Home Decor – Page 9 – Dust Bunnies and Dog Toys

Going Gothic for All Hallows Eve

Published on October 30, 2014October 30, 2014 by Jenna3 Comments

This is our first Halloween in the new house and I knew I wanted to switch up my decorating style to be more Pottery Barn ‘gothic’ than the typical ‘cutesy’ or all out ‘gore’ you often see this time of year. I purged my decorations and sold quite a few items on the buy/sell pages to fund the purchase of new items. But I ended up only spending about $18 for this new look!

I started by pulling out anything in my décor stash that was black or white and tackled the mantel first. A couple of candle sticks topped with flameless candles, a doily wrapped pumpkin, some spooky artwork, a skull and my pretty raven make up a simple, but spooky arrangement.

The artwork was a free printable quote from Michal Jackson’s “Thriller” that I found here and an oversized numeric cut out I made with my Silhouette. Both frames were items I already had on hand, so I just repurposed them. The skull lights up and was one of only two items I purchased this year. Originally priced $12.99 I got him on sale for 20% off, saving me a few dollars and the time I was planning to spend to create one that looked similar!

I wanted the entry way to feel like a witch’s potion brewing station, so on one side I filled a pedestal that I DIYed forever ago with several different size and style bottles holding various items you might expect to be in a spell recipe. I planned on creating vintage-looking labels for each, but ran out of time. So here’s what they are labeled in my head:

Full moon dust (sugar)
Goblin teeth (candy corns)
Eye of newt (white pebbles)
Black magic beans (navy beans)
Spider venom (purple glitter)
Toad tongues (split pea)

I added a little flameless votive in a small jar and a chalkboard sign to round out the vignette. On the other side I used another free printable, found here, paired with a fun little jack-o-lantern votive and a cast iron frog under a cloche. The jack-o-lantern is part of a set with metal hook posts that are meant to be put along a walkway, but I always worry that they will get blown off by the wind and break so this is a much safer option.

I finished off the area with a pretty orange and black bunting from my photo props and my ‘welcome’ ghost sign on the opposite wall.

Out on the porch, I added a new welcome mat with an adorable ghost and some spooky pumpkins. Pay no mind to that empty pot on a pedestal in the corner by the door. I had plans to add some painted branches to it with lights and spider webs, but I never got that far and at this point it just ain’t worth the effort for one day! Those spider webs are the other item I bought and since I didn’t use them they will be in my tub and ready for use next year!

In the dining room I used two more jack-o-lantern votives from the same set I mentioned earlier and paired them with my cherished “Boo” Ghost lantern.

So that’s my Gothic Spooky Halloween décor. It’s not much this year, but it’s a good starting point for next year. So what do you think? Is the old fashioned gothic look better than the cutesy scary stuff or do you prefer a more “goriesh” style for Halloween decorations?

My New “Old” Fruit Bowl

Published on October 28, 2014October 27, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

Some time ago, my fruit ‘bowl’ became the hubs’ catch all spot for when he comes home and empties out his pockets. In the meantime I’ve just been using a bowl from our regular dish set, which worked just fine but I knew that wasn’t a permanent solution. So I’d been on the hunt for a simple and inexpensive replacement.

This little milk glass beauty fit the bill perfectly. I picked it up for just $4.50 at a local antique store I just discovered! I kept eying it as I wandered through the aisles and finally decided it spoke to me. There were actually two of the same bowl, but one was marked $10 and the other $6, so I took the cheaper bowl knowing I’d get an extra 25% off thanks to the open house sale they had going on!

Eventually, when the side counter is no longer a tool bench for indoor projects, I may rearrange the hubs’ drop zone and use something different so I can reclaim the original bowl. If and when that happens, I’ll use this one for centerpieces and other decorating. But until then, I think it does a mighty fine job as the counter top fruit bowl!

An Artful Disguise

Published on October 27, 2014October 26, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

As promised, here’s my other bargain art piece from my recent Target shopping spree. I’ve been looking for a subway art piece for the wall between the entryway and the office for a while now, and actually purchased a canvas from Michaels to create my own. Luckily, before I got to that little project I spotted this on sale at Target for around $20. The color was a great contrast to the wall and I love the phrase, but what I really love is how it’s doing double duty!

How you ask? Well it’s hiding the not so lovely thermostat! How clever is that?! Of course I can’t take credit for this brilliant idea since I got it from Pinterest, but I’m still super happy with how it turned out.

All it took was a couple of hinges and it was bye, bye boring thermostat! The hubs did notch out the frame of the canvas just a bit so we could center it on the wall, but that was due to my preference on location.

This same idea could be used to disguise other wall mounted items like alarm systems or old intercom systems. Have you decorated around your thermostat or disguised something in your home? Tell me how with a comment below!

Milk Can Side Table

Published on September 3, 2014August 26, 2015 by Jenna1 Comment

This little project has been in the making for some time now. I picked up the milk can on the local buy/sell page. At $50 it was pretty pricey but they are hard to come by and this was the real deal, solid metal in good condition. I needed something sturdy that would stand up to the elements on the front porch.

I wasn’t loving the original red color so I dug through our paint cabinet and found two grey spray paints I could use. The first was a dull grey primer and the other a brilliant metallic finish. I randomly layered them so they would mix well and play off each other. Here was the end result.

I hunted high and low for an unfinished wood table top to complete this project to no avail. I even looked when I was down south on our trip. Amazingly, I finally found one at Lowes for about $13.I found a can of stain in the paint cabinet and gave each side a coat. Then the hubs and I took turns applying coats of poly – also from our paint cabinet – to both sides until we were happy with the color and finish.

I planned to screw the top on through the lid of the milk can, but the hubs suggested liquid nails which we had on hand. A couple dollups and a good hard press and it was done.

It looks just how I envisioned it would, the perfect unique and rustic side table for less than $65. Just wait till you see what it will accompany on my porch!

Shared at Knick of Time’s Vintage Inspiration Party #203!

Rustic Laundry Room Sign

Published on September 2, 2014September 2, 2014 by Jenna2 Comments

I tackled several projects over the long holiday weekend and this is one of my favorites. When we thought we were being transferred to Florida a few years ago I purchased a couple Uppercase Living vinyl phrases for the house we contracted to rent. But plans changed and we didn’t transfer and the fancy phrases got tucked away for future use. Now that we’re in our own home I’ve been deciding how to use them and knew that the laundry room phrase I had would make a perfect sign for the top of the cabinets in that space.

I found a scrap piece of wood left over from when the hubs took apart the old dog beds. It was destined to be used for this sign because it was the perfect size without any further prep.

I painted the perimeter of the board gray since I wanted to rough up the edges and have some color come through. Then I gave the whole thing a couple coats of white.

Next I randomly sanded the edges until I was happy with the look of the texture. I was pretty pleased with how the grey peeked through.

Then came the hard part of prepping the vinyl and making sure I applied it centered and straight! It took a few attempts, but I finally got it right.

The hubs helped me add a little more sanding around the lettering and gave the words themselves a light sanding for texture.

I climbed up on the washer and dryer to reach the cabinet top, where I used some shims and a small easel to make it stand just the way I wanted. It ties in with the other fun signs in this room and it fits the space perfectly. Another project done and I couldn’t be happier with the result!

Next up for this room is a fold down drying rack and a cabinet for the laundry sink, but those are both projects for the coming months when Alaska’s winter weather traps us indoors.

Our Cutlass Heirloom

Published on July 31, 2014August 4, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

My husband inherited his father’s Navy cutlass and wanted to display it somehow. I knew there were sword stands that would work and researched a couple online. I originally planned to have a custom one made by the same artist who made his coin holder, but the price was a bit excessive for something that wouldn’t get much notice. At one point the hubs considered making a stand, but that would have required several new tools – which was probably his real motivation – and time that could be spent on other more important projects.

When I found a basic wooden stand on a discount website I ordered it right away. Unfortunately, I soon got an email that they wouldn’t ship to Alaska and had to cancel the order. I searched on and off for the next few days and finally found one for about $15. A few dollars more for shipping and it was on it’s way.

It’s definitely not fancy, but it does the job. And because we display the flag from his dad’s service in front of the sword you really don’t see it anyway. Together they make a simple display to honor his dad. And I find it fitting that the custom art I had created from a drawing of the hubs in service hangs above them both.

Want some history on the traditions of the Navy Cutlass? This website details the origins of the Navy sword and it’s demise with the advance of modern warfare.

Cache Update

Published on July 28, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

Remember the pretty little cache pot I created a while back? Well it had a little defect. You see the lid fit so snugly that when you went to remove it you had to hold the pot itself to pry it open. And when it did open the motion created caused the contents already inside to move. Sometime so much that they escaped – onto the person opening it. That’s why my pretty copper canister became cabinet top décor and a replacement was found.

Shortly after we moved to the mainland I purchased this ice bucket at JoAnns on clearance for something like $5. And then I never used it.

Since my inspiration to DIY a cache pot in the first place came from an ice bucket I decided to give it a try and set it out on the counter for a test run. It was easy to open – just lift the lid. It was easy to clean – just pull out the insert dump and put in the dishwasher. And it was the perfect size. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the perfect color. But that’s nothing a coat of spray paint can’t fix.

A few coats of spray later and wha-la, I have a new cache pot! Plus because I already had the bucket and the spray paint it didn’t cost me a dime! I’m still not crazy about the stars, so I might rig something to cover those, but for a totally free project I’m not gonna complain.

Something New Underfoot

Published on July 25, 2014July 31, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

When we decided to do vinyl floors throughout our house due to my allergies and desire for easier cleaning I knew I’d be on the hunt for several area rugs once we moved in. It’s been more difficult than I imagined finding just the right rug in the right size at a price I can swallow, which is why none of our bedrooms have rugs as of yet.

However, I did find some smaller accent rugs for great prices at CostCo while in Portland. When we first moved in I used two brown memory foam rugs we had in our master bathroom at the rental in the kitchen. They worked ok, but they required constant cleaning and didn’t play well with the vacuum. Plus they tended to wander across the floor with the assistance of running paws. I’d considered getting some of the fancy gel mats you see at the specialty kitchen stores, but just couldn’t justify $200 on such a small item. So when I spotted these knock-offs for just $14 I quickly plopped two in my cart.

Although they aren’t quite as nice as the specialty store variety, they feel good underfoot, stay put where placed and don’t surrender to the vacuum. I occasionally use a Lysol wipe to get any lingering dirt, but overall they have been a perfect fit for this spot.

My next bargain find were these runners at $10 each. I planned to use one in the master closet and one in the laundry room, but they were a little too narrow for both spaces, so I paired them up to cover the access panel in the closet floor. Eventually, I want a single rug in here that either matches or coordinates with what I select for the Master Bedroom, but at just $20, this will work for now.

The hubs pointed out some indoor/outdoor mats similar to what his mom has in her garage since I’d mentioned how I liked them. I thought they were a little pricey at $20, but I knew it would be a good option for the back door where the dogs come in and out. I was glad to see that it covered the large opening, plus a little extra, so it catches dirt from both paws and feet, as you can see. It’s certainly reduced the amount of dirt making it inside!

I almost bought a second for the laundry room, but I was pretty sure it would be too wide and not long enough. I decided I’d try the one in the laundry room first and if it did fit then it could stay there and I’d check our local CostCo for another for the back door. But my assumption was right and it just didn’t fit the space properly, so the hunt for a long, yet sturdy runner for the laundry room continues.

Over the Bed Art

Published on July 23, 2014July 27, 2014 by Jenna1 Comment

I wanted our Master bedroom to be very simple and calming, so I purposely kept things in this space to a minimum but it was lacking character. I knew I wanted to add some sort of textured art, but hadn’t found anything just right. Then I spotted a wood carving on clearance at Pier 1 while on our trip down south and knew I wanted it for this space. Unfortunately, they only had one. Luckily, the store across town still had a few, albeit not on clearance and they were able to do a phone purchase so I could pick it up later that day.

I originally planned to hang them over the night stands, but when I tested that idea the space above the bed felt too empty. Although they are fairly large, they weren’t big enough to take up the whole width of the bed, so I opted to center them with some extra space in between. I decided to hang them half way between the top of the head board and the ceiling since it is such a large space. Once they were hung I almost wished I’d bought a third, but I think that might have felt a bit too fussy.

I also hung this watercolor print by an Alaskan artist on the small wall by the bathroom door across from the bed. We purchased it during a trip and got a super sweet deal, frame and all! It’s a favorite of mine and the hubs, so it’s fitting that we wake up to it every day. Plus the colors work well in this space.

I’m not ruling out the possibility that I’ll add other art in this space, but for now I’m enjoying the simple yet unique look. Now if only I could find the perfect rug and get the bench done for the foot of the bed! 😉

Free & Easy!

Published on July 13, 2014 by Jenna2 Comments

I recently found some pretty green bottles and instantly knew that I wanted to use them in the kitchen for the hand and dish soap. I lucked out and the top from the store dish soap bottle fit the glass bottle perfectly. It even screwed on tight without a hassle.

The hand pump was a little more difficult. I tried a pump like the one we used on the mason jar soap bottles, but it wasn’t the right size to fit the opening. I had a small hand soap bottle in our bathroom that had a larger pump so I decided to try that. That one did fit, unfortunately the stem wasn’t long enough to reach the soap at the bottom of the bottle.

Then I remembered that we had a package of flexible straws somewhere and wondered if that might fit the pump. I dug through the cabinets and found them, then tested out the length next to the bottle. It seemed like it would work, so I pulled the old stem out of the pump and pushed the straw in. The connection was a little loose due to the flexible part of the straw, but it stayed snugly attached as I fussed with it.

Since it seemed pretty secure, I put everything together and gave the pump a couple pushes. It took a few before the soap started flowing, but when it did it worked just fine. It’s been about a week now and it’s still working great, so I guess my little DIY rig is good enough. And it’s a whole lot prettier than the plastic store bottles!

I’m not crazy about the different colors of the two tops, but they work and I’m probably the only one who notices it. Plus the bottles fit the little tray I’d been using to hold their plastic predecessors as if it was made just for them, leaving just enough room for the sponge. But the best part about the whole project is that it was 100% free! Now if only I could get all my projects to be this affordable and easy. 🙂