While Wearing Heels: home decor

Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Cafe Stools Makeover

Though I mostly share projects that dabble in felt, believe it or not, I do like home improvement projects ranging from big to small. Some of these home improvement projects just sort of 'speak to me'.

These dated cafe stools, kept whispering to me, every time I walked into my kitchen, that they wanted a makeover.

Seriously, how could I resist? If your furniture starts to talk to you, you really should listen.

So, I painted the stools white, using Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Old White.

For weeks, maybe even months, the stools remained white. I considered transferring a cool vintage looking graphic onto the stools. The challenge, finding an image that both the Mister and I could agree upon.

Finally, we decided on a grain sack design.

I made a stencil using some painter's tape and Washi tape (yay! I found another use for Washi tape), to get the grain sack design.

Dabbing Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Graphite into the DIY stencil, a grain sack design was created.

The most challenging thing, trying to duplicate the same size design, in roughly the same placement, on the second stool.

In the end, I'm glad, I'm glad we couldn't agree upon an image. The grain sack design seems more classic. It makes a statement while still subtly blending with the decor in the my kitchen.

Since the makeover, my cafe stools have been blissfully quiet.

I think they are happy.

I know I am.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Grace's Big Girl Room - A Work in Progress

Grace's room is making the transition from a baby's room to a big girl room.

In the transition, though, I have to decide what to keep out and on display and what to pack away.

My mom, the Queen of Quilts, had made this adorable sheep quilt for Grace. This quilt covered her crib and toddler bed up until now.

Of course, both the crib and toddler bed are now gone, making room for a twin bed. We bought this headboard from Goodwill for $14.95 with the intention of painting it white and adding a decorative wood applique that has a slightly vintage feel.

We found the perfect sheets for her new big girl bed from Home Goods. Hillcrest Ballerina Princess Toile in pink for only $19.95.

Though her sheep quilt will still have a place in her room, it certainly won't cover her twin bed so The Queen of Quilts will be making her another quilt. Grace and I got to go fabric shopping, finding the daintiest of patterns ranging in colors from pink to green and a touch of yellow.

The Queen of Quilts always adds a label to the back of each quilt she makes. Something personal, something meaningful, something to mark exactly how special the newly made quilt is.

For this quilt, I created the label myself. I embroidred 'let her sleep for when she wakes She will move mountains', a quote I have seen on pinterest countless times. A quote so fitting to be added to a quilt that Grace will spend many nights sleeping beneath.

A bed alone does not make a big girl room, so when I found this beautiful print by Laurel Denise, one that is so fitting for Grace, I didn't hesitate to buy it (especially when I found out it was only $15 with shipping).

And, we'll finally be adding a chandelier to our 100 year old house. Home Depot has this sweet chandelier for just under $100.

Fortunately, I found a ceiling medallion at Goodwill for $1.99 a few months ago. It will get a coat of white paint and will be hung along with the chandelier.

Grace's bookcase will be getting a coat of light pink paint along the back and the shelves will display more big girl items compared to baby items. *And, yes that is a TV you spy. When your husband says, as you are decorating the nursery, if there is a TV in the baby's room, I will help with midnight feedings, you add a TV to the baby's room.

And, there will be some homemade 3 dimensional pink butterflies fluttering around her room.

Just like every other room in our house, this room will be filled with thrifted and flea market finds, home made elements and frugal finds.

I look forward to completing Grace's room and sharing every detail.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Salvaged Architectural Display Pieces

Looking to add a bit of character and style to your home decor, why not make some architectural display pieces.

This easy to follow tutorial will help you take scrap pieces of architectural pieces and turn them into beautifully mounted one of a kind home decor.

First, find yourself some architectural pieces with interesting designs. The flea market is a great place to find reasonably priced architectural pieces.

Depending on the size you wish to display, you may want to cut salvaged pieces of furniture.

To build your base, cut two separate square pieces of scrap wood 1/4 inch thick by two to three inches wide making the top piece smaller than the bottom and glue together.

Drill a hole in the center of the base. Insert a steel or brass rod, Drill a hole centered into the bottom of your architectural piece. Connect the base with the salvaged piece.

Depending on the architectural piece, you may even opt to add an accent piece to finish the design. Additional finishing pieces can be wood glued to the original piece.

The piece and base can be painted to match with a matte finish paint with some sanding for weathering.

When completed, display and admire.

For those of you admiring these architectural display pieces, there are variety for sale in the While Wearing Heels Etsy Shop.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Pendant Garland Tutorial

Planning a party, decorating a room or need a prop for some cute pictures, why not make your own pendant garland.

Even if the thought of sewing something seems intimidating or out of reach for you, this is the perfect sewing project to test the waters with. It's practically no fail.

Grab the following supplies:
Pinking Shears or Rotary Cutter {if you prefer a straight edge on your pendants use scissors}
Fabric {the amount will depend on how big you make your pendants}
Double Biased Tape
Sewing machine {don't be intimidated}

Using your pinking shears/rotary cutter or scissors, cut out your flags. I used 7 white and red polka dot flags and 7 red and white polka dot flags {14 in total}

Open the biased tape and tuck the top of your flag in the middle of your biased tape.

Pin your flags into place. Using a zig zag stitch, sew your flags down.

And, just like that, you are done. Hang it up for decorations.

Or set it up for an interesting photo prop.

The possibilities are endless. Find fabric that you like, dust off your sewing machine and give it a try.

*You could also do a no sew version. Use Heat and Bond iron on adhesive for hems. Put the hem adhesive inside the double biased tape, along with the flags, and iron it down.

Link Party Websites

{M} * Busy Mondays at a Pinch of Joy *Made Monday at Toastie Studio * *The Cure for the Common Monday * *Polly Want a Crafter * Craftastic Link Party * Brassy Apple, Make it Monday * Made By You Mondays * Between Naps On The Porch * Thrifty Decor Chick * Skip To My Lou *