To Do List

First Priority:

• Paint armoire green FINALLY = have paint
  
• Paint wooden medicine cabinet*
  
• Create fabric divider curtain for kitchen = have hardware and fabric
  
• Install shelves around the French doors = have wood, brackets, and nails
  
• Finish installing pictures on other side of the living room wall = have pictures, nails, and anchors, if needed.
  

Not As Immediate:

• Reorganize front hall closet
• Buy or construct new slipcover for loveseat
• Paint TV-tray tables (purple or orange?)
• Create Anthropologie-style duvet cover from this fabric OR sell fabric
• Paint bedroom dresser (major sanding is needed first)
  

* at least prime it at the same time when I prime the armoire

The Painted Cottage Becomes Real

Maine Cottage Furniture

Last week, I went out hoping to purchase some paint for my still unpainted pieces of furniture (the kitchen stool, living room armoire, record player table, and the secretary desk/bureau in the bedroom.) I am also going to repaint the tiny dining table, since it looks unfinished with only the drawers painted.

Perhaps after these pieces are completed, the apartment will more resemble my vision and will no longer look so haphazard.

Rust-Oleum has an incredible range of paints for this purpose that cover both wood and metal surfaces: Painter's Touch and American Accents. Their colors are amazing. However, from looking at the range available in most home and craft stores, you would never know. Most of the Lowe's, Home Depot's, and etc. carry just the basic colors in the half-pint and quart cans and the more varied colors in the spray paint canisters. The cans are acrylic latex but the spray paint is oil based and the brushes will need to be cleaned with a solvent. I would prefer not to use spray paint because of the environment, the potential paint on everything that I am NOT painting (in other words, the mess), and on my health.

I do not want to use regular wall paint for the furniture, though I did use it for the chartreuse green mosaic table. Unfortunately, in that case, the "dude" at the store talked me into oil-based paint. I love to be crafty, but I also like to embrace my inner laziness after a project is done. I did not enjoy mineral spirits and the INCREDIBLY dry hands I had after cleaning with it. The only plus for me was the smell...mmmm... I would prefer to use the acrylic latex paint in the cans, but spray paint seems to be the rage.

I tried to post the color chips, but their site would not let me do that. I ended up going to their Paint Ideas site where you can see projects painted using their products. Here are some of the colors I am considering:



This Leafy Green would be for the armoire.



I want the dining table to contrast with the red chairs, so I am going to use a light blue, this Iris Blue might be nice.



The table that the record player is on might be Mango...



or Grape.

I have three sample pots of Benjamin Moore Spa Blue that I will be using on the kitchen stool first. I will be using a sponge brush for this project, to make the finish as smooth as possible. I am going to post pictures during the process.

2007: The Year-long Cure

I pulled up a post I wrote this spring during the Apartment Therapy Cure about what I wanted to accomplish then. Well, that list was barely touched in that 8 week span. However, if I turn it into a 2007 year plan, then I'm doing pretty good. So, I'm going with that option. Duh.
Goals:

• Test Himalayan Mist pale blue sample from Behr and paint bedroom
  Completed April 2007
  
• Assemble white IKEA Vika Amon/Vika Artur desk
  Completed May 2007
  
• Mount empty brightly colored picture frames from to emulate this image from Wary Meyers
  Completed July 2007
  
• Hang Inside a Black Apples' Mysterious Genevieve print
  Completed July 2007
  
• Paint and patinate (yes, I looked it up) my gold mirror using pale yellow and blue paint
  Completed March 2007
  
• Paint dining/craft table a very pale blue to contrast with the red chairs (probably use the leftover samples from Behr or extra Benjamin Moore sample pots)
  Completed October 2007

• Special order a quart of the American Accents Leafy Green paint from Lowe's or Home Depot for the armoire (**Could only find in oil base spray paint, have to find a new color.) in Benjamin Moore Clover Green in satin.
  Completed June 2021!

• Take another try at tailoring the loveseat slip cover
  Completed June 2007
  
• Make the bolster pillows for the loveseat
  Completed May 2007
  
• Mount artwork on the walls, including my heavy Swingers poster and my Leia Bell prints
  Completed May 2007 and October 2007
  
• Hang curtain dividing the kitchen from the living/dining area.
  Awaiting completion

I also want to mount a series of shelves next to the French doors in my living room. However, because I did not add them to this list they do not need to be finished this year. So hurray for that!

Pick a color, any color!

For the last week, I've had a few green swatches on Flickr.



From left to right:
Pepper Green (Behr), Meadow Twilight (Valspar), Chopped Chive (Valspar), New Green (Behr)

I've been polling to see which green I should pick for the armoire. This is the last piece of furniture I need to paint in the living room. YAY!!!!

I tried three different photos and originally put up these two up without the paint color names to see if people still chose the original favorite shade, Chopped Chive by Valspar. Even though they were only going off of numbers, it was still a near unanimous vote.



From left to right:
Row 1 Meadow Twilight (Valspar), Pepper Green (Behr), Chopped Chive (Valspar)
Row 2 Putting Green (Valspar), New Green (Behr), Leprechaun (Valspar)

So, let me know what you think, ok?

Thanks.

My 2nd Favorite Piece of Furniture

You've already heard about the first, my $25 gift from my father. Well, here's a free bureau/dresser/desk I received from my older sister years ago, who got it at a yard sale.

Top and Bottom curved details that I love about it

It's in the same bad condition it was when I received it except now it has three vertical streaks down its front. Unfortunately, when I moved from Northern VA to Richmond, the drawers were taped so that the drawers would not fall out. The marks are what appeared when the tape (clear packing tape when it should have been masking tape) was removed. Therefore, even though I was tired of the beaten and graffiti-covered look before, I feel I really need to do something about it now.


 


Above is the secretary desk part of it with drop-down table. The desk caddy is on metal rollers and can be removed. When I had less closet space I used that area to stack my sweaters. Now it holds resume materials, printer paper, blank envelopes, my old cameras, jewelry, and some makeup.

I truly love this piece and I guess the main reason I haven't done anything to it is because I'm scared of ruining it. I know if you paint something you can always repaint it, but I have yet to do that with any other furniture I've painted. So I guess I feel I only have one shot at it. I'm thinking a dark blue-green to mix it in with my other bedroom stuff. However, before I tackle this piece I still have to finish the armoire in the living room which more people will see.

By the way, I would love to have a matching bedside table for this, so if anyone knows of one, let me know!

Painted Armoire Inspiration

Yummm...

Images: Creative Home and Victoria (2) magazine

How Little Can I Live With?

Much more than I thought or want.  Really.

My thought was to purge a lot of unwanted stuff and start over this part of my life by living more simply but I still ended up with...say it again?  Much more than I wanted.  This is what was left after a packed-car trip to the new place!

Does not include the furniture that I will take! 

The biggest space hogs among my moving boxes are the six and a half boxes and plastic totes devoted to sewing books and fabric.  That is even more than the space devoted to my finished items of clothing!  That does not even include the two sewing machines, a table and a wardrobe dedicated to hold everything.  For sure, this is not a hobby suited for minimal living!

I guess I will never be able to live like this:

All-in-one unit. Designer unknown.

let alone this apartment in 300 square feet.

The funny thing is that I really thought I had less sewing "stuff n' stash" than most  bloggers I read until I combined the stuff from my bedroom closet, under the bed, in the wardrobe/armoire, on my bookshelf, and next to and in the sewing table. Yes, in denial, was I.  So can anyone show me a seamster/sewist* that does live minimally?  I'm serious, I dare you!


*Of adult garments, not quilts, children clothing or stuffed animals.

Here it is...My Clutter

1. Buffet clutter, 2. Kitchen island clutter, 3. General clutter,
4. More dining table clutter, 5. Coffee table clutter, 6. Armoire top clutter,
7. Vanity chair clutter, 8. Landing strip clutter, 9. Dining clutter

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

I took these pictures two nights ago so you could see the clutter that I woke up to on Tuesday.

Yes, I guess I could have cleaned up last night instead of photographing and blogging this but I wanted you to see how my house really looks like the majority of the time.

Hey, you asked where it was...

SHELTER Sets: "You're gonna make it after all..."

When I think young independent career woman on her own I think - Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. When I think of a "career-gal" apartment, I think of Mary's attic apartment in the 1892 Victorian at 119 N Weatherly Ave. in Minneapolis.*

What did I like about her place?

The open space, the big windows, and the pass-through kitchen. I have always wanted one of those. I imagined that when I had a party, I could keep in on the action by listening through the opening and yelling cute contributions to the conversations in the other room. However, I never really had one of those apartments, in fact, I have never even been shown one of those for rent.

My current apartment is the closest; I have an extended breakfast bar separating the living room from the kitchen. However, sometimes too much of my kitchen is visible, so I will be installing a curtain drape to pull over when the mess threatens to take over the rest of the apartment. But I did have something in common with Mary. Even though I never had her pass-through, I sure had plenty of Mary's "bad" parties.

Layout of apt D, 119 North Weatherly Avenue (click to see larger)

I found an incredible article at The Mary & Rhoda Magazine that details the design and contents of Mary's apartment and even helps you source the items that were used in its decor. Now I don't know that many people today who would want to live in the apartment as it looked then. However, if you are interested in set design and how you can show aspects of a character's personality through their living environment, it's a fascinating read. Think about it, would Monica Geller have been the same without her lavender painted apartment and mis-matched kitchen chairs?

Interesting facts about Mary's first apartment:

• The apartment had to look like the rent was only $130 per month in 1970.
• A real attic apartment would NOT have a sunken living room. However, it gave them two levels to the set, which would make it possible for all the actors to be seen during group scenes like Mary's infamous parties.
• When Mary did move to a better apartment, a lot of her furniture and things moved with her. Some were re-upholstered or refinished, just like someone would do in real life.
• The kitchenette that I loved so much had a stained glass panel that could be raised up and down to hide the kitchen if needed.

Some of the items used to give Mary the impression of being a young, educated, career woman with traditional values:

• French Provincial furniture as investments: dining chairs, armoire, lingerie chest, etc.
• Brown velvet sleeper sofa
• Fine art posters:

Ben Shahn's January 18th to February 12th

Toulouse-Lautrec's Jane Avril, 1893

• Franklin stove
• Chemex hourglass-shaped coffee maker
• White Samsonite luggage with gold detailing
• Blue rotary dial phone

And her one modern touch, a futuristic Laurel lamp.



*The real location of the house was 2104 Kenwood Parkway, where the house is currently worth over three million dollars.

Apartment blueprint from here uncredited, though I think it's the work of artist Mark Bennett.

The Mary & Rhoda Magazine
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Online!

Getting closer...

Hmmm, I do still have two pieces of furniture to paint, don't I?

Can you believe, I FINALLY picked out my green paint for the living room sewing armoire/cabinet? It will be Olympic's Grassy Meadow B67-5 courtesy of my Lowe's holiday gift card! At the same time, I will also pick up my Kindness of Stranger's blue paint mix for my bedroom dresser.

I just checked the Lowe's website thinking maybe they have a good sale on paint right now. Well, I found that they will make you an 8 ounce sample of any of their Valspar or Olympic paint colors for only $3.98. This also includes any color-matching shades that you bring in. How cheap am I that I am actually wondering whether 8 ounces could be enough for either project.?

Yeah, pretty cheap.

Things to get done during or after the Cure

Goals:

• Test Glacial Tint and Himalayan Mist! pale blue samples from Behr and paint bedroom with the chosen color (Done 4/07)
• Assemble white IKEA Vika Amon/Vika Artur desk (Done 5/07)
• Mount empty brightly colored picture frames from to emulate this image from Wary Meyers (Done 7/07)
• Hang Inside a Black Apples' Mysterious Genevieve print (Done 7/07)
• Paint and patinate (yes, I looked it up) my gold mirror using pale yellow and blue paint (Done 3/07)
• Paint dining/craft table a very pale blue to contrast with the red chairs (probably use the leftover samples from Behr or extra Benjamin Moore sample pots) (Done 10/07)
• Special order a quart of the American Accents Leafy Green paint from Lowe's or Home Depot for the armoire (**I found out that Rust-Oleum no longer makes this color available in a brush-on latex paint, I would have to use the oil-based spray, which I don't want to use. Hmmm...)
• Take another try at tailoring the loveseat slip cover (still too loose) (Done 6/07)
• Make the bolster pillows (came up with new idea for the shape) (Done 5/07)
• Mount artwork on the walls, including my heavy Swingers poster and my Leia Bell prints (Done 5/07 & 10/07)
• Hang curtain dividing the kitchen from the living/dining area. The fabric I wanted was discontinued so I had to start again and I am now thinking about one of these below. They are from the same collection as the one I originally wanted.

Update: I bought over four yards of the green, yellow, and blue print.*
Bolded = Done
* = In progress

Martha Stewart Colors - Why no lemon yellow?

Finally, the Martha Stewart Colors site is up and running!!*

Since May, Martha has had a new paint line at Lowe's that replaced her other paint lines at Sherwin-Williams and K-mart. These 350 colors are priced around $25 a gallon and are manufactured through Valspar like all of the other Lowe's brand paints.

However, those expecting the same calm and pale shades of the K-mart line will be disappointed. The shades available at Lowe's are more complex. I tried to find a match to the colors that I use in my home and found I could not find a simple yellow. All of the yellows had either a strong green or orange cast to them. These two examples are the closest I could find, one is a mustard shade, the other is like cake batter, and there isn't a lemon in the bunch.





The funny thing is that I went to look at Lowe's paints to check out Martha's choices but came out of there impressed with the colors in the Valspar Ultra Premium collection. The colors in the Brights group are gorgeous, clear, vibrant, and just plain beautiful!



There is a spring-like green, Greenway, in the Brights section that is very close to the Rust-Oleum color I wanted to use on the armoire. I might have to try a quart of it.

*I actually started this post in April when the paint first launched but had no official information or color images until now.

An About-Face

For years I had planned on painting my armoire/sewing cabinet a nice solid spring green color. In fact, I've used the fact of not finding the perfect green as the excuse that it still hasn't been done. However, now I'm starting to think differently.

Why or why have I been scared to do this for so long? Scared of making a mistake? Yes, even though other DIY-ers have painted pieces over and over again in the same amount of time that my piece has been the same with only an addition of a clear poly coat. I do know that I will never feel that my apartment is 'ready for prime-time' until I get this last piece of furniture painted or otherwise "finished."

Years ago, I had decided that although the majority of the piece would be solid green I wanted some sort of design on it to make it different.

a) I had been thinking of an image taken from a greeting card to go on the boards inside the doors

b) or perhaps a design from a friend/graphic designer*/new mom to place in those same places.

Well, a month (or so) ago I saw this piece by Lucas Rise on the design*sponge blog, fell in love, and became increasingly intrigued with the thought of not just one color that would go with my living room but perhaps a myriad of different colors that would work with everything in my apartment, now and into the future?

One look and I was in love with the illustrated and painted furniture of Argentinean artist Lucas Rise.

Flower park, Circus

Nigeria

Even his site design is incredible, right?I

Potala Palace $500

After seeing his work I then came across this Pier 1 wine cabinet in person and became even more convinced that pattern was the way to go.

So the plan now is to buy the green paint that I've liked the best (no more deliberations) and paint the cabinet. Now it will at least be respectable. Then I can take some time (not too much!) to decide on the design. I am just going to start sketching more, something I don't do much of anymore. Wish me luck!

* She is currently designing a new header for this blog!

In this new year...

1. I have already rearranged the furniture in my living room.
   
2. Received an A in my Historic Preservation in Planning course!
   
3. Received a subscription to Cottage Living for Xmas (so I must now devour it's contents.)
   
4. Received a $25 gift certificate to Lowe's which means the green paint for the armoire has been financed. I just have to make up my mind on the color!
   
5. Rewriting the SHELTER Study questionnaire. Have to keep it fresh, you know?
6. Still working on a few very cool posts for you to enjoy.

I'll be back in a few days.

SHELTER: A Study of a Small Space

Months ago, when I came across the home of fellow blog writer Chez Shoes, I was amazed because this lovely space looked very much like my imagined future cottage. She has done an incredible job with this space; though cozy, it seems very bright and airy. Please enjoy this tour in her own words.

"I live in a 400-square-foot studio (or single) apartment in Los Angeles. It’s one of three units in a converted bungalow, built in the 1920s. While my unit looks vintage, it’s actually new – it was built out of the basement and original laundry room just a couple years ago. I’m lucky to have the best of both worlds: vintage charm and modern plumbing!"

Would you consider yourself an artistic person? Is it something that you use in your career or daily life?

I’m not sure that I’d say I’m artistic, as much as creative. As a visual thinker and learner, I’m constantly inspired by what I see around me in my daily life. I work in the stock photography industry, and while not a photographer myself, the colors and images that I am surrounded by daily at work often inspire me in my home life.

What specific difficulties did you have when decorating your space?

Two come to mind. The biggest obstacle, living in a studio, was getting a clear separation of sleeping and living space within one room. Since the space is visually dominated by the bed, I’m still working on this one!

The other was decorating the wall above my bed. Since I have spent my entire life in earthquake country, I have a phobia of having anything hanging over my head! Just this weekend I solved this by hanging a picture wire over the bed, which I use to display lightweight things that pose no danger.

How comfortable are you in your living space?

Very. I moved into my apartment last December, when I was seriously thinking of leaving Los Angeles for good. While a move is still under consideration, I find my apartment to be so pleasing that I’m becoming a bit hesitant to do so.

Is your favorite color represented in your home somewhere?

That was part of the reason I fell for this place while I was apartment-hunting – the colors it was already painted were exactly what I would have chosen myself! The kitchen trim is red, which is my all-time favorite color. The bedroom and bathroom walls are painted a sunny yellow, which I have painted other spaces before and I love. I didn’t need to change a thing!

How would you describe your personal style?

Flea-market modern meets big-box store, with some handmade thrown in for good measure and a little bit of Japanese kawaii.

Do you think your décor style matches your personal style?

Absolutely – my home, like my wardrobe, is a mixture of vintage, handmade, and new, a mixture of purchased, found, and hand-me-downs from friends.

What was your biggest influence in choosing your current décor?

Prosaic though it may be, I’d have to say cost – but along with this goes my personal ethic of using what I have, recycling, and avoiding buying new whenever possible. By being forced to work within budgetary constraints, I think I’m also forced to be more creative than I would be if I had the money, say, to just go to Design Within Reach or Shabby Chic and buy new off the showroom floor.

Well, let's say that you receive $1,000 that you could only spend on your home, what would you do with the money?

I’d probably buy a vintage armoire that I could use to hide the TV in! And since I’d be buying used, there might be enough money left over to score a washer and dryer on Craigslist – then my life would be truly complete. :)

Have you done any of the décor yourself (DIY projects)? What did you do?

Living in a small space, organization is always important. I just made a wall organizer from Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing book, so that I can keep all the little necessities at hand next to my sewing table.

Since you sew, are there any other projects you have planned to make for your home?

Next up will be café curtains for my kitchen. I’ll be using the pattern in Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing, my current favorite source of sewing inspiration.

What changes have you made that make you feel the most proud?

After realizing that my kitchen goes mostly unused, several weeks ago I decided to dedicate my kitchen table to being a full-time sewing space. Since doing so, I’ve had a lot more inspiration and motivation to make little things for the home – things like placemats, napkins, aprons, and those café curtains that I plan to do soon. When my sewing machine was tucked away on a shelf, I was much more of a procrastinator about projects, and far more willing to just go out and buy what I wanted or needed. Now, before buying I consider “Can I make that?” and usually the answer is “YES!”

Is there one item in your home that you love the most?
I have two, actually: my 1950s vintage rocker, scored at a thrift store as it was being unloaded from the delivery truck (“Hey, I’ll give you $20 for that chair!” and it went straight from the truck to my car). And my owl eyeglass holder.

What do you plan to do next in your space?

The aforementioned kitchen curtains, and I’d also like to seriously re-do my walk-in closet so that it is organized optimally. The latter will probably not be a DIY project, though – just a matter of finding the right storage system to install.

What kind of homes do you most admire or lust after?

I love small cottages, and trailers too. My dream home would be something from the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company with a large plot of land on which I could have a vegetable garden and an Airstream.

Have you seen any homes in movies that you would want to live in?
Oh, so many! The first that comes to mind is Amelie’s apartment, of course. But I also like the décor of Meg Ryan’s apartment in You’ve Got Mail, and Steve Buscemi’s apartment in Ghost World.

Amelie

Ghost World

How different is your grown-up style from the place in which you grew up?

Very different, but with some remaining influences. My parents’ tastes ran toward the antique side when I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s, so things were much more traditional – I remember lots of dark wood, which I don’t especially care for. But my parents were also big thrifters and flea-marketers, so clearly I've been influenced by this.

The future of this blog...

A few months ago I left these comments on a friend's blog:

lsaspacey said...

I guess you've also noticed how I seem to struggle with content for my home-blog. I don't have any projects going on there and don't see any happening in the near future. I have a few (complete with already purchased supplies) waiting in the wings, but don't have the motivation to start them. Though with one of my resolutions being to entertain more (reconnect with friends and make new friends) I guess I should do some of them, not to "pornify" my home but instead to make me more comfortable in inviting people over. I'm still a bit shy after having that interviewer in to see it and feeling judged. January 2, 2009 2:13 AM

lsaspacey said...

Actually, what I wanted to say was: if you check the beginning year of my blog you see how I was so excited about every little object and now when I think about writing something about my home I get depressed because I don't even have the money to do the cheapest of DIY projects (except for the above mentioned ones which no longer excite me) This then leads me to think there is no way in hell I'm going to be able to afford even the humblest of the little bungalows I adore before I'm 50 (and I'm turning 40 this year) because of my school debt. Arrggh! January 2, 2009 2:24 AM

Then just recently as part of a post on goals for the new year I wrote these bullets about my apartment:

In the future, I want:

to bring more color into my home. (pics 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12)

to see my friends more in casual "hanging-out" settings. I would love to invite people over for meals, board games, and Chex Mix. (pic 9 &14)

to feel comfortable and motivated in my home again, instead of becoming a couch-potato as soon as I hit the sofa. (pic 2)

So hopefully I can turn this malaise around and get to work again. Obviously, I did get the place to the point where I could invite people over for my birthday so it is getting somewhere.

Another thing I DID do was finally take my Lowe's gift certificate from last Christmas (!) and try to get the paint. I was able to get the green so the armoire project can begin anytime. However, the formula for the blue paint that Steven and Shauna supplied confounded the technician at Lowe's and none of his attempts to match it were even close to the magnificent deep blue-green color they have. But, there is still money left on the gift certificate so I can try later. A few months ago, I left a question on their blog and Flickr site for a few more details concerning the color formula but didn't receive an answer. So, I have two options, see if Home Depot will release their archived color formula to me so I can use it at Lowes or just find another color entirely.

So from this moment on, my apartment is a new adventure.

The Kindness of Strangers

Agnes Bourne Design
I saw these pictures from interior designer Agnes Bourne on Desire to Inspire and I was struck by the green woodgrain on the cabinets. Yum! This would be a great way to update old wood or melamine* kitchen cabinet doors.

Luckily, the cool couple behind Something's Hiding in Here just revealed their easy technique for faux woodgrain paneling to ReadyMade magazine. They used it to give their bathroom an enviable new look. Someone could use this very easy technique with a little bit of sanding and primer to make a formally blah kitchen into something cooler, especially if you take this route and do it in a "not seen in nature" color.

I discovered this couple's apartment a few years ago on Flickr. I couldn't help noticing that they had painted their wood furniture much like I have mine, even their coffee table has the same lines as my bright yellow one.


Recently, I was struck by the color of their bedroom furniture, so I inquired what it was and it seems I wasn't the only person to ask. So guess what sweet thing they did? They shared the custom paint recipe for the color on their blog. I can now take this "recipe" to Lowe's and get this exact color for my bedroom dresser. Yes, the same one that I couldn't pick a color for. I knew I wanted a blue to coordinate with the bedside table but just couldn't find the right one but I think this is it. Now I just need to get myself to the store with this formula, get it mixed up, pick up the green paint for the living room armoire...and I'm in business!

Thank you Stephen and Shauna!

*I know there are specific primers that work on melamine to make this possible but I don't know which ones.