Keeping life in balance. {framed memories}

I have been holding on to six really special prints done by two awesome photographers I have the pleasure of knowing. I chose two of my favorite engagement photos, two of my favorite wedding photos, and two of my favorite infant photos of Stella and ordered them as 8x8 inch prints mounted on matte board.

I have been brainstorming the perfect way to frame and hang these for some time. Thinking of not only my decor but the best way to compliment or contrast the black and white images. I started out planning for black gallery frames with large white mattes, having about 4-6 inches of negative space to either side of the image....then I began lightening up my space with neutral tones and slowly moved the black frame and accessories out of the room where I planned to hang these. So I pondered off-white gallery frames but then wasn't sure of the white mattes....

So like everything else, to the back burner {aka the closet where all small projects go to die} they went. Finally for mother's day I decided I wanted frames, I was sick of not having these memories up in my home. My parents have some rough cut timber for various projects and they agreed that I could have a few pieces. So I drew up a plan and on mother's day weekend my dad, hubs, g'pa and I began to construct the frames.

this plan changed a bit when we brainstormed how to keep everything in place.

Everything went smoothly with our assembly line of worker bees {other than a nail from dad's pneumatic gun literally grazing my indian-style bent knee. Believe me he will hear about that for as long as I remember it}. And then the assembled frames set in the garage for another week or so until Mom and I got a chance to do a white wash on them with diluted deck stain.

I ordered glass from a local glass specialty store, much cheaper than Michael's or Hobby Lobby (who don't allow coupons on custom framing/glass cutting) and Dad cut some pieces of wood to use with a screw for keeping everything in place. So I layered the glass, the matte board mounted print, and some cardboard, which all fit perfectly in the routed inset under the pivoting shims.

Then I took some screws {green cement board screws that I had on hand...hey, they worked great. don't judge me} and picture hanging wire and prepared these pretties for hanging!

Off to the wall! I can assure you nothing about a 80 year old house is square, also nothing about rough cut frames make them of equal length, and lastly when using wire, no matter how well you measure for your screws/hooks your wire will not have the same tension on each frame...so I was dealing with a lot of "ish." I hung a craft paper cut out of a frame around the height that I wanted. Calculated the spaces, then measured 9ish inches here and 2ish inches there and finally I was able to hammer in the hooks and slap some of these guys up on the wall.

The blue piece of tape down below is the height of the buffet that will make its way in the room.

Then the craft paper came down, the last frame went up, and I had the most childish grin on my happy face!

Melissa Pardi Photography

Ashley Warren Studios

Ashley Warren Studios

The contrast of such beautiful fine art images with the imperfect, rough around the edges frames is quite comparative to life. And in my quest to make my house a home, I want to make sure there is this kind of balance. 

xxSarah

Big Ol' Stinking Blog Post! {lamps & mirrors & chairs, oh my!}-

Good thing I don't do this for a living or I'd be eating....well, probably not much better than I do now :)

I have been gone for a while...again. So wanted to share a few things in one large post just in case I decide to disappear for another week or two. :D

I found this freaking awesome lamp at a local thrift for less than $2! It was bulbous and had texture but was a terracotta color so I primed and painted it a glossy white. Then I have been searching online for the perfect shade. Was thinking drum shape, maybe some anthro inspired floral needlework? However, yesterday, mini decorator Stella decided it would look much better if it were on the floor...in pieces. Sorry for the dumpy garbage pic {hubs apparently has been searching for a new favorite energy drink}

RIP Lamp

Lamp shade inspirations...

I do have two ceramic vases I found at an auction for like $4 for the pair...I may attempt to take a lamp kit to them. Any advice on 16 month olds and keeping lamps in the house???

that would be the contents of my wallet. and shoes. and the remote. and clothes. she'd been awake for 30mins.

Now for some not so depressing projects.

Ok, so I really promised myself never to share photos of my tiny messy closet-with-a-bed master bedroom {chuckling to myself at actually calling it a master bedroom} Our home was built in the 30s...so aside from it being extremely inefficient when it comes to heating and cooling, the rooms and bathroom are teeny {yes I said bathroom. there is one in the downstairs loft/manroom but singular in our living space}. Well we still managed to cram the 60s-70s, solid, heavy as a horse, king suite that I got from my grandparent's lake house. I loved the caneback headboard and carving in the dresser and nightstand but hated the speckled brown finish. So when I got it home, I painted the headboard dresser and side table an antique white and ran out before getting to the mirrors. Almost 2 years later, (act as if you can't believe that!) I finally pulled out the mirrors and decided a paris gray with some subtle glaze would maybe be a nice contrast.

I approve.

I think I mentioned once, twice, three times, how I am so stupid for attempting to reupholster two matching chairs...well, feelings haven't changed. I do like how chair one turned out. I do love my Land's End Chevron Ikat pillow that I snagged during friends and fam event! Woohoo!

and with her twin who is still looking rough.

Well that felt lovely. Glad to be blogging again. 

Here is a sneak at a blog to come later this week...

fabulocity times 6!

Enjoy your day!

xxSarah

Remember me??

So yea it's been like 2 weeks, I have no excuse....but I have gotten some stuff done believe it or not, in between work, snotty kid, tornadoes and family being in town. I FINALLY painted the den with help from my mom...got a couch off craigslist that I hope to slipcover {if anyone has advice for a slipcover that looks decently custom that I can tweak I would love to go that route over making one!!!} and got a new tv for the finished armoire which is no longer abrasively orange {post on this in due time}.

Today I want to share a sneak of my mom and dad's study reno. My dad is an engineer and my mom is a landscape designer, so they are filled with DIY awesomeness. I mentioned that they bought those antique heart pine shutters from that estate sale. Well, it is coming along quite nicely. What started out as a plain in what was the formal living room, is now becoming a wall of built in desk and shelving to become a lovely study.

Here is a shot of the stained shutters. They line the wall and are used as the side panels that form the shelving unts. My dad framed them out with different moldings. Mom decided to white wash the pine, since they were distressed with so much character, and she did the trim in a glossy white.

And here on Easter Sunday is my presh babe in front of the project. The shelves are in place, trim painted, desk formed and that light piece of stone on the right is the color granite they are going with for the desktop.

Cannot wait to share the finished project. I love my wonderful DIY parents! 

Hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend!

xxSarah

The rug of all trendy rugs!

Ok, so everyone in blog land knows much of these hot trends in rugs right??  The chevron, cow hide, black and white....well I am in freaking love with this guy, a 3-in-one beauty! Cowhide herringbone in black and white!!!

from Horne for $1280

It also comes in a very perfect monochromatic design called "Milk" and other quilted hide designs.

xxSarah

Land's End Friends & Family Event **ENDS TODAY**

 I have been eyeing a pillow over at LE for a while and today during my weekly stalk, I found not only is it on sale BUT it's Family and Friends time! 30off ANDDDD free shipping!

Promo Code: FAMILYSHARE and PIN: 6319

Here's what I got, awesome Ikat chevron pillow!

 Total: $19.24

I also adore this great geo rug, but not sure how it would clean with a 1 year old and her juice spillage. It's hand woven/hand printed and lovely.

 Go buy yourself something nice!

xxSarah

I'm a Basketcase {Cage Lanterns}

I am going to attempt to make these babies because Lord knows I don't have $400 to spend on them!

Lazy Susan

I have an art degree, a few artistic metalsmithing classes under my belt, and some ridiculous DIY fever....so we will see how this goes. First will attempt to thrift up some goodies, then will be getting down and dirty with some wire and solder on what I can't find ready made. 

Some other inspirations.

Anthropologie

Hudson Goods

shopcandelabra.com

hayleymckell.blogspot.com

Enjoy your week!

xxSarah

One down....kinda

All but the back of the cushion of one of the occasional chairs, that's pretty much finished right?! Can I PLEASE say it's finished??

Never ever give yourself a big project of multiples. I've only attempted to upholster once prior and that wasn't a shining moment for me and my MANUAL staple gun {friggin idiot} I can't count the days that have passed as I saw the other chair and thought, well crap!

So yes, one down kinda, and one to go. Headed to hopefully purchase a gently used world market loveseat tonight that I found off of CL. 

Babysteps. This room will eventually come together.

Speaking of babies...

Stella

xxSarah

I now pronounce you, moditional....

Hmm, well maybe the name doesn't work out so well, but the marriage of modern and traditional certainly does!

This is what I want to convey with my two traditional tables, they are both classically styled, both have curvaceous legs, both definitely the women here, and these gals NEED a strong, sturdy man in their lives!

I shared in my last post that my hightop would look fabo with some white and chrome barstools. But today I'm daydreaming of chairs for my other (far-down-the-line-keeps-getting-pushed-back-on-my-list-gorg-5-leg-antique-dining) table project.

Blissful marriages at their finest.

 My long time fave chair to pair with a rustic table!

Country Living

I'm seeing this photo all over the place for the chairs, mirror, table, etc.

cottagefarm.blogspot.com

 I'm more fond of ghost chairs in ones and twos, but I really love this wallpaper so had to share.

desiretodecorate.blogspot.com

Spotted some of these at that amazing estate sale I blogged about several weeks ago. They of course were long gone with that other piece we no longer speak of...

ecocentricdesign.net

 Fabulous

xJavierx on flickr

 On a side note...

Below is a inspiration image of what my occasional chairs will hopefully resemble, mine have a very similar structure...now if only I can find that presh stool!

Enjoy your day!

xxSarah

My Ikea wishlist...

Slowly but surely I'm getting some projects finished. However, I want to get more of the room completed before I show them off.

I've decided too much on my plate to delve into the daybed-as-sofa...I haven't given up on it, just put on the back burner...and my Nana's wooden framed couch was another headache project and I just can't see getting it to look how I'd want it.  

I want to find the perfect balance of vintage charm, rustic elegance, and sleek modern lines.

Here is my Ikea Wish list!

A clean-lined, neutral colored loveseat (with some snazzy pillows) will be perfect paired with the curvier chairs whose distressed wood and canvas upholstery give it a fresh yet distressed look. I so wish this came in gray! I know another loveseat version does, but this baby is $149!

Klobo Loveseat

 I love this rug! Straight lines, classic shapes, perfect palette!

Alvine Ruta Rug

 This will be one of my favorite pairings. My distressed, timeless pedestal, wooden hightop table joined with these mod plastic and metal stools. ::lub dub, lub dub, lub dub:: that would be my heart beating for these! (a very similar style also at Target!)

Glenn Barstool

What do you think of the modern and vintage, organic and clean-lined matchup??

Home Sweet Home

I am finally back from moving my sweet sister to Dallas. I miss her already!
She has a GREAT place right in the middle of downtown. I am beyond disappointed with the numerous times I forgot to take my camera/actually use it. I aimed to take tons of cool night shots...well that also didn't happen. I'll try to share a shot later if I took one from my cell.

Amazing view from the rooftop decks!

Sister and one of her BFF's that went with to TX.

Stella

While in Dallas I got a chance to go to Ikea (our closest is in ATL) and I found these amazing drapes! Pack of 2 on sale for $24! I also picked up this rod which I love!

Here is a peek at the table I had on the teaser (photo 2). The base is primed and will be white, I havent sealed the top yet, but I like the color.

I can't decide if the taxidermy is too wimpy to be on their own, they may need to be in a cluster of frames.....I just painted that candelabra, want to find some fun blue tapers for it.

From another post you have seen my den/sofa as drab and very olive, well my sister was living in the lower loft like space of our old house-turned-duplex, so now that will become our movie space/entertaining/play room for our time staying in this home {post about this soon to follow]. So all the big bulky and green will be moving downstairs! As many others I am in love with the Alvine Ruta rug from Ikea and am anxiously awaiting my next trip to Atlanta!! This will go in my den, along with the table and drapes above and THREE other projects I'm slowly working on....sheesh! We may be sitting on pillows for a while :)

Hope to post in a day or so with what might be the replacement for the daybed project, early 60's wooden framed sofa, I haven't seen it yet, but my Nana says it's all mine if I want it.....Is that even a question?? Of course I want it!


xxSarah