Restoration Hardware Inspired Art Deco Desk [before & after]

November 5, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

It’s been a bit since I’ve shared one of my own before & after furniture transformations…ironically, I seems that I’ve been working on nothing but furniture lately, I’ve just been so busy with it that I haven’t found the time to share with you all! I’m breaking the steak today with an awesome mid century, art deco desk that I revived using a mixture of CeCe Caldwell’s Vermont Slate, Antique White, and gold metallic. I formulated this mixture with inspirations from Restoration Hardware on my mind.

The beautiful curves and mid-century design of this desk were absolutely ideal for the industrial modern transformation I had in mind. Here’s a before photo: (you’ll have to forgive me here, I recently lost a camera full of images so this isn’t the actual before, but it’s very close look-a-like!)…

After a coat of CeCe Caldwell (my favorite all natural chalk + clay paint!) in Vermont slate and a wash of Antique White & Gold, here’s how my Restoration Hardware inspired mid-century desk turned out:

My first step in the revival process was to remove the hardware and give the desk a thorough cleaning. I wans’t going to use the original hardware, but after giving it a good cleaning, I loved the gold patina that came through.

Next, I gave the desk a good solid coat of Vermont Slate chalk + clay paint.

After that dried, I mixed up a wash of Antique White, water, and just a bit of gold metallic. I lightly covered the entire piece in the wash. Last, I used a damp rag to ever-so-slightly distress the desk. This is just one of the beautiful things about chalk + clay paint, you can distress with simply water (rather than tirelessly scratching away with sand paper). Once I got the desk where I wanted it, I gave it a good coat of CeCe Caldwell’s clear wax to finish it off.

This now industrial modern desk turned out exactely how I’d wanted, I couldn’t be more pleased with it! Check out the great industrial desk chair and revived vintage fan too (look for their before & after’s, coming soon!)

Stay tuned! This desk and many more fabulous pieces will available to purchase soon!

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The Bright Painted Furniture Movement {Inspiration}

August 8, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

I’ve shared a few posts lately about brightly painted furniture, like the trash-to-treasure nightstands and little lime table. Bright, vibrant colors have it going on right now, from jewelry, to clothes, to furniture… Adding one simple piece of brightly painted furniture to a room can bring it from simple & understated to frisky & fun instantly. And the best part about this trend? It’s the PERFECT opportunity to transform and revive any old piece of furniture, so you’ll save $$ too! Normally, when I paint furniture I like to look for pieces with great detail and character, but the process is a bit different for me when I’m painting something a vibrant color. Since bright colors have a voice all on their own, it’s okay to use more ~~old & boring~~ simple pieces of furniture. So dust off that old, forgotten about table in the attic and give it a fresh coat of FUN!

The Bright Painted Furniture Movement {Inspiration}

Turqouise floral print side chair (Style Key West)

Little Yellow Side Table (Style Key West)

Yellow painted Victorian table (TatorTotsJello)

Lime green side table with seagrass inlay (BelleMaison)

Coral Painted Island (NineMSN)

Orange Cane Arm Chair (Houzz)

Blue Dining Table (tumblr)

Traditional Periwinkle Table (centsational girl)

Coral Painted Mirror (lilhoot)

Aqua Dresser (Natty by Design)

Lime Kitchen Island (we heart it)

Coral Entry Table (the sweet beast)

Baby’s Yellow Dresser (houzz)

Red Retro Desk (pink wall paper)

Go paint something!

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DIY Wheeling Storage Crate {your pick}

May 31, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

Remember Colleen? She sent in the fabulous Urban Chic Polka Dot Table…well we are in for another treat! Today Colleen shares a simple & clever DIY using an old crate she picked up at a local flea market. Simply clean the crate and attach wheels for your very own wheeling vintage storage crate–instant, rustic chic organization. Don’t ya just love these up-cycled creations?!

Colleen (of Farmhill Furniture & Salvage) shares the story of how she remedied growing paper clutter, and turned a mess into a rustic chic mobile file organizer…

Colleen writes, “…basically just make sure the crate is good, sturdy and clean. Grab your tools and supplies supplies and tools, small wheels or casters and screws that FIT the holes in your wheels and a screwdriver…

…I got my wheels at a local flea market but a salvage yard or a hardware store will have them too…

…the wheels went in with great ease, especially since the crate is older. I eyeballed lining up the wheels but you could make chalk marks and measure (with a ruler) if you want to. It was easy and fun!”

Share your thoughts and rate Colleen’s Wheeling Storage Crate below!

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23 Sensational Home Offices {inspiration}

March 15, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

If not a “home office”, everyone should have a space in their home for organizing personal files, storing books, computers, etc. This place should be both inspiring and stimulating, whatever it is that takes you to your “happy place”. For me, a home office is an important part of my living space, its about organization, inspiring creativity, and evoking a feeling of relaxation. Home offices can be just about anything. The following collection showcases 23 beautifully inspiring home offices ranging from massive rooms, to under-stairway offices, to simple closets turned into home offices. After all this inspiration, you’ll be left with the task of outfitting your home office. One amazing resource for office fixtures and EVERYTHING home decor is HomeClick, check them out! Remember, the environment you choose to do work in should be one of the most inspiring & uplifting spaces in your home!

23 Incredibly Inspiring Home Offices

I just love the relaxing pallet of grays and whites in this lovely home office Centsational Girl.

You don’t need a ton of room to have an amazing work space. This simple white desk pops against the yellow stripped wall in this home office from thedecorista.

This super eclectic loft home office is sure to inspire a great deal of creativity!

Earthy simplicity is the theme in this modest, yet fabulous home office from inspiredtoshar.

I just love the peaceful vibe in this minimalist, crisp white home office.

Good organization is key with any office environment, these fun lime green boxes, found on iheartorganizing, are super inexpensive and add loads of personality to an stark white desk.

Here’s an example from Houzz.com of an amazinly clever use of that under-the-stairs space, a home office!

I love the use of patterns and bright colors in this vibrant home office from ramblingrenovators. Bright colors and patterns are a HUGE trend right now!

Here’s another great use of that open space at the top of the stairway. Turn it into a built-in home office like this one from hellohappinessblog.

Wow, loving those trendy bright colors again in this hip, eclectic home office from designspongeonline.

Florals and bold prints bring this modern white home office to life.

Here’s a classic home office using a gray and white color pallet with pops of pink, such an uplifting use of color…perhaps my favorite office pallet.

I adore bright colors and patterns used in this creative home office space from mycornerview.

Another minimalist home office from designspongeonline, brought to life using a groovy fur office chair.

This home office has classic style infused with a bit of dreamy, shabby chic flair.

This is a dream home office for the ultimate crafter. Here’s a great use of space and organization from kayleeerin.

Library ladders add drama to just about any space. If books are abundant in your home office, a library ladder like this one from lifeat5feet.blogspot can be a great addition to the space.

An L-shape desk like this one from simplykellyblog can be a great use of space in an oddly shaped room. I love the cheery use of light blue and white in this home office.

Need a home office but short on space? Turn any closet into a mini built-in home office! The consistent use of blues in this closet home office from handmadebitsandpieces makes this space look like it was made for this purpose!

I love the use of white and earthy materials in this simple, rustic home office from hviturlakkris.

Wow, simply fabulous. This classic, yet romantic home office so charming, I’m not sure if I could actually get work done in here!

What a great use of patterns in this trendy home office from cadmiuminteriors! The black and white striped walls combined with the cow hide rug is a clever twist on a classic black and white theme.

There’s nothing more inspiring than a work space filled with sunlight. This amazing home office is packed with sunlight and loads of storage & organization solutions.

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DIY Art/Photo Wall Collages & Endless Inspiration

February 16, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

Nothing says ”home” and gives us ”warm & fuzzy’s” more than a photo display of loved ones, happy memories, and cherished art collections. What’s better than displaying one family photo? Showcasing many of course! Home art and photo walls make an incredible visual impact and enhance your home’s character & personal flair. Whether you arrange just a small photo grouping, or dedicate an entire room to a favorite collection, this photo/art wall DIY will give you the tools & inspiration you need to make your vision a reality.

Decide what you want to showcase and where. Photos, art, unique frames, eclectic object…or a mix? The key is focusing on a purpose, a specific ”highlight” in the collage; for example, this may be one large piece, a grouping of like items, or the simple fact of pairing balanced, symmetric pieces.

Select the frame types (or no frames) carefully. Regardless of their styles, colors or shapes, your frames should have a somewhat obvious commonality. Again, the key to a successful art wall collage is pairing “like items”. The more similar the base items in your collage (ie. all black and white photos or all french vintage poster art), the more variation you can introduce with the frames. For example, you may decide to use a variety of brightly colored vintage frames on your black and white photos, but make sure they’re similar in detail and style. Or perhaps your not framing art, and you’re choosing to showcase simply unique frames (so chic)!

If you are grouping various types of items (ie. photos, mixed art and mirrors), your frames will need to be more uniform. For example, with mixed eclectic pieces, you may decide to use all black modern square frames, or white with silver accent frames. The same rules apply for matting your photos and art; for example, you might use all natural craft matting, or mostly all white mattings with a few items in black matting.

Determine sizes, placements and proportions of the items in your collage. Sizes of items may vary or the purpose of your art wall may be uniform symmetry. The general rule for a blending a variety of different shaped and sized pieces is that each unique piece should have at least one proportionate match, the only exception being if there is just one piece of obvious different scale being showcased. For example, if you are using a small oval frame in a collage of mixed squares and rectangles, be sure to include a second oval frame with similar proportion and characteristics. That second oval frame should be placed either directly near its match or directly opposite- the key is balance my friends!

Okay, so you’ve selected your collection, the location for your art or photo collage, and it’s delivery (frame, no frame). Now it’s to the drawing boards (or more appropriately…wall) Select the placement and layout of your collection. Remember symmetry, balance and the pairing of like-items. The grouping should be a harmonious blend of varying scales. Remember, items of similar scales ad proportions should always either sit beside or mirror each other. Often two small items will sit side by side to mirror the scale of a larger item directly opposite of them. As an example, two small vintage tea plates may be mounted together, opposite a large ornate platter. Use the quick placement guide below for some common art wall collage designs.

And now for the fun stuff,

(source)

Now, I hope you’re inspired to go & create your own fabulous wall art or photo collage, and when you do, please share your ispiration, ideas & photos with Picklee!

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