buffet lamp makeover...blah to bright

I've had this buffet lamp for years, and was debating whether or not to drop it off at Goodwill.

I'd brought it up from storage (does that make it sound like some organized closet? haha!!)

 and had it sitting in the the perfect spot, but even the prettiest styling and vase of fresh

 flowers couldn't detract from the blah, boring, beige. Then a friend stopped by and

 commented on the pretty base...hmmm, it is kind of unique....I started waffling about letting

 it go, then obsessing over which fabric to use to update it, black and white stripes, black and

 gold stripes, gold and white chevron, burlap with metallic dots, leopard...

This black and white geometric, honeycomb won out - it was $1 at Hobby Lobby (with coupon).

 I painted the edges using Martha Stewart's liquid gilding in Gold

 (fabric paint would have probably been a good choice, but I just used what I had on hand). 

 Make a pattern and fold it in half, fold your fabric and align the pattern on the folded edge.

 Cut out like you're cutting out a heart, remember... four times if your shade has four sides. 

Grab your glue gun and adhere around the edge. 

I can't wait to show you its perfect spot on Monday in my Christmas Home Tour! 

(it's sort of hip and current, like a bar cart, hint-hint)  :)

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends,

and don't forget... 

The 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes

I've already seen a few peeks here and there and these talented ladies are sharing 

creative, classy and colorful Christmas decor you won't want to miss!!

Friday Day 5 - Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles

and continuing through the weekend

Saturday Day 6 - Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Sunday Day 7 -  Kris @ Driven by Decor

12 days of christmas home tour...day 4

You're in for a treat today...

Cyndy @ The Creativity Exchange is sharing her beautifully decorated home with us.

I've been under a rock...her blog is new to me, a tad embarrassing as she has a gazillion

 fans!! You'll soon be another if you stop by and take a peek around,

 I love her diys and Paint it Monday series!

Here's a peek at some of the fabulous-ness she has going on for Christmas... 

If you've missed any of these tours you'll want to settle in and enjoy... :)

Day 1 - Jenny @ Evolution of Style

Day 2 - Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Day 3 - Amanda @ Dixie Delights

Day 4 - Cyndy @ The Creativiy Exchange

on my thrifting list...candles en masse

I thought it would be fun to start a new series...

'on my thrifting list'

I often see beautiful inspiration photos of items that I frequently come across while thrifting,

but...

 they don't look like the inspiration photos when I see them at the thrift store! 

 So I thought I'd share how my little mind works when I'm in thrifting mode.

In the spirit of the season, candles en masse is what's on my list this month,

and the goal is to collect a LOT to make a statement. 

Here goes.... 

How many times have you seen a lone brass candlestick at the thrift store for a steal?

What if you picked up ten, or twenty... 

cristaelyce.com

Ever see a candles in random odd hues for a steal?

What if you picked up ten or twenty?

 adropofpleasure.com

Or a glass hurricane? Everywhere for a dime a dozen...

 stylemepretty.com

Would you pass up one of these as too ornate or dated?

A collection looks classic...

courtney engstrom

More brass candlesticks...

desiretoinspire.com

You can never have too many simple inexpensive votives...
(I think my boys lit about 50 for me at my party last week)

villaonetwenty.com

Garage sales are awesome for finding boxes of tapers...

 

That's how it will work...I hope it's helpful and inspiries you to try your luck and
have fun thrifting - warning, it can be highly addictive!!

One more thing - Keep a 'thrifting list'

  I keep mine in 'Notes' on my phone, so I'm never without it. 

fifth avenue style, a perfect gift, a tour...

Awhile back, I had the pleasure of receiving Fifth Avenue Style, a stunningly

 beautiful book by Howard Slatkin. I intended to while away an evening pouring over the

lavish details, and then give you all a review. However, a friend was over when I

 opened it and ended up borrowing it for a month few days. She brought it back last week,

 and the timing was perfect, given our sub zero temps reading was the activity of choice!  :)

Before I get to the review, one of my favorite gifts to give is a beautiful book,

(the kind one wouldn't buy for themselves) and a nice magnifying glass, they're 

available in a variety of price ranges and styles. I've seen a great selection at

Homegoods recently. The handsome one below (brass with leather wrapped handle

 is from Rejuvenation.)

The book arrived exquisitely wrapped.

If you're not familiar, Howard Slatkin is a renowned interior designer and co-founder of the

 lifestyle brand Slatin & Co. He takes you through his creative process, offering insight

 into his design decisions and inspiration for creating the beautiful interiors of his

 5th Avenue apartment. By meticulously layering architectural detail, gilded finishes,

 art, furniture and opulent accessories, he creates a beautiful home of wall-to-wall elegance.

With more than 275 lavish color photographs, his book showcases his trademark elegance.

I was absorbed by the ornate details of his home and the beautiful photography.

These were some of the stunning spaces I could analyze repeatedly... 

He has succeeded in creating both an artful and stunning apartment and book,

which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Fifth Avenue Style 

Be sure to stop by and check out 

The Twelve Days of Christmas Tour of Homes

Don't miss the beautiful tour with Lisa @ Shine Your Light today!!

and if you missed it

Day One - Jenny @ Evolution of Style 

diy sequin pillow...simple bling!

Hey, everyone ~ hope you had a cozy weekend curled up by a fire if you were in the path

 of that freezing blast of winter. We braved single digit temps and went out for our usual

 Friday night dinner, after negotiating we settled on Thai food. My sweet mom cooked for

 us on Saturday night, and sent us home with enough yummy leftovers that I didn't have

 to cook Sunday either, so I had time to diy this blingy sequin pillow. :)

If you missed the diy urchins last week, they are super easy, too!

I wanted something new to go with the Pottery Barn Poinsettia knock-off pillows I

 made last year. It was a quick, unchallenging little project - my favorite, and I used items I

 already had, that means it was free! 

A scrap of burlap fabric, a package of sequins in two sizes, my glue gun, and my favorite

  Ikea down pillow form. 

The instructions for making the pillow are the same as this one for the

Pottery Barn Poinsettia tutorial, except you glue sequins on the front.

 1) Cut your burlap to desired size.

2) Place paper under burlap to catch glue that seeps through.

3) Apply glue to back of sequin and attach to the burlap in desired pattern.

4) With right sides facing each other sew the sides of the pillow, leaving one

 side open to insert the pillow form. 

That's it!

*********************** 

I'm thrilled to be included in this tour with a host of awesome bloggers,

 and can't wait to see their homes, I know they've all been hard at work

to bring us some fabulous inspiration!   

The 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes

Jenny @ Evolution of Style  kicks off the tour starting today!!

I'll be joining in the fun crafty party,
Holiday Cheer in the Blogosphere
with Micaela @ Michaela Noelle Designs & Cassie @ Hi Sugarplum