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
Part of my kitchen makeover last month included this inexpensive
 DIY Metal Range Hoodthat'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:   
nytimes.com
ikea.com
 decorpad.com
 rhbabyandchild.com
 
 deucecitieshenhouse.com
 
 apartmenttherapy.com

 Anne Christmas
 elementsofstyleblog.com
 homeanddelicious.blogspot.com
 desiretoinspire.net
 themarionhousebook.com
southshoredecoratingblog.com 
marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com

When I looked around I have at least one in every room but the kitchen!
 Do you have any?

If you're an Ikea fan you can find more of my favorites here:

Monday, May 19, 2014

don't hate me...craigslist campaign dresser


My Craigslist karma continues. :)
For all of you who think I possess some special talent for finding these gems, the truth
 is I've just been lucky. The other morning I popped on CL for a quick minute and saw this
 campaign dresser had been listed only 14 minutes. I told Mr. Simple it was meant to be!  


I thought I could use it for a client, but when I got it home and styled it up with my
 pretty artwork (going on at least 6 months with empty frames) I knew it wasn't going
 anywhere! I'm planning a little summer update for our living room using it, and the
 bamboo chairs I scored a week ago. I feel like I can totally justify switching out furniture
 pieces like I do pillows when I get a deal on a timeless classic. It and the mirror were $30.

This was the Craigslist ad - Dresser and Mirror $40
The bottom drawer on the right was messed up so I nicely asked if she'd be willing to
take less, and she agreed. It was an easy fix when I got home, the track just needed to
be reattached. 


I'm hoping the summer update inspires me to make a decision on some art
and finish that gallery wall!


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