A Jelly Cupboard

Several weeks ago I spied a little cabinet at a thrift store I frequent.  I had looked over it, and passed, but two days later still hadn’t gotten it out of my head.  I went back, and to my delight and surprise it was still there.  Upon an even more thorough inspection, I discovered it was solid wood, the drawer …

A Chair and the Language of Love

I made the deliberate choice one day last year, not to look at craigslist for at least a week. I had this thing going on inside; instead of grasping for the next great deal, practice contentedness with the great deal I already had. Because whether you’re spending your money at a Nordstrom or a no name thrift store, if the …

French Chair with Milk Paint and Grain Sack Upholstery

My favorite style of dining room chairs are the curvy french ladder back chairs.  I love them.  And someday, I hope to have ten of them around the dining room table (we tend have company over frequently, so we leave the table huge with 8-10 chairs around). But for now, I have one lone chair. I found this chair at a local …

Furniture Reveal:  The New Barstools

Most the time, as I hunt for furniture, I have to be extremely patient.  In Alaska we have a VERY limited selection of both used and new furniture.  I suppose if I wanted to pay top dollar at a fine furniture store (I think there might be one in Anchorage), I wouldn’t have this problem, but then, I wouldn’t get to be …

Furniture Reveal:  A Little Coral Chair

This chair, I almost didn’t photograph.  It seemed like such a little make-over.  Like I didn’t put enough time and effort for it to be “blog worthy”.  (And the photographs aren’t great, but I am still pleading “very amateur photographer”, it’s all about the process, right?) So my main purpose in sharing this, is that even the littlest tweaks in …

Furniture Reveal: Miniature Rocking Chair

My sister in law is in the midst of moving to the Pacific Northwest. In the process of selling much of their stuff, she bought this darling little vintage rocking chair (it doesn’t take up much room, good call!). It is actually quite unique. It can extend up as a high chair (she has a tray attachment as well). She …

Recreate: An Ottoman Slipcover Tutorial

Today I am going to show you how I went about creating the knife-pleated ottoman slip cover.  The important thing about slip covers is that they fit properly. Like an alteration or a custom-made clothing, a perfect fit will make all the difference. It can look like a slopping t-shirt or a custom made gown. The first thing you need …

Furniture Reveal: An Ottoman Slipcover

We are enjoying an early spring in Alaska, and in anticipation of the semi-warmth (it isn’t here yet), there have been a few garage and moving sales the last couple of weekends.  I stopped by my sister-in-law’s moving sale a couple weekends ago and found this cute little ottoman. I have been looking for one to go downstairs in our family …

Living Room View

The Process of Restoration: Out with the Gold, in with the Blue As a creative DIYer, I love Pinterest, home décor blogs, and shows like Fixer Upper.  As amazing as these avenues are for resources and inspiration, I am keenly aware of the ever present battle for contentment and gratefulness. We see houses instantaneously transformed from immanent, outdated disaster to a blissfully, charming home, and if our …

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