Project Playroom: The After

Theron's playroom is complete! After starting nearly three months ago we have a completed room! It was pretty easy to put together once I decided on the fabric for the benches and for the no-sew roman shades.  I like color--you guys know that--so it should come as no surprise to any of you that this room has a lot of it!

We started with a room that looked like this [pre-Theron Drake]:

Which quickly turned into this:

And now finished, looks like this:

The benches, as you may recall, were inspired by Jen's phenomenal IKEA hack seen here, and custom built by my superstar Father-in law.  The robot pillow is from Land of Nod, the tribal pillows are from IKEA, the 'Never Let Me Go' pillow was from Brickyard Buffalo deal, and the Greek Key pillow I've had for years.  

The Instagram poster size prints were purchased on Prinstagram and framed in poster sized frames from Michael's that I spray-painted gold.  The floor lamp next to the window was from CB2. 

The "art" on the gallery wall was either made by me on PowerPoint [via multiple inspirations I ran across while on Pinterest], Hallmark greeting cards-turned-prints, an Old Navy  'Land of the Free' & Hallmark chevron shopping bag, a free online printable, or an abstract painting print via Etsy.   I saved money by reusing old frames I had stored away and didn't have to buy a single new one!

The sweet little table was mine when I was a kid that I recently spray-painted with chalkboard paint and the chair was a thrift store find from when I was pregnant. 

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed a tour of Theron's playspace!

xoxo

I'm At It Again

I really just can't help myself. I try and try to finish a room and let it be but then I get a new idea and I go to town rearranging things. This time my new victim project was the office.

First, let me just say I love the chevron drapes. Love them. But when I saw this fabric something in me said I needed it and that the chevron drapes had to go. They had their heyday.

I'm not the biggest purple or red fan so me liking this fabric really kind of shocked me. But I went with it! I couldn't stop thinking about it so I knew it was the real deal.

I wasn't totally sold on getting rid of all things chevron in my life so I made sure to buy this chevron rug from Overstock. The quality is pretty thin, but for the price, I'm OK with it.

I also replaced the spray painted chandelier for one that I purchased months ago from a local furniture dealer. It looks like a disco ball and it casts a pretty sweet light on the walls and ceiling. It was less than a $100 bucks so it won't feel bad replacing it down the road.

{A little note: all of these pics are either phone pics or non-edited...just call me lazy!}

I gotta thank my father-in-law and husband for wiring and hanging it for me! Thanks, guys!

Back to the fabric for a bit...I bought quite a bit since I wanted to make 4 panels for both windows. It came in one super long piece so we had to cut it outside. I'm sure people were wondering what we were up to.

After cutting it I hemmed it with the n0-sew iron hem and hung all of the panels close to the ceiling. I bought some ring clips from Target and used the rods that I already had.

While I was at this whole makeover I moved the furniture around, too. I brought the TV in from the bedroom and put the desk across from it. I am really using my laptop at the desk lately with school work and blog work. It makes me be more productive. At least I think it does.

I still have some more plans for the room and of course I'll share them with you all as I go along. You know my home is never quite done. : )

xoxo

Great Day St. Louis [Office Reveal]

Since appearing on The Nate Berkus Show {one of the best moments of my life!} I've had the surreal opportunity of appearing regularly on the St. Louis morning show, Great Day St. Louis. It's one of the best experiences of my life that I keep getting to experience. How fun for me!

Virginia Kerr, one of the co-anchors, asked if I would help design her and her producer Dianne's office a couple of months ago. She said it was a site for sore eyes and she was right. Here's a look at camera phone pics of their space:

The office was dark without any natural light, it had exposed plumbing, and cinder block walls. It wasn't a place where Virginia and Dianne felt inspired and I about peed my pants when Virginia asked little ol' me to come up with a design plan.

A couple of stipulations that she gave me were:

1. It had to be done on the cheap; I was giving the ideas & plans but they were carrying them out
2. They would like to DIY as much as possible
3. They wanted a cheery & inspiring place to work

I took their advice and went to town. I scoured the internet and pinterest and came up with a moodboard that I crossed my fingers they would love. I made the moodboard into a powerpoint to share with Virginia and Dianne, but you guys are just seeing some of the slides I had photobucket make into a collage. : )

Here are the videos: "before" and "after". I tried to embed them but it messed up the blog's formatting. Sorry for the extra click!

I am floored at how wonderful the "Live What You Love" art came out. I wanted it to be bold and make a statement and it is definitely my favorite part of their space. I also love that Virginia was able to score the available-for-a short-time-only Urban Outfitter's zig zag rug! I suggested it and she was all for it!

Another favorite of mine was the credenza in Dianne's office that she spruced up and found for free! Woohoo!

I just love these opportunities and I'm happy to share them with all of you, too. Thanks for always being so sweet and supportive. : )

xoxo

I Gave In

Remember how I posted about that gorgeous desk I didn't need from World Market?

I know, how could you forget? He was a stunner.

Given the title of the post I am sure you can assume that Mr. Desk made his way home with me this weekend. My sweet hubby put him together {scandalous!} and now he's living large in our eclectic office.

He is suh-weet!

Oh snap! I just realized that "he" is really a "she." The desk's name is Josephine...hmmm, Josephine...Joi, coincidence!? I think not.

It was fate. For sure.

xoxo

Wish List: World Market Desk

So I gave you guys a little peek into my last week's World Market shopping bag and I forgot to mention that there is a specific item from World Market that is now residing on my wish list.

My latest obsession is an absolutely gorgeous white lacquer desk. It flirted with me while I was about to check out so I had to walk over to it and give it a second glance. It would have been rude of me to ignore its loveliness, don't ya think?

Alright, but let's be real here...

First, I don't need a desk. I know, I know. I can almost hear all of you saying, "Really, Joi?!" to me as you're reading this. Especially you, Maw Maw!

Second, and most telling, since when did I ever let that stop me? Come on, you all know my weaknesses by now.

Third, I signed up for World Market rewards and get 10% of my first purchase. Hmmm, I have to make a trip there this weekend anyway so I may just come home with Mr. desk.

He was so very handsome; take my word for it, ladies. Mmm, mmm! His online photo does not do him justice. ; )

xoxo

Ch-Ch-Changes...

So I don't think I told you guys, but this weekend our home was photographed for an Apartment Therapy House Tour! Woot-woot. I had once entered a color contest on their website and after it was over, I got an email asking if I would be interested in doing a tour. Heck, yes!

The two ladies that photographed our little space were as sweet as pie and the tour should be on the website in a couple of months. I'll definitely keep all of you updated. After all, I might need some nice comments to outweigh the sometimes very critical and frequently snarky AT commentors!

Anyhoo, once I knew the tour was coming up I, of course, procrastinated and waited until days before to spruce up the space. One of the things I did was add a rug to the office area.

You may remember we once had a rug in there but some dog{s} made it their potty place and it could not be salvaged. You'd think two adult dogs who are "potty trained" would know better, right? That's what I thought. You and I both thought wrong.

Well, back to the rug {and we now keep the office door closed} we purchased! It was an Overstock find and I really fell in love with it at first sight!

Here's the link and online photo:

And here it is in our space {please excuse the craptastic phone photo, I haven't been home during the day to take a decent pic with that gorgeous natural light!}:

Like? Dislike? Do share, friends!

And, stay tuned...the office isn't the only thing that I changed up! ; )

xoxo

Office Tour

You all remember my new friend, Dana, right? She's a St. Louis designer and works with Phillip's Furniture!

I love Phillip's furniture because a) I bought my sofa from there last year, b) I won a $500 giftcard when I won the "St. Louis Living Space of the Year" and c) they offer great deals on transitional and contemporary pieces that cost much, much more elsewhere. Hooray.

Well, when we did our photo shoot for the St. Louis Magazine spread, Dana did a little video tour of nuestra casa!

First up was the guestroom, and next up is our office.

Enjoy and have a spectacular weekend! Dave and I get to take our Principal certification tests tomorrow so say a little prayer for us that we pass. : )

xoxo

Office Switcharoo

For some reason I wasn't totally committed to the loveseat on the wall under the mirror. I felt like the credenza and lamps would suit the mirror much better and I think I was right.

Oh, and a couple of you asked where I scored the silver poufs in the last post...well, they came straight from Egypt via this seller. I was a little apprehensive but they were shipped very fast and look great. I am well aware that they are faux leather but I wanted the look not necessarily the feel. My tastes change so $200 per pouf was not on my agenda.

Next up for this room {who knows when!} will be this light fixture. I've loved it forever and someday it will be mine! : )

xoxo

Office New Additions

We scored this great little tufted loveseat {from the sweetest lady} this weekend off of craiglist and the poufs were an eBay purchase awhile back.

The office is still undergoing some changes but I love the direction it's headed. When I look at that photo I smile at how far my taste has evolved.

xoxo

I Love A Good Copy Cat Find

So remember this lovely window fabric I posted about here? It hasn't left my head since.

Well as I was strolling through Pier 1 a couple weekends ago, I found these on sale for $12 a piece!

The pattern and the colors of the Pier One pillows are so reminiscent of the very expensive fabric from above. Yay for me!

And, a big thanks to Stephanie, who sent me the link of the original fun fabric! It's definitely a favorite, but just a little too pricey for me and the mr.!

xoxo

Office Makeover-Part 2 {What's That Pattern Called Again?}

Oh sweet Dave. I love that man so much. He's pretty much up for any DIY idea I have and I love him even that much more for it. For weeks, maybe months, I have wanted to paint a chevron pattern on our kitchen floor.

{image spied here}

This image has haunted me, guys. I was very close to doing it but then chickened out. I couldn't see spending that much energy on something that might be a fleeting trend, especially knowing me and my ever-changing tastes. So I decided to save my chevron for a later project.

As you all know the office is in the midst of a makeover and it hit me that this was the prime-o destination for some chevron pattern in our lives. I knew what colors I wanted and how I was going to go about painting, I just didn't know how I was going to figure out all that math. You see, I'm a Spanish teacher, and I do Spanish. My family likes to refer to me as "math stupid". I take absolutely no offense because I have the math skills of a 6th grader, maybe. Ha. You may think I'm joking but 6th grade is being generous.

Anyhoo, my sweet husband has a math brain and offered to help me with the planning! See, I told you I loved him so!

I first decided on these cheapie JCPenney drapes that cost under $20 a panel + a coupon, too! If the chevron pattern didn't work out on the first drape I had plans to return the rest. Easy peasy.

I showed David this West Elm rug and he kinda took it from there.

I know there was a lot of measuring and dividing and he somehow ended up with a template. He measured all of the drapes for me and I got to painting. I don't think you'll be able to see, but there are faint pencil markings for me to use as a guide.

Painting took what seemed like forever. 2 hours for each drape to be exact. You see, I painted them all by hand with no painter's tape to separate the black and white lines. Talk about needing a steady hand. I was too worried if I used spray paint or even regular paint with the tape that it would bleed and I wasn't willing to risk it.

I made a little trip to my favorite and pricey craft store and picked up a stiff brush and two bottles of black paint. I made sure that the paints were safe for fabrics and that's about it. I barely have any left so my estimations were pretty close.

And, if you've stuck with me this long, now here's the grand reveal! I've still got some arranging to do of my "stuff" which is on the agenda for this weekend!

It's pretty safe to say I'm in love with them!!!! And, there's still more to this office reveal, but that will have to wait just a little longer! : )

xoxo

Homegoods' Goodies

Thanks to my sweet sister-in-law and soon to be brother-in-law, I was the lucky recipient of a fabulous little gift card to one of my all time favorite stores, Homegoods! During Christmas break David and I visited said store and picked up this perfect little lacquer box that is sitting pretty in our new office. If you look closely you can see the new DIY drapes in the background! : ) Can you guess what pattern they are?

I was super excited to get that little box because it reminded me so much of a West Elm jewelry box that I just never got around to buying.

However, I was truly the lucky one because my look-a-like only cost $16! I'm pretty sure that the West Elm one was at one time close to $100. My procrastinating paid off because the West Elm one is no longer available.

Stay tuned this week for the rest of the office makeover! : ) Have a wonderful week, everyone!

xoxo

Office Makeover-Part 1

Wow. Looking back through some photos of our office makes me chuckle. It's so funny to see things I thought looked good, or see how we first started off. Take this photo for instance.

Just look at those bookcases! Eek. All those frames turned catty-corner...yikes. And the stuffed animals? Joi, come on! Who was telling me that was a good choice? Lots of things would change in this room as we saved up our money. Slowly we painted all of the trim and window coverings, ligth fixture, and furniture.

The color scheme managed to pretty much stay the same for the entire time--shocking, right? Now we see I took some liberties to make the bookshelves pop as I thought I learned the art of arranging items. Not half bad, but still not totally loving it. Oh, and as you see we were on to rug #2!

Then, not too long ago, as DIY projects started luring me I changed out our rolly chair { and took it to school } for a reupholstered and painted antique chair. Also, another rug came into the picture as well as a cheapie chandelier spray paint makeover!

So, I think I'm about ready to bring you up to date. Why yet another makeover? Well, seeing as David and I have joined the new millennium and both have laptops, there really is no need for two desks. David volunteered to move his out and then I just knew that everything needed to be changed. David is an avid book reader and lover so those bookcases found a new home in the basement where they actually house books! A functional decision instead of a decor based decision! Who knew I was capable of such?

So with that minor change, ideas came pouring in!

New paint color-check!
New credenza-check!
New/old desk-check!
New rug-check!
New draperies that I just cannot wait to share-check!
Chandelier makeover-check!
New/old lamps-check!

Before

After {Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore} Sorry for the fuzzy pic!

Next came the sweet credenza I found at the Goodwill weeks ago! I had been checking on it weekly and decided to snatch it up when it was marked down to $17.50. And those lamps..they used to be a hideous brassy/black and I sprayed them with a Valspar teal color. They were a great little deal at only $12 for the set! The shades are uneven because I was trying to decide which one I liked better. I ended up going with the shade style on the right! I found the shades at Garden Ridge for $14.99-such a great price.

I finally admitted that the pink wasn't working and adapted the light to favor a more subdued white! Also, although I loved my $30 Walmart rug, I knew I needed something more substantial to anchor the room and went with a sisal choice from Home Depot purchased with a gift card! : )

Also, I adapted the desk seating and spray painted one of the three free chairs I found in my grandparents' neighborhood to a bright yellow. The fabric I chose was on sale for $13 a yard and I reupholstered it in a snap. If you recall, that same chair's twin is hanging out in our master bedroom, as well!

The old black desk headed downstairs to house our desktop computer and the repainted white one came up. The black just wasn't working with the new dark gray walls.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far! I have a few more surprises for you in the rest of the reveal, so please come back to see more. My absolute favorite part of the office are the DIY drapes. They are fabulous-promise. I am so, so excited--just wait and I hope you'll agree!

xoxo

The Darker The Better

I can't wait to show you guys the new office! I went bold with the color choice; I kept telling Dave, "It's so dramatic!" And, since this is the first time I'm mentioning this makeover, I should probably give a backstory on why, yet again, I am changing another room in our house. : )

Well, it's as simple as David getting a new laptop and us not needing two desks. Once one desk came out I wanted to change it all! But I promise you, everything has been done on a budget.

But I digress, the fabulous new color is Benjamin Moore's Iron Mountain, seen here via this image from Flickr.

I'm currently working on window treatments for the room that are taking forever and a day. Hopefully this weekend will bring some "after" pics!

xoxo

Target's Home Design Event: My Finds!

I saw these two circular accessories when the event first started, but I wasn't about to pay full price for them. Then I got word that everything was 30% off and I took advantage of our "inclement cold weather" day off school and made the trip to pick these babies up.

I liked the grey color, but wanted them to be white. So I secured the bottoms with plastic bags, as to make sure that part stayed black, and then I spray painted them outside in the freeeezing cold. And, I know I was ideally supposed to wait until it was warmer, but I'm an impatient girl and wanted to put them in the office asap!

They really pop being white and look super sweet next to my "Disco Stu" plant from Wal-Mart {another $5 find : ) }!