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Even My Coffee Cup Is Scared of This Coffee Table

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Dear Some Random Artist-Type Person in Austin, Texas,

Recently, I was delighted to come across an offering of one of your finest works of art on CraigsList. It may pain you to know that I received it for free, but I think they say that none of the great artists were truly appreciated until they were dead. It is my sincere hope that you are still alive and kicking it in the ATX.

Why? Because I’d like to meet you. I’d like to shake your hand. And I’d like to ask you why on Earth you did this to a sweet, innocent coffee table.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Britney Spears as much as the next person. Okay, fine. I love her way more than the next person. Regardless, even I wouldn’t have Mod Podged her face to the top of a table and then given her an oddly-shaped body. And I’m a crafty gal!

On top of that, you had to pair Ms. Brit with Kid Rock? Honestly, I don’t even get it. Why Kid Rock? Is it because the two of them obviously should have been a couple at some point? Man, the universe sure dodged a bullet on that one.

Did you just get so bored of this table that you couldn’t even bother to give Kid Rock his ratty hair? Or at the very least finish painting his arm?

Okay, I will admit that the Pabst Blue Ribbon belt buckle is a nice touch. Props to you for that.

Random Artist-Type Person, I’d like to thank you for your creative endeavors. If it wasn’t for you, I never would have gotten this table for free from someone on CraigsList, who got it for free from someone on CraigsList, who got it for free from someone on CraigsList, who got it for free from someone on CraigsList.

This beauty cannot be traced past that, but I know that I am now at least the fifth proud owner of this beautiful table. In fact, this may have been the very first item ever listed on CraigsList.

But you know what? I have taken it upon myself to right your wrong. My husband is absolutely horrified that this table has entered our home, but I keep telling him to trust me on this one. How can it possibly turn out any worse than this?

I hope Kid Rock’s creepy floating head haunts your dreams. I know it does mine.

Love,
Lindsay

P.S. I’m adding this post to the Blissfully Domestic “We are Blissfully Domestic!” Celebration. What do you think June Clever would say about this table?

we-are-bd1

P.P.S. I’m also adding this post to Beckie’s Roadkill Rescue party over at Infarrantly Creative.

Making Your Dream Room a Reality – Part Four

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If you’ve been playing along with my Making Your Dream Room a Reality series, I’m sure you’re ready to move on to the next step of your planning, right?

Though this series, we have:

  1. Identified our decorating inspiration;
  2. Decided why we think each photo is inspiring; and
  3. Determined what won’t work in our households

Now’s it’s finally time to get those creative juices flowing!

Part Four – Determining How You Can Work With What You Have

You hear this mantra a lot in the blogger/decorator world, but you should always try to work with what you have before you spend a single penny. Move furniture around, shop other rooms in your house, think of new uses for unused items.

Even though it’s more fun, this part of the process is actually more difficult than the previous steps. It’s always hard (for me at least) to envision how items I currently have in my home will work in a different space. This is a process that you just have to let go a little bit and trust yourself, which is a hard thing to do.


Hang a mirror on a bookcase to completely change the look – from Pottery Barn.

When working with what you have, it’s perfectly acceptable to change the look of an item or use it for a new purpose. Some things to consider:

  • Can it be painted? You can even paint that cheap laminate bookcase.
  • Can it be restained? Sometimes, all you need to do is repair a few surface scratches and give a piece of furniture a fresh new coat of stain. Kimba says that the gel stains are super easy to use.
  • Can you add fabric? New window treatments and throw pillows can make a huge difference in changing the look of a room. Have you seen the Nester’s 30-minute pillow makeovers?
  • Can it be repurposed? Find new uses for common items. Emily has even used chairs and stools as nighstands!
  • Don’t like your flooring? Cover it with a rug, a much cheaper (and quicker) alternative to hardwoods, tile, and new carpeting.
  • Need new-to-you furniture? If your family’s sofa has seen better days craft a simple slipcover, check CraigsList, garage sales and thrift shops before you hit the furniture store. Be patient and the right piece will almost certainly fall into your lap.
  • Accessories aren’t the right match? Does your current Southwestern style accessories not match your Beach Cottage dream room? No worries! Think about how you can transform them (think spray paint!), and if that doesn’t work, hit the CL, garage sale and thrift shop trifecta again. You could always sell your old accessories to make some cash for new ones, too!

Use a scrap piece of moulding to hang an outdoor bench cushion to create a unique headboard – from Better Homes and Gardens.

So, this week, make a list of the things you already have or can repurpose to fit into your new new dream room. You will be amazed and how close you are to your dream room without even knowing it!

Have questions about how you can reuse or repurpose an something? Email me or leave a question in the comments! I’d be happy to offer you some suggestions.