m.i.a

I haven't posted in awhile because I've come down with a nasty cold thanks to constantly being surrounded by germy kiddies, and because my desk situation currently looks like this:

This painting project has turned into quite the time sucker. I started using it before I allowed the paint enough time to cure, so little bits started chipping off the top. After another coat of paint I decided it would be best to protect it with a couple coats of poly. So, I had to let the fresh paint cure for 48 hours, and then today I applied the poly letting it dry a few hours between each coat. THEN I'll have to let it sit another 48 hours before using it again, hence the reason I've stolen Charlie's laptop to write this post. I'm not totally happy with the way it came out, though. For some reason the coats look a little uneven, and it doesn't help that I'm super OCD about stuff like that. 

I've also filled in the holes where the previous hardware was, because my new hardware is a little smaller. The brass handles I talked about here ended up not working because they looked super small and weird, so I found this hardware that I'm currently trying. I haven't put on the handles yet, but plan to soon. Hopefully by Wednesday I'll be finished and able to post some pics of the project!

P.S. sorry if there are crazy amounts of typos/errors in this post. I can't stop watching Hoarders, so I'm trying to watch and write at the same time! Do you ever watch this show? It fascinates me, but it always sends me into a cleaning frenzy.

look for less

I spotted this lovely bubbled beverage dispenser a few months ago at Anthropologie, but I would never in a million years pay the almost $300 that it is selling for.

 I popped into World Market to check out the stools that I mentioned here, and was super excited to find this almost identical match for only $19.99! It most definitely came home with me.

I also made a trip to Ikea and found the most fantastic mint green dishes for only $15 for a set of 12! They are a little lighter green than they appear in the picture, and mix in very nicely with our current dinnerware. 

 I only wish I had open shelving to display them!

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chair redo

This weekend my fabulous Grandma helped me reupholster our living room chair.

Before

After

Even though it was time consuming (it took me about six hours total), it was surprisingly easy to accomplish. Basically you: 1) remove the staples, 2) take the chair apart, 3) carefully remove the old fabric, 4) use it to make your new pattern, 5) pin patterns together using the old fabric as your guide, and 5) sew that shizz back together! I was afraid I had forgotten how to sew, but once I broke out the sewing machine it was like riding a bike!

I also did a little switcheroo with the sectional and chair. I wasn't in love with the last layout, so we'll see if this one works better. I'm still on the search for a great coffee table, so if you see one, holla!

The new view of the dining room. 

I found these swivel stools from World Market that I'm dying to have. I just can't decide which one!

 I'm also really loving this one, but I'm just wondering if it might take up too much space in our tiny room?

 Speaking of World Market, they've totally stepped up their game recently. I'm seeing if I can somehow manage to incorporate one of these pieces into our home. Wouldn't both of these be fabulous for a foyer or mini-bar?

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