BLACK FRIDAY - ROOMS IN NOIR

How do I drink my coffee? BLACK. What color is my car? BLACK. What color do I wear everyday? BLACK. What color was my previous office? BLACK. I don't know what it is, but for as long as I can remember, I've been obsessed with the color black. I love it's sophistication. I love how mysterious it is. I love how forgiving it is. And of course - I LOVE THE DRAMA it brings to both fashion or interiors. I think over the years the only thing that has changed for my love of black is the intensity of the obsession... which right now I can feel it coming on strong again...

And here's a great black wall option for the non-committal type:

Create a soft wall of black with window panels...

"Black is dramatic and daring. It has that forbidden quality, which is irresistible. I think of sexy black negligees and fast black cars. A room painted black is a place where you can tell secrets. A semigloss finish gives it an edge, like patent leather, and makes everything pop. You have to be very confident to use black, and that kind of confidence is very attractive." —Nancy Boszhardt

5 TIPS TO ADD BLACK TO YOUR SPACE:



1. Be brave - Be bold

Try a black painted door.

2. Pair black with white for a great graphic look.

3. Warm up black with wood.

4. Layer textures & finishes.

5. Pop it with a color for a hot look.



When wearing black, it could be as simple as wearing a ribbed knit top, with a woven bottom, leather boots, patent handbag and a crystal statement necklace. In a room black could be wood floors, shag rug, semigloss walls, suede sofa, textured pillows, leather bench, velvet chairs, a painted furniture piece, and a crystal chandelier. I believe the trick to wearing black or using black within a space is to layer the textures and finishes.

What do you think?

I've alway's loved Felix the (black) cat =)

I think it's Friday and it's time to

enJOY a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

FIVE FRUGAL FINDS TO HELP REFRESH A SPACE

Knowing the homeowners budget and without breaking the bank, I was able to makeover a space without expensive details. I found several charming and functional finds to the easily mix old & new accessories - for much under $20. All I needed was an afternoon (or two) to do a little savvy & thrifty shopping - shifting through clearance and rummaging through thrift - to find these stylish details. To help overspending or accumulate too many returns, I shopped for the details closer to the end of the project. Armed with a list of specifics, here are five frugal finds I gathered for a recent bedroom makeover I did...

Easy on the eye bedside vignette - mixing old (thrifted finds) with

new (clearance goods).

Spotted on Clearance at Homegoods.

Spotted on clearance at Target.

Put together to make a lovely little find.

1. THINK OUT OF THE BOX: I've always liked the look of the structured square container filled with a colorful flower bunch, and that's what I did with these cream rattan tissues boxes I found on clearance at Homegoods for only $2 each. Repurposing the tissue box as the flower containers gave a modern look to these pink corsages I spotted on a clearance end-cap in Target. They were easy to make and a great add for under $16 for a bed & bath makeover . The same concept can be used to also make simple centerpieces for a tablescape - using a globe with water inside and fresh flowers.

Spotted at Goodwill



Easily, two floating shelves can add extra storage space above the WC, but in the meantime, relocating on of the homeowners pictures worked in the space.

2. GIVE FUNCTION TO A FORM: A metal thrifted jar for $3 holds everyday toiletries on the counter- making it easier for the homeowner to get to. It also gives a function to a decorative form on a small counter space.

  3. LAYER LIGHT IN A ROOM: Thrifted ceramic sconces for $2 helped layer light in the bedroom, without having the expense of an electrician.

Also spotted at Goodwill

Stylish jewelry storage in a refinished thrifted console - either use your own family treasures or shop thrift to create your own collection.

4.  ADD ORDER & SHINE WITH A TRAY: A $5 thrifted silver tray adds sparkle and also helps protect the thrifted consoles painted finish. The oval shape is also a nice feminine touch for a (single & in 60's) ladies bedroom.
 

Spotted at Out Of The Closet Thrift Shop

5. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES: A pair of thrifted silver scalloped bowls, for only $5.99 for the pair, could easily be used as a decorative soap dish in a bathroom or candy dish in the living room - but on a nightstand, they give a pretty place to display personal strands of pearls. Displaying some of your jewelry in a space is a great way to personalize it, plus with pearls, gives a feminine touch.

 

The hammered glass hurricane to the left was another HomeGoods clearance find ($8) - and paired with a pierced tin flower pot from Ikea. It added a lacey detail in the space, without the frill (but after pic taken, I relocated it elsewhere in the room).

The savings from shopping thrift and clearance for accessories plus shopping thrift for the console and end tables, allowed for the splurge on the honey-comb glazed lamps ($60).

 

What frugal finds have you spotted lately?

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

 

DIY TIPS FOR CANDLE CLEAN-UP

Don't you hate it when you pillar candles lose their shape? They either burn unevenly, drip out the side, or the top just gets all out of shape. Well here's a few tricks I've learned and do, that has helped to salvage not only pillar candles, but save tapers and reuse glass container candles as well.

Whenever I use tapers, I burn the bottom of them before placing into the holder. This helps to secure them, and keep them straight to burn evenly.

Cleaning out glass candle holders to reuse with tea lights helps

prevent these from ending up in a recycle bin (or the trash).

Nesting a frosted (Glade) holder inside a clear glass holder not only helps makes a small candle larger,

but it also helps save space when storing them.

Although I have tried to melt wax to refill candle holders with (just put wax into holder, place it in a microwave next to a cup of water, and start about 4 mins. on high and keep checking) I don't have long enough wicks - so for Summer, I used sand & tea lights.

Pouring tea lights out of their bag into a container helps them last longer, and makes it easier to walk around to change them for refills.

All those pretty pillars at Pottery Barn are nice but too expensive for my budget. I usually stock up on basic white or cream pillars from Target, or from Bed bath & Beyond when I have their coupons.

Although I've tried letting candles burn long enough to reach the perimeter, they still occasionally lose their shape. So with a cutting board and knife, I'll cut off excess to help re-shape them...

Letting the candle burn to the outside does help prevent that deep pit around the wick - that usually stops the candle from burning about half way through - and then what happens? It either ends up collecting dust or ends up in the trash.

The wax shavings are what can be recycled into another candle, if you have a long enough wick.

After cutting off the excess wax, I hold the candle at an angle to roll the (top) edge to help even it out.

And occasionally, when a pillar gets stuck inside of a glass holder, I'll fill the holder with warm water and keep trying to spin the candle loose. I try not to rock it to pull it out because it has popped the glass - spinning does work.





I guess Micheal's would have wicks to make your own candles, but 

I don't know - I haven't checked yet.

Have you ever made your own candles?

Do you have any tricks you use to help keep your candles lasting longer?

Thanks for stopping by!