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

EASY TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP QUOTE WREATH

Hope everyone enjoyed a project filled weekend! If you've got time for one more, here's one to try: an easy to make friendship quote wreath. To help update the look of my moms holiday decor last year, I repurposed two grapevine wreaths I had. If you don't already have grapevine wreaths, they can be found while thrifting or picked up at a craft store like Micheal's. By simply spraying the wreaths white, it refreshed their look to make some simple winter wreaths for my mom's town home. To add a little subtle shine, I also added a few frosted branch picks that can also be picked up at the craft store. If red is in your decor for the holidays - mini berry picks can also be added. These wreaths really helped to dress up the front & back door of my moms town home, but I hung them both on the inside using removable Command Performance hooks. 

Since my mom loves her friends, and also loves friendship quotes, I personalized the wreaths with some friendship quotes I thought she might like. I found the quotes online (google searched "friendship quotes"), retyped the ones I liked in some simple fonts, and printed them (more column style) on white card stock - but any craft paper could work.



I kept it simple, but you can also easily hot glue clusters of glass ornaments or pine cones in every other space. After using a hole punch at the top of the cards, I had attached them with wire (because that is what I had on-hand), but it could look even more charming with ribbon. The card stock is sturdy enough to form curves and follow the circle of the wreath.

My mom and her guests enjoy seeing the quotes when visiting during the holiday season. Since these are "non- Christmas specific", they can stay up all winter long - or add shells to them and stretch their display out through spring & summer.

Over the weekend, I had worked on a simple centerpiece I created for a holiday dinner party for 25 guests. I'll be sharing those pics and some DIY info on them tomorrow.

My Centerpiece Prep & Planning

Colin Cowie Style & Inspiration

Have a GREAT week!

LINKING THIS POST TO

Under The Table & Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

The DIY Showoff - Project Parade



MOODBOARDS & MAKEOVERS FOR MONDAY

Happy Monday!! I hope everyone enjoyed a project filled weekend! Unfortunately, it rained here too off and on to have completed my outdoor project I had planned (working on refinishing the buffet) so I did a little work sourcing for two upcoming bedroom makeover projects: One for Vero and one for my mom. (Why is the one for my mom so much more difficult??)

Moms first board pulling togther the choices for the space - to be narrowed down.

This is a great way to see what can work together.

Choices a little more narrowed down to select from.

two dressers on board are to refer to for finishes of dad's old dresser.

The oval mirror as an option for over the existing

vanity in her bathroom, but visible to her from her bed.



Mom still owns a (heavy) bedroom set from about thirty + years ago. She has an overwhelming fear of change that is a little more challenging, as well as a little less budget to work with. Although she keeps saying she doesn't have much, she is still requesting much storage, but also wanting a more spacious look in her bedroom. At times, she's said just get rid of everything. Then other times she thinks oh maybe keep this piece. Since her dresser, mirrors and nightstands are creating the most weight in the space (and dating it as well), I'm suggesting we just keep my dad's old (taller) dresser. I've suggested we re-think her closet organization to pick up extra storage space.

Moms existing pieces and space.

Selections I feel strongest about to transform her space.

She's hired the painter - so away we go!



My dad's old dresser can give the space a little more interest in its different height, plus maintain some of her storage. She's wanting to add back a TV, which a medium sized flat screen could work on top of it to the left, and have one of her favorite flowers, an orchid, to its right. I'd like to refinish the piece in either a distressed antique white (against the cappuccino walls) or go for the Jacobean stain. It has lattice detail paneled doors that could work with the antique white, or maybe I'd remove the lattice and replace with mirrors and the Jacobean stain. I put two examples of the finishes on the boards I'll send to her - to get the overall look of the space, and make it easier for her to visualize.

General concept of the look, but still with window panel options.

Because of her room layout and traffic patterns to the bathroom and closet, the bed will remain tucked under the window, but finally with a headboard. I found an oatmeal colored tufted suede headboard on QVC for only $175, which could pop off the cappuccino walls - or go with an espresso wood headboard - but I thought the tufted would be a softer, more feminine look. I already had gotten and gave to her as a gift all the bed & bath linens about two or three years ago (I told you she has a fear of change) so this will help with the budget. To help open up the space on either side of the bed, I'm really liking the look of the Genoa tables I found online at target.com (but for less on Walmart.com). The shelves can hold books (she's always reading something!), her glasses, and a small storage box for treasures.

Inspirational concepts for beds on a window wall & tufted headboards.

Soft peaches and pinks, inspired from her shells, will also add a feminine touch to the space. To personalize the space and give a little storage with an open feel, I've suggested the wall between the closet and bathroom doors be stacked with floating shelves. This can be a great place to display her some mementos, my aunt Mary's antique clock, sepia printed family photos and shells. (Now if I could only convince her to go for a simple semi-flush mount drum shade light fixture to replace the old turbo-winded ceiling fan lol). I also am challenged with convincing her to go full height with window panels. She's never had them - OR ANY - and she thinks she should just go with 84" vs. 96".... (sigh) Oh mom....

Vero's space is much more updated than my moms, but still a challenge none-the-less. I'd like to bring the bed over to the window wall so it can be the focal point of the space when you enter. I'd do wall-to-wall panels and sheers (no view out the window - only the roof and neighbors nasty overgrown yard). I've already purchased a pair of tri-color window panels online at JCP, a pair of mercury glass ball table lamps with black shades from Pier One, and a gorgeous black drum shade & crystal chandelier I found at eBay. She said she wanted a romantic look, but still comfortable and clean. She also said she was OK with the wall color, but I am thinking of continuing the tri color band from the windows to the walls - don't know yet.

Currently, the bed is facing the bathroom doorway (with the TV mounted ABOVE the door), so I'm looking to have it relocated onto the wall between the closet and entrance door. If it stays where it is at - I will still make it work (perhaps a lovely sunburst mirror over the bed??) Ironically, some of the wall art I had included on my first room-board concept for the space, she actually has them in storage, but with more ornate frames. We'll hopefully be taking a trip up to her storage place, and even if the art is reframed to be used in this space, it could help save money with the budget.

Vero's Sophisticated Master Treat

I'm sourcing the rug for a less price or another design option - this one is from LampsPlus.com. This rug will work very well to balance a feminie touch, pairing the chandeleir with the masculine furniture and tri color bands of the window panels.





It will also soften the feel of the 18"x18" tile floor. Her artwork can also help to personalize her space. In the niches on either side of the bathroom door, I'm planning two full legnth framed mirrorrs and mini pendents.

The sun is shining today - so time to get crack-a-lackin'!

Happy Monday and have a great week!!