DIY-ify: Add a chalkboard plate to your collection

Written on May 31, 2012 at 5:30 am , by Chelsey Andrews

Our little home was built back in 1920. It isn’t fancy, has all the simple necessities, and nothing more. It needs a lot of love, which requires a bit of cash. Since we’re not rolling in the dough, we try our best to decorate and update our home on a small budget. This means many DIY’s and thrift shopping. One of my favorite little wall decorations: my wall of plates in the kitchen. I’m continually adding to this wall. Each time I’m out thrifting and spy a sweet little plate that I love, I buy it and add it to my wall.

Inspired by this BHG plate wall (see below), I created a wonderful chalkboard plate. Before I had my daughter, I used to make and sell these things online. Even if you don’t have a plate wall, it’s cute to have this chalkboard plate to write love notes to your family.

Supplies needed:

- Primer

- Chalkboard paint

- Paintbrush

- A plate of your choice

- Painter’s tape

- Pencil

- Blade

- Plate hanger

Directions:

- Clean up your plate, make sure you don’t have any dirt or oil on it.

- Use your painter’s tape, to tape off the whole section where you’d like your chalkboard to be. Don’t worry about making a perfect circle, that’s what the blade is for.

- Use your pencil to mark where you’d like to cut the circle. I did this free hand (just following the shape of the plate), but you can use a small dessert plate or something else to trace. Trim the marked circle with your blade, peel back the tape, and you should now have a taped off circle.

- Paint a layer of primer, and let dry 24 hours (or, whatever your primer directions say).

- Now, it’s time to paint the chalkboard! My plate took 3 coats of the chalkboard paint (2 hour waiting periods in between).

- Let dry for 1-2 days before using any chalk on the plate.

- Enjoy!

- Chelsey, The Paper Mama

get the look: the devil wears prada.

Written on May 30, 2012 at 10:00 am , by Victoria Smith

One of my all-time favorite films is The Devil Wears Prada. Not only was it hysterically funny, the film showed great style inspiration throughout. Not just because it was all about Vogue and the fashion magazine industry, but because the set design was equally as fashionable as what they wore on their backs. Here’s how to get the look of a pretty but polished, high-powered fashion editor’s office right at home, inspired by The Devil Wears Prada.

Images: 1. Pottery Barn’s Eleanor Frameless Mirrors; 2. Vogue Print of Cecil Beaton’s photograph of Audrey Hepburn from the Condé Nast Collection. 3. West Elm’s Mirrored Parson’s Desk; 4. White Cotton Brushed Nickel Finish Swing Arm Desk Lamp from Lamps Plus; 5. Cherner® Upholstered Task Chair from Design Within Reach; 6. Vogue January 1950 Cover Print from the Condé Nast Collection; 7. And, always a fresh bouquet of white roses. But, of course!

• Photo © TM and2006 Twentieth Century Fox.

I Spy: Canopy Bed Made Quirky

Written on May 29, 2012 at 11:20 am , by Nicole Balch

Spotted! A traditional canopy bed in a young girl’s room.

There are several words come to mind when one thinks of a canopy bed, but quirky is not usually one of them. The bed above is just that though! The addition of ornaments hung at different levels to take what could have been a fussy, formal bed and make it appropriate (and fun) for a young girl.

i spy: dreamy office storage

Written on May 24, 2012 at 3:00 pm , by Jen Jones

Spotted!  A mixture of high and low end storage to create dreamy home office organization!

If you are looking to add incredible amounts of fabulous storage to your office space, you can snag this look with shelving and coordinating baskets from IKEA and Pottery Barn.

A New Girl Inspired Nursery

Written on May 23, 2012 at 2:38 pm , by Joni Lay

Since we are reaching the end of this season in TV, I created a little style board based on one of my favorite new shows, The New Girl.  I adore Jessica Day’s eclectic happy room; it is so perfect how her ladylike taste juxtaposes with the understated man-cave loft where she resides.  Below is some inspiration for a nursery following her cue with an anything-goes optimistic attitude that’s anything but boring.

From top left: (1) Tole Chandelier; (2) Yellow Dahlia Print; (3) Glitter Block Letters; (4) Heart is Home 8 x 10 download; (5) Tulip Wall Hanging; (6) Mountain Peony; (7) Peach Rose Postcard; (8) A Happy Spot; (9) Gold Sculpture Lamp;  (10) Black Spindle Crib; (11) Hot Pink Cushion; (12) George Side Table; (13) Nothing to Do Today But Smile; (14) Sea Creatures Pillow; (15) Sweep Armchair; (16) Vintage Desk ; (17) Dhurrie Ottoman; (18) Sisal Rug; (19) Black Floral Fabric

runway to color palette: feeling fresh

Written on May 22, 2012 at 6:29 am , by Kirsten Grove

Paul & Joe did a fantastic job creating a beautiful color palette using unexpected colors in this collection.  Nothing says spring and summer like a minty fresh green paired with a stylish coral.  This palette would look lovely in a living space.  Here’s the look:

On the walls: Extra White 7006 will allow all of those pretty colors to pop.

Color Inspiration:  Skirt flower stems
For an accent wall or inside shelving, go bold with Otter 6041.

Color Inspiration: Sweater
For an upholstered piece such as your sofa, try a neutral grey like Amazing Grey 7044.

Color Inspiration: Belt
Create a modern accent table by painting it in Spirited Green 6932.

Color Inspiration: Skirt Flowers
Throw-pillows and ceramics in a version of this Ravishing Coral 6612 would be eye catching.

Bonus- Color Inspiration: Skirt
Verbena 6581 and Coastal Plain 6192 would be a great addition used in accessories such as a blanket, candles or lamp base.

(All Paints: Sherwin Williams)

Runway Photo:  Paul & Joe Collection from NY Fashion.