Thriifty Decor Chick

How To Paint Kitchen Chairs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKY4Pb0kTnNi4fsFcbpJ1qNKVBaClLFWduWZDb4aMLExYP76ar83Lc4ajKfZyZFcYDGHIzq0GCy2-Xbmsye53WzZM8_p3vddZd_k9EWmR82l3AIXKRUslsObWSSzqxUWbwBfCKsZFqag/s1600/spray+painted+black+chairs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="painting chairs, spray painting furniture, painting furniture, painting chairs black" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKY4Pb0kTnNi4fsFcbpJ1qNKVBaClLFWduWZDb4aMLExYP76ar83Lc4ajKfZyZFcYDGHIzq0GCy2-Xbmsye53WzZM8_p3vddZd_k9EWmR82l3AIXKRUslsObWSSzqxUWbwBfCKsZFqag/s320/spray+painted+black+chairs2.jpg" title="" width="174" /></a></div> Back in my youth, I got my first kitchen table and chairs. I thought the chairs were so cool with natural wood seats and green legs and backs. I still have them. Now I don't think they're so cool, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of them. They've made lots of moves with us, only to inevitably find the way to "basement status".  Today is no different - the table holds all sorts of Big A's manly stuff - like coffee cans full of assorted nuts and bolts, rolls of wire, tools, empty monster cans... And although the chairs are still completely functional and sturdy, being frugal, they keep getting moved from storage area to storage area (read: being cheap, I shove them in various corners of the basement, rather than, say, giving them to charity). However, cheap as I may be, I still wanted to dress them up so I painted them black. Now they'll look pretty in the corner of the basement. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMaQ51AaBKNiUTSH55ZDT6AV44nCGqhAtbOkmC_DmMDkcHFeMovPGbZLTq7EDuD1rGb2F3ZGwe2I4LbiKa867t_wTPlDIA79S2HS7QkhgsnkIVavlwDGTTk9pcKflpMXUKmvWVhAgJZw/s1600/spray+painted+black+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>Here they are in the back yard looking all green and boring (with that creepy wheelbarrow trying to sneak up on us). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieurI-N-T5eayDSBly6BVmEChJ9Pv9-08xeIX77nagDkVELSIG0XebNovpjtO7T-Nn6731K0gI1FtTCls2qsAj7ru8WHd1PwpmYKfM7GYPO-eJkzOKelZVZ6coFFW0pemRcc9jMqccW1s/s1600/aug+2013+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieurI-N-T5eayDSBly6BVmEChJ9Pv9-08xeIX77nagDkVELSIG0XebNovpjtO7T-Nn6731K0gI1FtTCls2qsAj7ru8WHd1PwpmYKfM7GYPO-eJkzOKelZVZ6coFFW0pemRcc9jMqccW1s/s320/aug+2013+016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First, I wiped them down really well with a damp cloth, and let them dry. I then brushed on a quick coat of Kilz primer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now don't try to live on the edge, like me, and paint the tops first. Tip your chairs upside down and paint the bottoms first, and then flip them and paint the tops. This way you don't ding the paint or primer on the top while you paint the bottom. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_kT41AHAE1msNUhqnDr0OUbqU8fm9gRIcNKV9lXfSDVH6nycye0Twp1VzlACBbWiSp5wH8rQVIZ8gptVcO9t07An1zKX0q6gD0e44zhCYfLrA5xa0SISjEqSlpClL8PVK0HcpPcY2a4/s1600/aug+2013+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_kT41AHAE1msNUhqnDr0OUbqU8fm9gRIcNKV9lXfSDVH6nycye0Twp1VzlACBbWiSp5wH8rQVIZ8gptVcO9t07An1zKX0q6gD0e44zhCYfLrA5xa0SISjEqSlpClL8PVK0HcpPcY2a4/s320/aug+2013+019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I let them sunbathe for a couple of hours until they were good and dry. (Thank goodness that wheelbarrow took off). </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i1Gzkqp406xRUiMWRqasQpksgT2W_4t5GRrOHbrFeYlLV6MnywEgSa7mUdrNfifmQAt3BVQl6BT8sTzCaciAGncTpm8lWyvI9cVpu18TLQ0_ySEY0kD-lMyGqvze8L37um6KIJNtGTs/s1600/aug+2013+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i1Gzkqp406xRUiMWRqasQpksgT2W_4t5GRrOHbrFeYlLV6MnywEgSa7mUdrNfifmQAt3BVQl6BT8sTzCaciAGncTpm8lWyvI9cVpu18TLQ0_ySEY0kD-lMyGqvze8L37um6KIJNtGTs/s320/aug+2013+020.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, I decided to spray paint them, rather than paint them. I decided to use spray paint because with spray paint you're less likely to get brush marks or drips. I had to give them two good coats, and a very minimal third coat just to "touch up".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once they were dry, I painted on a little gold glitter along the front - no reason, just because they're my chairs, and I can. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQLq-g2_uBeP-Z6KKao13ergAf3XKLvzATrSRQllYX5KGBAISiIZE9Y9a5TOWNBwMB9u2_bMPbrDR4G6wGwYWJpiY_nNuGXf8lqsVE8XS3-R0JiaxLSNbH7Ws15aCiVnr4GXkjAzjBP8/s1600/glitter+on+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQLq-g2_uBeP-Z6KKao13ergAf3XKLvzATrSRQllYX5KGBAISiIZE9Y9a5TOWNBwMB9u2_bMPbrDR4G6wGwYWJpiY_nNuGXf8lqsVE8XS3-R0JiaxLSNbH7Ws15aCiVnr4GXkjAzjBP8/s320/glitter+on+black.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, time to take 'em back down to the basement. Sad, isn't it? I still can't bring myself to get rid of them. (And I make fun of Big A for being a hoarder!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMaQ51AaBKNiUTSH55ZDT6AV44nCGqhAtbOkmC_DmMDkcHFeMovPGbZLTq7EDuD1rGb2F3ZGwe2I4LbiKa867t_wTPlDIA79S2HS7QkhgsnkIVavlwDGTTk9pcKflpMXUKmvWVhAgJZw/s1600/spray+painted+black+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMaQ51AaBKNiUTSH55ZDT6AV44nCGqhAtbOkmC_DmMDkcHFeMovPGbZLTq7EDuD1rGb2F3ZGwe2I4LbiKa867t_wTPlDIA79S2HS7QkhgsnkIVavlwDGTTk9pcKflpMXUKmvWVhAgJZw/s320/spray+painted+black+chairs.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>

How To Paint Kitchen Chairs

Back in my youth, I got my first kitchen table and chairs. I thought the chairs were so cool with natural wood seats and green legs and bac...

7:19 AM

Franklin, TN

Hey y’all. I’m talking about the south today so I can say y’all, right? I always want to spell it “ya’ll” by the way – must be the northerner in me. ;) Last weekend I took a quick trip to Nashville to meet up with the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/best-week-ever.html">Haven team</a> – we were regrouping after this year’s conference and doing a little planning for next year. After meeting for a long while we took a break and drove to Franklin, TN to eat and shop just a bit. I fell in love with this smaller city because, well…it was super cute and the shopping was amazing. But it also very much reminded me of the area we live in too. Felt like home in a way. I just had to share some of the places we stopped along Main Street. The stores are not cheap – by…a lot. ;) But there was SO much inspiration, it was worth it to just walk around and take it all in. We started by eating at 55 South, and didn’t realize till the end of our meal that we actually sitting in a place called Cork and Crow. I think they must share a menu. The food was amazing but the decor was what I was mostly focused on. This wood wall was so cool: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8uCbINm-jbg/UkWcHHiyS2I/AAAAAAAAhAo/yR5rv4NpX48/s1600-h/IMG_7983%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood slice art" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pHqka8rk2OM/UkWcHyQTXYI/AAAAAAAAhAw/K6vZKkwkom4/IMG_7983_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood slice art" width="450" /></a> The meat cleavers even add a little something. ;) I loved the look of the wood in combination with the really delicate glass chandeliers. Just stunning. On the other side of the room was a bottle light fixture that I loved too: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-35SSX6O87oI/UkWcIYJcNGI/AAAAAAAAhA4/vp5UFDXqNXY/s1600-h/IMG_7970%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wine bottle light fixture" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7rwxqBdyo5o/UkWcImSgWmI/AAAAAAAAhBA/q4XBCvuEq1g/IMG_7970_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wine bottle light fixture" width="450" /></a> Not a great picture, sorry. I noticed while there how beautiful the light is coming through those bottles – it truly glows in ambers and greens…really cool. We walked around a bit and one of my favorite spots was a shop called <a href="http://theirongateonline.net/the-retail-store/">The Iron Gate</a>. As soon as we walked in I knew I would love it: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9QBTY1yQVhw/UkWcJHQsT4I/AAAAAAAAhBI/RjbYM5q9fAQ/s1600-h/IMG_7979%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B8SIcZTSHKY/UkWcJkjrzkI/AAAAAAAAhBQ/ty4AHKWH6Nw/IMG_7979_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> It was a mix of industrial and glam with a little bit of shabby chic thrown in. None of which are necessarily my style, but I loved every bit of it. They had a lot of older pieces, like these massive old doors: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0p7WoS9xOKM/UkWcKfwt0hI/AAAAAAAAhBY/olm7VVyzta0/s1600-h/IMG_7973%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="large old doors" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qcpfqdlr0To/UkWcK2vboFI/AAAAAAAAhBg/D595M415auw/IMG_7973_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="large old doors" width="450" /></a> They were perfect as they were – no paint needed on those! This clock was just massive – probably five feet across? Maybe more?: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lv1cMlfTLJo/UkWcLskiBcI/AAAAAAAAhBo/Mbp4pI8-q14/s1600-h/IMG_7974%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="huge numeral clock" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pFeE6TwoEOw/UkWcMrNSb-I/AAAAAAAAhBw/UAEZthAvXNc/IMG_7974_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="huge numeral clock" width="450" /></a> Loved the huge clock hands. :) Like I said, they had some shabby chic decor and it was beautiful. I loved the touches of gray and purple on this bed: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eaqcaqOD1Ag/UkWcNHsVDaI/AAAAAAAAhB4/MPdhK1KFv0A/s1600-h/IMG_7972%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="shabby chic bed" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gt4KAAJnr_0/UkWcNpGA9VI/AAAAAAAAhCA/PEGs7HObj90/IMG_7972_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="shabby chic bed" width="450" /></a> And this one was just dreamy. Seriously, let’s not thinking about dogs or cats or kids getting it dirty for a second and just think about falling into that every day: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tsej0vzSEMg/UkWcOJtsh2I/AAAAAAAAhCI/VbiYCTP78Xs/s1600-h/IMG_7978%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white bedding" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--TC9S1csyTc/UkWcO_TX3QI/AAAAAAAAhCQ/8PBRjjIZJ8c/IMG_7978_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white bedding" width="450" /></a> Lovely, right? I thought that large metal table next to it was awesome too: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4zpOXigHwL4/UkWcPVzhm5I/AAAAAAAAhCY/vqI-s-di2AA/s1600-h/IMG_7976%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="old metal table" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OBJ6xm_BQUg/UkWcQW9p-QI/AAAAAAAAhCg/xYYxAnM5SUA/IMG_7976_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="old metal table" width="450" /></a> I thought it would look so cool on a big front porch. I can just see it. The lighting in their was spectacular! Any one of these could have gone home with me: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r7AUcKIhkrw/UkWcQ5OhspI/AAAAAAAAhCo/hI4vmImnJoU/s1600-h/IMG_7977%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K1r88QSR77M/UkWcRZUgN1I/AAAAAAAAhCw/hvG1xHt8m8U/IMG_7977_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="450" /></a> If I a.) could have fit it on the plane and b.) had eleventy million dollars and c.) was cool enough to pull off that funky starburst one. None of which happened. ;) Of course there was plenty that we would see and whisper to each other “Do you KNOW how easy this would be to make??” I’m sure the shop owners love people like us. :) This nursery art was just adorable: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XyD8RX33voU/UkWcSP_3x-I/AAAAAAAAhC4/ys_4q4NpxwY/s1600-h/IMG_7971%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY nursery art" border="0" height="601" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QXvMNk4cUEc/UkWcSsktvgI/AAAAAAAAhDA/Qe_0vg1eXMM/IMG_7971_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY nursery art" width="450" /></a> And…they were $44 each. Get a coupon for a canvas at the craft store and you could make this for less than $10 (if that). Just saying. If you wanted to. ;) And I just loved this display of coral: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LNJv0rxPmoo/UkWcTBiisgI/AAAAAAAAhDI/3fJPbGnCtHc/s1600-h/IMG_7975%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="coral decor" border="0" height="599" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8Us7s8UjMyM/UkWcT2nDruI/AAAAAAAAhDQ/ujYQII9C7ho/IMG_7975_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="coral decor" width="450" /></a> It was just so delicate and beautiful – they had some HUGE pieces. That blue one on the shelf really struck me and we determined it looked as though it was painted. (Is blue coral a thing?) Makes me want to grab some chalk paint and have at it. We had such a lovely time walking around and ohhing and ahhing at everything. Then, being the DIY/thrifty girls we are, we headed over to the antique shops. :) I found a little old copper pot that was in my post <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/09/fall-mantel-and-party.html">earlier this week</a>:  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XA_Lo6hmQDA/UkWcUURXfgI/AAAAAAAAhDY/x3SjPo6jrrg/s1600-h/fall-mantel-family-room%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hydrangea fall mantel" border="0" height="624" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4L0Ti9fhzzg/UkWcU0IiGTI/AAAAAAAAhDg/wJB1CFmDZYY/fall-mantel-family-room_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hydrangea fall mantel" width="518" /></a> It’s the one on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/candlestick-turned-table.html">candlestick table</a> by the chair – I lined it with some plastic and put a plant inside. LOVE it. Later that night we took in downtown Nashville and it. was. crazy. We even had an Elvis sighting: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-og9rlibGol8/UkWcVodXKNI/AAAAAAAAhDo/doIXMjP1teg/s1600-h/IMG_7998%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Elvis and me" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hmeKoaWMnyY/UkWcWMLaItI/AAAAAAAAhDw/8RWsQHATR3k/IMG_7998_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Elvis and me" width="450" /></a> :) I’ve been to Nashville a few times before and it was NOTHING like last Saturday night – so busy but fun! So have you been to Franklin? We didn’t have time to visit many of the stores that I wanted to so I may have to check it out again sometime soon. It would make for a great girls weekend, that’s for sure. Have a great weekend…y’all!

Franklin, TN

Hey y’all. I’m talking about the south today so I can say y’all, right? I always want to spell it “ya’ll” by the way – must be the northerne...

7:55 AM

Metallic fall art

Hello all! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments on my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/09/fall-mantel-and-party.html">fall mantel</a> and to everyone who linked up theirs! As of right now there are about 270 mantels linked up – be sure to check them out! Today we’re sharing crafts over at <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/fall-craft-ideas-link-party/">Layla’s</a> and I’m excited about this one too. It was fun to get a little crafty again – it’s been too long! I spent an hour just wandering around the craft store the other day and it was BLISS. I forget how fun that is to do when I have the time. I had one idea in mind but it was while walking around the store that I came up with another crafty idea instead. I really, really love how it turned out. I’ve had this shadow box from Goodwill for years: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRl_w1JaCOVeXK3i00Qj6xByw77FK42W_bUCXrCT_ONkvX_Eta6539ayr7qZXITp9vmaBZGeJbkXT3-85Gj-_zFom1CCibPLvAbknV6QYG8Pa9_3i_xC6mRxoax8ioaS2ml_POyEL8u4/s1600-h/IMG_6726%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="shadow box" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_0mSBt6GY91gP-siNJP7JUn6OHDZ8melCBTVp4gflmpv2BJG1pW2N7V3ccTX46l6JVURYUi0nslme4GJe5QCKWE_rMHzGFk3FJdE38cu86-RrPu9IsVYhvOfURbKiPdCLep1G6vOaIA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="shadow box" width="450" /></a> It’s one of those things I keep hanging on to because I knew I’d really want it when I wanted it…you know what I mean? I knew I would eventually do something fun with it, and eventually is now. ;) The front part of the frame was a little busted up so I took that off and spray painted it white. There’s a little damage to it but the new coat of paint kind of hides that. Then it was time to create. I found this felt table runner (at Michael’s) and my mind started churning… <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA9Gr6IcXzhjo5Ton2t4fQsHTVMmB8Wy56CbyhTdjDtzv0eDHU6Vw21PkWeZWslIk4LA6wKbrTtVA6aOY48LxBQ2fkWgQPuMtaPugAQw2i2ClsmbziSW_yZNyUc4WkByDsZ2PW2l57-E/s1600-h/leaf-tablerunner%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leaf tablerunner" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8wixntRPacwFIVyy63u_9QoPBTOIFVYf0JldbGZpFMgDyt_0bQHrmWND3J7n4Kewwzg6dER1oFq-DS1CdpP01YrJFzz00R9bvyJD8iJ_6Yf13DepLBw-_KZRRSX4knznOjC5CzyOBP8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="leaf tablerunner" width="550" /></a> I decided to use it as a stencil – I thought it would be so pretty with the cut outs in the leaves! I dug some of my favorite metallic spray paints out of the garage: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VukBbYGkoWWACJAxCbCXVEbAXXiC6KqNs-Wy7Q4lyGrGZjEwLfDDmsebQ_BRl_W30aQOM8jU6hj8SHoTv0e4RtcI-d8gW7RGkxPSTPgRQ8-VRrCpXfxs5YzB95VL8Urj1KrYnuRgii8/s1600-h/metallic-spray-paint%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metallic spray paint" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiPYfwvA7dvZity-ikAa_Bf1qwP9XwU84a8xbYhAmwATPgzzwfxXXNWYAxU1wQya__wHGc-CitvtaUmSb_JuPeqjor0Lll8PLdzKbMzt0t_sj6Hjic5GjY1K-yw_vSxa33ArlqBnF1XQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="metallic spray paint" width="400" /></a> And decided on these two – copper and gold. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k2Yw_3nD-iq1Do1OHdr7SsRpWLBN4n9f3cZjSAMPGVT1zWokaf5Ya9BC_L5PFPqnN_-6e7X5nJwIUM92FFs4I4E16vCNgdltOdzQPdyQRfMUCM7lM8qV1snS7iri9J2CwNs0ocBvvtg/s1600-h/gold-spray-paint%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gold copper spray paint" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vm3Zor9mWEYH0-gfQF5fbC9SGcMbsHyuXmgqZEaWYERT8JsAXZ3HknIr8zxcAiJPxho1gfQhMUKCSl0AQjU_Jqj6FiBJaytWpeJCglfeTzKvBSxezcelmxevfEWH1Z-aj8fyOBQc7Vc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="gold copper spray paint" width="550" /></a> I cut the runner apart and situated the two pieces so they covered my paper, which was just poster board I cut to size. (First I sprayed the backs with adhesive so they would stay put): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW7-qN0n7SOS74PQe_mOWCR5FNy-A_KQJNzZiM8qg17modjP53ApEOxZq_d0PtPXSFyRcEzGz5Vhz-C459-bEcVl8zvI4iS-DVUGYIiJwySgNrp27wE9eUhyphenhyphenT3xq3m3_pfWs5c89kM68/s1600-h/leaf-stencil%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leaf stencil" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zAG0_zNHlVemWZnRZMJCp33FCIYZBDTgLecPbe4JhzRP6fPNEMtpp0fj6AzIN2b8j_wWhM6brUj9zu3ldU3gKZhkRGcccjgN5p0UPld0ib0csHVTtVYG8RCclSIPljBuHLoKiijyMKM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="leaf stencil" width="550" /></a> I tested this out a couple times, hence the spray paint already on there. :) I sprayed the copper paint first, then did a light coat of the gold over it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkuJZ5SfGRroQiyhoXPNLKtQyHMP5pRNLbvBmo6ZHXvLTYEoF0TnDqvAeAzbnmQTRwzbsj77-pr45iS76cbDByuAhGGJzyFl6FnUYaZCIGpr_hirTf0J4yu-LB3NX2_WoiAU31jgD9y0/s1600-h/leaf-stencil2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leaf stencil" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzyK2PLjX18hnEVvNKD14ZA0Gz65NpaiBWWywZMS6QEtyrMtKWXblGgop9GboRdenol5oEsyeisql5jGtN-cqnkzDesSrQgV9ITjfG1E4J_0fOpsgZ7Wf6IjnPRM_CiJrwcCXhx4A6Po/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="leaf stencil" width="550" /></a> Isn’t that so pretty? I almost left it just like that! The middle where the two parts of the runner met was a little blurry (my error), but otherwise it looked great. And I was covering that part anyway. Last fall I found an autumn quote that I just fell in love with – “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower,” by Albert Camus. Beautiful eh? I dressed it up a little bit in Picmonkey and created a printable (just like I showed you how to do <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-make-your-own-printables.html">here</a>). You should be able to click this and save it if you’d like: <a href="http://s891.photobucket.com/user/thriftydecorchick/media/fallsign_zps974af150.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" fall quote printable" border="0" src="http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac111/thriftydecorchick/fallsign_zps974af150.jpg" title=" fall quote printable" /></a> I printed it out in an 8 by 10 size card stock and the font was a little blurry, so just a warning about that. It’s not super crisp but it still looked fine to me. I just used spray adhesive to stick it on top of the leaf stencil and then added a little more bling. I couldn’t resist this glitter tape and used it to frame out my quote:     <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65jeO5hwQtUstoB2gZXLkVQkRXWOsDoCdyabt59OGiBEgPRzSX2h-bt-AkduLrUjbpaaAfSJGqCWaRLstMh9NZnyqgyn-qGEdMCEFB_Nuf8A0I-aBhwgnR49KZfzb2HKEYUigVP8xGzk/s1600-h/IMG_6734%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sparkly tape" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQsggX2uGyyb12f5r2D0eHsmKWbWS_UcwGH0CaUqPYBGiOo1YLU0JVZBytwgKidZhyphenhyphenJjDT4tJkvS4md91fRvOJns58z4B-ajcUqv7B62sVXT9nAYCpJfiVOk2rHW_fslBSLuO5TeqVz0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="sparkly tape" width="550" /></a> And then found these cute acorns and pinecones for $1.50 on clearance and stuck a few in the corners: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_-1OdGG-Pey-8Jd-DzrebO3NIMMDumVCBBXBQKHItp4qasIkKR-3uMxdAfE1OO6xzBZ4g8-IDYdDrT9O1g9XHv5oS7-BQXvah9ULR72dg3OYpgsy2eYWSBKnjvs7jPZ1c3UXYHowFgs/s1600-h/IMG_6752%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fall scrapbook " border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJuWHBBm0G6WRFe8YzMKkkPKYtbDwRsET2UwWmzy076xSrYGcsG7z9TV55WGjvNA_W0AHEaS3ij_4pfs7gaMG5TN6OPu8-W7KZnhlAMP5yOilCSjszEapNWwf20hqnAV6FAvY7oyHn14/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="fall scrapbook " width="450" /></a> I gotta say, I’m pretty smitten with it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMtlH77pkVkbQt0vF209zRVnXqccy0ReUHN9W0eDP6IRbfXNeeuItF1cZUvliDNP4DEb54W8OW-6hShNLIFRYXPQug4jc51Or0hmuZR0KYOS5vnzjRhEIkal8-Yq_p7vun9M6yZ4Sy6o/s1600-h/fall-quote%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY fall printable" border="0" height="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8EsAB5Fat9UkY-9YEJhZPLcPSFiDO9kewqd46honurQnGINd5s0X5XYYwnUV7Ibng_DKJPIWE0UZDxMvYwGb_z0YjFtab83LzXs-b860wCRrYEmRScTfrol_UubnoNKOw2tZ1kqvE20/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY fall printable" width="500" /></a> I just LOVE it. And I love that I can just take it out and reuse the shadow box for another season. Now I’m looking forward to making something for Christmas too. ;) It’s not super crafty, but it involved scrapbook supplies and I’m all about that. I’m a scrapbook supply hoarder who doesn’t scrapbook. I especially love the metallic tones this time of year, and really love all of them together in this “art”: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc69NM3Sv6-wmxDQJj66HOntcofhwpP1Ma9nQRUI8hpMsFP__C0T20GuqoQ6C3C7KFsPiQpa8s_9dw5rQFDp9H1j-XV7lv09Eo39TmRkq2r8Ctv-fc8EcE1XGBWZyESoD4hxaf6DM-sKI/s1600-h/autumn-leaf-sign%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Autumn is a second spring quote" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF1KUsDhQZRxTx4QqUdiOz9vETJ0hap1d1MgYZW5hG4bxH3dBRDUZzcgfvuCT_UimkGCpBrYtT3lcauFcANrHjAjSxrvAOvQlrpTTRZMUSk5SPAH059vC5AJmuv4uGmGvuxyEeMqdUO0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Autumn is a second spring quote" width="500" /></a> Now it’s time to lug the bins out and get the rest of the house fallified! :) Can’t wait to see all the projects linked up at Layla’s!

Metallic fall art

Hello all! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments on my fall mantel and to everyone who linked up theirs! As of right now there are abo...

7:13 AM

How To Make a Clock

I made a clock! Okay, rather, I sorta, kinda made a clock. I've been wanting to make a clock for some time. I've pinned a couple of ideas and had a few ideas of my own. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMERWK-y05xry0mFXuGi0XNpXoxNu1BSugYyZAUT-hs8x78AXdtx1eskeLYiYnqiUTG78ZxKzTJdqnEkgK5WXDtX9DMluSYZzu-Wv1TtatFokaNvphXH73OPa5loClWCqD8fSbgzHDEHc/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMERWK-y05xry0mFXuGi0XNpXoxNu1BSugYyZAUT-hs8x78AXdtx1eskeLYiYnqiUTG78ZxKzTJdqnEkgK5WXDtX9DMluSYZzu-Wv1TtatFokaNvphXH73OPa5loClWCqD8fSbgzHDEHc/s320/clock.jpg" width="313" /></a></div> And then the other day, while cleaning in my 12 year old son's room, I found an old plastic clock, stuffed under his bed. I was loath to throw it away, so I took out the hands and clock motor thingy - (let's call it the clock mechanism). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDEGw5jE8HfY91kvR8xmJJgxotfoKfAvMTwaxGGKOMP8vVcqeVzUD5jb-iPaY9eE6iB3PtMbM8q-_znPUMIsV5OgQqFCYOYalAZ5zbfZaFcvUd9VFLW1KZJEOp8nV1ZMTreQmkizSGh8/s1600/apple+pie,+apples+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDEGw5jE8HfY91kvR8xmJJgxotfoKfAvMTwaxGGKOMP8vVcqeVzUD5jb-iPaY9eE6iB3PtMbM8q-_znPUMIsV5OgQqFCYOYalAZ5zbfZaFcvUd9VFLW1KZJEOp8nV1ZMTreQmkizSGh8/s320/apple+pie,+apples+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I then threw away the carcass of the clock. Adios Amigos. I took a wicker plate charger and <strike>shoved</strike> delicately inserted the hands of the clock into the clock mechanism in the middle of the plate charger. Obviously, the clock mechanism goes on the backside of the charger. Hold on, I'm tired of saying clock mechanism. Let me go google what that thing is.  <img alt="Assemble the clock and its parts per the directions. If you order from Klockit, your assembly sheet will look like this." class="aligncenter" height="470" src="http://blog.sndimg.com/diy/maderemade/Emily-Fazio/15_DIY_Clock/clock_assembly_instructions_3.JPG" width="616" /> <a href="http://blog.diynetwork.com/maderemade/how-to/how-to-make-a-diy-clock/">Source</a> Oh, I see, it's called a clock MOVEMENT.  I like clock mechanism better after all. So, the clock mechanism goes at the back. Making a clock is so easy! Not only can you disassemble an old ugly clock and use the parts, you can buy a kit for a couple of bucks at any craft store. (click image to buy one for $5.99!) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BBSMZC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001BBSMZC&linkCode=as2&tag=fymoho-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001BBSMZC&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fymoho-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001BBSMZC" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Also, you can use pretty much anything as your clock face. Record albums, wood, plates, serving platters... I really liked my wicker plate charger idea because I didn't have to drill a hole! (I know, it probably saved me all of 45 seconds in my lifetime, but these things make me happy.) I dressed up my plate charger clock with some glass beads that I bought ages ago at the dollar store. <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMERWK-y05xry0mFXuGi0XNpXoxNu1BSugYyZAUT-hs8x78AXdtx1eskeLYiYnqiUTG78ZxKzTJdqnEkgK5WXDtX9DMluSYZzu-Wv1TtatFokaNvphXH73OPa5loClWCqD8fSbgzHDEHc/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMERWK-y05xry0mFXuGi0XNpXoxNu1BSugYyZAUT-hs8x78AXdtx1eskeLYiYnqiUTG78ZxKzTJdqnEkgK5WXDtX9DMluSYZzu-Wv1TtatFokaNvphXH73OPa5loClWCqD8fSbgzHDEHc/s320/clock.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>In my picture you can see the clock mechanism through the charger, but I promise you can't see it with your nekkid eye. Especially if you look at it after two glasses of Chardonnay. I like it.

How To Make a Clock

I made a clock! Okay, rather, I sorta, kinda made a clock. I've been wanting to make a clock for some time. I've pinned a couple of ...

3:43 AM

Fall mantel (and a party!)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3WHe4pfHTNT1kk5-CTcay6kc9WQVT_h6kQJ_jeq9xePcQv8cWDXu9PjRl55hmtdO6FN5Yt1DEIZT8HjSTWyy1NPDNBJTHtFHzcjhMNzLeXI9Hjf7ko6e-jq_4j1_g0w4Qq0Heel8B98/s1600-h/peegee-hydrangeas%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Early fall hydrangeas " border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZahmAnx-DGtxOVYihgCHHAg6ULK07pE7lSKSrDzDQhat0Fwg2ljEgvy3NcbC_HOHHOlIM9r4h34zjda0BaaqjymzV9zjwBWffvVU5BkuPHCnT_7l5Xw45RNckOXpJuaJ-o4YwvwnVZY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Early fall hydrangeas " width="450" /></a> Well, it’s here and I’m happy. I absolutely, positively LOVE this time of year. Just…I can’t even. It’s awesome. :) To celebrate this beautiful season my friends and I are hosting a series of fall linkies to inspire: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8XAo6OCZ210/UkGiEJr7RsI/AAAAAAAAg4A/lnI3UVT_DYE/s1600-h/Fall_2013_banner%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fall decorating ideas" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x2OP006pols/UkGiE7cBu4I/AAAAAAAAg4I/uapZm-e-xRQ/Fall_2013_banner_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="fall decorating ideas" width="550" /></a> We’ve done this for years now and I love it! I was traveling last weekend so was kind of rushing to get this mantel up, but then I got sidetracked by a little DIY project…again. This happens a lot. :) Last year when I installed the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/06/over-fireplace.html">planks above the fireplace</a> I never painted them. They were primed so they looked fine so I left them. But they’ve started looking dingy lately so it was time to get that done: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPV7w-GAO7kizvqH94dsUo8EuSXoa5D6aAsYUOOVh3AhpGrfXppiVhurfoKxz-duqVkkefFj4mmAr05GwykNKX72B1f1_ued2sY4y7DSBqTS9MkzOjJfJWiLQ6efazRJxY-8MloL5MGU/s1600-h/IMG_8025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKOGHsohJ86KQHkhRHt3Mu04SRHU546UWmytI0lmOhUwdWbSEKaOJYqoc38cQevNGRR43qEZa4xHY7Li5zgk3IzBelmPg1wTgaOjM1XitfunF_-RnowPrs9ThhU5ql-scMeQP6zLDzS8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="350" /></a> You can see the difference in the color there – two coats later I was done. Next up – figure out what to do for this year’s fall mantel! I wanted it to be two things – simpler than usual and I wanted to use more natural materials. (Read: I didn’t want to have to pull out the fall bins.) I’m trying to use more natural, textural items to decorate for this year. Partly because I want to stop storing so much decor year to year and also because it’s a just a challenge. And it’s fun for me because it shows how you can use things that you may already have. One thing I have this year is my pee gee hydrangea tree – two of them to be exact. The blooms were BIG and plentiful this year, much bigger than last year. And this time of year they are a gorgeous pink/green color. I just totally adore them!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHZKxRzhe_AP9pbsq3z7BICvYHVT6x7ml-uRp4EjnmB7Z2dZyjOjaOjh9oGtzyO2ja1L9f2-1lWeBqgyfY9KFoROkzI3JqmAzRKI3uL6TfabsWfExBybGu-E6KorUFbnIsf8htGPgUWA/s1600-h/pee-gee-tree%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pee gee hydrangea tree" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYc0ETjkY_qU1kfulk1lsJ2alwMMBE2D1QNQotPgub779ikn3iW2CS-Zi6F2zz6iNF1zPhbto6m26GgkeYt9dBDtOTApdb4GdmPba-Y3rY333k6hTi6NjteJ7cGnzxhcWBlPQmScaw4s/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Pee gee hydrangea tree" width="450" /></a> I’ve made it clear over the years that I love hydrangeas and it is a thrill that I finally have some beautiful blooms to use. :) So I went through the house, finding some shiny, some natural, some items with texture, and I used a LOT of hydrangeas: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx7_7hLSp5bGjW2fL6eBK9NdDNbMZr7N0wAwnOiT6RSthlE-ytVwglk-rplrQ38e9W7CSPwbmj0-qIR9fsfipCqjEgnsE_IEMh_TproLR4FFyBMp2zhmQWK5Mhrv8WDu8vOReT_dIfBo/s1600-h/IMG_6701%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fall mantel" border="0" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ4fv63QH9TRBuIEF_uf2OS2Gc4qcq-lmE6kRhqOkyYlxD0KSLjyfOeQh58eNprkg-UGmnCRvcJKf9xwswQYF8FZQc1TppBVpYMkvtsC1vRrIylGGN5P4XsfWVD_A9PS5dvOyWa7zwDk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Fall mantel" width="280" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS293xw17bhQXE1TKec8rH7TRAWBFEjTirLrZ8TjjbGO4s4mdBcOylLIMZWaRuSm9Szeg0LPKlh84f03hRmDFDjl4QekjQ8rGzHgWlUof3xQt4o5Li_-53-Cn8LHXrj815c-84_A0BlUc/s1600-h/IMG_6702%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Hydrangea fall mantel" border="0" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4qZlTdG12SQua1TFdT9NoDdhSYISwzgf4asiwkGBOCPDlqyel-zebCSRbBmRDsIJT9BuqzneR0N7t7WIRGksIDcz8Xsa35f4ynMsAQh6v5eLSa5tHyczYexbjAYoyYbLIMWCQ1mtyk4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Hydrangea fall mantel" width="280" /></a>  I didn’t buy anything new for the decorating, but I did recently pick up that little brown votive holder at Target a couple weeks ago. I just loved it’s deep chocolate color – I couldn’t pass it up. I’ve had those (faux) artichokes for years and I thought they pulled in the color of the hydrangeas beautifully. The candlesticks I use a lot on the mantel in the fall (I used them <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/09/decorating-mantel-for-fall.html">last year</a> too) just because I love the copper color. (They are spray painted from Goodwill.) And I was inspired by <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2013/09/finding-fall-home-tours-bhg.html">Heather’s mantel</a> and pulled in the Manzanita branch for some texture. I used the smaller blooms from my limelight bush and the larger ones from the pee gee trees: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NVemTVPR8a1z9zp0Hn2WIfyrD-su35mtgV5xa4sZoSmY-uSLl6C8c-0mVJyGVgLTPSvpvkZfp07zY2889_FbDs0tTdfrUhaKKodJi8EnxXNOVvEy6kmDVxQ2RteihLPMw-ZyqoEqs54/s1600-h/fall-mantel%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fall mantel with hydrangeas" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdayDGHf6I438U4okBrtU-ZTN8zU6hACUlWBdr0UGPV5qpjrGCO65bjC2Abi6rYU788tbOhFkTo0x0c6wEO-36j5QPpDLlV6jWbC_5ReAdGufj0mwZs1DX7ywXDqkvnRb73lLnf57IziU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Fall mantel with hydrangeas" width="550" /></a> I wanted to pull in some blue from the rug and other accessories but didn’t really have much to work with (and I didn’t love it with the hydrangea colors) – so I just went with the browns, greens and a touch of the pinky color. You may remember this area <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/11/fireplace-redo.html">used to be a corner fireplace</a> (with an inset mantel). I cannot tell you how happy I am to have a wall above it now!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_jWE1eFeGHzJAsM4iAqAvKqJCAXt1ot12Wqa_HM4hgNrOOsqmODBRbpeGxGt_3B97B5RS3rXaL8ZbLO_hVfutUKuZNu_UQvuP-EK3_YZpBlDtXPJM2Rs7HWq36SSXe9vwtNdoVUt320/s1600-h/how-to-decorate-mantel%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="How to decorate a mantel" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-cMN6ZDfbi9nHpGD5PG6Y-o6Bv1Q2pjMksc5VjoMxKr4cTh8MUL7VyvppKWIHSy6ivPygI9UGw5jReHOVCSSshX7fAMIJKdRWHBuEiU4UlLMLtiXpcREXrsxV8uRAnZtdOgb1nl6UoM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="How to decorate a mantel" width="500" /></a> I’m actually playing with another change in my head but it will be awhile before it happens (if it does). I’ll need all that time to plan it out anyway. ;) I really adore this cozy spot in our family room now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcR0KCsG6PVC6C4PM1JQah2I4LZoyCa13N0OTmz-12FOKtoZCS_n-E6IksjrbRIcO8QGWT17vF_r2Q3-cWs_7gCkgKFsxujj3kUWc-2dtFndknlWIYxer1zRkJ2r-dZ0bgkb5xP0tuU7M/s1600-h/fall-mantel-family-room%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Natural fall mantel in family room" border="0" height="646" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpbLY6-TtxGy9OH3BfCksn5pXpkHADq5ivnFHCNWKn2whuSEU2a2GXQ3XfaK7vJnNDzy3rJEWmzangwBS5FRqWFmxWaImwWYDgwIghN1qmqX5IdkZEClPjNZumkkn8a_zgbNcPOY-LBk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Natural fall mantel in family room" width="500" /></a> And just so you know, cause I get asked this every time I share this space, the chair is turned away from the fireplace because it faces into the room and the TV. :) Now it’s time to see yours! I can’t wait!! I’m SO ready for some fall inspiration! (And be sure to link up to <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net">Layla’s</a> on Thursday with your fall crafts!) <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=321273"></script>

Fall mantel (and a party!)

Well, it’s here and I’m happy. I absolutely, positively LOVE this time of year. Just…I can’t even. It’s awesome. :) To celebrate this b...

7:31 AM

Hiding the cords! (Ick)

Hello all! How was your weekend? I was out of town all weekend in Nashville and I’ll probably share some pictures from that later this week. There were some amazing shops down there I wanted to show you! Even with about eight hours of sleep in three days I still was able to able to get a little project done when I got home. After a nap of course. :) I’ve been meaning to tell you more about this for a while and now is the time…and I’m about to rock. your. world. I blogged about this before <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/09/look-ma-no-cords.html">years ago</a> (oddly almost exactly five years ago to the day!), but it’s worth another mention. Or ten. Keep in mind this is not something some of you probably even care about, but it keeps me from waking up in the middle of the night sweating because of my deep, burning hatred of electrical cords. Yes, I loathe them. In somebody else's house – would probably never notice them. In my house, hate. them. And it does drive me crazy when I see them on a design show or in a magazine. I mean, they’re going to create this amazing space and then you see them laying on the floor or hanging around? Shiver. So here’s how I deal with them. And this is for smaller things like lamps or whatever. The whole TV cord thing is a whole other post (which I will do too). Here they are…my loves: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BmpIJU7ZNCHgaqHbO6R3tCH8op4w2VBVMBnv1Pik1S9DX1B1p8p8Yp1QLki7e3xWVmxQd9qOd8mDDTNY81Aq6WuaU842znyhQgEt8ua8UokbB-gDTKFDNl_SVVcGrxQ4fmZmxutp590/s1600-h/cord-hider%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cord hiders" border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vb0AB-Uu3HicLQJZW5Wg5nzz5Vp9Fql6ALWw0cRZ65P532NauAkI9j_cJX4NS6_G34UPmcvd5tzh5B6doh0CCSmBX7KDAyqPQNLiCSb16LR9259YNFeFMT9uwM1K037BeWDADJwBpow/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cord hiders" width="400" /></a> These are cord hiders. Otherwise known as the best things invented ever in EVER. I find mine at Lowe’s on the end cap near the cable stuff. Not the electrical aisle – near the cable supplies. This is how I use them – when I have a lamp cord that hangs down behind something (that I can see – I don’t care if it’s something I can’t see. Not that crazy.) I will use my scrap pieces of the plastic cord things and stick them on the back of the furniture: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvw15GizV57GhCpzpflv6f1MNH8SjMMUgvHHaHOyT6ScY8HtJ_mqgpwyWnSC0A4bQHrodndy1x8fxCB1W2fiVav3soVjyM8EcumRdMaHIch4ae_uN4k-VJuL091IW9g2UT_VzwfBF2-8/s1600-h/cord-hiders%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="plastic cord hiders" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmMj3G3sFa_WVSlwxspTPMUX0LKIrXKBaRVqUGozhVj5JwFb13wQrWSBqM0E0AQbHKY9nqW3HKaQyA_g1cBI2RJLsArSeXVqWrD_ovpJyHCUs3gV7j-I3K3prQ33peiyrwg1zplLoCms/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="plastic cord hiders" width="550" /></a> They have a sticky back – you just peel off the paper and stick them on. And to cut them you just score them with your scissors (turn them around between the blades) and then snap it apart. I also put them on the wall above the outlet: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvynoCAq4GG50a8tcwuIKiKCrV4GU4Go-EU3nmZS5jkvH3BiBaMxgbQUbOFX2CvYDvX40RhmDlPa_QXSiVKc6j7VkkNFqBtBNGe3RFC2iENHKqk1-RnTmUn7fUD3yzbY0hwXPqnfZpSsI/s1600-h/cord-hiding-tubes%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to hide cords" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojO_zEcs_stgWnWzsFej0mlR87UKgxPJ5Mm_Xn74a1t4-GFOQ0MpsMAE9C3Zt2Jinuos6Yh-jd9pa8cjGCvVM8qS1AMHq_fxjIOL6gXXZX7x-UnphFstHG-Hl-1QyzE-1TECgmMYDVC0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to hide cords" width="450" /></a> I actually wish I had made that piece a little longer. I can deal though. Kinda. So instead of having the whole long cord hanging down behind the desk, you just see a little bit: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkriCHMkQurXfgqPYsyy6sTyxiLnayEDiy-PgzLYd-i6GzBpWfaC67vTawTi7AShYwSrzQe2xYR1gfVforJZXTlc9hUCC2MryAm1hRSbVU-00NYSyGDtrbeb2x8nOj51wfKSXbpJ3Mc1g/s1600-h/how-to-hide-cords-desk%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to hide cords behind desk" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94AR9zD21jEov7fernKo2uJEVZ1yYDDZKZk9fWFu8a-n6OLcIqN6cZJtCwgAHJb0jaG8FahvXc6_gC1AzPaNhTELP66KmEYXR6axnM96mUEuOI49sHU05prYxjmTqtmPXgDRhToiTeoM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to hide cords behind desk" width="450" /></a> And yes, I’ve considered painting the cords. Nothing is above me. Not quite to that level of crazy just yet. You may have noticed no cords showing when I showed you my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/09/glossy-navy-blue-love.html">new blue lamps</a> last week: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2coXxcVovbbmUVYF7cqWLCntJwM3JlXhN_uiz9ihLMPfrSLOO1i8dsN5ajDWJ_eE4OqYB6U-zlyeBKlEUHYv6fxE6tA0t2Z9JsUY65xuyvYWEsHqMOmx9SEMCibMEsW9VgcNj0WEgjQ8/s1600-h/lamp2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to hide lamp cords" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjHSAlks6hQoY-JnlJIT2DkYR5aVIw461PaaL7JoIqgApBdnrBdeL289ej43k8gZtdIH5CnZderbB6rwmEnmIRNYoqLtNk330piwpxbhzcCFSMSBfg285qzv3v4FAszKhvT9jKz1aTCI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to hide lamp cords" width="500" /></a> Same thing there – I took a piece of the cord hider and stuck it down the back of the pedestal table:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzNhFs0ev2m1hw-kwJMZ8vtqM09QZIcngjAVF8cAPemgv1WC7BdseM7wOUHcHOfXH5YDvDsQPhM3x6uk4UzOvyuw0FI4jfqE8Dznn-3zWIjeHhtHHfkNd6zHPG9BMK6HJKOMqIeSYowY/s1600-h/how-to-hide-electrical-cords%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to hide electrical cords" border="0" height="679" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWrD099BKHuL0m56uIOowYB8zdCzebnsqpQbAGjJjzEJJsIeDtcfnaY8vU7MmaClFDXOI70i7IpvE-ezPgfn9nzK7kx41p0qWO5hUb-nIlm11KE-nSFrwEOqaBcJxoUyfGqHO4lPXvtU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to hide electrical cords" width="400" /></a> Have I blown your mind? Huh? Yeah? Boom. These are actually made to snap shut too – so that open side you see above could be closed. I don’t worry about that since you rarely see these in the first place. I did it again in the kitchen/family room so that you can’t see the cord behind the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/03/splurges.html">console table</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTgIpjA3bleNlAHLx-FOdZ78t7Tdpcd55EpJIOTFjCKc30tYzQ9O9Z7CvyjMofH54GHLCwBSvAGfKQkmqmTeHyeFOW1WSO282ylNa39bsB0TZf3FiHeE6jXnSXxdju7Fghg1DsSvoKgM/s1600-h/IMG_6675%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hiding electrical cords" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1gjS0UEHD-XI4rCgEdtdXpZ6am8CRPHbmAz-jIuBU0fXF6OS_PGDUOxvwL6qnl_SUbctgxO6OIWHmzalqRtERvdPS-iN7Q2aKCtmebME9MRXBPmKYla_gI02oWzO4HmnvhJ4BSfSnXs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hiding electrical cords" width="500" /></a> Oh my. That is beautiful, right? You can also paint these things: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWi6iNcaTxUySTYn5Ztl-BaEwygqkGKPn16nt1lVS-C7gQbaJuoEgOpAKNXvDMY7il79SpwxHK0gkHce2lIfZIgtWb6GlWoKP77w6xTY0yGTjEAV2479Ru_Rf0xfYoCc6zNZ348s7pRk/s1600-h/cords%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cord hiders" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3xEohzguzfK37KG2yBCy9LMV3NspbgDQdmXtY00rnfWImImxisfyVZKskBpQdKOMunlUxZLQzWpeatDUBSDMz6BpbgnL2ODUzSsE2OT7YX4XdT3pH4_QudzWfuBNFEYPEUoONbcIP9g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cord hiders" width="400" /></a> I hung the sconces that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/master-bedroom-redo-part-two.html">used to be in the bedroom</a> down in the basement and used these to hide the cords going down the wall: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz00qgUQt0I-f8FHvz3bRj5eP-UWOLVy3N9WCGKafG88oTwoHhRbFGxVmn5AQLdOvvta3pznuH5ocibgRGPzuHnnvfcFLonWVntp0PxlrIJbbaXimJUHAsRW9Ya5JHwQT15wEvkzR-iqg/s1600-h/sconces-by-tv%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cord hiders for sconces" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcU2xpY9ulUl5892FKGNCgY_4ShoVGrX1uDNIzfuqb7ZhbLhZLRNkrRUC6TFwTF9bgTaSX49Rk_A69RxA4RTKfuhv8Iz3HcpYPS11y5MaaWvIG7OKaUi8UfPGPvCLEodCIoWvVW7ws4Kc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cord hiders for sconces" width="400" /></a> I’m not totally crazy about that look, but it’s something that hides dangling cords. I’d love to eventually have something hard wired there so this is a temporary fix. (And I tried one of the hiders along the bottom but realized the cords were less noticeable on their own since they match the wood top.) The cord hiders come in a variety of sizes and I use them for our TV component stuff too. That little section at the hardware store is a magical place, be sure to check it out. ;) Oh, and when I put them on the wall like above I don’t take the paper off the whole strip and stick it to the wall because they can damage the wall when you remove them later. Or sometimes the residue sticks too well and stays on the wall -- that’s my only complaint about these things. I just take off a tiny bit so just a smidge is sticky – it’s usually enough to hold them in place just fine. There you go. How I survive life. First world problems, hiding cords. These things come in about five foot lengths and I think they’re like $4 each? But I usually cut them down so they go a long way for me. Be sure to come by tomorrow to kick off our fall parties and link up your fall mantels!: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aUhRRzdZCE4/UkBZThn3xvI/AAAAAAAAg2g/No-vI0JyltI/s1600-h/Fall_2013_banner%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fall_2013_banner" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rzOiauKN7jo/UkBZUW-vKbI/AAAAAAAAg2o/gd_P75hVrPI/Fall_2013_banner_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Fall_2013_banner" width="500" /></a>See you there! :)

Hiding the cords! (Ick)

Hello all! How was your weekend? I was out of town all weekend in Nashville and I’ll probably share some pictures from that later this week....

8:08 AM