A Table for Jax

A few months ago, I posted these design collages for my sisters nursery.  In case you missed it, here is one of them:

She is having a boy and his name is going to be...

Jax.  

I thought it would be so cute to incorporate the game of Jax in the room to represent his cool name.  I'm hoping it doesn't give him a "Prince" complex (♂)...anyway...

I found this little table and chair set at the Goodwill.  It's a nice set from IKEA that someone tried to paint.  

(Before)

I gave it a quick sanding, taped it off,  and painted it using colors from her bedding.  

I did an Internet search "free Jax Clip Art", printed one, 

 and traced it on the table top using pattern tracing paper.   

I filled in the symbol with my detail brush, sanded the edges 

and sealed the top with a few coats of polyurethane (so it can take a beating).  

Lastly, the chairs were spray painted with high gloss Cherry Red from Krylon.

I can't wait to see the little guy using it. 

Linking up to :

Sassy Sites

Chic on a Shoestring

Miss Mustard Seed

Crazy Domestic

Just A Girl

Design Dazzle

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Diaper Cakes

We are having a Baby Shower my sister in a few weeks.   I am trying to keep the decorations simple, elegant and not too baby-ish.

This project was so much fun.  I constructed these Diaper Cakes in the color scheme of her nursery to use as the centerpiece...

I made my Cakes out of a 50 pack of Generic Diapers 

(the expensive kind have colors and patterns on them, the cheap ones are solid white),

 a pack of rubber bands,

satin ribbon,

and tissue paper.  

Here is a really good tutorial on the Diaper Cake and here is one for the Tissue Flowers for anyone that's interested.  Super simple, a little time consuming but worth it.

My 7 year son had this to say: 

"Mom,  I really like your project but, I wish we were having real cake". 

Sarah's Dining Room

Sarah recently contacted me for suggestions on updating her dining room.  She has a beautiful, well appointed traditional style home.

This project was super easy because her room is already gorgeous. 

 She has heirloom quality furnishings, beautiful hardwood floors, french doors and great lighting.

Here's what I came up with...

For the walls I chose Martha Stewart Tadpole Green.

Wainscot painted off-white, to lighten the space and showcase her beautiful furnishings.

This room resembles her space and gives an idea of the impact that wainscoting would make...

Sarah has a beautiful china hutch.  My suggestion is to paint it black to match her black dining chairs.

White/Cream dishes would look amazing inside the black cabinet.

Hello, reasonably priced wool Target rug.  You are gorgeous.  I think you would add a fun vibe and lots of color.  You would also tie together the green walls, brown fabrics and her existing burgundy upholstered chairs. 

Her iron chandelier and matching wall sconces could be updated with new shades.  I choose these seagrass shades from Ethan Allen to add natural texture.  

Mini Drum shades would give them a whole new look too, like these from Potterybarn...

She has the coolest wooden bowl on her table.   It would look great  filled with faux green apples or pears (Potterybarn Outlet).

The fabrics I chose are from Calico Corners and are all indoor/outdoor fabrics.

(Sarah has four small children)

I chose the Burnt Orange Pattern for the table runner and extra chairs flanking the french doors.

 The solid chocolate for the side chairs with white piping and the chocolate trellis for the Draperies flanking the window and the french doors.  

By hanging the mirror over her sideboard in Portrait position rather than landscape, it would provide a nice frame for a candle vignette on the sideboard.  She already has a nice lamp that could be updated with a new  drum shade in a complimentary fabric, like this...

(also from the Calico Corners Outdoor Fabric Collection)

The last touch I would add is a Gallery Light above a lovely landscape painting she has in a gorgeous gold ornate frame.  

The source of this image is unknown however, Home Depot has a similar version. 

Thank you, Sarah, for letting my play with your dining room!

Five Minute Frame Fix

(After)

I found this little painting at The Goodwill for $5.  I loved the ornate frame, just not the color.  Truth be told, I really liked the yellow flowers.

(Before)

I didn't have the heart to wreck the painting so I flipped it over and gave the back side a coat of chalkboard paint. The frame was updated with metallic gold spray paint.   

 It now hangs in the breakfast nook.

Still thinking of a message to write,  maybe a reminder like  "eat your veggies".  

Any suggestions?
Linked up to Chic on a Shoestring

Winter Garden

During the winter months, I like to have fresh flowers and new green plants around the house to remind us that Spring is just around the corner.  

This weekend, I made a trip to the greenhouse. 

 I found this Rosemary "tree" half-off.  The scent is fabulous. 

It will be great for cooking too. 

I also fell in love with this sweet little plant, Baby Tears (awe...) 

I've been wanting to put together a few Terrariums.
Like this:

I went thrifting in search of a few glass cloches.
No luck, they were either not available or too expensive.

 I had a few glass jars stashed away...

and the little plants fit in them perfectly.

With the exception of the plants, I was able to assemble my Terrariums using what I already had. 

A little bit of green goes a long way.

Thanks for visiting.  

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