Master Bedroom Desk Vignette

I finally have a practical solution for that extra square footage in the master bedroom. A reading nook was factored out after realizing that the reading chair was only being used to hold clean laundry. So I sold the reading chair and went back to the drawing board. Meanwhile my husband was asking for some non-disrupting time to sign in and work a bit from home. So this space is now assigned to a desk vignette.

Bathroom Remodel Part III-Suburban Urban Bathroom

Its amazing what a little paint and accessories can change the whole look of a basic room. Remember those bathrooms I volunteered to remodel for a friend. Well, we helped them put in the fibre-flooring in three separate bathrooms but we created three distinct looks for all three bathrooms with paint and accessories.

Bathroom Remodel Part II

Can you believe I forgot to post Part II? I had already written it but completely forgot to update the blog. Well I guess its never too late.

Reupholstered Oak Chair

Ok so for the moment I've been talking about.... drumroll please

My Desk Chair!!!

Chef's Salad

Ok so no tablescape or kijiji chair redone yet, Im working on both but just a little behind schedule. The chair is sanded and stained and waiting for upholstery while the table scape is designed but the implementation is pending. But I just wanted to give you a sneak peak into my hubbies lunchbox for tomorrow's work day.

Upcycled Lamp Base

Well, the Fundraiser garage sale for Flood Relief in Pakistan on Saturday was great! Not a lot of traffic flow but there were a few surprises and lessons along the way:

1.      The first surprise:

Garage Sale Fundraiser Nov. 12!

Remember that side link I mentioned about the cause that I support. Well to follow up on our initiative to raise funds for the disasters that have occurred in Pakistan over the last year, we have decided to hold a Garage Sale Fundraiser. The event is being held on:
November 12, 2011
Grace Presbyterian Church Calgary Alberta-
1009 15 Ave. S.W.
Time: 3pm - 8 pm

Design Doses and Random Rants

The best advice that I ever got from my new interior design course is to douse myself in the world of design. I have to learn to take note of the smallest design decisions so that one day even I can make those decisions. So when I received an invitation to the Urban Barn Special event featuring an interior decorator, I knew I had to go.

Free Antique Chest of Drawers

So I’m back with my thrift store update. We were able to hit about 7 stores within Calgary so not bad for only three hours. I stuck to my game and went straight to the furniture sections in each store and got right out of there when I was done. Unfortunately the furniture selection was a bust. But I did get a little something. Apart from a rustic orange throw from Fabricland from their Sew Amazing Fabric Event, I also scored a chest of drawers from the free section on Kijiji. Yes thats right! Free.

Its in pretty decent shape. Only the top is a little chipped which is easily fixed with a little wood filler, sanding and staining. The drawers have these gorgeous pulls which I am torn on reusing for the current furniture piece or repurposing for another.  I also love that its vintage. The person giving it away said it was atleast 60 years old which for me is gold since I don’t own anything thats more than three years old. I want to refinish it as soon as possible, and rest assured you will be the first to know. The stain colour that I want to use has a sort of orange tinge to it often seen on Acacia wood pieces like this one:

Source: http://www.alibaba.com/industry-promotion/mirror-nightstand-side-table-industry-promotion.html

I also like the varied tone approach for staining. This is another sideboard that is oh so inspiring and is similar to the look I want to recreate. With the modern drawers pulls, these rustic furniture pieces would be fantastic in my living room.

Source: http://www.urbanbarn.com/products/Furniture/Dining-Room/Sideboards-and-Cabinets/post-and-rail-sideboard/554

Source: http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/111545580/wooden_hutch_dresser_cabinet_indian_wooden.html

So far, I have finished the first coat of sanding.  It took me about three hours to sand it down over the course of three days so now staining and distressing is in order.  A lot of work still remains, with another sanding cycle in between coats of stain. For now, I have to be satisfied with the fact that this project will cost next to nothing with the finished product looking like something out of a magazine.
See you next time!
Ameera

Bay Window Mood Board

My son and I woke up today to a fresh carpet of white snow outside our window. I guess its about time. We were spoiled this year, Calgary usually gets it first proper snowfall sometime in October. In other news, tomorrow is thrift store day! my husband and I are going out to scout out any nightstands for the master bedroom. The whole design plan for the master bedroom has been shifted from the Rustic Modern Master Bedroom,  There are major changes coming your way, its just the matter of getting the design onto paper.

As for today, I have another mood board. One that I think would look great for my client's living room. They have a bi level with a curved railing overlooking the foyer. Apart from the banister which is still in need of major update, currently it is a 1990s oak stain; there is some furniture refinishing required and some furniture additions. Staining the oak railing has been inspired by none other than fantastic DIYer/Blogger, Kate from Centsational Girl.

Upcycling Sewing Bench

This is a simple post about the powers of upcycling. Upcycling is the process of converting an otherwise useless product or material into something usable. Upcycling furniture is basically taking old furniture and altering it to fit in with today’ s style. This helps us to save raw materials by decreasing the demand for new products to be made by the manufacturer and is budget conscious. Ultimately, reducing the use of new raw materials can result in a reduction of energy usage, pollution and even greenhouse gas emissions.