Southern Style Home Placemats

Truth be told, I don’t gussy up my table for meals. Unless you count using something other than paper plates for lunch. Then I would consider it gussied. However, I recently received a set of quilted placemats and napkins from Judy, and I was compelled to take it up a notch.

Judy’s shop offers a number of items for your home, and as I’ve said before—when I find something/someplace I like, I want to share it with you! She was so patient with me (and my indecisiveness), yet she was quick and professional (note: no indecisiveness) when I finally figured out the direction I was going.

I couldn’t help but do a little photo shoot of them. Of course, the neighbor’s 10-foot lilac bush was screaming for a little photo action, too.

It’s at moments like these that I wonder if I’m the only one who sets oddly insignificant goals for themselves. Since I don’t really fancy the table up too much, it’s not like I had a storage room full of accessories. My goal? Don’t buy anything for it. Uhhhh ok.

I almost succeeded. Wanna know how? The tablecloth is a sheet I had upstairs. The centerpiece—a.k.a. la-la-lovely lilacs—free from neighbor. The dishes? Dollar Store—4 plates, $4.00. Everything else I had on hand.

I’m so angry at myself for not showing the reverse side of the placemats and napkins! Hello…it was the whole reason I chose them in the first place! The picture below will take you right to the ones I have.

I’m over-the-moon happy with them, and I can’t help but recognize it if I feel I receive good service. If you’re on the lookout for table dressings or home decor in general (and I know you are!), head on over to Southern Style Home Decor.

DIY Bookshelves

Disclaimer: This is a long post. With a lot of pictures. I venture to say it’s taking me longer to get this post around than it was to actually do the project. With the cabinet finally finished, I realized that my daughter really needed some more room for her books. I didn’t want to fill that pretty thing with all books, so I had to come up with something.

So here’s the something.

I will admit that it’s the first project involving wood/nails/labor that I’ve done completely by myself. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive, but it turned out better than I expected.

As the books were being placed on the shelves, my little one kept saying, “Hey! I forgot about that book!” “Oooh, I wanna read that one!” Mission. Accomplished.

  

How about a tutorial for this oh-so-easy project? The first stop was to Lowes for some primed MDF strips. I spent more money with the primed version; However, I know you could do this for less money. I knew I’d be painting it light, so I didn’t want to worry about priming it. Worth the money, really.

I drew a small bead of wood glue along the edges to be nailed and held it for a few seconds. It offered some support and kept things from shifting while I was nailing them together.

I knew I wanted three shelves, and they measured out around 27” each. This meant I needed an 8 foot piece of each. I took the three pieces up to the wood-cutter guy (official name) at Lowes and had him cut them. Yeehaw! How easy is that?

After painting them (including the exposed edges), my husband screwed them into some studs on the wall. I didn’t bother hiding the screws. Who’s gonna see them?

Because the beauty of this project is really in the color of the books, I wanted the shelves to be as simple and streamlined as possible. Luckily, that was also the easiest to build.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a success unless this goofball liked them. I think she approves.

Supply breakdown:

• 8 feet, 1x6 (three shelves at @ 27” each)
• 8 feet 1x4
• 8 feet 1x2…………………………….Total of $28.00
• Wood Glue $2.97
• Nails/nail gun, paint—already had

The Art of the Toilet Paper Roll

Ahhhh….the master bedroom. It has eluded me for years, and I’m still trying to tackle it. It all comes down to one final element—art above our bed. I didn’t want to spend any much money; I was dealing with some difficult dimensions, and I wanted it to be VERY simple. How’s that for easy?

Here was my plan of attack--toilet paper or paper towel rolls. I tried using some wrapping paper rolls, but they were a little too thick to cut through easily, and they didn’t measure the same in width as the t.p. That stands for toilet paper—we’re tight like that.

I measured out the rolls by about 1 1/2” marks and cut them into their little strips. Once they’re all cut out, I glued the joints of them together. I used hot glue because I knew I’d be painting them. Plus, it’s waaaaay faster.

I’ve seen them attached and arranged in a variety of ways, but I was very careful not to make mine too flowery. I didn’t really want flowers, but I did want a soft pattern. (The canvas was from Michaels for $15—it remains unpainted.)

I took the rolls/now shapes to the basement and spray painted away. I would highly recommend using primer for this. Obviously, these suckers soaked up the paint. I followed up with some glossy white paint.

So here it is. Toilet paper wall art. For $15.00.

Because my bedding and curtains have gray in them, I liked that the insides of the shapes throw off a bit of a gray tint. If you’re looking for a more solid color, I would look into painting them a little more carefully inside—perhaps with a paint brush?

I’ll probably still play around with the shape of it. They’re easy to move around since I just attached with a little dollop (I like that word) of hot glue. When I get tired of it, I can throw out the rolls and reuse the canvas.

There’s some pretty good t.p. art out there. Googling it will provide you with a number of pictures, and you can just go from there. No “big reveal” of the bedroom just yet. Still some things to do, but THAT was a biggie.

Tile Tile Bo Bile

Well, it’s time. We’ve been in this house 7 years, and for some reason I’ve always found another project to come before having a backsplash in the kitchen. I regret it, really. I think a backsplash can make a world of difference for a room.

However, it can also make a major dent in your pocket book. I’ve been shopping (and shopping!) for tiles I like that I can actually afford. Wanna see my top three? You can click on the pictures for the links.

I really like this one, but I think it’s too dark. Too blendy. Too rocky.This one would probably be my #1 because it has the most glass in it. Love that. However, it’s almost impossible to find. It’s also the most expensive of the tiles in my price range. Of course it is.

My final pick? I think? This one. It has the mix of textures I want, and it combines all the colors in the kitchen. My #1 curse is my indecisiveness. I’ll ponder on this one day and night for weeks until I’ll probably decide to get something entirely different. Let’s hope not. Not one to be outdone by myself, I plan on turning my laundry room into this.

Think colors and tile—not shower and tub. I don’t need much tile in that room, so I’m thinking I can spend a little more on it. Carrara marble is at the top of the list, but I want it to have a beige-y swirl in it.

My question for you…do you have some recommendations for tile shops? Most of what I’ve found is on Overstock (I heart you, O). Believe me when I say I’ve been all over, but I’m sure there’s a rock I’ve left unturned. Got any suggestions?

Rugs: They Ain’t Cheap!

Well, in true JaG form, I’m itchin’ to do something to my daughter’s room. While it’s generally piled with clothes and Barbie dolls, I just feel like it’s a little “flat” when it’s actually clean. I’m SO close to having this cabinet done for her room, but Michigan weather just doesn’t allow it.

I figured the easy fix would be to get a rug in her room. You know, warm it up a bit, right? Break up the monotony of the floor. Easy peasy! Yeah, right. Let me show you the contenders after researching 1,745 sites for one.

#1. LOVE it. What’s wrong? It’s on Ebay. And that’s not even an actual picture of the rug! How in the world am I going to order a drawing of a rug. Verdict is still out on it as I wait for an actual picture from the seller—possibly.

#2. Again, with the LOVE. What’s wrong? It’s too dark. And it’s $239. ‘Nuff said.

And here’s where Pottery Barn comes in. It HAD to be Pottery Barn.

#3. I love the pattern in it. What’s wrong? The pink seems a little purply to me, and I wouldn’t mind a mix of green in there somewhere. I’m nervous about too much pink. Price? $299. For a rug. In a kid’s room.

#4. Oh wait. Here’s something a little cheaper. And it has the pink and green in it. Nevermind. It looks like a beach towel. Price? $169. We’re getting there, people!

And finally? #5. My love. My passion. My desire. Price? $299. Come ON! Can’t I catch a break here?

I turned to Ebay and found it for $239. Hmmm…it’s not quite as obnoxious, but really?

So that’s where I am. Stuck searching for a rug that might not exist. I’m pretty madly in love with it, and I know what that means. It just might have to be mine. I’m frugal. I save. I DIY, darn it! Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay the money.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself right now. Why can’t Pottery Barn offer 40% off coupons every Sunday like my other favorite stores?

A Sewing chair and SAS Day

As I said earlier, my shopping goal for Ikea included items for my craft room. Something I knew I wanted? A new sewing chair. A sewing chair that isn’t meant for sewing. It’s just a chair. That I’ll sew in. While Ikea had the chair I wanted, they didn’t offer the slipcover that I was looking for.

Our last stop of the day was to Marshall’s, and it wasn’t even on our shopping radar. The chair had alluded me at Ikea, Pier 1, and HomeGoods, so my hopes were low. And then…she appeared.

The clean lines were there, and the colors were spot on. Then the “worry words” as I call them started in. Would it be too busy? Is it truly what I was looking for? Blah, blah, blah…it’s a curse, really.

I decided that I would let the price tag decide for me. I thought I’d spend around $100, and if it was much more than that, I’d just pass it up. Then, I saw this.

$59.00??? SOLD.  The only thing standing in it’s way now were the legs.  I told BFF that I’d just paint them, and her response was, “Of course you will.”

It fits perfectly at the sewing table, and the fabric is exactly what I was looking for. Worry words, be gone!

There’s a little sneak peek of the new dresser in there, but I’m waiting for a little somethin’ somethin’ to arrive that will jazz her up a little bit. The reveal will just have to wait.

My week has involved some major shopping, sleeping in, and putting things together with only picture directions. Now it’s up to you to show us what you’ve been doing. Link up!

An Ikea Virtual Shopping Trip

If you’re like me and are obsessed with shopping (and I know some of you are), you’ll enjoy this little Ikea shopping trip I’m taking you on! I came away with some awesome finds, and I left regretting some “why didn’t I just buy it” purchases. I’ll show you both!

First up? Some gallery rooms. If you’ve ever been to Ikea, you know this is where the magic happens. The inspiration and the sheer “Ikea makes that?” response is just too fun!

No husband? No kids? No dog? This would totally be my room. Throw a couple of colorful pillows in there, and I would move right in. 

My goal for this trip was to revamp my craft room. Needless to say, this room served as some fun inspiration. LOVE that craft desk, but it came out to be a little more than I wanted to spend.

I was drooling over this backsplash. And the farmhouse sink. Oh, and the in-cabinet lighting.    

My little point-and-shoot doesn’t do these rooms justice, but I loved the lighting in them. Layers of lighting…loved it.

Right now, why don’t we take a little lunch break? I’ll have the Swedish meatballs, please. Had it been appropriate, I would have licked my plate. That. good. Notice my partner in crime’s chocolate cake? Yummo!

Ok, ok. What’d I get? Well, I’ll tell ya what I didn’t get! These bad boys. What was I thinking? One piece of advice for you. If you ever go to Ikea, get frames. I don’t care if you don’t think you need them. Just get them.

Hello, McFly! I’m loving this gallery wall, and it would be so easy to do—IF I had bought the frames. Grr.

#1 on my list was to get a new sleek dresser for my craft room. Enter the Malm. I had planned on paying $179 and it was on sale for $99! Yahoony! Look at BFF’s smile. That quickly subsided when she had to help me load the boxes into the cart.

I also didn’t get this. I wanted it sooo badly (in white), but it didn’t fit my measurements. BFF was supposed to buy it, but she said “next time”. I hate that saying.

Well, BFF redeemed herself when she bought all this! (I know—the frames) She’s gonna do a little mudroom decorating soon, and these were just the pieces she needed. Can’t wait to show you.

Obviously, I walked out of there with a pretty good stash, but I didn’t take pictures of it. Weird. I’ll show you my favorite find tomorrow for SAS Day! It was the very last store of the day, and I just kind of stumbled on it. Isn’t that the best? See you tomorrow??