Decorating
Make your own Command Center!
Have you heard of the new concept of “Command Centers”? Well, I reckon it’s a new thing? Whoa, I just said reckon, but I’m not ashamed.
Basically, if you are short on space, or you don’t have a designated area for an office, you can take something as small as a corner or a wall and turn it into a COMMAAAAAAAAND CENTER! (I imagine some crazy loud man with an echo saying that)
That is exactly what I did in the corner of my dining room.
You can put whatever you want in your center. It is the area in your home where you typically take care of your bills, schedules for your family, organize dinner menus (etc.) There aren’t really any set rules because let’s be honest, everyone’s home runs differently than the next home.
What I did, was take 4 plain, wooden clipboards that I picked up from Office Max for $2.99 each, only to be horrified later when I realized I could have gotten them from The Dollar Tree for…… you guessed it!
However, the ones there were not exactly the same. They didn’t have the circle at the top that made it easy to hang on a single nail and would have been difficult to hang as a result. Some of the things I put on my boards that help me were a blank grocery list that I grouped into areas of the store so that I wasn’t playing ping pong back and forth throughout the store while I was there.
Then I did our weekly menu for meals, my monthly calendar, and a great household planner I found at the The Confident Mom to help organize MY LIFE! LOL!
All of the templates other than the one I created for the grocery store, I found online by searching “free calendar printables” or “free menu printables”. I don’t have the links to the ones I used, but….
Here are some great examples of other Free Printables:
Shining Mom (Free Printable Monthly Calendar)
The Suburban Mom (Free Printable Monthly Calendar)
Sweet Bella Roos (Free Menu Planner)
Posh Ideas (Free Menu Planner)
Next to the clip boards, I have one of my bulletin boards that I keep fun things on, important reminders, appt. cards and so on. I love showcasing some of the sweet artwork the kids bring home from school too!
I also have an area for my files with important things I need and a basket that I labeled for mail overflow.
Overall, I love this little nook and what we turned it into. I forgot to mention that most of the things I used, were things I already had. That is the best part about one of these command centers. Try your best to use items that you already have. I already had the desk (Target), chair(Old Time Pottery), bulletin board (Homegoods), baskets (Goodwill finds), and file folders (Office Max).
I bought the clipboards and slipcover for the chair. Again, the clipboards were $2.99/ea. and the slipcover was bought from Pier 1 for $39.95.
If you have the time and want to organize your Family day to day life…… or simply your own life, seriously consider a Command Center!
I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Happy Decorating!
XOXO,
Esther
Fun Shared Girls Room (Reveal)
I have been literally obsessed with finishing the girls’ new room, and honestly it isn’t really finished yet. There are a few things to tweak here and there and paint. There are also a few DIY projects that still need to be done, but don’t worry! I will definitely share them once they have been completed.
The girls’ new room is our old bonus/playroom that never got played in! Doesn’t that irritate you? Well, it DID irritate me! LOL!
What to do?
Answer: MOVE THE GIRLS UP THERE!
I need to back track a little though and let you know why I decided to move the girls upstairs. First, like I said, the room never got used even though we had tons of toys to play with up there. Our home’s lay out is to where the downstairs is our main living space and everything upstairs was considered (for us) bonus. One big bonus room, a bathroom, and another bedroom.
The girls shared one of the downstairs bedrooms and a king bed and were still fighting ALLLLLLLL the time! “She touched me! She looked at me! She FARTED on me! ” You know, the usual stuff.
Then, one day, I just looked at my husband with those ” I have an idea” looks. After I chased him down into the other room and made him listen to me, I told him I thought we should move the girls to the bonus room and maybe their own space would make things better.
So far, so good! I am really happy with how it turned out. A friend of mine said that it reminded her of a cool dorm room.
I knew that if I wanted to make this happen, it was going to have to be on a tight budget. Other than the beds, I didn’t want to have to spend much. I kind of had no way around purchasing the beds. I did, however, go to Walmart to buy the twin beds/box springs which I felt would be the cheapest alternative.(*around $300/each bed) The metal frames were universal ones that I picked up at Sam’s Club. ($38 each)
The hilarious thing is that they are happier with smaller beds. They went from sharing a King, down to a twin bed. I think something can definitely be said though for having your own space……. and not being farted on….. right? Sorry!
I wanted to visually divide the room to allow them to have their “own sides”. I already had these toy shelves in the room and decided to arrange them in a way that they both could have their own things stored on each side. It is basically 4 of the units that I picked up at Walmart for $17 each with fabric containers picked up at Target a while back.
This is one of the projects that still needs tweaking. My idea is to attach them with screws and put molding around the creases with maybe a top to match their desk tops. This way, the piece will look more like one piece, instead of 4.
Next off, the DESKS! I am extremely proud of these desks and I’ll tell you why. They cost me a total of $ 4 . 00 !!!! No, that wasn’t a typo!
Let me explain:
I actually took an old dining table that I had on my back porch (that I wanted to move) and cut it down (since it was a pub table), along with the chairs and attached it to the wall to make their desks. The only thing I had to pay for were the roller casters on the back legs, which I scored at Ollies for $ 4.00.
I had looked and looked on Pinterest for all sorts of ideas. I found some great ones, but they all were going to cost around $300 to $400 to complete, which definitely would have had to wait a while. *Remember the tight budget?
If you look closely, you can see that one end looks like it is coming out of the wall and only has 2 legs.
That is because of this:
I thought I was going to have to buy wood from the store to do this, but instead, we were able to reuse pieces from the original table! SCORE!
To let the girls personalize their own space, I generously gave up a few of my bulletin boards from my office I bought at Homegoods a while back.
This is my youngest daughter’s side.
This is her older sister’s side. I think you can guess which one has “HOARDING” tendencies……. LOL!
Here is a view of the chairs. When we initially cut them down, we didn’t allow for the fact that they all naturally leaned back, so we added the roller casters to the back to level it off. We didn’t want to have to cut two more of the four chairs that were left, in case I come up with more projects…… for my husband to do……. 😉 * He would have preferred to cut them all up and use them for a bonfire, I’m sure. Love you honey!
By now, you have probably noticed in a previous photo that the girls have LOCKERS in their room! This is all because of their cool daddy! While doing a painting project for the local Sheraton hotel in our city, they were getting rid of them!!!!!! There were 6 in total!!!! So, you know what that means…………. they were FREEEEEEE , aside from the paint that we purchased to paint them. They were originally a stale tan color like most lockers are.
You may not be able to tell so well in the pic, but the one in the picture above is a light blue since that is my youngest daughter’s favorite color.
The one in the previous photo further above is a light purple for, you guessed it, our oldest’s favorite color.
The girls and I did a really cool Pinterest DIY project for them. I bought one sheet of mosaic tile backsplash. Then, we pulled individual tiles off and attached peel n stick magnets to them.
Now, the girls can stick things on the lockers since they are magnetic! Lots of fun! They love it!
I love how they are able to express their own style and keep it on their own sides of the room.
There are so many things I love about this room, but one of my favorite things are their headboards.
I was really nervous that what I had envisioned would not come out right, but I am SOOOO happy with it!
Again, I had looked and looked on Pinterest for all kinds of ideas. I found so many great ideas. However, they all involved using a thick plywood for the base, which would have been fine, except I was determined to not have to ask for my husband’s help on this one. He was projected out by this time and I was wanting to do this one on my own.
I would have had to have him cut it and that just wasn’t going to work for me.
I decided instead to buy a very large canvas at AC Moore, which was on sale and went from there. Mom and Dad were visiting the weekend I decided to do it, so I sweet talked Mom into helping me. She was a trooper! I asked her because while I might have wanted to go it alone, it is definitely easier when you have two people tugging and stapling. Thanks MOM!
I will be posting a DIY post on it later.
The one above is my youngest’s. The stripes were actually a result of things not going exactly like I had planned, but then again, they say that some of the best things come from that and I think this turned out better because of it. It also allowed their headboards to be slightly different.
Here is a closer view of it.
Here is a close view of my oldest’s. I kept hers plain without stripes so that she could have, what I considered an older look. By the way, that is a painter’s drop cloth that is on the headboard. 😉 More on that in the DIY post.
AND this is the BEAST that I will be taking on next. The plan is to paint it a dark gray and add a long mirror above it. For this, I will definitely be needing my “painter husband” ‘s help. Once it is done, I will add a tutorial! *Maybe my first video tutorial? What do you think? 😉
Well, there you have it. This is the girl’s room ……… for now.
Anytime I add anything, I will make sure to let you know!
Until next time……
XOXO,
Esther
Sidebar: The bedding was bought at Target.
Turquoise comforter : $27.99 (comforter/sham),
Purple Comforter: $ 24.99 (comforter/sham)
Both Sheet sets: $ 17.99 (flat/fitted/pillow case)
Quilt on purple bedding: Gift from Nana for birthday
DIY Spice Holder
It’s widely understood around these parts that I like Mason Jars. Ok, maybe more like LOVE them.
I even make layered cakes in them. If you missed that post, you can see it here.
Well, the other day, while going into my pantry to pull out things for dinner, I noticed my stash was overflowing. I can never bring myself to part with a mason jar, so I thought of something I could use them for. Then it dawned on me! I have been trying to clean out my lazy susan in the kitchen.
Since I didn’t want to spend any money doing that, I decided to make my own version of a “spice rack”/holder thingamajig.
SO! This is what I did:
First, I took the mason jar…
Then, I hopped online and searched free circular printables and found these. They were perfect size for the seals on the small jars I was using. My computer allowed me to size them this size and also slightly bigger.
If you notice, I chose to put them on a slightly yellow tinted paper compared to white because I wanted the labels to have a vintage appearance on them. You could use any color you like though.
After cutting out the labels for the seals, I took my label maker and made each spice name I wanted to use. I decided to cut the ends in a banner like point to give it some flair.
This was the end result.
But then, I needed something to put them in…….
I had this metal thing I bought from Homegoods a while back and was planning on trying to sell it in a yard sale. I say thing because while I thought it was a good idea to buy it at the time, I just couldn’t find a permanent home for it. It held a few papers once, then was a shoe holder for my little man, and then just went into the yard sale pile.
So, I decided to give it one more try. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a contender in it’s original state.
So, I laid it down and deconstructed it, a bit.
Ending up with this. I call it RUSTIC FLAIR! LOL!
So, in the spices went.
Now, there are a few spices I use more of, so I thought it would be good to make their jars a little bit larger. Unfortunately, the labels in the original size were too small for their lids, so I doubled them up.
This was the end result.
Now, I realize that one side of the basket, basically being the bottom of the holder, is a different color than the rest of the holder. Then you have the opening on the side of the holder that was originally the top, but I had a solution for that. Hee! Hee!
The opened side went up against the fridge (so you can’t see it, unless I point it out), and the other end just looks brown.
Yup! I’m just lazy like that. Of course, I could paint the brown side, but I kinda like it. If I end up not liking it in the future, I’ll probably paint it.
So there you have it. It really has been a nice addition to my kitchen. I thought about using the piece I cut off and piecing it on the opened side. However, you DO remember I said the word lazy, right?
Happy Weekend, Everyone!
XOXO,
Esther
Holiday Home Tour: Casa Verde
WARNING!!!! This is a long post…… which you will love and not mind sitting and looking at. Women, prepare to drool. Men, prepare to hold onto your wallets, while your lady loves get more decorating ideas. In fact, Men, you might just go shopping too!
I am soooooo excited about this Holiday Home Tour!
I have the sweetest friends who were nice enough to let me invade their BEAUTIFUL home the other morning and take a few pictures. When I first thought about doing a Holiday Home Tour, they were the first ones I thought of and I am just so happy that they agreed to let me come on in!
Machel and Jerrad are the very talented owners of Vintage Marquee Lights. They create the COOLEST Lighting Art you will ever see. If you get a chance, check out their site here.
They have a Charleston style home in a neighborhood near mine and let me just tell you, it is GORGEOUS!
Inside, the foyer welcomes you in with a stunning white Christmas tree, decorated with vintage style ornaments. Machel painted the wall treatment herself that stands behind it. The garland that goes up the stair case is adorned with the same style ornaments.
The grand light in the foyer is practically an art sculpture itself.
To the left of the foyer is the most adorable little playroom/den for their son. I’m so jealous of these sliding barn doors that Jerrad and a friend made themselves. At least I know who to call when I want to tackle the project in my own home!
Here is a view looking in to the room from the foyer. Seriously! They have more creative talent in their pinky finger than I have in my ENTIRE body!
I love how they decorate with their products throughout their home.
Towards the back of the house is the living room and kitchen area, with the most adorable little fireplace. The chalkboard fire casts the cutest little “glow”. 😉
Machel didn’t want to go for just ordinary white cabinets when she was decorating her kitchen. So, she took some of her favorite fabric and pieced it behind the wood trim, hiding the seam. The shelves also help keep it in place. The result is stunning!
I really love this idea, so grab those extra remnants of fabric people and DO NOT throw them out!
A set of old vintage lockers hold their stockings in the corner, while a surfboard still reminds you that the beach is only minutes away.
The industrial style light fixture (WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVE) hangs over the bar area, where a cute little table top tree stands watch.
Towards the middle of the house, a magnificent display of twinkling lights and paper stars hang.
View from the dining room.
A quick peek inside the downstairs bathroom, shows a chalkboard lined with garland made from ornaments, a DIY project of Machel’s. “Casa Verde” is the name Machel and Jerrad gave to their home. Mine would read more like “Casa Loco”. In case you are wondering what mine might translate to, it would be “CRAZY HOUSE”!
Another DIY project in the dining room, is the Chandelier. If you take a closer look, you will see that it is clothes pins that make up the body of the chandelier. CLOTHES PINS, PEOPLE! Why didn’t I think of that?
The letters that spell “Joy”, very appropriate for the Holidays, is a creation of Machel and Jerrad’s and can be purchased on their site as well.
If I ever convince my hubby to let me remove the carpet on our stairs, this is exactly what will go in it’s place. I cannot express how much I love this!
I love how the stairs continue to count up as you go. It adds so much character to the home.
It just goes to show you that you don’t have to buy an old home in order to obtain that character. You can have a new home and put some of that character into it yourself!
On to the baby’s room! This little boy is very lucky! This is one of the most stylish baby rooms I have ever seen.
Christmas books double as art pieces on IKEA shelves, lining the wall.
Who wouldn’t want to sit a while and read a Christmas book or two in this corner?
An upstairs bathroom gets in the spirit too with an “I Believe in Santa Clause” picture and a series of Nutcrackers keeping watch.
The Master Bedroom gets festive too. Lit garland drapes the top of the headboard, while the lit Peace Symbol can’t help but remind you of John Lennon’s “Imagine” song.
The vanity’s mirror is not forgotten. Nor is the modern reindeer head that shows so distinctly. Frosted garland and a festive wreath dress the two.
Jewelry is displayed in the corner, while a dazzling full length mirror helps Machel get ready for her Holiday parties.
I couldn’t finish up this post without talking about the Master Bath. The rustic peace symbol over the tub and the Capiz shell chandelier make such a great combo with their eclectic married look.
When Machel found out she couldn’t actually put a hanging chandelier over the tub, she didn’t let that stop her. She knew what look she wanted, so she decided to secure a non lit capiz shell chandelier around the existing standard light, giving the allusion of having a chandelier. BRILLIANT IDEA! *The girl knows what she wants! 😉
Instead of using interior lights to go over the vanity, she used exterior ones. I love how they both have such an aged look patina.
A quick look from the upstairs looking down.
Before we finish, take a look at their front doorway. It’s amazing what using some interior pieces outside can do for a space. They talk about bringing the outdoors in, but I say take the indoors out! This is such a cozy look and you haven’t even gone in yet!
I am such a sucker for chalkboards and I think I might just have to steal this idea! Too cute!
See! I told you, you would love every minute of this post! I think the only thing left to ask here is when can I move in?
*A special thank you to Machel and Jerrad for letting me invade “Casa Verde” and take these pictures. They are an amazingly talented couple with great design ideas. I pray they do more projects, which I will gladly come back and take more photographs of for you and I to drool over.
Check them out on Facebook and while you are there, give them a “like” so you can stay up to date with all the new exciting stuff they are working on! Don’t forget to visit their site to!
Happy Decorating!
XOXO,
Esther
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