West Elm

Last week I found a great suprise in the mail!  The West Elm spring catalog! 

I've been following West Elm via pictures Pinterest and find this store referenced on blogs that I follow.  It has very quickly become one of my favorite home decor stores so I thought I would share it with you!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I made a weekend trip to Minnesota to spend time with my family and some friends.  On my way to lunch with a couple of girlfriends I spotted a West Elm store and of course I couldn't resist stopping.  I LOVE their items!  They have such a great mix of decor from dinnerwear to bedding to acessories and the items are reasonably priced.  Here are a few of my favorites from the West Elm website.



Via

Via

Via [70% off now!]

Via

While my good friend, Katie, and I were browsing we also snapped a few pictures of ideas for her families new house!

Dining Room

Living Room

Bedroom

This was such a fun, random, shopping trip!  I wish they had a West Elm store in Iowa but until then I guess I will be making a trip to the Edina, Minnesota location.  If you want to find a West Elm retail location, click here.

Have fun shopping!
Beth

Painted Dresser = Success!

Over the weekend I successfully completed the painted dresser project that I eluded to in my blog post last week.  I have to admit, I had serious concerns before starting this project that I might destroy this dresser but luckily it turned out AWESOME - I love it!

Here is the big reveal... are you ready for this?! :)



Before





After



What do you think?!

I hope you find yourself inspired to paint a piece of furniture and turn something old into something new!  Just in case you do find yourself inspired, here are the instructions for painting furniture.

Step 1: Find Your Inspiration
My inspiration was this dresser.  I needed to add some color and visual interest to our guest bedroom and for some reason a turquoise dresser stood out in my mind.  Read this post to find out how I found my color inspiration. 

Step 2:  Gather Your Supplies
This project takes a few supplies.  Here is a list of what you are going to need.

Electric Hand Sander

100 grit sandpaper

150 grit sandpaper

primer

paint brush

paint

Step 3:  Start Sanding

Before you can paint, you need to remove the old finish so that the paint will stick.  I used a DeWalt hand sander that I got a Lowe's fairly inexpensive.  Start sanding wtih the 100 grit sandpaper to remove as much of the finish as you can.  Remember to sand with the wood grain.  After you have most of the old finish removed from the piece of furniture, use the 150 grit sandpaper to remove the rest of the finish. 



Keep in mind that sanding is a great outdoor project!  I made the mistake of sanding this dresser in the basement.  I paid dearly for it...I've been cleaning up dust for the past few days.

Once you are done sanding, wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth to remove the sawdust.

Step 4: Prime It

I used a Valspar brand spray paint primer in white.  I sprayed a couple of even coats on the dresser prior to painting.  The primer will give the paint a better hold and finish.  There is either white or dark primer.  If you are painting the furniture a light color, use white primer.  If you are painting the furniture a dark color, use dark primer.

Step 5: Paint

Here is the fun part - painting!  Be prepared that painting a piece of furniture is a long process if you want it to turn out professional looking.  An eggshell or semi-gloss finish are your best options for painting furniture. The more shiny the finish (semi-gloss) the more flaws you will see. 

Start out with thin layers of paint rather than making sure you get every inch of the furniture painted in the first coat.  Use long strokes with the grain of the wood.  Here is what my first coat of paint looked like.  I gave this dresser 4 coats of paint.

Step 6: New Drawer Lining

Once the paint was completely dry I lined the drawers with new contact paper.  Something about the 1970's floral print contact paper just wasn't doing it for me.  :) 

Step 7:  Accessorize!

Moving the dresser into the guest bedroom and adding a few accessories was my favorite part of this whole project!  I love how it turned out and that it has become the "statement piece" in the guest bedroom! :)

Painting this dresser was a fun weekend project and I'm sure it wont be the last piece of furniture I paint!  If you have questions about this project or painting furniture, send me an email designyoudwellingblog{at}gmail.com or leave a comment below!

By the way, I had so much fun painting this dresser that I re-did the entire guest bedroom.  Watch for that blog post to come! :)

Have a great week...

Beth



Color Inspiration

I have this "bug" to paint an old dresser that was in the house before I moved into the house in August.  It's the perfect height and has some character too.  Plus - it would look great in our guest bedroom with the makeover I have in store. (You can check out my guest room re-do board on Pinterest)

Color is one of the quickest and most inexpensive wasy to update your home or a piece of furniture but deciding on paint colors can also be an overwhelming task.  Here are the three principals I follow to select color.

1. Seek Inspiration!
Color inspiration can come from anywhere.  Maybe there is a hue (color) in the fabric of a decorative pillow or wall-hanging.  Inspiration may come from a flower garden or favorite shirt.  Just take time to notice the colors around you.  I found my color inspiration from this vase that was sitting on my co-workers desk.  It is the exact shade of turquoise I was looking for!

2. Select Your Colors!

Using your color inspiration, it's time to pick your colors.  It may be helpful to bring a sample of your inspiration to the paint store to find a color that closely matches.  I brought this vase into Lowe's yesterday and found a color that matched what I was looking for.  I chose the middle color called "Ocean Voyage."

3. Test Your Color!  (This is what you should do, I just selected a color...)
Once you have narrowed your choices to a select few colors, test them out to get a feel for how they might look in the room you want to paint.  You can test them out by taping the samples to your wall or asking the paint store if you can get a small sample container to actually paint a portion of the wall.  Look at the color during different times of the day and in different light and notice how it affects your mood - colors envoke emotion.

Easy, right?!

And now, a moment of honesty.  I am nervous to re-paint this dresser!  I hope it turns out!  Watch for a follow-up post about re-painting furniture.  I'll give you the good, the bad and (hopefully not) the ugly. 

Wish me luck...
Beth

Design Trend: Ombre

Has anyone else noticed this design trend called Ombre?  Or, maybe you've seen this design trend but didn't know what the technical term was. 

Here is the definition via Webster Dictionary online: 

Ombre: (adjective) "having colors or tones that shade into each other —used especially of fabrics in which the color is graduated from light to dark."

I think Ombre is an awesome design trend and a creative way to add color to your decor, clothing and food!  Check out these Ombre examples I found on Pinterest.

Decor

via

via

via

via

Fashion

via

via

via

Food

via

If you like this style and want to make your own Ombre Art click here to check out this DIY post I did in September.

If you like the posts you read on Design Your Dwelling, please become a follower and "like" the Design Your Dwelling Facebook page!

Have a great day!
Beth





DIY Coasters

I had a request for a blog post about my DIY coasters so here it is! :)

I made these coasters as a Christmas gift for my co-workers.  They were so much fun to make, I've thought about making a set for me too!

Here is what you need...

Small square tiles (78 cents at Lowes)

Mod Podge (WalMart or any craft store)

Pretty paper

Sponge brush (60 cents at WalMart)

Step 1:  Cut your paper to the size of the tile or just a tiny bit smaller.  You can actually cut the paper to any size you want, just depends if you want any of the tile to show.

Step 2: Apply the Mod Podge to the tile with your sponge brush, then put your paper on it.  The Mod Podge acts as an adhesive so you have limited time to adjust your paper once it's on the tile.  Next, paint a layer of the "podge" on top of the paper.

Now would be a good time to add a letter if you want to monogram them like I did.

Step 3: Let the Mod Podge dry for 15 or 20 minutes and add another layer of podge.  Repeat this 3-4 times so you create a hard, sealed surface.  Remember, you will be setting drinks on top of these. :)

Here are your pretty new coasters!

Mod Podge is fun stuff to work with - I can't wait to make more projects with it!

If you didn't have a weekend project.... now you do!

Good luck and happy Friday friends!

Beth

{Guest Post} Bathroom Remodel: Where to begin?

Today I am excited to have my first guest post from Aliza Soko, author of the blog at Quality Bath.  Aliza has a background in decorating and interior design.  She works with Quality Bath's customers to offer expert advice, guiding them through their home decorating decisions.

Quality Bath has been the premier provider of luxury kitchen, bath, and lighting products for more than 30 years.  Check out their website and enjoy your shopping experience!

Bathroom Remodel: Where to begin???

According to recent surveys a bathroom remodel is one of the most significant improvements you can make in a home (as far as reseller value). I believe the reason for this is that the bathroom is fast becoming one of the most important rooms in the home. Long gone are the days when the bathroom was a tiny room secluded in the far back corner of the house. Now the bathroom plays an important role in so many of our lives.

When a client comes to me with a strict budget or limited time I almost always tell them that the most important modification they can begin with for their bathroom remodel, with the most apparent results, will be through the bathroom vanity. Now of course each bathroom is a different situation and must be assessed separately but in most cases the bathroom vanity has the power to give a real “facelift” and work as a strong focal point. It’s also a great starting point because there are so many different options available. Between the differences in style, size, finish and price there is something for everyone.

To help you get started on your search for a new vanity here is a compilation of five new bathroom vanities that I LOVE! Now you’ll begin to understand what I mean when I say there are soooo many different options (and so many are so beautiful!).

My five top picks:

The Wave vanity, by creative bathroom manufacturer Xylem, is a romantic, Asian inspired design. Obtainable in two sizes it is constructed of MDF (medium-density fibreboard) and finished in a rich dark espresso stain with brushed nickel hardware. The vanity can be paired with either a vessel or under-counter sink, depending on your preference. The simple yet intriguing design and warm beautiful color make this vanity so alluring and desirable. It’s the perfect option for so many style bathrooms from oriental to contemporary.

The height of glamour this incredible vanity is aptly known as the Hollywood Sink Chest. The gorgeous mirrored chest is topped by an off-white marble countertop and polished nickel faucet. The delicate bead detailing, gold rub trim and porcelain sink are truly dazzling. A real Hollywood classic!

The Atrio vanity caught my eye because of its sleek, simple design (and my love of black and white and all things modern). The vanity has an extra wide counter but actually takes up very little space since it is wall-hung. The drawer unit is a separate section, complete with a chic leather handle. The vanity is available in wenge or oak wood and includes a ceramic wash basin.

Sonia is most commonly known for its modern design but the Nouvea vanity actually takes an interesting twist with some ornate, deco detailing. The 40” vanity base comes in both wenge and white and the glass countertop is offered in white or black. The beautiful detailing makes the vanity stand apart, an ideal focal point for an otherwise plain bathroom. 

Unique and completely beautiful! The gorgeous color of the XO Lefroy Brooks vanity is what puts it on my top five list. Made of Iroko wood the open concept vanity is not like any other I’ve seen before. It’s paired with the XO rectangular ceramic basin and Jo Mono deck mounted basin tap. If you are looking for a vanity that will make a statement without being ostentatious this vanity is ideal.

As you can see there are so many different types of vanities. Each of my favorites is a different style, size, color, finish and price. Choosing the one that’s right for you should be fun! To keep it uncomplicated and not confusing figure out what you need before you begin looking. And always remember that decorating is enjoyable!!!

 

Guest Blog Post at Quality Bath

Today is an exciting day -  Quality Bath asked me to be a guest blogger today on their website!  Click on this link to check out my post about styling your bathroom.

I'm pretty excited about my first guest post.  It's neat to have my work and my blog recognized!

Tomorrow, Quality Bath will publish a guest post right here on my blog about selecting a bathroom vanity.  Make sure to check back!

Thanks for reading, following and supporting - you all are great!!

-Beth

Gallery Wall

Here it is - the gallery wall I hung in the dining room during my Christmas vacation!  What do you think?!

I love it!  Adam has even commented a few times that it looks great!

I kept the gallery wall pretty simple with clean lines and color consistency amongst all three wall hangings.  I like simplicty, consistency and formality with a contemporary feel.

Two of the wall hangings were DIY projects: the monogrammed wall hanging and the matted flower frame. 
To see how I made these check out these posts:

Monogrammed Wall Decor

DIY Framed Art

I've mentioned a few times that I have a hard time buying wall decor because it kind of stresses me out.  But, I did buy the framed sliver "LOVE" print from a shop on Etsy.  Click here to get the Made By Girl Etsy shop.

In case you like the brushed nickel frames,  I found them at Target.

Have a great Thursday,

Beth

DIY Framed Art

The gallery wall I've been working on for the dining room needed a pop of color so instead of buying art I made my own framed art.  I think I mentioned in my Monogrammed Wall Decor post from earlier this week that one of the things I struggle with is buying wall decor.  For some reason it kind of stresses me out, so to solve that problem I've started to do a little research on my favorite blogs and Pinterest to find ideas to create my own.

Here is my DIY framed art and the steps for how to create your own!

Supply List:

White 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 note cards

Frame (Target)

Rubber Stamps (Most craft stores or Stampin' Up)

Colored Ink pads or Rubber Stamp Markers from Stampin' Up

Sponge

First, use the stamps to create your art on the white notecard.  I kept mine pretty simple with a single flower stamp.  If you want to get more creative, you can use multiple stamps or stamp sets.  There are so many great ideas on the  Stampin' Up website.  To keep my stamps clean after I'm done using them, I wipe them off with a sponge.

I would be lying to you if I said it only took me one try to get the picture exactly how I wanted it.  It probably took me at least ten trys so don't feel discouraged if your first two trys don't turn out.

Here is my final product hanging on the wall!

I centered the picture in the frame and then attached it with scotch tape.

Tomorrow, I will reveal my gallery wall to you so you can see how it all came together!

See you tomorrow,

Beth



Monogrammed Wall Decor

Today is my final day of "Christmas Vacation" from work which adds up to a grand total of 11 days of vacation - it has been awesome! (It's going to be really tough to go back tomorrow.)  I worked on a lot of little projects around the house during vacation.  One of the bigger projects I worked on was a gallery wall in the dining room.  I am terrible at buying artwork because I never know where to find anything good so I had to make a few pieces to complete the wall. (I'll show you the completed wall toward the middle of the week)

One of the pieces of wall decor I made was this monogrammed canvas. 

This was an easy and fun project.  All you need for supplies is a woodchip letter and canvas.  You can find both a Hobby Lobby.  The sales sticker on the letter didn't come off very well so I had to use sand paper to smooth it out.

I had spray paint left over from my painted vases project that I re-purposed for this project.

When you paint the letter and the canvas, go back and forth in quick spirts of spray rather than in a continuous stream of spray paint until the object is covered.  This will prevent the paint from running and reduce the amount of time it will take for the items to dry.  You will have to give the canvas and the letter multiple coats of paint.

Once the paint is dry on everything, put glue on the back of the letter (tacky glue or hot glue) and center the letter on the canvas.  Let the glue dry and there you go - you have your monogrammed wall decor!

Make sure to check back here for another DIY wall decor idea and to see how the gallery wall comes together!

Good Luck!
Beth