A DIY memo board

Well hello there!! I am just overwhelmed at your response to my last post. You made me feel SO much better! :) I was so happy to read your comments and to hear many of you are making time to take care of YOU! It made my week! (Really.)

Because of I’ve been organizing like mad, and throwing in a few more work outs in here and there lately – my DIY/crafty/decorating time has been suffering. :) I rectified that today with a project I’ve been meaning to do forEVER.

I needed a new memo board for the light and bright office redo I’ve been working on. I made this one years ago:



It’s looking a little sad now. :) To make it, I just covered a piece of insulation foam with fabric. I wrapped the ribbon around it and hung it -- done!

I wanted something huge and it worked perfect! (See that squishy face in the picture on top? That’s my Bub’s birth announcements. Still LOVE.)

Well, about a year ago (yes, a YEAR) I found this huge frame for $10 at Goodwill:



I think it was even half off – it’s been so long I can’t remember! I knew it would work perfect for a new memo board. (I was planning ahead.)

I liked how chunky the frame was, but it wasn’t in the best shape:



It also had a band of linen-type fabric that I actually quite liked.

I had a plan in mind for this baby and I absolutely luuuurve how it turned out! Not just love – LURVE.

First step was to prime the heck out of the sucker. I laid it down on my “spray painting” sheet on the garage floor and did a couple quick coats.

I need to mention that it was NINE degrees outside when I did this. It was unreal, it was so cold.

I am nothing if not dedicated! :)

Once I got feeling back in my hands, I brought it inside to dry. (Spray paint takes forever to dry in extreme temps.)

After that it was ready for paint. Because I wanted to use only what I had, I painted it the blue ceiling paint I used in the office. While it was drying, I moved onto the “memo” part:



This stuff is that thick foam insulation you can get at the hardware store. I love it! I got a few sheets to cover our crawl space openings into the basement years ago. It works GREAT – keeps the cold and the spiders out! Eww!

Anyhoo, I wanted to reuse the foamy stuff for this memo board as well. I measured the size I needed, then used my Dremel to cut it out:



Awe-some!! (Said in a sing song voice.)

I wrapped it with my fabric, securing it to the back with hot glue:



I nail gunned it to the back of the frame and it worked like a charm!

For now it's hanging right behind the desk:



I think it will stay on that wall, but not sure where exactly. :) My plan for the board and batten includes a small ledge, so after that’s done I’ll have to play around with the memo board.

Of course I used the stripe fabric, which is a pain in the booty to get just right:



It has to be perfectly straight or it will drive. you. MAD. Or maybe it just drives me mad. :)

When I primed the frame, I sprayed right over the linen fabric (one word: L.A.Z.Y.) and the primer didn’t even cover it. So weird – it looks just like it did before!:



I just left the little gold strip inside the frame primed. Again…laaaaazy.

I got the fabric pretty straight:



Enough that it doesn’t give my hives to look at it. :) It’ll be covered with notes anyway. That’s what I keep telling myself.

Did you notice my little addition to the DIY drum shade fixture?:



A picture in a magazine inspired it – I saw a beautiful drum shade trimmed out with beautiful, large glass beads. It was GORG. I searched ev.er.y.where. online and couldn’t find anything that looked like it – and then one day I checked out Hobby Lobby and found this.

It is just a precious little beaded trim – I adore it:



Is it possible to be in love with cute beaded trim? Is it normal to be in love with cute beaded trim? I don’t care – I am. :)

I am loving how the room is coming along! The time has come though – I need to buck up buttercup and just get that board and batten DONE.

I still can’t believe the transformation so far. The office before:



And after:



WHOO! Love it! And my office will be extra insulated now. ;)

**I still don’t know what I’m doing with that chair – the cover I had was the wrong blue, (total clash with the memo board) so I took it off for now. I think I have something in mind. (Do you hear my mind crankin’?)

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!

Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection

I heart Craigslist

Hello all! Hope you have a great weekend planned!

I’ve had a little obsession that’s grown over the past six months or so…and I never thought it would happen. My obsession used to give me heebs and totally freak me out. But I’ve learned to love -- Craig and his list. :)

The heebs I used to get were actually more about selling than buying. And I’m still not a big fan of the selling part. :)

But I’m a complete convert on the buying part. Gah. I’m hooked. Part of the problem is it’s so accessible with my iPhone app – it is AWESOME. Just like Facebook and Twitter, I only use it on my phone, never on the computer. It’s so convenient – you can save searches, save preferences, and the best part – the pictures pop up in the list. It’s SO easy to use! And it was FREE. Score! (You’d think I was paid to say that, but no. It’s that good.)

I usually spend five minutes every day or two scrolling through, even when I don’t need anything. That’s how they get ya. :)

Last summer, Craig had me at hello when I did some searching and found this (Drexel!) dresser for only $100:



It was a perfect fit in our family room! I absolutely LOVE it.

I had hoped that dresser would fit in our foyer, but it was too long, so a short time later, I searched again, and found this buffet that ended up in our foyer:

Sahweeet! I was starting to fall in love…with Craigslist. :)

I’ve since bought a few more pieces, (one for an absolute STEAL – I’ll show you soon!). I mentioned last week that there was a dresser I saw for my office that made my heart go pitter pat. That particular one sold before I could get my hands on it, but the seller had another beauty she hadn’t listed yet:



I love her, I do.

The dresser, not the seller. But I’m starting to love her a little bit too – she’s the one that sold me the buffet in our foyer. ;)

I love her pretty detail:



Her little legs and curvy lines:



And all of her STORAGE. :)



Awesome!! Isn’t it just calling out for some beautiful glass knobs?

She’s old and solid cherry wood with dovetail drawers. There’s a medallion inside marked Huntley Furniture, which I had never heard of. (I did some research and found out the company started in 1906 and phased out around 1961.) I’m finding part of the fun of these finds is researching their history. :)

I don’t know yet if it will stay black (although I think just about any room can handle one black piece). I’m going wait a bit, see how the room comes together, then decide.

The two lamps on top are from Target, and I got them just today.



I’ve passed by them over and over for about two weeks, and drooled over them each time. I mentioned it on Twitter this morning, and I tell you what – it’s like having hundreds of girlfriends shopping with you, with their “Get them!,” and “Go now before they’re gone!” (put the fear in me) and “Do it, you totally deserve it!”

OK, I may have added the last one myself. Whatever.

Anyway, they are absolutely STUNNING. The pictures don’t do their pretty aqua color justice – but oh my, I adore them:



Thump to the chest at ya, Tweeps!! :)

I’ve learned a few things in my short time as a Craigslist convert that I always follow:

1. I email first, using an old email with my maiden name. Call me crazy but I don’t want anyone to know my first and last name unless I’ve communicated with them a few times. Actually, I still don’t tell them my last name, even when I buy. :)

2. GET DIMENSIONS (save yourself a drive, gas money, time, etc.)

3. If you go to check it out, bring someone with you, or at least tell someone where you’re going. And I never bring my son with me.

4. If you don’t like it, if it’s not right, if it’s the wrong size, you DON’T have to buy it. :) Just tell them it’s not quite right, and go on your way. If you feel weird, just say you need to check some measurements at home.

5. I always ask if the piece is wood. Especially with something like a dresser, where sometimes the top is laminate, the drawers are wood. I want something I can paint (fairly) easily and that’s a sturdy wood piece.

I found a few treasures just waiting for a redo on the Indy Craigslist that I wanted to share with you!

This vintage dresser would be absolutely stunning painted in just about any color:



Wouldn’t that be gorgeous in a small foyer or mud room? And it’s only $40!

I love this mid-century piece:



It’s possibilities are endless – perfect for an office, as a TV stand, even just a dresser. It’s priced at $250, which is a little steep, but the seller says it’s a Miller Desk piece. I hadn’t heard of that company, but a quick search tells me they were based in High Point, North Carolina. And most times, High Point equals high quality. :)

This one is very similar to mine, just a tad simpler:



It’s got great, deep drawers. The price for this one (wood throughout, vintage, dovetail drawers) is only $100! Just think about what it would cost to get a dresser with this quality and size at any furniture store – you can’t beat it! 

I found a few tables I loved too – this sofa table could be gorgeous!:



And people, it’s only $20!! Five and a half feet long and $20? A coat of paint and it’d be good to go. If only I needed a sofa table. :)

This one looks like it came right out of the Pottery Barn catalog:



I LOVE it’s shape – so unique! And only $60. THIS is why I a Craigslist convert!

And this one is stunning as well:



Look at that detail! OH my. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic craft table? I’m drooling. It says to make an offer – and who knows what you could get it for? It’s way down on the list, which means it’s either sold and they never removed it (hate that!) or it’s been a while since they posted and are really ready to get rid of it! :)

So there you go – one of my latest treasures from my friend Craig, some tips from a newbie, and some fantastic inspiration to get you to just look already!! :)

Sooo…what fatabulous stuff have you found from Craig? Do you sell and a buy, or just browse (and occasionally buy) like me? Do tell!

P.S. The (free) app I use is called CraigsPro. You can pay to upgrade it, but I haven’t found a reason to do so. It rocks.

Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection

Free Lighting...made by me!

 This year, I resolved to make many of my gifts - at least the ones I could - and this gift is my favourite yet!
My sister recently did a make-over on her kitchen and eating area but decided to wait until she found the perfect light. I know what kind of lighting she likes, so I decided I would plan a way to make or buy her what she wanted. 





 While on a walk with a friend recently, we were discussing lighting and she told me she had seen an HGTV (I think) feature on how to make your own sphere-style light. She told me it involved a beach ball, some glue and heavy string. Well, she lighted a fire under me and I vowed to make one for my sister. It took me several weeks to finally gather all of my supplies and take the time to make it but it is now complete! Remembering her brief instructions, I used an exercise ball (one I had used when in labour with Sophie), some sisal twine and fabric stiffener.



 I purchased the twine at the Dollar Store and had some fabric stiffener kicking around. So, for less than five dollars I made a replica of this beauty from here (retailing for ~ $160!):





 I also used a light kit I had from one of those paper lanterns, so the cost to me was literally next to nothing! I do wish I had bothered to Google the instructions, though, as I found out later on you should run the sisal through a dish of glue or stiffener as you wrap it around the ball. I didn't do that so I slathered the stiffener all over the ball and hung it up to dry for ~ 36 hrs. Mine isn't perfect, but I think it is pretty good for the price!
I will also assure her she doesn''t have to hang it in her kitchen if it isn't what she had in mind, but I think it will still make a fun light for another area in her home. 


Because I love my sister and LOVE making/buying her things!
Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection

Style Design For Fabulous Lighting from Jonathan Adler

One of the biggest challenges we face as a small online retailer is finding good stuff to buy. It's so hard, let us tell you. We have to find things that are inexpensive enough, pretty enough, and nice enough in person so when the customers receive them, they'll be happy.


You think it's easy?

Ha!

Fortunately the lamps from Robert Abbey fit those criterias. They are so well-made and well-priced, we never have been disappointed.


Here are some fabulous pieces from the Jonathan Adler collection for Robert Abbey:













These items will be posted on our site soon!
Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection

Style Design For Fabulous Lighting from Jonathan Adler

One of the biggest challenges we face as a small online retailer is finding good stuff to buy. It's so hard, let us tell you. We have to find things that are inexpensive enough, pretty enough, and nice enough in person so when the customers receive them, they'll be happy.


You think it's easy?

Ha!

Fortunately the lamps from Robert Abbey fit those criterias. They are so well-made and well-priced, we never have been disappointed.


Here are some fabulous pieces from the Jonathan Adler collection for Robert Abbey:













These items will be posted on our site soon!
Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection

Unique Pendants from DK Living

We think lighting is one of those things that's really hard to shop for. You either get the generic, boring stuff at Home Depot or Lowes or you get the really high-end stuff at specialty stores.

So we were a little excited when we saw these at DK Living. This company sells furniture and accessories that are simple but very unique. The prices are very reasonable too. They run between $200-800 for the fixtures.

Here are some pendants that are quite lovely...
----------------------------------------------------
This one is a mesh-wire in silver. It 's only $200.
We love this glass pendant. It's so simple and clean-lined.
This picture is terrible, but the pendant looks adorable in person. The bubbles are being tied together by very thin wires. It runs about $700 or so.
We just like the simplicity of this pendant.
This one is very glamorous. It's about $800.
The pictures are not so great, sorry. They look much in person though.Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection

Unique Pendants from DK Living

We think lighting is one of those things that's really hard to shop for. You either get the generic, boring stuff at Home Depot or Lowes or you get the really high-end stuff at specialty stores.

So we were a little excited when we saw these at DK Living. This company sells furniture and accessories that are simple but very unique. The prices are very reasonable too. They run between $200-800 for the fixtures.

Here are some pendants that are quite lovely...
----------------------------------------------------
This one is a mesh-wire in silver. It 's only $200.
We love this glass pendant. It's so simple and clean-lined.
This picture is terrible, but the pendant looks adorable in person. The bubbles are being tied together by very thin wires. It runs about $700 or so.
We just like the simplicity of this pendant.
This one is very glamorous. It's about $800.
The pictures are not so great, sorry. They look much in person though.Source URL: http://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection