothing or paperwork…

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My girl Jessica has yet another fab diy project (another fav of mine is her leopard drawer liner tutorial). She made a convincing malachite pattern for some decorative boxes…

{the Aestate}

The Writings on the Walls…Chalkboard Edition…

 

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Everytime I say that phrase I think of Destiny’s Child who I had a dream about last night (the original members) ironically. Totally weird. Anyhoo…I can’t get enough of chalkboard paint and I don’t think it’s a fad going out anytime soon. Parents love the idea of allowing kids to doodle all over the place. Adults love the idea to write memos and notes and I just love the color black. Some people have gotten so creative that they use chalkboard as a canvas of art. Creating beautiful draweings that one wouldn’t want to erase…

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I first blogged about this playroom HERE and I love coming across the other views of rooms I’ve had in my personal archives. See more playroom ideas HERE

Love how the sconces look over a chalkboard wall…

 

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Decorating with utensils…yep utensils on mirrors, chandeliers etc…

One time in Pier 1 (my fav retail chain decor store), I came across these ginormous spoons and forks that could be hung on the wall of one’s kitchen. So whimsy and fun. So when I came across two interiors with utensils for decor, I knew I had a new topic. First off, this small kitchen above is fabulous in every sense. The black chalkboard paint amongst the white is a classic color palette and the chandelier adds a bit of glam to the design. Surprisingly the black ceiling doesn’t make the space feel heavy despite the cramped galley kitchen style. This is due to the floor to ceiling cabinets being white. If there were floating shelves, the space would feel even more open…
This mirror is a fun DIY project that I really want to try. Click HERE to see Country Living’s tutorial…

{Images via my Pinterest, (Desire to Inspire & Carrier & Co}

Tuesday’s Tips: Chalkboard Backsplash (affordable transformation)

{Shelter Pop}

Finishing the kitchen remodel has got me really into tile and backsplash. Not everyone has the means to  spend thousands revamping a space. Chalkboard backsplash is a cheap alternative to tile and it makes a big impact and is totally fun for kids…

{Kitchen Clarity}

This is a cool way to write menus or recipes. No more flipping through books at the stove top…

Just get you some chalkboard paint from the local hardware/home improvement store and after a couple of coats, viola. Click HERE to see other fun chalkboard ideas…

Kid Friendly: Chalkboard Surfaces…

Not only because I have a slight obsession with the color black but because it’s amazingly functional and totally kid friendly. Chalkboard vinyl stickers and chalkboard paint is the way to go. Put it on a table for the kids playroom so they can doodle while eating, put it on the fridge as an easy reminder for “to do” lists, put it on beverage cups so people don’t accidentally drink out of the wrong one, even on an entire wall the kids will get to draw without repercussions. Purchase the paint from any hardware store or simply get the vinyl stickers from Kohl’s, Target, Marshalls etc. Continue reading for lots of pics and limitless examples of what can be done…

Chalkboard surfaced tables is also a great idea for adult oriented parties (showers, weddings). Place enough chalk and you can set up kid’s table to keep themselves occupied.

{Decor Pad}

Continue on for more pics…

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Wall Art Inspirations and the Do’s and Don’ts…

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I live in an apartment that doesn’t allow painting (dreadful) and coming from an apartment that DID allow it, it’s rather depressing. In my last place I had a mulberry wall in my bedroom which has Moroccan elements and then a chocolate wall in my living room which has African Safari & animal print pieces. So to help all the other people out who have my dilemma or who simply want to spruce up their wall space without anything too permanent, here are some relatively inexpensive ideas to hopefully inspire you.

Depending on how it’s done, I love a collage of photos. The key is to have some consistency otherwise it will look dated and cluttered. You want to either A) use the same color frames. They can be different frames (actually I think the more styles the better) but when painted the same it works. B) The same color pictures. Whether you use pics with the same colors in it or all black & white or sepia toned, that allows for a cohesive look. C) same colored frame AND mat. When you use the same mat it really frames out the pictures quite nicely.  

La Dolce Vita

Placement of photos on walls are also important. Rule of thumb, unless you’re doing some sort of collage, never hang pix higher than the other. Make sure they’re at eye level (not too high or too low) Never put pictures over door frames. Maybe it’s a pet peeve of mine but I cannot stand it especially in a room where the ceilings are the normal 8 ft height. It just looks silly. I love when mirrors or art are aligned in 3s. It makes such a statement. Try putting them over a bed for a “headboard” feel.

 

Size of pictures is something one must consider when putting them over pieces of furniture. As with anything in your space, you want to make sure everything is to scale. There IS such thing as having too small of pictures for the space. Imagine bite size pictures over an oversized couch with really high ceilings. Yeah, it’s not a good look.


When doing family photos, try to think of different ways to display them. One big trend right now is frameless portraits and enlarged images. It’s still highlighting your loved ones but in more of a modern non stale way. By stale I mean…….well…..you’ve been to homes, particularly the elder generation where there’s family photos on the walls EVERYWHERE….in different frame styles, different color frames, different eras of photos, different colors, hung at different heights….just doing entirely way too much. Unless you’re displaying a collection of art as in an art wall and confining it to one wall or space, then I don’t cosign the above.

Click for more pics & inspirations…

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