{DIY} West Elm inspired curtain panels

We adore WestElm. They have super trendy home decor and the color palettes are dreamy! If you love west elm than this DIY tutorial is for you. Get the look of these fab curtain panels on a shoestring budget!

Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel 59-79 dollars each.

Materials Needed:
*Acrylic paint
*Fabric Medium paint {helps the paint adhere to fabric}
*Roller brush {you can also use a stencil dabber at certain parts}
*Curtains of your choice
*Stencil
*Blue painters tape {or any preference of tape}
*Drop cloth or something to lay under your curtain



Create your own stencil or buy one...this stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils

Take the time to prep and be sure you have everything secured down. Optional: tape down the drop cloth so it won't move and cause problems, and also tape down the curtain to prevent any slipping.



You can use a stencil dabber or soft roller to paint.

Fabric Medium is the secret to painting on fabric.  You can buy it at Micheal's or almost any craft store.  It helps keep the paint softer and adheres to the fabric better than if you attempted to paint directly to fabric without the medium.  Mix the two together, and if you're using paint with color, it doesn't effect the result of the color.



Lay the stencil back over a partly painted area to make the pattern continuous for the 3rd and 4th section.  Just be sure to take your time and pay attention to the details.  

Fabulous! PB&JStories I think we just might like the painted version better!

                                          

{DIY} Cabinet Makeover - From Drab to Fab!

Ok...we have all seen those Basic Melamime cabinets. Basic white with basic plastic handles. They were quite popular back in the 80's! Before you call the cabinet professionals for a complete kitchen renovation...check out this nifty tutorial. You can take these cabinets from drab to fab in some very easy steps and inexpensively!


So here are the culprits! LOL. Basic White plain cabinets.

The before cabinet in the laundry room. Also a plain white wire shelf that will get a facelift.

Cut a piece of bead board to fit your cabinet - available from your local lowes or home depot. They can also cut to fit if you bring them the dimensions for a very small fee. Wood glue the beadboard to the door and hold in place with a clamp. Dry for 30 mins +. 

Once dry, add trim of choice around door cut to fit. Lattice molding was used in this tutorial. There are many molding choices you could use. Glue and clamp again as before. I would go a step further and use a small finishing nail around all trim with a nailer if you have one.

Once everything is dry, caulk any uneven spots and give it a good sand. Prime with a good primer and paint with your choice of color. In this tutorial white was used. You could use any color. We like Behr paints with teflon.

Here is what the finished product looks like! You would never know they were basic boring melamime! *TIP* If you love the antique vintage look. Use an off white or cream based paint and rub an antiquing glaze into the cabinet corners and cracks for an aged look! Ralph Lauren has a lovely line of glazes. You can also use a punch and add worm holes randomly on the trimwork before glazing. You boring cabinets will look like a million bucks. For the more adventurous...these would look fabulous painted black, and antiqued by using a small palm sander or hand sander to lightly sand around trim work to add aged details. If doing black a thin coat of varathane is recommended. Dont' forget to add some new beautiful door knobs!

A boring wire shelf is hidden with a small piece of molding. Brilliant.

Love the jars for holding bounce sheets!

adapted from loving your space.



{DIY} Closet reading Nooks and Playlofts + Tutorials

Do you have a super small closest or niche that does not have a purpose? Of course you do! Re-invent that space for the kids! Turn it into a pint size reading nook or playarea! Here are some super cute ideas for reading nooks and playlofts and some pretty nifty tutorials on how to do it.

see full tutorial and sources @ pretty handy girl

ohdeedoh

thrifty decor chick

ohdeedoh

{Fab Finds} Color + Decor Inspiration

We love this color palette. Coral or Crimson red with a vintage pink and Golden yellow. It looks beautiful paired with black furnishings and a crisp clean white hotel bedding set (black stripe detail) or this beautiful toile bedding set from Horchow. Pair with some damask details, beautiful  and rustic accessories...and you have yourself a pretty parisian theme with a more updated look. Walls would be beautiful with Ben Moore's lotus or other similar yellow for a dramatic effect. Or you could also choose a soft antique pink shade which would be very pretty paired with the black furnishings.

Inspiration Board by: Serendipity

Bedding and Lamp - Horchow
Bed, pillows, artwork, Parisian Clock, Mirror, Vases, Damask Chair and night stand - Pier 1 Imports
Eiffel Tower Candle Holder - Homegoods/Homesense
Paint - Ben Moore - Lotus

A pink quilt and coral or crimson or yellow chunky soft knit throw would be beautiful at the foot of the bed. Topped off with a white bed tray.

{Fab Finds} Color Inpsiration - Turquoise/Aqua

I adore shades of Turquoise. They make me dream of lazy breezy days on an island soaking up the sun. Decorating with Turquoise is so effortless and has a calming effect on all who surround themselves with it. It is beautiful paired of shades of celery green. Great for a coastal beach theme. Turquoise/Green beach glass and bottles look beautiful mixed in with this design. Hope you enjoy some inspriation. I will be dreaming of being on the beach today! {Click for larger image.}

Leather Sofa - Pottery Barn, Turquoise Swing Bag - Coach,

Vintage BLUE Canning Jar CHANDELIER - LampGood's Etsy store. (How cool is that?!)

All other finds - Pier 1 (dangerous store for me! I shall sneak these in one by one until the hubby notices them...sometimes that takes a long time. LOL)

{Home Decor} Custom Furniture + Furniture Refinishing

Welcome to our "other" Love. Custom Rustic Furniture and Furniture refinishing.  We love breathing life into vintage time worn pieces and creating new pieces to look vintage.

Large Custom Buffet and Hutch

In the workshop.

Harvest table bench from reclaimed wood.

custom beach sign.

restored vintage dresser.

restored vintage dresser - custom shabby crates to the left.