Time Just Keeps On Ticking…

I was reading Fresh Home magazine, and I came across a very interesting article.  As mentioned in my last post, I am going to help my sister-in-law decorate her new apartment next month. So, I have been keeping my eye out on different types of decor options.  When I saw the article on making large wall clocks I knew it was something that I would want to try.

I really like this one because she will be able to display her photos in this design.

I like this one because I talked about incorporating art into the decor by stretching fabric over a canvas. She has an island in the kitchen where she will be able to set up barstools. So, if I can find some nice fabric that she likes, then I can make the clock as well as give the barstools a new look.

They had this bookcase in the same magazine as well.  They had the instructions on how you could make it yourself. I wish I had the know-how and the tools to work with wood because I would definitely make this. But, I know that this can still be added to her space because they sell them. So, that will be added to the list.

I have to go to a local art store to pick up the stretch canvas wood pieces that I need to make the canvas art. I plan to pick up some cute fabric for the stretched canvas art, but I was also told that framed wallpaper, or wallpaper stretched over canvas would look nice as well. So, I guess I should start my search soon. She will be moving soon.

Can’t wait to post pictures of the final product.

Until then, Peace and Blessings!

 

Make my small space look bigger….

My sister-in-law will be moving into a studio apartment in October, and she has asked me to help her design her space. She is moving from a one bedroom to a studio, so she already has a lot of furniture. The task will be to pare down the furniture to the necessary pieces to ensure that the apartment doesn’t look too crowded. I will take pics once the plan is complete, but for now I plan to just show some things that I found online.

While searching online I found a DesignHole and they had information about how to decorate a studio apartment. So, here are the six things that they said to do:

Buy a few bold pieces instead of lots of little things.

Define “rooms” with translucent fabrics and/or area rugs.

A vibrant paint can define a separate space with-in-a-space.

Buy furniture that does double duty.

Light colors will make the space appear larger.

Finally, mirrors are an old stand-by for tricking the eye.

I am so excited about this project. I have been looking in the IKEA catalog for pieces that can perform double duty.  I will need something that can be a divider between the bedroom area and the living room area. I am also looking for nice rugs to separate the different zones.

As I was searching the web I found a cute project that I can do in her “study area”. She is a student, and she also loves photography. So, I plan to make a linen pin board for her to put photos and other items she wants to display. I found this idea over at b*spoke.  I think it would be nice to do a couple of these in different colors to match her decor.

I am going to take pictures of the space, and I will update the post after that. Once she moves in and the apartment is decorated, I will do a final blog post of the look.

Do you have any tips that you think would be helpful when decorating a studio apartment? Please feel free to share.

Peace and blessings,

 

My Weekend, Part 2

My friend Kelly turned 30 on the 21st of August. So, we decided to take her out to dinner to celebrate. She got to choose the restaurant. She chose Benihana. I chose this restaurant for my 37th birthday celebration, and I loved it. So, I was gung-ho about this one.

I ordered the scallop dinner. I love seafood. They were so tasty.

Our gift to her was a book about making metal jewelry. She has been talking about making silver jewelry for the longest. So, when I saw this book I felt that it would be the perfect gift for her. She seemed excited about it.

For her 30th birthday she went on a trip to D.C. She stayed with a friend who lives in a communal house. She lives with 4 other women, and they split everything 5 ways. They are all working toward social justice in different areas. I don’t know if I could do communal living, but it sounds interesting to live with 4 other people who share your values.

She brought us all a gift back from her trip. Alice Walker’s book We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For, and a Michael Jackson tribute CD. I started the book the next day and I am enjoying it. I actually got a few aha moments from the first few pages. Especially when she talked about June Jordan . I thought about what kind of legacy I would leave behind, and how I need to be more involved in helping the economically, spiritually, politically and socially oppressed. So, I am on a mission to make a difference in the lives of others!!!

All in all, we had a wonderful time. Now I am trying to decide where I want to have the dinner for my 38th birthday.

Sidebar: My stationery is in and I am in love. We both like the square stationery the best. I can’t wait to use it!!!