Updated desk chair

I'm kicking myself that I don't have a before picture of this project.  I swore I had posted one years ago when I first gave it an overhaul for my dining room. 

Oh well, here is the most recent picture of it which we will be using in the office/spare room.  I love how fresh it looks and how amazing it looks in our newly painted room.  More detailed pics to come...

Reusing wooden pallets

Love this idea of wooden pallets for fencing...

Source: growfruitandveg.co.uk via Myra on Pinterest

Why do I think a pallet fence is a good idea? Well, you can find pallets around town for FREE! Fences are pricey...so, this is definitely economical. Also, you would be saving the pallets from going to a landfill which is definitely earth friendly. Lastly, you will have a unique fence which you can either paint or leave natural.

I found a nifty site that gives you directions on how to go about putting a pallet fence together.

Taste the Waste

The Clean Bin Project - love it!

The Clean Bin Project - Trailer from Grant Baldwin Videography on Vimeo.

A delayed before/after project

It's been a LONG time since I completed this project - like maybe 1.5 years ago!!  Anyway, this is a dresser that my then live-in boyfriend/now husband brought with him to LaNa.  We decided to use it as a nightstand and I painted it to match the small dresser nightstand that I was already using (from my childhood) in our bedroom.  

Before



During

 

Old knobs



After

 

New round wooden knobs to match my
childhood dresser on the other side of the bed.

My next project this spring will be tackling the tall matching dresser to this little one.  I'm thinking of going with a coordinating color so we don't have too much International Orange in the space.  Time will tell...


Before



Creative uses for a wine holder!

Ikea wine holder painted red...



turned magazine holder!

Plant a Beautiful Terrarium: Windowsill herbs

Midwest Living® Magazine

Plant a Beautiful Terrarium: Windowsill herbs

Create a terrarium: First steps

1. Select plants for your terrarium. Dwarf and slow-growing plants that thrive in warm, moist air work best. Plants with different heights, shapes and textures add interest.

2. Gather ornamental accessories. Small pebbles can resemble rocks and boulders; small branches and moss give your garden a natural look.

3. Choose a clear container large enough to hold the plants you want to enclose. Wash it thoroughly.

4. Put down a layer of drainage material, such as pea gravel. Depending on the size of your container, you'll need about a half-inch to 3 inches of pea gravel.

5. Sprinkle with fine charcoal (generally available at garden centers), which absorbs gasses and chemicals.

6. Layer 2 to 6 inches of a sterile peat-based potting mix over the base.

7. Gently tap plants out of their pots. Trim rampant roots to encourage plants to grow more slowly and to more easily fit into the shallow, restricted root zone in the container.

8. Place plants in holes and press soil gently around the roots. Use long-handled tools if necessary to avoid damaging other plants. Start in the middle and work outward.

9. Add finishing touches such as moss and rocks.

10. Mist with water to settle the roots and clean the plant. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Cover your terrarium. (You can also leave your terrarium open, but it will need more frequent misting.)

Caring for your terrarium

Light: Put your terrarium where it will get enough light to satisfy the plants' needs, but keep it out of direct sun, which will overheat the garden.

Water: Check moisture levels periodically, and mist if your terrarium needs water. Plants should not dry out, but they also shouldn't be overwatered. If spots of mold or mildew appear, your garden has too much moisture; remove or partially open the lid for two or three days to improve air circulation.

Pruning: Prune plants to keep them from overgrowing their neighbors. Remove dead plants and plant parts as they appear.

They make it look so easy!

Fun Finds from the Reuse Center!

During lunch I stopped by one of my local haunts, the Reuse Center.  I've been on the lookout for over a year for lighting fixtures for my entry way and the hallway at the top of the second floor.  I was hoping to find something that feels high-end, but with a thrifty price tag and I think I may have found them today!!

To my surprise, I stumbled upon a handful of pendant fixtures by Venice Glass and handblown in Italy.  They came from a local lighting store - possibly a special order that wasn't claimed or overstock.  Typically they run $100+, but I got 2 at $12.50 each!  What a bargain!!!! 

They are clear glass shades with a white class inner shade and absolutely beautiful!  Now, I just need to make certain they will work in the space and not hang too low.  Stay tuned for an update on this fun project!

Oh, I also have been looking for a floor lamp.  Not too picky, but I haven't seemed to be able to find something that I loved or thought was worth an overhaul.  But, I also lucked out on this same shopping trip and scored a brass floor lamp in good condition for $7.50!!!  Of course, brass isn't my cup-of-tea, so I have plans to spray paint in the coming days.  Here is a before pic:

Yellow Tables...

I love the blog Black White Yellow which recently highlighted some Ikea Muddus tables.  I quickly realized I have something VERY similar! 

images courtesy of Black White Yellow

I acquired an old typing table years ago at the curb and until recently had been using it for a TV stand in my bedroom.  However, at the end of the summer, I painted it yellow to add a bright pop for entertaining on my back porch.  Since then, I have used it to hold our turkey dinner at Thanksgiving as well!  A great find and super fun in YELLOW!  While Ikea is a bargain...my curb find gives me pleasure!

Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures, but just picture it a dingy olive/army green - much better with its update!

It's not a song I can't get out of my head...

it's a radio!

Check out this beauty (at least I think it is!) at a local thrift store. 

I *almost* bought it last week, but 1) James and I didn't think that it was practical (well, maybe more him than me!), 2) it is HEAVY, and 3) I didn't have $30 in cash on me and they didn't take plastic.  If they had, it might already be at LaNa!

Where would I put it?  I'm thinking in the basement that we plan to makeover VERY soon.  The speakers sound great, it tuned perfectly (and we were in a basement!), and I don't have a turntable for the 1 record I still own.  And, I'm convinced that vinyl is making a comeback as my friend Maureen in 8th grade is all about records!

What do you think?

Entertainment Center - Before & After

I just had to post pics again of our entertainment center.  I included a "before" pic so you could see what a difference this new piece makes at LaNa.  Love it!

Before

After

"Entertainment Center"

You may remember the mid-century dresser I wrote about finding at the ReUse Center and planned to use for an entertainment center...well, here it is in LaNa!

We LOVE it!  There is room in the 9 drawers for our DVD's, movies, games, and more!  A fantastic buy at $55!!  And, the best part is that we love how it looks and have no intention to paint - whew!