DECOR STYLE SOLUTIONS FOR MOM

Tic Toc... Tic Toc... Time is running out to make something for mom! If the gallery wall is too much to take on this weekend, here are two simplified, but still stylish solutions you can make for mom: One is to just print and frame nine vintage photos and create a grid styled memory statement and reading nook for mom. The other is to take some time to restyle her bookcase or wall unit with some B&W framed photos, updated accessories and clutter control.

Moms photo grid

and nook.

Moms bookcase restyle.

View from moms living room,

just past the memory wall.

When I was selecting photos with my mom to frame in her home for her makeover (and the Memory Wall you can read here), one of the categories I made was of her and my dad. He passed away back in '89, but those memories of their time together live on.  I found these really cool vintage images, from when they were dating, of my mom, my dad, her brother (my Godfather) and their cars I thought would make an interesting statement...

MOM'S PHOTO GRID

Images of mom & her brother...

Mom & dad...

Dad's car...

My my mom's brother (my Godfather)

and my dad.

Here's what I used and how I made the wall grid:

~ Scan vintage photos

~ Edit to make images sharper

~ Edit more contrast for B&W

~ OR choose a sepia finish for your space

~ Use five 2 pks of 11x14 frames

(@ $6 ea. pk. from Michael's)

~ Cut white poster board (3 sheets @ 22x28)

into quarters @ 11"x14" each

~ Print & cut photos

~ Center photos or place with wider margin to bottom and attach photo to posterboard with double-sided photo tape

~ Clean glass / close frames

~ Use a yardstick, a level and a pencil to mark your grid

~ Hang frames & secure lower frame corner backs to wall

with double-sided foam tape (to help prevent movement)

 Create a nook or vignette for mom by using her favorite chair, an ottoman, a throw &  comfy pillows, a table, a lamp, and a basket full of magazines - or hang you grid in a spot in her line of site from another place in the room.

MOM'S BOOKCASE RESTYLE

Within this same space, I used the other category of photos: My mom with her immediate family - her mom, dad, sisters, and brothers. Using the same technique, scanning and converting to B&W within this same space, I used a mix of metal and wood frames to re-style her bookshelf with.

Unit after update.

She LOVES shells, candles and books. I color-blocked what books she had, but turned them in reverse for texture and also used them as risers on the shelves. Helping to clear away years of clutter, but still have keepsakes within reach, I used a collection of chocolate & black baskets I picked up at Marshalls. She already had tons of shells, so some simple glass cylinders added some sparkle to the bookcase, and helped keep moms collections separate.

Unit during:

Cleared clutter, keepsakes stored in bins / boxes,  and some

frame placement to get a feel for the new look.

Frame placement first helped with deciding how many horizontal & how

many verticle images I would need to print for the frames.

Bookcase before.



My father had built this bookcase (not one of his better builds, but still a great storage piece non-the-less. Since he had built it back in the 80's, it was in need of a little update. I had my mom ask a carpenter friend of hers to simply cut back the curves, and add mouldings to the unit. When the painter came to do the living room (and continue the color in this conversation space off the kitchen) I suggested she keep the color the same. But to help with lighting in the space, the wall unit was painted a semi-gloss white.

Fresh paint, moulding, hardware and a few updated accessories was all this piece needed to take it from sad to fab. During the holidays, I add in some simple silver sprays / picks to add a little sparkle, but without over doing it. The simplified style of the bookcase has made it a little easier for mom to maintain.

Hope you enJOYed these simple style solutions I made for my mom...
I'm not a mom, but I do hope if you are, you enjoy a

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

weekend!


Thanks for stopping by!

 

LINKING POST TO:

 

My Romantic Home - Show & Tell Friday

Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend WrapUp

The Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday

Fine Craft Guild - Mother's day Link-Up

NEW YEARS EVE: TIMEPIECE TABLESCAPE

I spotted a tablescape for New Years over on Rate My Space that not only inspired me ~ but I have to share with you. It was featured by HGTV's Design Happens blog contributor Kayla as a part of her New Years Eve party plans post. The Timepiece Tablescape was conceptualized and design by a Rate My Space user mypointofview (aka Elizabeth Maxson). Elizabeth is also a former shop owner, writer, and photographer, who shares her creative spirit through interior design on her blog The Adventures Of Elizabeth. Her Timepiece Tablescape is so thoughtful, charming, creative, simple and elegant. Here - see for yourself...

She displayed a collection of vintage clocks on the mantel.

Tins she found at Target and used for a made up

game called: Remember When?

Her French fireplace mantel was covered with old books, clocks and a French gumdrop fringe shawl.

 

Her New Years Table for two was actually "an old table that when covered, you'd never know."

 

She used sap buckets from a hobby store to hold candles.

 

Elizabeth created a cozy setting for a quiet evening for two to end the year.

Elizabeth's Timepiece Theme used vintage clocks, watch faces and parts. She says "the little space was only 6' x 7' , has a worn, tattered and elegant look with an old world feel. Very inexpensive to do!"

Definite inspiration for next year! I've found a new collection to hunt & gather! In the meantime, if you wanted to create a similar look, you could also utilize this clock face ornament and free pdf download I found earlier this December over at the blog Bargain Hoot to create your own - but similar look.

It's almost  t i m e . . .  I actually took down and packed up the tree yesterday afternoon. Although most of the holiday decor is down, I did leave up a few pieces of bling for a festive restyle for New Years Eve... I'd like to share, but for some reason, they aren't uploading from my phone. Hopefully for tomorrow, they will.

Happy (early) New Year!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sharing post at the 

HomeGoods - Design Happy Blog - Holiday Link Party!

 

 



Home Design Resolutions - 2010

Prevent a downward spiral off lost time with a design plan.

Time to (RE) SOLUTE your home with 2010 design resolutions!! Forget remodeling and renovations. They’re too expensive. In 2010, take some time to plan a RE-Design to your home. RE-energize your outlook by what you look at:

Sit, think, and plan your vision.

 • (RE) THINK your space: over use of one space and under use of another? Bring balance to your home by planning the way you use your space. For example: A home office littered with magazines and cluttered with books can be reorganized by relocating reading materials to an underused dining room to create a library, or create a reading corner in your great room. Taking the time now to (re)think how a space is used, will save you time later when you need it the most.

• (RE) PAINT your space inside and out: Even if you live in a development with restrictions (i.e. all the same color) chances are, your front door, garage door, or trim (esp. near the garden) could benefit from a fresh coat of paint to make your home look crisp (and even spark inspiration for your neighbors). Over time, no matter what quality of paint you use, it won’t look as fresh. Inside, why not try a new neutral (like a warm grey) and an accent wall in a grassy green or chocolate? If you’ve always lived with solid walls: try stripes: same color with two finishes. Even glossy white moldings can be refreshed in an afternoon. Freshen all doors in another afternoon with a coat of semi gloss. If you have the freedom: paint your front door a new color: if not (because of an association), at least paint door inside a new color like charcoal, chocolate, or black.

 

• (RE) VAMP your accessories: What you’ve had upstairs, bring down. What you’ve had downstairs, bring up. It's time to mix it up! Check in the garage and closets for some forgotten treasures. Gather similar shapes into a collection. Inexpensive or old pieces can have new life with a simple shot of spray paint. This is the time to try a new color on your accessories, like all white, grey, or red, but vary the finishes: two flat with one high gloss. If groupings aren’t getting enough variations in height, try a stack of books. Books stacked by color create impact, or turned in reverse create texture. Books can also be unified by covering them in white or tan craft paper.

• (RE) LAMP your space: Just like you change your accessories every time you change your outfit, change your lamps from room to room. You’ll be amazed how a space is transformed with new lighting (and only be new to the space, but at no cost) Minimal updates to refresh lamps can be a quick coat of spray or add an updated shade in a new shape, color, or pattern.

 

• (RE) PLANT your entrance, terrace, or outdoor living space: What do you or your guests see when they come up to your home? Have trees or bushes overgrown? Is there a composition or rhythm in your garden? Try adding some containers. Even if you aren’t into flowers, visual interest can be added through contrasts of solid or variegated plants, pops of color through pots, or textures from leaves. Even coordinated decorative pillows on a back patio can expand the living space from inside your home out. Existing outdoor furniture, containers, and even your grill do tend to fade (esp. down in South Florida!!) so spruce it up with a fresh spritz of spray. Even some left over Jacobean wood stain works on a terracotta pot: it will chip away and looked aged over time.

Clock from Soicher Marin.

• (RE) PURPOSE (RE) USE (RE) CYCLE: Or in a word UPCYCLE! Whether it’s your own pieces stuck in the garage or tucked up in your attic, refinish and switch out some existing pieces in your spaces to refresh your home for the new year. Find a new use for something old (side tables together (but not bumped) become your new coffee table or relocate a ‘matchy’ bedroom bench into the dining room for new seating) While clearing through the clutter, let go of pieces you know you will not use: Donate them to your local Salvation Army or Vietnam Vets. Your trash could be someone else’s treasure and help them to refresh their home. An afternoon activity can be made by holding a garage sale. A little time spent organizing the sale, you could treat yourself with a new treasure or put it towards supplies to re-solute your home.

 

• (RE) TREAT: Celebrate your refreshed home with gatherings of friends and family. Reconnect with those you’ve lost touch with over time, or make new connections by starting up a block party. Host a clothing, scrapbook, or accessories swap for the ladies, a tailgate grill out for the guys, or a cookie party for the kids. We’re all spending less money out and about. The past year was a reality check for us to realign our priorities. Now is the time to apply what we’ve learned (as well as what we’ve been putting off) and bring back true value to our haven called home.

 

Time is running out!! WELCOME 2010 with the promise to (RE) SOLUTE your home. And if you live in an already perfect home, take the time to apply these resolutions to help a friend, a family member or neighbor. You’ll be glad you did. Have a HAPPY, safe, and healthy NEW year!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and follow a new blog... :D

And THANK YOU KRISTIN at DISCOVER INTERIOR DESIGN (blog has since closed) for the INVITE to WRITE these for your mini-series!!

Thanks for visiting...