Simple Details: May 2014

Friday, May 30, 2014

Best of the Nest May Link Party

It's that time again!! I LOVE seeing what you've been up to during the past month,

you all blow me away with your inspiration and creativity!

My favorite co-hosts and I are sharing the Best from our Nests as well.

Pam @ Simple Details

Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Twitter

Part of my kitchen makeover last month included this inexpensive

DIY Metal Range Hood, that's not really metal at all, shhh!

Lisa @ Shine your Light

Lisa used every trick in the book, and then some to create this stylish and
functional bar cabinet, perfect for entertaining and so organized!

Kris @ Driven by Décor

Kris gave flat paneled doors a high-end custom look by adding inexpensive panel
molding and Ikea hardware. If that's not impressive enough, she used no power tools!

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Jennifer found inspiration on a recent trip to Nell Hill's and knew she could create
the lacquered boxes she loved. An easy DIY using what she had, including a little
glam hardware adds such a pretty pop of color to her bookcases.

Now it's your turn:

Four Blogs - Link up to one and it will show up on all four

Bring your Best of May - Anything from your nest aka home - DIY, craft, room design, recipe, etc.

Anyone can enter - not just bloggers!

Can enter through Instagram by using hashtag #bestofthenestparty and tagging at least one of your hosts.

Can also enter through Pinterest - follow the simple instructions here.

The party starts at 4am EST on Friday and ends on Tuesday at midnight.

Party Rules:

Link to your specific post not your home page.

Only one link per person to show your best work from May 2014

Spread some comment love - visit and comment on at least two other links in the party.

If you're linking up with a blog, link back with a text link or grab the party button.

We'd love you stop back next Friday when Lisa, Kris, Jennifer and I will feature our favorite links.

For those linking from blogs only those with a link back will be considered.

Let's get this party started!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

no electrician needed...swing arm lamp

I have a thing for swing arm lamps, in fact I have two in the bathroom, and two in

our bedroom and now this one in the kitchen! They're a classic and in my book you can't

go wrong including one ~~or five~~ in your mix. I knew I wanted to incorporate one in our recent

kitchen makeover, but the only spot available was the side of this cabinet I use as a desk

area. Since I was working on a budget and didn't want to hire an electrician I figured I could

use a plug-in lamp and weave the cord through the cabinet down to the outlet

(my cabinet has an electrical outlet inside) and save myself some $$ for something more

fun like a stone planter head. :)

I found the Beragamo Black Shade Plug-In Swing Arm Wall Lamp at

Lamps Plus. I couldn't love it more, high quality, beautiful weathered brass finish,

the wide range of motion and one of my favorite features, a dimmer.

Here's how I accomplished it...

First, we need to remove the electrical cord from the lamp itself.

The two ivory electrical wires need to be disconnected (cut) from the lamp guts

(sorry I don't know the technical name for those two wires below #1 & #2).

Before cutting the wires be sure to mark them with tape so you're able to easily reattach

them to the correct wire.

This allows you to slip the ivory wires out of the hole on the bottom of the brass plate.

Align the back plate where you'd like your lamp placed on the wall/cabinet,

and mark the center hole for drilling.

Drill a small hold through the cabinet.

You're going to work your way down to the outlet drilling small holes through the

shelves, your configuration may be different, but the basic idea is the same.

Plug your cord into the outlet, and working backwards thread the opposite end of the cord

through the drilled holes until you reach the first hole you drilled through the cabinet.

To keep my cord neat I tacked it down along the way.

Now you're ready to re-connect the wiring.

It's as simple as matching up your taped wires #1 with #1 and #2 with #2.

Fasten the wires together with twist on plastic wire connectors. (Orange cap)

Secure the brass plate per manufacturer's insturctions, all that was needed for this lamp

was one screw on each side.

I love that it's not your typical lamp found in a kitchen and the ambiance

when the kitchen is cleaned up and closed for the night...I wish.

The kitchen never closes with a teenager!

I'll see you here tomorrow for Best of the Nest!
Can't wait to see what you've been working on!

Monday, May 26, 2014

the next project...

I'm so glad we only have four more days till the weekend! :)

We spent a good amount of the long weekend working in our yard, and

prepping our deck for re-staining, when we weren't dodging thunderstorms.

We did fit in a fun graduation celebration, and an outing downtown for dinner

as a reward for our hard work.

With the Colorado sun and snow our deck takes a beating and has to be re-finished

about every other year, we've always gone with a transparent stain, but are opting for

a new look this year, a solid stain.

BEFORE: ALMOST FINISHED WITH THE PREP

A few of my blogging pals have inspired me to give it a try...

check out their newly refinished, beautiful decks and fun Instagram feeds, too!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light on Instagram

Rene @ Cottage and Vine on Instagram

Summer @ Simple Stylings on Instagram

A multitude of colors are available which may pose a problem!

I might be brave and go with something unexpected, hold tight and I'll let

you know in a couple days.

If you've tried a solid stain what did you think?

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

reader question...a new series

I'm excited to share this new series with all of you!

I'm always getting emails from readers asking questions and it dawned on me as I was

answering one today that it might be fun and helpful to share them with everyone here.

And that is how my, yet to be named, new series came about. You guys always

have great ideas, so feel free to chime in if you have a suggestion for our reader.

reader ~ amy:

I know this sounds silly, but I don't know what to put in the center of my

dining room table, everything I try looks too contrived.

pam:

My favorite is any variety of live plant.

It brings life, texture, color and a fresh dose of nature that never feels contrived.

You can inject your style and personality in the type of plant or container you

choose. It's easy to change up containers to fit the season, too.

A bright striped pot for spring, a clam shell for summer,

a rustic basket for fall, an urn with patina for winter,
a classic blue and white ginger jar or porcelain pot always works.

inspiration:

succulents...

Christina @ greige

ruemag.com

greenery, bulbs and flowering plants...

jcress.com

Red Door Home

houzz.com

orchids...

pollyannapumpkin.tumblr.com

decorpad.com

topiaries...

3.bp.blogspot.com

Thanks for the great question, Amy!
What do you have on your dining room table?

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

ikea...ribba frames

I have artwork on my mind after yesterday's post revealed my unfinished project
as the backdrop for the campaign dresser. :) I don't think I've ever had a client that I
didn't suggest using Ikea's Ribba frames somewhere. Simple, classic, nice quality and
perfect for combining with other style frames for a collected gallery wall or a more
structured symmetrical style. And, of course, priced well.

They're available in a variety of colors and sizes from 4 x 6 to poster size,

you can find the entire
Ribba Frame Series here.

Silver, Black, Gloss Gray, Medium Brown, White

Ribba 27 1/2" x 39 1/4" - $24.99 here

Ribba 20 1/2" x 28 1/4" - $19.99 here

Ribba 19 3/4" x 19 3/4" - $17.99 here

Ribba 16 1/2" x 20 1/2" - $9.99 here

I love the generous sizes, making it easy to create a great statement wall
at a reasonable price: