Moving on Up!

So after a long time coming, Mayah and I are finally moving into our own apartment in Cambridge and though I am some what nervous about being completely on my own with Mayah, I know I can handle it. It will just take a lot of getting use to. I also must admit that with new spaces, comes new design opportunities and that makes me very happy. Here are a few pics of the new place. Lots of big windows, I love the light that comes through!
    
Since deciding to move I have been looking around for design ideas. and as those that have lived in rental apartments know, we are very limited as to what we can do. Basically no painting! Ohh..my dashed hopes. I’ve  dreamed of painting cream walls with a muted lavender or a slate grey. But, oh well moving on to what I can do. So as usual I went on to Craigslist to see if I could find inspiration and after a few days it finally happened! I found this beautiful Chinese Chippendale style dinning set.
 
So these pictures are not the best and I don’t have a really good one of the dinning table, as I mentioned I am boxing up things and getting ready to move but you can see the back of the chairs and the legs. At this moment they look pretty bad but with a little TLC I know they will turn out beautiful. I research I few sites and found this as inspiration…

The site Charlotte & Ivy has tons of different looks created with Chinese Chippendale chairs. I am very excited to start on this project, and finally see it set up. Make sure to check in to see the reveal of my Chinese Chippendale before and after!

I am Alive!

So I have been MIA for the past couple of weeks, and I can’t help but blame the holidays for it. With all the preparation for the holidays and our family vacation in early December, I just couldn't build the energy to write. But here I am, alive and well rested and ready to tackle this new year.

I love the beginning of a new year. The opportunity and the hope it brings, the idea that no matter how crappy the previous year was here’s a clean and fresh slate to start on.

This year I am juggling work, classes and home life. Though it can be a little overwhelming at times, I am glad I have a creative outlet. This week I am tackling a Madeline Weinrib inspired black and white chevron rug.

I decided to finish my daughter's nursery with this rug. Similar to the one In the picture I used for inspiration in creating my daughters’ nursery. Of course, I don’t live on a budget where I could easily purchase this lovely rug, so I must diy it!

Look , out for my future post on my Madeline Weinrib inspired rug!

Home for the Holidays..

For those who know me, winter is my favorite season and Christmas is my favorite holiday! There is just something about about the season and the holiday that brings out the best in people. Something about the cold fresh air, the warm soft sweaters, the crunching snow and picking a Christmas tree that makes me happy! I love the smell of pine in the home and decorating for the holidays. So I’ve decided to make the next few posts about decorating and preparing for the holidays!

Do you have any crafty holiday ideas? Feel  free to share them with us.

Mayah’s Dresser

Do you remember the antique dresser that I found on Craigslist and wanted to use it in Mayah’s Nursery? Well, guys it’s finally done! It came out exactly how I imagined. It took me forever to complete due to  lack of time, but it was well worth the wait! What do you think?

I know the pictures are not the best quality but I think the dresser came out perfect!
BTW I found a Jenny Lind crib for $30 dollars! I can’t wait to share the finish product with you guys!

IKEA Catalogue 2012

So I just got my IKEA catalogue, and I am excited with the fabulous items I see! They have really great design ideas for apartment living and tools to make the best out of every nook and cranny. Though many designers and decorators snub their noses at IKEA, I think it’s a great store. 

Because of the great prices IKEA has to offer, it allows for those of us on a budget, the opportunity to get great items without breaking the bank.

If I have any complaints about IKEA it would be only one, the layout of the store! Come on guys, I cannot be the only one who feels like a mouse in a maze with no way out. When I go there, I always get this sense of anxiety.                 

 

The store is telling me to follow the set out path, but my brain is screaming, “no Ikea store! I want to take a second look at those lamps!” Other than that, IKEA gets two thumbs up from me.

Anyone out there in agreement with me?

Honestly, I think a great designer should be able to work with things of all price ranges, but that’s a topic for another day.   

Here are my IKEA top picks:

Jonsbo Barby Table Lamp                             Skruvsta    Anno Vacker

Rock A Bye Baby

The day I found out I was pregnant, I immediately started planning what my baby’s nursery would look like. Of course I didn’t know what the sex of the baby was, but it really didn’t matter. I knew that among many things, I had to have a swivel rocker. My original thought was to buy one, but after seeing the thousand dollar price tag for a costumed upholstered rocker, I said bye..bye to my swivel rocker dreams.

Luckily while searching on Freecycle, I found a post for a swivel rocker. The chair, though not in perfect condition, has possibilities.

All it needs is a little TLC. So here I am, currently spending my week attempting to reupholster this chair, never mind  the fact that I have never reupholstered anything. But hey, nothing is impossible for DIY MOM! (this is the part where the theme song for Mighty Mouse comes on). Wish me luck!

A Nursery for my Little One

So now that we have moved into a larger apartment, I finally have a dedicated room for my little one's nursery. I can't beging to explain how excited I am about this! The first thing I needed was inspiration. So off I went in search of it. I looked in magazines, books..friends, but no luck. Finally I decided to hit my favorite blogs and found it.  I fell in love with Joni's nursery from Lay Baby Lay. This is actually her daugthers nursery. Isn't it adorable!

I love the dresser. This sent me on a hunt to find a dresser for Mayah's nursery. I love searching Craigslist and lucked out and found this beautiful dresser for $30 dollars...a steal!

Can't wait to sand it and paint it, it's going to be perfect.