Wednesday 29 February 2012

Cafe Shelves Tutorial

Happy Hump Day!  Over the last couple of months, I've received quite a few e-mails asking how I made the cafe shelves in our kitchen.  Sooo, I thought I'd take a moment to I share what I did! 

Honestly, I can't take any credit for how I made them.  I simply followed Traci's(Beneath My Heart) fabulous tutorial.  In fact, you can just go ahead and stop reading my post now and head on over to read her super easy-to-follow steps!  BUT, if you choose to keep reading my post first, here are my "ingredients:"

1 handsome hubby and friend/neighbor ("the handy fireman")
1 crazy decorator
3 kids
3 1x12s (that were cut by the nice folks at Home Depot down to 30" long)
2 long pieces of case molding of your choice
6 corbels of your choice
Miter Saw
Wood Glue
Finishing Nails
Zinsser Primer
150 sanding block
AS Old White chalk paint
AS clear wax
Hot Tub
Cocktail of your choice

First step was to convince handsome hubby and "the handy fireman" to take the cabinet down (oops, and, yes, folks you can see that I'm a lazy painter who never painted the inside of her cabinet doors):


While they did this, I set up shop in the garage with my supplies (having already primed my shelves). 


Once the cabinet was down, it looked like this (ugh):


I was worried that we were going to have to paint the entire 18' high wall all over again, but was pleasantly surprised that after my handsome hubby spackled and sanded, and I painted, you couldn't tell that we only painted the exposed dry wall (SW Ivoire)!


Now, the hardest part ... cutting the case molding, especially because I had never used a miter saw before!  After practicing on extra wood making the 45 degree cuts (and failing miserably), I decided to let the true *professionals* handle it ... kids rule!


Seriously, though, once I (and a neighbor) figured out which way to angle the saw in order for the corners to sit flush against one another, it went really smoothly (although, your arms will ache after you're done ... this is where the hot tub and a drink came in handy)!  LOL


After the cuts were made for each shelf, I simply added wood glue to the back of the longest piece of molding and pressed it against the front of the shelf.  While I held it, my hubby added five finishing nails.  We then did the same for each side piece (only adding three finishing nails to the side pieces).  

After that was complete, I added a fingertip full of spackle to each nail hole ... sanded after the spackle was dry and then painted the shelves with AS Old White chalk paint (propping each one up on various soup cans), followed by distressing and waxing.  I did the same to the corbels, as well:


After they were dry, it was time to hang them.  This was the second hardest part because I am OCD when it comes to measurements being exact (and I fail miserably getting said exact measurements on the first, second and even fifth *trys* (lol) ... that's when the frustation come into play.  In fact, I'm surprised that this picture isn't out of focus from my husband laughing at my use of "not so pleasant" language as he took the picture.  I ended up placing the corbels 7" apart.


After I mounted all of the corbels, I placed the shelves on top and added two flat head screws (one on each side towards the back, seated into the corbels) so that the shelves would sit firmly in place.  Once that was done, then came the fun part ... accessorizing!

Let's look back one more time ... BEFORE:


AFTER: Here is how they look today, with splashes of Easter added:


So, I leave you with this ... if there is a place ANYwhere in your home where you've wanted to add shelves or just a blank space and you're not sure *what* to add ... truly consider adding cafe shelves that you can build yourSELF.  If I can make them ... YOU can ... I promise (but, if you need to borrow my husband and/or Jax and his precious buddies, you may)!  LOL!  And, don't forget to check out Traci's tutorial (linked above)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Tuesday 28 February 2012

aPaulogy ~ Curious Illustration

I met Priya Sebastian for a cup of chai few days back.
She suggested we drop by at this quaint place at the edge of Richard's Park in Richard's Town, which houses the work of Bangalore-based illustrator Paul Fernandes.
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Not knowing what to expect I just followed her obediently into this space, habitually taking out my camera while she exchanged pleasantries with Mona and Jatin of aPaulogy~ Curious Illustration.

As I looked around this colourful space, I was at once enveloped in a multi-hued world of water colours!
What followed was an hour of surfing the waves of sheer nostalgia of the years spent in the beautiful Cantonment area of Bangalore.
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Paul Fernandes' illustrations are an ode to this charming part of Bangalore. Light-hearted, funny depiction of scenes from the days gone by~ the 70's, his memories and experiences and of friends and families.

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He's work has captured some grand landmarks of the area, which conjures up numerous memories in people who have lived here. The work is also a satirical take on these fast disappearing heritage buildings and structures.

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The charming Mona taking us on a trip down memory-lane. She narrated such delightful little stories associated with each illustration and also some very interesting piece of information.

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Thom's Cafe, a landmark building on Wheeler's Road! I have such fond memories of picking up their warm, fresh out of the oven bread, you drop a blob of butter on it and it would melt:-)

Mona tells us that, in 'those days' it was the only cafe in the Cantonment area which had a Jukebox and they played some lovely music.

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His gallery is peppered with vintage furniture, collectibles and memorabilia's that are remnants of the old Bangalorean charm.

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Paul is a collector of miniature vintage cars...

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An old framed photograph.

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Miniature cars glide on window sills and on tables...

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Paul has captured some beautiful heritage houses, which are fast disappearing.

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This illustration depicts the sincere policemen of yesteryears checking for lit oil lamps on the cycles. There is an antique lamp placed next to the artwork, which almost brings the scene alive!

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Priya and Mona engrossed in one of the illustrations depicting a scene of a pre-wedding Mangalorean party.

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What a fabulous treat it was to the senses, we walked out feeling like one of the characters that Paul Fernandes so beautifully brought to life, from another era.

A little melancholy lingered in my heart thinking about the heritage buildings, that filled us with so many happy memories, were slowly disappearing giving way to huge concrete structures.

Presently Paul Fernandes walks the various mains and streets trying to paint the other remarkable landmarks of Namma Bengaluru!

Kudos Paul Fernandes!

(images by Arch)

Easter Mantel Snippets ...

Greetings, friends !!  What a GORGEOUS day it is outside ... I'm off to enjoy it !!
But, first, I thought I'd share a few sneaks at our Easter mantel.  I'm not quite done, but considering how truly *Spring-like* today feels, I thought I'd share a few of the goodies I've included so far.

Spring "faux" florals that I almost want to sniff:


A sweet birdcage from Michael's (the fact that it was 40% off made it even CUTER):


Yet another *ca-ute* bunny from Pier One:


Annnnd, a fun banner full of Spring colors!


I'll be back soon to share more of that and our *almost* complete master bath!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday 26 February 2012

Map Vignette!

I am so taken with all the uses of maps available for viewing online. If you can think it, it can be done.


I had a globe and a table that needed some creativity. They were both picked up at garage sales.





Before


This is not the exact globe but another one that I have.
I used an old Illinois map for the table after painting the table with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I then wiped stain on the

Saturday 25 February 2012

What Is It ...

So, one of the items on my "to do" list this year is to go through my bazillion pictures and either delete them or save them to a thumb drive so that I'm not suffocating my "C" drive anymore!

As I was doing so, I came across this picture of our dry bar from Fall 2010 ... notice the warm and darker colors splashed around ... the "tuscan" feel ... the "wine" vignette ... the warm, maple cabinets.  Back then, I could've never imagined wanting a lighter color palette.


Especially using almost ALL lighter pieces ... such as this:


or, this:


nor, could I have *ever* imagined picking up a paint brush and using these on my cabinets!


Or, removing glass cabinets to expose open shelves:


And, adding a cute, little "moo":


And, this:


All, to achieve ... this!


One thing that won't ever change is my love for adding feathers:


Nor, creating fun vignettes (and using my cheese knives from PB whenever I can):


Quite a change, isn't it, from this:


To this:


What is it in our brains that causes our decorating tastes to change?!  If you come up with the answer, please don't let me know because I kinda like the color palette my brain is enjoying right now!  :)

PS: While you are thinking about the answer, I'd love it if you'd look over on my right sidebar and "follow" me through the "Linky Follower" option that I just added ... I'm sad that I may lose some of you once once Google Friend Connect does its thing next month.

Happy Saturday, friends! 

Friday 24 February 2012

Cute cloche!

This is nothing new, just too cute.

Everyone has seen these all over the place, at garage sales and thrift stores, etc.









They start out life as a cheese holder...



Marrying a base of some kind to the wood round and in my case, wooden candle sticks from a garage sale. Painting it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint because it's so easy to work with...a little distressing and finishing and you

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Stairwell Wainscoting

Hubby and I have been wanting the look of Judge's Paneling on the wall in our stairwell leading to the second story.

To be honest, Hubby is capable of doing this DIY but chooses to just write the check, so-to-speak.

But, before I continue on with this story and the AFTER pictures, I need to bring you back and show you the BEFORE pictures, okay?

Our stairwell is just a regular stairwell with a

Monday 20 February 2012

Elements of "Little Man's" Room ...

Happy Monday ... hoping for better weather today than we had yesterday, for sure! 

I thought I'd share Jax's room today, even though this room is barely used.  When we transitioned his nursery into a *little boy* room (*sigh*) a few years ago, I knew I wanted to do it in a colorful sports theme. 

Handsome, classic sports bedding from PB Kids became my starting point, along with a white simple down comforter (from JCP):


That led to adding vibrant art (from Home Goods):


Soft sports balls cradled in a sports net (also from PB Kids):


Fun, vintage art (from Land of Nod):


and, a little spot to "READ" (book rack from PB holds just a few of his many books ... vinyl words made by a friend, and the NY bench a gift from his Aunt):


I then added little embellishments, like memories of Disney:


A fish tank that, okay, sits empty, waiting for "Otto" to come back visiting his friends in the ocean.  (Yes, I'm *that* Mom who still doesn't have the heart to tell her son that his fishie died ... a YEAR ago!):


Cute sports lamps from Target ... love the whistle pull:


Mailbox numbers from Lowe's (already with adhesive on the back) to embellish his dresser drawers:


A coat rack, placed low, to serve as an easy spot to hang little hats and medals:


And, of course, Jax had to add something, too ... his handcrafted T-Rex to scare away the "yucky monsters!"


All of these elements come together to create his *2x2* space.  Paint colors:  SW Blonde and SW Rain (accent wall).  Roman shade also from PB Kids:


Shelves from Lowe's:



Now, it's time that I give his playroom a tad bit of a makeover ... graduating from *little boy* to *big* little boy.  I'm going to retire the vibrant primary colors and use a softer palette of navy blue, tan and white.  Imagine my excitement to have recently found these at Good Will ... two 80" valances, matching pillow and three bedshams, complete with Dillard's tags ... ALL for only $11.  Score!  I can't wait to get started!


As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

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