Espresso Bar Armoire Part 3: Installing a Chandelier in an Armoire

As you know, I recently converted an armoire into a quaint, tucked away espresso bar. Click here to read parts one and two. This is part three...Installing a light fixture. If you are lazy and don't like overly involved projects, this is the project for you...

This "tutorial" is so insanely easy, I almost feel guilty writing an entire post that is dedicated to doing this, but alas I shall. There is something so enchanting about opening an armoire that is converted into a unique space that has a glistening little chandelier or awesome light that establishes the petite area as a place of importance or "retreat". The best part is, it is SOOOO incredibly simple to do.

Step One: Convert Your Chandelier Into a Plug-In Light (and of course, drink a yummy iced coffee while you do it!)

You are essentially turning your hanging light fixture into a lamp. There are tons of light kits that you can purchase (at any hardware store) and plenty of sites that give tutorials and instructions. I am no electrical expert, so please follow the directions on the light kit. I am not responsible for someone not doing this step correctly. If you can't figure it out, ask an electrician or purchase a "plug in" light fixture. These are available at a plethora of retailers, including Cost Plus World Market, Ikea, Pier One, and dozens more.

I kind of want to have a "laying" chandelier table lamp in my home... I may have to do another one like this. I love the look.

Step Two: Drill Your Hole

Using a 1-1/2" drill bit, drill a hole in an inconspicuous space in your armoire. I saved the little piece of wood to pop back in if I ever decided I didn't want to run electricity into my armoire anymore. I also drilled a hole in the same spot on my removable wallpaper backdrop so they line up. 

Step Three: Hang Your Light on a Hook

Yep... That easy. twist a hook into the ceiling of your armoire and hang your light.

Step Four: Plug Your Light in and Run it Through The Hole You Have Just Drilled

You can hide your cord by running it along the inside of your armoire or behind the replaceable back panel that I show you how to make, here.

Step Five: Stand Back and Look at Your Lovely Little Space in "Awe"!

A dazzling or unique small  light fixture is an unexpected touch that will add character, charm and dimension to your little space, whatever it may be.

Note: Do not leave your light on while doors of armoire are closed. You can purchase switches that allow you to click it on when you open your doors. Too much heat in a small space can cause a fire if left on. I am not responsible for any problems that may occur if this is executed incorrectly.

I am off to chug a ton of coffee and work on a remodel here in San Francisco! Let me know how this works for you! Ciao, friends!

Espresso Bar Armoire Part Two: Installing DIY Removable Wallpaper Backdrop

When you open your armoire, closet or drawers, does it's blandness get you down?? Do you feel like you are staring into a dark pit of "meh"?? (Don't worry, I am not about to start an advertisement for furniture anti-depressants...) I don't know about you all, but I like to feel a bit jolted and stoked when I open a cupboard door. My faux, fawn hide wallpaper is such a delightful eye treat every morning, I kinda wanna wallpaper or mural every cupboard and closet in my home. It adds the perfect amount of sass to the French armoire I brought home from Europe. 

This is part two to my espresso bar armoire redo, in case you were wondering what I am jabbering about. You can read about it and see some other "before" and "afters" by clicking here.

This is the stink-face I made when I opened my armoire before the redo...

In case you forgot what this armoire looked liked before I adorned it with a gorgeous wall-paper from Walls Republic, check out this photo below...

Madame Brun Armoire was a frumpy lady indeed!

I decided I wanted to wallpaper the back, but I surely didn't want to mess with the integrity of this gorgeous old piece... While this wallpaper is classic and timeless, I change my style on occasion and I didn't want to mess with the wood on the back panels. The best way to do this was to create a removable, pop-in back wall, that I could switch out or replace any time my heart desired. I also want to be able to get other wallpapers from the incredible selection at Walls Republic so I can swap out the backdrop for different purposes or entertaining occasions. I may want this to be a wine bar or hide-away Bier Garten at my next dinner party and can swap the backdrops in and out accordingly! I also wanted it to be able to slide into place and sit still without, nailing, drilling, gluing or screwing a back panel in my armoire. 

Lucky for me, my friendl Drew (a super awesome and talented construction project manager) came to the rescue and helped me figure out a way to accomplish this goal! What a wizard he is indeed! We created this template below, using old bags, and traced the top of the inside of the armoire. 

 We traced that pattern onto a piece of wood that was 4'x8' and 1/16" thick and cut it out with a jig-saw. 

We slid it in and made adjustments till if fit like a glove....

I mounted the wallpaper to the wood with spray adhesive and wrapped it around the back, so that the edges wouldn't lift. I popped it in, slid the shelf in and Bam! Shazaam! Kapow! I now had a gorgeous, wall-papered armoire! 

In case you forgot what it looked like before.....

.....and here it is now!

I am completely IN LOVE!

Next, I will be sharing with you how I installed my chandelier and where I hid all my cords to my espresso machine and light fixture! To read more on the transformation of this armoire, click here!

I want to thank Walls Republic for the fabulous paper and Drew for helping me make it happen! 

Stay tuned my friends! 

Fawn-Hide Wallpaper and a Tucked Away European Cafe

One of my absolute favorite things about living in Europe, was visiting quaint, little cafes in Germany and France. There is something so unique, special and endearing about a "folk" looking cafe or bistro in Bavaria or the French Alps that is warming to the heart and "oh, so comforting" to the soul. There really is nothing like it in the world. Many are laden with antlers, folk painting, oil paintings, wood beams and paneling, and of course, mouth watering coffee and pastries. 

When I moved back home from Europe and into my petite loft, I needed to utilize every inch of my place so that my home could store all my goodies, look good and most importantly, be functional. I needed a place to hook up my espresso machine and coffee bar and the Louis armoire that I found in France, was the perfect piece to create a tucked-away French/ Bavarian fusion cafe. When I open its doors, I feel swept away to a little "folk" coffee shop in the European countryside. It's a great centerpiece for entertaining as well!

I came across this gorgeous and incredibly real looking faux, fawn hide wall-paper from Walls Republic and I knew that I needed to use it somewhere in my home. It is unique, classic, timeless and reminded me of something I would have seen in the German Alps. You guys, you seriously would not believe the quality of this stuff. It is heavy, textured and looks absolutely real in person. Walls Republic sent me a few samples of the coverings that I liked and I absolutely fell in love with the fawn hide (along with the other four samples that I am madly searching for a place in my home to utilize).  To my surprise, when the wallpaper arrived, it said it was "made in Germany"! I was so elated! Not only did it have the look that I was going for and appeared completely authentic, but it was also from the magical land of adorable cafes! 

And here is the after! Look at what a difference the wall-paper makes!

This print looks awesome with all of my vintage and folk pieces that I brought back, but I am also looking forward to styling it with some clean, modern accessories in the future to switch up the look. 

I wanted to line the inside of my armoire with this stunning paper without ruining the integrity of the armoire, so I will be sharing with you how I created this semi-permanent design without touching the wood. I would love to eventually get a few different papers so that I can swap the backing or "backdrop" of my cabinet in and out and I can use my armoire for all different things and I can adjust this accent wall as the seasons (and my tastes) change. 

Yes, that's a super studly German dog, wearing a hat and smoking a pipe with a fox on it...

Even if you can't afford an entire room or wall in a fabulous, high quality wallpaper, you really should consider using it on an accent wall, niche or piece of furniture to add richness, texture and interest to your space. I was blown away by the quality and by the wonderful customer service that was provided by Walls Republic. The pictures of their items online don't do justice... you really need to get some samples for yourself! Not only does it look and feel great but it was easy to match the seams and it didn't show any bubbles or air pockets because it is so thick and textured. I am definitely putting the remnants to good use as well, and I can't wait to show you 

what I have in store for that!

I never imagined that wall paper could cure my intense homesickness for my little German Barn and village, but it does the trick. My tucked-away espresso bar is a great little spot to drift away, get inspired and start my mornings off right. I can't wait to entertain and open its enchanting doors to take my guests to a "storybook" cafe, like the ones I cherished while living abroad. I can almost smell crepes and hear accordion music when I enter this lovely little space (probably because I have French accordion playing on my playlist and a constant craving for Nutella Crepes). Do yourself a favor and check out Walls Republic and all the awesome papers they have to offer, you won't be disappointed. 

Stay tuned for more posts on how to make a space like this in your home! Tutorials and DIY's coming this week! 

In case you missed it, click here to read about what I have been up to!

I am off to enjoy some coffee! 

Tchüss!

My Little Loft ~ Living and Dining Room Reveal

I have been working my fanny off (although it doesn't look like it's any smaller because I have been balancing out my exercise with truffles and wine), getting my place set up here in the United States. I am living in a loft that has been converted into an apartment and it is finally feeling like home! I was hoping to achieve a Parisian apartment look that was eclectic, classic, relaxed, comfortable and elegant all at the same time. This look is European, eclectic, expat-chic!

 I think the thing that I am enjoying most about designing this space is watching my European treasures and antiques take on a different look and feel than they had in my old German barn. While I desperately miss that barn, things do feel fresher and brighter with all the sunlight I get in this loft, My whole barn had a total of 3 small windows (although the kitchen had some lovely french doors)!!! Eventually, my super awesome landlord is considering putting in faux old beams! Soon, it will have the old world character and charm that I adore and yearn for so much! 

 Here is a quick look at what my loft looked like before. As you can see there was originally a half wall on the left and we turned it into a full wall and added some bead-board. 

 While the neon beer signs are super adorable and charming, I decided to ditch them this time around ;)

 And here is my loft now!

It is the perfect size for Penny and me and there is plenty of room for entertaining!

 My charcoal grey chairs make a nice divider between the two rooms and help create a quaint little conversational area. 

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I can't go without a mantle or fireplace in my home. I think it makes a room instantly warm, cozy and a romantic looking, even if it's not a working one. I hung my old kitchen rug over my mantle and I love the pop of color it adds to my otherwise very neutral room. I antiqued a mirror so it had an old smoked look to it and placed it behind my mantle so it will reflect the flickering flame from my candles. 

I am slowly converting my French Louis armoire into an espresso bar. I will also be showing you how I am doing that and how I have also hidden a little fridge in my apartment so it doesn't take away from the design. 

Pages from a couple 160 year old Parisian books that were falling apart, make the perfect art when placed behind glass. 

I used some letters that I discovered (that were exchanged between two lovers) in my French armoire as art in my dining room. 

 The rest of my incredibly old Parisian books in an old dough bowl make up the centerpiece for my dining table.

I am sure excited to have this main room finished so I can start having guests over for coffee and or cocktails! Here is a picture my girlfriend, Haley took last week. 

The fluff angel and I are tired from all this setting up and unpacking, but there are still more rooms to be done! 

Until next time! Tchüss!