Ikea Hack (Hemnes) with Cozy Wall Art Decal

This post is sponsored by Cozy Wall Art - creating products that accent the life and personality of a home. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

 

Most of you guys probably know by now that I have a thing, some might call it a fetish, for customizing Ikea furniture. (If you don't believe me or have forgotten, check out what I did to a Hemnes dresser, Lack table, and Malm dresser.)

 

While I've loved the results of my previous Ikea furniture personalization efforts, I have to say that those projects were waaaay more labor-intensive than the dresser makeover I'm about to show you now. And I love this one just as much, if not moreso.

 Let's start at the beginning. A few weeks ago, Cozy Wall Art contacted me and asked if I'd be willing to do a product review for them. I checked out their website and immediately fell in love with many of their products. The decals are actually designed for walls, but as soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to have it for my girls' dresser as a key part of their bedroom makeover.

 

Why would their dresser need any attention, you might be wondering? Three words: boring. white. laminate.

 

(Continue reading after the jump.)

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Turning a Dresser into an Entertainment Center (Reader Question)

Reader Kendra emailed me with a question about a dresser she has: I'm a newlywed and we're living in our first apartment and in typical newlywed fashion, we have bigger dreams than cash. I'm envisioning this dresser as an entertainment center. I'd like your ideas/advice for upgrading it to fit my living room.

 

 

All of the drawers work, the side door is actually a mirror and it looks easy to remove. It's definitely made out of real wood (yay).

 

 

The entertainment center will go where the Christmas tree is in the photo below.

 

 

Overall it's a very neutral living room, I guess green is the complementing color.

 

 

So, I did discuss what I'd do with the dresser to turn it into an entertainment center below...but I included a mood board (and discussion points) for the whole living room so that my dresser suggestion makes sense. I hope that's okay!

 

 After playing around with a few ideas, here's a room I envisioned with the new entertainment center - something with bright happy greens, a few bits of moody purple, and loads of pieces taking their cues from nature:

 

 

 

I tried to keep a tight budget in mind for this hypothetical makeover. Here's the thought process behind the inspiration board, for whoever's interested:

 

1: Add a bit of pattern to the existing neutral-toned sofas with a couple of throw pillows made out of a simple yet eye-catching floral. I like the espresso color and modern print of this one.

 

2: Chevron always livens up a space. Add in a chevron throw pillow or two, just for fun. I like green here, just to amplify the color palette. (Hobby Lobby also has some chevron throw pillow covers for cheap.)

 

3: Choosing art is a matter of total and complete personal preference. I like the idea of a large abstract on your wall opposite the window, to add interest and importance to the wall. Go big or go home, though! Nothing halfway here, because it's the only piece on that whole wall/hallway.

 

4: As one of the hails to nature, a salvaged wood tray (or something else organic and subdued) would look great. It adds a simple but interesting juxtaposition to the glass tabletop. You could DIY something like this out of pallet wood.

 

5: The lamp in the inspiration board is actually there just to get a visual point across - I'd grab a can of purple Rustoleum spray paint and paint the existing lamp in the corner as a budget-friendly option. Then move the lamp toward one couch or the other, so it "belongs."

 

6: Oldest trick in the book - grab a large vase, apothecary, pitcher, what-have-you, and throw in some branches. Instant nature, height, and style. (Photo from here.) 

 

7: I'd maybe swap out the existing dresser hardware for something a little more modern, like these pulls from Home Depot. I'd use the darker finish so the pulls kind of blend in (paint suggestion discussed below), but I suppose that's personal preference. If you go this route, you'll need to re-position the pull placement on the mirror cupboard.

 

8: On the wall adjacent to the window, above the sofa, I'd bring it home with some major color. Something vibrant and punctuation-mark-ish. (Which is absolutely a description a real artist would use, in case you're wondering. Totally.) Maybe something like this George Mobley piece. (As an alternative to a large piece of art, you could put together an art gallery wall with just as much visual success.)

 

9: Benjamin Moore paint colors for the dresser: Yellow Green and complementary Midnight Dream. I'd paint out the whole dresser (including the mirror cupboard) in Midnight Dream and use glossy Yellow Dream for the inside of the removed drawers. (See #12, below.)

 

10: Some accent pieces, like these ceramic bowls for example, will make the room feel more like home.

 

11: Something modern and vibrant for the floors is in order. I like a zebra print rug here, especially a form (non-rectangular) one, to add a little oomph to the tan carpet.

 

12: As I mentioned before, I'd paint out the dresser. Restaining it, with all those details, would be a nightmare, and I'm too lazy for that...and, therefore, I assume the rest of the world is as well. Just roll with my egocentricity, will you? But first, remove the top three drawers and create a cubby of sorts, like in the inspiration board photo, to house your entertainment center gadgets and gizmos. But I'd paint the inside of the cubby a very glossy bright green (BM Yellow Green, for instance) for color, definition, and fun! (Photo from here.)

 

13: It's unfortunate that this one ended up being last, because this is what I would actually do first (after the entertainment center makeover, of course). Adding curtains alone will change the entire feel of this living room. I'd go with something light...such as these tree curtain panels from Ikea. At $15 for the pair, you really can't beat the price, even if you need to double up. Hang them as high as possible.

 

 

I want to move in now. :)

 

Thanks for letting me "play" with your room, Kendra (even though it was way more than you bargained for). I'd love to see "after" photos of your entertainment center, no matter which direction you go in making it over. Have fun!

 

Anyone else? Email me: brittneynsmart [at] yahoo [dot] com

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A Reading Nook of Joy

Once upon a time I was obsessed with Persian rugs. Remember?

Welp. Still I kind of am. They're so pretty. And versatile.

Like, what if you took a small area rug like this beauty...



eBay

...then added in some modern chairs like this retro-classic set from Overstock, quite reasonably priced at just $175 for the pair...







...and stocked them with cheery pillows in fabric like this Key West yellow bamboo grid (with navy piping along the sides?):

Calico Corners (now sold out)

 

Anyone have a space where something like this would work? If so...can you put it together and then can I come visit you? I'll just sit quietly for a few hours with a book or something, you won't even know I'm there.

 

Which wouldn't be creepy for your children at all.

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How to Decorate a Small Nursery (Reader Question)

Sadie emailed me some photos of her baby girl's nursery and asked for some advice with her "small, bare, and random nursery." (Her words, not mine!)

 

In summary, she says: I like a clean feel. Even though the chair is big and bulky and needs to go, I'd also like something soft and comfy in there.

[Editor's Note: I'm all for big comfy chairs in the nursery, as you can see by my own space. I actually had a small cute little number in there before my baby was born, but one day after she was home from the hospital, I had my husband swap for the fantastically comfortable beast that's in there to this day...and we haven't looked back.] 

The art gallery was cute for a while but is so small and sad now. I like having the map in there but feel like it's maybe wrong with the color. Oh, and the room was just painted (Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage) a year ago, and repainting isn't an option.

Here's the room currently:

 

Opposite wall:
 

Chair (love that toile!):

 Sadie also included some inspiration photos in her email, here are two of them:

 

 

Sadie, first of all, I think your nursery is a sweet little room. I think with just a few tweaks, you can have a space that you - and Jane - love.

A couple of things I noticed: you seem genuinely drawn to simplicity and brightness. I think to achieve the serenity and clean lines of your inspiration photos, sticking to a fairly restricted color palette is the way to go. Don't worry, though - this doesn't mean boring. At all.

Here's an inspiration board that I created for you, full of greens and blues and light neutrals that will break up the solid feeling of your space and add some playful femininity:

Let's take each of these items and discuss, shall we? (Yes. Yes we shall.)

1. Almost all of your inspiration boards included poufs, which I think are so great in a nursery. You can go super colorful and soft, but I thought this flatter banana fiber version ($30) would work well doubling as an ottoman for your existing pint-sized rocking chair. Plus the natural fibers add texture and warmth. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own; I happen to love this idea and want to try it out myself.

2. Wall-mounted wire baskets, filled with books or favorite stuffed animals Maybe rearrange the furniture: crib in front of window (I know the vent is on the floor, so pull it out about a foot from the window) and kid and grownup chairs in front of the map wall. I'd love to see 2-3 wire baskets mounted under your map, for easy access to reading books from either chair. Here are some options from Urban Outfitters ($40) and Crate & Barrel ($12-$20).

3. Sew some ceiling-to-floor drapes - great for adding a vertical line to this small room. Look for something colorful (preferably in cooler tones, since your walls are so warm) and maybe a mid-sized geometric. I like the vintage feel of this Waverly floral, on sale for $15/yd at calicocorners.com. (Addendum: Ohp. Drat. Sold out. But you can find similar stuff at places like Joann in their special order section.)

4. Whether draped on a chair or used as a rug in front of the crib, this Ikea sheepskin rug (RENS, $30) adds a sweet softness. Not too expensive, either.

5. Throw a ticking stripe ($15/yd on sale) pillow on the chair or use the fabric for a simple pleated cribskirt for neutral contrast to the brighter floral curtains.

6. Keep your world map. It's never too early to start a child's appreciation of maps, right? Global perspectives and all that. (Because that's what 2-year-olds excel at.) Plus, by moving the crib to the window wall, the map will actually help balance the larger furniture in the room.

7. Spray paint a simple chunky gold stripe to either the top or bottom third of your existing white boxes on the changing table. Inspired by this dresser. Maybe throw some stuffed animals or a blanket or something (that's okay for baby Jane to access) on the bottom shelf of the changing table as well, to add a little color and texture.

 8. I like your chair (and love the toile), but it is a little on the warm/dark traditional end of things. To lighten the space as per your inspiration photos, you could snag one of these Vinnie white cradle rocking chairs for just $90 on Overstock. Hi and hello there.

9. Use your same abstract/watercolor artwork (I have a feeling it has sentimental value), but get some larger white photo frames ($12 West Elm, or cheaper ones at Michaels or Target) and white mats. Vary the mat widths custom to each piece of art. This will provide a little more size and "oomph" to the gallery wall. (Yep. "Oomph." It's part of the vernacular of refined art critics, which of course I am one. So.)

10. This is a pretty wall color. Very soothing.
 

I had another thought: if you really want to keep your soft chair (I don't blame you), then choose a small-scale cool grey geometric print for the curtains (instead of the green-blue one in the inspiration board) and swap out the chair's texisting hrow pillow for a cool lavendar one with navy piping. Then spray paint the baby rocker a charcoal or deep plum color to balance the depth, and everything else can still apply.

Whatever you choose, just start changing one thing at a time and gauge how you're feeling about it as you go. I hope this helps with some ideas, Sadie! So fun.

Anyone else? Feel free to email me: brittneynsmart [at] yahoo [dot] com

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How to Decorate a Wood Slat Wall (Reader Question)

Katie recently emailed me some photos of her new entryway and asked me for some advice. While she loves the view when you first enter the front door...

 

 

...she's struggling with the wood slat wall on the right, affectionately known by her family as "the slab." It's a huge (~10' long) wooden partition that divides the foyer from the living room.

 

 

Katie writes: Some people have suggested we rip it out to "open up" the space. But we really like it. Also, the space is open enough, with high ceilings and lots of space. We've also had some suggestions to paint it. But we really like the wood and don't want to alter it that way.

 

 

Katie plans on using this antique dresser (below) to eventually serve as her "landing pad" near the front door for keys, shoes, etc.

 

Here's a view of the back of the slab (looking from the living room into the foyer):

 

 

Okay, first of all, that entryway is HUGE! So grand! Which opens up so many possibilities but also challenges. While I could probably spend the rest of my life (quite happily, I might add) designing and redesigning this entire space, I'm going to stick with the slab.

Here are some similarly-slatted spaces:

 

This dark-stained one is kept completely bare (as in, no bench), and thin horizontal strips emphasize the entire space's contemporary lines.
 

Contemporary Living Room design by New York Architect GRADE

This one uses lighter wood, with slightly wider spacing between the slats for an overall lighter feel.

Modern Living Room design by Toronto Photographer Andrew Snow Photography

 

 Katie, I feel like your space currently is pretty heavy on natural elements. It's beautiful - the stone floor, the wood ceiling, yes, even the wood slab. But I would love to see it brought to life with a little bit o' modern, color, pattern, shizam!

 

If it were me, I'd probably remove the entry "bench." It feels a little heavy in an already visually weighty space, and since you don't want it to potentially become a dumping ground (which, frankly, would probably happen in a busy family), then I'd get it out of there.

You asked me about my thought on hanging mirrors or a gallery wall on the slab (haha! lovely name, btw). I think if you go that route, you have to go with the purpose of making an obvious visual statement. For example, if you use mirrors, choose something unique about the mirrors - say, only hang ones that are rounded (circular, oval) or something. Or if you want to go with a gallery wall, maybe choose art with lots of white space or with content that reflects vertical lines to kind of play up the lines of the wood slats. Does that make sense? Basically, I'd keep things very very simple so that the wood slats become part of the overall wall vignette.
 

Honestly, though, if it were my space, my goal would be to have the slab serve as a kind of interesting backdrop to a small sitting area. Seating is not only welcoming in an entryway; it's also functional for doing stuff like putting on shoes or waiting for kids to grab coats before heading out. (I would love my entryway to be bigger than the 3 inches that it is, so I could fit some kind of seating in there. You're a lucky girl!)

Buuuuut...here's the problem. I dreamed up two scenarios, and I can't decide which I like better. Heh.

 

1: Mid-century Modern. Ish. The idea here is to go warm in color, but not boring. Everything is kept fairly neutral with the exception of one stand-out chair, like fire red or cobalt or something that you love that gels with the rest of your house.

1: Throw pillow for the vapor chair - Thomas Paul "botany" (less than $15/yd).

2: "Invisible" chair - To be honest, I have a major crush on the Louis vapor chair and have for some time now. Of course, the Phillipe Stark original is perfection, but at over $400 apiece, I confess I'm finding myself content with a knockoff, like this one for $150.

3: Small side table - tucked between the two chairs, this one is from etsy, vintage brass side table ($65). I happen to adore it. I'm sure you could find something similar; think round and small and metallic.
 

4: Rug - this recycled number is inexpensive ($45) but has a great neutral graphic print. I like how it somehow merges the feel of the wood slat wall and the stone floor.

 

5: Accent chair - this mango retro armless chair ($300) from Target is not a budget item, but it can serve as an example. Look for something chunky and modern. You can scour Craigslist or KSL or thrift stores to find something in a shape you love, then reupholster in a bold solid.

 

6: Sheepskin throw - you can't beat $10 for the Ikea Tjen, and I feel like it does break up the red on the chair a bit. In a good way. (Or go with the Rens or Flokati; I can't remember which one would be best as a throw...because I live a bajillion miles from Ikea and haven't made my annual trek there this year.)

 

7: Sunburst mirror - this Martha Stewart one from Home Depot for just $35 is a steal. I love the spindly, um, bursts? Rays? Whatever. I'd hang this one pretty low, maybe about 12"-18" above the back of the chair, a little off-center from everything (I'm envisioning something in the lower-left corner of the upper-right quadrant of the slab, not centered over the red chair).

 

 

 Okay, so that's one idea. Here's the second one, a little bit bolder, a little more dramatic. 

 

 2: Modern Eclectic. The idea here is to go so far away from the natural neutrality of your existing entry that the seating area looks perfectly at home. Which makes no sense...but it kind of does.

1: Large abstract art - I'd love to see something big and bold, unabashedly bright, hanging on the slab. A chunky gold frame would be even more awesome here (to help one adjust, visually, from the warm wooden slats to the bright artwork itself), but depending on the size of your artwork, that could be pricey.

 

2: Light side table - I love a mirrored console table ($440) here to reflect light and, frankly, just to sit there and be pretty. For a budget-friendly option, you could paint out a regular side table in Rustoleum's Aluminum oil-based paint (found pre-mixed at Home Depot). Though not reflective, it has a great metallic sheen to it.

 

3: Throw pillow - this tropical leaf fabric is a cheerful nod to nature and organic-icity (wow, try saying that ten times fast) (or even once).

 

4: Rug - this black and white chevron area rug (about $70) or a similar striped one is dynamic and vibrant and a classic foundation for the whole vignette.

 

5: Chair - check Craigslist or thrift stores for anything that blurs the line between traditional and contemporary. Like this beautiful antique (1880s!) carved armchair on your local Craigslist...

 

6: ...Reupholstered in something a little modern and unexpected, like this watercolor-print floral.
(I know, antiques purists everywhere hate me right now for suggesting a redo of a genuine antique. These are just examples, though...Katie doesn't have to find a genuine authentically antique piece. She can just find something with similar lines, if she wants. K. History is preserved.) For fun, I'd maybe paint out the wood an unexpected pale lemon yellow.
 

 7: Lamp - this crystal cubed one (on sale for $80) is cool, although now that I'm looking at it all together, I might go with something a little more simple, like a teardrop table lamp.
 

Katie, I can't tell you how fun this was for me, but even more than that, I hope these mood boards of mind springboard some ideas for you personally. Tweak them, make them your own, and enjoy the creative process of personalizing a new space. (And I'd love love love to see a few photos of your completed entry. Sincerely.)

Happy decorating!

Anyone else? Email me: brittneynsmart [at] yahoo [dot] com

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Big Dream, Small Budget

Hey! Happy Friday. This weekend is a welcome one for our household...it's been a long week.

But that's not why you called.

I got this inspiration photo in an email from my sis-in-law Katrina. She says: This is Caitlin Wilson's entry (or I guess I should say this was her entry, I think this is an old pic). I just love the colors and the feel of it. But I've only gotten as far as the sunburst mirror...

 Katrina is living in Hawaii (I know, right? Poor thing.) (Wait. Nope.) with her cute family for the next few years and was looking for a way to reconstruct this look in her entry, which currently looks like this:

 

(She DIY'd that sunburst mirror out of shims. Looks great, huh?)

Oh, and she wants to keep it as low-cost as possible. I know the feeling!

 

I think it's entirely doable, and pretty easily, too. She's got a great jumping-off point. Here's what I would do:

 

Use BM's Whispering Spring to paint out the walls.

Then paint out the table in creamy BM Decatur White.

 

(Did you know that, if you don't have access to Benjamin Moore paint, you can still have the colors created custom by your local paint store? You probably did. But just in case...there you go.)

Add a rug in front of your table (or wherever is most logical in your space) in the same colorway as the one in the inspiration photo. This step could be skipped for budgetary reasons, although I think it's such a pretty - and inviting - addition. Something like this ikat area rug from Overstock for less than $60 would be pretty:


Or this bluey-grey and ivory trellis wool rug for $85:


To incorporate the look of lucite (adding a vapor chair in this space would be awkward), $4 for this drawer knob from Home Depot would do the trick:


Then I'd do one of two things:
Plan A: Find an inexpensive terracotta pot at a hardware or craft supply store and create my own mosaic pot using broken-up brightly colored thrift store plates...

source

  

 ...then get some orchids at farmers' markets, or places like Wal-Mart and Home Depot typically carry them for around $15. (Or maybe something similar grows wild along the curbs in Hawaii? It is "paradise," after all...) The pop of fuchsia from the flowers is so important to the whole airy-yet-vibrant vibe.

Plan B: Buy one of these lamps (on Honolulu's Craigslist), spray paint the base fuchsia...


...remove the green, and trim the top of the lampshade with a stripe of trim. With a solid painted lamp base, I'd recommend a woven trim with a colorful pattern that brings out the colors of the inspiration vase. I like the colors and pattern of this vintage ribbon:


.
or this Japanese woven trim:



Lastly, shop your house and scour thrift stores and flea markets for a gold or brass frame (or spray paint one) as well as 2-3 other simple accessories, such as vases, ginger jars, etc. like these from eBay. (Just search for "vintage vase" or "antique vase" or "ginger jar" etc.) Keep them fairly small and similar...ish.

 

 

Etsy

Etsy

(Or, for a mere $4,500, you could be the proud owner of these beautiful antique Chinese porcelain ginger jars:

Decisions, decisions. :) )


Thanks, Katrina! That was fun. I hope this helps.
Annnnd I wish I was in Hawaii right now. The end.


Anyone else? Email me: brittneynsmart [at] yahoo [dot] com


Have a lovely weekend! No, seriously. Do.

{shared I Should be Mopping}

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The Best Materials for Decorating on a Tight Budget

Have I told you all that we're trying to save up to take our kidlets to Hawaii this year? Well, we are. That's part of the reason I'm so budget-focused right now. Of course, I still have expensive dreams...

(Like Jennifer Aniston's luxe purple velvet chairs here, for example. If you had a cool $42 mil lying around a coupla years ago when her house was for sale, she probably would've thrown the chairs in for free.)

 

source

...but, for now, our family's financial priorities lie elsewhere. (ahem)

source

 

So, in the spirit of budgeting and decorating my home, the first thing I do is shop my house. What do I already have? Could it be repurposed? If so, awesome. However, there are times when the interior decorator in me needs something else to add a little home decorating boost but can't quite afford to make my whole dreams come true. ($42 million, anyone?)

Therefore, I present to you, my lovely readers, my top list of budget-friendly (translation: free, or pretty close to it) decorating resources. They're not for every project, to be sure, but they'll do in a pinch for a quick pick-me-up.

Pallet boards.

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You knew I'd go here first, didn't you? Wood pallets are all the rage lately, and I've used them for several projects myself (like here and here). I've had the most success with finding quality pallets at my local Sears store. Just be sure to ask before taking, and be selective in choosing "safe" pallets to work with (what were they used for? were they chemically treated? are they moldy?). Also, keep those Tetanus boosters up-to-date!


Paint chips.


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I've totally taken advantage of this free decorating resource for paint chip projects. I just love that you can choose any color(s) you want and then create artwork or functional pieces with paint chips for next to nothing. Just as a courtesy, though...make sure that you don't abuse the priviledge. Purchase some paint on occasion, too. :)


Sheets.


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I've said it before, and I'll say it again: repurposing stuff (especially fabric) is a great use of resources. Using flat sheets as a fabric source, whether for curtains, bedding, or even artwork, is a great way to save money. Shop your own linen closet or get them inexpensively at supercenters. I think I'd bypass the thrift store on this one, though.


Mason jars.

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These glass jars are sturdy and available in a variety of sizes and tints (or you could tint or paint your own), which make mason jars a prime candidate for a variety of home decor projects - lighting fixtures, planters, vases, random decorative accessories, you name it. Admit it...you've got some of these lying around with the well-intentioned plan that someday you're going to learn how to can, don't you? No? Just me? Oh...okay. Regardless, put them to good decorating use.


Cotton drop cloths.



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Think beyond interior painting and how to paint a room when you look at drop cloths. These aren't free, but for a lot of yardage of heavy-duty cotton, they are a great budget option when sewing slipcovers, drapes, or anything, really, that could use a durable neutral fabric. You can purchase these at any hardware store starting at just $10. I just finished sewing a chair slipcover (my first one) using a 4'x15' drop cloth from Home Depot, and I'm pretty pleased with it (and the $12 price tag!).

Spray paint.


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Also, I know that spray paint technically isn't "free," but I couldn't create a home decorating budget resources list and leave it out. Because for what you can do with a can of this stuff, it's such a great budget-friendly option. (Or, if you're a spray painting junkie like myself, you probably already have a bunch of cans sitting around waiting to be used up.) Transform furniture, frames, lighting, or random objects with some spray paint, and it'll freshen up an entire space. As I'm sure you already know.


 Am I forgetting anything obvious?

xox

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{shared: A Little Knick Knack, A Vision to Remember, Chic on a Shoestring Budget, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Fireflies & Jellybeans, My Romantic Home, The Shabby Nest, What-About}

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