Homefront: Living Room Picture Gallery Wall

The gallery wall is complete. We ended up moving furniture around, for whoever remembers my last post about this room. I had to stretch the gallery out a bit to cover this large space, so it isn't as neat and compact as my last one, but I like having one large art wall, instead of pictures randomly around the room. I ended up using some other pieces that I had in other rooms, but especially love my two new additions.

For whoever remembers my last post about this room, we switched the armoir and tv, and I think there is much better flow in here now.The room feels more functioning and like it doesn't revolve around this huge television.

I  miss my white slipcovers, but thought a change of scenery would be nice, so I am using my old Surefit brown ones instead. This time of year just calls for something a little less bright, though white would look pretty for Christmas time.

My mom visited for Labor Day and she brought with her this lovely housewarming gift. I have admired these paintings by Huldah Cherry Jeffe for several years now at our favorite antique mall, so this is a real treasure.

And my sister, who also visited with her family, brought me this adorable decoupaged sign from the same antique mall. I love the shape, colors, and especially that beautifully ornate antique key. My family really knows me. I'm not sure where to put it yet, but for now, it looks all fancy on this vintage shutter.

Wow, this beast of a fireplace looks so bare now that all of my art is on the wall. I agree, a large mirror would look best there, but the mantel is too weak to support one and I just can't get myself to drill and risk getting in trouble from the landlord. I thought keeping the color palate simple and neutral would look the best. Of course it will be changing frequently, as any of my blog readers know, I must change the mantle!

I still would like to get an area rug, a nice sized coffee table and some end tables, maybe make a cute garland for the mantel, maybe some paint on the armior and tv stand, our family pictures and plate wall up somewhere, but those temporal details can wait. Because all that really matters, are that these boys are happy. Off to make some queso.

 

Homefront: Figuring Out a Large Brick Wall Living Room

I really can't believe we've been living here for a month now. So, this is what you see when you walk into our home. A big, huge, fireplace. The paint color, I do like. The fireplace... I would love to paint it white, but can't since we're renting. Those pictures will be going up on the walls, but, what can I do with this space? I'd love to hang a mirror, but there aren't any holes, and I don't think the landlord would be thrilled with us drilling holes in a brick wall. It's just so dark and heavy feeling.

The dining area is filled with boxes and our armoir is being used as a pantry. I can't wait to paint that thing!

This, is the other side of the room.  I love how the chair rail, just kind of stops right there at the end of the dining room. ha! Cute little lamp complete with Nester tassel... though I feel this lamp is too short here.

 I'm thinking doing my gallery wall again... but I would have to spread it out somehow because this wall is so much longer than my last one and can fit two couches here. Because the room is shaped like a triangle, I can't quite figure out how to lay everything out. The couches are facing our tv in a triangle like way.

  (my last gallery wall in our old place for reference)

The tv is kind of caddywampus from the couches and fireplace. It is in the weird little corner off the entrance to the house. I can't really put art above it b/c the way it sits angled in the corner. Trying to figure this one out... I'm thinking of moving it in the dining section where the armoir is and putting the couches L shape to that.

I do feel this room needs an area rug, and a nice giant coffee table, but it's kind of triangular shaped. Maybe a round rug would work in here? Next up, add some drapes... I have my natural khaki colored ones, I really think they would be pretty dyed a charcoal gray, but I have no clue how to do that. I have family coming to visit this weekend, so I'll see what I can do before all arrive.  So, what do you all think about what I can do with this space?

Inspired Rooms~ Kids Playrooms

st. kilda's sanctuary ~ apt therapy

The project of the week (besides getting our shower ripped out due to rotting walls), is the boys playroom. Our breakfast nook is so huge, we decided that it would be a little preschool/playroom. I'll work reeeally hard on it today and then show you tomorrow what it needs, because I have some ideas that I need help with! Anyways, here are my two project questions below, and some more inspirational kids rooms that I will be using as a spring board, trying to save as much money as possible here.

1. This perfect blue world map tapestry would look perfect in here, but it's a little on the pricey side, so this scenic forest scene is super cute, and less expensive. Which would I use longer in my home? Price or beauty!?

urban outfitters ~ scenic tapestry $19.99

 urban outfitters ~ atlas tapestry (in blue) for $36

2.  The other thing I am trying to consider, is a foam playmat. Color in tan or charcoal gray ,or mixed colors? Or do I skip that and get a simple area rug? Or go with this awesome natural hardwook floor look foam playmat (though we wouldn't be able to afford the end pieces, so the ends would be the jaggedy puzzle look).

Hardwood look natural foam playmat

Foam Get Rung Playmat... but in charcoal or tan? though we would get the discounted 'factory seconds'

So, that's the end of my questions for now. So far, the colors are on the aqua, deep blue, yellow, and lime.

 land of nod

 

boys room ~truck picture making tutorial ~ all things thrifty

cookie mag ~ editors' kids rooms~ heather pudewa

cookie mag ~ elcectic rooms ~ drawn walls

cookie mag~ elcectic ~ rooms ~ ethnic tapestry

coastal living

hgtv via exquisite design

nursery~ alphabet~ wall letters

treehouse-bedroom-kidtropolis

yellow cabinet makeover ~ design sponge

  cookie mag ~ city~ kids rooms

Monster Finger Puppets Craft How To

These little guys are so cute, and for the size, they have a lot of character. Here is your chance to learn about making my monster finger puppets, so pay attention :)

Here is what you will need:

1. Body material (felt, fleece or fur) If you use fur, the selvage edge is perfect for the bottom as it's hard to hem up fur so it doesn't pull out.

2. Felt circles and half moons for eyes, and felt or fleece cutouts for horns.

3. A bit of stuffing for horns. About 5-6 peasized balls per horn is perfect.

4. Embroidery floss and thread.



First, make the horns. Fold them in half and use a blanket stitch to close it. I took the embroidery floss in half, because the whole floss is too thick for these little horns. Start sewing at the bottom of the horn, and when you get to the top, tighten the last stitch and thread it through back to the bottom, to tie it with the bottom thread. Lightly stuff each horn with about 6 peasized balls of fiberfill, using the ball tip of a pin to stuff it down. Lightly bend the horn to make it more of a curved horn shape.



Next, sew on your eyes and a goofy smile with your black embroidery floss. Sew the horns to the top of the face like the picture. For the hair, sew a couple of loops and tie in the back. When you sew the puppet shut, it will make the loops not able to be pulled out.



Now that your little guy is mostly done, pin his backside to the front (inside out of course), and sew shut, making sure to sew the horns and hair into the top seam. Leave the bottom open and trim excess fur so you will have a clean interior for a comfortable finger fit.

Turn your little finger puppet inside out and give him or her a name. They remind me a bit of the 70's show Sigmund the Seamonster.

*Post is linked to seven thirty three's What are Boys Made Of linky party.