GRANNY FLAT RE-DO (on a budget)

this old granny flat turned office/guest room came out kinda cute! the goal was to keep within a minimal budget as well as keep the apartment style kitchen cabinets, since the orange flashback laminate countertop is sorta fun and the cabinets provide great storage. so i proposed a cozy twin bed/hang-out nook paired with a modern leather chair and other simple accessories. with the help of 4 chairs (found curbside for free no less), we cut off the backs, slipped a thin board on top of the chair bottoms (for stability) and sure enough...the standard twin mattress fit perfectly in the lil' cubby. keeping with the retro vibe we chose fabrics with a modern twist that work well with the masculine 'office side' of the space. a whimsical mix of a patterns - geometric shapes (pool blues and shades of orange) and a remake of a batik-like mono-chromatic floral. oh...i must mention that my "sew-talented" friend (Laura Prince from Sew Inspired...a stitch lounge) whipped up the shams and revised a $25 pool blue coverlet, purchased at Target. it's nothing fancy but definitely functional...and the guy who occupies the office digs the new look, as i'm sure future house guests will as well.

DIM - CHAIR REHAB

INSPIRATION

i've been admiring these retro rattan style chairs in mags & catalogs

SO HAPPY ... SO FAB
couldn't resist a craigslist find - 2 chairs $20
on wheels...and i snatched 'em up

and checked myself into a 6 hr. dim (did it myself) rehab.

these would be a perfect 'swanky-funk' office/desk chair...dont you think?

SIMPLE STEPS...EASY DIM

1. cleaned and lightly sanded the chair, covered wheels with tinfoil

(a simple way to adequetly cover the areas ya' don't want painted)

2. two coats/1.5 cans of hi-gloss paint (i'm totally into orange right now)

3. 3/4 yrd. of fabric remnants adhered with a staple gun.

CUTE BOUTIQUE...AND PIE TOO!

okay, so how cute is this....a PIE PARTY at 42nd and Orange this sunday in downtown encinitas (california) from 11am-3pm. i've been invited by my uber talented friend laura (from SEW INSPIRED) to the second annual PIE DAY at 42nd and Orange and it looks like it's gonna a super fun and yummy time (check out last year's pics). bethany is the owner/president of creativity and cuteness at 42nd and Orange and also creates a handmade line of clothing for kids. so check this out "m.o.m - nerdy clothes for cool kids" on etsy and sigh over the darn stuff she's come up with...cause it's major cute!

DIM - LAMPSHADE REHAB

it's another first here...the first post of many 'dim' (my acronym for did-it-myself) projects that i plan to share in the future. inspired by the muted zebra print on some pillows at HOME INFATUATION and the patterns of drum-shades from SHADES OF LIGHT i decided to give a floor lamp (left over from a styling project) a new do. the lamp before was fine...clean lines, good height and nice shape. however, besides losing some skin on my fingertips from a couple of hot glue encounters (and the quarter yard of fabric, remnant grosgrain ribbon and 20 minutes while dinner was-a-cookin') i think this dim project was worth it.

NEW SPRING GIVEABLE

i just put together a charming lil' gift set as custom orders are beginning to start for the upcoming easter holiday. simple and sweet... a ready-to-give mesh tote filled with 12 personalized notes, envelopes, crisp white pencils and adorned with glitter. teachers, friends and family (perfect for grandmas, moms and nieces) will surely appreciate (and enjoy) your thoughtful treat. {taking orders thru march 31st }